The Techshop

The End of Windows Mobile

Jul 1

Posted by Rob in Apple, I Phone, Windows Mobile, cell, samsung

As most of you know I have been a big opponent of Apple’s Itunes until recently. A lot of that had to do with I tunes not working well on Windows Vista originally. Now that Apple has fixed those issues I have rethink ed where I am going on how I am going.

As most of you know I went to a smart phone a year ago; a Samsung Jack; to try and consolidate my life. I do live on my phone when I am on the go and require email, pda functions, the ability to browser the web and the ability to run other applications.

A Blackberry was too corporate and my issues with Itunes at the time meant Windows Mobile the choice to go to. That all said I entered into a new contract with Rogers getting a Samsung Jack.

A year late this has not worked out well. I had one phone experience many lockups and I have had one phone overheat to the point Rogers sent me out a replacement. My Warranty expires in a week and I was getting concerned since I just had issues again.

After talking to Rogers and thinking I have now gone to the Rogers I Phone. I am awaiting for delivery since Rogers is currently out of stock.

The I phone is better for web browsing and it will allow me to run some applications better. The I Phone has a great Evernote applications and this is one web application I use all the time.

If Microsoft wishes to compete in the Smart Phone market they need to encourage major companies like Samsung to do a better job then this.

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Windows 7 Pre Order Pricing

Jun 27

Posted by Rob in Microsoft, Windows 7

This past week the pre order windows has started for Windows 7. Vendors working with Microsoft have announced pre order prcing for Canada and the US which is good from June 26th to July 11th.

In Canada typical pricing is as follows:

1. Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade $64.95

2. Windows 7 Professional Upgrade $124.95

In the US typical pricing is as follows:

1. Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade $49.99

2. Windows 7 Professional Upgrade $99.00

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Microsoft Security Essentials Suite

Jun 24

Posted by Rob in Microsoft, Spyware, Virus

Last night I installed the Beta of the Microsoft Security Essentials Suite. The software runs really well and it should not be discounted because it is from Microsoft. If you are running any of the free anti virus products such as AVG or AVAST the Microsoft product should be looked at once the final release comes out later this year.

The Microsoft Essentials Suite does not seem to put any excessive load on the system resources. It is almost like the software is not even running.

I ran a couple of tests with some test viruses and the software picked these up without an issue.

The Interface is easy to use and I have included a couple of screen shots below to show off the Interface.

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Microsoft Anti Malware Solution

Jun 23

Posted by Rob in Microsoft, Spyware, Virus

Microsoft release today the Beta copy of their Microsoft Security Essentials Suite. The Beta is available for the first 75,000 downloads. Time will tell how good the suite is. I have installed the suite on my current machine and I will be posting a review on the suite this weekend.

To download the suite click on the link below:

Microsoft Security Essentials Beta

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How To Keep Your Kids Safe On The Net

Jun 21

Posted by Rob in Internet

I thought we should talk about kids and their use of the Internet. In reality kids are not doing anything different then we have done for ages. When I was younger I talked on the phone so much that my mom would yell at me to get off the phone. It was so bad that my parents finally relented and got a 2nd phone line. To think that this happened with 4 boys.

Today the kids still want to talk to their friends. The medium has changed from the phone to Technology. One of the prime ways kids communicate with their friends is on the Internet.

The many ways kids can communicate on the Internet include MSN, Facebook, Twitter, My Space and email. In my sons case his choices are MSN, Facebook and email.

As a parent how to you keep an eye on what your kids are doing online? One of the best ways is to be an involved parent. To show your kids that you care and to love them. To encourage your kids to have balance in their lifes and have a life off the Internet. Most of all to spend some quality time with your kids and to develop with them as the grow.

On the Internet their are several ways to help your kids. They are as follows:

1. Sit with your kids to see what they are doing on the Internet.

2. Make sure on MSN, Facebook, My Space they you are in their friends/contact lists so you can see what your kids are doing.

3. Talk to your kids about publishing their exact ages, street addresses and locations. The word is to educate your kids on what discretion is.

4. To develop a policy for what is considered acceptable use of the Internet and do develop this policy with input from your child. As long as your kids are part pf developing the policy they will be more likely to sick to it because they are involved.

5. If you have concerns move the computer your kids are using to a central location in your home so you can see what your kids are doing online.

6. Have an open mind. Tell your kids to come to you with any issues they are having.

7. Most of all Love your kids every day and tell them that.

Notice I did not include any automated tools. The reason for this is despite that I have worked in technology for over 20 years I do not believe their is any substitute for you being a caring loving parent.

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Balance

Jun 14

Posted by Rob in Internet

Technology and especially the Internet has provided us with many opportunities that we would never have had if the Internet had not existed. I have the opportunity to talk to friends all over the World on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook with out leaving the comfort of my own home. This is amazing and a big part of my life these days.

That said I am very involved in my community. I am the House League Director for the Markham Minor Lacrosse Association and I coach two teams. I work full time and I manage to get out and socialize with my friends on a regular basis. Real time Human Interaction is very important for me.

