LIVING A DIGITAL LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Volume 1, Issue 60 May 8, 2009
Today's issue will be tips and articles all courtesy of Kim Komando. You can go to her website here. There will be several links that you can click on for yourself, to take you to different articles. I may include those articles in this newsletter, but then again, I may not. If I don't then you can follow the links yourself. If you happen upon a link that is closed to you, then that means you have to be a Kim's Club member to get access to that information. You can become a member very easily and the information is on the site. (By Kim Komando)
Transferring movies to your iPhone
Mike in Salt Lake City is a lucky man. He just bought one of Apple's new iPhones. He's anxious to start downloading movies to the phone. But he's not sure how to convert his movies so they'll play. He'd like some help getting started.
I get this question a lot, Mike. That's because getting movies onto an iPod or iPhone isn't simple. You probably have a stack of commercial DVDs. You can rule out converting these for your iPod. You'd have to circumvent copyright protections to do that. That's a big no-no.
If you have home movies, you can put them on your iPhone. You'll need to convert them to the appropriate format. I recommend Videora. This free program can convert your DVDs to iPhone-compatible videos. It will also convert a variety of other video formats. You'll find a link to the program on my site.
You may also have video files you'd like to watch. You may not need to convert them using Videora. iTunes can handle MPEG-4 and MOV videos. You can drag and drop them into the iTunes window.
Now, these videos need help to play on your iPhone. iTunes can convert the videos for your iPhone. Just select a video and click Advanced>>Convert Selection for iPod. Just remember that converting videos is time consuming. It could take hours. Be patient!
You may want to watch commercial movies on your iPhone. You do have a few options. First, you can download movies from iTunes music store. Prices are comparable to those of DVDs. Also, digital versions of some movies are available gratis when you buy the DVD. This should be stated on the DVD package.
And don't forget my Video of the Day. You can download these to your iPhone. My tip will help!
You don't need an iPhone to get video on the go. There are many portable video players on the market. But before you buy, get the facts by reading my buying guide.
How much RAM should you add?
Q.I have a Dell Dimension 9100 with two sticks of 512 megabyte RAM. I'm trying to build a special slide show for my 12-year-old twins. I'm using Roxio Easy Media Creator and Photoshop elements. But my computer keeps locking up. Dell support told me to install two one gigabyte RAM sticks to max out the memory. Shouldn't I install four one-gigabyte sticks instead?
-Dave in Richmond, VA, listening on WRVA 1140 AM
A.RAM isn't terribly easy to understand. So, it doesn't surprise me that you are puzzled. Let's see if we can sort out the confusion.
The Dell Dimension 9100 has four slots for memory sticks. Each accepts up to one gigabyte of memory. So, the machine maxes out at four gigabytes of RAM.
There's just one thing. The RAM modules should be installed in matched pairs. Memory size, speed and technology must be identical. Otherwise, the extra RAM won't help you. In fact, your machine may run slower.
That explains the Dell representative's recommendation. Your machine already has two 512MB sticks of RAM installed. The rep assumed that you want to continue using this RAM.
The best you can do if you keep this RAM is to install two one gigabyte modules. That will give you three gigabytes of RAM.
Wouldn't four gigabytes be even better? Click here and I'll explain.
What's the difference between LED and LCD?
Q. I'm in the market for a new computer monitor. It will be a flat-panel model, of course. I've read your tips on selecting a computer monitor. However, there is one thing that confuses me. What's the difference between LED and LCD? The LED monitors are much, much more expensive than LCDs. I've also heard mention of OLED displays. What are those?
Alex in New Orleans, listening on AWRNO 99.5 FM
A. Before we discuss these different technologies, let's clear up the terminology.
LCD stands for liquid-crystal display. LEDs are light-emitting diodes, while OLEDs are organic light-emitting diodes.
LCDs and OLEDs are types of display. Technically, LEDs are not displays. LEDs are lights which are used in some displays as a backlight.
Traditional LCDs are backlit by CCFLs, cold cathode fluorescent lamps. These backlights are relatively bulky compared to LEDs.
CCFLs have other drawbacks, too. For example, they contain mercury, which is toxic. They also provide a limited spectrum of color.
