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SkyDrive Explorer (Free 25GB of Storage)

Dec 27

Posted by Noel Adams in Uncategorized | No Comments

SkyDrive is an online storage tool that anyone can use. Microsoft essentially gives you 25GB of free cloud storage (50MB max per file). You can store files, share them, or just use it to back up important data. Until now, accessing SkyDrive required logging into your account via a web browser. Dragging files into SkyDrive from Windows Explorer can only be done using Internet Explorer, as it uses an Active-X plugin. This can cause non-IE users to easily get annoyed with the service.

Fortunately, there's a solution coming. Showcased on Lifehacker, SkyDrive Explorer is a free, simple, lightweight program that lets you add your SkyDrive to Windows Explorer. SkyDrive Explorer allows you to use SkyDrive just like any other networked drive. However, the current version is still limited, in that you can't move files and folders within it, can't copy from your computer to it, nor can you open files directly from the drive.

SkyDrive Explorer is still in its infancy, but will soon bolster many important features to bring it direct competition with services such as Dropbox. The only difference would be that the files are only accessible when connected to the Internet. Dropbox stores the files locally, still making it the ideal shared folder solution, albeit with much less free storage space (future SkyDrive Explorer updates may very well implement such a feature, but nothing has been said about it). The next release, coming in January 2010, will add support for the following:

    * Change share mode and content type of the folders
    * Copy folders and files into SkyDrive™
    * Files greater than 50MB support
    * Open files directly from SkyDrive™
    * Move files and folders within storage

These are the currently supported features:

    * View the structure and contents of folders in SkyDrive™
    * View files information (type, size, creation date in GMT format)
    * Create new root folders and subfolders
    * Copy files into the storage
    * Delete files and folders
    * Copy files from the storage to the computer
    * Copy folders and subfolders from the storage to the computer keeping their structure
    * Use Drag & Drop for files operations
    * Rename files and folders
    * Create links to SkyDrive™ folders on your computer
    * Copy URL of the selected object(s) to the Clipboard
    * Automatic check for the latest version
    * Bidirectional languages support
    * Selection of your preferred interface language

Download: SkyDrive Explorer v1.4

Tags: free storage, skydrive, storage

Service Outage for BlackBerry

Dec 23

Posted by Noel Adams in Technology | No Comments

Research In Motion (RIM) have confirmed an issue with their BlackBerry service affecting customers in North America.

According to a RIM spokesperson "Some BlackBerry customers in the Americas are currently experiencing delays in message delivery." The outage began at approximately 8PM EST on December 22. RIM failed over their systems but many users reported that mail flow to devices had ceased once again. At the time of writing there is no ETA from RIM when their systems will fully recover.

The outage is the second for RIM in that past five days. The last wide-scale outage was back in February 2008 when a software upgrade at RIM downed the service for hours. Phone calling and texting services remain unaffected.

Update: RIM have confirmed that BlackBerry services are now up and running.

Tags: blackberry, service outage

Sexy Santa Pub Crawl Charity Event

Dec 18

Posted by Noel Adams in All Other Stuff | No Comments

Details have been finalized for the Sexy Santa Pub Crawl

Please read all of the information below:

Registration is going to start at 6:45pm at The Corner Pocket. Registration is ONLY going to be at The Corner Pocket which means….tickets for prizes as well as the Santa Hats will only be available at The Corner Pocket.

Bars / Times
6:45pm – 8pm – The Corner Pocket
8pm – 8:45pm – Wild Wings
9pm– 9:45pm – Reys
10pm – 10:45pm – Meatheads
11pm – 11:45pm – DT’s
12am – ???? – The Underground

All participating venues are offering some domestics for $2 and a $3 liquor as well as no cover charges.
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Cost for participation is $7 for those in a Christmas Themed outfit/costume or $10 for those who aren’t. Each paid participant will receive a raffle prize ticket, a Santa or Elf hat (to first 75 participants), and as well the drink specials mentioned above. We will be checking ID’s. You will have to have a wristband and sign a liability waiver in order to participate.

