Opera Unite: Sharing Data
One of the coolest features about the new Opera Browser is it's ability to share data with other people. Opera Unite, is a way to share music, files, and even host a website from your own computer. All you need is an Opera Account, the latest build of Opera with Unite, and an internet connection. Once you setup a directory to keep your files in, Unite will create a url others can use to access your computer. You can password protect your files or share them publicly.
Check out this video from the Opera Unite Support Site to learn more:
Public Transit & the Palm Pre
For a few months now, the iPhone has had an app for the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority). MassTransit(TM), created by the local Cambridge, MA company Sparkfish Creative, includes schedule information for all MBTA services. There isn't an app like this for the Palm Pre just yet, but I've grouped a few apps together that provides a similar functionality.
First on my list is Google Maps. Google Maps has transit directions. All you have to do is put in your current location (or have auto locate enabled which will enter your location for you), your destination, and the time you are leaving. It will give you a list of various times and routes you can choose from.
Google Maps Transit Directions
Second on my list is FeedReader. After you input the MBTA's RSS Feed in to the app, you'll be able to view all of the service alerts that the MBTA posts (Note: There will be a lot of service alerts throughout the day).
FeedReader MBTA RSS
Finally, third on my list is PDF Viewer. The MBTA provides a downloadable map of it's transit services in Portable Document Format. Although I don't use this (since I have memorized the MBTA's map), I have included this to round out my list.
PDF Viewer MBTA Map
Although this is not the most eligant solution, until a developer creates a fully functioning app for the MBTA, this is a free alternative for people living in the Boston area using the Palm Pre.
Backing Up DVD’s (Personal Use Only)
Making a backup of a DVD should be easy... right? Wrong! All recently released DVD's from big film companies have some sort of encryption to prevent you from creating back ups. Why would you want to create a backup of a movie that you paid for and own? DVD's, like CD's are vulnerable to scratches and dents. If this happens the disk becomes unreadable meaning you'd have to shell out another $20 to get a new copy with the risk of it happening again.
There are a few open source and freeware options that are available but fall short when it comes to the most recent movies (such as "Star Trek" 2009). Options that I have used in the past required a set of several programs to produce 1 movie usually taking a few hours to complete.
Recently, the good people at Giveaway of the Day and Digiarty Software allowed people to freely download WinX DVD Ripper Platinum. Normally $29.95, this program has performed flawlessly (with one exception). Even at $29.95, this software is a bargain considering it creates a backup of your movie library preventing you from losing potentially hundreds of dollars if your disks become broken.
WinX DVD Ripper Platinum
I also suggest downloading the open source program XBMC, which is a media player and entertainment hub for digital media on your computer. This program is able to use the internet to download information about your movies to sort them (by actor, year, genre, etc.). By enabling UPnP, game consoles like the PS3 will be able to see your computer as a media server and you will be able to steam your movies from your computer to your TV.
Disclaimer: This website is NOT endorsing the use of these programs for illegal file sharing. Use these programs for personal backup of DVD's you already own. Use these programs at your own risk.
New Computer? Need Apps? Enter Ninite.
If you're like me, you may have just purchased a Windows 7 machine. Once you find and buy a new computer, the "helpful" staff may suggest software you should buy to install on your new machine (and give them more commission). Before you splurge a few hundred dollars more, you should check out Ninite which lets you download several free and open source programs all at once.
The simple interface splits the software into several categories (Web Browsers, Messaging, Media, etc.). Just check off the programs that you wish to download and install and press the large green "Get Installer" button all the way at the bottom. Save the installer to your desktop and run it. It installs everything with no need for user input.
Ninite Easy PC Setup
I tried this to download three pieces of software and it worked seamlessly. This should be the first stop for anyone looking for new (free) applications for their systems.
AVG 9 Not Playing Nice?
There is an apparent glitch in the latest release of AVG, an antivirus program, which is not playing nice with full screen applications (i.e. Games). The software's official forum claims that the problem will be fixed in the near future and provides a download to a temporary fix.
Remember, being protected from viruses and other forms of malware is important... especially in the age of the always connected internet. Make sure you have an up-to-date antivirus installed on your computer and scan regularly.
Making Your Own PS3 Themes For Free
If you have the an image editor, a text editor, an USB drive, and a PS3... You are on your way to making your own PS3 themes! Sounds simple enough right?
To start off you'll need to download a compiler that Sony offers free of charge (The file is compressed, so you'll need a program like 7zip to uncompress it). You can find the official download on the PS3 site here (Look for "PS3 Custom Theme Toolbox (Zip)" and click).
Once unzipped, you'll be able to find a sample theme located in PS3_CustomThemeToolbox\p3tcompiler_v101\sample\01. I recommend making a copy of the 01 folder renaming it 02. The sample.xml file, located in the new 02 folder, contains all the information used by the compiler to generate the theme. Here you can change author information, language settings, and all of the locations of the images used in your theme using a text editor like Notepad.
