If you love music (and who doesn’t), stop whatever you’re doing, grab this section of the Sun-Gazette and head right over to your computer. That’s right, this is that good!
Although I spend much of my time, both at work and at home, finding and implementing new Internet technology, I still have those amazing moments when I come across an ingenious new virtual gadget that seems so right—so “why didn’t someone think of this before?”—that I have to run out and share it with everyone I know. This week, I had one of those moments when I learned about the Music Genome Project.
Seven years ago a group a musicians and technically inclined music enthusiasts came up with the idea of creating a database of music that classifies each song by its musical attributes. To begin, they identified hundreds of attributes, which they refer to as musical ‘genes,” encompassing elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and vocal style.
Since then, the group has listened to the songs of more than 10,000 different artists, analyzing the musical genes of each song and entering the song into their massive database. They call this ongoing endeavor the Music Genome Project.
Recently, this remarkable (and hard-working) group of music lovers opened up their treasure chest of musical information for you and I to explore and enjoy. They created Pandora, a Web-based music player that serves as your gateway to all the music stored in the Music Genome Project database.
Simply type the name of your favorite song or artist into Pandora, and it will search the database to find songs and artists with similar music styles. The music player quickly finds all your favorites and then amazes you as it finds artists and songs you’ve never heard of before, but that you instantly connect with.
As you listen to the music selections, you can help the program learn your musical taste more precisely by indicating those song selections that you particularly like or don’t like. After you create an account user ID and password, the Pandora music player will remember your favorite styles of music.
And don’t worry if you’re like me and find that your musical interest changes with your mood. You can create up to 100 “stations,” with each one representing a different style of music. You can even share your stations with other Pandora users.
The Pandora service is free, subsidized with advertising. However, you can subscribe to an advertising-free version for $36 a year. Each version delivers your music through a personalized, portal-style Web page that you can use to bookmark your favorite songs and artists so you can easily return to them later.
Okay, now for the part you’ve been waiting for (if you listened to me and are sitting in front of your computer). To start your own personal musical journey, go to http://www.pandora.com.
The creators fittingly based the name of their site on Greek mythology and the story of Pandora, who received the gift of music from Apollo. I hope you enjoy this gift of music as much as I have.
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Tax procrastinators take heart – software takes the bite out of preparing your taxes
If you’re like millions of other taxpayers, you’ve been putting off the annual task of preparing your federal and state tax returns until the very last minute. Getting the right forms, deciphering the instructions, making sure you have all the tax records you need—preparing your taxes by hand can be a difficult and daunting task, so of course you’re going to procrastinate!
Take heart, O Weary Ones. This year’s crop of tax preparation software goes a long way toward relieving the pain. Thanks to their user-friendly interfaces, these programs make preparing your taxes as simple as answering questions and clicking “next.”
Most of today’s tax preparation programs work like this: Using a simple interview format, you’re prompted to provide basic information about your tax situation. Based on your responses, the program selects the appropriate federal and state forms, and then prompts you for the information needed to complete each line on each form.
You can even import data, such as W-2 information from participating employers or portfolio information from online brokers like E-trade. The best of the tax preparation programs also identify possible deductions you might normally overlook, ultimately saving you at least the cost of the software, and often much more.
When you’ve finished, the software files your tax return over the Internet, which means it’s possible to receive your refund check within a week to ten days.
The two market leaders in tax preparation software are TurboTax by Intuit (authors of the popular Quicken checkbook management program) and TaxCut by H & R Block, the tax preparation firm. Both companies offer software you install on your personal computer (obtained through a Web site download or typical store purchase). They also offer online versions that you access through your Web browser.
I prefer the online version since the tax code changes every year. I find it more convenient to complete my taxes online and not have to worry about downloading and installing a new version of the program every spring. However, depending on the complexity of your return, you may be spending many hours online completing your tax forms. With a dial-up or shared Internet connection, you may find it more convenient to use the personal computer version, which requires you to be online only when you’re ready for the software to file your return electronically with the IRS.
Whether installed on your computer or accessed through a Web browser, the software is available in lite, regular and deluxe versions, with corresponding increases in cost. The lite versions are suitable for the 1040EZ short form, the regular versions handle most individual returns, and the deluxe versions include support for business expenses and more complex tax situations.
The prices range from $15 to $75. H & R Block’s TaxCut software also offers a free one-on-one consultation with a tax professional via e-mail or phone. The online TurboTax version doesn’t require you to pay until you’re ready to file, this lets you take the program for a test-drive to see if it works for you.
Both companies participate in the IRS freefile program. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $52,000 you can use their online tax preparation programs for free! For more information on the IRS freefile program, check out the IRS Web site: www.irs.gov.
Whether you’re a tax procrastinator or not, check out TurboTax (www.turboxtax.com) and TaxCut (www.taxcut.com) for more information about these helpful programs. They may not be the cure for all of your tax time headaches, but they might just dull the pain.
Take heart, O Weary Ones. This year’s crop of tax preparation software goes a long way toward relieving the pain. Thanks to their user-friendly interfaces, these programs make preparing your taxes as simple as answering questions and clicking “next.”
Most of today’s tax preparation programs work like this: Using a simple interview format, you’re prompted to provide basic information about your tax situation. Based on your responses, the program selects the appropriate federal and state forms, and then prompts you for the information needed to complete each line on each form.
You can even import data, such as W-2 information from participating employers or portfolio information from online brokers like E-trade. The best of the tax preparation programs also identify possible deductions you might normally overlook, ultimately saving you at least the cost of the software, and often much more.
When you’ve finished, the software files your tax return over the Internet, which means it’s possible to receive your refund check within a week to ten days.
The two market leaders in tax preparation software are TurboTax by Intuit (authors of the popular Quicken checkbook management program) and TaxCut by H & R Block, the tax preparation firm. Both companies offer software you install on your personal computer (obtained through a Web site download or typical store purchase). They also offer online versions that you access through your Web browser.
