Roger's Favorite Things

Here are my top 5 favorite tech products.



1. Tivo Series 3
Tivo has become the heart of my home entertainment system. Its not just a DVR anymore but instead has become a home media center. Recording shows is the main function, but it can do so much more especially when connected to my home network. Stream video, photos, music. Rent and watch movies from amazon or netflix. Watch youtube videos. Transfer recorded shows back and forth between my computer. Convert shows to my iphone. The possibilities are endless. No need for a Home PC Theater set up.
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2. iPhone 3G
Nothing can compare to the iphone's intuitive interface. Checking email, surfing the internet, taking pictures, playing games at your fingertips never felt so natural.
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3. Eye-fi memory card
This is a perfect example of thinking out of the box. Instead of enabling the camera to perform wireless transfers, why not just do it for memory cards. I had my doubts but this thing actually works. Not only does it transfer my photos wirelessly to my computer but it can automatically upload to flickr - my photo sharing website. 2 birds with one stone. Love it.
Full Review

4. Western Digital My Passport portable hard drive
This small, compact, and sexy external hard drive is all you need to back up or transfer your files. The best feature about this drive is that there is no separate power supply needed. Yes, that means all you need to do is plug it into your USB slot (in Windows or Mac) and you are good to go. No software necessary.




5. Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote
You will only need to purchase one of these universal remotes in your lifetime because you can always update the remote using your computer and the internet. The remote is configured by connecting to Logitech's Harmony website application. The application has a comprehensive database of all tv components. So all you need to do is find the new component you just purchased and the remote will know exactly how to control it. Not only that but you can also create a custom sequence of commands to perform with a click of a button. For example, I have a "watch a dvd" command which will turn on my tv, dvd, and receiver and set the correct inputs all at once.

Canada Dry Ginger Ale with Green Tea

My favorite new soda now is Canada Dry's new Ginger Ale with Green Tea. It has the same Ginger Ale taste but with a subtle Green Tea kick. Its available at major supermarkets. Yum!

The "Ultimate" Keyboard Shortcut

I know a keyboard shortcut that will save you 9 keystrokes every time you navigate to a website. So let's say you visit 10 websites per day. That's 90 keystrokes! Once you use this shortcut a couple of times, you will never go back. Trust me. It works across all browsers and even on both Windows and Macs.

When you type in a URL, most likely you would type in "www." and ".com" which equals 9 characters. What a waste. Why not use a keyboard shortcut that fills those characters automatically for you so that all you need to do is to type in the website's name. So what's the magic keyboard shortcut? It's CTRL + Enter. For example, let's say you wanted to visit Google's website. You would just type in "google" then CTRL + Enter. That's it! If you dont normally use any keyboard shortcuts, give this one a try. Its easy to remember and will save you lots of time.

My Favorite Steak Sandwich

This my friend is my favorite steak sandwich. What is it you might ask? Its a Steak Portebello Mushroom Sandwich w/ Provolone Cheese and Garlic Aioli on a Ciabatta Roll. You can find it the Nordstrom Cafe in the Stonestown Galleria Mall. I've been to other Nordstrom Cafe's in the Bay Area (ie. Valley Fair Mall and Standford Mall) but none of them seem to have this particular sandwich on their menu. Click on the image above to zoom in on the juicyness. *drool*

Wishlistr

Wishlistr is a cool and easy way to create your wishlist. I love the simplicity, the design and the ajax goodness. Its a good way to keep track of what you want. Click on the MyWishlist button above to see mine. Feel free to buy me something ;)

Eye-Fi Wireless SD Card

I've told you before that I love anything wireless that makes life easier right? Well, here's a cool new product that will blow your mind. Okay, it might not blow your mind, but its still cool. I dont know why I never thought of it :) Currently, you download your pictures from your digital camera using a USB cable. Its not too hard, but does take time especially if you take a lot of pics. Anyways, if your digital camera uses an SD card, you're in luck. With the Eye-Fi Wireless SD Card, you can wirelessly transfer your pics to your computer. Of course you will need to have an existing wireless home network. But who doesnt? :) One thing that I try to do is use my wireless network for everything. Right now, I have my Tivo, Wii, and laptop connected. And later on Ill add on more wireless enabled electronics. Centralizing all of your wireless products to your computer home network makes things much easier. Not only can you control things via your computer, but it can also enable these products to be online which is really powerful. Whoa, how I digress. Anyways, back to the Eye-Fi. So from reading the reviews, it looks like it automatically syncs when the card is in range of your home network. Cool! In otherwords, you can transfer your pictures without even thinking about it. All you have to do is turn on your digital camera and be in range of your router. GENIUS!

