Good ranged wireless router

Today i got a Belkin G (802.11g) router, the shop i got it from was moving to a bigger store so i managed to get a higher-ranged model for less then the short range model.

I am sure I'll have to post something about this router as wired networking was hard enough to set up, I am sure it must be harder with wireless, lol.

Anyways I just wanted to post my thought about super long ranged routers, they are good for schools and offices but for home, unless your in a double story house, think about your neighbours or drive-by people being able to download with your Internet connection, even do illegal things using your account.

Speech over the Internet

I am quite sure its not new news that when you send messages over the Internet that the recipient can't read your face or detect your tone.

If it is you may want to send a sorry message to Mary right now telling her that when you said your stupid, you really meant your stupid lol.

It gets annoying after a while but it seems that adding lol, is a good way to make people know your saying that in a joking or sarcastic way and that no meaning was attached to the words you said.

BTW lol means Laugh Out Loud, it basically means to have fun about or make a joke out of , kind of like just laughing after saying a joke, to ease up people and stop them from thinking about the joke in a serious way.


Now I want a laugh so post your messages that sounded funny or was taken the wrong way because of the nature of saying things over the Internet.

Continous reading PDFs

I can't read smoothly in adobe reader or pdf readers, when I scroll down too much it skips automatically to the next page.

To be able to scroll down and read to the bottom of the page and see the start of the next in the same screen:

Open up Adobe Reader (instructions for this software only)

View > Page Display > Single Page Continous

Handy Spellchecker

Reading my blog i think you will find that i have way too many typos and spelling errors. I have since used BlogSpot's built in spell checker so hopefully i can help reduce the challenges in reading my blog, lol.

A common way i use to spell check without a built-in spellchecker was to copy and paste my text into word and spell check it ;) nice, it has all the functions you ever need from thesaurus to dictionary.

I usually however still carry a separate dictionary called WordWeb, It loads much faster and helps me spell check as well as define and find synonyms. You can download it Here.

Sure it can't recommend spellings as good as word but if you use word and WordWeb in partnership, you can get a fairly fine filter to scoop out all those spelling sillies.

Toshiba Lovin

Just using my Toshiba laptop i talked about earlier and wanted to talk about some of its good points.

It has USB on the side so i don't look like an idiot searching for a hole in the back of the laptop (most brands have this now)

It has a cool spinner wheel to control the volume at the front of the laptop.

Its super quiet

A whole range or line of models are designed to be the same looking and unlike other brands such a HP, Toshiba doesn't have the model printed in large text, this can be an advantage in if you buy a lower class model it looks the same as the higher class models, this can be bad if you like to show off expensive laptops. But your laptop will eventually be out dated and the design of not printing the model number can help make your laptop look its part for longer, in fact the model is only printed on a barcode on the bottom of the laptop.

Network Idea 3 computers, 1 wired modem

I am planning on buying a wireless router so i can use the Internet on my laptop and desktop (which are located outside of my room, where the main desktop is and therefore the broadband modem) Its fairly cheap these days if you don't need a wireless router that allows your laptop to connect to the Internet at home from school or the shops (lol, i.e. you only need a short range router)

My tip is before you get broadband think about asking for a wireless modem. Some broadband companies give free modems (on contract plans) and ask if you want a wired or wireless. My mistake was asking for a wired cause now i have to spend money on a wireless router to route the wired modem. Usually wireless modems, (unless your ISP is a strategic money making stingy one), will provide you with a wireless router that has wireless and one ethernet which will solve all my problems (ethernet for room desktop and wireless for latop)

Wired routers, at least my one has a usb and a ethernet so if you have two computer close range you may consider that.

Remeber to ask for the details on the modems because as i said not all ISPs will give you the same modem. Some wireless modmes may really only be designed for one laptop and have no ethernet etc.

My problem is that the desktop out of my room is a really old one and i am not sure if i can install a wireless card or if it worth it. An idea i had was,



