Osirez Tech

Verizon Wireless sold an amazing mobile pocket PC device when they released the Samsung Omnia i910.  It has more features than you can shake a stick at.  But to many peoples' dismay they decided to originally release it with the GPS feature locked.  But as promised they released the firmware that unlocks the GPS feature.  If you do not have the latest CF03 firmware, head over to Verizon's website and get it.  Vista and Windows 7 users can get it here.   Windows XP users get it here. After you've gotten your Omnia flashed to the newest CF03 firmware then there's a few short steps you will need to do.  I'm going to keep this article short and simple so I want go into how to get the GPS settings icon to appear in your settings menu because it's more of an advanced registry hack and not necessary.  If you are using Google Maps like you should then some may be experiencing the same problem that I did when tried to get a GPS lock.  If you aren’...

I’m always interested in what others are doing with their desktops.  Send me a screenshot along with your name or chosen username and I will post it online. michael.malott@gmail.com **One of many products you can use to screen capture with. Screen Capture Software **

Apple has a knack for introducing trendy devices that are, umm, attached to us by the hip.  Mac notebooks were a huge cool points plus for the college scene for a long time and still holds its own in that arena.  The iPod became the “what is that thing your listening to” for millions.  And the Apple iPhone needs no introduction.  It has effectively dominated the cell phone, PDA, media player, gaming, and random gadget market with a fury never seen before.  The iPhone has been sitting high on its throne now for three years now without any indication that it will be retiring anytime soon.  This is evident in the other cell phone manufactures very obvious battle for second place, instead of challenging the big apple directly.  Comparing another mobile device to the iPhone lately has been as interesting as comparing Toyota’s latest sport car to a half of a million dollar Ferrari.  Basketball’s latest star rookie to Michael Jordan.  Your 10 year ...

Bad news if you like free stuff: In 2010, the popular ad-supported streaming video site Hulu will officially begin charging for content. We've heard rumors about this before, and while about 17% of you said you'd consider paying for Hulu if it was reasonable, the vast majority were completely against the idea (40% said you just head back to BitTorrent ). [ Full Story ]

Debunking Some Linux Myths Posted by J.A. Watson With new releases of several major Linux distributions coming up in the next few weeks, I would like to take a few minutes to debunk some of the more blatant inaccuracies which are circulated about Linux. Many of these will sound absurd to anyone with reasonable knowledge about Linux, but I have seen every one of these used in comments to my own blog within the past few months. - You have to compile everything yourself to install Linux Even I was just about dumbstruck when I read this one. This has certainly not been the case for 10 years or more. All of the major Linux distributions come in binary form, and installation is essentially the same as installing Windows from scratch - only a lot faster and easier. I can install Linux from scratch, onto a blank disk, and be ready to work in well under an hour. Note that I said "ready to work", not just done with the base installation and ready to start a long cycle of update...

Here are some resource I have found for those that may want to give Linux a try.  Linux can be a great way to restore that aging dinosaur of a PC sitting in the corner or alternative to Windows 7.  Alternative doesn’t mean 2nd grade product though.  Below are some links to help you get started in Linux.  If your a Linux newcomer I highly recommend using Ubuntu or Kubuntu.  These two distributions of Linux are very Windows like and the degree of “change” is very little. Links How To Give Linux a Try How To Try Ubuntu Linux Five Linux Alternatives to Windows 7 Videos I have posted up some videos demonstrating Ubuntu and Kubuntu below. Ubuntu 9.10 Kubuntu 9.10

While on a BBC morning talk show, BBC technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones made a comment that seemed to upset the Linux community.  He said: “Ubuntu was a minority sport only for dedicated enthusiasts.” Ubuntu arguably being the largest and most successful distribution for Linux has the majority following as a desktop operating system in the Linux universe.  As a true Linux supporter myself, I have preached the goodness that is Linux time after time.  But the Linux community needs to still come to the grips no matter the ideology or freedom that Linux allows, it’s still for the tech savvy crowd.  Furthermore its place in the operating system market is about 3 steps away from non-existent. After making his comment about Ubuntu, he was sent a Dell Inspiron Mini from Canonical.  Canonical is the commercial entity behind Ubuntu based out of South Africa.   Read what Rory Cellan-Jones has to say about his expereince with Ubuntu and what I agree...

