Blackberry (phone & e-mail included for monthly price)
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:08 AM on August 29, 2008

Oops, just noticed this needed to be standalone
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:08 AM on August 29, 2008

I've had issues using DriveImage XML before when the drive was pre-formatted by the laptop/desktop manufacturer with a boot partition, windows partition and restoration partition.

If you have multiple partitions like this (you can view this by right clicking on my computer, going to manage, then disk management), you may need Acronis True Image. True Image makes a bit by bit copy beautifully and I was able to drop the new drive in place of the old one and it worked... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:06 AM on August 29, 2008

For security, I like installing a VPN client so they can just log into the VPN, then connect to their desktop at work with Remote Desktop Connection. This keeps all the files and programs on their desktop PC and just lets them remote in and use that.

I'd also recommend having a hand full of AirCards that run on Cellular networks. It is sometimes easier to give a user one of these and show them how to use it than give them the ins and outs of using WiFi (and possible... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 1:12 PM on August 25, 2008

The credit REPORT is free (it is a list of all credit cards/accounts you've held, outstanding loans and your payment history of those things).

Your credit SCORE (FICO) is NOT free. It is usually around the $5-$10 range and the only thing worth paying for when you follow the links from annualcreditreport.com. This is the quick "credit worthiness" score that people look at to determine how lend-able you are.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 8:03 PM on August 23, 2008

It may depend on your engine. I have a 98 Passat which shared the same platform and engines as Audis around the same time. I was basically told (and can confirm, since I've done it) that the V6 engine has good anti-knock doohickeys that will allow you to use Regular gas, so I have when times are tight. I just remember to fill up with premium every few fill-ups to cleanse the system a bit.
However, I've heard it a bad idea to do it with the Turbo 4-cyl engine.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 7:50 PM on August 23, 2008

AllWaySync is another. Its free, I found it on lifehacker. Has support for scheduling & one-way or two-way syncs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 4:29 PM on August 23, 2008

Another machine is doing this again this morning. Checked time/date on both the server and the workstation and they're both correct and current. Is there possibly a service on the server that I should be investigating?
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 5:46 AM on August 19, 2008

I have used JustGive previously as a web admin setting this up. All you need is the Employer Tax ID # for the NPO to set up your account, then just look around as to how to integrate this into your site. Example half way down
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 12:23 PM on August 18, 2008

If the power supply light is changing from green to red, it is topping off the battery, if it stays green the battery may not be able to take a charge any longer.
If you look in system profiler (spotlight it) under hardware, power, there is a Battery health info chart with a cycle count. If you're getting around 300, it may be the end of useful life for this battery. I tried finding the exact cycle # it will work until, but failed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:38 AM on August 18, 2008

You can try a scan with malwarebytes scanner before wiping. I've had tremendous success with this scanner to clean recent infestations of AntiVirus XP 2008/9. Try it once in safe mode(google if you don't know what this is) and once in regular windows mode, if it doesn't clean it, wipe & reinstall.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 3:28 PM on August 16, 2008

I'd say iPod touch as well and just keep your phone to be a phone. Getting a data plan through VZW could be 25-40 more each month on your bill, which comes out to $300-480 a year. As much as it is to buy a Touch. You could look for a refurbed Touch on Apple's site.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:03 AM on August 7, 2008

They updated windows update to not allow pre-SP2 users from using it. You have to download SP2 directly (with link above), then install it. Then you can run Update and it will download and install SP3.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 1:16 PM on August 6, 2008

I bought a Samsung LCD TV thru Amazon that worked for exactly a day before dying. I later bought a Samsung laser printer that no longer works. I've seen other Samsung monitors that all had backlights go out shortly after purchase. "Samsung: Didn't you mean to buy Sony?"

Costco is great because of their return policy. If it craps out, take it back and they'll give you something around the same price you originally paid. I have a Vizio which is a fantastic... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:36 AM on August 3, 2008

There is a product in the US called Absorbine Jr that is green and comes in a clear glass bottle with a sponge applicator on top. It smells. My parents used it for mosquito bites, but it could also be used to cuts/scrapes or other anti-itching needs. I'd supposed it would be around the calamine lotion in the pharmacy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:57 AM on July 24, 2008

I like to use AudioHijack Pro on my mac to record stuff off of youtube or other web video sites.

