Digital Bits Technology Column

You’ve probably seen mapping programs that display satellite images of requested locations. Let’s take that one step further with some free programs. Each allows you to view satellite images, ranging in distance from a bird’s eye to a satellite’s eye. You can pick any point on earth and see recent photos of it. Tilt, pan, […]

The first Internet phenomenons

These Internet fads and phenomenons all have something in common: They grew in popularity very fast, and are now a part of Internet fad and pop culture. At the most, use this Web phenomenon list to reflect on how technology changes our culture and ethical values. At the least, sit back and enjoy. Make Money […]

MiniDV video camera help and recommendation

The world of sub-$1000 dollar video cameras is pretty intimidating. Particularly frustrating is when froogle.com returns over 6 million results for the term “video camera”. We’re not trying to be the next M. Night Shyamalan, all we want is a quality unit to tape adventures with family and friends. So what are a video camera’s […]

Whatcha gonna do when the wireless police come for you? Ask permission before stealing wireless

What is the “wireless etiquette” for using your neighbor’s wireless networks without permission? Or what about “wardriving”, where you drive around with your laptop and electronically sniff for available free wireless networks? Or you’re wondering why that guy is parked outside your house with his laptop open, and why he quickly snaps it closed when […]

Solar power with laptops and other small devices is handy, but you won’t save money

A wise frog once said, “It’s not easy being green.” This was obviously said after a solar power equipment cost-benefit analysis. We want to do our part to help the environment, but it would be nice if we could save money at the same time. I had the seemingly brilliant idea, “What if my laptop […]

Sony’s XCP Rootkit Music CDs are bad business

Your house is locked and secure. Now imagine a ninja, covered in black from head to toe, stealthily picking the lock on your front door. The ninja slides into your house. By the time you realize anything is amiss, the ninja uses his cool ninja magic and turns invisible. He’s still in your house, but […]

Learning’s fun with the programmable Scribbler Robot

(Also check out Andy’s full review and pictures of the Scribbler.) Growing up, I loved robots. Sadly, all I had were toys designed using 1980’s technology. Actually, “technology” might be too strong a word. Like my family’s own inflatable “robot”. That’s right, huff and puff into a big plastic balloon, and it expanded into a sort-of […]

Info management software: FreeMind (for mind-mapping) and TiddlyWiki (for everything else)

You have a planner for little Skippy’s busy sports schedule. Quick-draw your cellphone to check your personal calendar, contacts, and to-do list. You’ve got so many sticky notes plastered around desk and home, the 3M Post-It company sends you yearly Christmas cards. But what to do when handheld PCs, planners, or scraps of paper just […]

RiffTrax: Please talk during the movie

In the not-too-distant past, television gave us a unique and successful experiment in the field of satire and intelligent humor. “Mystery Science Theater 3000” was the unwieldy yet appropriate title of a show where you watched people making fun of movies. Literally watching an entire movie with the cast of MST3K was the reason each […]

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Fly around the world with satellite image software