Thursday, April 28, 2005

Leadership quote

"A good leader will build the systems and processes so that anyone can practice leadership within their own territory of influence." Dr. Peter Dean, quoted in Training Magazine, April 2005, p. 10.

This is interesting. Buckingham says that the leader looks to the future, creating a vision of where things are going and then describing it in such a way that everyone can work together to make the vision a reality. "Middle-level" leaders must be careful to create a vision that supports and integrates with the vision of their superiors.

// posted by Bill @ Thursday, April 28, 2005

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

SECURITY: Step by Step

This 13 step guide helps someone get started with securing a network of computers. If you have responsibilty for network security and haven't done anything formal, take a look at this article. It will tell you what to do and in what order to do it. If you have something in place already, use this as a benchmark to see if you have forgotten anything. It was written for K-12 districts, but applies to any network manager.

Techlearning > > SECURITY: Step by Step > March 15, 2005

Technology and Learning, March 2005, pp. 25-32.

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 27, 2005

13 Tech Support Strategies

Want to do a self-evaluation of your support team? Take a look at these 13 techniques, grouped into three key areas: standardize, centralize, and document. This article was written for K-12 but applies to all IT support groups.

Techlearning > > 13 Tech Support Strategies > March 15, 2005

Technology and Learning, March 2005, pp. 22-23.

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Monday, April 25, 2005

Ritz disposable-reusable digital camera

For $20 Ritz Camera will sell you a digital camera. You are supposed to return it to have your pictures processed. The Dakota model can be leached so it is reusable. Instructions are at:

http://find.pcworld.com/46446

To remove the 25 picture limit go to:

http://find.pcworld.com/46448

PC World, March 2005, p. 84

// posted by Bill @ Monday, April 25, 2005

Select a Window visually

www.winplosion.com - $10

PC World, March 2005, p. 78

// posted by Bill @ Monday, April 25, 2005

Windows tweek tool

XQDC's $8 X-Setup Pro: www.x-setup.net

PC World, March 2005, p. 78

// posted by Bill @ Monday, April 25, 2005

PC Benchmarks

If I bought and supported a group of PCs I would run a benchmark program when they were installed after any changes, and on a regular basis. Here are a few such programs.
Veri Tests benchmark, free: http://find.pcworld.com/46430
SiSoftware's Sandra, $40: www.sisoftware.net
FutureMark's PCMark, $20: www.futuremark.com

PC World, March 2005, p. 76

// posted by Bill @ Monday, April 25, 2005

Blogs

Blogspot is a great service. You can host free flags on their system, or use their series to enter your info and then have it ftp'd to your own system. I have multiple blogs on their system. Go to http://wvilberg.bogspot.com to find them. PC World's instructions at http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,119586,00.asp show you how to get things set up.
www.blogger.com

PC World, April 2005, p. 146

// posted by Bill @ Monday, April 25, 2005

Tetris and Space Invaders

Neave Games has online versions of Tetris and Space Invaders using Flash.
www.neave.com/games

PC World, April 2005, p. 142

// posted by Bill @ Monday, April 25, 2005

Telephone GPS locators

Some telephones can now be used as GPS location devices. Give one to your child and you can find out where the child is at any time. Motorola phones seem to have this feature. Two services are:
www.accutracking.com
www.ulocate.com

PC World, April 2005, p. 39

// posted by Bill @ Monday, April 25, 2005

Friday, April 22, 2005

IT Security & Policy: Campus Technology

Top 10 List of security issues by CIO of Indiana University.
IT Security & Policy: Campus Technology
Campus Technology, March 2005

// posted by Bill @ Friday, April 22, 2005

Smoke Rings from X-tremegeek.com

for $15 you can buy this handheld device and produce smoke rings on demand.

Zero Launcher Fog Maker, Blue at X-tremegeek.com

Catalog X509.p.48

// posted by Bill @ Friday, April 22, 2005

Power liberator at X-tremegeek.com

I first bought their Liberator so I could plug power bricks into a regular outlet and use all the sockets. Now I use their Liberator Plus in airports to solace a power outlet with another traveler. I always take one with me when I travel with my computer.

