Hey everyone welcome to -- to the rescue our weekly podcast -- -- to dispel the fear the uncertainty and doubt of living with modern day technology I'm your host John -- thin and the -- being -- -- vacation this week we've got a special host joining me in the studio.
You may remember -- from the time when you filled in for me.
Love is going to. Download.com hello.
And -- having me back on it's great to have you here.
So normally we have a topic but this week we are doing -- -- road -- followed by your questions so as a reminder if you're watching live at 12 noon Pacific.
Call us at 888900. To 638 that is 888900. -- NE ET.
As a reminder no question is -- basic so if you have a tech problem that's getting in your skin please call us and we'll try our best -- help you out.
-- to begin with we have a couple of gadgets maybe not here but we've been testing out this week.
And a pretty wild and wonderful so first up is this magic USB pen.
-- that's so what is this did tell me that it.
-- --
-- -- a case so this is called the LightScribe and it's. It looks and features that.
The cap is incredibly difficult pop off for and and candidacy can actually right.
With the you special paper and -- -- from Microsoft rent I believe so yes I actually.
Says echo. -- could be.
Okay and as he can -- we can.
-- we can right in regular income.
What's really cool about the -- them.
Is that it's far more than just dependent or at the cost of it which is -- 169 dollars for the four gigabyte 499 dollars for the eight gigabyte version.
You better we'll get more than just standard ink.
So turns that what it has is microphone speaker headphone Jack micro USB port.
And the key thing is that as you -- if you using the special paper he can record what you write.
Both into its internal memory in to record the audio of whatever you're writing down at the same time so it's really geared for students teachers. Journalists.
Professors theoretically.
And to demo mean.
See here I have to turn it on the as a power -- on -- -- and welcome banners -- state prisons returned -- its internal rechargeable battery you can plug it in here.
-- computer has little clock on it.
CNET. And we -- sure well.
There's enormous -- -- a Big -- via.
This is the this is the competitive -- that you. Mean -- some agreement.
-- so what you do with it means.
Pollution that he refers to the -- actually released as a specialty read about this is special paper and what knowing it is completely annoying.
Like the -- it's it's a bit ridiculous but also like that and it seems to work really really well.
The notebooks are which are these.
Special notebooks here.
They say LightScribe on the bottom one subject fifty sheets he thanked.
So when you do with the paper. And the five bucks each.
Which is ridiculous. On the -- --
Can see here we have a series of controls.
Because there are.
On the bottom and apples here and I'll explain them when I -- look at paper and on the up and on the facing page is there's different controls.
That's really designed to. Both pages open.
-- --
So what you can do with it.
Where you can do with it is. You tap.
Just you know just without hitting any buttons or anything on the -- itself.
He -- the the icon on the page that says record.
And I don't if you guys could hear that but there was little beeping noise.
And on the -- it says that it's now recording.
--
And it's distracting -- all within the internal memory exit out to be a -- exactly so as soon as -- hit record it's gonna start recording any audio that it hears them but what's great is that as I write something like.
This.
Is not. -- and for -- in the -- and that there. And then I hit pause.
And then -- see -- and cause itself.
This is while others -- Internet.
That in his -- anyway it what -- you get when you don't want this the end result is that on the internal memory -- you get a flash image.
It all the notes the you've taken.
He isn't it if it -- it records as you as you written down and you get an audio backup it.
So as you're taking -- handwritten notes you also have the entire are -- recording of whatever it is that you.
That you've been writing down. And if anyone's interested. The senior editor who took a look at this -- Donald bell. Embedded into his post on crave. Some audio from the from the -- and its its really quite high quality fascinating stuff.
Be great having college and I'm not going back.
-- -- -- -- -- --
-- that is.
You don't that is one thing the the second thing we looked at is this motorcycle Def camera I guess the cycle that -- this is actually called the contour camera this is -- -- --
The video camera -- you can stick on anything BA's motorcycle spaceship or your person yes.
If you if you are a suction cup receiving person uses -- -- -- -- snowboarders put on their helmets right and now that's huge.
Yet the camera itself as you can see is is quite small. It's it's not even -- the with a -- all.