I prefer the online version since the tax code changes every year. I find it more convenient to complete my taxes online and not have to worry about downloading and installing a new version of the program every spring. However, depending on the complexity of your return, you may be spending many hours online completing your tax forms. With a dial-up or shared Internet connection, you may find it more convenient to use the personal computer version, which requires you to be online only when you’re ready for the software to file your return electronically with the IRS.
Whether installed on your computer or accessed through a Web browser, the software is available in lite, regular and deluxe versions, with corresponding increases in cost. The lite versions are suitable for the 1040EZ short form, the regular versions handle most individual returns, and the deluxe versions include support for business expenses and more complex tax situations.
The prices range from $15 to $75. H & R Block’s TaxCut software also offers a free one-on-one consultation with a tax professional via e-mail or phone. The online TurboTax version doesn’t require you to pay until you’re ready to file, this lets you take the program for a test-drive to see if it works for you.
Both companies participate in the IRS freefile program. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $52,000 you can use their online tax preparation programs for free! For more information on the IRS freefile program, check out the IRS Web site: www.irs.gov.
Whether you’re a tax procrastinator or not, check out TurboTax (www.turboxtax.com) and TaxCut (www.taxcut.com) for more information about these helpful programs. They may not be the cure for all of your tax time headaches, but they might just dull the pain.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Cellphones, PDAs, and SmartPhones, OH MY!
All of the major cellular wireless providers are adding broadband Internet capability to their cellular wireless networks. As a result, the line between cell phones for voice calls and wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs) for Internet connectivity is blurring. New “smartphone” devices combine the features of cell phones and PDAs, making it practical to carry a single device for all of your mobile communication needs.
Unfortunately, the need to choose between these technologies often leads to confusion for the average consumer. The key to determining which type of device is right for your specific mobile needs lies in understanding the difference between cellular broadband Internet connectivity and. WiFi hotspot Internet connectivity. This article will help you make sense of the different types of products and Internet connection capabilities so that you can make the right choice. Let’s take a look:
Cell Phone: A mobile telephone that transmits and receives the human voice wirelessly through cellular towers. A cell phone generally requires some kind of service plan with a cellular wireless network provider like AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless, or T-Mobile.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA): A small mobile device that synchronizes with your home or office computer through a USB cradle (or perhaps wirelessly through a Bluetooth connection) to give you remote access to your e-mail, address book, calendar, and electronic files. However, while away from their host computers, these devices have no Internet connection capability. You can read your e-mail, compose a response or write new e-mail using the small keyboard or stylus, but the message won’t be sent until you reconnect the PDA to your computer.
Personal Digital Assistant with WiFi capability: This type of PDA is the same as above, with the added ability to connect to a wireless Internet hotspot, which gives you mobile real-time access to the Internet and your e-mail. The bad news is that your Internet capability depends upon being within range of a wireless network, which can be a challenge in rural locations or when traveling in your car. The good news is that “free” Internet hotspots don’t require you to purchase a monthly service plan.
Smartphone with cellular voice plan: This device combines cell phone capability with basic PDA features. You can make voice calls anywhere you have cell tower coverage and “sync” with your computer when the smartphone is in the USB cradle.
Smartphone with cellular voice plan and WiFi Internet hotspot capability: This type of smartphone adds laptop-like wireless capability so that you can access the Internet whenever you’re within range of an Internet hotspot. You’ll pay for your voice cellular calling plan, but not for the Internet access (assuming you’re using a free wireless Internet hotspot).
Smartphone with voice calling cellular plan and broadband cellular plan: This is the ultimate combination: a smartphone that lets you make voice calls and stay connected to the Internet for e-mail and Web access whenever you have a strong cellular connection. I tried it with the Verizon Wireless broadband cellular service (they call theirs EV-DO) while traveling down the PA Turnpike on a recent trip. E-mail and Web access, while not blazing fast like a cable modem or DSL connection, was very respectable. The sense of being constantly connected was certainly quite interesting, and would be a major benefit for anyone who travels a lot and needs to stay in touch with the office and clients You’ll pay for both your cellular plan and a wireless broadband plan ($40 - $60 a month currently), but you’ll have the best of both worlds.
Hopefully I’ve shed some light on the confusing world of cell phones, PDAs and smartphones. Until next time, stay warm and have fun computing, at home or on the road!
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Unfortunately, the need to choose between these technologies often leads to confusion for the average consumer. The key to determining which type of device is right for your specific mobile needs lies in understanding the difference between cellular broadband Internet connectivity and. WiFi hotspot Internet connectivity. This article will help you make sense of the different types of products and Internet connection capabilities so that you can make the right choice. Let’s take a look:
Cell Phone: A mobile telephone that transmits and receives the human voice wirelessly through cellular towers. A cell phone generally requires some kind of service plan with a cellular wireless network provider like AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless, or T-Mobile.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA): A small mobile device that synchronizes with your home or office computer through a USB cradle (or perhaps wirelessly through a Bluetooth connection) to give you remote access to your e-mail, address book, calendar, and electronic files. However, while away from their host computers, these devices have no Internet connection capability. You can read your e-mail, compose a response or write new e-mail using the small keyboard or stylus, but the message won’t be sent until you reconnect the PDA to your computer.
Personal Digital Assistant with WiFi capability: This type of PDA is the same as above, with the added ability to connect to a wireless Internet hotspot, which gives you mobile real-time access to the Internet and your e-mail. The bad news is that your Internet capability depends upon being within range of a wireless network, which can be a challenge in rural locations or when traveling in your car. The good news is that “free” Internet hotspots don’t require you to purchase a monthly service plan.
Smartphone with cellular voice plan: This device combines cell phone capability with basic PDA features. You can make voice calls anywhere you have cell tower coverage and “sync” with your computer when the smartphone is in the USB cradle.
Smartphone with cellular voice plan and WiFi Internet hotspot capability: This type of smartphone adds laptop-like wireless capability so that you can access the Internet whenever you’re within range of an Internet hotspot. You’ll pay for your voice cellular calling plan, but not for the Internet access (assuming you’re using a free wireless Internet hotspot).
