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Beta Testing

Beta testing software is always a dream of a hardcore computer user. Usually only people that are connected with a company or well know throughout the technology world will get to beta test software. However two websites now allow the “average joe” to beta test software. It won’t be high-end software like OS Snow Leopard but its good to get a start somewhere. Ibetatest.com is a website where you can test upcoming iPhone/ iPod Touch applications. The site was launched on January 31st 2009 and signing up is free. You can sign up as a beta tester or developer and be able to download a beta version of a soon-to-be application. All apps have a user limit so you might not get to test every app that appeals to you but some it better than none. Macdeveloper.net is a website dedicated to allowing mac users to download regular beta applications and give feedback to the developers. After signing up, which is also free, you can download as many programs as you would like. Unlike ibetatest, there is no limit to how many people can test the software. Every time there is a new version of the beta software, you will be notified and be able to download the new version. If you find a problem or have a suggestion you can submit a ticket. If the developer feels your ticket is a real issue they will reward you with points. Earning a certain amount of points will earn you rewards for software. MacSnaper, a picture annotating application made by Kedisoft, offers a reward of a 60% discount on the software if you earn 10 points. Beta testing is great thing to be apart of and it’s always nice knowing you can say, “I helped make that product.”

~Matt

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games

A little under a year before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver get rolling, the technology plans are almost approaching the finish line!

(Credit: Vancouver2010.com)

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games will reply on 13 computer systems handling tasks from: streaming the results worldwide to employee management as well as protecting the games from security and technical mishaps.

Atos Origin, the company overseeing the installation of the Games’ IT, says that systems are in place and are being put through 100,000 hours of testing. -CNET News

“Like the athletes, this complex network of systems must work perfectly from the first moment, in front of three billion people. There is no second chance,” Magnus Alvarsson, Atos Origin’s chief integrator for the 2010 Games, said in a statement.

Atos Origin has been in charge of IT at the Olympic Games since 2002 and is responsible for IT configurations again during the London Games in 2012.

The London Games’ chief integrator mentioned to sources that the IT backbone for the 2012 Games would be “trimmed in a drive” for “sustainability.”

-Winston Sih

http://youtube.com/sihwinston

http://twitter.com/winstonsih

http://techguysnetwork.com

Hello everyone! 

 

The new Kindle 2 from Amazon is here and offers some new features that may send people jumping out of their chairs and yelling hooray!  On the other hand some anticipated more than reality. 

Some new features include:

• Wider capacity of storage – NEW 2GB space
• More advanced display
• 16 shades of gray to choose rather than 4 from the original Kindle
• 15% more battery life
• Wireless access to download many famous reads via Sprint’s EVDO network in the US
• and more!

This device ships from Amazon warehouses February 24th, 2009 and sells at $359 USD

For more detailed information and an interview by CNET‘s Natali Del Conte, watch the video!

 

-Winston S.

http://techguysnetwork.com

http://youtube.com/sihwinston

http://twitter.com/winstonsih

What Makes a Good YouTuber?

lockergnome (Chris Pirillo)
CrashIsGeek (Collin Noel)
Gilesvg (Giles Van Gruisen)

Yes, these are all good YouTubers. Well how did they get there?

These YouTubers, have many subscribers. There are many more good YouTubers, but what does it take to get almost 1000 subscribers? Shout-outs? No, good videos. I can’t say too much, because I only have a few subscribers, however, I know what it takes.

You have to have many subscribers. To get a lot of subscribers, you need good videos, especially. You also need an appealing channel, so nothing unprofessional. You also need a good reputation, this one is big.

So I hope I helped you out, with this very simple advice. Thanks!

-CompHelpWithSam (samuel@techguysnetwork.com)

Google Earth 5.0

 

Google Earth 5.0 is out now and this update has many new features including:

The option to explore the deep blue sea.  You can go in and see satellite shots of the waves as well as you can download a plugin which takes you in an animation for exploring.

As well, there is the option to read real historic stories.  You can read about stories about the Earth, and see some interesting facts as well as see some cool pictures.

Lastly, there is the option to explore Mars in 3D.  Google Earth has teamed up with NASA to give you Mars in 3D and you can read some stories about that there too.

That is just the tip of the iceburg so please watch the video for more and download it for even more fun!

-Winston S.

http://techguysnetwork.com

http://thecreativeone.tv

http://twitter.com/winstonsih

http://youtube.com/sihwinston

 

Thanks Alex

Hello!

