Tuesday, June 09, 2009

URLs from 6/9/09

Listen for today’s show as a podcast and on UStream.tv
Today’s UStream.tv archive is http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1630096

NEWS:

Sprint breaks its sales record with Palm Pre
--http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10260208-94.html


--Pre vs. iPhone:
--http://gizmodo.com/5126870/in-a-nutshell-palm-pre-vs-iphone-vs-g1
--http://i.gizmodo.com/5282976/reality-check-iphone-vs-palm-pre-launch

Apple WWDC Keynote
--http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/0906paowdnv/event/index.html?internal=ijalrmacu


QUESTIONS:

Deleting a user in Vista
--http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistaappearance/thread/5beaaaab-9be7-47da-baf6-7dc6fd24464c
--
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/delete_a_user_account.htm

Installing Unix/Linux on Asus Netbook
--http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/Asus_Eee_PC_1000HE
--
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_to_install_ubuntu_linux_on_asus_netbook_win
xp.html

UPDATE: see the reaction from the author of this question, Dan

Google Chrome Freezing with lots of tabs open
--http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Chrome/thread?tid=641e4c3c37cc9084&hl=en
--http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Chrome/thread?tid=1eca21966c066d77&hl=en
--http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Chrome/thread?tid=36a937b632abadfb&hl=en
UPDATE: see the reaction from the author of this question, Mark

Imaging a lab of dual boot Macintoshes
--http://www.deploystudio.com/Home.html

Response: Asus netbook

[In reference to the podcast of 6/9/09]:

Good show today, but why is it only 30 minutes instead of the 60 minute show it was when it was on the air.

Thanks for using my question about creating a dual boot system on my Asus netbook. One thing that wasn't clear, and maybe you can clear this up with an e-mail response is couldn't the Linux OS be obtained online? The guys seemed to be focused on the problems with getting software onto the netbook with the absence of a CD/DVD drive. I assumed I could download the OS from a web site and then install it from there. Maybe not. And, on the issue of not having a CD/DVD drive, as you know jump drives now are really big for a reasonable amount of money. Additionally, my netbook also has an SD port for an SD card, and those are available in large capacities. So I don't think the lack of a CD drive is an issue because of these options.

--Dan, Hagerstown IN

Reaction to answer about Chrome

[Listener Mark called in on the show for 6/9/09]

This Google Chrome issue is a pain and has pushed me back to using Firefox all the time. Not that this is a big issue; I love Firefox, but Chrome is quicker and I like the way it will open multiple tabs every time I start the app.

Just want you to know....I've very much enjoyed listening to your show on WUMB since I first discovered it in early 2007. I have called in a number of times over the past years and always enjoyed getting help (when you had it) and listening to other folks problems and the advice given.

I certainly wish the show could have gone on, but with the demise of WUMB (at least in its former guise) I don't know what it all means for you and the show. Regardless, I sincerely hope you find a solution that allows you to continue the show if you find it both meaningful and useful. In the interim, thanks for finding solutions (such as podcasts and live streaming) that help keep the show running!

--Mark, Englewood OH

One listener's reaction to the Palm Pre

[Help Desk listener Rich of Liberty Township, OH purchased a much-talked-about Palm Pre last weekend. Here’s his first impression:]

So far so good ... but a bit of a learning curve on the Palm Pre; I'm not the best person to ask about initial impressions since I don't do 'change.' well ... an age thing perhaps? After many years of Palm OS devices, making a PDA/smartphone change is going to be challenging. (BTW, heard Palm may have sold 150,000 Pre's this weekend and media believed they could have sold twice as many if they had the inventory? Rumors were than outlets like Best Buy only had a few units per store and wouldn't release inventory numbers to customers ahead of time ... ouch!)

On the plus side, one could not asks for a more elegant smartphone. It has a near perfect (although smallish) screen comparable to the iPhone. The bluetooth pairing is a vast improvement over the Treo/Centro models, in my opinon. The WiFi as been the biggest surprise for me since I didn't really think it was that big of a deal, but it works seamlessly in switching from cell 3G network to broadband. The new Web OS, backbone of the phone, uses the Internet to pass data to and from apps and to synchronize using this wireless connectivity. Fast broadband connections are best, EVDO 3G better and slow cell connections the worse (mine did a first day 70+MB systems update in a few minutes -- glad to have WiFi).