Smartphone with voice calling cellular plan and broadband cellular plan: This is the ultimate combination: a smartphone that lets you make voice calls and stay connected to the Internet for e-mail and Web access whenever you have a strong cellular connection. I tried it with the Verizon Wireless broadband cellular service (they call theirs EV-DO) while traveling down the PA Turnpike on a recent trip. E-mail and Web access, while not blazing fast like a cable modem or DSL connection, was very respectable. The sense of being constantly connected was certainly quite interesting, and would be a major benefit for anyone who travels a lot and needs to stay in touch with the office and clients You’ll pay for both your cellular plan and a wireless broadband plan ($40 - $60 a month currently), but you’ll have the best of both worlds.
Hopefully I’ve shed some light on the confusing world of cell phones, PDAs and smartphones. Until next time, stay warm and have fun computing, at home or on the road!
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Microsoft Vista
Windows Vista, the latest addition to Microsoft’s long line of Windows operating systems, has been in development for more than five years and is scheduled to be released for corporate/business use later this fall. The home/personal use version should be available early in 2007. According to Microsoft executives, Vista has more than 1,000 new features.
Microsoft has focused the new features and improvements in several areas: digital entertainment, security enhancements, reliability, organizing and finding information, and ease-of use and productivity through a completely redesigned and simplified user interface. Vista comes in five flavors: two for business use, two for home/personal use, and a comprehensive version. Vista Home Basic is comparable to Windows XP Home, while Vista Home Premium is closer to Windows XP Media Center. Vista Business compares to Windows XP Professional. Vista Enterprise includes all of the features of Vista Business and some additional tools that will make this version attractive to large enterprises. Vista Ultimate includes all of the features of the other versions.
Perhaps Vista’s most significant feature is its ability to adjust your visual experience and the user interface based on the hardware capabilities of your computer. Computers that meet the minimum configuration will have access to a basic set of the new features. Computers with better processors, more memory and 3D graphics processors will be able to take advantage of all the Vista features, including the new Aero graphical interface. Aero utilizes the 3D features of the computer’s graphics processor to create dazzling new menus, icons and other visual effects that make the computer much easier to use.
After trying an early release version of Windows Vista, I was very impressed overall with the new features. For the serious home PC user, the improved interface, digital media capabilities, enhanced security and new parental control options make Vista a worthwhile upgrade. Having said that, not all PCs are capable of utilizing Vista’s advanced features due to the additional hardware requirements. Microsoft has identified two levels of hardware capability: Vista Capable and Vista Premium Ready.
A Windows Vista Capable PC must have:
800 MHz or faster processor (CPU)
512 MB of system memory
DirectX 9 capable graphics processor
CD-ROM drive
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
1 GHz or faster processor (CPU)
1 GB of system memory
3D graphics processor with support for DirectX 9, WDDM, and 128 MB of graphics memory
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive
Personally I wouldn’t consider a Vista upgrade for a computer with the Vista Capable specifications; the performance would be too slow. I suspect most of the readers of this column have computers that meet some of the Vista Premium Ready specifications except for the 1 GB of system memory (more typical would be 256 or 512 MB) and the 3D graphics processor requirements.
Memory prices have been falling; upgrading your PC to 1 GB of memory should only cost around $70.00. The 3D graphics processor requirement might be a bigger hurdle; check your original system specifications to see if your PC meets the requirements. Upgrading your PC to a Vista Premium Ready graphics processor (video card) will cost anywhere from $150 to $300. Conveniently, Microsoft provides a Vista Upgrade software tool on their Vista website that will analyze your PC and identify any needed upgrades.
If you’re in the market for a new PC now and want to make sure you’ll be able to update to Vista later in 2007 after it is officially released, look for a Windows Vista Capable logo on the computer’s specifications list. Also check to make sure it meets the system memory and 3D graphics requirements for In the spirit of “a picture is worth a thousand words,” check out the Microsoft Vista website (http://www.microsoft.com/vista) for additional detailed information, including screenshots showing Vista’s new features and capabilities.
Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system was adopted quickly by computer users all over the world due in large part to it’s improvements in ease-of-use, reliability and performance. I believe Microsoft’s Vista operating system continues that tradition and will quickly become the operating system of choice for most personal computer users.
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Microsoft has focused the new features and improvements in several areas: digital entertainment, security enhancements, reliability, organizing and finding information, and ease-of use and productivity through a completely redesigned and simplified user interface. Vista comes in five flavors: two for business use, two for home/personal use, and a comprehensive version. Vista Home Basic is comparable to Windows XP Home, while Vista Home Premium is closer to Windows XP Media Center. Vista Business compares to Windows XP Professional. Vista Enterprise includes all of the features of Vista Business and some additional tools that will make this version attractive to large enterprises. Vista Ultimate includes all of the features of the other versions.
Perhaps Vista’s most significant feature is its ability to adjust your visual experience and the user interface based on the hardware capabilities of your computer. Computers that meet the minimum configuration will have access to a basic set of the new features. Computers with better processors, more memory and 3D graphics processors will be able to take advantage of all the Vista features, including the new Aero graphical interface. Aero utilizes the 3D features of the computer’s graphics processor to create dazzling new menus, icons and other visual effects that make the computer much easier to use.
After trying an early release version of Windows Vista, I was very impressed overall with the new features. For the serious home PC user, the improved interface, digital media capabilities, enhanced security and new parental control options make Vista a worthwhile upgrade. Having said that, not all PCs are capable of utilizing Vista’s advanced features due to the additional hardware requirements. Microsoft has identified two levels of hardware capability: Vista Capable and Vista Premium Ready.
