Episode 5: Topic[s] -The Playstation Move, Palm’s fall from glory, IE9, Download of the Week

Guest(s): Stephen Showalter (twitter.com/sshow)

[LINKS]

• Cobian Backup 9 Download (http://tinyurl.com/yzoegmb)

Duration: 43 minutes 58 seconds

Stream (Quicktime):

:: Download :: (right click -> save link as)

Tell me what you think about the show! Feedback from listeners is a huge driving force when making new episodes of TBoT, simply because we want to talk about what you want to hear – that’s what TBoT is all about. Also, a big thanks to everyone who has downloaded/tweeted me/contacted me in person to tell me that they enjoy the show – thank you so much for the inspiration!

I’ve got several requests that I submit TBoT to iTunes for easy access through the iTunes subscription client and through the iPhone/iTouch – so I hope to have that in place by Episode 7 at the latest.

Thanks again for listening!

-Chase

Episode 4: Topic[s] – The Apple iPad, The Microsoft Courier,  iPhone/iTouch App Review/Download of the Week

[LINKS]

Duration: 29 minutes 49 seconds

Stream (Quicktime):

:: Download :: (right click -> save link as)

As always, listener comments are great and they really help me stay motivated about recording so if you’ve got something you’d like to shout out, go ahead! Comment below or shoot me a tweet @chaseblair.

-Chase

Episode 3: Topic[s] – Dragon Age: Origins Review, Download of the Week, Google Buzz, Assassin’s Creed 2 DRM

[LINKS]

• audacity.sourceforge.net

Duration: 20 minutes 32 seconds

Stream (Quicktime):

:: Download :: (right click -> save link as)

-Chase

Show intro and “outro”created by Sinima. Check out more of Sinima’s work at ShadowVille.com.

Show Notes:

Episode 2: Topic[s] – gdgt.com, AT&T Blocks 4chan,  DotW: Mozilla Thunderbird

• AT&T Blocks 4chan

Links: http://stormen.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/att-blocks-4chan/

• Mozilla Thunderbird

Links: mozillamessaging.com

Duration: 5 minutes 58 seconds

Stream (Quicktime):

:: Download :: (right click -> save link as)

-Chase

Show Notes:

Episode 1: Topic[s] – Windows 7 RC1, IObit’s Smart Defrag, TotW: Keep Your Internals Clean

• Windows 7 RC1

Links: microsoft.com/windows7

• Smart Defrag

Links: iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html

Duration: 5 minutes 59 seconds

Stream (Quicktime):

:: Download :: (right click -> save link as)

-Chase

It’s common knowledge that PC’s (more specifically PC’s running a Microsoft Windows based OS) need to be defragmented (very) often in order to maintain an optimal operation quality. While the default defragmenting tool that Microsoft offers you with their (overpriced) OS is at par, it appears half-baked when compared to many other high-end, commercial defragmenting tools. Commercial you say? Why would I want to spend more money on defragmenting PC when I already have a defragmenter? That’s a good point, and the good news is that instead of investing in commercial defragmenting software, I’m going to introduce to you some commercial quality software, that is completley free: IObit’s Smart Defrag.

Why should I switch to Smart Defrag?

1. It’s Intuitive
   
   • The interface and options that Smart Defrag offers are very easy, simple, and straightforward. Everything you need to begin defragmentation is within the boundaries of the initial launch window and each option for defragmentation is explained in a short and understandable synopsis just below the selected defragmentation setting.
2. It’s Customizable
   
   • Personally, I am a huge fan of customizing software preferences to enhance performance and get exactly what I need out of my software – nothing more and nothing less. Smart Defrag allows you to customize your defragmentation in a number of ways, from simple defragmentation, to fast optimize defragging, to deep optimize defragging – not to mention other advanced options that allow for automated defragmentation at later dates and end defrag reports that allow advanced users to examine the before and after specs of their system defragmentation.
3. It’s Efficient
   
   • Smart Defrag offers two “optimize” defragmentation modes: “fast optimize” and “deep optimize”, which may be my favorite feature of this amazing piece of software. The optimizing modes allow for intelligent organization of your data, making the most used pieces of data on your PC the most quick to access and vice versa. As the name states, “fast optimize” is a more quick version of “deep optimize”, as it doesn’t take as much time to sort through and organize files, however, you will end with better performance after using deep optimize. Both of the options can be turned off though, if you are just looking for a quick defragment run. No matter how you decide to defragment though, you will notice file performance increase.
4. It’s Free!
   
   • Not much to say here! Why not give it a try? Smart Defrag is free for download at  the IObits site!

What are you waiting for? Visit IObit’s website through the link and start giving your PC a more optimum defragmentation! A word of advice though: you may want to allow this software to run while you are away, sleeping, reading a book – whatever the case may be – because it does take quite a bit of time to work it’s magic, but the optimizing/defragmenting options (such as deep optimize & fast optimize) are completely worth the wait time! Also, it is key that you defragment your PC on a weekly basis at very least – however if you are a very heavy PC user/PC gamer such as I, I would recommend defragmenting your PC on a daily basis!

