eDirectories - Weblog

Remotely access your music and video collection

TK — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:44:01 +0000

With Winamp Remote you can view your MP3 and/or Video collection from any computer through a standard web browser. Given your upload speed is appropriate you can stream anything from your music collection, which includes Video clips.

You’ll need ports 80 and 554 forwarded on your modem/router for their DirectStream functionality (or possibly for it to work at all). It works well if your computer has decent upload speeds.

No more free time…

TK — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:47:21 +0000

Fallout 3 has been keeping my blogging time to an extreme minimum. The hour I get to play is definitely not enough though. The visual effects of the game are pretty amazing even with my mid-priced video card.

Here’s another screenshot, 1024×768.

Here’s a video I recorded (May not be suitable for younger audiences):

EVGA GeForce 9500 GT - Mini Review

TK — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:13:47 +0000

I just bought the EVGA GeForce 9500 GT video card from NewEgg and so far I’m quite impressed. For a budget video card this quite capable of running a lot of the newer games, even if it does have to be set on low settings. I got it for $65 with a $15 mail-in-rebate, so you can’t beat that (From NewEgg, might not have the deal anymore). I’m playing Call of Duty 4 without a problem what so ever. My temperatures seem to be keeping cool, and I haven’t had to adjust fan speeds. This is a great card if you don’t want to spend a lot but are looking to play some of the newer games.

From Overstock.com:

Product Summary:

EVGA GeForce 9500 GT Graphics Card has attained "Certified for Windows Vista."

Manufacturer: EVGA Corporation
Manufacturer Part Number: 512-P3-N954-TR
Manufacturer Website Address: www.evga.com
Product Series: GeForce9
Product Name: GeForce 9500 GT Graphics Card
Package Type: Retail
Product Type: Graphics Card
Host Interface: PCI Express 2.0 x16
RAMDAC Speed: 400MHz
Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1600
Analog Signal: Yes
Digital Signal: Yes
HDCP Support: Yes
Dual Link DVI Support: Yes
Chipset Manufacturer: nVIDIA
Chipset Model: GeForce 9500 GT
Processor Speed: 550MHz
Standard Memory: 512MB
Memory Technology: GDDR2 SDRAM
Bus Width: 128bit
Interfaces/Ports: 2 x DVI-I
Dimensions: 4.38" Height x 6.5" Length

This is definitely not a card for hardcore gamers (unless you decide to run 2 at a time), but it’s also enough for mid-level gamers to enjoy some decent graphics at a great price. Plus you can watch HD quality movies on your PC or HDTV. It will eventually be put into my media/game entertainment station.

Update: Call of Duty 5: World at War works with this card, but I couldn’t keep the resolution too high.

Enable MP3 Ringtones on your LG Scoop AX260

TK — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:36:07 +0000

Having a few problems using your own MP3’s as ringtones on your LG Scoop AX260? Due to apparent legal restrictions, you are not able to add MP3s as ringtones since they could be downloaded illegally. Fortunately, below is a step-by-step guide to using your own songs as ringtones for ‘technically free’ (since the only thing you have to pay for is web access), without the use of a USB data cable and/or BitPim.

First off, you’ll need the following things to accomplish this:

The AX260 has a web browser, but you’ll need the Web Browsing service activated for your carrier. I’m assuming Alltel since the LG Scoop is their name for the model. It will cost $1.99 for one day of web service or $5.99 per month.
An account registered at Ventones.com.
An MP3 of your choice.

Once you have all 3 things:

Go to http://www.ventones.com/make-free-ringtone.aspx and browse for the MP3 you want to use as a ringtone.
Once the MP3 is uploaded you’ll be presented with a slider tool that allows you to pick a section of the song that you want to use. Also boxes where you put in the song title and artist. Once you have found the section of song you want, click on the "Create tone" button.
Next screen will give you a choice of different ways you can get your tone. Ignore this page and click on My Ventones at the top of the page. You should see the song you just uploaded.
Click on the title or artist and at the next page, scroll to the bottom and click "Send to phone". Alltel users should use the second option on the next page.
You should get a text message with an URL (web address) and it will say "Open the link below". On your AX260 cell phone, click on Options and then scroll down to "Go to website". It should display the URL again and press OK until it says "Downloading…". It will automatically download into your My Audios folder, which you can then enable as a ringtone.

