March 19th, 2011
GuestPoster
Korg recently announced that they are updating their line of nanoSERIES products. Checking out this Korg nanoSERIES2 review gave me a few ideas on how one could use the products.
Producer
The standard at-home producer will find the nanoSERIES2 to be perfect for getting a wide range of products on a budget. The nanoKONTROL2 would be of personal use for mastering, while the nanoPAD2 and nanoKEY2 might be of interest to a visiting musician. The faders and knobs would be of use when controlling the loudness of tracks. I personally always close my eyes when mixing, and having a tactile interface gives me the ability to just focus on the music.
Traveler
This Korg microKEY review leads me to think that the korg microKEY would be a better fit than the nanoPAD2 for the traveling musician. The extra keys would be useful for write piano chords or synth lines on a plane or train. The nanoPAD2 would be essential for dropping drum loops on the finger pads or manually controlling filters with the XY pad. They could also decide on which products they need, corresponding to what they are currently working on. Nothing says “I love you” during Thanksgiving like a few hours of beatmaking in the living room.
Performer
When designing the nanoSERIES originally, I’m sure Korg had the DJ/Performer in mind. Each product is USB bus powered individually, meaning that the units can be mixed and matched. The nanoSERIES2 are simply upgraded versions and consequently are even more fit for the stage. Each unit is more durable and refined, with the nanoPAD2 still stealing the show. Being able to trigger loops, bash out drum hits, or creating epic buildups is easy with the finger pads and XY pad, respectively.
Overall, it can easily be said that the nanoSERIES2 have great improvements over the original line. These new versions would certainly be a great introduction into this modular style of audio equipment, and I highly recommend you check them out.
March 19th, 2011
Tech Guru
The Olympus PEN E-PL2 is a great companion when what you are after is either a camera for when you travel, or for people who are into more casual photography. Overall it is an impressive camera for its class and at times can even be on par with DSLR’s. These are big rivals to the Canon Powershot S95.
As a travel companion, this camera is very light and portable at a weight of just 2.6 pounds. This makes it great for people on the move who want their camera at the ready constantly for those once-in-a-lifetime photos. The lightness is also a sigh of relief for those who travel with their bulky SLR’s hanging heavily around their necks. However, quality is not sacrificed as it takes amazing 12.3 megapixel photos, which sacrifices no detail. The built-in image stabilizing system eliminates the problem of blurry photos and videos for those on-the-move shots. The E-PL2 also comes with a variety of scene selection modes to optimize photos in any situation. And for the more creative people, the new Live Guide system allows you to apply photographic effects in real time so you can see the outcome of your edited photographs even before you take the picture. Lastly, video recording can be done in an instant if you so choose, as toggling between photographs and videos can be done instantly just by pressing either the shutter with your index finger or the record button with your thumb for videos, with no quality sacrificed as videos can be taken in High Definition 720p at 30 frames per second with high-quality sound and comes with 6 filters to add a different atmosphere for your videos.
And after you’re done taking photographs, showing off your work can be done very easily and in a number of ways. The PENPal Bluetooth accessory allows you to directly transfer images via Bluetooth to your laptops, smartphones, and other PENPal devices so you can easily share your work via Facebook, Flickr, and other sites. The HD cable also allows you to view your images directly on any HD television.
March 13th, 2011
GuestPoster
The only way most people know how to perform a cell phone lookup is through their own contact lists, and as surprising as it may seem, many people are not even aware of the existence of legitimate providers of these services. These options are more than just tricks used by clever authors and Hollywood storytellers, there are resources out there right now that can help to put a name to almost any number one may come across, and there are many that also specialize in the reverse of this process, helping to put numbers to names.
A reverse cell phone lookup, as it is commonly called, is one of the most useful tools available within the modern communications techniques, as far as the average individual is concerned. We do live in the information age, and just about any type of information is valuable to someone these days, but cell phone owner information is rapidly turning into digital gold for a growing number of professions including bounty hunting and locating outstanding debtors.
While there are many free cell phone lookup options, the free options are most commonly abbreviated versions of the larger record that must be paid for. The information returned in the reverse cell phone lookup free options are rarely updated as the actual records are, leaving many open to discrepancies from the latest information. This fact, and the limited information returned, often motivates most to immediately pay for more information, but there are some lesser-known options that can be very effective in retrieving the same data.
Sometimes, taking the information returned in a free search from White Pages, on treadmills for sale cheap, for example, can reveal enough clues to track the additional information down through other resources. It is quite amazing how much information can be had from simply typing a number into a search engine, and when you add resources like Facebook and the other social networks, the potential is much higher for finding quality and accurate information on your own.
March 13th, 2011
Tech Guru
Apple computer, with the release of the iPad is once again the best selling computer maker to date in 2011, beating the competition from Dell, HP, Sony and Toshiba just to name a few other manufacturers competing against Apple this year for both consumer and professional dollars.
