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TECH RADIO WITH PATRICK WISCOMBE – JUNE 10, 2006 – Patrick played guest host once again on the KSL Home Show this past weekend and we went two hours.  We covered a lot of ground on this week’s show because we had two hours.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) issued a recall for their HP PhotoSmart R-707 digital camera stating that they can cause a fire hazard.  If certain non rechargeable batteries are used in the cameras, they can overheat when connected to an AC adapter or docking station.  (OOPS – talk about taking some hot photos.)  HP advised owners of the PhotoSmart R707 to quit using the camera immediately and download a firmware update from the HP website. 

The governor of Texas wants to turn all the world into a virtual posse.  Rick Perry announced a $5 million plan to install hundreds of night vision cameras on private land along the Mexican border and put the live video on the Internet so anybody with a computer and an Internet connection can spot illegal immigrants trying to slip across the border can report the crime to immigration officials via a toll-free number.  Under the plan, cameras and other equipment would be supplied to willing landowners and placed along some of the most remote reaches of the border.  The live video would be made available to law enforcement officials.

A hotel in Chicago is now offering Blackberry detox.  Rick Ueno, General Manager of the Sheraton Chicago Hotel said the program which began this past Wednesday grew out of his own personal Blackberry addiction.  His one-step recovery was switching to a regular cell phone.  "I was really addicted to my Blackberry.  I had an obsession with e-mail morning and night.  There came a time when I didn’t think it was healthy for me anymore.  I had to quit cold turkey."  He believes guests might want to try the same thing for a day or two so they can concentrate on meetings while at the hotel.  he said he would take personal charge of any Blackberries or related devices guests want to surrender.  He said he will place them in his locked office.  There is no charge for the service.

Apple told MacBook owners with too hot to handle notebooks that they should check the back of their computer for a piece of plastic which should have been removed at the factory.  Symptoms of overheating laptop might include a constantly running fan and excessive heat coming off the top or bottom of the notebook. 

Those were some of the topics discussed during the show.  Please take Tech Radio with you by burning the show to CD or subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast.  If you enjoy using technology or just want to know how technology is changing our everyday lives, Tech Radio is simply one the best technology shows available on the Internet.  THANKS FOR LISTENING!

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Option 1: Click the PLAY button to stream the Tech Radio show.

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TECH RADIO WITH PATRICK WISCOMBE – MAY 20, 2006 -  Patrick played guest host once again on the KSL Home Show this past weekend so we talked about the latest news and information coming out of the technology industry.  This week’s guests included Brad Baird with Altiris, Richard Weeks with Starwest, Chris Gibbons with Master Control, and Ryan Castro with OurBabiesLife.com.

Microsoft has launched a web site outlining the minimum hardware requirements for the next version of the Windows operating system called windows Vista.  On the Microsoft "Get Ready" web site, the company has outlined the requirements for running both low-end versions of Vista or higher-end versions that take advantage of the OS’s new Aero graphical user interface capabilities.  The company differentiates between the two by calling the former a "Windows Vista Capable PC" and the latter a "Windows Vista Premium Ready PC."  Hardware requirements for a Vista Capable PC are a modern processor with a speed of at least 800 MHz, 512MB of system memory, and a graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.  A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC needs significantly more system resources to get up and running.  It must have at least a 1GHz processor, 1GB of system of system memory, 128MB of graphics memory, 40GB of hard drive capacity with 15GB free space, a DVD-ROM drive, audio output capabilities and Internet access.  It also needs a graphics processor that runs Windows Aero, which Microsoft defines as a DirectX 9 class graphics processor that supports a Windows Display Driver Model Driver, Pixel Shader 2.0 hardware, and 32 bits per pixel.  (HOLY COW – Got hardware?)

Samsung is set to debut a hybrid hard drive.  Imagine a Windows laptop that could boot up as much as 25 seconds faster, last up to 30 minutes longer when running on battery power, and be as much as five times more reliable that existing PCs.  That’s Samsung’s vision for the value of its new hybrid hard drive (HHD), a next generation drive that combines flash memory with traditional rotating magnetic storage.  The magnetic storage part of the drive will provide the high storage densities found in standard hard drive technology, while the flash part of the drive will provide the reliability, the fast read-write access, and the low power consumption.  When flash memory is being used, the hard drive remains idle, which can save battery power and make the drive less susceptible to damage.  The hard drive spins to "flush out" memory a few times every 10 to 20 minutes then returns to its idle state unless it is needed.  It’s expected that the hybrid drives will be marketed under the "ReadyDrive" brand name and released in conjunction with Vista’s rollout. 

These were just some of the topics discussed during the show.  Please take Tech Radio with you by burning the show to CD or subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast.  If you enjoy using technology or just want to know how technology is changing our everyday lives, Tech Radio is simply one the best technology shows available on the Internet.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Option 1: Click the PLAY button to stream the Tech Radio show.

