(Credit:
Dan Ackerman )
As someone who moves into a new laptop a couple of times per week on average, I'd like to think I know a thing or two about getting a PC optimally set up. For more than a year now, I've carried a USB key on my keychain (most recently the excellent LaCie Iamakey), containing a folder of install files for apps I know I'm going to want to have on whatever laptop I'm reviewing at the moment.
While you're probably setting up only one new desktop or laptop this holiday season (or maybe more if you're the unofficial family IT guy), it makes sense to have a checklist of apps, especially free ones, that should be installed on any new PC.
Check out the slideshow below to see my personal list of apps I keep on my USB key, or give us your suggestions in the comments section below.
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> See our Holiday laptop picks in the CNET Holiday Tech Guide.
> Everything you need to know about buying a laptop.
(Credit:
The Press Democrat)
When it comes to speed radars, why should police officers have all the fun? Santa Rosa, CA-based Pocket Radar, Inc. has engineered a palm-sized speed radar for those curious about the speed of moving objects.
Tattletales might enjoy aiming the device at motorists or speeding cops, but Pocket Radar is intended for more serious applications.
In an interview with the Press Democrat, co-founder Steve Goody explains that it can also be used by hockey, bike racing, horse racing, and soccer fans. "It has an application for any sport with a moving object," he said.
Steve Goody, Chris Stewart, and Grant Moulton spent four years building the product which will release in spring 2010. The three founders are Silicon Valley veterans who hail from companies like HP, Cisco Systems, and Agilent Technologies.
At $199-249, it's likely only die-hard fans will purchase the radar. However, athletic trainers might find it useful in training, as a prototype is already used by a local baseball coach.
Windows users still drooling over Apple's multitouch Magic Mouse might finally have an excuse to step into an Apple store, thanks to "a little hackery" by UneasySilence.
The hack exploits a vulnerability in Apple's latest Bluetooth Update, uncovering Magic Mouse drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows from XP to 7. We've yet to put it to the test ourselves, but users online are reporting success with full use of the Magic Mouse's vertical touch-scrolling. Leave a comment and let us know if it works for you.
We should mention that since this is a hack, there's no guarantee Apple will allow the mouse to work with Windows indefinitely, so enjoy it while you can. Of course, if you share our hesitation about buying a $69 pointing device with no buttons, you can always check out our updated roundup of CNET Reviews' top-scoring mice or go nuts with the OOMouse's 18 clickable buttons.
The Microsoft Office 2010 beta was released Wednesday, and though there aren't many major changes from the Technical Preview from July, there are some new features and enhancements worthy of note. This post will focus on the changes to the beta, but if you want a larger overview of new features across all the applications, check out our rundown of the Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview.
Outlook is the cornerstone of many companies' communications and daily schedules, and as such received a lot of enhancements in Office 2010. In the beta version, Microsoft has added even more ways to connect with coworkers and contacts. The new Outlook Social Connector is an added information pane that gives you more info about everyday contacts. Once set up, you'll be able to view pictures of contacts (even in large cc lists), previous conversations, attachments shared, meetings attended, and much more. Though not complete in the beta, Microsoft says the Outlook Social Connector will soon be able to connect with social Web sites like Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow status updates and more all in one location.
The Office 2010 Technical Preview introduced the Back Stage view, an enhanced File menu (accessed from the Office Icon tab) that lets you manage your documents, set permissions, and share your projects with colleagues. In the beta version Microsoft has decided to return to calling it the File menu, but with all the functionality and flexibility of Back Stage. They also have made it possible to access all the other tabs in the Ribbon, which were previously inaccessible in the Technical Preview, so you can get to the information you want quickly without the added step of exiting Back Stage.
... Read moreEver wander into one of those Verizon or AT&T stores, attempt to have a conversation with one of the smartly dressed salespeople, and whisper to yourself, "What kind of emotionally awkward humans end up working in a place like this?"
Well, I have good news for you.
Ricky Gervais, who made David Brent perhaps the most painfully sympathetic character in modern television in the original BBC version of "The Office," has been asking himself the very same question. "Phone Shop" a new British sitcom, enjoys Gervais as its script editor (he reportedly took one look at the idea and volunteered his involvement). The pilot airs Friday evening on Channel 4.
"Phone Shop" will explore the life of salespeople in a soul-sucking mall cell phone shop.
(Credit: Channel 4)Unlike "The Office," which gained existential pleasure from the old-world business of paper manufacture, "Phone Shop" is set in a mall cell phone store.
The pilot episode follows the troubles experienced by trainee salesman Christopher, who has to sell a cell phone by 6
... Read more
Lexmark's X4650 multifunction printer works over Wi-Fi--or with the bundled USB cable.