Recently, "Let the Eagle Soar" by former Atty General John Ashcroft
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 11:47 AM on July 23, 2008

Oh yeah, you still need Audacity & requisite MP3 plugin to actually edit down the file. Also use Effect, Amplify to make it louder so it is loud enough to hear as a ringtone; the default it has in there works fine, just make sure it doesn't clip.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 11:48 AM on July 23, 2008

Charlotte's web
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 11:30 AM on July 23, 2008

I got a great Leather Joeseph Abboud messenger bag from TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Ross. Give those stores a try, they usually don't have a lot of man bags, but you can get good deals if you do find something you like.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 1:34 PM on July 17, 2008

If you have an XP Pro machine, and know your account name and password, share out whatever folders you need (you may have to enable file sharing).
Then on the Mac, make sure Finder is active on the menubar, then hit Command-K (also under Go, Connect to Server). The connect to server dialog comes up and you just type smb://computername (note the forward// slashes, not back\\ slashes like Windows likes to use)
It will prompt you for the username and password (for windows),... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 1:32 PM on July 17, 2008

I wear undershirts under my polos and long-sleeved shirts so I get buttercups on the undershirt and not the nicer shirt on top.

But I live in the south. and sweat a lot.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 6:49 PM on June 27, 2008

You could possibly put the wireless on its own VLAN (virtual LAN) and the office computers on a separate VLAN. I'm not sure if your linksys router supports this. This would be something a consultant would be better at implementing. This would allow you to leave the wireless unprotected, yet still have your files sectioned off, with internet access to both.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 1:01 PM on June 26, 2008

Zalman makes awesome round heatsinks with big, quiet fans. They're adaptable to tons of different sockets and motherboards (check the compatibility of your mobo on their website). I've bought two and they're quiet and efficient. They do take up a lot of space inside the case though, so Mid-tower ATX cases are a must!
You can usually snag one on newegg for under $54 for an all copper one. It even comes with a little fan controller switch so you can get the perfect balance of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 11:45 AM on June 19, 2008

I'm a big fan of letting the router do DDNS synchs. Use a Linksys WRT54GL with the Tomato or DD-WRT firmware on it and it will log in for you and update your record if your net connection gets reset.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:29 AM on June 16, 2008

2nding Bruiser's street sweeper's tale

and the best page in the universe
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 1:26 PM on May 19, 2008

Clothes Iron ($20 target brand sucks compared to the $65 Panasonic) just remember to empty the water out when you're done using it each time (keep a cup by the ironing board)

Floor mop- stay away from the things made out of 100% plastic, namely the rag mops that you twist to wring. I use my mop as a scrubber somewhat too, so it needs to stand up. Look for metal workings, a cheap easily replaceable mop head and a decently sturdy handle. I had to go to a locally owned... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 4:51 PM on April 16, 2008

I've ordered a few CaseLogic laptop bags before. They're incredibly cheap and have about 15 pockets that are within zippered sections or separate compartments all together. They have little tags inside with icons for camera, power supply, mouse, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 10:11 AM on March 18, 2008

Keep with Canon. The SD1000 are about to get real cheap (around $150) because the new 2008 line of the compact point and shoots are coming out really soon.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 12:21 PM on March 17, 2008

I was going to suggest gold bond as well. I don't think there's anything in it that could harm the dog if she was to lick it up.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 10:25 AM on March 17, 2008

I just followed the wired blog how-to on speeding up my mac. I downloaded Monolingual and it uninstalled all languages except english for a hard drive savings of 3.5 gigs!
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 5:46 AM on March 7, 2008

I use MS Publisher, It may be included with your Office Suite
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 12:43 PM on March 4, 2008

Note that the 8700 series have the side-mounted scroll wheel and back button.

