Category: Technology

H makes use of a digital recorder at work to record “meetings”.. he uses it just about every day and is running out of storage space. He hit upon the bright idea to burn the sound files onto CD-Rom so he could archive them. The trouble is, his Win98 laptop doesn’t have a burner.. and my WinXP laptop with burner wont recognise his recorder device 🙁

With the help of Google search, I have been scouring the net for updated WinXP drivers for the JNC USB-350. Went to the manufacturers website – the driver there doesn’t work. I have read about a couple of forums which seem to deal with the issue but are no longer functioning.

I am supposed to be the computer guru in our household, so pride is at stake here!

So, without a working device driver I have a workaround. It is not ideal because H will need me around to do this for him – I’m going to network the two laptops and transfer the sound files from the Win98 machine to the other with the burner.

Joanne wanted Sadish Balasubramanian’s FastTrack theme for her website, but wasn’t happy with an out of place bullet next the Pages heading in the sidebar.

Did a search on Google and found someone else having same problem. He had posted on the WordPress site, but yet to be resolved. This made me more determined to get to the bottom of it.

I managed it, and posted my solution on the WordPress site.

PS: I tracked down the “pagenav” reference to templates-functions-post.php. Then I noticed how some later themes handled this particular bit of code differently. So, technically it was not I who solved the problem. But hopefully I’ve helped out a couple of other WordPress users!

Helping Jo purchase her new computer. She wants it for word processing and making graphics, so needs a decent amount of memory. Budget started at around $1,000 but she’s decided to get a notebook so I think we’ll need to go over that. Needs to come with standard features (WinXP, networking/USB ports etc, DVD/CD, warranty).

Here’s what I’ve found so far:

1. ACER TRAVELMATE 2428WXMi XP-HOME Price $1,399
CPU : Intel Pentium M 740 – 1.73GHz, 2048KB Cache, 533MHz FSB
MEM : 512MB DDR2 400MHz MEM, UPG to 2GB with 2 soDIMM modules
STORAGE: 60GB HDD, DVD-Dual Layer

2. Compaq Presario v2418AP Notebook Price $1,203
PROCESSOR AMD Mobile Sempron Processor 3000+ 1.8GHz
MEMORY – 256MB DDR333
HARD DRIVE – 40GB 4200RPM

3. IBM Thinkpad R50e CM 1.4/512/40/COMBO/15/XPP Price $1,222
CPU : Intel Celeron M 360 – 1.4GHz
MEM : 512MB SDRAM
STORAGE : 40GB

4. TOSHIBA Satellite A100 Notebook Price $946
Processor: Intel Celeron M Processor 360 (1.4GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 400MHz FSB)
Memory: 256MB DDR2 (533)
Hard Drive: 40GB (5400rpm) SATA

REFURBISHED – from www.laptop.com.au

TOSHIBA Satellite 1410 Price $799
Intel 1.5GHz, 512MB, 20.0GB, DVD, 14.1-inch, 56K Modem, 10/100 Ethernet, Windows XP Professional, 1 Year Warranty

IBM ThinkPad T30 Price $999
P4-1.8GHz, 512MB, 40.0GB, DVD, 14.1-inch, 56K Modem, 10/100 Ethernet, Windows XP Professional, 1 Year Warranty

I have been experimenting with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol – internet phone) over the last few days and having a great time with it.

I’ve tried Skype which lets you call other Skype users anywhere in the world free of charge.

I’ve also just signed up with Engin and have been making untimed calls anywhere in Australia for 10 cents a call! My boss is looking at using Engin for our phone system, and I volunteered to test it. Since we are in different locations, we can make internal calls between us on Engin free of charge 🙂

To use VoIP you need:

(1) a broadband connection (ADSL or cable),
(2) a headset/microphone for your computer and
(3) a VoIP provider (like Skype, Engin or other).

With Skype, you just download some free software onto your computer, and it works in a similar way to chat programs like MSN or ICQ.

With Engin you have the option of buying voice box equipment which converts your regular phone to the service; or you can download a software version which works like Skype.

I am doing this over a 512/128kbps ADSL connection and experiencing fair to excellent audio quality. The Engin software seems to have problems dialling out sometimes – usually connects at second or third attempt.

After losing some gear during an electrical storm about 18 months ago I’ve been considering uninterruptible power supply. We’ve been having a lot of power blackouts in the last month – lately without any warning; once upon a time at least we got the warning of a stormfront. The last lot of blackouts, which have occurred very suddenly while I’ve been working, have finally convinced me.

I went online to Dick Smith’s (aka Tricky Dickie’s) and used my ABN to sign up for a wholesale account. Nice discount on their Powerware products, I got myself two of these: http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/M7676%0A

Just got the small ones, since it’s just for my home office. The battery keeps things running for up to 30 mins after the power is cut, and connects by USB to your PC for monitoring from your desktop, and automatic save and shutdown. The board includes three points with battery/surge protection, and three with just the surge protection.
Setup was easy – charge up the battery overnight, install the UPS software and configure the controller (LanSafe) on my PC, then plug everything in.

Now I’m just waiting for the next blackout to strike. I am prepared!