Backgrounds are jpegs. You should have at least two backgrounds, one for HD (1920x1080) and one for SD (640x480) resolutions. All of the other images used in the theme are png files. I suggest using an image editor like Gimp or Paint.net to edit the images that come with the theme.
Now that all your images are edited and your xml file is saved, you can now compile the files into a single theme file. Simply drag your xml file and drop it on the p3tcompiler.exe file located in PS3_CustomThemeToolbox\p3tcompiler_v101. This will open a command prompt that will generate your theme file which will be saved in the same folder your xml and image files are located.
Your newly created p3t file can now be moved to your USB drive to be installed on your PS3. On your USB drive create a folder called PS3, inside that folder create another called THEME. Copy the p3t file to the theme folder (Example: E:\PS3\THEME\sample.pt3).
Take your USB drive and plug it in to the PS3. Go to Settings> Theme Settings> Theme> Install. Chose the USB drive and chose the theme. The theme is now installed and will be available from the Theme options. Select the theme and then select Apply.
Here is an example of a Theme I have created. The theme is provided free of charge below the video.
Download Theme
Horror in the Public Domain?
Who doesn't like old campy horror movies from the 1950's to get in to the spirit of Halloween? The Internet Archive host a multitude of movies and television shows which have entered into the public domain. For those that don't know, "The Internet Archive (IA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and maintaining a free and openly accessible online digital library, including an archive of the World Wide Web." - Wikipedia
IA hosts about 49 titles in the "horror" category (some entries have been duplicated, some may be better quality uploads). 1968's Night of the Living Dead and 1962's The Brain That Wouldn't Die are two good examples of films in the library. These films have entered into the public domain and are available for free to download. If downloading isn't your thing, they also stream the movie on the site (akin to youtube, hulu, etc.).
Link to the Horror Movie Category!
Have a Spooky Safe and Haunted Happy Holiday!
More Free Software Please!
Premium software is good, but not at the premium price. What if there was a site that offered premium software at a price of... oh, I don't know... FREE! Look no further, Giveaway of the Day is here to give you your software fix. You're thinking there must be a catch, right? Well, there is... You only have 24 hours from when the software was posted to download and install it on a computer. The download consists of a compressed file (.zip file) that includes the installer and a readme.txt file. The readme.txt file gives detailed information on how to install and activate the product. The site promises that all files are virus/ad-ware free. The software downloaded is presented "as is" with no tech support, upgrades, and must be for personal use. If you use twitter you can follow the site here: @GiveawayotDay.
Screencap of the "Giveaway of the Day" site.
There is also a sister site for games, Game Giveaway of the Day, which seems to be updated less frequently but may also be worth a look.
Wanna Type Faster?
Sitting at a computer has made everyone a typist. If you want to be able to work proficiently, you should probably look into... I don't know... learning how to type! Typing tutor software has been around for as long as I can remember (Who doesn't remember those old DOS programs? Anyone?). Software can typically run you from between $10 and $50, but why pay for something when a community of programmers can offer you something just as good but for free? Enter the open source program TypeFaster Typing Tutor.
TypeFaster User Install
The beauty of this little gem is that you can setup multiple user accounts and track your progress and even use it in the classroom. There is a Teacher mode which allows you to view the progress of all the accounts (During the install you have to select Multiple Users and Support for Teachers). If you add multiple users, once you open the program you'll have to setup a new user (or teacher) before you can begin (single users can ignore this).
TypeFaster GUI
The user interface is dominated by an onscreen keyboard which highlights the key you should press in red. A white text box displays your cursor underneath the character you need to type as well. There are several built-in lessons and the software also lets you make a customized one. You can track your progress and even play a typing inspired jet fighter game.
I have used this at several computer labs and have had much success with it. One of the draw backs I have seen with similar programs is that there is too much flash. This can cause a distraction especially with younger children. This program does what it is supposed to do and does it well with a simple interface.
Free Font Creator!?!
Update: This service is no longer free. Please refer to the following post for more information. http://www.novacharter.com/2010/09/free-no-more-font-capture/
I've wanted to create my own font for years... and I mean, who wouldn't want to make a font? I've looked into font creators and they can be pretty pricey, from around $100 to $300! I've looked into open source font creators but never found anything that really works. I follow @chrispirillo on twitter. There he introduced me to this FREE online font creator called Font Capture.
Font Capture is extremely easy to use. All you need is a printer, scanner, and an internet connection and you're ready to go. First, go to their website http://www.fontcapture.com to download and print out their supplied PDF file. This file is a grid like piece of paper that will be used to write in your letters and other characters (they recommend using a black marker pen). Make sure you pay special to the placement of your characters on the grid!
Next, scan the paper in as a PNG or a JPG. After a few moments, your font is processed and ready to download and install (Windows= Drag and drop into the C:\Windows\Fonts folder | Macs= Double click and click Install Font).
I was truly impressed with the results I received, even on a rushed demo, and plan to use this resource again in the future.
Quick example of Font Capture
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