A Windows Vista Capable PC must have:
800 MHz or faster processor (CPU)
512 MB of system memory
DirectX 9 capable graphics processor
CD-ROM drive
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
1 GHz or faster processor (CPU)
1 GB of system memory
3D graphics processor with support for DirectX 9, WDDM, and 128 MB of graphics memory
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive
Personally I wouldn’t consider a Vista upgrade for a computer with the Vista Capable specifications; the performance would be too slow. I suspect most of the readers of this column have computers that meet some of the Vista Premium Ready specifications except for the 1 GB of system memory (more typical would be 256 or 512 MB) and the 3D graphics processor requirements.
Memory prices have been falling; upgrading your PC to 1 GB of memory should only cost around $70.00. The 3D graphics processor requirement might be a bigger hurdle; check your original system specifications to see if your PC meets the requirements. Upgrading your PC to a Vista Premium Ready graphics processor (video card) will cost anywhere from $150 to $300. Conveniently, Microsoft provides a Vista Upgrade software tool on their Vista website that will analyze your PC and identify any needed upgrades.
If you’re in the market for a new PC now and want to make sure you’ll be able to update to Vista later in 2007 after it is officially released, look for a Windows Vista Capable logo on the computer’s specifications list. Also check to make sure it meets the system memory and 3D graphics requirements for In the spirit of “a picture is worth a thousand words,” check out the Microsoft Vista website (http://www.microsoft.com/vista) for additional detailed information, including screenshots showing Vista’s new features and capabilities.
Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system was adopted quickly by computer users all over the world due in large part to it’s improvements in ease-of-use, reliability and performance. I believe Microsoft’s Vista operating system continues that tradition and will quickly become the operating system of choice for most personal computer users.
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
More Search Sites from Google
Google is the Internet’s leading search engine, handling almost 50% of all Internet search requests, more than five billion searches each month. Google’s About Us page on their Web site, www.google.com, explains the origin of their unique company name:
"Googol" is the mathematical term for a 1 followed by 100 zeros. The term was coined by Milton Sirotta, nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, and was popularized in the book, "Mathematics and the Imagination" by Kasner and James Newman. Google's play on the term reflects the company's mission to organize the immense amount of information available on the web.
In addition to their popular general purpose Internet search site, the software wizards at Google provide an array of specialized search sites that are designed to help you find information even faster. They restrict your search results to sites more likely to have relevant content, making your searches more efficient.
Each of these specialized sites replaces the “www” in the main www.google.com Web address with a word that represents the focused nature of the information you can find there. Here’s a list of these specialized sites:
http://Finance.google.com - provides a broad range of information on stocks, bonds and mutual funds along with stock charts, business news, discussion groups, fundamental financial data and a portfolio tracker.
http://Catalogs.google.com – the same catalogs you would normally receive in the mail are online. You can turn through the pages one by one, search the entire catalog for an item or have Google search though all of the catalogs to find what interests you.
http://News.google.com – this site collects current news stories from more than 4,500 news sources around the world. These news feeds are updated every fifteen minutes to keep you up-to-date with what is happening around the world. A brief summary of the original news story is presented along with a link that will take you directly to the full story on the news site where it was originally published.
http://Scholar.google.com – this site focuses your search on scholarly literature. Search by author, publication or subject to find relevant articles from academic journals, professional societies, universities and other scholarly organizations.
http://Blogsearch.google.com – this site applies Google search technology to the world of blogging. While Google owns one of the largest blog sites, www.blogger.com, the search engine doesn’t just search Blogger; it searches most of the major blog sites. For just about any topic you can imagine, key in your search word and you’ll find someone blogging on that subject somewhere in the world.
http://Books.google.com – this search site focuses on the world of printed books. Enter a couple of words from the title, the author’s name or even a sentence from the book. The search results come back in the form of a library card catalog with the full title, author, ISBN, publisher and publication date. Depending on copyright provisions , you may also see a title page, the index, the lines of text in the book that matched your search term, or in the case of expired copyright, you might even be able to access the entire book.
As you can see, there is much more to Google searching that just www.google.com. Use these alternative Google search sites to focus your Internet searches and find the information you want even faster.
Until next time, best wishes that you find everything you’re looking for, both on the Internet and life in general.
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
"Googol" is the mathematical term for a 1 followed by 100 zeros. The term was coined by Milton Sirotta, nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, and was popularized in the book, "Mathematics and the Imagination" by Kasner and James Newman. Google's play on the term reflects the company's mission to organize the immense amount of information available on the web.
In addition to their popular general purpose Internet search site, the software wizards at Google provide an array of specialized search sites that are designed to help you find information even faster. They restrict your search results to sites more likely to have relevant content, making your searches more efficient.
Each of these specialized sites replaces the “www” in the main www.google.com Web address with a word that represents the focused nature of the information you can find there. Here’s a list of these specialized sites:
http://Finance.google.com - provides a broad range of information on stocks, bonds and mutual funds along with stock charts, business news, discussion groups, fundamental financial data and a portfolio tracker.
http://Catalogs.google.com – the same catalogs you would normally receive in the mail are online. You can turn through the pages one by one, search the entire catalog for an item or have Google search though all of the catalogs to find what interests you.
http://News.google.com – this site collects current news stories from more than 4,500 news sources around the world. These news feeds are updated every fifteen minutes to keep you up-to-date with what is happening around the world. A brief summary of the original news story is presented along with a link that will take you directly to the full story on the news site where it was originally published.
http://Scholar.google.com – this site focuses your search on scholarly literature. Search by author, publication or subject to find relevant articles from academic journals, professional societies, universities and other scholarly organizations.
http://Blogsearch.google.com – this site applies Google search technology to the world of blogging. While Google owns one of the largest blog sites, www.blogger.com, the search engine doesn’t just search Blogger; it searches most of the major blog sites. For just about any topic you can imagine, key in your search word and you’ll find someone blogging on that subject somewhere in the world.
http://Books.google.com – this search site focuses on the world of printed books. Enter a couple of words from the title, the author’s name or even a sentence from the book. The search results come back in the form of a library card catalog with the full title, author, ISBN, publisher and publication date. Depending on copyright provisions , you may also see a title page, the index, the lines of text in the book that matched your search term, or in the case of expired copyright, you might even be able to access the entire book.
