How To Create Your Own Personal Blackberry Themes

How To Create Your Own Personal Blackberry Themes
Article by BrileyKenney (1,517 pts )


A step-by-step guide on how to use the Plasmic Blackberry Theme Builder to create your own custom Blackberry themes.

Getting The Necessary Tools

The first step to building or making anything is, of course, collecting the right tools to do so. In this case the brick and mortar is a little easier to get a hold of and quite a bit cheaper. In order to create your custom theme you will need several things which are listed below.
A Computer-obviously.
A Mini-USB data cable- to connect your Blackberry to the computer.
The Plazmic Theme Builder
Photo Editing Software- To edit and change the theme files for your device.
Blackberry Desktop Manager- To install and remove existing themes and applications on the device.

The very first step we must take is to download the Plazmic Theme builder and the additional Java and Blackberry data files that are needed so your computer can recognize the themes.

Step 1: Download the Plazmic Content Developers Kit for the Blackberry. (You will have to give your name and address and an existing e-mail address, this is simply to register the software)

Step 1.5: Download and install Java JDK version 1.5 or higher on your computer, the latest release at the time this article was edited was Java JDK version 1.6.

Step 2: Download Blackberry JDE (You will have to register for Blackberry's development program in order to download this but it does not cost anything)

Step 3: Download the Blackberry MDS/Email simulator.

Step 4: Download the Blackberry Device Simulator.

Step 5: Install all the programs in that same order before starting Plazmic. It seems like a long and worthless process but I assure you once the theme builder is up and running you will have tons of custom themes on your phone all made by you!
Welcome To Plazmic

Once everything has been downloaded and installed correctly it's time to boot up the Blackberry Plazmic Theme builder. The Plazmic install will install a folder in the programs menu (If you didn't change default settings during install) called "Plazmic CDK 4.5 for Blackberry". Inside the folder (as seen below) will be two applications, one labeled "composer" and the other is named "theme builder".

Select the Theme Builder application and you will be greeted with the Plazmic load screen. Upon booting up you will then be prompted with a new menu box; it will be asking for the name you wish to designate for your new theme as well as the size and type.



The name that is chosen will always remain up to you, in this case however we're just going to leave it as Untitled because it can always be changed later.

The size depends on your Blackberry model number, there are only two sizes and it's rather obvious which size your screen is; *320*240 is wider than it is tall, and the 240*260 screen is opposite. The Blackberry I will be working with is the 8830 World Edition, so 320*240 is the correct resolution size in my case.

The final choice is the type of theme layout and there is a corresponding thumbnail of the chosen type included in the box; the type is basically the overall layout of the home screen for the custom theme. Once you have chosen the theme type you like best click the create button and you will be brought to the main theme creation screen.
Plazmic's Layout

The theme creation screen appears complicated at first but it is actually rather simple. Here is a basic breakdown of the program's layout.

On the left is a skin of the Blackberry device you are creating the theme for; this can be changed to any corresponding Blackberry model as you wish. Navigate to the VIEW menu across the top, and then select the Change Plastics option. You will then be prompted with a pop up box listing different Blackberry models and their matching skins; once you have found the model you wish to display choose it and then click the APPLY button in the bottom right. The skin on the left should refresh; and then you may click the OK button to close the prompt box.

The right side is known as the Inspector menu, where you can change the different screens of the theme. The buttons on the left will let you change each aspect of the them and are listed as follows from top to bottom; banner, home Screen and application Menu, home Screen background and icons, dialog buttons with menus and title bars, message list, call screens, lock screen, and of course the navigation and cursor buttons. A quick browsing through each of the sections proves that this program will completely allow you to customize your theme to your liking. Different pictures can be chosen for the background, lock screen, and incoming call screens. The buttons and icons can also all be altered, and swapped for those you designed specifically for your theme.
More Advanced Tutorial

For the more advanced users, who can now continue on their own; you are free to do as you wish with the program and experiment with the different settings on your own. Once a theme has been built you can click on the EXPORT button under FILE and then Plazmic will then begin building the theme once you have chosen wether you want it in ALX or JAD formats. The Blackberry desktop manager allows ALX files to be installed onto the Blackberry through the Application Loader program therefore ALX would more than likely be the best choice for export.

