Susan Boyle Rocks YouTube Audience for 40+ Million Hits and Growing

Called a bit dowdy and plain, a 47 year old Scottish unemployed charity worker with no professional experience performs live before a large audience on Britain's Got Talent. As she states before the performance "I am going to make that audience rock." After only 7 days her 3 minute act is broadcast on YouTube and other video sites arouhd the world totalling over 40 million hits in its first week on the 'Net.

Pirate Bay four jailed for breaking copyright in Swedish file-sharing trial

Experts believe the ruling could be the first step towards ending illegal downloading, which has cost music and film companies billions of dollars in lost revenue. However the defedants are still defiant!
Founders Peter Sunde and Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, along with two other employees Fredrik Neij and Carl Lundström, were sentenced to a year in jail after being found guilty in a Swedish court of making 33 copyright-protected files accessible for illegal downloading on the website ThePirateBay.org.

Earl's Cyber Steals And Deals

Seagate FreeAgent Desk 1.5TB USB 2.0 External Desktop Hard Drive
Costco offers its members the Seagate FreeAgent Desk 1.5TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive in Silver, model no. ST315005FDA2E1-RK, for $109.99 with $4.99 for shipping ($0.08/GB). (Proceed to the checkout page to see this price. Non-members pay $7 more.) Deal ends May 3.
Dell E2209W 22" Widescreen LCD Display for $152 + free shipping
Dell Small Business offers its Dell E2209W 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor for $169. Coupon codes "WNL1B1$R1W0P16" knocks the price to $152.10. With free shipping,
PC Connection offers the refurbished ViewSonic 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor, model no. VX2433WM, for $184.95 plus free shipping. native resolution of 1920x1080, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m² brightness, 2ms response time, and HDMI, DVI with HDCP, and VGA inputs.
Acer 23" 1080p Widescreen LCD Display w/ HDMI for $180 + free shipping
newegg.com offers the Acer X233Hbid 23" 1080p Widescreen LCD Monitor, model no. ET.VX3HP.002, for $189.99 with free shipping. Apply coupon code "EMCLRMT52" to drop it to $179.99. 1920x1080 (1080p) native resolution, 5ms response time

Patch Tuesday heads-up: 8 bulletins, 5 critical | Zero Day | ZDNet.com

"Microsoft plans to ship 8 security bulletins next Tuesday (April 14, 2009) to fix remote code execution and denial of service vulnerabilities affecting Windows, Office and Internet Explorer."
Remember the best way to keep your system running right is to do your Windows Updates.
AlaskaJoe

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 04-12-09

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 04-12-09. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) To start off the week I decided to use a site that originated from something Troll sent me a while back dealing with human powered flight. While this is not that site it is one I ran across while googling around looking for some current information. The link is to a section of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s main site, dealing with human flight and the Kremer Prizes. Has me wondering if the design factors running around in my head would qualify, and of course if they would work. Anyway I very much like the idea of riding a bicycle twenty feet off the ground, what a smooth, and quiet experience that must be, http://www.raes.org
2) This is a link that is admittedly “loosely” connected to the holiday, suggested by Joe last week to post something on Easter Eggs. I thought I would look for the definitive site on the subject. This has to be it, 13,112 eggs, and of those 31 new ones in the last two weeks. They are broken down into 7 categories, DVD, Software, Movies, Music, TV, Books, and Art. I think they missed a category as I have heard of them being added to circuit boards. Anyway if this is something you like to look for this is a great place to start. I have a friend who used to have Easter egg parties; they would get DVD’s then watch the movies and eggs, just another excuse for wings, and beer. Anyway, here is the link http://www.eeggs.com/
3) This one comes compliments of JohnnyK26 via the show, thanks Johnny. It’s those guys at MIT at it again, this time they have found a way to build batteries on a nano scale using a virus. I mean just how cool is that, they grow them in just plain water, and at room temperature, can there be a greener way to build a battery, I don’t think so. While they did not get into the details of using them on a nano level, saw an article on the worlds smallest motor once, it was a tenth of the width of a human hair, if I remember. But needed external power source, this would solve that also. Anyway this is a must read, and it is from a NPR page with an audio link to the story. Thanks again JohnnyK. http://www.npr.org/