The -- is enormous and and apparently seems to be quite quite sturdy.
The -- tech guys here at CNET mounted it on two cars that they were testing and took them out -- racetrack. And random around.
In -- records in 1080.
It retails. It put -- -- -- -- retails for 330. You need to use on Amazon for 215. Oh here we go there's here's a test.
This is great -- -- they have always gonna do is stick my -- though aren't economic -- it is clearly a much smarter decision that that goes it's 300 yeah sources but thousand dollars actually and as he can sort of see on our version of the camera here it's got some road damage.
It's under a place -- and a it has.
But the fact that you know it can it can. You know fall off the car and keep working is is really fantastic here's a video.
When somebody -- not affiliated with CNET.
Based jumping. Unless they're fearless hearts.
That's completely -- thing.
Yes.
I wouldn't do either you know even with a Panama had greater when these things are so we're we're actually NN we're gonna -- operating here not in questions that we -- -- road test on the phone today.
Of the -- it's very exciting -- you're talking about.
So we are going to had to Teresa in Irvine you have the LightScribe in loans itself and test.
Hello -- are you there.
Okay I had that -- -- this is such a -- days you're doing -- read -- that -- as that I actually called -- today are actually listings today.
And I have -- I'd echo which is the -- iteration when you're holding on and I had a pulse or just a few days before that.
The differences ergonomics is actually.
A little bit bigger but it's lighter and it doesn't rule the man the -- intently would roll around it was quite cool.
Donald. Review is really comprehensive and I actually chimed in with a comment it ended it with.
With my ideas to that I'm a teacher.
And I do a lot of writing underneath the document camera -- I didn't especially -- -- -- students.
And I plan to up load -- audio and the that. The notes themselves.
On as with a -- pay in cash and managed -- I think it's gonna help them over and I'd like to listen.
But what would she didn't demonstrate which is that we cooler -- that that apps there's piano app where he is too broad.
Nine vertical lines that look like and -- -- can actually play.
-- -- --
That's his and -- also a translator demo -- if you right out certain words like hello goodbye and members went to head.
You can pick the language that it will say those words like.
Arabic or Japanese certain kind.
The -- Davis the Chinatown and get around basic well.
Yet if all you need to do is like a case yet how much is this one side says it now what -- beginning thick chocolate and copy those disks.
So you know like because he believes and that you can do that but anything is out there is at the developing university app.
On ultimately I think it's going to be really -- -- -- in a dictionary and things like that it's it is not real good right now but that'll happen.
The free or are they charging yeah are very. But there are -- found that.
Ever feel like -- -- a little helicopter game which is just if you can imagine. On tracking a little.
Game on that screen which is really teeny.
And you're -- what happened at that it can't -- active manipulate don't have helicopters kind of funny.
But some of them are.
Are paid like I think that the language translations. Are paid and it's gonna be -- this is this is -- heading yet.
You can imagine hook up with Google translator in the pen that's no remains veterinarian who will -- -- to thank you for calling and really appreciated that.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Are right but still let's let's top down to use some of these questions so. Chewing out back on the phone.
Yet we have any -- we have the answer -- question is an important question. Okay we have a call here.
Let me see if I can find it from Joseph in Philadelphia. Hello justify radio and not that do you have a question about Windows 7.
What is it.
Okay.
What you're out with -- seven -- you have the and it stopped updates.
I -- -- automatically start using in the bottom right hand corner a box will pop up that says Microsoft is now to update and it's going to restart and ten minutes and -- use delayed by up to about four hours -- -- correct.
Sometimes I don't notice that and I considerable restart and in the middle of something.
Yeah and it's pretty -- it just happened mourning so is there any way to get around that circulated that it can not automatically update and -- -- -- one.
Kind of -- unfortunately from from what I understand and I haven't messed around with the update settings. In about a year.
If you set it to -- to manually detect updates that means that you have to actively go out and seek the updates and then it will update them as as you want.
Let me actually jump into the action center right now it's like Windows 7 from me.
In theory he turned automatic updates completely off you never -- from -- correct but the needles very out of date and insecure computer and and Windows 7 actually does not have a lot of them or has not yet had a lot of problems.