The iPad 2 of course, is just one of the many other top selling electronics from Apple and also includes the iPhone and iPod, familiar products wherever you set foot today it seems.
But Apple has not forgotten where, some would argue it all started, the Apple Macintosh computer. Now well past twenty years into production, the latest Apple Macs are broken down into two categories for 2011. The fist category being the professional computer category. This group uses their desktop and notebook computers for one thing, and that’ to get work done. The budgets are usually higher for these computers so Apple can introduce newer technology that eventually work it’s way down to the consumer level.
The professional desktop from Apple is the Mac Pro and as one might expect is the fastest computer currently shipping from Apple and comes available in a more common desktop form factor with room for fast processors, hard drives, memory and enough ventilation to keep it all running cool.
The professional notebook from Apple is the just released 2011 Apple MacBook Pro and comes with a recent refresh featuring thunderbolt technology for increased connectivity, faster processors and video cards and a choice of LCD display sizes in 13 inch, 15 inch and 17 inch options there’s a perfect MacBook Pro regardless of your needs.
The Apple iMac is the consumer desktop and offers an all in one computer design where the computer is tucked neatly inside the big and bright LCD display, offering simplicity above all, regardless of whether you are new to the Mac or have been familiar with the Mac computer for years.
March 13th, 2011
GuestPoster
Even though there are many great karaoke machines out there, sometimes finding the right one can be a difficult thing when faced with such a wide selection. And of course the problem that most people come across is deciding exactly how much they want to spend on a new karaoke machine. It will obviously depend on your level of experience since you don’t want to overspend on something with features that you will never use. If you happen to be a beginner to the game then the Emerson GM527 is the perfect choice that comes in at around $100. This is a great introductory karaoke machine for adults who want to see what all the fuss is about, or for kids who enjoy the chance to sing like their favorite celebrities.
The Emerson GM527 offers extremely user-friendly functionality to the point where you can leave kids unsupervised and they will know exactly how to operate the machine without problem. You can use the display on the machine itself, or the more popular choice is to utilize the provided cables to hook it up to your television screen. Although there is no video capability like you would get with a fancier karaoke system, you will see the words just fine scrolling on your TV screen, and this can serve you well for parties where everyone can participate.
One of the most popular features of the Emerson GM527 is iPod docking that will allow you to use songs that you have downloaded on the Internet. This will effectively bolster your music collection and allow you to play music that you already own. Just keep in mind that the karaoke function for your downloaded songs might not be crystal clear because you won’t be using karaoke versions of those tunes. It’s also important to note that this product comes with songs included in the package so you can plug it in and be up and running within minutes.
March 12th, 2011
Tech Guru
Are you thinking of buying the perfect gift for your little kid? Why not buy your girl her first laptop. I am sure she would love to have one of the cool pink laptops for kids that are available on the market. In this article I will show you a few of the best pink laptops that could very well become perfect gift ideas for your little ones.
If your kid is still very small buying a fully featured laptop may not be the best of ideas. Even so, you do have the opportunity to buy your kid one of the available awesome toy laptops. This way you do introduce your kids to technology in an educative way, and at a pretty low price.
A toy laptop that may be worth it is the one produced by VTech. The toy laptops from VTech will help your kiddo learn vocabulary, recognize different objects, sing and use a basic laptop. Another option you have is the toy laptop from Oregon Scientific called Barbie. These toy laptops are great learning devices for your little kids. However, after some time, your kid will grow bigger and will get bored of his toy laptop. He will probably always ask you to use your real laptop. At this point it may be a great idea to buy your kid a real pink laptop.
There are many real mini laptops for kids on the market. One pink laptop you could go for is the beautiful Asus Disney Netpal. The Disney Netpal is a pretty impressive laptop for kids. It is probably one of the best equipped pink laptops for kids. It really is the perfect gift for your kid.
If you want to make your kid happy buy buying him one of the best pink laptops you have many choices on the market. In my opinion buying your kid a pink laptop may be a great idea. Your kid will be in touch with technology and this is a really good thing! Go out there on the market and start searching for the best netbook for your kid!
March 11th, 2011
GuestPoster
There are many ways which computers have helped to transform the way that people work. However they have done much more than that. Computers have managed to take a hold of our life and infiltrate everything we do in a way that no other invention over the past century has managed to do. The amount of ways that we need to use computers in everyday life is staggering. Many people cannot imagine being without a computer, and the internet is quickly becoming a necessity for many jobs and even everyday life.
One of the new ways that computers are starting to be used is by creating virtual worlds. These may be entire planets or even just a room inside of a house. Regardless of the amount of space in this virtual world the potential that computers are bringing to the table is immense. We now have the ability to do much more with computers than some ever thought was possible. They are no longer just ways to get to internet chat rooms or an overpowered, fancy calculator. Computers are now powerful tools that can be used in many ways.