GPS has been another surprise and works great with Google Maps or Sprint Navigation software -- both included. The Palm Pre even fit into my Treo windshield holder for traveling and reads very well in the bright sunlight on about 40% brightness. (see link - but don't laugh at the packing skin still protecting my screen).

Perhaps the major reason I opted for the Pre over the iPhone was the slideout physical keyboard since I couldn't type very well on the iPhone or my daughter's iTouch. Nevertheless, the keyboard is small and they made a few key changes from the Treo/Centro models ... again learning curve. I miss the 4-way navigation for mistakes (must use the touchscreen) and would have enjoyed a roller ball option like the Blackberries, but no room.

And although I teased about the iPhones need for additional apps and the crazy stuff at the app store... I found after downloading a few for the Pre (and that's about what are available currently) that I'll be eating crow. The downloadable Pandora music apps is fantastic as is the Accuweather app which uses the GPS locator. Having the ability to 'flick' through the hour by hour forecast is really neat as are the radar images. Its also apparent that every news organization will be looking at the NYTimes app which feeds their content in an easy to read way -- it works well and loads into a single "flick-able card." I didn't see a Slingplayer apps just yet to run my home TV, but Sprint TV did a great job of streaming programming ... no uStream for MUB livecasts either, but they say it is in the works with Adobe and a Flash player. YouTube mobile encoded videos run well though. I haven't tried syncing my iTunes yet, but it is suppose to work well.

The biggest improvement and lead over the iPhone as I see it is in in running multiple applications ... something we do all the time on our computers. Traditional Palm OS would run one at a time (as does the iPhone), but with the "card" method I was able to run 9 apps cards before running out of memory. It was great to have my Pre mounted in my car running the GPS and talking on the bluetooth headset at the same time; a huge improvement over the Palm OS. Now if I could only find a way to rig a Touchstone-like 'induction charger' on my windshield mount I'd be ready to hit the road. (Touchstone is a magnetic mount that sticks the Pre on a desk puck that charges the phone without wires. The only 'port' not covered on my Pre is the 3.5mm headset jack which reduces pocket lint in the mini USB slot)

Negatives:
  • Running multiple apps shortens battery life, but a spare can be carried and put in for long trips.
  • No SD cards ... stuck with 8GB internal memory
  • Design crazy graphical apps waste screen space with fancy icon requiring more scrolling than I would like, but they look nice.
  • Camera takes good photos for cellphone, but no zoom and flash is worthless
  • No video or audio recording currently. Palm OS had both.
  • Super sharp screen is great but pushes aging eyes to the limits by cramming a lot on a page ... thankfully the pinch-zoom and rotating of the page to landscape view works well.
  • :-)
Enough to give you something to talk about!

[Thanks, Rich!]

Monday, June 08, 2009

Special program June 9th, 2009

Dear Help Desk listener,

Since early March, the weekly Help Desk podcast has originated from the WMUB studios on the Miami campus. But that will end on June 30th, which is the last day at Miami for Cleve Callison and John Hingsbergen. We are actively investigating ways to keep the program going. Tomorrow (June 9, 2009) we hope to make a special recording that will not only be a regular podcast but will be a pilot of what could be the next step in the show.

You can help us out by sending us a question and letting us call you to put your voice on the show.

If you have a question about computers and are available to be on the phone around 9 am on Tuesday, June 9th, please send an email to: helpradio(at)wmub.org and send the following information:

--Your question:


--Your computer operating system (i.e., Vista, XP, Mac OS X, etc.):


--A landline number where we can call you around 9 am Tuesday:



We can’t guarantee a callback — it depends on the number of entries we receive.

Please help us out, and see the right-hand column for information about live streaming and archiving on Ustream.tv.

Thank you!