An 8800 series has the trackball and back button on the front of the phone, which may be more like the Palm. I'm not sure what Sprint supports though.

Mac sync software is available at Apple's website.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 12:27 PM on February 28, 2008

Avast Bart CD is the awesomest!
It has a program that you run. It downloads the latest updates, compiles the ISO and drops it in a folder of your choosing. then you just have to burn that ISO and boot it on the computer

It also includes scandisk (really useful, sometimes if windows won't boot this will fix it), a file explorer (so you can hook up a usb drive and recover files), registry cleaner, junk file cleaner, and a data shredder if you're donating a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 5:52 AM on February 28, 2008

Earlier this week (or last) there was a front page (mefi) link to the best essays in the New Yorker
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:22 AM on February 27, 2008

I have an Endo Macbook case made by infocase.com

They've had production issues lately, i'm not sure if they're resolved or not, but CDW was a dealer for them the last time I checked.

It is a hard cased, black, nylon covered sleeve with a carrying strap and a couple D-rings on the back and a velcro closure.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 10:47 AM on February 26, 2008

Drive Image XML has a lot of the features of Acronis True Image (a great program as well) but lacks the cost. Get it free at runtime.org
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 10:38 AM on February 26, 2008

Get an unlocked Blackberry Curve from Newegg
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 10:32 AM on February 26, 2008

Audioholics is a good resource for A/V Home Theatre stuff.
Sure, they have a link to their forum, but the real gold is in their "AV University" and "What to buy" sections. They'll really tell you all about the snake oil that is peddled in the AV industry (Bose, Monster Cables, etc)
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 10:30 AM on February 26, 2008

Slate also has an article on going to Mexico here
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 6:18 AM on February 21, 2008

If you already use google calender, you can set it up to automatically sync with that using google's application called Sync - instructions here: http://www.gcalsync.com/

I am on an Enterprise Server and gSync still works so that my BB has the same as my Outlook has the same as my google
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 10:40 AM on February 18, 2008

Note that some burning apps (like Nero) automatically put in a 2 second gap between tracks.
Have you tried burning the CD without those gaps? That would be an easier fix than trimming the tracks (especially if they really end when the song ends)
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 8:41 AM on February 11, 2008 marked best answer

http://newyorkpress.com/ has extensive searchable archives
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 7:31 AM on February 11, 2008

i use dyndns as well.
Before my airport extreme, i had a linksys router with dd-wrt and it could automatically log in and update my host info automatically.

And you won't be e-mailing anything to yourself. You'll set a hostname for yourself (like Auden.gotdns.com) and just RDC/FTP to that.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 5:56 AM on February 5, 2008

If you do get any power to it and can turn it on, and the handset isn't locked by a password, you can go to options on the menu screen, then "owner" and see if the owner entered any information in.

Another possibility was it was a dropped phone for a top secret operation and you are interfering, watch yourself ;-)
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 6:38 AM on February 4, 2008

Releasing tomorrow are the first two seasons of Perfect Strangers (with Balki Bartokomous and Larry Appleton). Queue it up now!
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 6:26 AM on February 4, 2008

$100 will also get you the excellent Jawbone bluetooth headset that has military-grade noise filtering and voice enhancement. It is a little tough to get adjusted on your ear properly, but it is lightweight and easy to use, and it goes anywhere (not just for the car).
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 11:27 AM on February 1, 2008

Get warranty service done on the guitar. Call Activision (or whoever released it this time around)
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 9:12 AM on January 30, 2008

Also, Adorama and newegg are great to find deals.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 7:41 AM on January 29, 2008

Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Kohls, etc. other overrun/irregular stores. It is a little late in the season, hence stuff is already sold out.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 5:15 PM on January 27, 2008

Did you try poking around in the control panel at all? Maybe there are settings in there for media center or the tuner card. Did you try to just go into "live tv" and channel down from 2 and see if you get the composite input? can you right click and get any options?

If you're frustrated by Microsoft's "ease of use" by not giving you any options, download and try another program.

It also may be possible that the inputs were... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by ijoyner at 11:42 AM on January 24, 2008