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My 3 Most Favorite Cars

Can you guess what they are?

A)



B)



C)

My Favorite Free Software

Antivirus

Im currently using Clamwin which is open source. I've used all of the programs below and you should be fine installing any one of them to protect your computer.

• Clamwin
  
  
  
• AVG
  
  
  
• Avast
  

Firewall

Before I used ZoneAlarm, but now I use Comodo. Whenever there was a software update for Zonealarm, I would have to reinstall the entire application. That's just too much work for me.

• Comodo
  



• ZoneAlarm
  

Office Productivity

I've personally never used it but heard good things about it. If you dont have Microsoft Office, I'd defnitely try out this replacement.

• OpenOffice
  

Antispyware

I've used these to clean out some spyware, but if you really have a spyware problem, I highly recommend spysweeper, even though it is not free.

• Adaware
  




• Spybot
  

Instant Messaging

Using Trillian and GAIM, you can log into multiple IM accounts all at once. If you are on a public computer, you can use a web based instant messaging site that also allows you to log in to multiple IM accounts called Meebo.

• Trillian
  

• GAIM (Pidgin)
  

• AIM
  

DVD Backup

Paired along with Slysoft AnyDVD (not free), you'll have the ultimate dvd backups.

• DVD Shrink
  

Utilities

This program cleans up all the unnecessary junk that starts to pile up on your computer when surfing the internet. After performing the cleanup, your computer will run faster.

• CCleaner
  

Remote PC Management

If you need to troubleshoot a problem on another persons' computer, the best (and coolest) way is to take control of their computer. This program is by far the simplest and easiest. Just install this lightweight program on the host and the remote pc and have your friend/family just give you the access code.

• Crossloop
  

File Compression

Need to open a .zip file or to zip files up and send them? If you are going to send someone 10 files, please dont attach all of them in an email. Zip them all up and then send 1 zip file.

• 7-zip
  

File Shredder

If you are selling your computer or you want to permanently delete private files make sure you shred them. That way no one will be able to retrieve them.

• File Shredder
  

Uninstaller

Use this program to completely remove or uninstall programs and leave no trace behind.

• Revo Uninstaller
  

Preinstalled Software Remover

Bought a new PC or laptop and have lots of unwanted software applications preinstalled? Want to get rid of that crap?

• PC Decrapifier
  

Other

Going on vacations, I would always bring my laptop to watch movies on the plane or at the hotel. I would lug around a couple of dvds with me. When I was done with one movie, I would have to swap the dvd out and put the other one in.

But nowadays, I dont need to lug around dvds with me because of a software I found called Alcohol 52%. Dont ask me how they came up with their name. I just extract all the dvds I want to watch onto my laptop before I go on vacation. It only takes about 10 minutes for each extraction and each file takes up about 5gb of space. I extracted a bunch of Wiggles dvds for Caden which is totally a lifesaver. I think it also saves laptop battery life, since it doesnt have to use the dvd player. No need for fumbling around with dvds when you're in economy class and you have Caden sitting on your lap.

• Alcohol 52%
  

Godaddy.com

I recently moved my web hosting to godaddy.com. I never even knew they offered web hosting. I've always known them for domain name hosting and those crazy superbowl commericials. Anyways, their web hosting is cheap! I paid $90 for 3 years of web hosting, which is about $2.50 a month (5gb space). There's always a coupon out there for like 10% off (google "godaddy.com coupon"). I like that you can just add on enhanced services to your account anytime. They break up these services into small little chunks (ie. Coldfusion, statistics, dedicated ip, etc).

