News Desk

Dim the junk in your Browser

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:20:54 +0000

Quote

CinemaDrape is an easy-to-use application that will help you focus on the current task by blanking or dimming the other less important areas of your screen.

With CinemaDrape you no longer have to manually clean up your working screen area, close windows, or watch lower resolution videos in full screen mode just to get rid of disturbing side elements or ads. CinemaDrape is easy to start: just move your mouse over the area you want to focus on and press your own favorite custom keyboard combination.

This works in any Web browser or in any other program you are using. CinemaDrape is also easy to close: just press Escape or select Quit from the context menu. And the program does not require any memory or an extra tray icon when the drape is not active.
In CinemaDrape you can easily: move or resize the focus area using the mouse or arrow keys, change the color or opacity of the drape that covers the less important screen areas, and save your favorite focus areas for future use.

Download from Softpedia

Download Youtube Videos

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:03:43 +0000

Sometimes you might like something on Youtube so much, that linking to it may not be enough. In such a scenario you need YouTube Downloader

Quote

This simple freeware application works pretty well, given how basic the interface is. It has two main features: to download FLV files from YouTube, and to convert them to most major formats. If there's a YouTube URL in your clipboard, it will automatically paste it for you when you click on the dialog box. From there, just hit OK and the downloading will commence. One more left-click is all it takes to load the file in the converter, which supports iPhone, iPod, PSP, cell phone, AVI, MP3, WMV, and Xvid. Surprisingly, there's also a basic video editor for cropping videos by time stamp. You can also cut out the sound when converting.

This is one of the lightest editors around, but the simplistic interface belies its functionality and it performs exactly as advertised. We'd like to see support in future editions for hunting down missing codecs, and version 2.1.5 and earlier won't work because of embed code changes on YouTube itself. Still, the YouTube Downloader is proof that not only is video-making accessible to everyone, so is video downloading and editing.

Go get it from CNET

Did you know VLC Player supports playback of .FLV Files? Downloaded Videos tend to come in this format, so it might be worth grabbing that too

Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) Review

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:50:01 +0000

Installation

Having downloaded the Ubuntu .iso and using it conjunction with Wubi, i was soon using Ubuntu. Because of this, it would be foolish of me to even attempt to comment on the installation process. In my experience, Ubuntu is usually very simple to install, so don't let the lack of information put you off.

First Use

The Desktop feels very much like previous releases of Ubuntu, except you are no longer hounded by the colour brown. Instead, you are presented with a sleek, black interface which in my view is an excellent change. It may be one of the best changes made, because for those new to linux, the very thought of brown might be enough to stop them trying it, which would be a shame.

There are some transparency effects, however these are very subtle. Rather than attempt to emulate Windows Vista and Seven, Ubuntu has taken a direction of its own which is good news. Take a look at the title bar in the screenshot below.

I was impressed by the speed of this release. Everything just works. No application hangs, no strange errors that i couldn't understand. It seems perfect.

Applications

As always, Ubuntu comes with some good applications to ensure it's usable for most. Should something be missing that you need, click 'Applications' in the top left corner and then click 'Ubuntu Software Centre'.

Under the Office category there is a Word Processor, a program for making Presentations and another for spreadsheets all courtesy of Open Office. If we look under Internet we see an IM Client & a Web Browser amongst other things.

That Little dock thing?

I chose to install Avant Window Navigator (commonly referred to as AWN). This can be used instead of the plain black bar at the bottom of your screen to manage applications and such. It can be customized to look like the dock found in OSX. While this isn't new, this is the first time i've tried it and i was happy with the result.

You can find 'AWN' by going to 'System' then 'Administration'. Click 'Synaptic Package Manager' and search for Avant. Tick the appropriate box and install!

A brief insight i know, but that was all this short review was intended to be. I would recommend this latest Ubuntu release to anyone who can use a computer. I also think it's quite child friendly. It'd be useful on a child's desktop if you wanted them to be able to use it for School Work, storing the odd song, watching films and browse the web. I noticed a marked improvement in Flash Performance, so sites such as Youtube and miniclip work very well.

ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Windows 7 Aero Fix

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:04:17 +0000

While the Radeon Xpress 200 works on Windows Vista perfectly, it doesn't work properly on Windows 7. This fix will allow you to access all available resolutions and will also enable Aero. This is loosely based on my ATI 9250SE fix and it works perfectly.

Firstly Download 9-8_legacy_vista32-64_dd_ccc.exe. (http://www.opendrivers.com/driver/293495/ati-radeon-x1600-x1650-x1800-x1900-x2100-xpress-driver-catalyst-9.8-windows-vista(x32-x64)-free-download.html) - use the backup server NOT the Official one.