We have some GREAT door prizes for the end of the evening, so be sure to hang with the crew to the very end!!! To be eligible for the door prizes, you have to be a paid participant, have your ticket, as well as be present at the prize drawing (at the last stop – The Underground).

Please remember that the proceeds from this Pub Crawl are going to Toys for Tots, so your participation is making some kids out there…VERY VERY HAPPY…and we thank you!!!!

We are Crawling for a Purpose this time. We are hosting this event to benefit the Toys for Tots program. Proceeds from the door will be provided as a donation to this OUTSTANDING program.

LEGAL: Only those who are 21 or older are able to attend this event. The Greenville Social Scene requests those participating to act/drink responsibly. If you intend to attend this event, please ensure that you have transportation available for your trip home. We will have phone numbers of local cab services as well. This function is just a group getting together for a night on the town- The Greenville Social Scene nor its organizers are responsible for any incidents/accidents which may occur during this event. By attending this event the attendee understands that this is just a night out on the town and WILL NOT hold the Greenville Social Scene or its Organizers liable in any way for any issue/incident/accident which may occur during this event. Keep in mind your organizers reserve the right to omit, change, or substitute venues as seen fit depending on the group dynamics, scheduling, and/or venue participation.

Tags: charity event, santa pub crawl, sexy santa

Importance of Backing Up Your Data

Dec 17

Posted by Noel Adams in Technology | No Comments

I have been in the IT field for over 10 years now and if I had a nickel for every time I have had a user lose their data because they didn't backup their data. Most computer users don't know to back up their data and take their files for granted without ever thinking what if something happens to my hard drive? What if my computer is stolen or gets stuck by lightning or in a flood?

Don't be intimated when it comes to backing up your data, it is very easy too! If your using Windows XP you can even us the built in windows backup software (not the best in the world but it does a good job) or other free software solutions to backup your Documents, Pictures, & more. You can also purchase external hard drives that even have a one touch backup or scheduled software backup as long as your computer is on. I am going to show you a few options and first I’ll start with hardware.

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Always remember it is a good rule of thumb to purchase a hard drive at least the same size as the installed in your computer or better, If you plan on storing all the pictures/documents/music on the external drive don’t forget to back that up, remember it’s just another hard drive which can fail…..

Example of an external hard drive:

1. Maxtor One Touch – For consumers who need a simple solution with a classic design for Mac or PC, the Maxtor OneTouch 4 makes it easier to set up and manage data backup, file archiving and system settings with a new easy-to-use user interface. (Note: Seagate and Maxtor are one company now so a Seagate drive is good also)

Always remember when shopping online for an external hard drive to read the reviews on the item, just because it’s a cheap 750 gig doesn’t mean it’s a good company!

Now if you already own a external hard drive and it is not one of the one touch backup type drives you can use 3rd party free utilities to backup your data, here are my reccomendations:

1.      Windows Backup – Located under start/programs/accessories/system tools. (Click here for a guided tutorial on how to use windows backup)
2.      Corbin Backup – Cobian Backup is a multi-threaded program that can be used to schedule and backup your files and directories from their original location to other    directories/drives in the same computer or other computer in your network. FTP backup is also supported in both directions (download and upload).
3.       FBackup – FBackup is a free backup software for both personal and commercial use. It protects your important data by backing it up automatically to any USB/Firewire device, local or network location. The backed up data can be either compressed (using standard zip compression) or an exact copy of the original files.

Tags: Backing, Computer Maintance, Data, Hard Drive Backup, Importance

Free Online Auto Repair Database

Dec 17

Posted by Noel Adams in Automotive | 2 Comments

This automotive database includes 150 easy-to-read, illustrated auto repair manuals on all auto repair procedures for about 21,000 vehicles; more than 56,000 Technical Service Bulletins; wiring diagrams; and labor time estimates. Text and many images will be available in PDF and GIF format. Every major manufacturer for domestic and imported vehicles is represented including auto repair manuals for most vintage makes starting as far back as 1954. New repair procedures/updates will be added continuously, and Technical Service Bulletins will be added on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Please visit here for the link, user name & password

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Tags: auto repair, free online auto, repair database

Microsoft Caught Stealing Code!