For beginners who are still lost and would like to know how to advance further with the theme builder you may continue on to the more advanced tutorial.(http://www.brighthub.com)

Predicting 2010: iPod and iPhone

Predicting 2010: iPod and iPhone
Written on December 07, 2009 by Darrell Etherington


The dawn of a new year never fails to make me excited about all the potential for new devices we’ll inevitably see released. This year is no different, and for Apple’s iPod and iPhone, there are some storms that have been brewing for quite a while that should break in 2010. Hope you packed a raincoat.

I recently came across my still functional (including decent battery life) 30GB iPod Video while rooting through my drawers looking for a proprietary USB cable. After I charged it and booted it up, the palpable feeling of the HDD platter spinning up, and the faint sound that accompanies said action reminded me of just how far we’ve come, and of how far we’ve yet to go with Apple’s portable devices. Here’s where I think we’re headed next.
The iPod

It’s long been the linchpin in Apple’s lineup of product offerings, and it deserves eternal respect for the role it had in reversing the company’s fortunes, but the iPod no longer enjoys the place of highest favor among Apple products, mobile or otherwise. I predict, as a general trend, a continued downplaying of the iPod’s role at Apple, and significant changes to the products on offer as a result of that trend.

Video Comes to the Touch

Probability: Guaranteed
The evidence all but guarantees that video is meant to come to the iPod touch sooner or later, and I predict it will be sooner, rather than later. Tear-downs of the most recently released iteration of the touch revealed a space perfectly designed for the same camera guts found in the new iPod nano, so unless Apple is just very interested in toying maliciously with Apple rumor hounds, this one is basically in the bag. It doesn’t hurt that it’s the next logical step for the rising star of Apple’s iPod lineup.

iPod Classic Gets Retired

Probability: Possible
It’s served long, and it’s served well, but the HD-based iPod Classic is not long for this world, in my opinion. Apple’s already streamlined the Classic to a single available model, and as the price of flash memory begins to trend downwards again in 2010, I think they’ll do away with the beast altogether and focus on turning Classic customers into iPod touch devotees.

Touch-based Control Returns to Shuffle

Probability: Possible
One of Apple’s most questionable decisions made in the service of sexy design is the loss of any and all buttons on the iPod shuffle. I think it will respond to mixed reviews and consumer skepticism by returning some form of manual (ie. non-voice) control to the device itself. That doesn’t necessarily mean buttons will return, if they can figure out some way to make use of the multi-touch tech it’s so clearly in love with.

Nano Gets Incremental Video Upgrades

Probability: Guaranteed
Look for the iPod nano to get steady improvements in the quality of its video camera, and in what you can do with said video on and off the device. Apple’s made its big changes to the device, and will now move into what amounts to a holding pattern in which it upgrades the upgrades it’s already introduced. And consumers will continue shelling out with each bump up.
The iPhone

Predicting where the iPhone will go is a bit more challenging than making calls about the iPod lineup. The upgrades made with the 3GS were logical enough, since many of them amounted to putting things in that should probably have been there in the first place.

The Usual

Probability: Guaranteed
There are the standard upgrades to be expected with any new model. These things include storage bumps (64GB next time around), improvements to the camera and video recording (bump up to 5 megapixels possible, but by no means a sure thing), and improvements to the processing and graphics rendering capabilities of the iPhone. They’re boring and we know they’re coming, so let’s not waste time on this.

New Look

Probability: Possible
The iPhone is incredibly recognizable, and that probably had something to do with the reason the 3GS still has the same distinctive look as the 3G. Other probable reasons include a rushed roll-out, and more emphasis on internal changes. I think next time around, we’ll be treated to a new look, and I wouldn’t exclude the possibility that we may have already seen some early prototypes of this design change.

Better Peer-to-Peer

Probability: Guaranteed
The future of mobile tech is in peer-to-peer interaction between devices. Apple knows this, and that’s why it opened up Bluetooth interaction between devices when it released iPhone 3.0. I think Apple will make further efforts to make P2P experiences technically better and more seamless in the next update. That might come via improved Bluetooth, or using the recently revealed Wi-Fi Direct tech that Apple’s thrown its support behind.