That windows XP has been plagued by and so updating is is generally pretty good idea.
There there hasn't been any malformed updates. And in a long time.
And so what you're looking for us assuming -- just have assuming that you have the the something like -- calendar update B to remind yourself maybe once every two weeks update.
That seems like an option for me if he just went keep these are minors from happen.
And I've got your answer so perfect if you go to control panel sick system and security windows update change settings.
The first one and the first option will be important updates.
Now it's default set to install updates automatically but there's three other choices there's download updates but let me choose whether to install them.
Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them never check for updates which is really not recommended -- with good reason.
So it sounds like the option you want and Joseph is download updates but let me choose whether to install them.
All right perfect we'll go like you know -- I'm glad we can help.
All right so for blasting through the easier we do but we have -- a quick break for our add today that's in the will be right back.
Alright and we're back so we have this -- in question from Susan.
She has she says hey guys I've purchased and TV shows and iTunes and I'd like to plan my TVs in my entire family can see the programs.
Is there way to either burn these puppies on dvd on my computer and playing them back on -- TV.
Or set at the TV is a second monitor so they display while playing in iTunes.
I'm definitely feeling stuck in a walled garden unable to you something -- bought and paid for the way I like it.
-- good luck with yeah.
So this is I mean this is this is probably the -- -- exactly I mean this is this is what you run into so this is what -- electrical the iTunes scam. I don't buy from iTunes I'm not I'm not -- --
So your solution -- -- somewhere else where review by an instance.
Honestly one of the best places to go is the Amazon store I think that's a real big selling point for them that they don't have this kind of the --
Apparently there's some kind of needy tracking that they do need to see perhaps like with it if the the file is used on more than one device but that's not really clear and it's certainly not the restricted walled garden. That is iTunes.
Right so I grab it from from there if you're if you're looking fares something if you if you really insistent on using iTunes.
Then you can go to a place like. To appease a softer like -- --
Which. Is technically. I'm not really legal.
But it's not so this is a program that circumstance the iTunes the around which is you know it's against the NCA which is that -- -- millennium copyright act.
That's so that's bad another option and this is you know the simplest in legal thing well -- -- the simplest it's definitely legal.
Is to get a via.
And hook up to hook up your computer to a television -- there's a couple ways to do this.
If your computer as an HDMI out in your TV has the steam I only need to do is buy cheap cable between as far as sound goes if you efforts here you can buy.
One is fixed cables that goes in and and keep the channel on on that certain channel and keep the sound on that certain sound setting you get.
You know you get a mere whatever is on your computer and the other option is if here TV has -- VGA port.
Use PGA instead -- appear on a MacBook or something you by the thirty dollar PGA adapter.
Also there.
You can go when he's -- cables that takes your three and a half millimeter headphone Jack on your computer.
And -- interior of the back your TV the little red and white things right.
One of the one of the issues if you haven't -- TV if you do dvi to HDMI is also have to get audio cables as well --
There's a lot of fidgeting involved serious the answer your question is don't buy things -- -- -- and don't.
-- --
So we -- not a good question here.
Hello rescuers -- year -- might PCs three internal seagate hard drives just started making funny -- -- the point that sometimes the one with the OS freezes on and off.
I replace the to that I store my data on and the only one left is the third with the OS -- --
-- what's up work needs to clone the OS drive to a new drive and -- -- you possibly do that without actually entering windows.
To the drive need to be identical megabytes in size PS I got these three. 2000.
It seems incredible how all three can go busted about the theme time.
And they lasted ten years running the funny thing was done that is is from south on the day.
This is in on this kind of common problem yet -- drives die exactly usually before ten years that's I'm impressed with --
-- appease the effort and on -- -- these are consumer grade hard drives than not server drives -- not meant for extended use and it's still lasted for an.
Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours. So there there -- a couple options we have almost in the show and that's. If you're trying to do this without.
Using that particular computer can get one of those OS or sorry the hard drive toaster docs which are that things are in.
Just plug in to.
Hard drives in.
And to do this you actually need another computer that you can run off so assuming you Hillary -- friends announcer -- and -- members computer.