If your like me, then your a huge fan of your Xbox 360.  After probably a couple thousand dollars, and a countless hours spent together, your Xbox 360 have a relationship that the the girlfriend or wife will never understand.  After hours of gaming and neglecting your significant other, this is probably what she’s thinking. While cruising down the interweb highway, I came across something very interesting.  Followers of hip-hop culture already know about the infinite amount of custom shoes that has been popular for a couple of decades now.  But these pair of Nikes take your shoe fetish and love for Xbox past a whole new level. Coming in at a whopping $2500, I shutter to think what the wife will be thinking when you explain to her that you “needed” have these to add to your what she calls “pile of junk”.  Good luck to you guys brave enough to even think about buying these.  Check out the full article at Pricy-Spicy.com .

Do you find that you are always coming across content on the internet that you have to post to Facebook?  Here’s a to get a button in your bookmarks bar or your bookmarks folder if you choose so that posting content that you find becomes even more quick and easy.  This will work in any browser. Firefox or Chrome Drag the link below to your bookmark bar if you’re using Firefox or Chrome. Facebook.it Internet Explorer If you’re using Internet Explorer then right click the link and select “Add to Favorites…”.  From there you can add the shortcut by clicking the Favorites star at the top of Internet Explorer. Now click the down arrow next to “Add Favorites”. Go down to “Organize Favorites” and click it.  This will bring up a new window.  Find your Facebook.it bookmark and click the “Move” button at the bottom.   Then click the “Links” folder and “OK”.  It should appear in your favorites bar now. Using the Facebook Link Anytime yo...

Not That Wow I’ve been using the new content that Microsoft offered up in the fall preview for a couple of days now.  I have to admit like most people, I was on some Xbox high waiting to get this new content only to be not let down but dropped on my face.  The way the update comes off to me is half-baked.  It’s like when grandma is baking your favorite cookies and you can just smell them from the living room.  Your mouth is watering at the thought of getting some of those hot, soft, chocolate chip cookies.  She serves them up to you and  you bite down immediately. . . to find uncooked dough in the center!  Anyways here’s a run through of what I found. Facebook At first appearance it seems like your standard Facebook.  I already knew going into this not to expect the extras from Xbox’s Facebook app.  But I’m really disappointed in the way it’s implemented.  One of the requests Microsoft has for you as being part of the Preview Prog...

Yesterday Microsoft officially released Windows 7.  For those who haven’t tried it, it’s a biggest improvement in the Windows dynasty since XP.  But many people still scorned about the release or forcible computer raping of their computers by Vista are still a little leery of Windows 7.  Windows Vista was not well received and never really caught on in the home or corporate arena.  Microsoft got severely burned by Vista as a result being forced to continue support of XP which was release in 2001. I’ve been using Windows 7 for a couple of months now.  Note that I used Vista since release and XP since it’s release.  My general thoughts on Windows 7 are that it’s a massive leap for Windows kind.  On the same computer it actually improved in speed over XP and the stability to Vista isn’t even worth comparing.  Should you get it?  A big hell yes would be the answer.  It can breath new life into moderately older PCs and notebooks while incre...

For those of you brave enough to tread into the Windows 7 territory already, there are new themes available from Microsoft.  They include Avatar, Bing, Coca-Cola, Ducati, Ferrari, Gears of War 1&2, Infiniti, Pepsi, Lugares Coloridos, Porsche, Zune Characters, Zune Elements, and Zune Zodiac.  Go to the official Windows 7 Theme page, download, click, and enjoy.

So I checked the link this morning to see my status as a candidate for the Xbox Live Update Preview Program.  (whew that’s a long winded title).  I was happy when I got this screen. So I immediatly turned on my Xbox to see if I was going to get the update.  Nothing.  Umm, okay.  I turn it back off and try again and… nothing.  Okay, now this sucks.  Time to head over to the Xbox Forums to see if I can find any answers.  Nothing on there.  So I go to Major Nelson’s site.  I did find out if you got the above screen and only the above screen you have been accepted.  It also states that the preview will be rolled out in 3 waves.  The first being this morning.  The second according to the Major’s twitter will be rolled out later today.  I can only assume that everyone that was going to be accepted got the acceptance screen but it doesn’t separate which wave you will be in.   I will post any updates here wh...

