Software, Computer Help
Posted by admin | Filed under Cool Videos
(Previously: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.) Part 5
The Machine That Changed the World is the longest, most comprehensive documentary about the history of computing ever produced, but since its release in 1992, it’s become virtually extinct. Out of print and never released online, the only remaining copies are VHS tapes floating around school libraries or in the homes of fans who dubbed the original shows when they aired.
It’s a whirlwind tour of computing before the Web, with brilliant archival footage and interviews with key players — several of whom passed away since the filming. Jointly produced by WGBH Boston and the BBC, it originally aired in the UK as The Dream Machine before its U.S. premiere in January 1992. Its broadcast was accompanied by a book co-written by the documentary’s producer Jon Palfreman.
With the help of Simon Willison, Jesse Legg, and (unofficially) the Portland State University library, we’ve tracked down and digitized all five parts. This week, I’m uploading them, annotating them with Viddler, and posting them here as streaming Flash video as they’re finished. Also, the complete set is available for download as high-quality MP4 downloads via BitTorrent.
Here’s the first of the five-part series, The Machine That Changed the World. Enjoy! (more…)
Posted by admin | Filed under hardware
Computers are electronic devices, like a TV or microwave and should, in essence, be treated as such.
If I could distill the most-asked customer question from my 13 years of computer support, it would be one that has troubled techs for ages.
It requires us to reinforce our recommendation with various arguments because we know that the person asking this question will immediately retort, “then how come my friend reckons (insert scenario here)”.
I’m talking about the question of whether to turn our computers off at night.
I imagine as soon as my recommendations are published, my inbox will be inundated with everyone’s special theory as to why we should/shouldn’t shut down our machines.
Being a fair and unbiased individual and in true democratic style as befits an election year, I will present my take on the subject and you can do whatever you want.
First, we have to dispel a few myths, namely that:
* Your data “wears out”.
* Computers remember everything forever.
* Data can be easily recovered if your hard drive fails.
* Viruses “burn” sector 0 of your hard drive.
* Computers “don’t like” being restarted.
* Smoking banana skins gets you smashed. (more…)
Posted by admin | Filed under Software Fixes
Like Elvis in ‘68, Microsoft is itching for a “comeback,” and Windows 7 is the perfect excuse. In fact, this week in LA at the Professional Developers Conference, Windows 7 officially shoved Vista aside. Having suffered through the often deserved criticisms of that ill-fated OS installment, Microsoft’s people are thrilled to tears to be able to talk about something (anything!) else. On Sunday, they took journalists through a lively 7-hour orientation on Win 7, then handed off a Dell XPS M1330 loaded with pre-beta Build 6801. Thankfully for the overworked, underappreciated developers at Redmond, it’s surprisingly stable, and its look and feel already puts Vista to shame.
Here’s a walkthrough of the system