Physical Keyboard
this article from http://theappleblog.com

Netbook Smart Olive X107, Online Makin praktis aja

Netbook Smart Olive X107, Online Makin praktis
Posted by shiro in Featured Articles, internet


akhir-akhir ini banyak pengguna internet mencari referensi laptop atau nte book salah satunya adalah produk dari smart yaitu netbook smart olive x107

Tuntutan Online saat ini adalah kebutuhan bagia banyak kalangan. Bagi mereka yang memiliki mobilitas tinggi, peralatan yang mampu dipakai untuk online kapan dan dimana saja adalah sesuatu yang wajib dimiliki. Memamng beberapa gadget menawarkan kemudahan online dengan praktis seperti smartphone atau Ultra Mobile PC. Tapi bagi mereka yg butuh mengerjakan aplikasi kantoran dan tidak terbiasa dengan smartphone atau UMPC bisa menggunakan Netbook.



Tentunya cukup berbahaya jika anda online untuk kepentingan bisnis menggunakan Wifi gratisan. Siapa tahu si pemilik Wifi telah memasang kode-kode yang dapat mengintai akun-akun penting anda. Untuk itulah, sebuah koneksi internet dari modem saya rasa lebih aman untuk bekerja bagi mereka yang memang aktif online.

Modem masih memiliki satu kelemahan. Bagaimana jika modem tersebut tertinggal?? Bisa berakhir harapan anda terkoneksi jika sampai hal ini terjadi.

Seolah mengerti dengan kebutuhan pelanggan seperti ini, Smart telecom menyediakan sebuah paket bundling yang luar biasa hebat. Paket bundling yang saya maksud adalah paket gabungan antara Netbook Olive X107 dan Smart EVDO (paket platinum) selama 30 hari.

Netbook sudah ditanami modem dengan kemampuan koneksi maksimal adalah EVDO yang memiliki kecepatan sampai dengan 3,1 MBps. Untuk melihat jangkauan sinyal EVDO silahkan anda lihat disini.

Spesifikasi smart netbook Olive X107
- Prosesor Intel atom N270 1,6 GHz
- build in Modem CDMA 1X EVDO Rev 1900Mhz dan Wifi
- Layar 10,2 inchi
- Memory 1 GB RAM DDR II
- Hardisk 160 Gb (ukuran 1,8 inchi)
- web camera 1,3 Mega pixel
- kecepatan maksimal download adalah 3,1 MBps dengan jaringan EVDO, Setara dengan 3,5G
- 3 Buah slot USB dan internal card reader
- Tersedia dalam 2 warna (hitam dan putih)
- harga Rp. 4.690.000Rp. 4,398,900 (sudah termasuk PPN dan pulsa 10 ribu)
- Gratis Internet Unlimited 30 Hari dengan paket internet SMART platinum

dalam versi english atau inggris sudah pernah di posting terima kasih atas kunjungan setianya

Top 10 techs of 2010

Posted on 8 Jan 2010 at 13:53 (http://www.pcpro.co.uk)

We predict the ten technologies everyone will be talking about in the year ahead – and find out how well we did with last year’s prophecies
1. AUGMENTED REALITY
Augmented reality is the process of overlaying the real world with additional information – bringing up book reviews when looking at a novel on your cameraphone, for example, or displaying historical facts when you’re staring at a monument. It’s a technology that companies from IBM to Microsoft have tinkered with over the years, although with no more success than a dog pawing at a Rubik’s cube.
However, 2009 brought a breakthrough, thanks in no small part to the iPhone. The combination of its camera, processing power, high-quality screen and GPS means that almost by accident, Apple has created the perfect device for running such services. This has left companies free to concentrate on developing the software, with impressive results.

How did we do in 2009?

How did our predictions pan out for 2009? Find out here.
Esquire magazine experimented with the technology to bring extra content to its articles, with barcodes beneath stories triggering videos and additional information when the smartphone’s camera was hovered over them. More useful in daily life, however, are the iPhone apps that overlay the street with directions to Tube stations and restaurants, but that’s barely the beginning.
The US military is developing an Android app that overlays engines with schematics, potentially turning anybody into a mechanic, while Nintendo’s Ghostwire game will overlay spooks and spectres on the real world with the DSi’s built-in camera. Swedish firm TAT is even developing an app that identifies people, and floods your screen with information scavenged from the internet.
If this breakneck pace of development continues, augmented reality could prove to be the standout technology of 2010.
2. MOTION TRACKING
Few tech demonstrations caused as much of a stir in 2009 as Microsoft’s Project Natal. Designed primarily for the Xbox 360 console, the full-body motion and audio sensor will provide a completely new way of interacting with games in 2010. Demonstrations of the technology included the rather creepy Milo, a virtual boy who can understand natural speech and read your body language, if Microsoft’s video is to be believed.

