Categories
Programming and Podcasts

The Screen Savers Schedule // 2/14 – 2/18

Monday 2/14/2005 —- Happy Valentine’s Day

GeekLoveRadio.com, Nike HQ, Dark Deals

Richard Lech & Adam Struve, founders of GeekLoveRadio.com, offer some Valentine’s Day advice to our viewers. Brendan takes a tech tour of Nike’s headquarters, and we’ve got Kevin R.’s Dark Deals, Kevin P.’s First-50, and Sarah’s Gems of the Internet.

Tuesday 2/15/2005 — {G4TechTV Becomes G4TV}

Tony Millionaire, DVDuesday

Alt-comics artist Tony Millionaire talks about his strips “Maakies” and “Sock Monkey.” DVDTalk.com’s Kim Morgan stops by with her run-down of the week’s biggest DVD releases, and we’ve got Sarah’s Damn
Good Download, and Kevin P.’s It Came From eBay.

Wednesday 2/16/2005

Robot Chicken, The Godfather, Dark Tip

Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root discuss their new Adult Swim cartoon, “Robot Chicken.” We take a sneak peak at Electronic Art’s effort to convert “The Godfather” into a video game, and preview the new Keanu Reeves film based on a comic book, “Constantine.” And Kevin R.’s Dark Tip demonstrates how to turn a Nintendo cartridge into a
PDA.

Thursday 2/17/2005 (Repeat TSS Show)

Thomas “Thunder” Keller, iPod Tattoos, Stowboard — 1/10/2005 Show

Friday 2/18/2005 (Repeat TSS Show)

Frank Rose, “Mercenaries,” DVD Tuesday — 1/11/2005 Show

****** TSS Weekend ******

Saturday 2/19/2005 — 11am ET / 8am PT

GeekLoveRadio.com, Nike HQ, Dark Deals — 2/14/2005 Show

Sunday 2/20/2005 — 12am ET / 9pm PT

Robot Chicken, The Godfather, Dark Tip — 2/16/2005 Show

3am ET / 12am PT

Tony Millionaire, DVDuesday — 2/15/2005 Show

11am ET / 8am PT

Tony Millionaire, DVDuesday — 2/15/2005 Show

Categories
TechNews Bytes

Massive Exploit in Symantec Products

Symantec, most popularly known for their Norton line of products (including Norton Systemworks, Norton Utilities, Norton Disk Doctor, Norton Antivirus, and Norton Internet Security, to name a few) is under the microscope due to a massive exploit in over 30 of their software packages (most importantly, the Norton line) that could allow a malicious hacker to inject malware or malicious code on their systems using the oh-so-popular buffer overflow.

To my knowledge, Symantec has already issued a patch to deal with the issues, and they should be available from Symantec directly, even though they have no information on the issue on the front page of their website.

Read all about it:
[ http://news.com.com/Symantec+flaw+leaves+opening+for+viruses/2100-1002_3-5569811.html ]

and more information, including a link with details on obtaining the critical update needed to fix the exploit, is here:
[ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/10/symantec_uberbug/ ]

Categories
People

Interview with Laura Swisher!

Matt Hartley, from Lockergnome [ http://www.lockergnome.com/ ] recently had the pleasure of interviewing Laura Swisher, of Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and TechTV’s Unscrewed fame. They chat about Laura’s career, Unscrewed, life at TechTV, and that contest where potential viewers could “win a date” with Laura Swisher.

All that and more; click to read all about it:
[ http://matthartley.lockergnome.net/blog/_archives/2005/2/8/309524.html ]

And Laura vouches for the interview with a few comments of her own here:
[ http://lauraswisher.blogspot.com/2005/02/my-online-interview-with.html ]

Categories
Gear and Gadgets Tips and Tricks

iPod Shuffle RAID

I’m not entirely sure why anyone would really need an exceptionally slow 4GB RAID array, but this guy did it:

[ http://www.wrightthisway.com/Articles/000154.html ]

It took something like 11 minutes to copy about 1.8GB from his G5 to the 4GB RAID array, but it’s just proof that it can be done! So if you need to back up data in a flash and all you have on hand is a couple of iPod Shuffles, you too can be like MacGyver and build a quick, easy RAID array. But don’t try and install OS X on it, because while connected Mac OS won’t recognize it as a startup device, and won’t allow you to install the OS to the RAID array.

