Jake Ludington's Digital Lifestyle

How to Photograph Fireworks

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:20:37 -0800

Each year I get several questions about photographing fireworks around the 4th of July and again around New Year's. I always intend to post an article on shooting fireworks photos, but the holiday seems to conspire against me and I never get it done. This year, I've managed to pull it off. While I can't promise you'll be the Ansel Adams of fireworks after reading these tips, I'm confident you'll take better photos than you did last year.

Tom Bihn Bags - Made in Seattle

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:02:39 -0800

You can't have as many computers as I do and not care about how you transport them. I'm constantly on the look out for new bags I can use for various modes of transportation. I keep coming back to one company that's based here in Seattle, WA about a mile from my office. The quality is outstanding and the company is constantly innovating to make their bags just a little bit better with each cycle.

I first discovered Tom Bihn around the time of the first Mind Camp in Seattle and have been a huge fan ever since. They were a sponsor of my trip to DEMO China in 2006 and provided bags for one of the frequent giveaways I do for newsletter subscribers. But the real reason I'm a fan is because they make fabulous bags. Read on for more details and a video demo.

Put Music on Xbox 360 with no PC Network Connection

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:58:20 -0800

"I am trying to get music from my PC to my Xbox 360. The problem is that my PC is an older model so it doesn't have an Ethernet port. Is there any way to do this?"

There are basically two ways to get music files from your PC to your Xbox 360. Option one is to use your home network. If your computer doesn't have an Ethernet port, this option is out unless you feel comfortable adding an Ethernet port. Option two is to use physically transport the files from your PC to your Xbox 360 using some kind of storage media.

Digital Camera Document Scanning

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:11:57 -0800

"I almost never need to scan documents, so I don't own a scanner. Today I need to scan in something I signed, can I just use my digital camera as a document scanner since a scan is a picture?"

There have been many occasions where someone needed me to sign a document and fax it back when I was no where near a fax machine or a scanner. In those cases, my solution has always been to take a picture, clean it up with photo editing software and upload it using an online fax service like MyFax. So the answer to your question is yes, but I'd also like to share something I found that makes it easier.

How to Fix the iTunes library.itl file is locked Error

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:06:45 -0800

"I have a problem in opening my iTunes. When i double click the icon, a box written with "The iTunes library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file" came out and it prevented me from running my iTunes. What should i do?"

Fortunately problems with opening iTunes don't happen very often, but when they do a feeling of panic can set in. What if you can't access your music. There are a number of potential causes for this error, which makes it hard to narrow down the exact cause. In most cases the solution is one of two things.

Sync Netbook files to Your Home PC

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:02:21 -0800

While I've seen a few people use a Netbook as their only computer, for the most part people are buying Netbooks as a second more portable companion to their primary PC. For me the HP Mini I own has become the computer that goes everywhere, while my full sized notebook is the one doing all the heavy lifting for video editing and entertainment.

When you use two computers regularly, you suddenly realize how vital it is to make sure all your files are properly synchronized. In the early stages of using multiple computers I was constantly using convoluted solutions to retrieve files I'd left behind.A bunch of different software companies are creating tools to address this very problem, but most of the Netbook makers haven't jumped on board to include this necessary file sync component. HP is bundling Syncables with their new Mini 110 line of Netbooks, which you can see demoed in this video.

Back-to-School Laptops Lineup from HP

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:34:03 -0800

One of my more recent projects has been work on creating a series of videos for HP, providing education about key product features. In the first of these videos, I walk through features of their back-to-school lineup of notebook computers, including the Pavilion dv6, Pavilion dv2 and Mini 110 line. I do not currently own any of these units, although I do have a dv2 on loan from HP and love it. I spent enough time with each of the three notebooks to feel confident in recommending all three for a number of use cases as back-to-school options for college students. I have previously purchased Pavilion dv5 and HP Mini 1000 line computers and use both almost every day. Watch the video for a quick rundown of notebook features.

Is Email a Viable Alternative to Faxing Documents?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:08:59 -0800

"Instead of a fax machine, if a document is scanned and saved can it simply be attached to an email and sent rather than using an online fax service? Providing, of course, that you have the email address for the destination of the document."

Emailing documents is definitely a viable option for replacing a fax, although there may be reasons why you would want to fax a document instead.

How to Save Audio from PC to Cassette Tape

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:35:20 -0800

"Is there a way to record music from my computer's hard drive to an cassette tape deck?"

Recording music from your computer to a tape deck requires a few very simple steps. Aside from needing a cable with stereo RCA connections on one end and a mini-plug on the other end, all the software you need is probably on your computer.

Find out who called at 800notes.com

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:23:48 -0800

800notes.com falls into the category of sites I wish I'd thought of. Like most people who live in the United States, I get a fair number of telemarketing calls. There's a particularly persistent time share company that calls because I made the mistake of talking to them once. While the do-not-call list is great in theory, it doesn't account for every annoying call you get because doing business with a company means they can call you unless you specifically take action to get them to stop. I prefer to simply investigate who called by way of a simple search. Input a telephone number on 800notes.com, see who called and all the feedback people have left regarding a specific number. If it looks like I'd want to take the call, I'll pick up when they call again, otherwise I can opt to take action or simply ignore the call and hope they eventually go away. Think of 800notes.com as a review service for phone numbers you can't easily find any other way.

How to Upload to a Public iDisk from Windows (or Mac)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:51:23 -0800

"How does a Windows user upload to my public directory on iDisk?"

Uploading to an iDisk public directory is basically the same for both Windows and Mac users. For it to work properly you need to have the correct permissions set and there may be a password required from the iDisk account holder. Here's how to upload from Windows or Mac to a public directory on iDisk:

Camfrog - Free Video Chat Software

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:18:40 -0800

With popular IM clients like Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger, and Skype all supporting one-to-one video chat, it might seem like having a chat client just for video doesn't make sense. What if you want to communicate with several people at once? Most of the instant messenger tools fail miserably in this regard. Enter Camfrog, a video chat software solution with support for dozens of simultaneous video chat windows. While the software does have a pay version, the free version allows you to create your own private video chat room, allowing for a hosted video conference where all participants can see each other and join in the conversation. Text chat is supported in combination with video images. While Camfrog touts community features like meeting people through their chat service, I see the hosted video chat rooms as being something more useful for staying connected with family members who live far away or a way to gather a group of business associates so that everyone can have a virtual meetup in a video conference room. [Windows XP/Vista Mac OS X $0.00]

What is AVCHD Lite?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:08:33 -0800

"What is the difference between AVCHD and AVCHD Lite?"

As if things weren't confusing enough in the video recording world, the AVCHD video codec used by hard drive recording high definition cameras got a little more confusing with the AVCHD Lite "standard" added to the mix by Panasonic.

HP dv2 Ultra-portable Windows Vista Media Center Notebook

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:34:48 -0800

I can remember my enthusiasm for early versions of Windows XP Media Center Edition and the promise of an integrated home theater experience built into Windows. One of the best things Microsoft did with Windows Vista was to include that Media Center experience as part of Vista, not just as a special version of the OS. The thing I didn't like about old versions of Media Center was the need for bulky desktop systems that took up tons of space and needed a permanent home in my home theater. What Microsoft did in making Windows Media Center available on most consumer systems was allow me to have a highly portable home theater experience from something like the 1.73 kilogram (3.81lbs) HP dv2.

HP sent me a dv2 to test out. I was initially interested only in the portability coupled with enough power to get work done. What I found instead was a machine that just might be the ultimate portable Windows Media Center system.

So what makes the dv2 the ultimate ultra-portable home theater PC?