Search Results for power liberator at X-tremegeek.com

Catalog X509 1.13

// posted by Bill @ Friday, April 22, 2005

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Top 100 web sites

The top 100 sites you didn't know you couldn't live without.
http://go.pcmag.com/top100websites

Most interesting looking
http://www.dnsstuff.com - Internet tools
http://malektips.com - Computing tips
http://www.tabletpcpost.com - Downloads for TabletPC
http://www.yousendit.com - Use this to transfer very large files (up to 1GB)
http://americanrhetoric.com - Famous speeches
http://www.answers.com - Real answers, not just links
http://www.armchairarcade.com - Games
http://www.freegameworld.net - Games

Top 100 classics
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1784531,00.asp

PCMagazine, April 26, 2005, pp. 71-86

// posted by Bill @ Thursday, April 21, 2005

TightVNC: VNC-Based Free Remote Control Solution

VNC is a free program that allows remote control of a computer. Some versions of VNC have security issues. TightVNC was created to tighten the security. It is free.
TightVNC: VNC-Based Free Remote Control Solution

PC Magazine, April 26, 2005, p. 53

// posted by Bill @ Thursday, April 21, 2005

Stardock: ThinkDesk - Multiplicity

I have two computers in my office. One is my work computer and one is used for some special services. I currently have two keyboards, two mice, etc. I have been trying to figure out how to control the special computer from my work computer. Since my mouse and keyboard are controled by a wireless USB device, normal boxes that share a monitor, keyboard, and mouse between two computers won't work.

Mutiplicity is a software solution. It might do just what I want, for under $70. And it allows file transfers, too.

Stardock: ThinkDesk - Multiplicity

PC Macazine, April 26, 2005, p. 37

// posted by Bill @ Thursday, April 21, 2005

Recharging Station

I have too many rechargable things. My phone, my Pocket PC, my camera, my MP3 player, my son's Nintendo DS and SP games, and so on. I have filled plugs all around the house with power bricks and cables. I just saw what looks like a solution. X-treme Geek has a Power Station for $19.95 that allows you to get things at least somewhat organized. I may need more than one of these!

Found in the X-treme geek catalog X 509, p.3, but available on-line at:
http://www.xtremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.aspT1=112+0465

// posted by Bill @ Thursday, April 21, 2005

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Google mail on PPC

Pocket Gmail
http://gmail.wiggster.com

GoogHelper
www.twopeaks.com/site/products/GoogHelper

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 85

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Pocket PC web sites

Pocket PC magazine mobile site
www.pocketpcmag.com/mobile

Use IE's Mobile Favorites feature or SunnySoft World Offline (www.sunnysoft.cz) to have content downloaded to PPC for off-line reading.

PDA Hotspots is a good mobile portal.
www.wacklepedia.com/pdahotspots/pda_hotspots.htm

Mobile Web is another good portal.
www.pdamobileweb.com

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 84

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Pocket PC security

"The following areas should be covered in a security policy:

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 67-70.


// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Audio on Pocket PC

Three audio programs for Pocket PC

Resco Audio Recorder
Record meetings, lectures, notes, etc.
www.davespda.com

PocketMusic
Plays MP3 and other formats. Large display makes it easy to use while driving.
www.pocketanywhere.com

VITO Sound Explorer
Audio recorder and MP3 player.
www.vitotechnology.com

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 56

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Rats and Spears

The Pocket PC game Rats and Spears sounds like it would be fun. It is free game with "javelin-tossing furry rodents."
http://absolutist.com/pocket/rats_spears/

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 54

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Zuma for Pocket PC

I love to play Zuma. My eyes get sore from not blinking. It requires just the right amount of concentration for me to block out everything else in my mind. That makes it truly relaxing. I play the free Windows PC version on-line.
www.astraware.com

They also have a Pocket PC version for $20.
www.astraware.com/ppc

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 54

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Pocket PC case and bag

Crystal Case is clear plastic and costs $25.
www.proporta.com

Podzilla is a small case to hold things like iPods and Pocket PCs. Two sizes.
www.roadwired.com

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 50

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Pocket PC tools: Resco Explorer and HP Mobile Print

Resco Explorer 2003
Allows access to multiple network shares and transfer of files between multiple PCs.
http://resco-net.com/explorer.asp

HP Mobile Print
Allows printing from the Pocket PC
There is a link at http://resco-net.com/explorer_dwn.asp at the bottom of the page.

Pocket PC, May 2005, p. 14

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Wisbar Avanced for PocketPC

Adds cascading Start menus to the Pocket PC.
www.lakeridgesoftware.com/

Pockt PC, May 2005, p. 12

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Free PowerPoint templates from Brainy Betty

www.brainybetty.com

PC World, May 2005, p. 74

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Change your keyboard

If you want to reasign the keys on your keyboard, try Travis Krumsick's KeyTweak.
http://find.pcworld.com/46988

PC World, May 2005, p. 69

// posted by Bill @ Wednesday, April 20, 2005

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