(Credit: Wal-Mart)In the market for a new printer? Might as well get one that doubles as a scanner and copier. And one that works without wires.
Wal-Mart has the Lexmark X4650 wireless all-in-one printer for $59. Shipping will run you 97 cents, though you can skip that by opting for store pickup. Either way, plan on paying sales tax.
As most of you know, I hold Wi-Fi printers in the same high regard as chocolate-covered caramels and Jessica Alba. The X4650 connects to your Wi-Fi router for blissfully wireless printing and scanning.
Ironically, Wal-Mart bundles a 10-foot Tripp Lite gold-plated USB cable, just in case you're not planning to go the Wi-Fi route.
The X4650 offers dual-cartridge printing. If you want the best possible photo results, you can swap in a photo-ink cartridge for the black one and enjoy six-color output.
The downside is that, as with most inkjets, cartridges cost a pretty penny. Plan on dropping at least $... Read more
On Sale Now: $69.93 - $103.52
View the latest prices for Lexmark X4650
The lovely and brilliant Anna David joins the show today to fill Justin's diminutive shoes. Pray for him. He's still not feeling too well. Our beautiful new co-host tells us about her new Web site Annalytical Answers, where she answers your questions about dating, love and--yes--S. E. X. Wilson can barely contain himself.
Look! She's using a computer. That's tech!
(Credit: Eric Fischer)Before we dive headlong into the questions that have continued to perplex men for millennia, Anna and the crew share stories about the post office and how no one there can smile. We think it's an actual work rule. Justin and Wilson vie for the affection of any lady that ventures onto The 404. In Anna's case, the win and subsequent fail goes to Justin. Justin, who ignores a question about a printer from a hot woman AND he's the printer expert? When is that really ever going to happen again? For shame, Justin, for shame.
We can't recap them all, but we spend most of the show with Anna answering questions from the chat room about dating. Some memorable questions: How do you get out of the friend zone? Does long distance dating ever work out? Is it really OK to date a cougar? Be sure to send in your questions.
All that and more on today's lovely show. If you want your dating questions answered, head on over to Annalytical Answers and sign up! In the mean time, we wish Justin a speedy recovery and be sure to check back for more 404 madness.
EPISODE 455
Listen now: Download today's podcastSubscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video
... Read more
Remember the Death Clock, that oh-so-depressing site that counts down the time you have left to live?
I won't say this is the exact opposite, but it's in the ballpark: Earn-O-Meter for iPhone tallies up your income, in real-time, while you work.
The idea of this tongue-in-cheek app is to help you endure workday drudgery by showing how much money you're earning while "sitting through pointless meetings, dull conference calls, and inane conversations with nitwits in the workplace." (The developer's words, not mine.)
And, let's face it, wouldn't it be nice if you could emerge from another mind-numbing meeting with the knowledge that you'd pocketed, say, $37 for your trouble?
Of course, depending on your income level, this might be just as depressing as the Death Clock. (I could tell you how much I earned writing this post, but I don't like to cry onstage.)
Anyway, all you do is enter your hourly, daily, or annual wages, then set your workday's start and end times. Then
... Read more
(Credit:
Technabob)
If you feel like your co-workers just don't ostracize you enough, these fuzzy bear and rabbit USB hand warmers are sure to do the trick. "Why does that guy have his hands jammed into a stuffed animal's esophagus?" they'll ask.
Though I've had the good fortune to have never worked in an office, I have seen every episode of "The Office" and thus feel qualified to say that wearing these things are a surefire way to turn you into a weirder, colder, and furrier version of Dwight (or Gareth, or whoever fills that role in the Australian, Quebecoise, etc. versions).
They're a little bit cute and a lot bit creepy, and they're available for $22.50 per pair.
This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.
At or near the top of the list of aggravations for new PC owners is the trial version of a program that came preinstalled on the system refusing to uninstall once the trial period expires. The irritation really peaks when the product in question is from Microsoft.
Before I could install a bought-and-paid-for copy of Outlook 2007 on my laptop, I had to uninstall the trial version of Office Enterprise 2007 that was preinstalled on the machine's hard drive when I bought it several months ago. Very early in the uninstall process, an alert popped up reporting Error 1310 and instructing me to verify that I had access to a certain directory.
An attempt to uninstall the trial version of Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 generated an error message.
(Credit: Microsoft)I decided to try the uninstall again using the free Revo Uninstaller utility. In addition to cleaning up the Registry entries, files, folders, and other refuse that the program's own uninstaller misses, Revo Uninstaller finds and deletes junk files on your PC and performs other cleanup duties.
... Read more