As of late it has become quite trendy for girls to be considered a gamer.  At least that’s what corporate video gaming world entities like Xbox would like you to think.  On Xbox Live they heavily promote the idea via short shows like Girls Go Geek, Felicia Day’s The Guild, and host Trixie360.  Just type in pink Xbox 360 and you will find plenty of options for pink peripherals for your beloved Xbox.  So we know they’re out there.  But the reality of it is I think it’s more similar to my own experience.  Yes more girl gamers are out there but it’s not the same as what we consider a boy gamer or gamer in general. I have managed to get my wife on occasion and my 14 year old daughter to play video games but it’s a whole different “session” than when I play by myself or with my boys.  The boys who are 15 and 11 years old are probably the what is considered the typical type gamer.  We load up on a regular basis Grand Theft Auto 4, Guitar Hero, Gears of...

Xbox Dashboard update preview invites out this Friday

For those who can’t wait for the much anticipated update that Microsoft is bringing to the Xbox this fall, Joystiq brings you a video preview to get over till the release comes. For those who don’t know yet (where you been) this update is huge in terms of console updates.  Microsoft gave us the Live Marketplace which no one can deny its resounding success.  Then came Netflix , the online paid subscription streaming video giant which allowed Xbox 360 users to watch a huge selection of movies, tv shows, and video on demand.  Microsoft this fall will now up the ante promising to bring more big names of the internet such as MSNBC, Facebook, Zune, Twitter, Last.fm and more.

I like to consider myself somewhere in between a bleeding edge and outside the norm type of user when it comes to computers.  So when I happened upon an article reviewing the new features of Google’s Chrome 3, I decided to give it a try… again. I did try Chrome when it was released and was very unimpressed.  It struck me as Firefox without the frills.  Don’t get me wrong, that isn’t a bad thing, but why switch from what works to the other side that is a “knock-off”. Initial Reaction Earlier this week, I dove in and installed the latest incarnation of Chrome.  The install was typical and easy.  It installed without a hitch and asked if I would like to import my Firefox bookmarks.  I did this and it even put my bookmark toolbar in the same place as Firefox.  Once installed, one of the first features I noticed was the “New Tab” screen.  This screen presents you with the sites you most visited as screen shots and recently closed in chronolog...

Assassin's Creed II is coming soon and creating quite the buzz.  For fans of the original title, I'm willing to bet that this is going to be a great addition to what is being rumored as a trilogy.  Any who, check out the trailer and let me know what you guys think.  Leave a comment.  Rant, rave, or say how much this game sucks.  I for one, am looking forward to this release.

As some know by now Microsoft announced a while ago that Facebook, Twitter, and Last.FM will be coming to the Xbox real soon now (have yet to confirm a date).  But what you may not know is that you can sign up for the early preview before everyone else gets to use it.  If you go to the Microsoft Connect Site , you can sign up to be picked for a early preview of the new features for Xbox 360.  You should sign up quickly before the preview starts.  According to Major Nelson of Major Nelson .com,  the preview trial should start mid this week.  He would not state a specific date though. Some of the features that are being said to be coming are: Facebook Twitter Zune Last.fm Netflix (improvements) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Last.fm   --------------------------------------------------------------------- Netflix   -------------------------------------------------...

Here's a quick tip about opening links that are not hyperlinked in Firefox. What is a hyperlink: "In computing , a hyperlink is a reference in a document to an external or internal piece of information. The most common usage is in the Internet to browse through web pages : some text in the current document is highlighted so that when clicked, the browser automatically displays another page or changes the current page to show the referenced content. The highlighted element is known as a hyperlink (or link for short) and makes a logical connection between two places in the same or different documents. Hyperlinks are the basic building block of hypertexts ." -Quoted from Wikipedia So in simple terms, a hyperlink is the text on a webpage that is usually blue in color and will sometimes highlight when you hover mouse over it. These hyperlinks or links for short will take you to an internal or external web page. Now that we know what a hyperlink is, we can app...

Time is an interesting concept. Everyone needs more of it. When given more time, they then need more. When you have nothing but time, you don't know what to do with it. Maybe there's just enough of it?