Main desktop ~~~ laptop -------- Older desktop.

~~~ wireless connection
------ ethernet


Of course this setout is't perferct and especially if i can get a router for less than $100. It would also mean my laptop would have to be near the old desktop for both to go on the internet. But I thought I'd post my idea anyways incase if there is a scenaino for someone to use to this. BTW the ethernet connection would be with laptop ethernet to old desktop pci ethernet, the internet would come to old computer via wireless to the laptop.

Lots of development wok being done on the Internet

I have noticed that many websites are undergoing better user interfaces and adding a little practicality too.

MySpace
Yahoo! home page
Windows Live

Keep an eye out for some friendly competition which means better looking graphics and maybe some added features to you, the customer.

Best Investment: Cleaning LCDs and laptops

How do i get rid of finger prints on my laptop?
How do i get rid of finger prints on my laptop lcd?
How do i get rid of finger prints on my lcd screen?
What do i use to clean lcd screens?

Is that the type of questions you want answers to?

The answer is simple get a microfibre cloth, buying this cloth is probably the best investment ever! You can usually get them in the cleaning section of shops, they may be in the mirror or car cleaning products section as these are other uses for microfibre cloths. These cloths have micro-fibre so they pick up everything and leave no scratched or cloth marks, hence being used for mirrors and cars for shine and clarity.

Just get a microfibre cloth and wipe gently to remove any fingerprints on shiny metallic paint looking surfaces on laptop fronts or even external hard drive cases. Recent fingerprints and even oily finger prints can be taken off lcd screens with microfibre cloths. For older prints, i wet the dirty part of the lcd screen with a damp tissue (barely damp) and then dry off with a soft tissue and than use microfibre cloth to clean up the remaining water. Remember unlike CRT (fat sized screens) screens water is really bad for lcds (so they say) so use my method at your own risk! I don't take any responsibility for what happens, different lcd brands/models may give varied affects.

Tricky Yahoo! ?

I usually only use Yahoo! for my e-mails. With the new interface in Yahoo! you can select tabs to go to places such as E-mail.

When I put my mouse over e-mails it expands to show this:






I usually sign in and check and then read that 1 or none e-mail and sign out. But this time i actually realised that i always sign in to check because of this image saying i have 9 emails or at least implying that. It always shows 9, sure it can be just an example but do you think its tricky business to get you to sign in so they have an extra hit for their advertisers? if we multiply by many people that's a lot of advertising revenue. Or do you think its a good idea because it makes you think you got e-mail and forces you to check just in case you do have e-mails?

I am never signed in already so that preview function is useless to me. Maybe it could be useful if it shows the right amount of new e-mails but that wold require me to allow anyone who can touch my comuters to read my e-mails....

Open links in new tab Firefox

There is a way to set FireFox to automatically open every single link in a new tab but for those who like to open links in new tabs at their own will use the following:

For favourites: Use the middle click button.

For all other links: Hold down Ctrl + left click

For a slower method: Right click and select open in new tab

Vista Double Paste

A problem i have not yet fixed is in Vista when i paste files from a thumb drive into the laptop's hard drive. It sometimes gives me no response, i have to click paste or drag and drop again until the transfer dialogue will come up and start pasting.

I have not yet solved this problem, for this type of situation I will add a label called "Save Me"

Firefox 3 is out

Just a reminder first, before you install FF3 consider backing up your profile (favourites and all, search my blog, I have shown you how)

Here is how you get it: Download Selection Page

Here are my thoughts:

• It might be safer internally?

• The user interface has had a change and looks different

• At the moment i have had a very hard problem finding the practical advantage of updating, no add-ons work. I have hit update add-ons and have managed to get about 4 or 5 add-ons working but that is only like 20% of my add-ons working.

• Some practical features would be the new book marks feature where it can list your most used sites etc. Nice little things but I don’t use, yet

• Yet to explore more of it, better update this post later to be more fair, keep an eye out for this post being updated.

Feel free to comment your experience, favourites and hates on FF3.

Shortcut to Windows Calculator

[Windows button + R]

Type: "calc"

[Press enter]

Headlines

Just a quick headline post on recent tech. news

• Bill Gates will be resigning from his full time duties soon at MS
• Intel has released a new line of CPUs called Atom, mainly targeted at portable devices
• A new record has been set for the fastest computer, but instead of your usual mainframes this one was made from parts you can get out of high performance consoles such as the Xbox? check here
  
• Dell is making mini computers (ee style protabl device) check here
  

LinkXchange

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To exchange links with my website please have this on your site / blog:
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Display: GecLiving

With Hyperlink to: http://gecsoft.blogspot.com/


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and then post a comment here with:
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Display name:

Hyperlink to:

Type of website: e.g. Cheats for games

Contact Me

I think its obvious what this section is for ;)

Blury graphics and text

On my desktop, I've been having troubles running games, my gfx card would just turn idle and the screen would turn off. I then for some reason started to experience blurry text and out of focus graphics. When i used the auto focus button on my LCD screen, the whole screen would be displaced to the left by a couple of CMs.

This is what i did, it solved the problem but which attempt solved it? no idea

• Turn the resoultion down and then back up in Windows XP
• Turned off tower and monitor for a while
• Disconnected monitor cable from gfx card
• Used a paint brush and clean dust off card
