Canadian DNC list is Up, Down, Up Again

Canadian DNC list is Up, Down, Up Again

Author ColGlobe | 30.09.2008 | Category Canada, Telecommunications

At Midnight Tuesday night, the Canadian Do Not Call (DNC) List began accepting sign ups.  And even though authorities had expected more than 50% of the nation’s eligible callers would sign up over the next two years, they were caught completely off guard by the sudden rushes of applicants.  Phone-in applicants totaled more than 2230,00, but an estimated 1 million tried to call in to the over worked and under-managed lines.  Meanwhile, the official website for the Canadian DNC list had overloaded and crashed by 9am, although it was returned to service sometime later.

The DNC List is operating by Bell Canada, who struggled to get equipment on track as the calls came flooding in.  THe irony was that even though most Canadians were expected to sign up, no one had anticipated how popular the service would be its first day in operation.

Be warned however, that once you are signed up for the DNC List, it may still take up to 31 days before you stop getting calls, and some rganizations will be exempt, and may continue calling even after your phone number has been added to the list.

California: Don’t Text and Drive

Author ColGlobe | 30.09.2008 | Category Gadgets, Telecommunications

California law now prohibits texting while driving

As times change, California lawmakers have moved to ban typing text messages while driving, imposing sanctions for any motorist violators.

Back then when calling was the trend for mobile phone users in the US, a law was passed banning motorists caught talking on their mobile phones without a hands-free device (known as the hands-free law) while they are driving for the very obvious driving risks.

But now that texting has become a way for motorists to chat on the phone while driving without technically violating the law (though still subject to the same or even higher risk of accident that the law tries to prevent), lawmakers had to think fast and start fining these users $20 on their first offense, then going up as the violations continue.

As to whether the fines are too low for violators to take notice, at least lawmakers are continuing to protect drivers and pedestrians in general from an act which is as dangerous as drunk driving.

A Visit to the iApple Store

Author JoeDigital | 30.09.2008 | Category Gadgets, Innovation

The iPod nano silver

There has been a lot of speculation and concentration on the iPhone, but have you taken a look at the iPod lately?  The iPod nano is super thin, and is available in 8 and 16 GB models, and 9 vibrant colors.  It is available by visiting the Apple Store, and prices start at $149.  It allows both normal and widescreeen projects, by rotating the alignment of the unit, and will shuffle to a different song by simply shaking the Nano.  With a capacity of 2000 songs on the 8GB model, I foresee a whole lot of shakin’ going on!

Yahoo announces top 20 games this fall 2008

Author JoeDigital | 29.09.2008 | Category Video Games, World Wide Web

Yahoo! Videogames has just rounded up its list of the top 20 games this fall, and they’ve got all the reasons to back them up as to why they’re hot and why they should be not, keeping a pro and con perspective of everything. The list is made up of games from different consoles and creators, so it’s a make up from everything in the gaming industry. Here’s a short rundown on the top 20:

1. Lego Batman
2. Dead Space
3. Fable II
4. Little Big Planet
5. Far Cry 2
6. Guitar Hero: World Tour
7. C&C: Red Alert 3
8. Fallout 3
9. Resistance 2
10. James Bond: Quantum of Solace
11. Tom Clancy’s End War
12. Gears of War 2
13. Call of Duty: World at War
14. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
15. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts
16. Animal Crossin: City Folk
17. Left 4 Dead
18. Need for Speed Undercover
19. Tomb Raider: Underworld
20. Prince of Persia

Most of these games are sequels while others have easy titles so you’ll probably know what they are. !Yahoo shares its views on both perspectives and proves that games in the industry can only get better and better.

Kodak OLED Photo Frame

Author ColGlobe | 29.09.2008 | Category Computers

Eco-friendly, ultra-thin, and photo-quality images, and it's wireless too!

So, there’s been a biut of a buzz about OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes), but what exactly can they be used for?  Lots of things.  OLED are basically a printed circuit, and are literally printed onto a surface.  This makes OLED excellent for things like rope lights, or curved projection surfaces.  Ultra thin digital TVs and computer monitors, any application that has traditionally uses LEDs, and Photo frames.  The frame has 2GB oof built-in storage capacity, and is able to read memory cards in addition to the built-in wireless adapter.

Kodak Eastman Company has unveiled a wireless photo frame that uses OLED technology.  The wireless frame will be able to acess photos, video, and music on computers located anywhere on the local wireless network.  The 7.6 inch frame, through the remarkable clarity of OLED, can display photo quality images.  

“Kodak is a worldwide market and technology leader in digital picture frames, and OLED technology was created by Kodak, making us uniquely positioned to bring the benefits of OLED to consumers,” says Pete Jameson, general manager, Digital Devices Group, Eastman Kodak Company. “We’re tremendously proud to introduce this exciting new picture frame.”

Symantec Rewrites Security Suite

Author JoeDigital | 26.09.2008 | Category Computers

Symantec is a leader in anti virus software.

Symantec, a leader in personal computer and network file security, has rewritten their Security Suite.  As we all have noticed, security software often imposes the similar drag on the system resources to the viruses they are keeping at bay.  Symantec has decided to return some of those resources to your computer by streamlining Security Suite to make it load faster, run smoother, and be more computer friendly.

Norton Internet Security, a product of Symantec is now available.  The Products website cites “over 60 improvements and features”, as well as notably faster load and execution times.

Matsushita Digital Camera, the Lumix DMC-G1

Author ColGlobe | 25.09.2008 | Category Japanese Technology, cameras

Matsushita introduces a whole new kind of digital camera

On October 31, Matsushita will release the LUMIX DMC-G1, a new kind of digital camera.  This model will use the LED viewfinder, and completely do away with old fashioned optical viewfinders.  It is built to conform to the “micro four thirds system”, a digital camera standard used by Matsushita, Olympus, and other camera manufacturers.  The DMC G1 is not likely to win awards for an easy model name, but it’s interchangeable lens system is certain to have some very creative uses, and provides a greater degree of control to professional and amateur photographers alike.

LaCie 4big Quadra 4-Bay RAID

Author ColGlobe | 25.09.2008 | Category Computers, Technology

Up to 24 TB of hot swappable capacity is worthy of note

LaCie introduced the 4Big Quadra RAID, making networks backup easier than ever before.  Not only does the box support hot swapping drives without restarting, but it comes in 2, 4, and 6 TeraByte capacities.  Its scalability functions allow mulitple boxes with a total data capacity of 24 TB.  It connects directly to a PC using USB 2.0 or eSATA.  It has a projected energy reduction of 30 to 80% over other RAID boxes, and has a starting (2TB) pricetag of around $850.