Andrew’s Tech Show and Blog

Thoughts on the new MacBooks…

The long awaited metal MacBook 13in has arrived! Plus, some nice new MacBook Pros.

I really love the looks of the new MacBooks and MBPs, the MacBook style keyboard on the MBPs was a great idea. These are the most beautiful laptops I have ever seen, that also perform well. For example, the new MBP has two graphics cards that you can switch between. If you want to see all the specs, they are on Apple’s site.

I’m hoping Apple has thought out what happens if you drop a laptop with a glass screen AND trackpad… that wouldn’t be to pretty.

While the MacBook didn’t drop to $800, they did lower the price of the white MacBook to $999, not much cheeper but it might be just enough to get some more Mac lovers out there.

If anyone rushed out and got one of these feel free to comment about it. I’d really like to hear about it, or just email me! andrew@andrewstechshow.com

I’ll update this post in the morning with more info, so check back!

Tags: Apple, Hardware, laptop, macbook, new

iPod Touch Review

I month ago, I got the second genoration iPod Touch, and have been really enjoying it. If you don’t know what some of the new features where, heres a list.

• The “yellow” tinted screen of the iPhone 3G
• Curved shell
• Built in speaker!
• Volume control on the side
• Build in Nike+ Recever

I really love the new screen because it is much more warm than the old 1st gen iPod. Another think I think I should mention is that I rarely use my iPod for music, instead I use mine for apps and internet browsing.

Now, the ONLY thing the iPod Touch 2G is missing would be a camera. If they would add that then the iPod Touch would be perfect. ( in my opinion )

Over all I really am really enjoying the new iPod Touch. Feel free to comment with your own expreiences.

Tags: 2g, Apple, ipod, new, touch

Simple AJAX

I’m sure almost all of you have heard of AJAX and Web 2.0 now adays, and probaly most of you might be wondering how to code AJAX. So I made a quick example after making a auto update topic script for my stream page. But, today we are just going to be talking about simple stuff, like this example script.

<!– Simple AJAX Script by Andrew from Andrew’s Tech Show ( http://andrewstechshow.com/ ) –>
<script type=”text/javascript”>
// The replace function
function example() {

document.getElementById(’change’).innerHTML = “Isn’t AJAX so cool? - This page was never refreshed :)”;
}
</script>
<!– The Link to run the JavaScript –>
<p><a href=”javascript:example()”>Run Script!</a></p>
<!– The div that gets updated –>
<div id=”change”>
^^^ Click the button
</div>

Now, lets go over what each part does.

First the “function example()” part defines a function just like you would in PHP or mostly any other language.

Next, you see “document.getElementById(’change’).innerHTML = ” basicly that is saying, ” Find the div called change it’s content to what is after the =.

After that, you’ll see “<p><a href=”javascript:example()”>Run Script!</a></p>” this is simply a link to run the function example() that was defined before.

Last, you’ll see

<div id=”change”>
^^^ Click the button
</div>

That is just the div that gets changed by the javascript. “^^^ Click the button” is what it will be until the change() function is run.

If you want to see this in action head over to: http://www.andrewstechshow.com/examples/ajax.html

New theme!

As you can see I’ve gotten a new theme for my blog. You can also see there are a few supporting plugins missing, so stick with me as I get all the theme’s plugins installed. Quick note before I close out this post, I’m writing this on my iPod.

More posts to come soon!

EDIT: Back to WicketPixie until I get a chance to get some bugs out of that other theme

Tags: theme

WordPress Plugins

My favorite blogging CMS is WordPress, however it isn’t great alone, with certan plugins it can be the best. To help people with chooseing plugins, I have created a top 5 list of plugins that I use.

• 1. WP-Super-Cache / WP-Cache ( I use super cache ) - http://tinyurl.com/375zv
• 2. Drop down menus - This is THE BEST PLUGIN FOR THE WORDPRESS ADMIN - http://tinyurl.com/2nke5n
• 3. Akismet - The best comment spam catcher I know of. - Included with fresh WordPress install.
• 4. Custom Logon - Not really important but it gives your blog a custom feel. - http://tinyurl.com/35mutk
• 5. StatPress - Stats for your blog built in to WordPress - http://tinyurl.com/2ffncr

All of these have been working for me very well with WP Version 2.6.2. Hope this helps some of you! Also, when I get a chance I will make a screen cast of these plugins in action.

You can learn more about WordPress at WordPress.org

Tags: ajax, custom, extend, menu, Plugins, tech, web 2.0, WordPress

iPod Touch 2G Unboxing

Review on this soon

MobileMe

Here is the long put off MobileMe Review!!!

A while back I was on vacation in New York and went to the Fifth Ave. Apple Store ( it was amazing, I’ll put some pictures up on Flickr soon. ) and one of the things I bought was MobileMe! I’ve been very impressed with the iPod Touch to Mac compatibility, but on Windows it only ( for me ) would sync with Internet Explorer. Obviously, I won’t be switching to IE anytime soon. ( If you’re a IE user I don’t know how you are reading this ) so on my Dell, I only sync contacts. Also, on OS X I don’t believe it can sync with FireFox but, for me that isn’t a problem since I am a Safari user. 

 

As for resource usage, on both Mac and PC it wasn’t noticeable at all in terms of performance. Over all I’d say MobileMe is a great buy for anyone with a iPod Touch, iPhone, or more then 1 computers that needs syncing. 

 

If you want to email me on my MobileMe email, you can at andrewtech@me.com

Hopefuly, I’ll have time to add a video to this review, but until then, here is the unboxing video:

Tags: internet, iphone, ipod, ipod touch, mac, mobile me, mobileme, pc, sync, tech, touch, web, Windows

Windows Vista

Remember my post way back about Vista? Well, I have reinstalled Vista and I have ( again ) experenced no comapatablity problems. But, this time I did a “Upgrade” install of Vista from XP Pro. On the first boot everything looked normal untill I tried to reboot or shutdown, It would freeze ( no BSOD ) every time and I ended up recreating my user account, this fixed it. Thats was probaly the only major issue during the upgrade, and everything is fine today as I am typing this post on that very same computer. Also, I’m going to hold off on SP1 untill I get more than 1GB of RAM Again, I have had no BSODs on this Dell with Windows Vista on it, it all depends on your hardware. If you get a chance check out my Flickr Account in a few days to see pictures of the Dell’s case mod. More posts soon, Check back!

Tags: bsod, case mod, crash, pro, sp1, upgrade, Vista, Windows, xp

iPhone / iPod Touch Firmware 2.0

As you all know Apple has allowed ONLY iPhone users to get this update as a free software update. As you all know I am a iPod Touch user, so I have not been able to test the firmware out first hand. But, I have heard there are many good apps for the iPhone, including SuperMonkey Ball, and Twitterriffic. So, hopfuly tomarrow Apple will have 2.0 for iPod Touch.

Ustream.tv Upgrades

As a lot of you may have noticed, Ustream.tv got a site upgrade and a few more features. The one you will notice most is the new site design. But, to the average streamer, the new broadcaster features will improve their stream a lot. Because, now you can add overlays in the Ustream Recorder, much like CamTwist or WebCamMax. So, now Windows users don’t have to pay for Webcam Max or buy a Mac for a better quality stream. It can’t match the power of CamTwist, but it is better than no effects at all. But, I will be using this feature in area that I don’t have Webcam Max or CamTwist. So, hopefuly the new features improve the quality of streams on ustream.tv! Enjoy!

Tags: camtwist, efects, effects, live, stream, ustream, video, webcam, webcam max