Yet, Natal is potentially much more than a plaything. The combination of RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and dedicated software could make a difference in the workplace. “Face recognition, gesture control, watching what the user is actually doing… A small amount of this wizardry could make a significant improvement to the business desktop,” our own contributing editor Jon Honeyball speculated.
Indeed, Microsoft is already moving beyond the Natal concept and is now working on sensors that monitor muscle movements. These would allow you to pinch your fingers to change tracks on your MP3 player while jogging, for example, or squeeze your hand to open the car door when you can’t reach your keys. Most of this could turn out to be blue-sky nonsense, but if Natal does prove to be the gaming hit of 2010, it could really get the world in motion.
3. OLED
Since TFTs replaced CRTs, no earth-shattering advances have occurred in the field of desktop monitors. A steady decrease in response times, a move to widescreen and plummeting prices are all incremental steps, while the introduction of LED backlights makes little real difference to the viewing experience. Organic LED (OLED) technology – in which every pixel emits its own light and no backlight is required – will change all that.
OLED has already penetrated the handheld market, and its advantages – stunning contrast, high power efficiency, easy “printing” onto flexible materials – mean it will inevitably seep upwards into larger or more innovative devices. We’ve seen luxurious keyboards with dynamic OLED key labels; hi-tech watches with OLED faces; at Intel’s Developer Forum we even saw a laptop with three additional OLED screens beneath its main TFT.
We’re still some way from seeing OLED monitors or TVs at reasonable prices, but Samsung, the largest OLED manufacturer, has predicted that the technology will be commercially viable for laptop displays in late 2010. That remains an exciting day in the distance, but while we wait we can pass the time with any of the large number of smartphones, media players, digital cameras and photo frames sure to make the logical move to a display technology that perfectly suits their needs.
4. USB 3
USB 3’s final specification may have been confirmed in November 2008, but it isn’t until 2010 that the super-fast technology will begin to make waves, as component and peripheral manufacturers introduce products that can take advantage of the super-fast standard.

It’s ten times faster than the near-decade-old USB 2, with the new SuperSpeed mode running at 4.8Gbits/sec rather than the mere 480Mbits/sec offered by the old standard, meaning that a 25GB file can be transferred in only 1min 10secs. USB 3 cables can also power larger devices, with the new wires carrying 150mA of juice compared to 100mA from USB 2.
USB 3 may be backwards compatible, but firms are already preparing products that will benefit from the additional speed and power on offer: the first USB 3 motherboards have already landed in the PC Pro Labs, and a wide range of products – including external hard disks, IP cameras, DisplayLink devices and high-end flash drives – will be unveiled in the coming year.
5. ANDROID MARCHES ON
Nobody was particularly overwhelmed when Google Android made its debut in the T-Mobile G1 back in February, although as we stated at the time, that was more down to the lacklustre hardware than the operating system itself. A succession of vastly improved handsets later (such as the HTC Hero, Droid and more recently the Nexus One), and Android is now the most credible threat to the iPhone OS’s sheer desirability.
Android has one huge benefit over the iPhone OS: it isn’t tied to a single piece of (albeit magnificent) hardware. That’s why international analyst firm Gartner predicts it will overtake BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile and the iPhone OS to become the world’s second biggest mobile operating system (behind Symbian) by 2012.

There’s plenty to look forward to before then, however. The forthcoming Android 2 software will offer features such as multiple email accounts (including Exchange), improved camera support and social-networking synchronisation. Google has also lobbed a hand grenade into the back garden of satnav makers such as TomTom and Garmin by offering free turn-by-turn directions on Android 2, a feature that could arrive in the UK in 2010.
With Nokia still busy at the drawing board with the next version of Symbian, and Windows Mobile 7 unlikely to appear until the summer at the earliest, Android is poised to be the smartphone OS of the year. Just pray that it’s kept away from netbooks (see our review of the Acer Aspire One D250 to find out why).