More details, and the pictures, at the link above.

Categories
People Programming and Podcasts

New The Broken Content Coming in March

According to Kevin Rose on his own blog;

[ http://www.kevinrose.com/index.php/weblog/comments/195/ ]

us fans of TheBroken, located at TheBroken.org [ http://www.thebroken.org/ ] can look forward to some deliciously new geeky techy content coming in March. If my hunch is right, it’ll essentially be everything that G4 won’t allow Kevin to put on the air on The Screen Savers, probably because it’s too intelligent or doesn’t fit the niche market of airheaded gamers (and note I say airheaded gamers, because most gamers are far too smart to fall for G4’s brand of tripe) and what they think everyone wants to see.

Well, with some luck, hopefully this’ll turn out well. It looks like Kevin really wants to turn this into a full on produced net-tv deal, so we’ll have to see where he goes from here. My only worry is that eventually he’ll go subscription-based or something like that, and people will have to pay a fee to see the goodness, keeping most of us on the outside. Here’s to hoping he’ll just keep selling TheBroken swag and other goodies and keep the main course free for those of us who really are interested.

Categories
Programming and Podcasts

Call for Help 2.0 Schedule // 2/7 – 2/11

Call for Help 2.0 is available on G4TechTV Canada. Interested in getting Call for Help aired in the United States again? Click here to help out!
[ http://www.g4techtv.ca/callforhelp/interact/callforhelpusa.shtml ]

February 7 – 11, 2005 at 6 p.m., EST/PST

Monday, February 7, 2005

* Andy will give you a Anti-Spyware Primer.
* Amber will help you put together a playlists to suit your mood.
* Andy in FreeFile will show us Netstumbler and stumbles across those wireless network connections.

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

* Andy will suggest tech-savvy valentine’s gifts for Men.
* Amber will give web tips for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.
* Our guest will help us with automatic subtotals in Microsoft Excel.

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

* Andy takes a look at the beta version of Microsoft’s new anti-spyware program.
* Amber shows us how to read with your ears!
* Our guest will give us some desktop eye-candy.

Thursday, February 10, 2005 – Episode 100!

* Andy shows us what the term bandwidth means using water and a few pipes..
* Amber is making over your website!
* Our guest will show you how to get the most out of your travel pics.

Friday, February 11, 2005

* Andy demonstrates how to Optimize Windows XP.
* Amber helps us get Quick Parenting Advice
* In Freefile, Amber will find out what it takes to make picture-perfect thumbnails.

Categories
Programming and Podcasts

The Screen Savers Schedule // 2/7 – 2/11

Mon. 2/7/2005

Channel 101, Endangered Gizmos, Lou Ferrigno

Rob Schrab of Channel101.com (“…the unavoidable future of entertainment”) talks about the website’s TV pilot-show competition. Ren Bucholz reveals the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s “Endangered Gizmos List,” and Sarah interviews former Hulkster Lou Ferrigno. Plus, we’ve got some Gems of the Internet and Dark Deals.

Tue. 2/8/2005

Mark Frauenfelder, Olympus m:robe, DVDuesday

BoingBoing.net co-founder Mark Frauenfelder talks about his latest endeavor, Make Magazine — “The First Magazine for Technology Projects.” We also take a look at the Olympus m:robe MP3 player, and DVDTalk.com’s Kim Morgan runs down her list of this week’s biggest DVD releases.

Wed. 2/9/2005

The Forehead Guy, Web-Browsing Spy, MS Paint Portraits

Andrew Fischer, the 20-year-old fellow who auctioned off his forehead on eBay, tells us what’s it’s like to be a human advertisement. Kevin R. presents a Dark Tip on spying on the web-browsing traffic on your
network, and we check in on our User Created challenge for MS Paint portraits of “What’s Behind the Orange Door.” Plus, Kevin P.’s got a game download to share.

Thurs 2/10/2005

Strindberg and Helium, iPod Cramming, Rebecca Ryiz

Eun-ha Paek and James Bewely of San Francisco comedy troupe Killing My Lobster talk about their online cartoon, “Strindberg and Helium.” We also show you how to squeeze more songs onto your iPod. Plus, it’s LAN Party Thursday as we play World of Warcraft with special guest, pro gamer Rebecca “Wabi Sabi” Ryiz.

