packing

Track multiple packages with maps using TrackThePack

Package tracking is really one of the better inventions of the 20th century. One of my favorite tools for said activitiy is TrackThePack, a delightfully simple tool that lets you track packages from a multitude of services, and keep them together in one simple list. It also throws each shipping location the package visits onto a map, which is neat, but mostly useless.

If you're unregistered, you can only run a single tracking number at a time. Registered users get the added benefit of pulling in the package updates as an RSS or iCal notification feed. People who will … Read more

Even virtual homes can't resist IKEA

I don't know how many of you still play the Sims 2 but, if you do, here's something to add to the clutter in your virtual home: IKEA furniture. The expansion pack for the PC simulation game will debut on June 20 in Asia with a recommended retail price of S$25.90 (about US$19). Folks in the U.S. and Europe will get theirs on June 23 and June 27, respectively. The collaboration is not the first of its kind as gamers already have access to Ford's Mustang GT and H&M apparels. What … Read more

Microsoft embraces 'Bring Your Own Laptop' model

REDMOND, Wash.--You've heard of BYOB, now get ready for Bring Your Own Laptop.

There's a small but growing trend in which companies are choosing to give employees money toward their personal laptop, rather than providing a company-issued portable. British Petroleum is among the companies that is trying the approach.

One of the technologies that is making that possible is desktop virtualization, which allows companies to put their software or even an entire corporate image onto the device without having to worry about the fact that it doesn't control the entire laptop. Basically, the corporate stuff can … Read more

Power Downloader restores Mozilla applications

Last week when Microsoft released Windows XP Service Pack 3 unto the world, a few "lucky" XP users had their computers come to a screeching, brain-jarring halt. Kitty Kilobyte's best friend Penny Penryn was hit badly by this bug, and she had to do a full reinstall of her operating system.

As frustrating as a crash of this magnitude can be, Penny Penryn was surprisingly as cool as a fan for a quad-core CPU. She didn't lose any of her important documents because followed Power Downloader's advice and backed them up using SyncBack. She didn'… Read more

Power Downloader keeps up with Windows updates

The other day, Kitty Kilobyte called up Power Downloader with a pressing concern. Was there an easy way to tell if Microsoft had pushed Windows XP Service Pack 3 to her computer yet?

Some of you may laugh at Kitty, but besides displaying terrible social skills, Microsoft updates are no joking matter. Sure, Power knows that they may not always be released as planned, like with XP SP3 or Vista SP1 earlier this week, but when they do get downloaded to your machine they're important. Patching security holes and performance enhancements can make the difference between running a healthy … Read more

dBpoweramp for music file format conversion

I had a problem. Years ago, I bought Microsoft's now-discontinued Digital Media Plus Pack for converting my LP records into digital files. Because it's a Microsoft product from back in the day when Microsoft was gung-ho about Windows Media, it only rips to Windows Media Audio. And of course, it's Windows only. (Other than that, it's a great tool--very easy to use, never messes up line leveling, and has a good algorithm for removing pops and scratches.)

Back when I used iTunes and my iPod exclusively, I'd simply rip the album into WMA, then import … Read more

Don't install Windows XP Service Pack 3, yet

The Internet is littered with stories about the soon to be released third service pack for Windows XP. Here's an uncommon wrinkle. Don't install it when it's officially released on the 29th. Not yet, it's too soon.

I say this at the risk of not being a team player. Fellow CNET blogger, Robert Vamosi, recently wrote "Starting April 29, all Windows XP SP2 users should upgrade to SP3..." If this is my last posting, you'll know why.

A fundamental tenant of Defensive Computing is not to install newly released software. With Windows XP … Read more

Microsoft starts pushing out Vista SP1

Microsoft said on Wednesday that it is beginning automatic distribution of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the first major update to the year-and-a-half-old operating system.

The company finalized the Vista update in February, but has held off until now pushing it directly to individuals.

Starting Wednesday, the company will start sending it to Vista users who have Windows' automatic update feature turned on. However, the company cautioned that not everyone will get SP1 immediately.

"While Microsoft is beginning automatic distribution today, it's important to note that customers might not see the update download right away since Microsoft is … Read more

Microsoft finishes big XP update

Microsoft said on Monday that it has wrapped up development of its long-awaited Service Pack 3 update to Windows XP.

The update, which consists of previously released updates and a few new bug fixes and changes, will be available for download via the Web on April 29. Microsoft said it plans to start pushing out XP SP3 this summer to "home users" who have Automatic Updates turned on.

A Microsoft representative said the company won't update boxed copies of Windows XP with the service pack, though it will be an option for computer makers that are still … Read more

Taming the power pack sprawl: photo contest highlights mess under desktops

Here's one that many CNET readers can enjoy: snap a photo of that dusty rat's nest of wires under your desk. Best-case scenario, you win lunch in Beverly Hills and maybe influence green-tech policy.

The contest is called "What's Under your Desk" and it's put on by Green Plug, a company that launched at Demo last year. Here's a video review from Michelle Thatcher at CNET and write-up from News.com's Erica Ogg on Webware.

The idea is to send in photos of those tangled messes caused by consumer electronics to make … Read more