• Re-connected cable and gfx card to tower
• Powered back on, all fine again :D

My ideas are maybe lose cable, and after cleaning i put it back on tighter or turning off the tower cleared something maybe? OR last explanation would be faires or nothing, just time fixed it {shrugs}

Post your problems

1 . Having software or hardware troubles that i didn't have (therefore not in my blog)?
Hit post comment and tell us about your problem and hopefully i can help or visitors to this site can provide some feedback.


2 . Also, have you had a rarely documented problem that you kept searching the internet to find a solution? help others avoid stupid errors and post your experience in solving it. Remember to write down the error message too, that helps others decide if they are in the same boat.

Your MS Vista stories

I want to hear your stories on Vista, go on now, commenting is quick and easy and you don't need to join anything.

For me, the advantages found in ?Vista are:

• Renaming files is smarter cause it only selects the file name, not extension as well, so you never have to re-select the file name to avoid over typing the extension. e.g. selects "Holiday".jpeg rather than "Holiday.jpeg"
• Transferring files now has a cooler interface where you can see transfer speeds, data remaining, data copied or moved etc.
• The calendar is better on Vista (when you roll over the time with your mouse)
• Noticeably faster shut down times than XP.
• Simplified naming, "Users" folder is used instead of "documents and settings" which is faster for when i have to search things by typing directories.
• The ability to sorft files and folders by a bigger amount fo critera (last edit, open etc.)
• Ability to right click shortcuts and locate and open the destination folder that the shortcut leads to.
• Much better (files and folder) search function
  

For me the things i dislike are:

• Sidebar, I never used it, it was more annoying me.
• Shut down buttons are customisable so when your in the wrong power mode the button can be standby instead of shut down and you have to change all the profiles to conform to avoid having to turn the computer back on to shut it down.
• Shut down also has no confirmation windows, which is faster to shut down but the shut down button being visible in the Start menu means i can accidentally shut down when using a touch pad.
• Common one, incompatibility of Windows XP apps in Vista and even worse being able to run Windows XP apps but then having it crash when you save your work before closing it.
• Control panel has had some major changes and being able to adjust settings is sometimes a pain, e.g. the method used to enable hibernation is no longer in the same place and I've given up and have no time to try and enable it no more.
  

Know me better

Agree! MS Word incompatibility has been such a big issue for me when team members are sending me work that I have to have a footer in all my e-mails that says "I do not accept .docx formats" although now I've got an application that can help me convert it, also SP (serivce packs) for office can help and I might upgrade soon despite being lost in the changes to the interface in Word2007. Hey this gives me an idea, I'll try to remember to post about the conversion software for those who dislike the new interface of Word2007 or simply won't upgrade yet.




Yeah..... since getting a laptop with wireless i sit in the bus and read wireless name around the city and also in lecture rooms although i don't usually get quality names like in the comic. You'd think i would have something better to do with a laptop with super graphics....?




LOL, I sure hope this stuff doesn't really happen but the message behind the comic is a blast.




I see them like that sometimes but maybe not that extreme. I want a Prius!




I am probably not this person. Can anyone work out the tune the song is suspose to be in? it took me 3 tries to get it right.


I've taken most of these images from joyoftech.com as you might have noticed. Give them a visit sometime they have regular updates of these comics. I am choosing my favourites to post about, there is plenty more.

Googling my Blog

Try using this:

site:gecsoft.blogspot.com gec living

as a search query and you can browse around all my posts in my blog with helpful previews of the post and the normal functions you get with Google search.

Of course you could also use the top search bar of this blog.

Windows 7 preview clip

That's right you've been avoiding Vista for a while waiting for it to be iron out so it will be smother and more compatible but you always put it off because you hear lots of bad stuff about Vista. You won't give up because you know Windows XP can't live on forever and now that you haven't given up, MS has given up on Vista and is trying to build a new OS again to try and win back customers.

Here is a clip of a feature that might win many of you back.

Matrix comic

I've watched the Matrix but never got it, I am quite sure some of you out there will find it funnier than i do.

BY The Way, if the comics are too small for you to see you can click them and see the real sized version.

Once again thanks to the guys at xkcd.com

Citation Comic

This is more funny when I got into uni and realised what citations are.

Formal Party Comic

Thanks to the guys at xkcd.com

Mac-Bashing Joke

This joke is subjective so I'll just sit here and review my test results.

It Joke: Manual Process

I think this is a brilliant comic.

Currently Reading:

Trying to get more content on blog soon so I am just following these guides:

http://www.thesite.org/workandstudy/studying/howtostudy/studymotivation

http://www.study-habits.com/blog/2007/05/01/learning-motivation-study/

Outlook on my blog

I think i might start sharing entertaining stuff. This blog doesn't get a heap of hits and you would hope not cause if it did it means a lot of people are stressing and pulling out hair like i did when i had those tech. problems that your looking up.

So as an addition I'll try posting multimedia to make things a bit more interesting and also link to many funny and entertaining sites (to nerds at least)

MSWord toggling capitals

Select text and press Shift + F3 to toggle between all caps and all lower-case.


Tip from:
http://www.pcdon.com/030407WordPrintProblemsAllCaps.html

Tip of a thought

Google gives the most free web space, i would say.

Before i give you my ideas why don't you think about all the cool stuff you could do with Google's storage?

There usually isn't any time limit of inactivity too, at least if there was it would be longer than most commercial services.