Fri. 2/11/2005

Pauly Shore, iPod shuffle Speaker, Ponder

Pauly Shore drops in to promote his new DVD, “Pauly Shore is Dead.” We figure out how to attach a speaker to the new iPod shuffle, Sarah reviews the weekend’s new movies, and our Live Music Friday performer
is rock band Ponder.

(Pauly Shore was to be on last Thursday TSS show)

****** TSS Weekend ******

Sat. 2/12/2005 — 11am ET / 8am PT

Channel 101, Endangered Gizmos, Lou Ferrigno — 2/7/2005 Show

Sun. 2/13/2005 — 12am ET / 9pm PT

The Forehead Guy, Web-Browsing Spy, MS Paint Portraits — 2/9/2005
Show

3am ET / 12am PT

Pauly Shore, iPod shuffle Speaker, Ponder — 2/11/2005 Show

11am ET / 8am PT

Mark Frauenfelder, Olympus m:robe, DVDuesday — 2/8/2005 Show

Categories
Gear and Gadgets Tips and Tricks

iPod Mod!

Another in the line of iPod goodness today, here’s something for all you guys with a regular iPod (since the last tip applied to the Shuffle and the Mini):

Constantly worried about scratching up the mirrored finish on the back of your iPod? If you’re like me, you’ve probably already scratched it a few times-but that’s okay, check this out:

[ http://www.suplido.com/joel/archives/2004_09.html#000367 ]

This guy’s got the right idea-it’s not much of a “mod,” per se, but hey-he’s definitely changing the look, and it’s easier than you think! Just grab some scotchbrite and get scratchin-and you too can have that beautiful brushed aluminum look for your iPod and never have to worry about scratching it again-because if you do, it’ll only add to the look!

That is to say, if you like the brushed aluminum look. (i do)

Categories
Gear and Gadgets Tips and Tricks

Trick out your iPod Shuffle

Got an iPod Shuffle yet?

Ready to trick it out, make it really yours? Here’s a little something that’ll make your iPod Shuffle stand out from the crowd when you hang it around your neck, and it’ll make sure the thing will never get
lost. Ipod Shuffle skins!

Check it out:
[ http://www.evolutionvinylworks.com/?function=&cat_id=140 ]

These guys have a selection of iPod Shuffle printed skins and vinyl skins that fit right on your iPod shuffle and cost five bucks each. You can get solid colors if you’re not into that whole printed image thing, or you can get flashy with some fire or lightning, or bling up your Shuffle with some diamonds or cash print!

Also, in case you’re interested, these guys also supply skins for your iPod Mini, GBA, Nintendo DS, PS2, or XBox, in case you want to add a little personality to those drab consoles.

Categories
Sites and Downloads Tips and Tricks

Looking for Firefox Extensions?

This morning I happened on a treasure trove of Firefox extensions; some of them allow you to easily back up your bookmarks, one of them remembers the tabs you have open(so if you crash or have to restart or something happens to Firefox, you can reopen Firefox and go back to the tabs you had open), and there are lots more!

There’s lots of goodies here, check em out:
[ http://www.pikey.me.uk/mozilla/ ]

And also, if you want an extension that allows you to back up your bookmarks remotely, try this one:
[ http://dietrich.ganx4.com/foxylicious/ ]

Give em a go, and leave a comment if you feel that any of them are particularly useful!

Categories
People Programming and Podcasts

Behind the Scenes at X-Play

Avi Adir, G4 employee and owner of the blog “@” [ http://aviadir.com/blog/ ] shares this morning some videos from behind the scenes at X-Play. They’re an amusing watch, go over to his blog and check em out!

[ http://aviadir.com/blog/index.php?p=118 ]

Categories
Gear and Gadgets

First Look: Apple’s Mac Mini

Okay. Again in lieu of having a real review and still waiting to get my hands on one of these babies to try out and play with a bit, I’ll let everyone see PC World’s first look review of the Mac Mini.So far their impressions include words like “solid” and “stable,” which are good considering the mini’s size-I was somewhat concerned that something so small might not be a solid machine, but I’m glad to see that’s not the case.