4) This is another sent to me by Troll as a follow up to a subject I referred to last week, the Rod links. I have always liked to read both sides of a story, if the story is solid it should stand up to the debunkers, and if we are unwilling to consider other points of view we limit ourselves, and our understanding. I like weird stuff, conspiracies, and any thing on the edge of the accepted paradigm. But, I also like to read the debunkers, and weigh both sides. This link to Wikipedia article I must admit seems to have the Occam’s razor explanation of the phenomenon, and has pretty much put it to rest for me. Thanks Troll, check it out here http://en.wikipedia.org
5) This is a stretch for a geek link this week, but it does involve the use, or better put misuse of computers, and facial recognition software. In a new, and on some level disturbing way. How about a new billboard sign that is personally aimed at you. The camera gets your picture analyses your features, categorizes your features, runs a logarithm, and then offers a tailor made ad just for you. Stop the planet I want off. http://www.engadget.com

Earl's Cyber Steals And Deals

24" HP De-Branded Rotating Widescreen LCD Monitor w/HDMI & USB Hub (Black) - Rotates to Portrait or Landscape View! $229
You can find this monitor by clicking the above link to Oncomputers.info and clicking on the Geeks.Com Piccture and Link at the right side of the OnComputers Home Page. Search on HP 24
Western Digital Caviar "Green" 750GB SATA Hard Drive for $60 + free shipping
The Western Digital Caviar GP 750GB Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive, model no. WD7500AACS, again costs $59.99 with free shipping at newegg.com ($0.08/GB).
Dell Vostro 220 Intel Dual Core 2.6GHz Desktop PC with 19" LCD for $409 + $35 s&h
Dell Small Business offers its Dell Vostro Intel Pentium Dual-Core 2.6GHz Mini Tower Desktop PC with the Dell S1909WXF 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor for $419 plus $35 for shipping
Acer 22" Widescreen LCD Display for $143 + $9 s&h
MacMall.com offers the Acer X213Wbd 21.6" Widescreen LCD Monitor, model no. ET.YX3WP.001, for $142.99 plus $8.99 for shipping.

Rosewill 4-Port USB KVM Switch for $35 + free shipping
newegg.com offers the Rosewill 4-Port USB KVM Switch, model no. RKV-4UC, for $34.99. With free shipping, it's $5 under last month's mention and the lowest total price we've seen. This self-powered KVM lets you manage four computers (Mac or PC) with just one keyboard, monitor, and mouse. It includes four sets of non-detachable cables.

Texas Plans Ban of Vista From Government PCs

Even though Windows 7 is nearly upon us, the Texas state Senate gave preliminary approval to a budget that would include a policy to ban the use of Windows Vista on government computers. Jack would have loved this one...

Time Warner Actions Bait and Switch (Geek News Central)

"Time Warner should be simply ashamed of themselves and I encourage consumers to pick up the phone and complain to Time Warner directly, email the company and file complaints with your local public utilities commissions demanding more choices in the broadband networks."
I just posted how in Japan the cable company is upgrading to 160 Mbps, here Time Warner is putting a low cap on their users.
Are they missing something or is this their way of getting back at us?
AlaskaJoe

DailyTech - J:Com 160 Mbps Internet Service Upgrades Cost Company Just $20 per Household

Does Japan know something the USA doesn't? I want my 160 Mbps service for only $60 USD per month. I have the fastest cable in Alaska and it's 10 Mbps for $100 per month.
Why do the ISP's in America think we don't need the speed? "Many providers state that there just isn't much demand for such "super-high speed" internet service." Have they asked you? No one ever asked me if I wanted a faster connection.
AlaskaJoe

DailyTech - IBM Walks Away from Sun Negotiations

It looks like IBM and Sun have come up against a wall. Maybe IBM isn't going to buy Sun!
AlaskaJoe

Report: Microsoft to give free Windows 7 upgrades to XP downgraders

April 6, 2009 (Computerworld) Microsoft Corp. will provide free or discounted Windows 7 upgrades not only to users who buy Vista PCs between June 2009 and January 2010, but also to people who buy systems that have been factory-downgraded to Windows XP, according to a report on the Web.
For those of you waiting to buy a new computer, here is a chance to get Windows 7.
So far I like Windows 7 better than Vista. (I'm running both in 64 bit)

AlaskaJoe

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 04-05-09

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 04-05-09. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Earl's Cyber Steals and Deals

Acer 23" 1080p Widescreen LCD Display with HDMI for $190 + free shipping
Buy.com again offers the Acer X233Hbid 23" 1080p Widescreen LCD Monitor, model no. ET.VX3HP.002, for $189.99 with free shipping.
Western Digital 640GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Internal Hard Drive for $58 + free shipping ZipZoomfly.com offers the 2-platter Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Desktop Hard Drive, model no. WD6400AAKS, for $57.89 with free shipping.
IOGEAR 2-Port USB 2.0 KVM Switch for $20 + free shipping
newegg.com again offers the IOGEAR Hybrid 2-Port USB 2.0 KVM Switch, model no. GCS22U, for $19.99. With free shipping,
TRENDnet 802.11n Wireless Router for $30 + $8 s&h
TigerDirect.com offers the TRENDnet 802.11n Wireless-N Broadband Router, model no. TEW-652BRP, for $29.99 with $7.99 for shipping.
Seagate Barracuda 1TB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Internal Hard Drive for $90 + free shipping
newegg.com offers the OEM Seagate Barracuda 1TB Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive, model no. ST31000333AS, for $89.99 with free shipping ($0.09/GB).

