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Hewie's Views and Reviews
By Hewie Poplock
Welcome to this issue of Hewie's Views & Reviews. Be sure to visit Hewie's Favorites at http://www.hewie.net/ .
++++ My upgrade to Microsoft Vista SP1 Part 2
++++ Problem 1 Phone
++++ Problem 2 When a Special isn't
++++ New additions to Hewie's Favorites
++++ My upgrade to Microsoft Vista SP1 Part 2
So far all is working well with my main desktop computer since I installed Service Pack 1 of Vista. See the last issue for details. I don't see
any differences, but at least there is nothing negative to report. My laptop is about 6 months old, but required a BIOS upgrade. That is a chip on the motherboard and requires downloading and installing
some software that writes to the actual BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) chip. If the upgrade bombs, it means sending the laptop back to HP for service.
I backed up the hard drive, downloaded the
software and directions. I then printed the directions to have in front of me. I installed the updated BIOS with no hitches! I then ran all of the Windows updates to Vista, but the SP1 did not show in
the list. It took about 2 weeks for that to happen.
Since it was 2 weeks since my last backup, it meant doing so again. I turned off the Firewall and Anti-Virus programs. Then I ran the upgrade
for Service Pack 1 of Vista. It took about 2 hours, which was filled with lots of anxiety, but it completed successfully. Like my desktop, there were a few issues with the video settings, but after
making a couple of changes through the Control Panel, I was updated.
Once again, I don't see any problems, but all seem to be running fine and solid. I have not had any issues with Vista.
++++ Problem 1 - My iPhone
Last month I had a job assignment that took me to a small Georgia town for a couple of days. I expected to have some free time to catch up with some e-mail and do a bit a
surfing on the day that I arrived. I did not have to work until the next morning. When I registered at the motel desk, one of 4 in the town, I was told that the wi-fi didn't work in the end rooms. Of
course the best rooms were on the end of the halls that only have 10 rooms per side on 2 floors. In fact, the desk clerk stated that the wi-fi was not working, but may be fixed the next day.
I
wasn't worried as I have an iPhone, so I could get my e-mail on the phone. Not! When I tried to retrieve my mail, I got a message that said that it couldn't reach the server, so I rebooted the iPhone.
I still had no e-mail. I went to call AT&T, you know, the "more bars people," and I had no bars. None! Zero! I asked the desk clerk and she had no idea, but another guest said that there
wasn't any AT&T service in the area. There was only Alltel and maybe Verizon.
I have a Verizon Broadband card for my laptop, so I cranked up the laptop in my room & logged on at just
slightly faster than dial-up. I went to the AT&T Wireless site, where I looked at their service area map, I saw that there was a big area missing just around the town that I was in. I had no access to the
AT&T network for my phone, email or browsing that I normally use.
I didn't think to check before I left. I didn't think about the possibility of no service, and I didn't realize
on how much that I relied on my iPhone's e-mail & phone service. I guess I'll know to check that out next time that I travel.
++++ Problem 2 - When a Special isn't
I read many of
the blogs that tell of deals and freebies. I have been spending a lot more than one would expect because there are so many great deals out there. One of the sites is 1saleaday (link purposely omitted).
They had a Logitech notebook USB optical mouse for 5 bucks. It looked like a good deal, even with a $5 shipping charge. In fact, I thought that I would buy 2. They charge shipping for each unit, so for
$20, I was getting 2 laptop mice. I though it was a pretty good deal.
When they arrived, I plugged one into my main desktop and have been happily using it since. About a week later, I
installed the second mouse on my laptop and it didn't work. I swapped it for the unit that worked on my desktop and it still didn't work. It definitely is a DOA (dead on arrival). The vendor has
no phone number on their site, so I sent and email.
Their remedy was to have me send back the defective mouse and they would credit my purchase. It sounds fair, but let's look at the remedy.
It would cost me $4.80 for postage to return the item, plus the envelope and gas to get to the post office to get a $4.99 credit. I emailed them back and thanked them, but said that I would just eat the
cost.
So, my great deal is now $20 for a mouse. I am being much more careful with my purchases. A deal isn't always what it seems, if things go wrong, and they do.
++++ New additions to Hewie's Favorites
There are more new sites this issue, because we skipped a month.
iCue
http://icue.com/
Collection if Video
Cue Cards with video clips from NBC News. Immerse, Connect, Understand, Excel, is a learning tool that taps into the vast resources of NBC News while informing the next generation of NBC viewers
Mento
http://www.mento.info/
Mento is for sharing links with friends - Smarter than email overload, more permanent than IM, and always just one click away
Roost
http://www.roost.com/web/home.action
Online search engine for home buyers, will include local Multiple Listing Service listings, new
construction and for-sale-by-owner properties. The site also includes links to local real estate broker sites. Now includes the Orlando & Tampa areas
Schmap
http://www.schmap.com/
Schmap destination guides - travel guides with photos, reviews and dynamic maps for cities, islands and regions worldwide.
ZoHo
http://www.zoho.com/
Suite of online web applications geared towards increasing your productivity and offering easy collaboration. Includes a word processor, spreadsheet application,
presentation tool, hosted wiki, notebook, CRM etc
Website Magazine
http://www.websitemagazine.com/
Free Website Magazine for Online
Success. Internet businesses subscribe to WebsiteMagazine.com the free publication with current tools, know-how, and trends in the website trade. Includes online news,forums and classifieds.
Diabetes Mall
http://www.diabetesnet.com/
Provides extensive diabetes information, the latest research findings and great discounts on diabetes
products.
Clipmarks
http://clipmarks.com/
Clipmarks lets you capture the specific content on a web page that you want others to see
Ticket Clinic
http://www.ticketclinic.com/
Traffic Ticket Attorney - Nationwide Legal Lawyer Assistance with Tickets and DUI
Myxer
http://www.myxertones.com/
Ringtones by Myxer is the easiest way to MAKE, SHARE and DOWNLOAD Ringtones.
Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/
Smartphones & Pocket PC magazine online, resources, downloads, tips, news, reviews and articles for the users of Windows CE
based, Windows Mobile Pocket PCs, PDA, Handheld PCs, and Smartphones
TinEye
http://tineye.com/login
Give it an image and it will tell you where the image appears on the web
Circos
http://www.circos.com/
hotel (and restaurant) search engine that
intelligently crawls Web 2.0â€"not only the review sites, but blogs and social media
Eat This, Not That!
http://www.menshealth.com/
eatthis/Drink-This-Not-That/index.php
Eat This, Not That finds the best and worst foods and healthy drink swaps
Florida's Most Wanted
http://www.myfloridalegal.com/MostWant.nsf/most
Attorney General of Florida Most Wanted website
LiveNewsCameras.com
http://www.livenewscameras.com/
Watch Live Streaming News of breaking news and weather, helicopter video
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