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Tech News & Commentary
Jim in Dixon, Tennessee listens on WTN 99.7 asked: “Wi-Fi service – I live near a place that has free Wi-Fi but I can’t quite get it. Do I have any options for a booster that I can put on my computer to receive Wi-Fi a little farther away?”
The only antenna we have actually tested that boosts WiFi reception is the C.Crane Super USB WiFi Antenna 3. It retails for $100 and in our experience it does improve reception.
Basically, the antenna plugs into your computer via a USB port, and installs as a network card, so it doesn’t boost the reception of your current card, it’s just a second, more sensitive independent piece of hardware. There are other antennas that you can look at that cost a lot less, think $10-$15 range, but we can’t tell you whether or not they actually work.
Other than that, since you’re going to be pointing it to a fixed spot, you could look into a Yagi antenna, like Michael in hour 1 plans to use on his travels. Just make sure that you have either a router or some kind of network card that will take an outside antenna, if you go with that option.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Facebook and Twitter Participation: We asked
your opinion about Instagram’s new policy change that allows them to sell your photos to a third party without notifying or paying you. Here is what some of our listeners had to say…
Some of the answers we shared on the show:
Laura said: That’s unbelievable! But – since Facebook owns Instagram, does that mean they will start owning our content that we post on Facebook?
Bart said: They can kiss my butt and I wouldn’t use Instagram.
Sal said: I think that was their plan all along (wish I thought of it). We can maybe call it a “reverse-Getty-Images strategy”. The photog’s payment is that the service is free. As a businessman, I have to be objective and applaud that although I will be buying myself a nice Nikon for Xmas. I would indeed like to hear their pitch after looking through my Instagram pics.
John said: Don’t use Instagram. Never have, never will.
Kristine said: Not happy and not surprised.
Alexandre said: No one is forcing you to use Instagram but it sucks that this is happening, that’s the Zuckinator for you.
Beth said: Well if we put the pictures on free public sites we should expect such things. Although sharing a piece of the profits with the photo owners would be nice.
Victor said: Thanks for the warning Dave I will delete and uninstall. I will also advise and warn all my contacts. This sounds like stealing my art work.
Twitter:
@MarcoAcostaS said: That’s not ok for user’s privacy. I think that the fact that you share a picture through Instagram doesn’t mean that you want it to be public for somebody else or even worse that they can just pay some money to get all your pictures. And what do we get?
@BLopezMIA said: I’m really not happy about that.
@lugoadvertising: Return them right where they started, in the garage.
@StarFortress said: Sounds like it’s time for people to stop using Instagram. (I don’t and haven’t ever. No devices that use it.)
Jan in Raleigh, North Carolina listens on WPTF 680 AM – Rob read asked: “Love your show, I learn a lot and it has saved me from purchasing the wrong product. 1) What do you recommend for transferring VHS tapes to dvd?and 2) What camera would you recommend for an average photographer for taking action shots? I’d just like to be able to take good action shots of animals and family without breaking the bank.”
The easiest (and most cost-effective) way to get VHS on to DVD is to use a product like the VHS to DVD from Honestech, or a similar product. Assuming you have a VHS player, you connect a little white box that comes with the VHS to DVD software to your VHS player and the other end has a USB connector that obviously goes to your computer. The software is all included to capture, edit and burn the videos right to a DVD. Depending on where you look, you can get the VHS to DVD software starting around $65.
As far as which camera is good for taking action shots… Most cameras – even the point and shoots – will do a pretty good job of that. The majority of point and shoot cameras have a “sports” mode or something similar that will automatically change the camera’s settings to capture fast moving subjects. Now, the downside of some point and shoot cameras is shutter lag, especially when the camera is trying to auto focus. If you went with a Digital SLR – they are more expensive – but they give you total control over your picture taking. Many of them will also take pictures in rapid succession so you’re sure to get the shot you want.
