Archive for October, 2008

Tech Survey!

Posted by AppleMitch2008 on October 31, 2008 at 16:50 pm

I thought I should let the readers and writers of SaltyTech know a bit more about me, So I though what better way than for me to do a Harrys Tech Survey, So here it is!

1. What is the main OS you use today
I use Windows Vista as my main OS although i cant wait for Windows seven.

2. How many desktops do you own
I own one desktop, Which is a Compaq Pasario

3. How many Laptops do you own
I own 2 laptops which include a Acer aspire 5040 and a Dell Inspiron

4. What is the highest spec system you currently use
The highest spec system would be the Dell Inspiron.

5. What is the highest spec system you have ever used
The highest spec system I’ve EVER used is a Apple Mac Pro. It’s amazing and i hope to get it soon

6. Which piece of software do you run, that is the most system hungry i.e Photoshop, Final Cut etc.
The most system hungry would be between Adobe Photoshop CS3 extended or Adobe Dreamweaver CS3

7. Software you use for photo editing
Adobe photoshop CS3 extended.

8. Software you use for Movie editing
Windows movie maker, but I don’t video edit.

9. What is your current web browser
My current and favourite web browser is Mozilla firefox

10. Is your current browser the best you have ever used, if not; which was
Yes, Firefox FTW

11. Which do you prefer Mac OSX, MS Windows, Linux, Unix, BeOS or any other
I would say Microsoft Windows because i’ve used it since i was about 7 and i know it in and out. I am also hoping to learn how to use Mac OS X and Linux Ubuntu.

12. If you have used windows before which has been your favorite version, i.e Win 95, Win 98 etc.
My favourite by a long way would be Microsoft Windows XP

13. If you have used Mac’s before which has been you favorite version, i.e OS9, Panther, Tiger etc
My favourite would have to be Mac OS X 10.5 leopard because of the 300+ additional features

14. Do you have any Tech related qualifications
Nopee, i’m 13 lol.

15. Out of all the technology revolutionaries, who do you most think inspires you. (S. Jobs, B. Gates, S. Wozniak, P. Allen etc etc)
I would say Steve jobs because he gave us Apple!

16. If you could have any gadget in the world not yet invented to help you what would it be and do for you.
I’d make a room tidying device, so it can tidy my room and make my workspace look a bit neater. :P

17. Which search engine do you use
Google all the way

18. What is your favorite Apple product of all time
My favourite Apple  product of all time is either the iPod or the iPhone

19. Have you ever tried a Linux distribution
No i have not.

20. Can you program and if so what languages
I can program in basic HTML and thats it.

21. Have you ever developed your own Web Page or for another person
I’m in the process of developing a web page for myself!

22. Which Office suite do you use, MS Office, Neo, Lotus 123 etc
I’ve used MS office forever lol, so i’ll be sticking with that.

23. Have you ever opened a Laptop to repair or upgrade
I dont think i have , but i do open them and take them apart for fun.

24. Do you own an iPhone or iPod Touch
i own an iPod touch but its in the cupboard, ready for Xmas lol.

25. If you answer yes to above what is you favorite App for the iPhone or iPod Touch
Although i dont have one YET, my favourite app is still Twitteriffic. Genius!

26. Do you hold stocks with a Technology Company, just Yes or No, no personal details.
Not yet

27. What do you see for the future of Technology.
Macbooks you can fit in your pocket; 16 terrabite hard drives !

28. Do you have a network running in your Home
I Have a NETGEAR network running in my home.

29. Favorite Computer related movie
Pirates of sillicon valley or Hackers

30. What is your opinion of the Apple logo
The apple logo is so simple yet effective. its great!

31. What is your opinion of the Windows logo.
I think its good, but could be improved.

32. Do you own a Tech Tool Kit for computers
Nope i don’t.

33. Which games console do you prefer
I’m gonna go with Xbox 360 all the way!

34. How long have you been using computers for?
Since i was about seven, so about seven years

35. Do you have external Storage backing up your work.
yes, i have a 500 gb mybook which contains all my music , video and important files.

36. Is your network wireless or hard line
Wireless FTW

37. Do you use your computer for your main source of income (No personal details)
No, but i hope too.

38. Would you class yourself as a Geek
Yes, i do. I’m a geek and proud.

39. Would you class your computer usage as an obsession
Yeah, i would :P lol

40. Have you watched Pirates of Silicon Valley and if so what did you think
I did watch it, and u think it was a great movie

So there it is guys, more about me and my techness. lol. Hope you enjoyed reading it!

-Mitch

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Filed Under: Computers

Fring

Posted by Admin on October 26, 2008 at 13:39 pm

Fring is a great app for the iPod Touch and the iPhone. What the app allows you to do is connect to your Skype, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, AIM, and Twitter, just to name a few. This is the only app I have seen that can connect to your Skype. It works great, and the best part is the app FREE!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2416289746_fa5e9c45bc.jpg?v=0

There are many apps that allow you to chat with your friends on your iPod Touch or iPhone but what’s special about this one is its ability to have voice chats. This will work great for iPhone users but if you want to call from your iPod Touch you will need to buy the new iPod earphones that have a microphone on the cable. The price is the still $30 with the microphone. I might be getting them soon myself!

Overall the app is a great buy. It does what it says it does, and personally I haven’t had a single problem with it. That’s why I give Fring a 5 out of 5! Go ahead and buy it if you need a portable voice chat app, you have nothing to loose.

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Filed Under: Apps

October Keynote

Posted by Stuart on October 17, 2008 at 15:46 pm

This was a pretty cool keynote. Overall, Apple rolled out some cool new products. But they did make some mistakes.