Also, it looks like there’s a lack of USB ports on the poor thing, it’s got two, one of which is needed for the keyboard, and if you can’t plug the mouse into a port on the keyboard, then you’ll have none for other peripherals. That’ll matter to people looking to use the Mini as a desktop computer, but if you’re using it for something else-or using a wireless keyboard and mouse-you won’t care too much. Looks like an excellent starter Mac (thinking about getting it as a replacement for my parents’ aging blueberry iMac-not that they don’t use their PC for everything anyway) or maybe an excellent add-on Mac for people who would like to play with one, but don’t want to drop cash on a more expensive Mac flavor.

[ http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,119387,tk,prx,00.asp ]

Categories
Sites and Downloads

Cool Download: Process Explorer

I find a lot of use in a program like this because it lets me track down spyware, more specifically the programs running quietly in the background that don’t leave a trace that they’re running except for popup ads and annoying system slowdown. When I sit down at someone else’s computer and see their system infested with spyware and leftover executables from old viruses, this kind of program will help me sniff out what’s running in the background and tie it to an actual executable file somewhere that I can hopefully get rid of for good.

Check it out; PC World describes it like this:
Windows Task Manager tells you what applications and processes are running, but some process names aren’t very clear to the casual reader. Process Explorer helps you get to the bottom of things by digging down to see which application started a process and which resources that app is currently using. This excavation can be a big help when you?re trying to figure out which background processes you dare shut down, and it can even help sniff out spyware, too.

[ http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,23780,tk,hsx,00.asp ]

Categories
Gear and Gadgets

Powerbook Updates from Apple

If you’ve been jonesin for some Powerbook goodness, now might be the time to run out and snag one. All of them come standard with 512MB of RAM, the processor speeds have been modestly bumped (the high end going from 1.5Ghz to 1.67Ghz) , faster everything, and trackpad scrolling, a method to scroll up and down/left and right in windows by touching two fingers to the trackpad. New backlit keyboards and standard Airport Extreme round out some of the feature highlights.

You’d figure that with all of these improvements, Apple would be charging more for the newly enhanced Powerbook line, right? Wrong; the prices have actually dropped-a couple of hundred bucks depending on your configuration. So what do you think? In the mood for a Powerbook? I know I am. Read more details here:

[ http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119513,tk,dn020105X,00.asp ]
and go shopping here:
[ http://www.apple.com/powerbook/ ]

Categories
Opinion TechNews Bytes

Keeping our Eyes on the Prize

I was literally shocked when I found out that the outstanding documentary Eyes on the Prize, that chronicles the struggle for civil rights regardless of race in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, could not be redistributed or shown again because the copyright licenses that the filmmakers had to show much of the footage of marches, rallies, atrocities, and interviews had expired, and there were no plans to renew them. Why? The Downhill Battle website [ http://www.downhillbattle.org/ ] explains:

“So why has Eyes on the Prize been unavailable for the past 10 years? Copyright restrictions. For example, the film includes footage of a group of people singing “Happy Birthday” to Martin Luther King. Incredibly, “Happy Birthday” is under copyright and some rights holders believe that they should be given licensing fees if the song appears in any film, even a documentary. (Yes that’s correct, “Happy Birthday” is restricted under copyright–so if you’ve ever sung it in a restaurant or a park, you could literally be breaking the law.)

But “Happy Birthday” is just the beginning. Eyes on the Prize is made up of news footage, photographs, songs and lyrics from the Civil Rights Movement that are tangled up in a web of licensing restrictions. Many of these licenses had expired by 1995 and the film’s production company, Blackside, could not afford the exorbitant costs of renewing them. “Eyes on the Prize” has been unavailable to the public ever since.”

Well then. Angry yet? Eyes on the Prize is widely regarded as the single best and most influential documentary on the civil rights movement ever made. Aging VHS tapes are the only remnant of the fine film, and all teachers have left to educate young people of the brave actions of their parents, grandparents, neighbors, and fellow citizens. Sadly, without it, it is a very real threat that the memory of the civil rights movement may pass from recent history into that “way back when” time that children rarely attempt to occupy their minds with.