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Here is another of those articles that give me some hope that we are moving in the right direction. Kind of like the advances in battery charging i put up the week before last, that link being about the major problem with electric cars dealing with charging time. This is kind of the same deal for solar, the main problem with solar is the storage of power, to compensate for cloudy days, and night. The guys at M.I.T. are at it again, this is not one of those in twenty years promises. They are saying in the next few years, this is a system that will work as well in New York City as in rural Africa. And, at a reasonable cost, they express it as instead of thousands of dollars, tens of dollars. Very interesting here is the link http://web.mit.edu
2) It has been a while since I got into one of those over the top story’s, I heard reference to a documentary movie coming out dealing with Rods, or Sky Fish as they are sometimes called. So I thought I would post something on them, I am putting up three sites, first a YouTube news story http://www.youtube.com/ . Next an article from About.com, there are even instructions on how to film them yourself on page two, they say anyone can film them. http://paranormal.about.com And, last the main site from the people who originally discovered them, they are the people coming out with the movie. http://www.roswellrods.com
3) Now for a new twist on the flying car, this is one that is currently out there, they are flying it, planning flights across the channel, across the Sahara, and it is green. Looks like a lot of fun. While I can’t see them flying around the city, I sure think it will not be long before I see them flying around the countryside. First link a Google video of the maiden flight, http://video.google.com And, a link of the spec’s and future plans http://www.skycarexpedition.com/
4) This is an article about what they are doing to attempt to narrow the field for contacting intelligent life out in space. Now that we have methods of detecting planets, and sort them into types capable of supporting life. They are planning to target those locations, makes sense to me. http://www.universetoday.com
5) For my geek link I could not resist this story about the Google street van being mobbed by a small village across the pond. Seems they wanted to maintain their privacy, looks like it has backfired. If they had any tech savvy at all they would have realized when they called attention to themselves on the internet it would be seen as a challenge. Should mention that the name of the village has some connection to one of our hosts, not sure how deep that rabbit hole goes though. http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Google Makes It Easy for Blind to Dial on Touschscreens - Eyes-Free Android Project

Here's an idea whose time has come. Finally a touchscreen for a phone that blind users can use. It is good to see Google taking the lead on this.

Howto Stop Conflicker In Its Tracks Immediately | Daily Cup of Tech

Everyone is in full Chicken Little mode these days with April 1 just around the corner and the Conflicker virus poised to bring down civilization.
It's easy to protect your PC from Conflicker.
AlaskaJoe

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 03-29-09

This is re-post the On Computers Radio show podcast for 03-29-09. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Microsoft accidentally confirms Windows 7 RC date in May

Microsoft has posted prematurely a download page for the Windows 7 Release Candidate.

Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $60

Seagate Barracuda 640GB SATA 3Gbps Internal Hard Drive for $60 + free shipping Faster than the Green WD below, more cache and 110gb smaller..

Western Digital Caviar "Green" 750GB SATA Hard Drive for $60 + free shipping
Slower at 5400 RPM and less cache but more storage and quieter.

AMD Phenom II X4 2.8GHz Quad-Core Socket AM2+ CPU for $134 + free shipping, morenewegg.com offers the AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz Quad-Core Socket AM2+ Processor (pictured), model no. HDX920XCGIBOX, for $164. Coupon code "AMD32530" drops the price to $134. With free shipping, that's $40 under our mention from last month and the lowest total price we've seen. This retail-boxed CPU includes a heatsink and fan and features four 512KB L2 caches and a 6MB L3 cache.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz Processor for $232+ free shipping
Dell Small business offers the retail-boxed Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz Processor, model no. BX80569Q9550, for $309.99. Apply coupon code "5NSKFK1HL?CRDN" to cut the price to $232.49. With free shipping,

Acer 22-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor
22-Inch LCD Monitor 2500:1 Contrast, 16:10 Aspect Ratio and 3-Year Warranty!
$14999 http://www.compusa.com/