Please note: After buying a Web Pass you may have to read the text message again and go back to the web address given.

Clearance Computer Items at Xoxide

TK — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:20:42 +0000

Just got a great deal on a few computer items over at Xoxide.com. If you’re looking to mod your case or add extra features, Xoxide is definitely the way to go. Even if you just want to get a few cheap parts for your side project PC their clearance items will make you pleased. I got a random 400W ATX power supply for $9.99, although their description says at least 400w I managed to receive a 450w instead. I also got the Logisys Jumbo Multicolor Lazer LED just to turn on when I want a little extra in my case. To top it off, I also got the Viking Thumbscrews for the hell of it. Can’t go wrong with 6 for $0.89.

Xoxide.com

Easily switch favicons with Wordpress plugin

TK — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:51:20 +0000

With MaxBlogPress’ FavIcon Wordpress Plugin you can easily switch between favicons without a hassle. I’m using Firefox and the updated favicons show up automatically… This means you can switch your favicon whenever you want, for an added look to your blog. You can use your own image or pick from one of the many that come with the plugin.

Create free ringtones from your own songs

TK — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:22:04 +0000

With Mobile17 you can create ringtones from your own music files. Where ringtone providers will charge you an arm and a leg, Mobile17 lets you upload an mp3/wav of your favorite song, then pick a clip out of the song. It then sends you the file, through a picture e-mail or something similar where you can select it to play as a ringtone. They claim to be compatible with over 95% of available cell phones so chances are you won’t have a problem being able to upload and create your own free ringtones. The wait time can be over 2 hours, but if you donate some money they will give you ‘Express’ credits, or you could always buy a subscription. I’ve used them successfully multiple times and the quality is great, just thought I’d give them some props.

AMD launches it’s own brand of PCs

TK — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:31:21 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Sunday unveiled its first computer brand, aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, with design and sales help from its major chip customers such as Dell Inc.

AMD is well in it’s way to overtake Intel. Can’t wait to see what else they will roll out in the future.

Story from Reuters…

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS beta will not update?

TK — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:18:09 +0000

If you’ve been using the beta version of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Hardy Heron and you can’t seem to get your update manager to recognize the final version, there is a simple answer. The beta updates to the final version automatically… If you are using an earlier version such as 7.10, you can learn how to upgrade here.

Ubuntu Live Chat Technical Support

TK — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:08:31 +0000

If you need a problem with Ubuntu fixed right away, you should go to the official IRC chat room on the Freenode servers. There is tons of people that are more than willing to help if you have a legitimate question to ask. Here is a list of their servers taken from Freenode.net:

Asia/Pacific Rim Taoyuan, TW	chat.ap.freenode.net tolkien.freenode.net
Australia Brisbane, AU	chat.au.freenode.net asimov.freenode.net
Europe Frankfurt, DE Helsinki, FI Hoofddorp, NL Milano, IT Oslo, NO Umeå, SE Moscow, RU London, UK Vilnius, LT	chat.eu.freenode.net kornbluth.freenode.net orwell.freenode.net sterling.freenode.net calvino.freenode.net adams.freenode.net gibson.freenode.net leguin.freenode.net lem.freenode.net pratchett.freenode.net sendak.freenode.net	ipv6.chat.eu.freenode.net goethe.freenode.net calkins.freenode.net crichton.freenode.net
United States Corvallis, OR Madison, WI Irvine, CA Los Angeles, CA Missoula, MT	chat.us.freenode.net niven.freenode.net zelazny.freenode.net brown.freenode.net anthony.freenode.net kubrick.freenode.net heinlein.freenode.net

After you are successfully connected to the IRC server of your choosing, type /nick YourName and then /join #ubuntu - You may have to register your nickname on the Freenode servers (#ubuntu requires this), so type /msg NickServ Register YourPassword - If the name isn’t already taken you will have successfully registered your name and will be able to start chatting and asking for help with your problem. Please read the rules and follow proper chat etiquette.

Firefox users should look into ChatZilla. Or to connect to the Freenode IRC servers through your browser, use their web based Java Client.