You can run a -- these various pieces of software that'll actually clone that drive identically now as far as getting that same size one yes it does not to be.
The same size that you can go figure so this is obviously good time that.
You know upgrade your sides you know I mean the high point in 2000 and things like --
100. Gigs on them and and -- and now this standards two terabytes yet.
So as far as software goes there's there's Norton ghost which is cheap it's about any dots in -- have it for less if you get it in part of the bundle and -- making complete perfect copy it and and does back out.
And there's also ease -- which has the free disk copy software movement Acronis backup and recovery which I believe it's seventy dollars that's pretty high and software to that is really really really solid.
Copying and if your Mac user think about doing this I use super duper.
Which I believe was thirty dollars and -- it's does an excellent job and you've done this before.
I have -- so evidence of the -- times a month.
And it and a really great resource which will -- as show notes is there's that -- -- -- of feeling hard drive noises.
These and know -- your hard drive.
Makes when it near death and -- whole list of manufacturers. And some the things that sounds they make it's almost like that's who are locked in there may noises.
You can only detect any.
And the one thing it doesn't do though is actually tell you -- you laugh which would be really nice.
Yeah well that that would -- into the evening and do you you would take this next question on backpacks on backpacks. Oh yeah wonderful. --
So need has a question he says hanging -- and Josh.
You can I was gonna be here it's understandable.
You young key and he sure -- I'm about to start college next week and I'm in need of a backpack to carry all MacBooks and MacBook Pro.
Look at Apple's -- say.
And as nice as some of the products are they seem pricey in either small or very large when I need.
Was wondering what kind of -- you to use it could put mean in the direction of like the reviews bags and for help.
Well it seems like even with reef not being here he and Josh and I are all really big fans of Timbuktu.
That's spelled TI and the UK number 2001. Collective. --
And they're based out of San Francisco. Joshua zone and number of their bags I don't want them because -- -- for I've never -- -- break -- I don't breaking into your Mac I don't believe that Hillary and that's where -- -- --
And I -- -- and in in 2002. I bought a massive one.
After like after market I guess was the previous year's model or something.
For forty bucks and I it's been with me ever since it's gone with me around the world literally mean it's.
Great bag and -- use it now my daily commute from one side of San Francisco on my bicycle.
The other so absolutely fantastic back there's also backed company called Chrome. CH are always mean they -- that means is looking for cheap --
Yeah it's certainly 150 isn't really an event and well they have seep out seatbelt -- for -- -- -- exactly you can do it yourself.
-- as far as those guys -- I am a big fan acute notices kind of a small smaller backpacks or may not fit all your books but the really nice thing about it is that as a great laptop compartment.
It's got a bunch of places for you put your power cables -- -- whatever.
And the bottom is actually waterproof seat you know -- actually have to -- time won't be you know on the bus or something and there's just I don't know someone spilled.
Some giant mess of something on floor.
And -- -- that great and is -- and I've been I've been on mountains -- this thing I mean it's it's not just a laptop bag which is why I like it companies can inexpensive 200 dollars yeah.
If you do get a bigger begging me have to look at getting some inserts or something to pat dagger stuff and section off things in I picked up a camera bag actually. From.
Me. A -- that there are kava.
This KATA.
And they make bags that -- and sub dividers for your laptop.
And you various camera lenses and stuff and -- can actually be really flexible with but the school thing room and if you're coffee cup in here.
In notebooks and everything he -- understates the print you can order online.
And they're they're -- for like a one for 4050 bucks so that it.
So let's see let's let's talk to some comments here and this comes from Duncan hey guys they just figured -- a pretty neat feature built into the address -- and OS-X.
In my tonight little cheesy but -- gonna grow at a -- over the weekend I didn't hear last seen -- we barely managed to -- numbers before she and her friends graphic Cabot the end of the night.
Tonight I go to tech journalist and I realize I have three different phone numbers for her with the same first name.
One -- her co -- one is her and the other I have no idea.
Luckily for me at the bottom right corner of the OS-X address book app.
Is -- modified eight.