----------------------------------
The Help Desk crew

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

URLs from 6/2/09

Listen for today’s show as a podcast and on UStream.tv
Today’s UStream.tv archive is http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1595505

NEWS:


QuickTime 7.6.2 & iTunes 8.2
--http://www.9to5mac.com/quicktime-itunes-updated
--http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
--http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3520

MSI laptop using the CULV-Consumer Ultra Low Voltage core 2 processors from Intel
--http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/hardware/laptops/soa/MSI-X-Slim-X340/0,2000065761,339295549,00.htm
--http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10254094-64.html

Mac OS X 10.5.7
--http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3397

Apple World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) June 8-12 in San Francisco
--WWDC 2009 Keynote Address on June 8th 10am Pacific, 1PM EST
--http://www.i4u.com/article24761.html
--WWDC Stream:
--http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/06/10/watch-or-download-steve-jobs-wwdc-2
008-keynote-webcast-streaming-video/


QUESTIONS:

Fixing Mac external hard drive (won’t mount after power surge/dip)
--http://www.binarybiz.com/vlab/mac.html
--http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php
--http://www.micromat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=
83


Printing from web sometimes flaky in XP, from PDF OK
--Update the printer driver; update Adobe Reader or Acrobat to the latest version.
--http://www.wmich.edu/vista/students/printPDF.html
--Print PDF as Image
--http://www.budget.gov.hk/2009/eng/pdf/e_PrintasImage.pdf
--http://www.pdfforlawyers.com/2003/09/question_on_pri.html

Does my daughter need a special adapter for her netbook when she is in London this summer?
--Generally, no. Check the labeling on the unit or on the power supply. If it says 50-60 cycles, 120-240 volts she will not need a converter. She will need a physical adapter since European plugs are different from American. These are widely available from discount and electronic stores.
--http://goeurope.about.com/cs/electricity/l/bl_electricity.htm
--http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/internet.htm#computer

Monday, June 01, 2009

Thank you for the Help Desk

Thanks for keeping the Help Desk active, I cannot tell you the number of ways that I have benefited from this tremendous resource. Whenever I have a pesky computer problem, whether at home or on the road, there is NO BETTER SOURCE, than the Help Desk show blog for a solution. I do hope the powers to be at Miami University will permit and allow this resource to continue without interruption. All of you guys are certainly the kings of the computer world in my opinion. Thanks again.

--listener, Preble County, OH

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

URLs from 5/26/09

Listen for today's show as a podcast and on UStream.tv
UPDATE: today's show is http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1562876

NEWS:


Lenovo gets real with new lineup

--http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10247911-1.html

Drive-By "Gumblar" Download Poisons Google Search Results
--http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/19/1215253
--http://blog.unmaskparasites.com/2009/05/07/gumblar-cn-exploit-12-facts-about
-this-injected-script/

--http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2009/05/gumblar-exploit-hijacking-websi
tes-and-picking-up-steam.ars


Safari Beta 4 Security questions
--http://www.thrica.com/archives/352

Iphone 3.0
--http://www.engadget.com/hub/iphone-os-30

QUESTIONS:

WMUB.org live stream on a Mac
--As of 3/1/09, Miami University no longer programs WMUB or operates the web site http://wmub.org. It's now operated by Cincinnati Public Radio. Mike had reported he was unable to get the stream to air on his Mac. We experienced the same problem. CPR will need to solve it, and we have contacted them.

Audio quality of podcasts
--Joe reported problems when burning our podcasts to CDs. It's true that we keep the specs on these low so that the files aren't large; with the ubiquity of broadband connections, perhaps it's time to revisit that. We don't have an answer as to why Joe's Toast 7 software on his Mac treats these files as .aif; they should be .mp3. We recommended to Joe that he use iTunes to handle the podcasts, and burn from that.

How to change your icon in OS X
--Joe also asked why his SENT folder in Apple Mail shows a picture of him as a gingerbread man. Joe needs to update his listing in his Address Book. The gingerbread man is one of the defaults, but you can sub a picture in any of several graphic formats.
--http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2493

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

URLs from 5/19/09

Note: the podcast of today's show was a little late getting on the air; we did not get a recording as we normally do and had to take other measures to recover the audio. You can listen to the Archive recording on UStream.tv -- search for "mub help desk".

