Microsoft Office System Launch Event

I attended the Launch Event in Davie, FL yesterday. What a great event! Not only did I manage to learn a thing or two about the new technology available in Office System 2003, but I also received a copy of Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 and Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 for free! That's a full copy for free! Visit Microsoft Office System Launch Event to see if you have a Launch Event coming to your area.

Microsoft has made real progress in the rights management arena. Using Outlook 2003, Microsoft's Blain Barton showed us how to keep someone from forwarding, copying, or printing an email they received. Technology can be used to prevent inside "leaks" from making it out of your business.

Blain also demonstrated Microsoft's Virtual PC. Virtual PC is used to create virtual machines on your computer running a different operating system. Virtual PC can be used to run operating systems from DOS to Windows XP Pro. You can download a 45-day free trial from Microsoft.

Gadget may wreak traffic havoc

Who was the entrepreneur that thought this up? There was a time where flashing your high beams would trigger lights to change, but that was too easy. Now, a gadget which has no business being in the public sector is available for all of us to travel like an emergency vehicle. Flashing lights aren't allowed on regular vehicles because it makes them look like emergency vehicles. Shouldn't something like this fall under that same category? Visit Gadget may wreak traffic havoc - 10/26/03, for more information. Of course, if your town or city doesn't have the receivers for these things, no harm done.

Women join New York nude photo shoot

I'm an art lover, but this is news. CNN.com - Women join New York nude photo shoot - Oct. 26, 2003 I remember when Cristos surrounded islands in Miami with pink cloth.

Let water power your mobile phone: scientists discover new source of electricity

Pretty interesting concept. Let's hope no special interest groups quash this new form of energy. Read more about letting water power your mobile phone.

Wi-Fi and storage in one device

Another cool device... No, the concept is not new, but I imagine manufacturers had to wait for the WiFi chips to be small enough and manufacturers had to presume there would be consumer demand for this device. I think it's excellent. I think it's going to be extremely useful to have a device like this. USB keys are pretty ho-hum without something extra and WiFi is a great companion. Read more about Wi-Fi and storage in one device.

The stuff of dreams

I've been reading about nanotubes for almost a year now. They can be used in everything from memory keys to a space elevator. There is no doubt that they are the stuff of dreams.

How Outlook 2003 takes care of spam on its own

I've been using the beta version of Office 2003 and I love the new features in Outlook 2003, especially the SPAM filter. Between the "Mail Guard" service that BellSouth.net (my ISP) employs and the Junk Mail filter in Outlook 2003, I get maybe 3 - 5 SPAM messages a week. Not bad considering that BellSouth's filter is trapping around 200 messages a week and Outlook 2003 captures another 20 - 25 per week. Read more over at ZDNet AnchorDesk.

Symantec tackles patchwork approach to patching

These features are a great addition to an excellent product. I've used Ghost in the past and it was an excellent way to "refresh" a computer that's giving you trouble. Read more about it at CNET News.com.

Microsoft clears its own XP SP2 confusion

It's a good thing when Microsoft clears its own XP SP2 confusion, but I wonder if we, as consumers, should even be concerning ourselves with this problem. After all, when I bought Windows XP Home, I bought it for what it offered me at the time -- a more stable OS than Windows 98 SE. Personally, I want the extras included in XP Service Pack 2, but I'm not going to cry over when I get them.

Odd mishaps cause computer grief

File this under I/O error (idiot operator): BBC NEWS | Technology | Odd mishaps cause computer grief.

‘Tugboat’ could push away asteroids

I posted about this before. If asteriods have been colliding with the Earth for eons, who are we to interfere with the grand scheme of things in the Universe (or God, for that matter)? You do have to admit though, a ‘Tugboat’ that could push away asteroids is an interesting concept.

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi in one Pocket PC

Cool new toys that I, alas, won't be getting... Bluetooth, Wi-Fi in one Pocket PC ,but wait there's more! Sounds like an old Ginsu knives commercial. HP is really making a great move with their connected products. Their goal is to make all our gadgets easier to use by making them all communicate. Communication is the key to all relationships...

T-Mobile to Offer 802.1X

This is great news! If T-Mobile is taking security seriously, then maybe other hot spot owners will too. It's nice to see that we're finally making progress in the right direction.

New HP Tablet PC availability

The TC1100 is now officially announced via the HP web site. Visit Tablet PC for Business- Product Information and Comparison Chart to see the new specs and options. Looks like I may be in the market for a new one.

Ford unveils a $150,000 car

What a beauty! I'm impressed that this design came from a domestic car manufacturer. Considering Ford owns a number of European manufacturers now, maybe they'll have a chance at making nice cars. CNN.com - Ford unveils a $150,000 car - Oct. 11, 2003

Minolta DiMAGE G500

There is a new Minolta camera on the market... I happen to own a Minolta DiMage F100 and really like the DiMage xT. Read Steves Digicams - Minolta DiMAGE G500 - User Review for more information.

ATI updates graphics software

I've been using ATI video cards since I built my first PC, so I had to post this: ATI updates graphics software | CNET News.com. I hope my All-In-Wonder Radeon 7500 benefits from these drivers as much as it did from the last batch.

DVD-copying extravaganza

Someone at work asked me about a DVD copying program today. I had to admit that I had never used any of the programs available, but, by virtue of media saturation, I knew that DVD X Copy was pretty popular. I poked around and found this article: DVD-copying extravaganza at CNET reviews.

JBcamera.com

This is too cool to ignore. 007 would be proud. Take pictures with your Zippo lighter. Spy stuff at it's finest. See the JBcamera to believe it.

Bang! We're all dead.

That's how quickly life will end on the Earth. They don't usually see these asteroids until they're right on top of the planet. Think of it as a cosmic car accident with little, if any, survivors. Read more at New Scientist.

Wireless cheaper than ever now

This article points out that most home users that only want to share their high speed Internet connection do not need the new 802.11g equipment, and can purchase the older 802.11b equipment at a lower price. The math is simple: 1.5 Mbps DSL connection running on either an 11 Mbps connection (802.11b), or a 54 Mbps connection (802.11g). Unless you're looking to run network applications and/or perform heavy file sharing, "g" networks aren't necessary. Read more here: Wireless cheaper than ever now.

New iPAQ 6000 series?

This could possibly a strong contender against the Motorola MPX200 Smart Phone depending on the size and format. I wish they would have posted a picture... Check it out over at Pocket PC Thoughts - News, Views, Rants & Raves.

UK using their brains

This is a great idea! Forging a signature is easy, but guessing a four digit PIN code is considerably more difficult. If this works in the UK, I hope the US has enough sense to follow suit and implement this in the US. All credit card transactions, not just debit card transactions should require a PIN code to be completed. Read more at The Register.

Microsoft moves beyond patches

Although privacy advocates would probably scream, I would like to see Microsoft start installing patches without my needing to click an "Install" button. Maybe just a small notification telling me that patches have installed and I need to restart at my earliest convenience. Read more about it here: Microsoft moves beyond patches | CNET News.com.