So, some manufacturers are producing LED-backlit displays. You'll see these types of LCDs in some monitors and laptops. Some LCD televisions also use LED backlights. (Incidentally, some DLP TVs use LEDs, as do projectors.)
LED backlights certainly have their pluses. You'll get a brighter picture with a broader color spectrum. This is ideal for photographers and artists.
LEDs also use less power than CCFLs. That makes them particularly attractive in laptops. LED backlights are also thinner. And they don't contain mercury.
However, this is a next-generation technology. You're right; it's pricey. Until more people adopt it, prices will remain high.
OLEDs are quite exotic for now. OLED displays contain a layer of organic material. A charge is applied to the material, resulting in a picture. There is no backlight; the material itself gives off light.
OLEDs have many advantages over other technologies. You'll get a bright, vibrant picture. The contrast ratio is phenomenal compared to LCDs. They also have a razor-thin form and consume minimal electricity.
There are drawbacks to OLEDs, of course. Their lifespan is limited in comparison to LCDs. However, a new technology could double OLEDs' lifespan. It would surpass that of LCDs.
Also, OLEDs are expensive. Sony is currently the only company selling an OLED display. The XEL-1 is a 3mm-thin, 11-inch television. It's a mere $2,500!
The future looks pretty good for OLEDs, though. They can be printed on surfaces. Since they're printed, they can be manufactured cheaply. I wonder how much of the XEL-1's price goes to research and development.
OLEDs are probably out of the question for you. However, an LED-backlight might be for you. That just depends on your needs-and your budget. Expect to pay about $1,000 more for an LED-backlit monitor.
Different people have different needs in monitors. For example, photo buffs and gamers will need different monitors.
My recommendation? Compare traditional and LED-backlit LCDs in the store. See if the premium is worth it to you. Finally, set up your new flat-panel correctly. My tip will help.
Tools for finding long lost friends
Throughout your life, you've made quite a few friends. You've maintained strong bonds with some. Others have gone their way.
It can be a joy to reconnect with lost friends. But how do you go about doing it? A great place to start is with a Web search. There is a vast amount of personal information on the Internet.
It could be as simple as putting a name in Google. But you'll probably have better luck with more specialized searches. These sites are geared toward finding people.
This site is used for searching social-networking profiles. Finding a profile makes it simple to contact someone. You'll find profiles on MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and more. You can search by name, city, school, interests and more.
This site will also search social-networking profiles. In addition, it will search through several Google services. It may return images, documents, blogs, videos and news. All it takes is the person's first and last name.
This service searches the deep Web. That is, it searches pages not often indexed by common search engines. You might get a phone number from online white pages. Or public information may contain an employment history. Even little clues could lead you in the right election.
This site taps even more online resources. Of course, you'll get social-networking results. But you'll also get news stories, business pages and blogs. If the person is semi-famous, it may return Wikipedia and fan pages. This is another site full of solid clues.
Cost: Free
How well do you know your neighbors?
It's a sad fact of modern life. We often don't know as much as we should about our neighbors.
Is the quiet guy down the street just shy? Or is he a dangerous sex offender trying to keep a low profile?
Well, now you can find out with a few clicks of your mouse. And it won't cost you a single red cent!
At Criminal Searches, you can search by a person's name. This is helpful for finding out about new acquaintances.
You can also search by neighborhood. You'll see who has been charged with crimes. You can also learn more about the crimes. And you can sign up for e-mail alerts.
Criminal Searches takes its information from public records. Just remember that not all charges result in conviction. Also, some criminals may slip through the cracks.
Copyright 2009 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network. Visit Kim Komando and sign up for her free e-mail newsletters at:www.komando.com
That's all for today's edition, folks.
Until next time -
Digitally yours,
Andrea
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Comments: 15
Thanks!
Facebook: I have found 2 friends from 4th grade, friends from high school and college and family and current friends. I didn't want to be a part of facebook, in fact I just signed up not too long ago but I am glad I did now. I hardly ever log on but it is nice to get connected with old friends but I have to say I could have done without chatting with my ex-boyfriend from high school!