TechThisOut!

Many people think that Google should resdesign their site, in order to stay in the competition between other better looking engines, such as live. Well, they did, and it’s looking great! The new interface is currently unavailable to the public, unless you enter this cool little hack.

To do this, go to the Google homepage. From there, enter this code into the address bar, ignoring and hitting OK on any errors that come up

javascript:alert(document.cookie="PREF=ID=fb7740f107311e46:
TM=1142683332:LM=1142683332:S=fNSw6ljXTzvL3dWu;path=/;
domain=.google.com")

If your default Google isn’t google.com, but something like google.ca, then please replace the “.google.com” with your default Google homepage. Entering this code will basically set a cookie in your browser that allows you to use the new design. It will stay in your browser until your cookies are cleared. The new interface has been tested with IE and Firefox, but should work with all browsers. Enjoy!

D3vious

Take a sneak peek at Googles new interface [Ars Technica via WireCatcher]

So it seems that the MPAA is trying to outlaw the .torrent file format, and TorrentSpy doesn’t like it. They’re taking them on in court. Trying to outlaw a file extension? TorrentSpy is most definitely in for the win. Now, if they were going to court over movie pirating in general, I’d have a different opinion. But the file format? My god.

MPAA owners Time Warner, Viacom, Fox, Sony, NBC Universal and Disney are in essence trying to outlaw the dot torrent file format, says a lawyer representing TorrentSpy.com, one of the sites named in the MPAA’s panicky onslaught against file sharers in particular, and the p2p community in general.

TorrentSpy takes on the MPAA

Over at Linux.com, Mayank and Sharma have written an article that will teach you how to set up multiple live CDs onto one DVD for use on your computer.

Currently, Knoppix, Kanotix, Kurumin, Livux, MEPIS, ProMEPIS, Slax, Aurox, BerryLinux, Basilisk, Adios, PCLinuxOS, MandrakeMove, Gnoppix, RiP, SystemRescueCD, Ultimate Boot CD, and INSERT distributions can be used with this script.

Upon bootup you will be greeted by a GRUB menu that lists all the distributions supported. Selecting one will take you to that distribution’s GRUB menu. Make a selection in this menu and you’re off. Pretty neat stuff!

Multiple Live CDs on one DVD

A few months ago, I got an email from the owner of Box.net requesting that I try out his new product and review it. I was skeptical at first, I must admit. But I got my demo account setup and I’ve had a few weeks to experiment with Box, and really test it out. I’ve tested out the uploading, photo galleries, public folder sharing, and many many more features of Box. And to be honest, I’m very satisfied!

Box.net is an AJAX website allowing you to upload files to your own personal storage bin online, and access it from any internet-enabled computer in the world.

Box has three basic plans. Basic, which includes one gigabyte (1 GB) of storage, Premium, which includes five gigabytes (5 GB) of storage, and Pro, with which you will get fifteen gigabytes (15 GB) of storage space.

The Premium and Pro plans include premium features, such as public sharing of any of your folders. and much more, including mobile access, phone support, unlimited file size limit, custom logo, zip folders, more bandwidth, and blog posting. But please note, these features vary by the type of account you get, meaning certain features are available on Pro but not on Premium. The Basic plan is free, while Premium is $4.99 a month and the pro is $9.99 a month. You can also sign up yearly.

Upon signing up, you will be given your allocated space and a user account (obviously). From there, you can login and start uploading. Box allows for two methods of uploading. You can select files, or you can drag and drop. The drag and drop method requires Java, but is extremely cool and lets you know how long until the transfer is completed. If you have above a Basic plan, such as Premium or Pro, you can enable public sharing of folders. Public sharing of a folder enables a link to the folder that anyone can visit and see the contents, even if they arent a Box member.

Box also has a new photo gallery system. Once public sharing is setup, go to a public folder that has photos in it. You can open a photo and browse through the different photos, like a photo gallery. If this doesn’t satisfy you, there is an even better photo gallery for members. If you login to your box, find a folder that has photos in it, press the arrow near the folder name and select slide show, and you will get a nifty little flash slideshow. Pretty cool, no?

Box also supports blog posting, a premium feature of the Premium and Pro plans. This allows you to select any file in your box and post it to any livejournal, typepad, or blogger blog on the internet. I was talking to Aaaron, the owner of Box about this and he has said that they are working on developing support for more types of blogs, such as Wordpress, and Movable Type. Very nifty feature if you ask me.

Something else that really caught my eye was the ability to create sub users, a Premium and Pro feature. You can create a sub user account and let them have their own little box, a sub box of your own, or you can let them access your whole box. You can customize their read & write priveleges so that you have control of what they can, or can not, do.

Box Mobile, a Pro only feature, is one of the coolest features of Box. This allows you to visit m.box.net on any internet enabled mobile device and access all of your files, share files, show off images, preview files, etc. It literally lets you do everything you can do in the full box, plus more, on a mobile device. Here’s how Box describes it:

Box.net now lets you access your documents, photos, and files from any mobile device with a web browser. Box.net’s new mobile website (m.box.net) is easy to use and does not require any additional configuration on your mobile device. Every file from your Box.net account will be available through your mobile browser, which means you can instantly share files, view documents, and browse photos when you are on the go and away from your office.