NEWS:

Palm PRE to launch in June:
--http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10244423-1.html

Virtual climb of Mt. Everest:
--http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=00BOo9XoItxROPePqKqiqhskZpoy7Z8LF

QUESTIONS:

HP printing in landscape mode takes a very long time:
--We didn't find a definitive answer for this. Suggested she check HP for new drivers for her model (an all-in-one, C5280). Lee suggested that "The reason for slow in landscape may be that it is converting the text to graphics in that mode." Other suggestions: convert to PDF, then print from that (but this may take longer); print a master copy and take to a print shop.

Can't listen to the "new" WMUB online (Mike):
--Cincinnati Public Radio (WVXU), which has operated WMUB since March 1, does not use mp3 streaming as we used to do. At the WVXU.org site, you can download the Mac version of Windows Media Player (version 9.0).

Ants infesting a UPS:
--No guarantees on this, but an old friend of Cleve's suggested using crumbled-up tansy around what you want to protect. Let us know the results!

Can we check our bank account securely using Wi-Fi in a campground?
--Yes. Just make sure:
  • Don't visit a site by clicking a link in an email
  • Type, all by yourself, the URL you need
  • Double-check the spelling
  • Use a secure password
Can get a wireless card for an old Compaq Presario 7594?
--We think so, but if you're trying to save money you might want to check out the new lower-priced netbooks. The Compaq would probably run slow with a wireless.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Poll results: Computer buying 5/18/09

This week's question was "Are you planning to buy a computer in the next 12 months? (multiple answers OK)"
  • Desktop PC (8, 40%)
  • Desktop Mac (3, 15%)
  • Laptop PC (3, 15%)
  • Laptop Mac (3, 15%)
  • Notebook PC (1, 5%)
  • Not planning to buy (5, 25%)
Note: the category "Notebook PC" really should have read "Netbook PC." But once poll answers start coming in, it's impossible to change the questions. As of today there are no Netbook Macs on the market.

Thank you! We'll discuss on the show for 5/19/09.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

URLs from 5/12/09

In addition to the podcast of today's show, we were able to get a UStream.tv recording going today. Go to UStream and search for "help desk".

NEWS:

NVIDEA Law Suite Apple, Dell & HP
--http://www.macworld.com/article/140545/2009/05/nvidiasuit.html?lsrc=rss_main

Ibook G4 Graphics chip problem
--http://macintoshhowto.com/hardware/how-do-i-get-my-broken-g4-ibook-fixed.html

MIT Engineers create Cone of Silence
--http://dvice.com/archives/2009/05/mit-engineers-f.php

Chip decline eases; AMD gains on Intel
--http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10238205-64.html

TODAY'S QUESTIONS:

Should I build my own computer? (Rich)
--Jim Keen and Wayne Stone have done this. You can get the exact model you want but it's time-consuming and takes some expertise. SW Ohio users can check MicroCenter. Another good source is this weekend's Dayton Hamvention.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

URLs from 5/5/09

Today's show was broadcast live on UStream.tv, but for some reason the archive does not seem to be available. Even though it was audio-only, we think this should be possible. If you have an idea about what to do, send us an email to
  • helpradio(AT)wmub.org
News and views:

Blogging: Blogger vs. WordPress
--Comments from HelpDesk listener Rich

Waldo Spotted on Google street view
--http://macenstein.com/default/archives/3989

Rumors of Apple Netbook
--http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/can_apple_release_a_netbook_without_cannibalizing_its_laptop_sales/

Questions:

Low sound volume even though it is turned up (Thomas)
--http://sillydog.org/forum/sdt_10345.php
--http://forums.techguy.org/multimedia/595813-speaker-volume-really-low.html

Alphabetizing folders and Applications in Start folder (Liz)
--Liz asked why applications always followed folders, rather than a mixed alpha short. We had said last week that we didn't think the order could be changed. Bob from Madeira wrote:
--Re the question last week about the Windows Start menu, with its folders and files in random order -- The Start menu is a special case of a folder. If you right-click on the Start button, then select Explore, you can manage the Start menu with Windows Explorer, the same as any other hierarchy of folders. You should be able to re-sort the folders and files as you wish. (List view is probably more useful than the Icon views for this purpose).