Dec 16

Posted by Noel Adams in Software, Technology | No Comments

I find this very funny as microsoft has probably stolen tons of code from people/companies and they finally got caught by someone who has been stealing stuff for years!

REDMOND, Wash. – Dec. 15, 2009 – On Monday, December 14, questions arose over a beta application called Juku developed by a Chinese vendor for our MSN China joint venture. We immediately worked with our MSN China joint venture to investigate the situation.

The vendor has now acknowledged that a portion of the code they provided was indeed copied. This was in clear violation of the vendor’s contract with the MSN China joint venture, and equally inconsistent with Microsoft’s policies respecting intellectual property.

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When we hire an outside company to do development work, our practice is to include strong language in our contract that clearly states the company must provide work that does not infringe the intellectual property rights of others. We are a company that respects intellectual property and it was never our intent to have a site that was not respectful of the work that others in the industry have done.

We will be suspending access to the Juku beta indefinitely.

We are obviously very disappointed, but we assume responsibility for this situation. We apologize to Plurk and we will be reaching out to them directly to explain what happened and the steps we have taken to resolve the situation.

In the wake of this incident, Microsoft and our MSN China joint venture will be taking a look at our practices around applications code provided by third-party vendors.

News Source: Microsoft Press Pass
Image Source: searchrank.com

Tags: Microsoft

Microsoft Launches Games on Demand

Dec 16

Posted by Noel Adams in Software, Technology | No Comments

Games for Windows — LIVE Games on Demand provides convenient, 24×7 access to a growing online library of popular game titles. With the click of your mouse, browse and download full Games for Windows — LIVE games from the comfort of your living room! With direct download, it's easy to switch quickly between games and there's no discs to worry about!

Getting into the game couldn't be easier…all you need is the Games For Windows — LIVE software, which you can download right here!

Once you're there, check out these featured titles:

Shadowrun (LIMITED TIME: 50% OFF)
Shadowrun propels team-based combat into a new dimension with a revolutionary blend of modern weaponry and ancient magic!

Viva Piñata (LIMITED TIME: 50% OFF)
A window to another world where wild-roaming, living piñata animals inhabit a growing, changing garden!

Battlestations™: Pacific
Intense, action-packed combat and strategic warfare on an extraordinary scale featuring two distinctly different single-player campaigns!

DiRT 2
Melding turbo-charged off-roading with extreme sports attitude, DiRT 2 takes off-road racing to a new level!

Fallout 3
In the Wasteland, every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world — radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures!

Red Faction: Guerrilla
Take the role of an insurgent fighter with the Red Faction, and battle for liberation from the oppressive Earth Defense Force.

Resident Evil 5
Just when it seemed that the menace of Resident Evil had been destroyed, along comes a new terror to send shivers down players' spines!

Street Fighter IV
Capcom brings the legendary series back to its roots, using next-generation technology to create a truly extraordinary fighting experience!

Tags: Games on demand, Microsoft

Microsoft releases Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool under GPLv2

Dec 11

Posted by Noel Adams in Software, Technology | No Comments

Did you purchase a netbook or have a computer that has no cdrom now, finally Microsoft has released a solution. Read below.

Microsoft today released the Open Sourced Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (WUDT) under the GPLv2.

As we previously explained, the testing and localization took longer than we expected, but the project is now hosted on CodePlex.com, Microsoft's Open Source software project hosting repository, and the code can be found here.

The tool can also now be downloaded from the Microsoft Store here.

Also, as a result of some necessary changes, while the user experience of the tool will be the same as before, the install involves additional steps.

Continue: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool Released Under GPLv2

Tags: microsoft releases windows, Microsoft Virtual, USB/DVD, Virtual Apps

Noël Flash

Blogging about Technology, Photography, Auto's & More

SkyDrive Explorer (Free 25GB of Storage)

Service Outage for BlackBerry

Sexy Santa Pub Crawl Charity Event

Importance of Backing Up Your Data

Free Online Auto Repair Database

Microsoft Caught Stealing Code!

Microsoft Launches Games on Demand

Microsoft releases Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool under GPLv2

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