June 2010 archive

The Beginning of the End for Analogue TV

Whilst for many analogue television will still work for a while, analogue television services were switched off in Mildura (in regional Victoria). This will eventually see existing wireless spectrum released back to ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) as a “digital dividend” given that digital television services are already up and running. It is envisaged that this …

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Exchange on the Cheap – Google Mail + ActiveSync = Google Sync

With the release of iOS 4 for iPhone (with iPad users still waiting patiently) the ability to have more than one Microsoft Exchange account (or similar through the use of ActiveSync) has been a long time coming. Those of us that use Microsoft Exchange at work know how handy it is to have push mail …

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Placeshift Your TV with Slingbox

Over the last couple of weeks, I have had my eye on a new gizmo (apart from the iPhone 4 which I will unbox, preview and review). It’s called “Slingbox” and allows you to rebroadcast input video to another device at home or over the Internet. Various inputs may include (but not necessarily limited to): …

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iTunes Vouchers – Suckers Pay Full Price

Just a quick one tonight. Over the last few months, I have noticed various outlets selling iTunes vouchers for some percentage off. Usually, it’s 10% off (as I have seen at BP and a couple of other places) but at the moment Dick Smith Electronics is selling iTunes vouchers in-store for 20% off until 2nd July, …

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Mobile Phones – Evidence Gathering Made Easy

On the way back from the Dendy Cinema at Circular Quay, a fight between two men broke out with about twenty spectators some of which were egging on the individuals involved. Whilst trying to keep out of their way, I phoned it in to the police via 000 who were on the scene in less …

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Digital Number Plates – Distracting or Practical?

It seems these days that almost everything is going digital. Posters are being replaced with flat screens with animated advertising and even tables in food courts have screens built in with advertising. The last place you might expect to see advertising would be on the number plates of your car. Apparently, California is considering the introduction of …

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Windows Shortcuts Are Your Friend

With the advent of the mouse and the GUI (Graphical User Interfaces) many years ago, the vast majority of people may relegate the humble keyboard for menial tasks such as word processing, playing games, entering URLs as well as login credentials. What people may not realise is that there is a whole myriad of shortcuts …

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Should ISPs Disconnect Infected Computers?

In a new parliamentary report, Hackers, Fraudsters and Botnets: Tackling the Problem of Cyber Crime, it has been recommended that it become mandatory that computers have firewall and antivirus software installed prior to an Internet connection being activated. There have also been other measures suggested to assist in containing infected machines such as the “walled garden” approach …

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Watching the World Cup on Computer? Try Devuvuzelator!

Devuvuzelator

Something more topical for today in the form of  program that will help those of you watching the World Cup on your computer (such as via IPTV or other means). I’m sure we all now know about the vuvuzela and that some will find it more irritating than others. If you find it does impact …

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Keys are a Nuisance – Smart Entry FTW!

Prius Smart Key

On the weekend, the missus and I were on the Gold Coast briefly and required a rental car to get us around. We ended up with a Toyota Camry (sadly not the hybrid model) which isn’t a bad car. Whilst not difficult to drive, I did find myself falling into the regular habits of driving …

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