Add Wikipedia to Google Earth
Submitted on October 28th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Resources and Browsers and The Mac Side and Services and Windows and Software and Linux
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I’ve expressed my love for Google Earth quite a few times since it’s first appearance, but always wished it provided a little more real-world information out of the box instead of having to add my own data and coordinates. If you’ve ever felt the same, you might be happy to know you can know, thanks to Geocoordinates from Wikipedia for Google Earth, a website which provides a .KMZ file you can open in Google Earth and which provides coordinates for thousands of Wikipedia entries. Due to the number of possible entries, the database is split up into layers so you’re not overwhelmed by onscreen data.
Geocoordinates from Wikipedia for Google Earth is available in both English and German, and is completely free. All you need is a copy of Google Earth to enjoy it.
Installing MythTV under Ubuntu
Submitted on October 28th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Resources and Software and Video and Linux
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I have been a Linux promoter for a few years now (a very interesting story for another day), and am currently running Ubuntu on my laptop. One idea I’ve been toying with for the past several weeks is of building my own media center PC powered by Ubuntu, but lack of time has kept me from researching how to go about doing it. That is, until I came upon the MythTV Ubuntu Installation Guide.
For those of you who don’t know, MythTV is a fantastic open-source application which lets you turn your Linux-powered computer into a full fledged media center, complete with TV watching and recording pabilities (if you own a tuner card), a DVD player, audio player, weather updates, and more. By following the MythTV Ubuntu Installation Guide, you can have your own media center up and running in no time.
Keep track of expenses w/ Cha-Ching
Submitted on September 28th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Shopping and Productivity and The Mac Side and Software
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Cha-Ching is a wonderful money-management application for the Mac (don’t worry, it’s a universal binary so it’ll work on any Mac). The interface is done beautifully and definitely fits in with the look of OS X. ChaChing provides all the features you would expect from a money-management application including bill and account management, and thanks to the fact that the application supports the iCal standard, you can add your upcoming bills to your calendar so you’ll never get a late fee again. All events are (of course) categorized with tags you can add yourself, and if you want, you could even add images to each item.
Cha-Ching will run about $25, and is unfortunately available only for the Mac.
Record your favorite shows with MSN Messenger
Submitted on September 28th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Productivity and Software and Windows
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Say you’re stuck at work and all of a sudden you remember that there’s a new episode of your favorite show and you forgot to set a reminder on your Media Center. You can’t go back home so what do you do? Check out Mobile Record, a free bot which you can use on MSN Messenger to program your Media Center at home. Just speak to the bot in plain English and you’ll have your show recorded and waiting for you when you get home!
[Via Make: Blog]
GrandCentral provides one number to rule them all
Submitted on September 28th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Productivity and Resources and Services and Networking and Software
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A couple of days ago I wrote about how it would be possible to ward off telemarketers by creating disposable phone numbers, and now I present you with a way to turn all your numbers into one thanks to a new service called GrandCentral. Just like Grand Central station is a main terminal in New York where subway lines from around the city meet, GrandCentral provides a way to connect your landline, cell number, work number, and more into one so you can pick up the call from any of the numbers you list. The really cool feature of GrandCentral is that you can set up how each incoming call is handled. For example, you can have your significant other’s number ring on any of your lines, but have only the office phone ring when your boss calls. Another very interesting feature is the ability to switch calls between any of your lines with the push of a button.
The free plan allows you to add 3 lines and gives you 100 minutes of calls, while the upgraded plan will let you add up to six lines, provides unlimted minutes, as well as unlimited storage for voicemails. There aren’t tons of area codes to choose from yet, but I’m sure this will all change as the service’s popularity grows.
Jedi Concetrate
Submitted on September 28th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Productivity and Software and Windows
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While I deeply and truly enjoy sitting in front of my computer to browse the web or some some real work, I wish there were less distractions. I’m not talking about the neighbor’s dog barking, or the wife playing music too loud, but distractions on screen. Jedi Concentrate can help.
Jedi Concentrate is a free Windows application which helps you concentrate on the task at hand by blacking out all inactive windows. This way, if you have a report to write, keep OpenOffice open (or whatever you use) without looking at your latest feed updates. Enjoy!
[Via Lifehacker]
Know exactly what files are in your folders w/ FileBrowse
Submitted on September 28th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Productivity and The Mac Side and Software
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Those of you who own a Mac are already well aware of the beautifully designed desktop and applications as well as the gorgeous effects available thanks to OpenGL rendering. Even though Apple has spent considerable resources to keep improving the user experience on the desktop, there is still a little bit desired, particularly when browsing through the filesystem. Sure, you can see previews of images, but what about other files? Enter FileBrowse.
FileBrowse is a Finder replacement which provides 3D icons and thumbnails of all filetypes on your computer, including previews of document and video files all rendered in real-time. If you’ve saved a web page to a folder, you’ll see a full preview of its content. Searching through your music files? You’ll be able to see that album’s cover image. Not only can you see individual file previews, but also previews of every file in a folder just by looking at the folder icon itself. At $25, it may seem a little expensive, but FileBrowse certainly makes the desktop experience just that much better.
iTunes 7 updated…and how about some free content!
Submitted on September 27th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Services and Software and Music
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Ever since iTunes 7 came out recently, people have been complaining about weird issues with playlists being deleted, and various other stability issues. Apple has quickly come to the rescue and released and update to iTunes 7 which should hopefully fix all these issues. While you’re at it, why not get some free content for your new iPod? If you’d like to see some of the free media available on the iTunes Music Store for download, check out It’sFreeDownloads, a cool site which keeps a handy list of free content on Apple’s download service. After all, who doesn’t love free!?
Review of the new 5G iPod games
Submitted on September 26th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Reviews and Portables and Software
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Those of you who keep up with the latest tech stuff, and chances are you do if you read TipMonkies often, may know that the new fifth generation iPods support color games which you may buy off the iTunes Music Store for a few dollars.
If you’ve been putting buying a game or two for new iPod because you were afraid to spend money without knowing what you were getting, check out the iPod Games Reviews section at iLounge which has reviews for all (currently 9) games available including Mahjong, Vortex, Cubis 2, Texas Hold ‘Em, Tetris, Bejeweled, Zuma, Mini Golf, and of course, Pac-Man. I have to say, there’s nothing like a good game of Bejeweled anywhere you go.
File in use? Free it up w/ Unlocker
Submitted on September 26th, 2006 by admin
Filed under Software and Windows and Security
No. of comments (1)
There are times when working under Windows when you may notice a couple of different errors pertaining to files or resources being in use. You may see it while trying to access new files, or maybe while trying to remove unnecessary applications. If you’ve ever gotten one of these errors, check out Unlocker. Unlocker adds itself as a Windows shell extension so you can right-click a file and select Unlocker to kill the process. It’s all free, and all Windows.