Guide To Buy A Laptop

Guide To Buy A Laptop
the future many people using laptop daily or weekly for support activity and job
This is a guide by me of how to buy a laptop. First of all.. I need to tell you guys i'm NOT a laptop fan because I'm hate not comfortable working with laptop but at least with a great a little knowledge of mine in computer i can guide you how to choose a laptop.

1. BUDGET
This is the most important thing when you want to buy not only laptop.. but everything you want to buy. You must first consider your budget before go to shop and make choice because the salesman will make sure you buy the CHEAPEST highest price laptop. You must make a range of your budget for example RM2000-RM2600  or maybe with dollar and rupiah rupee, yen or etc this multy ple choise is shep and efective and effisien. Don't be cheated by the free gift from buying the laptop because the free gift is usually the cheapest item on the market and you can purchase it yourself later.




2. PURPOSES
Purposes are also important point in buying a laptop. For example if you want to buy a laptop for presentation (eg. for lecturer) and travel a lot, you may need a small laptop like SONY VAIO P Series. If you're a student and do a lot of work and playing games with your laptop.. maybe you need a casual laptop that sell a lot nowadays.

3. Brands
Here 3 example of brands that in your budget.


There are a lot of brands nowadays with same price range with a different performance. For example
1. CompaQ are known because it is the cheapest brand with good hardware.
2. Toshiba are known as the highest price and long lasting laptop
3. Dell are known as the BEST after service provider.

4. Hardware and Performance
From the three example above.. you can compare the spec of all the three item. You can ask someone who knows about computer hardware and suggest it to you OR you can search the internet for people's review about the item. A lot of people like to write review about laptop or computer hardware so you can easily find a nice review.

(http://astroxknot.blogspot.com/)

axioo zetta

Processor
    Intel � Core � 2 Duo Processor P9500 ~ (2.53 GHz, 45nm, 6MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Intel � Core � 2 Duo Processor T9400/ T9600 ~ (2.53/2.80 GHz, 45nm, 6MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Chipset
    Intel GM45 (MCH) + ICH9-M (ICH)
Memory
    2x 200 Pin SO-DIMM Socket
Memory Expandable up to 4GB (1024/ 2048 MB DDR2 Module)
Support DDR2-667/ 800 MHz (Known As PC5300/ PC6400)
Graphics
    Intel� GMA 4500MHD
Memory Shared up to 256MB
Support Microsoft� DirectX� 10
Processor
    12.1" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT LCD
Storage
    1x HDD 2.5" SATA
1x DVD Writer Dual Drive SATA
Keyboard
    Winkey Keyboard
Built-in Touch Pad
Audio
    High Definition Audio
Direct Sound 3D Compatible
Built-in Microphone & 2x Speaker
IO
    3x USB 2.0 Ports (USB 1.1 Compatible)
1x External CRT
1x Headphone Jack
1x Microphone Jack
1x Internal Microphone
1x RJ-45 Jack for LAN
1x RJ-11 Jack for Modem
1x DC-In Jack
Slots
    7 in 1 Card Reader Support (MMC/ RSMMC/ SD/ Mini SD/ MS/ MS Duo/ MS Pro)
1x Express Card 54(34) Slot
2x Mini-Card Slot with USB & PCIe Interface
(1st for WLAN Module, 2nd for Intel� Turbo Memory)
Communication
    Gigabit Ethernet (10/ 100/ 1000 Mb)
Intel� WiFi-Link 5100 1x2 802.11AGN/ Intel� WiFi-Link 5300 3x3 802.11AGN
Wireless LAN 802.11b/g Minicard with USB Interface
56K FAX/Modem
Bluetooth� V2.1 + EDR Module With USB Interface
Camera
    2.0 MP Video Camera Module
Power
    Full Range 65Watt AC Adapter
8 Cells Smart Battery Li-ion 14.8V/4400mAh (Removable)
Standby Time : 234 Min & Work Time : 157 Min*
Security
    Kensington� Lock
FingerPrint Securitysupport
BIOS
    Insyde Bios Technology
OS
    Windows� XP SP2 & Windows� VistaTM
Dimension
    299(W) x 219(D) x 26.5~35.7 (H)mm
2.24 kg With 8 cells battery + ODD

