Installing Windows 7

imageWell I am still on Windows XP despite having had two copies of Windows 7 for a couple of days now. The problem stems from the fact that the version of Windows 7 I want to install on my XP machine has been downloaded (legally) but I need to run it from a DVD as a fresh install. You would think that this would be no problem but the files arrive from Microsoft as an exe and a couple of box files. This are expanded out into the disk contents on your hard drive but that is useless if you … Read the rest

Isn’t this due on Thursday?

image When I got home this evening there was a parcel awaiting for me. Much to my surprise it contained my copy of Windows 7. I had been told by the supplier (PC World) that they had been embargoed by Microsoft from delivering these before the official launch day of October 22nd. I’m not sure if this was a pre-emptive strike (every pun intended) to avoid any industrial action by the postal workers at the end of the week or just an act of kindness on the part of PC World. Either way it is gratefully accepted and expect me to … Read the rest

The Gadget Show Apps

IMG_0670On the Gadget Show this week they had an interesting challenge. Suzy and Jason were pitted against each other to produce an application for a mobile device. The winner would be the one that got the most downloads.

After almost 30 seconds of deliberation they both chose to develop an application for the iPhone, simply because this was the most mature of all and was likely to give them the widest possible audience. And with a couple of billion downloads under its belt who can blame them for going this route?

Suzy elected to create a game while Jason wanted … Read the rest

So Now What?

image So I received my invitation to Google Wave today and for a full thirty seconds there was much excitement as if I’d had an invite to the party of the year. So I logged in and then the realisation hit me that I have no one to connect to on the service and not the first idea of how to use it.

I watched the introductory video of some mad Australian in a lab coat explaining what each area of the screen does and then decided that Wave is a lonely experience right now.

So I put out a message … Read the rest

My “other” USB Key

My "other" USB keyFollowing on from yesterdays post the above is what I carried around before the “Key” key.

While it did have the advantage of being credit card sized and so would fit into my pocket and did have some sort of geeky street cred (or so I like to think), it was when I pulled it out at a business meeting that eyebrows were raised.

I can’t quite give up my Tardis USB key just like it would be difficult to give up my Tardis 4-port hub…… Read the rest

USB Key Key

PictureYes it looks like an ordinary house key (well if you don’t look too closely) but in fact it is a USB memory stick cleverly disguised to look like a house key.

I don’t often have call for a memory stick these days but when you need one they are invaluable and to have one always around without having to dig into your gadget bag only to find you have left it at home would be great.

In the past I have tried to attach memory sticks to my key ring but they always broke off due to having weedy … Read the rest

3 mifi Review

mifiFor a number of years now I have been using mobile broadband with my laptop using a usb dongle. I have taken service from mobile provider 3 and it has been a pretty reliable and cost effective way of getting web access when I have been out and about. My current contract gives me 1gb of data for only £5 per month.

When I got back from holiday recently I noticed that 3 had released their “mifi” device. This is a small unit that allows you to share your mobile broadband connection with a number of local users over wifi. … Read the rest

Moving to Windows 7

So I have slowly been getting my PC ready for the arrival of Windows 7.

I have had my existing machine for about four years now and it is beginning to show its age with it being slow to start and, at times, sluggish in operation. The underlying architecture of the machine is still fine (P4 3.4 GHz & 2GB Ram) and particularly when considering how my computing requirements have changed over the last four years. All of this has led me to believe a fresh install of Windows is going to give the machine a new lease of life … Read the rest

Querying the Skype SQL Database

What is Skype? by malthe.I discovered recently that the latest version of Skype (v4) now holds all users session data, such as your chats, in a SQL database. What’s more it is easy to write queries using standard SQL to query the database and extract data. Here I’ll show you how.

Skype uses SQLite as its database engine and you can get a free tool called SQLite Database Browser to query the data (see picture below) which is held (in Windows) at the following location:

%appdata%/Skype/<username>/main.db

It is important to note that Skype MUST be closed before you can open the database.

Skype presents … Read the rest

Datz All Folks

Well, I can’t pretend that I am surprised – Datz have finally gone bust according to a story on MusicWeek. Having written about the problems with the service on a number of occasions (here and here) it seemed inevitable. Given that so many other companies have struggled with paying the fees to the music labels Datz were always going to struggle with their model – particularly as they couldn’t make deals with all the major labels meaning that there was only a limited catalogue available.

I have to say that the writing has been on the wall … Read the rest