So get involved; Wired News breaks the news gently here:
[ http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,66410,00.html ]
and download the movie, organize a screening, get involved here:
[ http://www.downhillbattle.org/eyes/ ]

Categories
Opinion TechNews Bytes

Communism and Copyright Reform

That’s right. I’m behind the pack on this one, but it was a decent story to bring to the table anyway. Bill Gates called people in favor of reforming copyright laws “communists,” or more precisely,

“No, I’d say that of the world’s economies, there’s more that believe in intellectual property today than ever. There are fewer communists in the world today than there were. There are some new modern-day sort of communists who want to get rid of the incentive for musicians and moviemakers and software makers under various guises. They don’t think that those incentives should exist,”

In an interview with News.com back in early January. Well. Hooty-hoo to you too, Mr. I’m-so-rich-if-it’s-not-public-domain-I’ll-just-buy-it-if-I-want-it. Not all of us can afford to just pay the royalties for the footage from the Civil Rights Documentary Eyes on the Prize if we want to learn about the historical struggle for civil rights independant of race in the United States. Regardless, I’m not the only one who’s take a little bit of offense to Bill Gates’ commentary, and there was a flurry of merchandise and t-shirts embodying the new “communist” lifestyle. One thing is for sure though-while Bill is up there buying all the houses on his block so he doesn’t have to hear a neighbor cutting his lawn or a dog barking, the rest of us have the real world to deal with, and it goes to show how out of touch the software mogul really is with the rest of the world.

[ http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,66209,00.html?tw=newsletter_topstories_html ]

Categories
Gear and Gadgets

Sony Takes on the Portable Gaming Arena

It’s no real secret that Sony’s prepping it’s PSP (PlayStation Portable) for release in the United States in the coming months. It’s also no secret that they recently released the device in Japan, and essentially sold out of the vast majority of it’s existing stock on the first day. The little gizmos are literally impossible to find in Japan, and Sony’s rushing to produce more of them.

I’ve seen photos and demos of the little guys, and I definitely want one, no doubt-that big beautiful screen, the ability to play gorgeous games as well as keep dates and appointments, listen to mp3s, play videos, look at photos, what else could you possibly want from a multifunctional device? But maybe that’ll be Sony’s downfall in the portable gaming arena; Nokia tried giving us the multifunction mobile gaming device, and it failed horribly-Nintendo is still the king, and it’s throned itself on a principle: keep it simple, stupid.

The Nintendo Game Boy SP and Nintendo DS are strictly gaming systems. So why does Sony think that American consumers want to be able to listen to tunes and watch a movie after they play a quick game of Metal Gear Acid? And does Sony think they’ll seriously be successful in this all-to-fickle market? What have they got up their sleeves? Read on:

[ http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,66413,00.html ]

Categories
TechNews Bytes

SBC + AT&T = HUGE

Or, if you’re not the mathematics type, the merger of these two former bell babies is worth about $16 billion and will create the biggest telecommunications company in the United States; a merger remniscent of when HP and Compaq got together to stare down Dell, which was larger than each of them but not at all as big as their powers combined. Well, looks like SBC and AT&T have teamed up to take on Verizon in the telecommunications ring.

It’s kind of a bittersweet ending for AT&T, which has been around for 125 years, and virtually an object in telecommunications since the invention of the telephone, a company whose name and brand are instantly recognizable regardless of where you are in the world. We’ll see where things go from here. More info:

[ http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119506,tk,dn013105X,00.asp ]

Categories
Gear and Gadgets

First Look: Do the (IPod) Shuffle

In lieu of a real review at TechTalk or anywhere like that until I get myself back on my feet, I think PC World’s first hands-on experience with the iPod Shuffle will have to suffice. They don’t really get in depth or anything, but they do give you a decent first impression that should help you figure out whether this is the kind of device for you or not.

Literally it really does break down into whether you absolutely totally need an LCD screen to navigate your songs or whether you’re a plug in your headphones and go mix-tape style person; and well, each of us is different, right? Anyway, the review is a good first impression. Head over to an Apple Store and play with one!

[ http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,119382,tk,prx,00.asp ]

Categories
Site News

Short Hiatus…Coming to a Close!

Thanks for being patient with us everyone! We’d been on the move to a new location since roughly the 15th of January and now we’re getting settled in, got internet access, and we’re hoping to get TTV-F back on a daily updating schedule bringing you all the coolest tech tips, info, news, downloads, and events you can hope to read!

Some topics you’ll see covered in the coming days/weeks:
** Apple’s MacWorld announcements; up close with the new Mac Mini and iPod shuffle
** Browser alternatives: Opera, Maxathon, Avant, and of course, Firefox
** Update on Kevin Rose’s project: The Broken, and their attempt to make more episodes
** And much more! Stay tuned, we’ll be back in a moment!