As you can see, there is much more to Google searching that just www.google.com. Use these alternative Google search sites to focus your Internet searches and find the information you want even faster.
Until next time, best wishes that you find everything you’re looking for, both on the Internet and life in general.
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
The next generation of Video and Computer Data storage
The optical laser-based disk storage technology introduced with audio compact disks (CDs) and later improved with near-cinema-quality digital video disks (DVDs) may still seem like cutting-edge for some of us (anybody out there remember audio cassettes?). But we all know the cycle: cutting-edge today, obsolete tomorrow.
As usual, technology is continuing its relentless march forward and electronics engineers are beginning to unleash the next generation of high density/high definition optical disk storage. Similar to the early VCRs that used one of two competing formats, VHS and Betamax, two high-definition formats have hit the market at once: Blu-ray and High Density DVD (HD-DVD).
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD both offer substantially increased audio, video and data recording capacity, as much as ten times more. On the data side, the Blu-ray format really packs a punch, offering 50 gigabytes of capacity while HD-DVD checks in with a more modest 30 GB. By contrast; CD capacity is 650 megabytes and DVD capacity is 4.7 GB. With this increased storage capacity, movie studios can record their movies in high-definition TV format.
Yes, just as the movie rental industry is completing the transition from VHS to DVD, they will begin offering yet another format for your viewing pleasure. The catch is that you will need an HD-TV and an HD-DVD or Blu-ray disc player to take advantage of the crisper, almost multi-dimensional images the new format offers.
These increased capacities will also permit software developers to distribute higher resolution audio and graphic content, and you’ll be able to store thousands of photos or MP3 files.
On a technical capability analysis alone, Blu-ray looks to be the superior format. It provides 40 percent more data storage than HD-DVD and scales to a slightly higher HD-TV resolution of 1080p, while HD-DVD tops out at 1080i. However, the HD-DVD format has what could be the winning hand in this poker game – a much lower price!
The HD-DVD technology is an evolutionary step forward for the DVD manufacturers, making it less costly to retool their plants for HD-DVD production. A quick check at Circuit City found Samsung and Sony Blu-ray disk players selling for $999, while an RCA HD-DVD player was only $499 (these prices will come down as production and sales ramp up).
For those concerned about the future of their extensive music and video libraries, don’t worry. Both of the new high-density formats are backward compatible with the CD and DVD formats. In fact, with the new players’ relatively high price tags, you may be tempted to hold off on making the switch—until you begin seeing the new formats in your favorite movie rental store.
Having two competing formats for the next generation of high-density/high-definition optical storage will certainly be confusing, but it will be fascinating to watch the marketing battle. While the manufacturers are busy competing for the market share, movie studios are playing it safe by releasing movies in both formats. Which format will win you ask? Ultimately, you, the consumer, will determine that by casting your vote at the cash register.
Until next time, remember to backup your important files, update your anti-virus program, check for security updates, ignore those “phishing” e-mails, and have fun computing!
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
As usual, technology is continuing its relentless march forward and electronics engineers are beginning to unleash the next generation of high density/high definition optical disk storage. Similar to the early VCRs that used one of two competing formats, VHS and Betamax, two high-definition formats have hit the market at once: Blu-ray and High Density DVD (HD-DVD).
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD both offer substantially increased audio, video and data recording capacity, as much as ten times more. On the data side, the Blu-ray format really packs a punch, offering 50 gigabytes of capacity while HD-DVD checks in with a more modest 30 GB. By contrast; CD capacity is 650 megabytes and DVD capacity is 4.7 GB. With this increased storage capacity, movie studios can record their movies in high-definition TV format.
Yes, just as the movie rental industry is completing the transition from VHS to DVD, they will begin offering yet another format for your viewing pleasure. The catch is that you will need an HD-TV and an HD-DVD or Blu-ray disc player to take advantage of the crisper, almost multi-dimensional images the new format offers.
These increased capacities will also permit software developers to distribute higher resolution audio and graphic content, and you’ll be able to store thousands of photos or MP3 files.
On a technical capability analysis alone, Blu-ray looks to be the superior format. It provides 40 percent more data storage than HD-DVD and scales to a slightly higher HD-TV resolution of 1080p, while HD-DVD tops out at 1080i. However, the HD-DVD format has what could be the winning hand in this poker game – a much lower price!
The HD-DVD technology is an evolutionary step forward for the DVD manufacturers, making it less costly to retool their plants for HD-DVD production. A quick check at Circuit City found Samsung and Sony Blu-ray disk players selling for $999, while an RCA HD-DVD player was only $499 (these prices will come down as production and sales ramp up).
For those concerned about the future of their extensive music and video libraries, don’t worry. Both of the new high-density formats are backward compatible with the CD and DVD formats. In fact, with the new players’ relatively high price tags, you may be tempted to hold off on making the switch—until you begin seeing the new formats in your favorite movie rental store.
Having two competing formats for the next generation of high-density/high-definition optical storage will certainly be confusing, but it will be fascinating to watch the marketing battle. While the manufacturers are busy competing for the market share, movie studios are playing it safe by releasing movies in both formats. Which format will win you ask? Ultimately, you, the consumer, will determine that by casting your vote at the cash register.
Until next time, remember to backup your important files, update your anti-virus program, check for security updates, ignore those “phishing” e-mails, and have fun computing!
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Internet Groups
Internet “groups” are online social communities that allow you to tap the power of the Web to connect with family, friends, business associates, professional contacts or people around the world who share similar interests or hobbies.
Tens of thousands of groups already exist, covering every subject imaginable, from art to UFOs and everything in between. Many people use Internet groups to help them organize their sports teams, clubs, church organizations or charity activities. It is also a great way to stay connected with far-flung family members.
Although all three of the major search engine companies (MSN, Yahoo, and Google) offer free Internet group services, Yahoo Groups is one of the oldest and most comprehensive.
