Jim's Column for 2/20/05
Tidbits from the computer file fill the space today, including at least one you will find interesting or your money back.---I got a sample copy of an upcoming magazine in the mail the other day and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Called “Make,” the magazine (sized and shaped more like a small book) is aimed at geeks, hackers, tinkerers and those who like to make things with their hands.
The inaugural issue has features on how to make your own Steadicam for your camcorder, how to make an aerial photography rig using popsicle sticks, Silly Putty and a kite and how to camouflage your car so you can park in loading zones, among many more.
Initially to be published quarterly, the concept is slick, the magazine is just the right size (about 7 x 9 inches) and is deftly written and edited. My only complaint is the price…at $15 cover price or a subscription price of 4 copies for $35, the magazine costs about twice what it should to be a real success.
You can see a sample of the content, a few downloadable stories and participate in their blog at http://make.oreilly.com/
---If you own one of the early Xbox consoles, Microsoft has launched a voluntary recall of the power cord. If your unit was made before Oct. 23, 2003, you need a new one. You can check your manufacture date by looking at the sticker on the bottom of your Xbox. Take that info and your serial number to www.xbox.com and Microsoft will mail you a new cord for free.
---Speaking of recalls, Dell still is trying to locate thousands of power adapters for laptops for free replacement. The models affected include: Latitude CP, CPi, CPiA, CPtC, CPiR, CPxH, CPtV, CS, CSx, CPxJ, CPtS, C500, C510, C600, C610, C800, C805, C810, V700, C-Dock, C-Port, the Inspiron 2500, 2600, 3500, 3700, 3800, 4000, 4100, 4150, 5000, 5000E, 7500, 7550, 8000, 8100, Advanced Port Replicator, Docking Station and Precision M40. The adapters were also sold separately, including in response to service calls. The adapters were shipped to customers between September 1998 and February 2002. The words "DELL," and either "P/N 9364U", "P/N 7832D", or "P/N 4983D" are printed on the back of the adapters. Only certain adapters need to go back; You can check that one out at www.delladapterprogram.com (no hyphens)
---Apple has recalled some batteries for the 15-inch Powerbook G4, some display screens for the same model and some logic boards for the Ibook. To see if your unit qualifies, head to www.apple.com, then select Support and see “Repair & Exchange Programs in the lower right corner.
---Google released a new version of its browser toolbar, including a spell-checker for text typed into Web forms and a tool to translate English into other languages. There’s even an auto-link button that can turn a street address listed on a page into a link to a map on Google's new maps site. The downside? It requires Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, which I am trying very hard to ditch in favor of FireFox.
WEEKLY WEB WONDER: If you have not tried FireFox yet, give it a shot. You can’t ditch IE completely yet (my bank and Quickbooks still requires it) but it’s a great treat to have on your desktop. Get it at www.mozilla.org.
James Derk is co-owner of Cyberdads, a computer repair firm and columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His email address is jim@cyberdads.com
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