Tivo Series 3 HD

I recently upgraded my Tivo Series 1 to Tivo Series 3 HD. Nope I dont have HD programming. So why did I get it you might ask? Well, because Tivo made me do it.

Here was the deal (expired).

For a limited time, transfer your product lifetime service from a Series1™ or
Series2™ box to the new Series3™ HD for only $199. As an added bonus, we'll
keep TiVo service activated on your old box for another 12 months for no
additional charge.

My current Tivo Series 1 w/ lifetime subscription works perfectly fine. I've been using it for over 5 years now and I love it. But what caught my attention in this deal was the opportunity to transfer my lifetime subscription. Tivo recently retired their lifetime subs on all Tivos. You can no longer get a lifetime sub on a new Tivo. Also, you cannot transfer a lifetime sub to another Tivo box. So this would be my only opportunity to upgrade my Tivo box as well as transfer my lifetime sub in one shot. I dont think Tivo will ever offer the opportunity to transfer a lifetime sub again. In otherwords, this will be the only way to get a Tivo Series 3 with lifetime. But that $199 lifetime transfer fee hurts, especially when I originally already paid $299 for my original lifetime sub. Ouch. So that's how Tivo trapped me.

Why do you LOVE Tivo? - No one can beat the functionality and the user experience that the Tivo has to offer. It is smart, sexy, and simple. You've probably heard of the cable companies offering their DVR's, but everyone who has experienced them says that they cannot compare to Tivo. Tivo is truly one of my favorite tech gadget. Tivo really did an outstanding job when it comes to user interface. Its hard to think of anything to improve it even on my standards ;)

What are the main differences between Tivo series 1, 2, and 3? - A lot. Let's talk about the Series 2 first.

1. Series 2 has the networking functionality which allows you to network your tivo to your home computer which is connect to the internet. You will need a Tivo wireless adapter to wireless connect your tivo to your wireless router.



2. Once you have this connection, you can do several things.You can use TivoToGo which is the ability to transfer your Tivo recordings onto your computer. Once the videos are transfered to your computer, then you can do whatever you want with the video. ie. burn them on dvd.



3. Stream your mp3s and pictures to your TV and home theater system.



4. Update Tivo without using a phone line.



5. Use Tivo online scheduling. In otherwords, you can go to Tivo's website and schedule your recordings there. This is cool if you are not home and you forgot to record something. However, you must schedule the recording at least 1 hour prior to the show starting since the Tivo does the online update about once per hour.



6. Real time Traffic and Weather



7. Many of the series 2 are dual tuner which is one of my favorite features. It can record 2 shows at the same time. Therefore, you can also record a show and watch another show at the same time.

Onto to Series 3

1. Series 3 has all of the features above except for TivoToGo. This is very sad, but hopefully they will allow it in a future software update. I think Tivo ran into a lot of copyright issues so until they get those settled, no TivoToGo.



2. Can record in HD.



3. THX



4. More than enough space. 300 hours standard record time. 32 hours in HD.
   

So basically, Series 3 is much like the Series 2, but has all of the high quality sound and video capabilities.

So what happens to your Tivo Series 1 box? - So this box no longer has the lifetime sub. Tivo gives me a free year's subscription. But in order to use the box after a year, I would have to start paying the monthly fee :(

Online BackUp - Carbonite

I finally decided on online backup as a method of backing up my computer data. I never thought I would pay a subscription fee for any internet service, but it is well worth it. I was pretty good about backing up my data on hard drives and DVDs, but as gigabytes of Caden's photos started to accumulate, I started to worry. A while back, a bunch of Caden's photos were on my compact flash card and somehow the card got corrupted. We were so sad because those pictures meant a lot to us and there was no way to get it back. We would do (or pay) anything, just to get those pictures back. Luckily, it seems that memory flash cards crash frequently and there was software out on the internet that tries to rescue those files. It took many hours, but I was able to restore 99% of the photos :)

So I thought about all the ways to backup my data since they are more precious to me than anything.