Private Sharing allows you to share any files or folders with any Box.net user. You choose the file, type the message, put in their email, and it will send it to them. If they dont have a box.net account, It will tell them how to acquire one.

Box.net now allows you to share your files and folders privately with others Box users. By sharing directly with individuals, you can ensure your files are downloaded only by trusted recipients. Those whom you share with will receive your shared file(s) in their Box.net account. If you share a file with someone who doesn’t have a Box.net account, they will receive an invitation to register in one simple step. Once they do so, your file will be there to welcome them to their Box. There’s no limit to how many friends you can have, and adding more is easy!

If you have read this far and you still dont get it and you still dont understand what Box is, read this simple paragraph from the people at Box:

Box.net is a virtual storage space for your computer files. With packages starting at just $4.99 per month for 5GB, you will have enough space to hold thousands of Documents, Photos, Music Files, and Video Clips. Try us out for as long as you’d like by signing up for our 1GB free account. Whether you want to move files among multiple computers, backup important data in the event of a computer crash, or share documents and photos with friends and colleagues, Box.net is for you.

Overall, I am extremely satisfied with Box and I believe that in the soon future, I will be purchasing a full account.

Box is hosted on several dedicated servers, so you know that your files will always be safe and quick to access.

Box.net

Sign up

Example of a Public Folder

Enjoy…

Devious

Microsoft has decided to open the public betas of Windows Vista, Office 12, and Exchange Server 12 up early by allowing people to sign up in advance for a spot and be notified when the beta is available. The TechNet email system will enable you to be one of the first to enjoy the public beta. From the Microsoft site:

Lead evaluations for new technologies and understand their impact on your IT environment and their potential for your company by pre-registering here. You will be the first to be notified when the Windows Vista, Office “12,” and Exchange “12″ public beta releases become available. Additionally, you will receive updates and information regularly through the Microsoft TechNet Flash newsletter, from the time you pre-register until the launch of the product.

Anyone is able to register for this beta. The only requirement is that you must have a Microsoft passport, which can easily be obtained by visiting the official passport network webpage.

Pre Beta Registration (Thanks to Jake Jarvis of WireCatcher.)

Okay, lately I’ve been working on a top secret podcasting idea and I finally made it happen last night. After a few hours of extreme editing and talking, it seems that I have finished the first TTOCast (podcast). Please note that this is the very first episode and is very short, only about 3 minutes. It is only a demo and I hope to improve on future episodes. TTOCast’s will be published every Sunday and will review the latest technology stuff going on.

The TTOCast was created using GarageBand on Mac OSX as part of a bundle of iLife ‘06. Along with my voice, I used some modern day techno-like music at the beginning at the end. This is only the first episode and isn’t very good, as I said, it’s just a demo.

[Listen] (courtesty of .mac)
[Subscribe] (courtesy of .mac, again)

Note: to subscribe to TTOCast in iTunes, drag that subscribe link into the Podcasts section of your iTunes.

Microsoft is once again trying to promote anti-piracy by giving out free USB thumb drives pre loaded with all the information you will ever need about piracy and using genuine Windows. There has been no word of people getting them yet, as there is a 6-8 week shipping wait, and probably a lot longer now that word has gotten out. You don’t need a credit card or any of that, just a microsoft passport. Check it out here.

I’m very sorry this post is a day late. I have been very busy lately packing and such and haven’t had much time to be on the computer in the past day.

Anyways, at the Apple event I mentioned in my previous post, Apple has released a few new products for us, although not quite what we expected: a new $99 leather iPod case, the iPod HiFi (very nice speaker for the ipod, more on that later), and the Intel Mac Mini, which was somewhat dissapointing.

First off, the Intel Mac Mini is a very nice addition to the Intel mac family. It is supposed to be an all in one Media Center for your entertainment center, yet it doesn’t even include a cable tv tuner. I intended to get one of these if they were released, but no cable tv tuner? C’mon, Apple! Anyways, it comes with the standard RF Remote (same as the iMac) and includes the FrontRow software.

The iPod Hi-Fi is a new speaker (yes, speakers) for the iPod that is supposed to “redefine” the home stereo system. It It seems very, very powerful, too. Hey, for $359 USD, it better be! Oh — and although it appears as one speaker, their are actually many speakers inside the box.

Along with all of this new stuff is a new leather case for the iPod. It is somehow compatible with both the iPod video and the iPod nano. Both models are priced at $99 and seem to be more protective than the included iPod case.

Overall, Steve Job’s put on a great show. But, I still believe it was somewhat dissapointing. Although I had no intent to purchase one, I wanted to see the 13″ iBook with iSight and Intel. I also wanted an Intel iMac with a cable tv tuner, but I guess we can’t always get what we want.

Also, on a side note, I will be gone Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and possibly monday as I am going to Phoenix, AZ for my aunts wedding. Their is a 99% chance their wont be any posts during that time, unless I have some free time, which it sounds like I wont. I will have internet available though, with my new iBook and the trusty ol’ CAT5.

Jesse

Again, thank you to Jake Jarvis for the images in this post.

Mac Mini
iPod Hi-Fi