The home page for Yahoo Groups is http://groups.yahoo.com. From there you can search through a directory of existing groups, use a keyword search to find a group, or create your own group. [Note: you will need to sign up for a free Yahoo ID before you can create or join a group.] Each group has its own Web site and group e-mail address.
Creating a new group is easy. For example, to set up a Yahoo Group, you work your way through several screens that prompt you for the necessary information. You’ll give your group a name and provide a description. Then you’ll set the membership policy (you can choose to open the group to anyone or limited to those you invite) and the message moderation policy (you decide if messages are posted immediately or if they must first be approved by the group owner). When finished, you’ll be able to send others an e-mail invitation to join the group.
Each Yahoo Group Web site includes a number of useful features to help your group communicate and stay organized. In addition to having a group e-mail address, members can post messages to a Web bulletin board, chat online, upload files to share with group members, post photos to a photo album, share links to other Web sites, and post events to a shared group calendar. The Yahoo calendar feature allows you to create tasks on a to-do list, which is great for organizing an event or meeting. There’s even a polling feature that lets you pose a multiple-choice question to the group members.
Internet groups are a terrific way to host a virtual family reunion or to plan a large gathering. I’m setting up a group right now to organize our family vacation. Why don’t you give it a try, too?
Until next time, enjoy this wonderful summer weather and have fun computing!
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Tens of thousands of groups already exist, covering every subject imaginable, from art to UFOs and everything in between. Many people use Internet groups to help them organize their sports teams, clubs, church organizations or charity activities. It is also a great way to stay connected with far-flung family members.
Although all three of the major search engine companies (MSN, Yahoo, and Google) offer free Internet group services, Yahoo Groups is one of the oldest and most comprehensive.
The home page for Yahoo Groups is http://groups.yahoo.com. From there you can search through a directory of existing groups, use a keyword search to find a group, or create your own group. [Note: you will need to sign up for a free Yahoo ID before you can create or join a group.] Each group has its own Web site and group e-mail address.
Creating a new group is easy. For example, to set up a Yahoo Group, you work your way through several screens that prompt you for the necessary information. You’ll give your group a name and provide a description. Then you’ll set the membership policy (you can choose to open the group to anyone or limited to those you invite) and the message moderation policy (you decide if messages are posted immediately or if they must first be approved by the group owner). When finished, you’ll be able to send others an e-mail invitation to join the group.
Each Yahoo Group Web site includes a number of useful features to help your group communicate and stay organized. In addition to having a group e-mail address, members can post messages to a Web bulletin board, chat online, upload files to share with group members, post photos to a photo album, share links to other Web sites, and post events to a shared group calendar. The Yahoo calendar feature allows you to create tasks on a to-do list, which is great for organizing an event or meeting. There’s even a polling feature that lets you pose a multiple-choice question to the group members.
Internet groups are a terrific way to host a virtual family reunion or to plan a large gathering. I’m setting up a group right now to organize our family vacation. Why don’t you give it a try, too?
Until next time, enjoy this wonderful summer weather and have fun computing!
Questions and comments on this article can be directed to Jim’s e-mail, jcunning@pct.edu. All of Jim’s technology columns are available online at his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
More Favorite Web Sites
I suspect many of you are like me and hear this occasionally as you’re sitting in front of your computer surfing the Web before bedtime: “Honey, it’s late, are you coming to bed yet?” Yes, sometimes I do get too wrapped up in the Internet, but it is such a great information resource that I find myself turning to it for just about everything. I thought for this article I would share some of the sites that I use regularly to help me with life’s daily tasks and challenges.
Time to plan that special summer vacation for the family? Check out www.orbitz.com, www.expedia.com, www.travelocity.com, www.tripadvisor.com or travel.yahoo.com. If camping is your thing, definitely try www.reserveamerica.com.
Get your driving directions at www.mapquest.com or the American Automobile Association Web site at www.aaa.com. And, of course, don’t forget to check the weather before you leave: www.weather.com, www.accuweather.com or www.noaa.org.
Ready to tackle some plumbing, painting or electrical work around the house? You’ll find plenty of how-to articles and advice at www.doityourself.com, www.hometime.com, and www.hammerzone.com.
Thinking about selling or buying a new home? www.realtor.com is a excellent place to start.
Get your free annual credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.
Whether managing my checkbook or savings account or paying bills online, I do it all through www.psecu.com, the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union site. Online banking saves time and postage. Check out your bank’s Web site to see what online services are available or take a look at www.checkfree.com, www.paytrust.com, or bills.yahoo.com. Paying bills online is so easy; it almost makes me forget the pain in my wallet!
For stock trading and investment research, it’s hard to beat the original online trading service, www.etrade.com. You’ll also find many other financial resources at www.marketwatch.com, www.moneycentral.msn.com and finance.yahoo.com.
Of course there’s always online shopping at www.amazon.com, www.overstock.com and www.ebay.com. Living in Montoursville, I also use www.lowes.com, www.walmart.com and www.circuitcity.com. It’s convenient to order and pay for something from the Circuit City web site, then hop in the car for a short drive to the store where my item is waiting for pick up!
Time to renew your car or driver’s registration? Head over to dmv.state.pa.us.
Want to add more memory or perhaps a new DVD drive to your computer system? Try www.newegg.com. Looking for a new computer or video game for those rainy summer weekends, check out the reviews at www.gamespot.com.
How about a new cooking recipe? You’ll find thousands at www.allrecipes.com and www.epicurious.com. If you’re a summer backyard grilling fan, try www.thesmokering.com for great barbecue recipes and tips.
It’s time to plant that summer garden—I always start at www.garden.com, then the National Gardening Association at www.garden.org and finally the online garden planning tool on Lowes’ Web site: www.lowes.com. For lawn advice, my favorite is www.scotts.com.
Of course since summer is right around the corner it’s time to keep up with the NFL draft: www.nfl.com/draft, the NBA playoffs: www.nba.com, NASCAR: www.nascar.com and the PGA tour: www.pgatour.com.