This is Samuel, from Tech Guys Network.  Here, I will be posting all my thoughts on the latest tech news!

I would like to take a brief moment, to thank Alex for letting me write for his blog.  After a long time of trying to figure out emails, we finally got this figured out!

If you would like to contact me, go to www.techguysnetwork.com or you can email me at samuel@techguysnetwork.com.  Thanks!

-Samuel (www.techguysnetwork.com – samuel@techguysnetwork.com)

Windows 7 Rumor: 6 OS Options?

Today, engadget.com confirmed that Microsoft will have six advanced versions of the new Windows 7. The following information is from Engadget:

• Windows 7 Starter (limited to three apps concurrently)
• Windows 7 Home Basic (for emerging markets)
• Windows 7 Home Premium (adds Aero, Touch, Media Center)
• Windows 7 Professional (Remote Desktop host, Mobility Center, Presentation mode)
• Windows 7 Enterprise (volume license only, boot from virtual drive, BitLocker)
• Windows 7 Ultimate (limited availability, includes everything)

In my opinion, MICROSOFT, WHAT ARE YOU ON? Vista, as much as a dog I think it is, is currently in Vista Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. So, it really gets you thinking, play “innie-minnie-minni-moh” with Windows 7, or just simply get one, and one version only of OS X. Before I switched to my mac, I had a PC running XP SP3. Didn’t even bother upgrade to “Vista”. If Microsoft continues this path with different OS versions, I am going to take a wild guess that it will not be very cheap. As of now, Vista Ultimate costs about $200-$225 to get all of the features, while OS X Leopard costs a mere $129 , for every little crumb.

I guess this is just my opinion, and to read more about this, visit: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/windows-7-skus-announced-yes-your-worst-nightmare-has-come-to/

-Brandon/iTalkTech

iMac Dual and Quad core Coming!

-WINSTON

iPhoto Review and Overview

Hey everybody, as most of you know I purchased iLife 09 the day it was release, and I have been playing around with all the applications. Today I’m going to show you iPhoto 09.

Faces: Not only do you have events, but now we have “Faces”. I really like this feature. its a great way to organize your photos, because it allow you to organize them by the people that are in them. For example, if you wanted a good picture of your mom for her birthday card, faces really comes in handy.

Interface

 

The interface features a cork board with “Snap Shots” of all of your people. Also you get the skimming feature included in events. It is very nice, clean and easy to use.

Using Faces

Above is what faces looks like when adding pictures to a person. Obviously, i am not that person on the right, so i double click to let iPhoto know that is not me. However i am on the left, so i let iPhoto know that’s me. Doing this allow iPhoto to get smarter at identifying people. The Face identifier is pretty good, but you get occasional mishaps like this.

Entering Peoples Names

In the picture above, my whole family is named, except for one, my brother. It is very simple to add him.

Simply Click on the “unknown face” and start typing the name, iPhoto finds all the people in your faces library, and suggests names.

Adding A New Face

In the photo above, iPhoto did not detect my brothers face, so to add it, i simply click add new face, put a box around my brothers face, and then name the face. Its that Simple!!!

Down Sides:

This new iPhoto is amazing, but it has its downsides. The face detector does not detect pets faces, but i have heard that people have taught iPhoto to detect their dogs faces, but currently it is not a listed feature. Also, we get the occasional cloud looking like a face, or tree looking like a face, but those are minor. My biggest complaint no bulk select for a NO. When iPhoto feeds back results on who it thinks people are in photos, there is a bulk Yes but no bulk NO.

Overall Faces is an amazing new way to sort photos.

Places

Just like faces, now we have places. Places allows you to sort your photos by location.

Interface

If you know Google maps, on iPhone or computer, you know how to use places. The interface is very easy and clean, just like faces. With two view (World and List) you can Look at photos generally and specifically

Simply click a pin, and click the arrow to see the photos from the location.

Downsides

This does not apply to everyone, but people with older cameras like me have to go in and name each place. What does that mean. It means i have to get a new camera! =D

Overall the new Places Feature is GREAT!

Other features.

Facebook and Flickr:

I have not really tested these out, but they are great add ons to iPhoto if you use either service.

Themed Slide shows:

These are great to show family members. They look amazing, and are very nice. The themes are great, and i think everyone will love this feature.

That is about it. I know i did not fully cover everything, but i covered most stuff.

 

Thank You Everybody!

Alex