Archive for October, 2003

Early on in the success story that has so far been Google, there was an assumption that Microsoft would likely try to buy the company, or at the very least buy a competitor to challenge Google’s market lead. Yet late in September Microsoft signaled that while they were in fact planning on entering into competition with the likes of Google, they were planning on building their own technology from the ground up. The timing of that announcement is now rather conspicuous. Sources are saying that Microsoft was previously courting Google, pursuing options ranging from a kind of merger to an outright takeover. It appears that their overtures failed to materialize any deal, so now the Redmond will have to wait; Google is headed in the IPO direction, and if there’s a merger to be had, it’s likely going to be with a post-IPO Google.

I have had several problems since I upgraded to 3.7. Connection issues, login in as guest, and other sync issues. Microsoft finally got around to fixing these and other issues with 3.7.1.

Here is what Microsoft says.

Microsoft® ActiveSync 3.7.1 is the latest synchronization software for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs and Smartphones. ActiveSync 3.7.1 contains fixes making synchronization more trouble free than ever before and includes all the significant improvements brought to you in ActiveSync 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7: it is easy to install and use while offering the best levels of reliability. If you had not already installed ActiveSync 3.5, ActiveSync 3.7.1 will also bring you up to date with compatibility to Microsoft Office XP and Windows XP.

Microsoft ActiveSync 3.7.1 addresses the top USB connectivity issues resulting in significant increase in connectivity reliability. Specifically, ActiveSync 3.7.1:

- Enhances USB driver to improve connection stability and avoid crashes

- Improves detection of cradled devices

- Addresses issue with ActiveSync falling into guest mode repeatedly

- Addresses issue where desktop fails to detect cradled device

- Addresses issue where device and desktop report different connection states and sync does not start

- Improves the reliability of large file transfers

- Enhances Desktop Connection Wizard UI to make connection setup easier

- Improves stability to reduce application level crashes

Here are a few tips and tricks for the TiVo lovers out there.

TiVo Button 0 – Tivo Mascot Video

TiVo Button Twice – Now Playing

TiVo Button 1 – Season Pass Manager

TiVo Button 2 – To Do list

TiVo Button 3 – Search Using Wish lists

TiVo Button 4 – Search By Title

TiVo Button 5 – Browse by channel

TiVo Button 6 – Browse by time

TiVo Button 7 – Record Time/Channel

TiVo Button 8 – TiVo’s Suggestions

TiVo Button 9 – TiVo Showcases

Silly Easter Egg

Turn on Closed Captioning

Go to TiVo – Browse by Name

Type ‘SHAGWELL’

Hit Thumbs Up

Watch for silly names

30 Second Skips

Works best to activate in Playback mode

Codes like this one are called select – play –select codes

Doesn’t need back door code

Hit select-play-select-3-0-select

You’ll hear ding-ding-ding

Sorting Feature in 3.0

From the Now Playing Menu Push:

Slow

0 [zero]

Record

Thumbs Up

(S)0(R)(T)”

PC Pitstop Home

This is a cool site that lets you fine-tune the performance of your PC, but it does this automatically for you over the internet. PC Pitstop runs a series of diagnostic checks on your PC to identify things that might help improve performance. The process is fully automated, private and safe. After the diagnostics have done their job, you get a list of suggested improvement tips for your computer. As well as checking out your machine, PC Pitstop can also test your internet connection and can even check your computer to make sure you haven’t picked up any nasty viruses.

ISO Recorder Power Toy:

ISO Recorder Power Toy is a UI component that allows to use CD-Recording capabilities of Windows XPr to record ISO images and copy CD to CD – a piece of functionality missing in Windows XPr

The ISO Recorder itself does not record CDs but instead uses existing OS features. Some of the interfaces it uses are not fully documented by Microsoft and as such are subject to change in the future.

This software works on Windows XP only . It was tested with retail build of Windows XP (Home and Professional)

This is an incredibility useful tool. I have a large hard drive and I find it very handy to back up CD’s to ISO’s on my hard drive. Also if I am having trouble duplicating CD’s, creating ISOs and burning them is a great work-around.

It is too easy to use. Recording ISO images:

Right-click on an ISO file and select “Copy Image to CD”. The wizard will open up. The file name should appear in the “File name” edit box. If, for some reason, wizard cannot use currently selected file or CD recorder, an error message will be provided and “Next” button will be disabled.

Press the “Next” button. Recording operation can be terminated by pressing “Cancel”. Note that terminating the actual recording operation can take up to several minutes. On my CD Writer it took about 2 minutes. When copy is completed, the wizard will display the “Finish” page.

Creating ISO images: Right-click on a CD drive icon in My Computer and select “Copy CD to Image File”. The wizard will open up. Select the target file. Press the “Next” button. Wizard will copy the CD into an ISO file.

When copy is completed, the wizard will display the “Finish” page.