There are also “hybrid” cameras which are sort of a cross between SLRs and point and shoots. One that we have used and love is the Olympus PEN cameras. These have the body of a point and shoot camera, but still give you interchangable lenses and allow you to shoot in manual focus mode, which can make getting that shot quicker, since you can set your focus and shoot without waiting for the camera to focus each time you hit the shutter button. You can find the Olympus PEN cameras starting between $300 and $400.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Guests in this hour:
Jody Rohlema, Deputy Editor – ShopSmart Magazine
What are the “Best Shopping Sites and Apps” of 2012? Jody shares the list with us and offers some helpful tips.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT with Rob: Last-Minute Tech Gifts
We’re only a few days away from the Christmas holiday. Need to pick up some last-minute presents or stocking stuffers? Rob’s up next with a few tech gifts suggestions for you, and remember it’s okay for you to spend money on tech items for yourself!
1) GPS Cradles for Smartphones
Many smartphone users have been using their phones as their source for GPS directions. But, not everyone thinks about buying a GPS cradle to hold their phone in a position where they can see the maps and directions and drive SAFELY at the same time. There are many navigation cradle options available these days for both Android and iOS devices. Some are phone-specific products, but there are also universal ones. Check your local electronics store. Most are quite affordable.
2) Lightning Adapter for New iDevices
With the creation of the iPhone 5 came a new dock and charging connector for iDevices, including the iPad mini. That means that our old 30-pin connector chargers and docks do not work with the new “Lightning Connector”. So Apple created the 30-pin to Lightning adapter which is sold separately for $29. You can buy this online, but it might not arrive on-time to be gift wrapped, so you may want to visit the nearest Apple Store.
) Portable Wireless Speakers
Music lovers like me enjoy taking our tunes with us everywhere, but our device speakers aren’t usually the best. So we invest in PORTABLE speakers. We’re fans of the wireless speakers that work via Bluetooth. They pair easily with compatible smartphones and tablets. We’ve featured several in the past. Prices vary in this category depending on the brand.
4) Photo Creations at Home
If you’re looking for something to create at home, photography projects are a sweet gift for family and friends. For example, printer manufacturers like HP offer free software that help you create unique calendars, postcards, photo books, photo cubes and lots more to help you PERSONALIZE your gifts. Visit your printer manufacturers’ website for ideas and to download any software required, in case you don’t have it already installed.
5) Gift Cards!
John in Decatur, Illinois listening on WSOY 1340 called and asked: “Computers – What’s a good software that hides your IP address?”
Your IP address doesn’t really come from your computer itself, it’s assigned to you by your ISP and it’s required to be able to communicate with you. So completely hiding it is not always possible, someone at some point needs to know it to be able to send you information.
To hide your IP from the end point of your connection, you can go through a proxy server or a VPN first and have them act as a middleman. The proxy will need to know your address to find you, your ISP will need to know it too, but whatever pages you open will think the middleman is opening them and not you. This doesn’t make you invisible or untraceable, so if you’re thinking about doing anything that makes it necessary for you to hide, you may want to think again.
Now, there is some software that will route your connection from proxy servers without you having to do it manually. You can try Hide IP, or the Tor Network (though Tor will probably be extremely slow). Anonymizer also offers solutions for both homes and small businesses.
Just keep in mind that whatever you use may fool the website you’re visiting, but it doesn’t make you truly anonymous. If you do something illegal, you can still be tracked down. It just takes a few extra steps.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners:
Audiofly: Several AF33M in-ear headphones with microphone
Bedol: Several Bedol Water Clocks – A water powered alternative energy alarm clock. Does not require batteries or electricity. Just fill with normal everyday tap water.
Covington Creations: Earbud yo-yo – A simple solution to tangled earbuds.
[Fuse]Chicken: Une Bobine for iPhone and Petite Bobine for Android — This is a flexible and eclectic stand and charging cable for iPhone/iPod Touch (30-pin connector) and Micro USB for Android.
Magellan: RoadMate 5265T-LMB GPS – With FREE lifetime map updates and traffic alerts.