Run the installer, allowing the files to extract (usually to C:\ATI)

When 'Catalyst' tries to install, click Exit.

Go to Device Manager in Control Panel and open your display properties.

Click 'Update Drivers' found under the 'Driver' tab.

Choose 'Browse my Computer for Driver Software', navigate to C:\ATI\SUPPORT\9-8_legacy_vista32-64_dd_ccc\Packages\Drivers\Display\LH_INF

Select the .inf file (mine was cl_85694.inf) before clicking ok.

Now Click Model, and scroll down to ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series. Select it and press Next. Ignore any messages, and proceed.

Restart your Machine and voila! Your computer will now allow you to use Aero (note: you may need to change themes for it to come into effect).

This post has been promoted to an article

Realtek Front Audio Port Fix

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:04:28 +0000

If you are in Windows 7 or Vista, you may find your Realtek Sound Card works perfectly fine when you use the rear audio port, but the front one refuses to do anything.

Here is the fix

Simply download the correct Realtek Drivers that come with the Realtek HD Audio Manager. Once installed, open it up and click the Yellow Folder on the right-hand side (highlighted in the picture below), then tick the box 'Disable front Panel Jack Detection'.

The process may differ to the one outlined above for different Realtek cards, depending on their age. Use at your own risk.

Good Troubleshooting Methods

Sat, 29 May 2010 22:24:11 +0000

In my experience, it is important to have a methodical approach to Troubleshooting Issues.

Check the Power Source to all devices.
Are all cables connected and inserted Properly?
Undo any recent changes to the System
List Possible Causes, by checking the symptoms
Finally decide on the most Likely cause and seek a resolution
Before attempting to fix the issue, ask yourself what effects will the 'fix' have? Sometimes a solution can cause other problems!
Implement your Fix and Test it!

This post has been promoted to an article

Website Spotlight; Instructables.com

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:35:16 +0000

Instructables is one of my favourite websites. The home of inventive people, who not only create some marvelous gadgets and art but they also show you how to do it!

For example, create a Multitouch Display or a Rubix Cube with a twist.

Definitely worth a look and there is potentially hours of fun just on this one site!

Rebranded XBOX 360 Slim for Natal

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:04:15 +0000

Microsoft is set to make a raft of announcements at E3 this year, and rumours abound that the basic Xbox 360 will be going black and slim when it's bundled with the forthcoming Natal.

Natal � a motion sensor camera and microphone that Microsoft is hoping will catapult the Xbox 360 to a new level and a whole new market � is on course for release later in the year, and its arrival will herald major changes for the platform.

According to one well-known source, Surfer Girl, a 'slim Natal bundle' will be at the centre of Microsoft's announcements, with black replacing white as the default colour of the Xbox 360.

Currently Microsoft's flagship Elite Xbox 360 is available in black.

MGS

Surfer Girl also hints that one of the games unveiled that takes advantage of Natal will be Metal Gear Solid. Whatever is actually announced by Microsoft, the buzz around Natal is clear to see.

Microsoft's motion camera and microphone caught the mood at last year's E3, and the prospect of drawing in the family market that loved the Wii is certainly appealing to both Microsoft and Sony.

This post has been promoted to an article

Kidzui Browser

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:01:01 +0000

Kidzui is an excellent solution for parents wishing to keep their Children safe online. All sites except those you specify are automatically blocked. All content shown is age-related. (for example a 7 year old will see activities for their age group). Each child can have their own profile within the browser so your 3 year old will not have access to the same sites as your 15 year old.

You can password protect the browser to prevent it being exited without your consent and to prevent settings being changed without your consent.

While the free version is perfectly adequate, you can if you choose to purchase the subscription package.

Parent Control Centre

Extremely Safe for Kids

Official Site

Hitler Parody Clip's being removed from Youtube

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:34:08 +0000

Clips featuring content from the 'Downfall' film are being removed from Youtube due to copyright fears, despite the fact that the majority of the short length video's are parodies and are therefore constituted as fair use. Some might argue that the clips have actually brought the Constantin films much publicity due to their popularity.

Parodies have been made using the Hitler excerpt to bring light to matters such as the removal of the 'Other OS' function from the Playstation 3, the iPad amongst other things.

While some video's still remain on the Google owned site, it's likely to be only a matter of time before they are permanently removed.

The Director of the Downfall film has seen over a hundred video's himself, and is quoted in the 'New York Magazine' back in January, saying

"Someone sends me the links every time there's a new one. I think I've seen about 145 of them! Of course, I have to put the sound down when I watch. Many times the lines are so funny, I laugh out loud, and I'm laughing about the scene that I staged myself! You couldn't get a better compliment as a director."

Read the Original Here