Tech Pulse 20071018: Amazon.com DRM-free MP3s, eBay Hacked, Zune Adds Podcast Support, and more!

Lots of news including the Amazon.com DRM-free MP3 store, eBay was recently hacked leading to stolen credit card information, iPhones were unlocked then bricked then unlocked again, Zune adds podcast support, Bungie might split from Microsoft, Mac OS X Leopard is coming, and more!

Notes and links related to this episode:

Tech News

• iUnlock released: the first free, open source iPhone SIM unlock software
• But then Apple announced that iPhone hacks (including SIM unlocking) void your warranty (further reading)
• Firmware 1.1.1 turned a lot of hacked iPhones into shiny, expensive bricks
• New hacks have resurfaced for 1.1.1 - see iphoneSimFree.com (and thus the cat-and-mouse game continues...)
• In related news, Steve Jobs announced via Apple's Hot News page that native third-party applications (i.e. not merely Web-based apps) will be coming to the iPhone (and iPod touch) in due time, and a software development kit (SDK) is planned for a February 2008 release
  
• Google Docs added support for slideshow presentation documents (including the ability to import PowerPoint files)
• Zune adds podcast support
• Bungie might split from Microsoft... which could potentially mean the return of a strong Bungie presence on the Mac
  
• eBay Hacked, personal credit card and contact information of at least 1,200 users stolen
  
• Amazon.com releases its own DRM-free, multi-OS compatible MP3 music download service
• Individual track purchasing is platform-independent (i.e. Linux compatible), but so far album purchasing is only available on Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OS X
• 
  

• Apple seems to have responded to market pressure by dropping the price of iTunes Plus tracks (which are also DRM-free but come in the less ubiquitous AAC format) to 99 cents, the same price as DRM-encumbered iTunes tracks, and down from $1.29
  
• Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard" is nearing release: Friday, October 26th (get $20 off for a limited time through this link!)
  

Tech Tips
Josh's

• Task Manager tricks for Windows
• What happened to my Task Manager?? If your task manager's tabs and buttons seem to have mysteriously vanished, don't worry—you probably just accidentally double-clicked somewhere in the window. This is a feature, not a bug. Double-click in a blank area of the window to restore the default view.
  
• Can I go straight to the Task Manager in Vista? Yep; the keystroke Ctrl+Shift+Esc instantly brings up the Task Manager in Windows Vista, without going to a list of options first. The same command also works for Windows XP/2000 PCs, which bypasses the option list screen if the PC is on a domain (of course, if your Windows XP or 2000 PC is not on a domain, then the command does the same thing as Ctrl+Alt+Del).

Anthony's

• On newer Macs, if you have the volume muted and then plug in headphones, the Mac will automatically unmute so you can hear through the headphones. Then if you unplug your headphones, the Mac will mute again instantly!
  

Big-O's

• On Macs with volume keys on the keyboard: Hold Shift while pressing a volume key to temporarily disable the volume-change sound effect)

Log Out

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Tech Pulse 20070619: OpenDNS, Booqbags, DST Patches, Levelator, and more!

[Listen to this episode!] [Subscribe to the MP3 feed via iTunes]

Tech Pulse podcaster Big-O introduces himself and talks about organizing the Mac OS X Applications folder and The Levelator, Josh talks about DST patches and AppleJack, Kyle gushes over OpenDNS and compares hard drives, and Anthony recommends Booqbags and ergonomic keyboards.

Notes and links related to this episode:

Tech Tips
Josh's

• Unofficial DST patches for Win9x/NT/2K and Mac OS 8.5-10.2.8
• Microsoft and Apple do not release patches for these older versions of their operating systems, but third party developers have come to the rescue with unofficial Daylight Saving Time patches
  

Kyle's

• OpenDNS
• Free DNS service
• alternative to your ISP's DNS
• Compatibile with Windows, Mac, Linux/UNIX, routers, mobile devices, and even gaming systems
  
• DNS forwarding for networks
  
• Faster: very large cache, servers located in many major cities (but of course the service is available worldwide, regardless)
  
• Safer: blocks phishing scams, can block adult websites, can block custom websites
  
• Smarter: shortcuts e.g. "mail" instead of mail.google.com, correcting e.g. google.cmo = google.com
• Domain/Network features: custom branding and shortcuts, stats
• Check out OpenDNS.com/start
  

Big-O's

• Organizing your Applications folder in OS X
• Apple apps and files need to stay in their default locations or Software Update may not be able to locate or update them
• You can create custom folders inside the Applications folder categories of apps (e.g. Podcasting, Chat, Browsers, etc.) and put aliases (shortcuts) of applications into those folders
• If you name the custom folders with a space at the beginning, they will show up at the top when sorted alphabetically
• You can then drag the Applications folder into the right side of the Dock, and right-click (or Control-click) on it to bring up a hierarchical menu, and quickly access your apps through your custom folders
  

Picks
Josh's

• Mac software: AppleJack
• freeware repair utility, runs from Single User Mode (hold Command-S after the boot chime)
  
• repair boot disk directory structure, disk permissions, clear OS caches and virtual memory files, etc.
  
• Windows software: Dimension 4
• freeware time sync software; great for Win2K and older, which don't have automatic time synchronization built in
• this is also handy if, like me, you have issues with Boot Camp on an Intel Mac where the time is off when switching between operating systems
  

Kyle's

• Hard drive comparison - does Western Digital's Raptor series still take the cake?

Anthony's

• Booqbags.com's newest briefcase bag, the Vyper exo
• very rugged and durable design
  
• stylish and cool look, but passable as a "professional" bag as well
• custom-designed for MacBook and MacBook Pro, but suitable for other notebooks
• laptop can be used while sitting inside an open case
  
• Ergonomic Keyboards: Key Ovation Goldtouch (recommended) and Microsoft
  

Big-O's

• The Levelator by GigaVox Media
• cross-platform, freeware
  
• automatically adjusts volume levels in WAV/AIFF files and outputs to a new file
  
• voice podcasters should definitely try this app and consider using it