factories

Easy to navigate

Though the interface design could use a splash of color, we found converting files to PDFs extremely fast and easy thanks to pdfFactory's extremely easy-to-use interface navigation.

The program can be accessed through any program's Print function. For our tests, we converted Word documents, Excel files, and even Web pages. Once we selected the program from our printer options, our selected files and/or Web pages were immediately converted into PDFs that we could preview through the drab, but functional, main user interface. The tabbed-style display window gave us options for embedding fonts and converting original URLs to … Read more

What to do when your hi-fi breaks

I get this one a lot, what should I do about my--fill-in-the-blank--broken headphones, buzzing speakers, static noises, intermittent sound, or when my subwoofer stops subbing?

Only rarely can I solve the problem with a quick fix; I always first advise contacting the dealer or Web site that sold you the product. Service is their responsibility and if they don't provide it, you shouldn't buy from them.

Of course, the best time to ask about service is before you buy any product. Will they replace a product if it fails within 90 days of purchase? Do they pay for return shipping? I'm talking about audio products here, but that advice works for any tech purchase. … Read more

Intel to close plants, up to 6,000 workers affected

Updated at 3:00 p.m. PST with comments from an Intel spokesperson.

Intel said on Wednesday it will close chip plants to align its manufacturing capacity to current market conditions. Between 5,000 and 6,000 employees will be affected.

The world's largest chipmaker will halt production at five "older" factories.

The company plans to close two existing assembly test facilities in Penang, Malaysia, and one in Cavite, Philippines, and will halt production at Fab 20, an older 200mm wafer fabrication facility in Hillsboro, Ore., Intel said. Additionally, wafer production operations will end at the D2 … Read more

Your DRM-free theme is going to cost you

I used to be a huge fan of Windows desktop themes. Granted, this was over 10 years ago, when I knew little about computers and was ignorant of the amount of system resources themes consumed. I don't use them today, as I prefer to keep my system clean and optimized, but I still understand the appeal. Customizing your desktop with a new theme makes for a new experience.

The Skins Factory is trying to give its users a new experience when installing desktop themes. It has announced that its Windows desktop-theme software, Hyperdesk, is now DRM-free. According to the … Read more

Secrets of the mysterious iPhone girl

The iPhone 3G was one of this year's most anticipated products from Apple. With more than a million handsets sold, one in particular shipped with three images of an Asian Foxconn Technology Group worker posing over an iPhone assembly line.

The photos were posted by a British consumer who purchased the iPhone, then posted the photos to Mac Rumors under the username "markm49uk." Since the photos have surfaced, many questions and discussions have taken place as to who she is, and whether she will lose her job.

According to Mac Rumors, a Foxconn representative confirmed that she … Read more

Featured Freeware: FormatFactory

Whether you're looking to change a video format to save space or because you lack a necessary codec, the freeware FormatFactory could be the last converter you'll need. It's not perfect, but it handles 12 types of video formats, six audio types, eight image formats, and DVD/ISO conversions with speed and accuracy.

The interface is simple and utilitarian, although spiked with format-icons and a big banner announcing the program's name for no reason other than to put lipstick on the pig. The left navigation menu has collapsible links to the various formats you can convert … Read more

FormatFactory churns out conversions

Whether you're looking to change a video format to save space or because you lack a necessary codec, the freeware FormatFactory is likely to be the last converter you'll need. It's not perfect, but it handles 12 types of video formats, six audio types, eight image formats, and DVD/ISO conversions with speed and accuracy.

The interface is simple and utilitarian, although spiked with format-icons and a big banner announcing the program's name for no reason other than to put lipstick on the pig. The left nav holds collapsible links to the various formats you can … Read more

Google Health beta test begins

Update 4:20 p.m.: I added some more detail and comment. Update 12:50 p.m. PDT: I added more detail.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Google on Monday launched a beta test of its Google Health service to archive medical records and find medical services.

The site is a personal portal that can be used to upload, store, and view personal information, retrieve records from partners, investigate health matters, set alerts such as a reminder to take medication, and run applications that can, for example, keep track of how many miles a person has walked.

In some areas, Google's … Read more

Google adding display ads to image search

Update 5 p.m. PDT: I added some more details about text ads not working well in image search and about quotation search at Google News.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Google is beginning an "experiment" that incorporates graphical ads with image search results.

"What we're announcing today is a new suite of image-related experiments. We're pairing images with images for the first time--display ads with image search," product management director R.J. Pittman said at a Google media event at company headquarters here.

Google got rich off of text ads that appear next to textual … Read more