HOUR 2:
Tech News & Commentary
Catherine in Raleigh, North Carolina listening on WPTF 680 AM asked: “I got an iPod Touch and have heard that there are various applications where you can rig it with a microphone to turn it into a phone that uses Skype or something like that, so it’ll have a phone function. Wondering if you knew how to do that.”
You can in fact use your iPod Touch as a phone, so to speak, with apps like Skype. But the catch is, you have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to do so, so you are still somewhat limited. You can’t be using it while driving down the street, unless you have a mobile hotspot, such as the Mi-Fi. But if you’re going to pay the monthly service for the mobile hotspot so you can use Skype, you might as well just get a phone. It’ll cost less.
You’re not just limited to the Skype App, though. There are tons of Apps available from the iPhone and iPod touch that you could look into. Vonage has one, too, but you’ll have to be a Vonage subscriber to use it. The same goes with Skype. It’s sort of a “Pay as you go” service. Unless you’re calling someone else who has Skype, that’s free … as are most of the VOiP apps that are available. Look into Fring as well. That’s another VOiP app you can use.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Wesley in Milwaukie, Oregon listening on XM called in with the following tip for other listeners: “I wanted to share about the Samsung Haven mobile phone. I’m totally blind and found that this phone is entirely accessible out of the box.”
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
John sent us the following email and asked: “I have very serious eye problems called ‘computer vision syndrome’ which is caused by computer screens (LED, LCD, CRT), TV’s, iPhones, basically any digital type screen. I work on the computer many hours each day and I cannot avoid this unless I get fired and become jobless. I’ve noticed e-ink screens don’t seem to cause these eye problems. Does anybody make e-ink large display computer screens? (at least 19″ inches or larger with a resolution of 1280×800 or higher)? If nobody makes e-ink displays for computers, can you think of any things that can be done to not suffer these debilitating eye problems while working on the computer? I also don’t know if using a projector instead of a computer screen would be ok for my eyes and others that suffer computer vision syndrome. I currently cannot afford an expensive projector to test this. I’ve been looking at the Epson ex71, but have no idea if it would solve this problem.”
Unfortunately, there are no e-ink displays for computers. The main reason people suffer from CVS (computer vision syndrome) is because your monitor is generally placed too far away for “reading” distance, but much closer than driving, or “far” distance. It’s in what’s referred to as the intermediate vision zone. When you work at a computer for any length of time, it’s common to experience eyestrain, blurred vision and other symptoms of CVS. This is because the visual demands of computer work are unlike those associated with most other activities. If you’re under age 40, eye strain or blurred vision during computer work may be due to an inability of your eyes to remain accurately focused on your screen or because your eyes have trouble changing focus from your keyboard to your screen and back again for prolonged periods. These focusing (accommodation) problems often are associated with CVS.
One of the ways to alleviate this problem is with “Computer Glasses.” these glasses can be just plain glass, have a prescription, and generally include an anti-reflective coating. Sometimes called anti-glare treatment, anti-reflective (AR) coatings eliminate reflections of light from the front and back surfaces of your lenses that can cause eyestrain. Some eye doctors also recommend that a light, contrast-enhancing tint be added to lenses for computer glasses. These tints help reduce glare caused by harsh overhead lighting found in many office environments. It’s really best to talk to an eye doctor, rather than buying them over the counter. Before you do, measure how far you generally sit from your screen. Measure from the screen to the bridge of your nose and give that measurement to your eye doctor. They will be able to then determine the power you need. You can find computer glasses starting at around $20 at places like Walmart.
Joshua in Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 asked: “Trying to find out what is the best way to get rid of McAfee Antivirus software off the registry and everything. I don’t know how to mess with the registry at all. What is the best of the free anti-virus programs available on the Internet?”
The best way to get rid of any program is to uninstall it using the uninstall routine that comes with the program. However, that process depends on the uninstall information that was created during the installation to still be there. If it’s been removed or altered, you’re stuck. In which case, you need to use an uninstaller utility. If you have a 32-bit operating system, you can use the free version of Revo Uninstaller, but if you need the ultimate in clean, or you’re running 64-bit Windows, then you’ll need to buy the Pro version.
Let’s assume, however, that either through the built-in uninstall routine or using the Windows Add/Remove Programs tool, you were able to get the program off your computer. To clean your registry, there are two things we can recommend to you. One is the registry cleaner that Microsoft has online as the Windows Live Clean Up Center. The other is one of our favorite free programs, CCleaner. Both of these will clean your registry for you.
The recommendation we’d have for you right now would be Microsoft’s Security Essentials, a free product from Microsoft, that’s done remarkably well in antivirus benchmarks. In the past, we’ve recommended Avira, Avast, and AVG Free, and these are not bad programs, but the Microsoft one actually has been impressive for its detection rates and low system overhead, and it’s free.
Guest in this hour – Interview recorded at CEA Industry Forum in San Francisco, CA
Jon Healey, Editorial Writer – Los Angeles Times
Are connected TVs worth buying? Jon discusses some of the top tech trends to watch.
Bill in Clarksville, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 FM asked: “Trying to figure out if there’s anything that can help me understand the wireless interference that’s going on in my house. I seem to drop the wireless signal all the time. Want to figure out if there’s a better way to position the router, or find out what’s causing all the interference. I have direct line of sight with the router and it still drops.”
Assuming your router is working properly, you’re probably facing just what you said, wireless interference. Since your connection drops under line of sight conditions, we can assume there’s something in the air blocking the signal from getting to your devices. The cause though could be a very long list. Anything from cordless phones to microwave ovens to other Wi-Fi or WiMAX networks to outside antennas or wireless security cameras can affect a wireless network.
Unless you know you have one of those devices near your Wi-Fi router and you can move either the cause of the interference or the router, you should go to your router’s settings and change the wireless channel being used to broadcast the signal.
Mark from “Into Tomorrow” uses a program called Vistumbler that runs on Windows Vista or Windows 7 and maps out what wireless access points you can see, how strong their signal is, and what channel they’re on. If you have more than one strong signal on the same channel, that is one of the most common reasons for WiFi drop outs. Vistumbler is a free download.
For more information, click here, or tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Katy in Dallas, Texas asked: “Looking for a new GPS. Which is the best, most user friendly and, also, not too pricey?”
Most are very affordable these days and there still are many to choose from. One that we can recommend right off is the Garmin nuvi 260 W. It’s a touchscreen interface that gives you turn by turn directions with voice-over guides.
Chris still uses the Garmin nuvi 660. That one has been discontinued, because it’s such an old product, but he has been extremely happy with it. Each year, he purchases the new maps and loads them into the device to keep it up to date. But he hasn’t really seen the need to upgrade.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
chicBuds: chicboom keychain speakers
Keyware: “VeriKey” – A USB device that monitors all office computer activity. For managers to know what is happening on the company computers.
PG Key: “PG Key” – A device that plugs into your children’s computer’s USB port and immediately creates a safer and more “kid friendly” online environment.