Option 2: Subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast. When you subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast, you’re guaranteed to automatically receive the latest edition of the show the very second it’s uploaded on the Square Planet Productions website.

Option 3: Left click on the "MP3 File"link and the show will automatically begin playing on your Windows, REAL or iTunes audio player.  MP3 File

TECH RADIO WITH PATRICK WISCOMBE – MAY 13, 2006 -  Patrick filled in for Jackie McKay on the KSL Home Show this past weekend so the conversation naturally took on a technology flavor.  This week’s guests included one of the original member of the Tech Radio discussion panel, Matt Reinbold, with bloomburst.com, Chris Gibbons made his debut appearance on the show.  He works for MasterControl.  Ryan Castro also made his first appearance on the show and he wanted us to promote his own personal website – ourbabieslife.com.  We covered a lot of ground during this week’s show.  Sony dismissed concerns about the cost of their new Playstation 3 gaming console.  They said they would release two versions of the PS3 in North American on November 17, 2006.  The 20GB version would set you back a cool $499 and the 60GB version would cost $599.  Sony officials indicated they would have 4 million units ready to ship by the end of 2006 and another 6 million units ready by the end of the first quarter of 2007.  Sony’s new controller looks similiar to the Playstation 2 model but they’ve added motion sensors to detect movement. 

Samsung is saying that they now hold the honor of having the world’s thinnest mobile phone.  The phone, according to Samsung, is so thin it could double as a bookmark.  The new mobile device also serves as an MP3 player with 80MB storage capacity.  It also has Bluetooth capabilities for connecting wirelessly to other devices and a 2 megapixel camera for taking pictures.  The phone also had a video-out port that can be used to show pictures on TV sets or computer monitors.

These were just some of the topics discussed during the show.  Please take Tech Radio with you by burning the show to CD or subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast.  If you enjoy using technology or just want to know how technology is changing our everyday lives, Tech Radio is simply one the best technology shows available on the internet.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Option 1: Click the PLAY button to stream the Tech Radio show.

Option 2: Subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast. When you subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast, you’re guaranteed to automatically receive the latest edition of the show the very second it’s uploaded on the Square Planet Productions website.

Option 3: Left click on the "MP3 File"link and the show will automatically begin playing on your Windows, REAL or iTunes audio player.  MP3 File

TECH RADIO WITH PATRICK WISCOMBE – MAY 9, 2006 - Here a rundown of what was discussed during today’s show: 

PLAYSTATION 3 – I’m a huge fan of the Playstation gaming system so I was happy to hear that Sony finally announced the release date (November 17, 2006) for the new Playstation 3.  I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s having a coronary over the price.  Can you say second mortgage?  There will be two versions of the Playstation 3 – a $499 version with a 20 gigabyte hard drive and a 60 gigabyte version for $599.  Many of you know that there are two versions of the Xbox 360.  The most you would pay for the professional version of the Xbox 360 is $399.  This should be an interesting battle between the two main competitors – Sony and Microsoft.  Nintendo is also releasing their new gaming console call Wii (pronounced WE) soon, but Nintendo is really isn’t a factor in the gaming race.

WARNER BROTHERS – Warner Brothers will become the first major studio to distribute its films and TV shows over the Internet using peer-to-peer technology developed by BitTorrent.  Pricing is undetermined at this point but individual TV shows could be priced as low as $1 and movies will be sold for about the price of buying a DVD movie in a store.  The studio will also sell permanent copies of films and TV shows online that can be burned to a backup DVD, although the copy will only play on the computer used to download the film and not on standard DVD players.  (So much for the great idea.  At least the major studios are heading in the right direction now.)  Just in case you don’t know how BitTorrent works, they use a file sharing technique called "file swarming" to distribute large files.  Rather than download a single large file from one central computer, BitTorrect assembles files from the separate bits of data downloaded from other computer users across the Internet.

Some of the other topics we discussed during today’s show include:

• ITunes will start selling FOX TV Shows beginning today
• The "BotMaster" was sentenced to five years in prison.
• The Beatles management, called Apple Corps, lost their lawsuit against Apple Computer
• Steve Jobs invited the Beatles management company, Apple Corp, to join the iTunes music store.
• TiVo launched a service that will allow its customers to search for and watch extended commercials whey they choose. (yeah, I’m asking myself the same question.)
• McAfee launched an anti-virus product for Intel based Macs because they say the MAC OS X is vulnerable to more viruses.
• Samsung released the slimmest mobile phone ever.  When turned sideways, it disappears.  Just kidding.  The new phone is .27 inches thick.
• A California start-up plans to launch a free daily comic strip service delivered to mobile phone supported by advertising revenue.
• AT&T plans to expand its high-speed Internet offerings by selling satellite-based access to customers in rural areas who can’t use DSL.
• Microsoft announced that it had acquired Massive, a company that inserts advertising into video games.
• An online game that allows players that acquire huge amounts of fake money to cash in at real ATMs.
• AOL is unveiling a VoIP based service using AIM.