New to Apple is a new display port (like always). From the pictures, it looks like the size of the mini-dvi ports, and the shape of firewire 400 ports. It ships with the new MacBooks, MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, and Displays.
Graphics
Apple has been talking with NVIDIA for the past couple of months. They have been working on a new graphics card that will suit the new MacBooks. They accomplished their task, and brought some nice graphics in. The new processor is now 5 times faster than the old one. This makes gaming on the laptops much better and more responsive. The new standard laptop graphics card is the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. The next step is the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT (only available for the MacBook Pros). These graphics cards combine the Chipset and GPU into one piece. 70% of the card is GPU. The 9400M has 54 Gigaflops of performance, the 9600M GT has 120.
Trackpads
The new trackpads are now GLASS. They say this will be better for moving your mouse, finger gestures, and overall use. They also got rid of the button. Now, the whole trackpad is the button. You can actually “Click It”, or just turn on the “tap” feature. It is also supportive with software, so you can customize the spot for each click (for example, the right click).
MacBooks
Apple did a very good job at designing the new MacBooks. It has less materials used to make it, and also has a new design process. Before, the laptops were made from many parts. This can make it less strong, and heavier. Now, it is made from a single piece of steel that is shaped with different things by computers. This process was first introduced with the MacBook Air. It is now used for all the laptops. Apple has also transitioned into LED backlit screens. This makes the color stand out more, make it instant on, and overall more bright. It also has a battery life of about 5 hours. Thats a lot, compared to the 2-3 hours on the old ones. The new MacBooks does NOT have a FireWire 400 OR 800 port, which makes me worry a lot. The battery indicator is now on the side with the ports, instead of on the bottom. Apple is also selling the old MacBooks at $999.
Pros of the new MacBook:
Better Design
Better Graphics Card (5 x Faster)
LED Backlit (If Chosen)
Battery Indicator moved
SSD (Solid State Drive) Available As An Option
Cons of the new MacBook:
Glossy Screen ONLY
Different Video Port (May Or May Not Be A Con)
Higher Priced
NO FireWire Ports AT ALL
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro has the same design process as the new MacBook. It has the same graphics card, but also has an additional one, the 9600M GT. This card is the state-of-the art mobile graphics card. You can choose if you want to use either one. With the 9400, you get 5 Hours of battery life. With the 9600 you get 4 Hours of battery life. Again, same trackpad. It has the same ports, but has added a FireWire 800 and Express Card/34. Apple also sells the old MacBook pros if you prefer them.
Pros of the new MacBook Pro
Two graphics cards (you can choose which one at any time)
SSD or HDD
Glass Trackpad
Backlit Keyboard as Default
LED Screen
Cons of the new MacBook Pro
Has only a FireWire 800; not a 400
Glossy Screen Only
Different Video Port (May Or May Not Be A Con)
New LED Apple Display
This new Cinema display is a total upgrade from the old ones. It now has an iSight camera, mic, and speakers built-in. It is thinner, and looks a bit like the new iMac (don’t all the new products?) It also has a new cable that comes with it. This new cable has three extensions at the end: A MagSafe power adapter (to charge/power your laptop), the new Display port (to plug into your laptop for video feed), and a USB cord (to make the 3 USB ports on the back operative). The speakers are in the same spot as the iMacs. Apple also sells the old displays with no upgrades/new features.
Pros of the new Cinema Display:
LED Lit
Built-In iSight, Mic, and Speakers
Cords to plug into your laptop
USB Hub
Cons of the new Cinema Display:
Possibly Glossy-Only (POSSIBLY)
Video cord doesn’t come with adapters. If you want it to work with older laptops, you have to buy an adapter.
Only comes in 24 inch size.
Other Things Discussed
MacBook is the #1 Selling Mac
Over the last few quarters, Mac sales have gone up 2-3%
Vista is one reason why Mac Sales have gone up.
All new MacBooks qualify for the EPEAT Gold Medal from the EPA.
No toxins in ANY part of the products
With the new manufacturing process, all cut material is recycled.
Made of recyclable materials
4 Finger Gestures

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Filed Under: Apple

Apple Notebook Event

Posted by Admin on October 13, 2008 at 19:50 pm

http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/10/09/121502-top_400.jpg

As most of you may know by now, tomorrow is the Apple Notebook Event. The Macbook, Macbook Pro and possibly the Macbook Air will be upgraded and prices will drop. I don’t think the iMac will receive any big changes other than a price drop. Those are just some of my predictions but tomorrow we will see what happens.

What are your predictions? Please leave a comment letting me know.

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Filed Under: Apple

New Nintendo DS

Posted by Admin on October 4, 2008 at 14:31 pm

As some of you may know Nintendo held a major press conference on Oct. 2nd. Nintendo announced the new NDS, which will be called the DSi. It looks a lot like the NDS Lite, but with a few new features.

One thing that really surprised me was the new DS has two cameras. One where the mic. used to be and the other on the outside. (The mic. is still there next no the camera, they did not remove it). I belive the one on the outside is 3MP and the camera on the inside is probablly VGA.

The DSi will have a build in web browser and a new feature called the “DSi Shop”. Users will be able to buy content over Wi-Fi using the new Nintendo Points. There will also be support for a SD card.

The LED’s will be moved over to the left side of the DSi, and a new LED will be added. It will show if you are connected to the Wi-Fi network.

The screens will be updated. They will be at 3.25 in. each compared to the DS Lite which has 3.0 in. screens. The graphics might be upgraded too but I don’t think they will be like the PSP’s graphics. Sadly there will be no GBA support which is a downside because Guitar Hero On Tour came out not too long ago.

The DSi will be released on November 1st in Japan and later next year in the US. The DSi will compete with things such as the iPod and other media devices.

For more info on the DSi click here.

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Filed Under: News

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