The sort order of the Start menu is, I believe, affected by any global changes you make to the sort order in Explorer. So if, like me, you have Explorer set to show all folders first before individual files, then then the folders should show up in the Start menu before individual item shortcuts.

This is made more complicated by the fact that there is a separate list of Start Menu items for All Users, and a separate one for each individual user. The items in the All Users list appear first, then the items for the currently-logged-in user are appended. So there will usually be two sections in the Start menu. You can administer the start menu items for All Users by clicking the Start button, then select Explore All Users.

There may be ways to reconfigure the Start menu, either through Registry hacks or through the TweakUI power toy, which is a free download from Microsoft.

Thanks for the podcast, and for the MUBsters update. Good luck to you all!

More on blogging: Blogger vs. WordPress

On today’s show, listener Rich offered the following Top Ten Tips about blogging:

Although I'm far from an expert in blogging, I've learned a few things over the past 4 years of keeping a personal blog and contributing to several others. I've been thinking about offering up a Top Ten list of advice that has worked for me.
  1. Platform: To basic types - online blogging service or private server install. This is where Wordpress shines in my opinion since you can start using Wordpress.com free and move it to a private server install -- keeping the look and feel very similar. There are thousands of premade/designed themes available or you can create/modify your own with minimal programing skills. Plug-ins extend the power of Wordpress and make it the prefer platform for most growing blogs. Content Management Systems (CMS) like Joomla and Drupal are probably better for multiple user and business use, as most of them include full website development along with the blogging components. (all mentioned above are open source and free -- unless you use the extended services available through Wordpress.com)
  2. Use a theme with a masthead and fixed items that don't take up all that much screen real estate (particularly vertical pixels). With wide screens and netbooks becoming popular, scrolling down every visit -- especially past ads -- is frustrating for readers. Blogs are a dime a dozen so you want to keep readers not send them to other services. (personally speaking I think that may have been one of the reasons Facebook is moving past MySpace in Social Networking)
  3. Include reduced sized graphics and photo thumbnails so pages don't contain huge image files that need to be downloaded every time the url is accessed, then use the "click on feature" for a larger view. (plug in for Wordpress is called Lightbox 2)
  4. Extend the power of the web by hyperlinking where you can. Think of it as if you were footnoting a paper. Another great plug-in that might help with this on Wordpress is Cross-linker.
  5. Keep posts short, but post often IF you audience is the normal web surfer. Be sure to set up an RSS feed and read up on Google syndication -- have your pages crawled by search engines so content is publicized.
  6. Most blogs are topical, so work to promote you blog by referencing it when you visit other sites that discuss the same subjects -- linking to particular posts is better than linking to just you home page.
  7. Consider using Twitter or other social networking sites to connect with people interested so they know when you post new information.
  8. Credit other people (bloggers, authors, etc) and link to them ... many will do the same for you.
  9. Consider moderate use of Google Adsense or the like as money can be earned to support your site.
  10. Moderate comments and use a spam comment blocker like Akismet. Comment spam can be a bigger problem that even email spam.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Poll results: Blogging 5/3/09

Not too many took part in our recent blog poll. The question was "For bloggers: which of these do you use? You may choose more than one answer."
  • Blogger (1, 16%)
  • WordPress (5, 83%)
  • Other software (0, 0%)
  • I host the blog (1, 16%)
  • I use a hosting service (0, 0%).
Thank you! We'll discuss on the show for 5/5/09.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

URLs from 4/28/09

News:

Live streaming returns to the Help Desk today!
--http://wmubhelpdesk.blogspot.com/2009/04/live-streaming-returns-to-help-desk.html

FaceBooking while out sick gets employee fired

--http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10228434-93.html

Pirate Bay operators face sentencing
--http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/apr/25/download-music-online-legally

iPod Touch for Military?
--http://www.newsweek.com/id/194623

Listener questions:

Archival Media
--http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardware/06/12/11/1714232.shtml

Making .zip files on a Macintosh
--http://www.apple.com/pro/tips/zip.html

DVD as an archiving medium?
--http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardware/06/12/11/1714232.shtml

Live streaming returns to the Help Desk


On Tuesday 4/28/09 we launched an experimental live stream of that day's Help Desk on UStream.tv. This was an audio-0nly stream that we got working just prior to the broadcast. We sent out a notification via Twitter and picked up a couple of listeners.