Wow! After all that surfing, I’m ready to kick back and take it easy. For some relaxing entertainment, I’ll check out the Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com, for recommendations and reviews. Then I’ll go to www.cinemanow.com or www.movielink.com to download a movie to watch on my PC. Uh-oh, wait, I hear Wendy calling. Oh well, no movie for now. I’ve got to go.
Until next time, happy Internet surfing! But don’t spend too much time in front of that computer, get out there and enjoy this wonderful Pennsylvania spring weather.
Time to plan that special summer vacation for the family? Check out www.orbitz.com, www.expedia.com, www.travelocity.com, www.tripadvisor.com or travel.yahoo.com. If camping is your thing, definitely try www.reserveamerica.com.
Get your driving directions at www.mapquest.com or the American Automobile Association Web site at www.aaa.com. And, of course, don’t forget to check the weather before you leave: www.weather.com, www.accuweather.com or www.noaa.org.
Ready to tackle some plumbing, painting or electrical work around the house? You’ll find plenty of how-to articles and advice at www.doityourself.com, www.hometime.com, and www.hammerzone.com.
Thinking about selling or buying a new home? www.realtor.com is a excellent place to start.
Get your free annual credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.
Whether managing my checkbook or savings account or paying bills online, I do it all through www.psecu.com, the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union site. Online banking saves time and postage. Check out your bank’s Web site to see what online services are available or take a look at www.checkfree.com, www.paytrust.com, or bills.yahoo.com. Paying bills online is so easy; it almost makes me forget the pain in my wallet!
For stock trading and investment research, it’s hard to beat the original online trading service, www.etrade.com. You’ll also find many other financial resources at www.marketwatch.com, www.moneycentral.msn.com and finance.yahoo.com.
Of course there’s always online shopping at www.amazon.com, www.overstock.com and www.ebay.com. Living in Montoursville, I also use www.lowes.com, www.walmart.com and www.circuitcity.com. It’s convenient to order and pay for something from the Circuit City web site, then hop in the car for a short drive to the store where my item is waiting for pick up!
Time to renew your car or driver’s registration? Head over to dmv.state.pa.us.
Want to add more memory or perhaps a new DVD drive to your computer system? Try www.newegg.com. Looking for a new computer or video game for those rainy summer weekends, check out the reviews at www.gamespot.com.
How about a new cooking recipe? You’ll find thousands at www.allrecipes.com and www.epicurious.com. If you’re a summer backyard grilling fan, try www.thesmokering.com for great barbecue recipes and tips.
It’s time to plant that summer garden—I always start at www.garden.com, then the National Gardening Association at www.garden.org and finally the online garden planning tool on Lowes’ Web site: www.lowes.com. For lawn advice, my favorite is www.scotts.com.
Of course since summer is right around the corner it’s time to keep up with the NFL draft: www.nfl.com/draft, the NBA playoffs: www.nba.com, NASCAR: www.nascar.com and the PGA tour: www.pgatour.com.
Wow! After all that surfing, I’m ready to kick back and take it easy. For some relaxing entertainment, I’ll check out the Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com, for recommendations and reviews. Then I’ll go to www.cinemanow.com or www.movielink.com to download a movie to watch on my PC. Uh-oh, wait, I hear Wendy calling. Oh well, no movie for now. I’ve got to go.
Until next time, happy Internet surfing! But don’t spend too much time in front of that computer, get out there and enjoy this wonderful Pennsylvania spring weather.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
RSS Explained
The World Wide Web provides an astounding collection of information on just about every subject under the sun. Like a massive encyclopedia, much of the content is static; you can return to a particular page by using a keyword search in Google or by following a bookmark you saved in your browser. I have roughly 40 sites bookmarked that match up with my personal interests or sites I turn to when I need help with a project around the house.
The Internet is also a great source for dynamic, frequently changing content. Whether it’s national headline news, local news, sports scores, blog sites, stock prices, weather, technology, politics, economic updates, or even job postings, this information changes rapidly. It can be time-consuming to use your browser to navigate from site to site multiple times throughout the day, trying to keep up with these fast-changing information sources. Wouldn’t it be great if the most recent information could come to you, when you want it, rather than you searching through multiple Web sites? Well it can, with an Internet technology called Really Simple Syndication (RSS).
RSS allows Web site publishers to create a “headline” feed whenever they post new content. You can subscribe to this RSS feed to have newly posted headlines and related articles or Web pages delivered directly to an RSS reader program on your computer.
The best part is that you can use the RSS reader program to subscribe to multiple feeds. The RSS reader does all the work for you, collecting the latest headlines together in one place. It’s the latest news and headline stories, customized to your interests, delivered right to your front door, when you’re ready to read it—how cool is that!
There are a number of free RSS reader programs available; here are links to a few:
FeedReader - www.feedreader.com
SharpReader - www.sharpreader.net
RssReader - www.rssreader.com
NewsGator (www.newsgator.com) lets you subscribe to and read RSS feeds from inside Microsoft Outlook. Most of the large personalized Internet portal sites like my.msn.com, my.yahoo.com, and Google have incorporated RSS feeds directly into their portal pages.
After you’ve downloaded and installed one of the readers (or set it up on your portal page), building your library of RSS subscriptions is easy. Look for the or symbol on your favorite Web sites, and then follow the instructions provided by your reader to add them to your RSS feed collection. In most readers, adding an RSS feed is a simple copy/paste operation.
Check out www.npr.org/rss for some RSS feeds to try. After that, subscribe to the new RSS feed from Penn College’s PCToday (www.pct.edu/pctoday) to stay current with campus events and news. Soon you’ll be like me, starting your day with a cup of coffee and your personalized morning news, courtesy of your RSS news reader. Give it a try; you’ll be glad you did.
Enjoy!
You can find this story and Jim’s other technology articles on his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com/
Questions and comments can be directed to Jim at jcunning@pct.edu.