Interior designers are finding that virtual reality is one of the best tools that have been invented in a very long time. By using virtual reality to emulate the room of one of their clients, they can start to show clients the results they expect to get without ever buying a single throw pillow. Using computers they can chat with their clients by simply typing into the computer and the entire process is about as painless as it could possibly be. This type of convenience was unthinkable a few years ago, but modern technology has come leaps and bounds over the past few years, allowing computers to do things that were unimaginable at one point in time.
This type of tool means that “virtual reality” is no longer the exclusive property of video game designers and it has started to find ways into the regular world that have become useful and to some people, even a necessary part of the job.
March 10th, 2011
GuestPoster
Formatted data recovery can now be achieved by amateurs using widely available freeware tools. However it can be a little bit more complex than simply retrieving deleted files as the process of finding formatted data could actually overwrite some of these documents. Here I’ll show you some of the tips and techniques you should apply.
Many users format the disk to make Windows startup faster or bypass operating system flaws. This is worth doing if you make sure you’ve backed up all of your critical information first. If not then data recovery tools will become invaluable to you.
These applications scan the drive looking for clusters/file fragments that can be pieced together. You install the program, scan the disk and copy the documents it finds.
One fatal mistake that many users make is installing their program onto the formatted disk. This can actually cause the original clusters to be written over with the installation files. It is much more preferable to use the second partition or even an external hard disk will do. Likewise, when cloning the files from the analysis report you should use any location except the formatted disk.
Perform a formatted data recovery also becomes more difficult if your formatting application included a commercial evidence sweep. These are often used to remove any of your personal information when you’re getting rid of the computer. They remove data clusters from the disk so that data recovery software cannot locate or compile any of your files. In this scenario it is possible that data recovery experts could retrieve some of your files based on data shadows.
Lastly, don’t leave it too long before attempting a formatted data recovery. Any delays or usage of the system for storing files, reinstalling the OS or running applications all result in new documents being stored on the disk.
March 8th, 2011
Tech Guru
Ergonomics is the art of improving physical posture during work for the prevention of carpal tunnel and other repetitive motion injuries. This is a common problem in the modern world since almost all office workers use computers and many are forced to use laptops because of hectic traveling schedules.
One common solution to improve the ergonomics of laptop use is to buy a laptop stand that raises the computer off the desk, placing the screen at eye level. This solves one major physical problem — being forced to constantly look down at your screen while working. This body position can be a source of major neck and shoulder pain as it is very unnatural to hold this position for long periods of time.
Using a laptop stand to raise the screen has an additional benefit — it forces the user to plug in an external keyboard as it is impossible to type with a laptop in this position. The benefit derived from using an additional keyboard is that laptops have very restricted key pad configurations. They are smaller, shallow and crammed in to a tighter space than regular keyboards which can cause significant wrist, hand and arm strain. However, if an ergonomic keyboard is plugged into a laptop that sits on a stand, this can greatly reduce muscle and tendon pressure. (This article was in fact written in just such a situation!)
For people that work in more industrial situations (factories, warehouses, retail stores) a unique solution is required for laptops that need to be raised higher than stands used mainly in offices. This solution can be found in the form of a DJ laptop stand which are used by club DJs in their performances. There are many types of affordable models that are much more durable than their office counterparts because they are used in more physically active situations, so they’re designed to take more pressure and constant use.
March 8th, 2011
Tech Guru
The two main home computer backup options are to make local copies (by burning files to CD or copying them to an external hard drive) or upload files onto a web based backup service. This post shows you the advantages and disadvantages of each while pointing out what types of users they suit.
For many people, doing a laptop data backup simply involves burning CD or copying files onto an external hard drive. Synchronization freeware means cloning files onto a hard disk can actually be quite rapidly done. This type of process suits individuals who do not wish to have their files out on the Internet and who may not have fast Internet connection speeds. The cost of this also works out quite cheap due to the low cost of CD media and high-capacity drives.
The real disadvantage to these types of computer backup options is that you have to manually run the CD burning/synchronization software. Consequently, backups can be forgotten and this can become an issue when it comes to restoring files. There is also the danger of your original documents as well as the laptop data backup being lost in the same instant (e.g. fire or theft).
Commercial web-based backup services now allow you to upload your files to their backup servers for a subscription cost. You use their client applications to select which files to upload and on what frequency. This suits individuals who travel with their laptop and needs to backups while on the move. It’s also great as you don’t have to carry around any additional hardware.
The major downside to this is that there will be data limits in most services which restrict the amount of files you back up. The cost of this can also become quite prohibitive due to the subscription charges. Lastly you still need fast Internet connection when uploading larger files (which may not be available while traveling).
