Paul's Tech Talk

Fall Xbox 360 update touches on social networking

PaulNovember 27, 2007

With under a fortnight to go until Microsoft looses the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update on us, we’re still learning even more about what it will entail. The latest tidbit touches on the oh-so-zany social networking craze, as gamers will soon be able to browse the friends lists of their pals in order to connect with old buddies or get all up in the digital grill of complete strangers. Starting on December 4th, the default setting will enable your Xbox Live friends to browse your list at will, and if that just doesn’t set well with your conscience, you can hit the read link for instructions on how to ~~spoil some fun~~ prevent it.

[Image courtesy of Xbox]

Wow, this looks like they are going into the social network, I hope it can make it do some really cool things. I hope to find out later on!!

Wii-saber for budding Jedi Knights

PaulNovember 26, 2007

Since the Wii was released with waggle controls, everyone has been looking forward for a Star Wars title to appear on the horizon, where they will be able to wield the lightsaber just like how the Jedi Knights in the movies did. They are now able to relive those experiences with a Wii Light Sword – sure, it isn’t exactly a lightsaber per se, but at this point in time I think we fanboys would take anything we can get our hands on. All you need to do is have a Wii and a Wiimote in hand – something that might be a little hard to do considering the scarcity of Nintendo’s console. This add-on gaming peripheral will set you back by £15, or you could always save your money and use your imagination instead.

Wouldn’t that be fun to have around the house. I can just see people saying “I broke my HDTV with a Wii Light Sword!” Oh boy would that be funny!!

Why Everyone Should Use Google Calendar

PaulNovember 23, 2007

If you’re not using Google Calendar, you don’t know what you’re missing. I’m not suggesting that you stop using whatever calendar software you’re currently using. I’m saying that Google is super powerful as a secondary calendar, or even as a non-calendar resource that does all kinds of useful jobs for you. Here’s how to use Google Calendar to make your own local “city guide”; never forget birthdays and anniversaries (with a neat trick); build a just-in-time information system; nag yourself; and provide information at your fingertips no matter where you are. Here’s how you can IMPROVE YOUR LIFE WITH GOOGLE CALENDAR.

I use Google Calendar and love it. I can schedule events with people and remind myself of to do list. Go try it out for yourself.

Create Global Folder Bookmarks with Dirkey

PaulNovember 23, 2007

Windows only: Create custom folder bookmarks accessible from your keyboard in any Explorer window or save or open file dialog with freeware system tray application Dirkey. You can set any folder as a bookmark on-the-fly by pressing Ctrl-Alt-0..9, then quickly jump to any of your bookmarks by pressing Ctrl-0..9 for the corresponding bookmark (e.g., if you set a folder as a bookmark with Ctrl-Alt-1, you can access that folder any time by pressing Ctrl-1). Dirkey does the work of previously mentioned applications like FindeXer, PlacesBar Editor, and FinderStyle but offers the quickest access to both creating new bookmarks and jumping to your most frequently used folders. Dirkey is freeware, Windows only.

Dirkey [via gHacks]

Access Any Web Site (Like Wikipedia) Offline with GearsMonkey

PaulNovember 23, 2007

Firefox with Greasemonkey and Google Gears: The Wikipedia Offline Greasemonkey script plugs Greasemonkey into Google Gears (the offline web access extension that works with Google Reader and other sites) to provide offline access and syncing with Wikipedia. Once you’ve installed the script, head to Wikipedia and enable Gears. Now, when browsing any page on Wikipedia, you’ll notice a small frame that contains links to cache the current page or access other pages you’ve already cached. Even better, the author of the script provides a howto guide for taking virtually any web site offline with Gears and Greasemonkey, so anyone with some javascript chops should be able to start building Gears access for their favorite sites (here’s hoping we see a lot more of these). The Wikipedia Offline script is free, requires Greasemonkey and Google Gears.

GearsMonkey: Google Gears + Greasemonkey to take Wikipedia offline [Google Code]