Quicktip: Routers

When looking for a router you need to keep 2 things in mind: You are looking for something that is "N" compatible, and you should probably spend more than $60. Otherwise you're getting something outdated and it will likely break within a month. Routers DO go bad!

I recommend: Apple Airport Extreme, Apple Time Capsule (for those that want NAS!), and Cisco Valet routers. Yes, they are pricey...but you'll definitely get something thats worth the money.

Also this blog needs support on REDDIT and DIGG! You can find the Digg button at the top of the page. The reddit link is right here:

Reddit

Happy Wednesday. Remember, I take questions!

Steve Jobs bashes Android, New poll

Hello all! I'm back! Miss me?

Well in my time away I had a chance to listen to the earnings call from Steve Jobs recently. The guy just completely bashed Android as a platform by saying it was too hard to develop for due to fragmentation. The funny thing is, as soon as he said this, several app developers tweeted in recourse...like one from TweetDeck (the app I recommended a few days ago), saying that they had only 2 people working on TweetDeck for Android...so obviously it wasn't that hard. What do you guys think about what he said?

Also...any weigh-in on how Steve thinks that a 7" tablet is simply out of the question? Remember he also said netbooks and tablets were ridiculous about 2 years ago. But there is an 11" Macbook Air coming and of course the iPad...seriously, Steve?

Also, a new poll is soon to be posted if it isn't already up when you read this!

Lets hear some comments about this.

I apologize for the temporary down-time

I will be back soon with more tips and How-to's for you techies and DIY'ers out there. Stay tuned!

Sarge

Recommended: TweetDeck

Hey twits, tweeters, and tweeple. Looking for something that can manage your Twitter account(s) from your desktop? Maybe add in bonus control for Facebook, Foursquare, and more? This is your answer: TweetDeck. I have personally tried every twitter client for the desktop that exists and this tops them all. Its even worth ignoring the Adobe Air updates. Plus, its FREE!

Available for: Mac, PC, iPhone, Android

http://www.tweetdeck.com/

DSLR Photography, made simple

There are a few simple terms you need to learn before getting into DSLR photography...I don't have a lot of time so I'll make this quick.

Aperture: Look for the marking on the knob that says "A" or "Av". This stands for aperture priority mode. The smaller the f-number is on the screen, the larger the aperture (or opening of the blades in the lens) is. This allows your camera to increase the shutter speed automatically to the maximum possible speed to reduce blur in your photos.

Shutter speed: the time interval in which the photo is taken. Usually looks like a fraction (1/250, etc). The faster this speed is, the less blur in your photos. Manually set the speed to 30 seconds and set the camera on a tripod to capture long lines from lights in heavy traffic!

Viewfinder: USE THIS. Stop using the screen. Look through the lens of the camera and you're bound to get better at 'seeing' the potential photos around you!

Mailbag 10.7.2010

So im looking to get a couple of A+ certifications, which ones would be most lucrative? are you certified? What would be the best way to get my certs? Is there a class or should i just go buy a book?

A: No I am not A+ certified. And you shouldn't be, either. A+ certification is useless in todays world because of the rapid change in technology. If you want to be "Certified" you need a piece of paper that says you got a degree from a real school. This is not to put you down, this is to encourage you to go major in a computer related field. Once you've done that, you wont NEED to get any certifications.

if I'm interested in writing simple code and have experience with HTML and I've hello world'd in C++, but that's about it if i were to try and teach myself, what would you recommend

A: Just start doing it. Start by making the simplest HTML website you can (header, body, "Hello"). Then add on to it. Find things about certain websites you like and try to emulate them. Once you've gotten yourself fairly well versed, move into PHP and MySQL databases, you'll find the syntax there more similar to C++, even though it is still scripting.

any simple tips for learning/ remembering C# for a begginner, also make me a very detailed diagrm dispalying how a entire netork works, from user PC requesting data showing the path of the packets, ISP, Server proxies etc from a buisness perspective, this will get me a distinction on my college couse unit 1 on web desgin, many thanks xD

A; There is nothing simple about any of that. I suggest googling "IOS model".

unix or microsoft for a server? why?

A: Unix, without a doubt. They are a million times more secure and you can make them do just about anything.

Android or iOS? Which do you prefer?

A: Neither. I prefer to use an iPhone for my cell phone purposes, but both operating systems are handicapped. iOS has the potential to be great, but is crippled by not having Flash...not being able to compile Java...blah blah.

Thanks for all the questions! Feel free to send in more at any time!

Time for a Mailbag!

Alright lets hear your questions. Web Design, Networking, Photography, personal, Code, whatever! Post your questions and I'll answer them in my next blog!

You never forget your first girlfriend...

...even if you want to. Today, I debugged my Unix professors C++ program.

I started my college in Computer Science, learning the hell that is C++. And I would have stayed with it, but I ran out of memory... Haha. It was my first language and I hate it with a burning passion. Today was the first time I thought about it in 2 years. When I saw the code and my professor was all, "Okay now whats wrong here, why isn't this working..." My mental muscle-memory kicked in and as if I was a robot programmed for response I blurted "STDIO.H IS FOR C, YOU HAVE TO USE IOSTREAM FOR C++". I was so ashamed.

So I ask, what was YOUR first language, and how do you feel about it today?

Recommended: Colloquy

Are you a Mac user looking for an IRC client? This is your answer. Colloquy is a free IRC client with an extensive development background. Check it out here:

http://colloquy.info

Its Gameday.

Well, folks. Its my day off and what a day it will be! TODAY IS GAMEDAY. So I ask, who is YOUR team?

Predictions for the day:

Texas Tech 35
Iowa State 14

Oklahoma 32
Texas 21

Alabama 21
Florida 14

WRECK EM