Have questions about this article or using Smart Defrag? Know of a better free defragmenter? Message me on twitter (@chaseblair), or leave a comment below! Your comments are the fuel for this blog, so speak out!

-Chase

Why should I switch?

1. Great (free) Plugins.
   
   • There are so many great plugins for WordPress it’s unreal! And best of all – they’re free (or at least a large majority of them are)! Plugins can really cut down design time when putting together a blog, as all the complex programming for popular tasks is already complete and it’s as simpl as tell WordPress to automatically install the plugin you want. No need to upload manually to your server – no need to worry about lost files in the transfer – it’s as simple as can possibly be. And even better, there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of WordPress plugins out there, so you’re bound to find something you like!
2. Very Easy to Install/Update.
   
   • Installing WordPress is literally a “5-Minute Install”. There is a “readme” file that comes with the downloaded package that will walk you directly through the process without a hitch. WordPress will also give you a notice when it needs to be updated, and updating is as simple as clicking an update button.
3. Be as Creative as You Want.
   
   • So maybe you’re a bit above the bar – an advanced web designer/blogger – and you want to redesign some of the elements that make your blog tick. Have at it – as you can modify nearly everything (as far as appearance and function of your blog go). Design your own theme, plugins, internal coding – whatever you would like to do here is totally up to you! And if you aren’t as creative and would just like a nice looking blog, there are tons of themes out there  that can save you a lot of time and still allow you to impress your audience.
4. It is Designed for Everyone.
   
   • If you’re a beginning blogger or experienced blogger; a web expert or just a casual surfer – WordPress is for you! It tailors to every person who could possibly use it, with its advanced customization features and flexibility which coincide with its ultra-simple and easy to use interface for those who aren’t as enthusiastic about customization.

So what do you need to use WordPress? Very little actually, as you simply need to have a web host to store your blog data, at least one database with your host (hosting services usually offer these in a packaged deals with the data hosting plans), a domain name to direct with (not necessary, but it sure helps keep traffic up), and the latest version of WordPress which can be obtained by visiting the WordPress website. And it’s as simple as that!

Have questions about this article and how to setup WordPress? Have a better blogging package in mind? Message me on twitter (@chaseblair), or leave a comment below!

-Chase

• Use MSconfig to your advantage – turn off programs on boot quickly and efficiently to speed up your Windows boot time. Any extra software that has to load on boot is drastically killing load times, so if they are not absolutely essential, get rid of them. To do this, simply go to start -> run -> open “msconfig”, then check the “startup” tab and go to town removing unnecessary software that is loading on bootup. If you see a startup item that you don’t recognize, look it up before you decide to keep it from loading! It’s only a mere Google away.
• Secondly, if you’re running Vista, use the ReadyBoost feature! So many people ignore this and are missing out an extra boost in boot performance. At most, this is going to set you out an extra $15 (if that even) for a USB 2.0 compatible flash drive (or memory card – i.e. SD card, Pro Duo, etc.). Because it’s already explained all over the web I won’t go into details here, but you can check out this complete article regarding ReadyBoost from ZDnet which goes into the details of how it works. If you don’t care about the details, it’s as simple as inserting your USB 2.0 flash drive or memory card, and (as long as you have “auto play” on), selecting the ReadyBoost option that displays at the bottom of the notice box.
• Thirdly, keep your hard disks defragmented! Again, this is something that even the newest of computer users know how to do, yet they just don’t do it, and are losing a bit of performance because of it.

In all honesty these are some very simple tips that many know, but they still prove to be very effective. If you’ve yet to try any of these you may want look into them, as I use them very frequently on all my PCs.

If you found this helpful to you, leave a comment! I love feedback and it really helps keep things like this rolling. If you have a tip of your own, feel free to leave it here too! There are hundreds of other ways out there to speed up your boot time, so feel free to leave any advice.

-Chase

Throughout my years browsing the web, I’ve read an unbelievable amount of tech articles from a variety of popular tech sites, which include arstechnica.com, engadget.com, gizmodo.com, techdirt.com, as well as many others. While the thousands of articles I’ve explored on these sites were enjoyable to read, I never quite felt fully connected and the sites proved to be more of  a “latest data heap” type of directory.

Here’s my point: I want to create a blog where I can base my articles on the real interests of my audience, and not just random ideas found around the net. Sure, some times random ideas work, and people find interest in them, but so many times they are pushed aside and left to rot because a general blog reading public decides the writing is not worth their valuable reading time, because it doesn’t solve a problem of theirs, nor does it fuel their curiosity to a level of content.

My proposal to anyone who reads this: I would like you to comment this first post (or tweet me @chaseblair through Twitter) and let me know what you are interested in, in the tech world. It can be anything technology related – computer hardware, programming, smart phones, HD TVs, gaming, PCs, Macs, mp3 players, cameras – it doesn’t matter. Tell me what you would like to know about this interest. Would you like to see a tutorial about how to do something? Would you like tech product reviews? How about explanations that will help you make smarter tech purchases? The bottom line is this: what would make this blog interesting for you?

-Chase