1. External Hard Drive - Very fast and convenient. But what happens if my internal drive gets larger than my external drive? Then I would have to keep buying larger and larger external drives. Also, what would happen if I connect my USB external drive to back up my internal drive and something happens? Like a power outage or whatever. It could damage BOTH my external and internal drive in which my data would be lost on both drives. What if there was a fire?

2. DVD - Inexpensive. But a lot of my data is growing larger than the 4GB capacity. Therefore, I have to span my backup across several DVDs. And what happens if I change a file on my computer after I already backed it up on DVD? I would have to do burn another back up. You have to be diligent when it comes to backing up your data on DVD. You have to know what you have or have not backed up and you have to back up often. Also, I heard that DVD media just like CDs dont last forever. I just cant imagine that after my PC crashes, I would go into my binder full of DVDs and find out that they all arent readable. All that work for nothing. Again, what if there was a fire?

3. Online Back Up (Carbonite) - Let me just list some of the PROS that I experienced thus far with this service:

• Unlimited Storage: Go ahead and store you're terabytes of data. All other online backups have a limit.
  
• Set it and forget it: You dont have to manage it at all. It will automatically backup whatever you specify. It will do it in the background and will NOT slow down your internet connection. Its smart enough to detect that if you are using the Internet, it wont do any backup transfers.
  
• Inexpensive: The price is just right. $5 per month. Its actually cheaper than $5 in their 1 or 2 year subscription. So instead of buying that external hard drive or all your DVD media or paying someone to retrieve data on your crashed hard drive, use the saved money on the monthly fee.
  
• Restore deleted files: Ever delete a file and then empty the recycle bin and then wish you could take that back?
  
• Restore files easy: When you install the software, it will add a Carbonite drive in your my computer, just like your C: drive and your dvd/cd drives. Just double click it and you'll be able to navigate through your already backed up files. Then just right click the file or folder you want restored and select "restore". That's it. Just wait and presto, the file is back on your computer in it original location.
  
• Fire proof: So let's say that you have a fire and your computer is burnt to a crisp. No problem. When you get your new computer, just install the software and download all the files that were on your burnt computer.

Now you might ask, what can go wrong? Okay let me tell you how you can lose all your data even with Carbonite. All of the following need to occur at the same.

1. Your hard drive crashes
2. Carbonite's server hard drives crashes.
3. Carbonite's backup data center crashes.

If only 1 of the above occurs, you still have your data right?
If your hard drive crashes, your data is still safe with Carbonite.
If Carbonite crashes, well duh, you still have your data on your computer.

I just signed up for a 2 year term. I highly recommend them.
For more info, click here to go to their website.

Haha, as I was finishing up writing this post, I blew a fuse at my house and my computer shut off instantly. Luckily, my computer survived. Phew.

Spy Sweeper

I just bought Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.5 for free after rebate (FAR) last week. It's an anti-spyware removal and protection software. I purchased it because it has excellent reviews, won many awards, and cleaned out over 90% of spyware (and did I mention that it was FAR?). Compared to like 60% with other programs like adaware and spybot. A lot of times I have to use multiple programs to remove spyware. Anyways, my take on it the internet these days is that its not safe anymore, unless you are SUPER careful. I've been SUPER careful and Spy Sweeper still found some spyware on my computer. And trust my I've cleaned out many machines already to prove it. I know its not me to suggest buying something that's not free, but Im going to do it anyways. Buy this program, you wont regret it.

Town Hall

Stacie took me to a restaurant called Town Hall. I must say that Boulevards is my favorite fancy restaurant, but if I ate at Town Hall one more time, I'd probably choose Town Hall as my new favorite. It wouldnt be fair to judge Town Hall as my favorite based on one sitting. The atmosphere is much more casual than Boulevards, but Im basing everything on the food quality. It was soooo good. I ordered the Beef Short Ribs and the meat just melted in my mouth. Stacie ordered the Ribeye steak. For appetizer we ordered stuffed calamari with sausage. And for dessert, we had the huckleberry and apple crumb cake with vanilla ice cream. Yum. Now Im motivated to create my favorite sf bay area restaurants on my site. Stay tuned.