Tech Tip Daily

I’ve not always been the biggest fan of reading.  I’d much rather watch the cinematic version of anything than take the time to skim the pages.  However, I’ve been known to become an instant fan of almost anything that’s free.  Fortunately, there’s an online resource that exists for the sole purpose of digitizing literature and making it as freely available as possible in many different formats.

Created in 1971 by Michael Hart, Project Gutenberg is the oldest digital library.  The majority of the books are public domain, meaning they can be freely distributed without any royalties or copyright fees.  Often times, “public domain” casts a shadow of inferiority on an item bearing its description.  But in this case, such titles as Moby Dick, Hamlet, and The Iliad, amongst many others.  Aside from being free and unabridged, these titles are digitized, which means the original text has been converted into word processing for easy adaptation, modification (heaven forbid), and even tools like OCRs (optical character recognition).

Link:

http://www.gutenberg.org

You can even offer a donation to the team for all of the hard work they’ve accomplished.  Do yourself (and your intellect) a favor and visit Project Gutenberg.  Your brain will thank you.

That’s all!  Thanks, and happy computing!

One of the most frequent questions that I hear asked is regarding the cheapest place to get cables.  We live in a society where the majority of our shopping is done at places like Best Buy and Walmart.  Unfortunately, these establishments don’t always have the best prices on some products.

With better pieces of technology penetrating the market, we have seen increased need for some newer cables and components.  A good example is with HDMI cables.  Newer TVs can utilize HDMI connections for a better quality signal (as opposed to component cables).  At Best Buy or Radio Shack, an 8-foot HDMI cable can run you nearly $100 dollars.  However, this week’s link pick, Monoprice can get you the same quality cable for, literally, a fraction of the price.  The same type of cable at Monoprice would cost you about $15.  But you aren’t limited to HDMI.  Monoprice carries UTP cable, coax, composite, component, USB, and nearly every other type of cable you could imagine.  In addition, they carry a wide variety of adapters, converters, and gender changers.

A common argument is that there is a difference in the quality of cables.  Years ago, when the majority of signals were analog, different metals could carry the signal better than others.  However, many connections, HDMI included, are digital, as opposed to analog.  Because they are digital (electrical signals of 1’s and 0’s), there is much more tolerance for interference.  In addition, there is no such thing as a “bad” digital signal; either you have reception or you don’t.  Any cable that is well-constructed is equal to the top of the line cables.

I’ve spent near $1000 at Monoprice over the years and have yet to be disappointed.  Even after a shipping mistake, they accepted fault and rectified the problem.  I’ll never buy my cables anywhere else.

Link: http://www.monoprice.com

That’s all!  Thanks, and happy computing!

Believe it or not, coming up with content for a blog can be a little daunting.  Because it’s the weekend (and because I’m the owner) and until I can incorporate a “links” section of the site, I’ll use Saturdays as “link days”.

The pick for today is InterfaceLIFT by L-bow Grease, LLC.  One of my favorites, this site is a very large database of some of the greatest wallpapers and backgrounds on the internet.  Aside from incredible pieces of artwork, photography, and digital design, the majority of them are offered in high resolution, widescreen formats.  Some wallpapers are even made for dual and triple screens.

Plus, it helps that all of the content is free.

All content is user-submitted.  Pay them a visit and enjoy the site.

http://www.interfacelift.com

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Dark Clouds Await (my current background)
• Sandilands Lookout
• Calm Before The Storm
• Summer Storm

That’s all!  Thanks, and happy computing!