Processor
    Intel ® Core ™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 ~ (2.4 GHz, 45nm, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Chipset
    Intel GM45 (MCH) + ICH9-M (ICH)
Memory
    2x 200 Pin SO-DIMM Socket
2048MB Memory Expandable up to 4GB
Support DDR2-667/ 800 MHz (Known As PC5300/ PC6400)
Graphics
    Intel® GMA 4500MHD
Memory Shared up to 256MB
Support Microsoft® DirectX® 10
Processor
    12.1" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT LCD
Storage
    1x HDD 2.5" SATA 320GB
1x DVD Writer Dual Drive SATA
Keyboard
    Winkey Keyboard
Built-in Touch Pad
Audio
    High Definition Audio
Direct Sound 3D Compatible
Built-in Microphone & 2x Speaker
IO
    3x USB 2.0 Ports (USB 1.1 Compatible)
1x External CRT
1x Headphone Jack
1x Microphone Jack
1x Internal Microphone
1x RJ-45 Jack for LAN
1x RJ-11 Jack for Modem
1x DC-In Jack
Slots
    7 in 1 Card Reader Support (MMC/ RSMMC/ SD/ Mini SD/ MS/ MS Duo/ MS Pro)
1x Express Card 54(34) Slot
2x Mini-Card Slot with USB & PCIe Interface
(1st for WLAN Module, 2nd for Intel® Turbo Memory)
Communication
    Gigabit Ethernet (10/ 100/ 1000 Mb)
Intel® WiFi-Link 5100 1x2 802.11AGN/ Intel® WiFi-Link 5300 3x3 802.11AGN
Wireless LAN 802.11b/g Minicard with USB Interface
56K FAX/Modem
Bluetooth™ V2.1 + EDR Module With USB Interface
Camera
    2.0 MP Video Camera Module
Power
    Full Range 65Watt AC Adapter
8 Cells Smart Battery Li-ion 14.8V/4400mAh (Removable)
Standby Time : 234 Min & Work Time : 157 Min*
Security
    Kensington® Lock
FingerPrint Securitysupport
BIOS
    Insyde Bios Technology
OS
   

Windows® XP SP2 & Windows® VistaTM
Dimension
    299(W) x 219(D) x 26.5~35.7 (H)mm
2.24 kg With 8 cells battery + ODD

Three Portable MP3 Players That Support FLAC

Overview of Devices with Manufacturer Support for Lossless Audio

Dec 27, 2009 Mark W. Kidd

Finding a portable music player with official support for the FLAC format can be tricky. Here are players from SanDisk, Samsung, and JetAudio which fit the bill.

Whether you are interested in FLAC (Free Losless Audio Codec) because it is open-source and unencumbered by software patents or because it offers total fidelity to the original recording, finding portable players which support the FLAC format can be tricky.
Unfortunately, Apple's iPods can only play FLAC media with the aid of third-party firmware which can be a steep learning curve and may jeopardize your warranty. If you already own an iPod and are interested in adding FLAC playback, check at rockbox.org to see if your model is supported and to learn more about the process of flashing third-party firmware on your iPod.
The good news for consumers in the market for a new portable audio player is that several manufacturers are heeding the growing interest in lossless audio playback, giving consumers choices at a variety of price points.
Three units in particular, SanDisk's Sansa Fuze, Samsung's P3, and JetAudio's Cowon S9, are certainly worth the attention of the music enthusiast. There are other units out there which can play FLAC media -- and more are coming onto the market all the time -- but these three have established themselves early on as providing a satisfactory user experience in addition to a commitment to lossless audio.

Sansa Fuze

Starts at about $70

Read more at Suite101: Three Portable MP3 Players That Support FLAC: Overview of Devices with Manufacturer Support for Lossless Audio http://mobile-audio-devices.suite101.com/article.cfm/three_portable_mp3_players_that_support_flac#ixzz0cnV4O47N

1. How to Make Your iPod Go Faster

   originated by:Anonymous, Ben Rubenstein, Axiom, Galen (see all)
   
   
   
   This will make your iPod load music, photos, videos, etc. faster by defragging its hard disk using the Windows Disk Defragmenter.
   