I look at my son’s generation. He is 17. The kids today all communicate via text messaging, Facebook, and via online games like Word of Warcraft. The problem with doing this is they do not get out and socialize enough.

In my sons case I often have to say do you think you should go out and spend some time with your friends instead of spending all day in front of the computer?

People need to remember the Internet is just an extension of life. It is only one component to having a great life. Balance is the key and human interaction is vital.

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Domain Registration Offers

Jun 13

Posted by Rob in Domain Registrations

I thought today I would address an issue to do with domain registration. Currently I use 1and1.com as my web host and I automatically renew my domains on a yearly basis with them. It is done automatically and the cost is cheap. I receive 6 domain registrations included with my developers package and the other ones I can register for a nominal fee.

Last week I received an email from a company called Domain Services. They sent me an email as follows:

————————————————————————————————
Attention: Important Notice DOMAIN SERVICE NOTICE
Complete and return by fax to:
1-646-385-7542
47-47 36th Street #16452
Long Island City, NY 11101
United States of America

ATT: ROBERT CAIRNS
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT
-
*******@ROGERS.COM
******MORNINGSIDE AVE *****
TORONTO , – ,
CA
Phone: ***********
WWW.NEONROSE.INFO
Domain Name: NEONROSE.INFO
Search Engine Submission
Requested Reply
June 9,2009

PART I: REVIEW SOLICITATION
Attn: ROBERT CAIRNS
As a courtesy reminder, we are sending you this notification for your business Domain name search engine registration. This letter is to inform you that it’s time to send in your registration and save.

Failure to complete your Domain name search engine registration by the expiration date may result in cancellation of this offer making it difficult for your customers to locate you on the web.

Privatization allows the consumer a choice when registering. Search engine subscription includes domain name search engine submission. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated below unless you accept this offer. Do not discard, this notice is not an invoice it is a courtesy reminder to register your domain name search engine listing so your customers can locate you on the web.

This Notice for: WWW.NEONROSE.INFO will expire on June 9,2009 Act today!

————————————————————————————————————————–
DETAIL OF SERVICE: ANNUAL WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE SUBMISSION FOR DOMAIN NAME WWW.NEONROSE.INFO

Detail of Service:
SEARCH SUBMISSIONS
Reply by Date:
6/9/2009
For Domain Name:
NEONROSE.INFO

*100% SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK
Select Term Your Existing Domain Period Covered Price

NEONROSE.INFO
[ ] 1 year 6/9/2009 – 6/9/2010 $75.00
[ ] 2 year 6/9/2009 – 6/9/2011 $119.00
[ ] 5 year 6/9/2009 – 6/9/2014 $199.00
[ ] 10 year -Most Recommended- 6/9/2009 – 6/9/2019 $295.00

Please ensure that your contact information is correct or make the necessary changes.
Full Name: ROBERT CAIRNS Email: **********@ROGERS.COM

Phone: _____________________
Today’s Date: _____________________ Signature: _____________________

Option 1:
Payment by Credit Card
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN BY FAX: 1-646-385-7542

Option 2:
Payment by Check or Money Order
Print and mail a copy of this order form along with a check or money order to the address listed below:

Domain Services
47-47 36th Street #16452
Long Island City, NY 11101
United States of America

Please do not forget to include a copy of this order form along with your payment!

————————————————————————————————————————–
By accepting this offer, you agree not to hold DN liable for any part. Note that THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated unless you accept this offer. The information in this letter contains confidential and/or legally privileged information from the notification processing department of the DN. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named above. There is no pre-existing relationship between DN and the domain mentioned above. This notice is not in any part associated with a continuation of services for domain registration. Search engine submission is an optional service that you can use as a part of your website optimization and alone may not increase the traffic to your site. If you do not wish to receive further updates from DN send an email to wdsrv278@operamail.com to unsubscribe. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents for this letter is strictly prohibited. * 100% satisfaction guaranteed, you may request a refund within 30 days.

————————————————————————————————

This is a big scam. This letter is misleading and suggests I need to pay them to have my domain renewed which is far from the case. Companies like Domain Registration services prey on innocent people who do not know any better and will just pay the cost. $75.00 is past pricy when I can have one .com domain that is not part of my package for $6.99 us.

This is a spin on the old toner cartridge sales stunt. Send some unsolicited product and then send an offer to purchase that looks like a bill. Then people will get scarred and purcahse the product for inflated prices.

My bit of advice to stay away from companies like Domain Registration Services. Nothing they are doing is actually illegal. They are tip toeing the fine line of the law. What they are doing is unethical.

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Blog Changes

Jun 12

Posted by Rob in Admin, General

I moved my Technology blog from hosted Wordpress this morning to Self hosted Wordpress. What this really means is that I have installed the Wordpress software on my web hosting provider and now have full control over the layout, themes and widgets which I use.

Over the next week you will see more changes as I stream line my blog.

Rob

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