As you can see, there were a fair number of topics discussed during today’s show.  Please take Tech Radio with you by burning the show to CD or subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast.

Popularity: 11% [?]

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Option 1: Click the PLAY button to stream the Tech Radio show.

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Option 3: Left click on the "MP3 File"link and the show will automatically begin playing on your Windows, REAL or iTunes audio player.  MP3 File

Popularity: 11% [?]

Option 1: Click the PLAY button to stream the Tech Radio show.

Option 2: Subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast. When you subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast, you’re guaranteed to automatically receive the latest edition of the show the very second it’s uploaded on the Square Planet Productions website.

Option 3: Left click on the "MP3 File"link and the show will automatically begin playing on your Windows, REAL or iTunes audio player.  MP3 File

TECH RADIO WITH PATRICK WISCOMBE – APRIL 29, 2006

The flu/cold/strep bugs hit the Wiscombe family this past week so I need to apologize to all Tech Radio listeners for not recording the show until late Saturday afternoon.  I still feel pretty rough as I write this blog but I simply can’t lie down anymore.  As I mentioned, we finally recorded the show late Saturday afternoon.  Rob Merrill and Matt Reinbold were out of town this week so Mike McMullin with PC Laptops pinch hit and did an admirable job.  My thanks to Quinn at PC Laptops for letting me borrow Mike so we could record this week’s show.  Mike has been a hardware technician for the past 10 years so he knows his stuff.

Here’s a rundown of this week’s Tech Radio show:

Trojan Demands Ransom:  A new kind of malware circulating on the Internet freezes a computer and then asks for a ransom paid through the Western Union Holdings money transfer service.  The malware is one of only a few viruses so far that have asked for a ransom in exchange for releasing control of a computer.  Once the virus has been run, the Trojan freezes the computer displaying a message saying files are being deleted every 30 minutes.  It then gives instruction on how to send $10.99 via Western Union to free the computer.  Hitting the control, alt, and delete keys will not help your situation.  The author of the virus even offers tech support.  If the method of unlocking the computer doesn’t work after the money is sent, the virus writer promises to research the problem and includes an e-mail address.

MICROSOFT NEWS:  Microsoft has introduced a new program that will test to see if customers have a genuine version of its Office productivity suite.  The move is part of Microsoft’s continued effort to prevent software piracy and the distribution of counterfeit copies of its software.

Microsoft has confirmed that it plans to turn off half of the firewall in its new version of Windows Vista expected to ship in January 2007.  Microsoft says it doesn’t think most users need all the firewall’s functionality or can handle its management. 

Is your computer ‘Vista Ready?’  If you’ve been out shopping for a new PC recently, you’ve probably noticed the "Vista Ready" stickers on new machines.  While Microsoft hasn’t disclosed the minimum requirements for its new OS, it’s pretty safe to assume it will require some fairly hefty hardware requirements.  Most specs we found say it will require a minimum of 512MB RAM, a "modern" CPU, and a DirectX 9 graphics processor.  Remember, these are the minimum requirements.  You’ll need a lot more horsepower if you expect any of your software to run.

Some of the other topics we discussed during this week’s Tech Radio include:

• The Feds issue a security alert for the Firefox internet browser
• Microsoft is ramping up its XBOX 360 shipments
• Sony expects a tremendous start for Playstation 3 gaming system
• Nintendo is replacing the ‘Game Cube’ with Wii (pronounced WE)
• Miller Beer has signed an agreement with Tempra Technology to introduce self-cooling beer cans.
• The next version iPod could include touch screen technology and a larger screen so you can watch movies. 
• Sony is almost ready to introduce the iPod killer.  (yeah yeah yeah – hasn’t everybody)
• AT&T says they will offer its high speed Internet subscribers a movie delivery service from Starz.
• Skype says they have 100 million people using their service
• Phishers using VoIP technology to steal your identity.
• PhysX (pronounced physics) video gaming chips wants to make gaming  more realistic
• With gas prices nearing $3 a gallon, many U.S. residents are turning to the web to find which gas stations have the best prices in their neighborhood
• Rhode Island is building a state-wide wireless network expected to be online  by 2007

As you can see, we covered a fair number of topics during this week’s show.  Please take Tech Radio with you by burning the show to CD or subscribe to the Tech Radio podcast. 

Popularity: 10% [?]