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Three free remote-access apps for iPhones

The App Store is home to numerous apps that let you connect to a desktop PC from afar. Granted, navigating Windows on a screen as comparatively tiny as the iPhone's is not a lot of fun, but it works better than you'd expect.

Indeed, I've used remote-access (or "RA") software many times for simple tasks like e-mailing a file, peeking at a document, and even shutting down the PC (when I'm too lazy to walk down a flight of stairs).

My RA app of choice? LogMeIn Ignition, which works even better on the iPad … Read more

How hardware shapes software

As many commented on the "Death by PowerPoint" theme, tools don't create bad presentations, people do--even if the tools must share some of the blame for encouraging certain paths.

But, as a reader points out, we shouldn't just blame software in this regard:

It's just too hard and time consuming to freely draw diagrams and text, as on a whiteboard. Maybe this issue will finally improve with touch computing, but until then, we do all waste a lot of time...

This is an important and insightful point. We mostly use keyboards and mice to enter … Read more

Five free Windows utilities you should download

You know me: I love a good freebie. Today I've got five of them for you, all Windows utilities that solve specific problems and/or make life a little easier. Best of all, not one of them will sell out.

Nepotism alert: Some of the links below lead to related posts on my Business Hacks blog--a great (IMHO) source for tools like these as well as everyday tips and tricks for making your workday work better. If you love me like you say you do, you'll bookmark it and visit daily.

1. Advanced Uninstaller  A perfect … Read more

Apple KB Updates: Troubleshooting Mail, enabling Magic Mice Gestures, and iTunes quitting

Apple has updated a couple of knowledgebase articles, one of which covers how to tackle problems with Mail connectivity in OS 10.6, and others that discuss the enabling of Magic Mice gestures and how to prevent a specific iMovie crash in OS 10.6.3.… Read more

Watch out! There's a mouse at your feet

For those with upper-body disabilities, using a computer can be quite challenging. While voice recognition software has advanced to a stage where you can orate an essay and see it typed out, in some cases cursor control may involve a touch screen and a straw held in the mouth.

Designer Liu Yi has come up with the Toe Mouse, which, as its name suggests, is made for the feet. Gripped between the big toe and the second toe (as with a pair of flip-flops), this wireless peripheral uses an optical sensor and two buttons to give physically challenged users full … Read more

The 404 555: Where we're sweating in our jeans (podcast)

Another Natali Del Conte Thursday is upon us, and, as usual, her timing is perfect because all this week we've been talking about parenting! So far, we've only talked about how frustrating it can be to teach parents how to use technology; however, today's episode exposes all the creative ways we got into trouble as children. It turns out, Justin record isn't exactly "clean," and Natali has something of an evil twin...

It all starts with a story in the news about a 16-year-old in Arkansas suing his mother for stalking him on Facebook. According to the KATV article, the mother, Denise New, read a few comments on her son's Facebook page about his reckless driving and decided to "hack" into his Facebook account, change his password, and read his messages.

While parents are certainly within their rights to monitor their children's Internet usage, it sparks a larger conversation about parental responsibility and the minimum age suggestion for allowing children on social networks. We'd love to hear parents chime in with a comment about how you check up on your special little guy or girl. Keyloggers? Password hacks? Over-the-shoulder reading? Let us know!

One of The 404's recurring themes is our fierce hatred and disgust over men's feet, and more specifically, men wearing flip-flops. However, we've decided that the only time the visual is acceptable is if you're using an exposed foot to control Liu Yi's Toe Mouse (or if you're preparing this entree).

It's only a concept for now, but Yi's toe-operated mouse is specifically designed for users with physical disabilities that limit the use of the upper body. The mouse is ergonomic, so it fits just like a normal sandal--between the big and second toes--but don't expect to see a CNET video review anytime soon...for your sake, trust me.

Finally, we have a full spread of calls (and e-mails) From the Public with your comments about tech-inept parents, listening to the show in class, hot sauce gifts, and more! Add your input to The 404 Podcast by leaving a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET or send us an e-mail to the404(at)cnet(dot)com. Stay cool!

EPISODE 555 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more