March 29, 2009
Facebook is listening :O
Only a few weeks ago, the Facebook layout was, once again, changed. There was great dissatisfaction amongst users. Many made negative comments on their statuses and joined groups like, “MEMBERS WANT THE OLD FACEBOOK BACK!”. Facebook responded. Have a read:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10203692-93.html
This seems to me like a good example of crowd sourcing.
March 28, 2009
Breakthrough in Ease of Access: Windows 7 Magnifier
In an earlier post (here), I mentioned how ZoomText, the world’s top magnifying software, overcharges customers that require the software. However, just recently, I noticed that Windows 7 comes with its own magnifier, and it works very very well. Windows vista also comes with a magnifier, but many visually impaired people need a full screen magnifier. Now, many people will have very good access to their computers without having to dish out $500 for ZoomText.
However, compared to ZoomText, the Windows 7 Magnifier is still somewhat lacking. Still, the magnifier should be enough for most people.
Take a look:
As you can see, the magnification is adjustable. Users can also change the viewing style from full screen to frame.
This is really what most users need for a magnifying programme. Bill Gates made a good choice when he decided to change Windows Magnifier.
March 2, 2009
How trustworthy is the internet? Not very
One of my past posts talked about browser wars. However, I stumbled upon the wikipedia page for the stastics, and things are very different. It seem that the old page is providing false information. I stumbled upon the wikipedia page for browser statistics, and the results are very, very different. You may think, “pfff.. Wikipedia”, but there were sources. The old link, however, did not list any references.
I can’t say that I’m shocked, but I am a bit surprised. The old page was the first link on google if you type in “Browser Wars Statistics”.
The wikipedia page with the proper statistics and correct references is here.
February 25, 2009
Samsung 24″ Syncmaster 2443BW
For a price of $350 including tax, I think the Samsung 24″ Syncmaster 2443BW is definately worth it. I got it on promo from Future Shop. Seriously, this thing is definately worth it.
Specs:
-24″ (high)
-1920 * 1200 resolution (high)
-300 cd/m² brightness (average)
- Dynamic contrast ratio 20000:1 (very high)
- 5ms response time (average/high)
-comes with vga and dvi cords
For more info:
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS24MYKRBQ/XAA
February 13, 2009
How to Change your Vista Theme
(Tutorial written out of personal experience)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To change your windows vista theme from windows vista aero or similar theme, you will need to change some system files. Afterwards, you simply paste the appropriate files into the appropriate folder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Step 1: Taking Ownership of 3 files
==========================
To patch the files, you must take ownership of the following files:
-uxtheme.dll
-themeui.dll
-shsvcs.dll
The files are located in C:\WINDOWS\System32
To take ownership, follow the instructions on this site
Step 2: Patching the files:
=================
Backup the files that you took permission of. Then copy and paste the files located here (after extracting) into the original folder.
Step 3: Adding your themes
===================
Now, go online and download some themes. Note that themes must have a .there extension. Put your themes into C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes. Here is a good place to start looking for themes.
Here is an example of what the Themes folder can look like:
Email me if you have any questions. Note: my theme is called Glass Glow. I got it from the link given in part 3.
February 8, 2009
Software for the Visually Impaired -> There is NO COMPETITION
This post is based on my personal experience
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is pretty much no market competition out there that can help visually impaired people using computers. Laptops, with farther and smaller screens, are even harder to use.
When I was in elementary school, I was given a laptop for school use. The laptop came with a software called ZoomTet. It is one of the most popular screen magnifiers. It works very, very well however. The thing is.. it is terribly expensive. The least expensive version of ZoomText is $395 (as stated from the ZoomText website). The price puts it out of reach for many who require it. Windows Vista and XP also come with magnifiers, but they are terribly hard to use.
Zoomtext’s website states, “Our goal is to make computers accessible.”
….accessible my ass
Some PLEASE write a programme that is decent like ZoomText and sell it for a reasonable price. I said please.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
http://www.aisquared.com/Store/Store.cfm
http://www.aisquared.com/Dealers/index.cfm
January 21, 2009
Browser Wars: update
THIS POST HAS BEEN PROVEN FALSE
The stitistics given are taken from a site giving false info. Correct statistics can be found here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original post:
“Browser wars” is defined as “the competition of dominance in the web browser marketplace.”
The most common browsers used today include:
-Mozilla Firefox
-Internet Explorer
-Google Chrome
-Safari
-Opera
As of December 2008, Firefox is the most popular browser is Firefox. Although not the fastest, Firefox is considered one of the most – if not the most – stable browsers in the marketplace.
Statistics (December 2008 )
| IE 7 | 26.1% |
| IE 6 | 19.6% |
| Chrome | 3.6% |
| Firefox | 44.4% |
| Safari | 2.7% |
| Opera | 2.4% |
Firefox wins, or at least for now. Some people say that popularity comes with a downfall. Hackers all over the world will try to find loopholes in Mozilla’s Firefox browser. Mozilla will have to work hard to keep up.
Flaws in stistics:
-IE8 is not included. Many many people now use it
-Ie 6 and 7 were split up, but all Firefox browsers (1-3) were put in teh same section
-mobile browsers not included
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_wars
January 20, 2009
USB 3.0′s bright future
The future of USB 3.0 is looks very, very bright. E-Sata and FireWire, USB’s main rivals, fail to compete.
E-Sata
-max speed: 3.0Gbps
-normally does not support power
FireWire 3200
-max speed: 3.2 Gbps
-supports power
USB 3.0
-max speed: 5.0Gbps
-supports power
As shown, USB 3.0 outpowers its rivals in both power support and speed. It’s expected to release early 2010.
Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10141810-76.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0
January 13, 2009
Windows 7
Let’s be honest here. Windows Vista only sold well because it is the default OS for most people.Microsoft, realizing this, decided to create Windows 7. Back to the numerical naming system.
On January 12, 2009, the official Windows 7 Beta was released. Originally, Microsoft had one server running for those wanting to download the beta OS, but later added more servers due to high demand.
The Beta is extremely stable for something still in the making, but even then, trying out the operating system is only for the adventurous. If you wish to try out the operating system, instructions (including the download site) are listed here
Here is the Windows 7 website from Microsoft.
and lastly, here are some screenshots, courtesy of my friend, Samuel Oh.