    
   1
   

   Enable disk use must be checked.
   While iPod is connected, go to iTunes and select your iPod in the sidebar on the left. Then in the right panel, scroll down and make sure "Enable disk use" is checked under "Options."
2. 2
   Go to My Computer.
3. 3
   There should be an icon named after your iPod. Right click this icon and select "Properties."
4. 4
   Click the "Tools" tab in the window that pops up, and then click "Defragment Now."
5. 5
   

   Defragmenting.
   You will get another window. This is the windows disk defragmenter utility. Click on the "Defragment" button in the bottom of the window.
6. 6
   This may take a while, and will make your computer go slow. It's best not to bother it, so go out and read a book or take a nap or something.
7. 7
   When it's finished, your iPod will now access everything and start up faster.

How to Make Your Car iPod Ready originated by:Ben, Ben Rubenstein, Anonymous, Versageek (see all)

Want to play all those sweet tunes in your car? Do you hate the sound quality of the FM transmitters? Perform the following steps! (Note that this was done in a 1986 Toyota MR2. Simply customizing the steps to meet your own car will make this perform in your car as well!)

1. 1
   Buy a deck/stereo head unit with an audio in plug on the face (such as a JVC Arsenal head unit). You can also buy a cigarette lighter jack splitter to power your iPod on the go.
2. 2
   Relocate the stock car jack/cigarette lighter to the glove box. Plug in the splitter. Your iPod charger plugs into one of the splits and the other split goes back to where your stock location was.
3. 3
   Install the head unit and plug in a 6mm male to male audio wire into the front of the deck and run this wire, along with the car jack/cigarette lighter iPod charger, to the same spot on your car. This is the spot where you want your iPod.
4. 4
   Plug in the charger and the audio cable to an iPod mini dock and secure the dock. Now when your iPod is on it is powered by the relocated power jack and the sound comes in through the deck. The iPod still controls the music.

HP Pavilion dv6z series

HP Pavilion dv6z series

  4.3 out of 5 stars (53 reviews)

Designed with quality, this stylish 15.6" laptop will expertly handle all your computing and media needs. Powered by AMD.

• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• AMD Athlon(TM) II Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs M320 (2.1GHz, 1MB L2 Cache)
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Webcam Only
• 4 USB (4th shared with eSATA port),1 Expansion Port 3

HP Pavilion dv6t series

HP Pavilion dv6t series

  4.4 out of 5 stars (100 reviews)

Look cool and handle the toughest tasks in this 15.6" high def display laptop, powered by Intel Core 2 Duo.

• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T6600 (2.2GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• Webcam Only
• 4 USB (4th shared with eSATA port),1 Expansion Port 3

5 best laptop

HP Mini 311

HP's Mini 311 adds a larger, high-definition display and advanced graphics to a basic Netbook, while keeping the price very appealing. Once it starts shipping with Windows 7, this could become our favorite Netbook.

This product is no longer available from HP.
Click here to view HP's latest offers.

Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best Netbooks
Read full review


Alienware M15x

Alienware's big and bulky 15-inch M15x pulls out most of the stops, thanks to a superpowered CPU.

Price:$1,399.00 - $1,399.00 (check prices)

Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best mainstream laptops
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Asus UL30A-A1

If you're in the market for an affordable thin-and-light, the Asus UL30A-A1 provides great value and a solid Core 2 Duo CULV processor in an attractive package.

Price:$809.99 - $809.99 (check prices)

Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best thin and light laptops
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Toshiba Satellite T135-S1310

Toshiba's slick entry into the thin-and-light laptop world is timed for Windows 7, but if you're going to get one, make sure it's the dual-core T135-S1310, and not its single-core cousin.

Price:$683.87 - $727.99 (check prices)

Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best thin and light laptops
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Best 5 laptops

Best 5 laptops
(Nov 23, 2009)

Dan Ackerman
Senior Editor

The most common question we get around here is simple: "What laptop should I buy?" Being a generally difficult person by nature, I usually respond with my own series of questions: "What size screen do you want? How much do you want to spend?" and so on. But sometimes people just want a simple suggestion, based on what I actually like. So, here is a jargon-free list of the current crop of laptops that I'm digging, either because they give you good bang for your buck, they excel in their specific category, or because they just plain rock.