The Internet is also a great source for dynamic, frequently changing content. Whether it’s national headline news, local news, sports scores, blog sites, stock prices, weather, technology, politics, economic updates, or even job postings, this information changes rapidly. It can be time-consuming to use your browser to navigate from site to site multiple times throughout the day, trying to keep up with these fast-changing information sources. Wouldn’t it be great if the most recent information could come to you, when you want it, rather than you searching through multiple Web sites? Well it can, with an Internet technology called Really Simple Syndication (RSS).
RSS allows Web site publishers to create a “headline” feed whenever they post new content. You can subscribe to this RSS feed to have newly posted headlines and related articles or Web pages delivered directly to an RSS reader program on your computer.
The best part is that you can use the RSS reader program to subscribe to multiple feeds. The RSS reader does all the work for you, collecting the latest headlines together in one place. It’s the latest news and headline stories, customized to your interests, delivered right to your front door, when you’re ready to read it—how cool is that!
There are a number of free RSS reader programs available; here are links to a few:
FeedReader - www.feedreader.com
SharpReader - www.sharpreader.net
RssReader - www.rssreader.com
NewsGator (www.newsgator.com) lets you subscribe to and read RSS feeds from inside Microsoft Outlook. Most of the large personalized Internet portal sites like my.msn.com, my.yahoo.com, and Google have incorporated RSS feeds directly into their portal pages.
After you’ve downloaded and installed one of the readers (or set it up on your portal page), building your library of RSS subscriptions is easy. Look for the or symbol on your favorite Web sites, and then follow the instructions provided by your reader to add them to your RSS feed collection. In most readers, adding an RSS feed is a simple copy/paste operation.
Check out www.npr.org/rss for some RSS feeds to try. After that, subscribe to the new RSS feed from Penn College’s PCToday (www.pct.edu/pctoday) to stay current with campus events and news. Soon you’ll be like me, starting your day with a cup of coffee and your personalized morning news, courtesy of your RSS news reader. Give it a try; you’ll be glad you did.
Enjoy!
You can find this story and Jim’s other technology articles on his blog: http://jec1230.blogspot.com/
Questions and comments can be directed to Jim at jcunning@pct.edu.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Internet radio – turn your personal computer into a world-wide radio receiver
Much of today’s entertainment media attention is focused on portable digital music players like Apple’s iPod. However, using a portable music player requires that you build a digital music collection by purchasing and downloading song tracks from an Internet music store, such as Apple’s iTunes or by purchasing music CDs from which you copy or “rip” individual songs.
There is another, less expensive approach to enjoying music using your computer -- through an Internet radio station. Internet radio operates much like a traditional radio station: you “tune-in” and listen to whatever song the station is currently playing. The beauty of Internet radio is that, unlike a car radio that can only bring in local stations, you can listen to stations from all over the world.
The power of the Internet turns your home computer into a shortwave radio with world-wide reach. As I write this article, I’m listening to a song broadcast over the Internet from the United Kingdom’s famous BBC radio station (www.bbc.co.uk). Many of the world’s most popular radio stations broadcast in “real-time” over the Internet.
Of course, it isn’t just about music, you can also tune in to stations like National Public Radio (www.npr.org) for news, weather, and talk shows. Many of the stations also archive their broadcasts so you can tune in later and listen to a show you missed. In addition to traditional radio stations that broadcast over the Internet, you can enjoy the thousands of Internet-only stations that have cropped up in recent years.
Getting started is easy. Start your Internet browser program and check out the Web site of your favorite radio station to see if it is broadcast over the Internet. A simple click on the station’s “listen now” link will start the music flowing.
You will need music-playing software installed on your computer. Microsoft’s Windows Media Player, already installed on most newer PCs and available as a free download from www.microsoft.com, will handle the job for most stations. However, some Internet radio stations broadcast in other music formats such as Real or QuickTime. You can download and install the players for those formats as needed.
To travel around the world, both geographically and musically, check out these Web sites: radio.msn.com and www.live365.com. These sites let you can search through hundreds of stations offering a wide variety of music styles, including Country, Folk, Celtic, New Age, Latin, Christian, Jazz, Rock, Indie, Rap and Hip-Hop.
Many college radio stations broadcast over the Internet, also. I’m switching my computer radio tuner right now to www.pct.edu/wptc, where I’ll listen to some great music broadcast from the student-operated radio station at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Enjoy!
There is another, less expensive approach to enjoying music using your computer -- through an Internet radio station. Internet radio operates much like a traditional radio station: you “tune-in” and listen to whatever song the station is currently playing. The beauty of Internet radio is that, unlike a car radio that can only bring in local stations, you can listen to stations from all over the world.
The power of the Internet turns your home computer into a shortwave radio with world-wide reach. As I write this article, I’m listening to a song broadcast over the Internet from the United Kingdom’s famous BBC radio station (www.bbc.co.uk). Many of the world’s most popular radio stations broadcast in “real-time” over the Internet.
Of course, it isn’t just about music, you can also tune in to stations like National Public Radio (www.npr.org) for news, weather, and talk shows. Many of the stations also archive their broadcasts so you can tune in later and listen to a show you missed. In addition to traditional radio stations that broadcast over the Internet, you can enjoy the thousands of Internet-only stations that have cropped up in recent years.
Getting started is easy. Start your Internet browser program and check out the Web site of your favorite radio station to see if it is broadcast over the Internet. A simple click on the station’s “listen now” link will start the music flowing.
You will need music-playing software installed on your computer. Microsoft’s Windows Media Player, already installed on most newer PCs and available as a free download from www.microsoft.com, will handle the job for most stations. However, some Internet radio stations broadcast in other music formats such as Real or QuickTime. You can download and install the players for those formats as needed.
To travel around the world, both geographically and musically, check out these Web sites: radio.msn.com and www.live365.com. These sites let you can search through hundreds of stations offering a wide variety of music styles, including Country, Folk, Celtic, New Age, Latin, Christian, Jazz, Rock, Indie, Rap and Hip-Hop.
Many college radio stations broadcast over the Internet, also. I’m switching my computer radio tuner right now to www.pct.edu/wptc, where I’ll listen to some great music broadcast from the student-operated radio station at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