Once we figured out a couple of problems, we were pleased with the results and plan to do it again on the show for 5/5/09. Here's how to locate the show on that day:
  • Go to http://www.ustream.tv (you do not have to log in)
  • Click the "All Live" button in the upper left
  • Search for 'mub help desk' (no quotes; note, 'mub' not 'wmub')
  • You should see the Help Desk icon; click on it
It's not clear if we'll be able to archive any of these broadcasts since they're not video, but of course the podcast is always available. Stay tuned for an update on archiving. We will plan to put a notice on Twitter just before the show starts so if you're following us you'll get that. Our Twitter address is:
  • http://twitter.com/wmubhelpdesk
Note that this does have 'wmub' in the name, unlike UStream.tv

Thanks for listening!

--the Help Desk Crew (Cleve, John, Guy and Wayne)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Poll results 4/27/09

This poll asked "Which OS do you use most often?"
  • Windows 7 beta (2, 4%)
  • Windows Vista (5, 10%)
  • Windows XP (20, 41%)
  • Other Windows (1, 2%)
  • Mac OSX 10.5x (13, 27%)
  • Mac OSX 10.1-10.4x (7, 14%)
  • Other Mac OS (0, 0%)
We don't deal with Linux on the show, but we got one vote for it, plus mentions of DOS and Ubuntu.

Thanks!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Other choices for the OS poll?


We've received some feedback from Help Desk users who wonder why we didn't have more choices on the 4/20/09 poll "Which OS do you use most often?" Specifically, why didn't we have "Linux" or "Other"?

Frankly, not having Linux was partially an oversight. But as a practical matter, our gurus Wayne and Guy work for Miami University, which does not support Linux, so they haven't spent much time with it and would have to beg off answering most questions. However, it would be helpful to have an idea of how many in our audience do use it.

So we suggest that if you are a Linux (or Other) user, please leave a Comment with this message and give us the information.

Thanks.

--the Help Desk crew

'Thanks for the WMUB Blog & Podcasts'

I was a frequent listener to the Helpdesk and hated to see it go. I had received e-mails about the podcasts, but only just recently got around to listening and working with them. Having finally tuned in, I'm very excited about what you are doing. Frankly, I'm finding them more useful than the original broadcast. The latter was easier, but not as convenient and I frequently missed them. Now I can tune them in at any time. My thanks to you and the others involved in your efforts to extend this service. They are very much appreciated.

Regards,
Woody

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

URLs from 4/21/09

The podcast of today's show is now available.

Conficker Worm still infecting PCs
--http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
--http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62053258,00.htm
--700 computers at University of Utah were infected:
--http://news.cnet.com/report-conficker-worm-bites-university-of-utah/?tag=mncol;txt

Swimmers' heart rate monitor:
--http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/21/finis-aquapulse-monitors-communicates-heart-rate-to-swimmers/

Laptop won't retain date and time settings:
--The problem is most likely the CMOS battery (not the main power battery). It's probably dead. To find one, go to the manufacturer's web site and get a schematic or parts list. Such batteries are cheap, and available online, or perhaps even at a local electronics store.

Dual monitors on your laptop
--Matrox External video adapter for notebooks:
--http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/
--PCMICIA Video card:
--http://www.overclock.net/laptops-notebook-computers/266492-pcmcia-video-cards-laptops-do-they.html

Apple water sensor not so reliable can void warranty
--http://www.hardmac.com/news/2009/04/18/water-sensor-in-iphone-ipod-not-reliable

Apple iPhone App store a hit
--http://www.smartmoney.com/breaking-news/on/?story=ON-20090420-000583-1455

Apple leads in customer satisfaction
--http://www.macworld.com/article/140068/2009/04/satisfaction.html?sr=hotnews