And since I've just added her number -- the phone I've checked the modified -- of all -- contact -- on the number with a cracked date Calder and now we're going out this weekend.
There you go I'm sure there are lots of different ways to do this -- Hampshire.
A lot of people know about already but just think if anyone else finds -- similar problem.
You're gonna -- keep up the good work that's the great tip that is that is he should invite Steve Jobs -- --
You probably go that's that's a good story he's not that isn't.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Sure are.
I from -- in the.
I'm a -- computer user who relies on screen reader to get things done we can go now I logged into FaceBook -- iPhone from friends connection when I got home.
FaceBook was asking me to prove my identity before -- login.
And it's happened before but this time it wasn't just the CAPTCHA image they want me to identify pictures that are attacked but for the testing are not you have to identify the people --
Even tried to get it I'd try to get -- help to do it.
And they could identify all the images I like many people.
I mean people have people I don't know on my FaceBook it's public by default not -- says result I'm locked out.
Help or not there's no pressure.
And in here it's PSO surprise and scared that FaceBook still let me change my password not only that.
But think nicely alerted me that they sent an email every address on file how security conscious.
This FaceBook is very well known for their attention to users' privacy and security.
It's just not the attention on.
So we actually have posts about this view weeks gonna rescue blog ray -- -- this because the user emailed us for this the security picture.
That she's talking about where these security people in question were gummy bears.
Relatives so it's like -- are these your friends in -- gummy bears.
So obviously for someone whose use has visual disabilities this is impossible I mean there's -- -- -- -- -- at some to the good news is that there's a form on FaceBook which can fill out I mean it would be -- haven't you know phone number you -- call but this is close the yet.
And it's likely get you touch the real -- so you know I think you explain the situation. They would probably listen that's the best you can do.
There's also the option I think of them.
You know not using FaceBook.
That's -- that's such a bad man c'mon -- -- well.
Right so my DNA on -- -- -- -- everything and now this -- you are seriously. -- last comment that's comes from rich to is talking about Bluetooth -- land lines which is something we ask users how they did a couple weeks ago.
-- and he says we body in eighteen TEP 5632. Cordless home phone system about two years ago.
The system allows me to -- my iPhone with the based invite Bluetooth and then make and receive cell calls by any handsets and home.
This is awesome and you know we gotta because eighteen T three G signal in our townhouse is not strong enough.
To muscled through drywall that's a surprise isn't really the flight via.
Paper there's only one spot near window where we get cell reception I keep my iPhone -- there right next to the base station.
A once upon -- of the base station system works exactly as promised it's been a real lifesaver -- and he doesn't fix that road and afterwards and while that's just -- -- signals and it's yeah or build a cantenna Moscow and so I've been.
The rich says the big big big but with this space station is that the iPhone rarely automatically pairs with when they're within range usually -- to manually -- from the base station and is a pain.
And one out of every five times -- -- the power cycle base station again it to connect -- the system is almost three years old substantially the current technology has gotten better.
And about two months ago we had -- -- -- -- micro cell so very that's like that the thing to -- you better cell -- -- -- your --
The a defend themselves with their call right great portable cancer and so -- obviously works for -- so -- interest is the -- that has a more updated version of them model.
Like enough the parent -- been fixed -- --
Cool so we'd like to thank our sponsor Blackberry messenger you can send your tech questions to CNET at the rescue from your Blackberry phone.
To do this just use the pin code 248. CU EDE nine from your Blackberry messenger app.
And now contact us on our --
2482. Echo Bravo 89.
So.
For next week -- tires switching places again though this time I'll be the one -- vacation and will have another guest hosts in my place possibly.
You again who knows it -- -- not a case please please please send tech questions are away.
The address against rescue at cnet.com. You can always -- past episodes and answers at CNET to become CNET dot -- -- -- rescue.
And is always don't forget falls on Twitter -- -- -- Josh and set is.
Big in Japan with all sorts of -- cupid letter should be.
Yeah and can I add hardware all we're all sort of geeks around here yet change the vowels. The numbers minerals and do it backwards and in place.
So an -- -- cell we will see you next week thank you for tuning in.
Thanks again.
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