Radically overhauled last year, Apple's MacBook line of laptops moved to aluminum construction, edge-to-edge glass over LED displays, and oversize multitouch trackpads (with the exception of the lone $999 white plastic model). The latest round of updates is more of a refinement than another revolution, but it adds some much-sought-after features, while lowering prices on many configurations.

Most notable, the 13-inch aluminum unibody MacBook has been promoted to join the MacBook Pro family. It's a move that makes sense, as the differences between the two lines were becoming increasingly blurred. To complete the transformation, the 13-inch Pro regains its missing FireWire port, making it even more useful for creative professionals on the go.

New to the Pro line is something we never thought we'd see on a MacBook: an SD card slot. Standard on the 13- and 15-inch Pro laptops, this corrects one of our main MacBook annoyances. We're also pleased to see the backlit keyboard--previously found in only the more expensive 13-inch versions--filter down to even the $1,149 base model (which is a nice discount from the previous $1,299 entry price).

Some have strong feelings about the nonremovable battery--similar to those already found on the MacBook Air and 17-inch Pro. It's a legitimate concern, but we think the promise of better battery life (Apple claims up to a 40 percent improvement), and three times as many recharge cycles as older batteries is just as important.

There are still a few items on our 13-inch wish list--matte screens, mobile broadband options, Blu-ray--but Apple has done an admirable job filling in some of the major missing pieces. By offering more features for less money, the 13-inch MacBook Pro remains one of the most universally useful laptops available.
Price as reviewed / Starting price $1,199
Processor 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 2GB, 1066MHz DDR2
Hard drive 160GB 5,400rpm
Chipset Nvidia MCP79
Graphics Nvidia GeForce 9400M (integrated)
Operating System OS X Leopard 10.5.7
Dimensions (WD) 12.8x8.9 inches
Height 0.95 inch
Screen size (diagonal) 13.3 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter 4.5/5.2 pounds
Category Thin and light



The design and construction of the system remain largely the same as last year's model, with a solid block of aluminum carved down, rather than a thin outer shell that has had support struts added to it. It's both lighter and sturdier than the older plastic versions of the 13-inch MacBook.

The new Pro also retains the same oversize trackpad, where the entire surface depresses like a button--although a simple tapping (as on a PC laptop) will also work once you turn that option on in the settings menu. We've become accustomed to the two-, three-, and four-finger multitouch gestures, which let you hide all your apps by sweeping four fingers up on the pad, or bring up the application switcher by sweeping four fingers left or right. Once you get used to that, going back to a regular touch pad is difficult.

According to Apple, the new display offers a wider color gamut, and the screen certainly looks bright and colorful, but we wish the same matte-screen option offered on the 17-inch MacBook Pro was available across the line. The 13.3-inch wide-screen LCD offers a 1,280x800-pixel native resolution, which is standard for screens this size, but we'd love to see Apple try its hand at a 16:9 laptop display.

While the LED screen means a thinner lid and some battery life benefits, the edge-to-edge glass covering the entire display panel grabs stray light rays with ease, making the glossy screen hard to see in some lighting conditions.

  Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch) Average for category [thin-and-light]
Video Mini-DisplayPort VGA, mini-HDMI, or Mini-DVI
Audio Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks
Data 2 USB 2.0, Mini-FireWire 800, SD card reader 3 USB 2.0, Mini-FireWire, SD card reader
Expansion None ExpressCard/54
Networking Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional WWAN
Optical drive DVD burner DVD burner


By bringing back the FireWire port (now FireWire 800) and adding an SD card slot, Apple has addressed most of our most pressing issues with the previous 13-inch model. Pro photographers will point out that they usually use CompactFlash cards, but the rest of us won't have to always remember to pack a USB card reader or cable to directly connect our cameras. Connecting to another video display, however, will require a sold-separately dongle for the Mini-DisplayPort video output.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro performed as expected in our benchmark tests, with the 2.26GHz GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU roughly on par with the 2.4GHz processor in the late-2008 version of the 13-inch MacBook. Trading up to the faster 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo available in the 15-inch MacBook Pro yields a marked improvement on paper, but for most anecdotal use--Web surfing, working on office documents, multimedia playback--any of the current MacBooks will be more than adequate. An even faster 3.08GHz CPU is available on the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but the 13-inch model tops out at 2.53GHz.
(http://reviews.cnet.com)