September 21, 2007 by AC.

Burns to release new movie exclusively on iTunes - It may not be the first movie released through iTunes, but it may be the first one I buy through iTunes.

Beyond WEP: Beef Up Your Wi-Fi Security - I cannot stress wireless security enough.

Verizon adopts GSM standard for 4G network, CDMA limelight fading? - Big changes ahead for Verizon, but not right away.

Symantec warns users over Bluetooth security - Just as important as Wi-Fi security.

Manage Your Bookmarks - Weekend project?

Installing Your Home Network’s Wireless Routers and Access Points - Another weekend project idea.

10 Ways to Pimp Your Gmail - More fun things to do this weekend.

Posted in Links, General | No Comments »

September 21, 2007 by AC.

I recently ran into a problem with a PDF.  It was a large document for a colleague and it had lots of images, characters and scientific text.  In trying to create a PDF, using Adobe Acrobat Pro, the process would fail and spit out a log of errors.  I tried a few different ways to create the PDF and all failed.

Searching around online I found a few strings that suggested the fonts and the images were to blame.  I changed fonts and was able to get a little further in the PDF creation, but still failure.  Short of telling the person to re-create this 50+ page document or lose the images I sought one last solution.  Several of the threads online suggested people try a free program, PDFCreator.  I was hesitant at first but was out of options.

The download for PDFCreator was simple and harmless (available at http://www.pdfforge.org/).  I opened the document and was able to print to PDFCreator.  And it worked.  All 50+ pages, no problems, no errors.  Honestly it looked like it worked much faster than similar documents using Adobe Acrobat.  Best of all it worked and I was able to forward a PDF back to my colleague.  It is worth a look if you need a PDF program or have a problem in Acrobat Pro. 

Posted in Software, All Platforms | 1 Comment »

September 20, 2007 by AC.

Sidekick launches MySpace application- More fun for the Sidekick, more competition for Helio.

Music News Toolbox: 50+ Links For Discovering New Music - Just in case you need a diversion today.

How to Offer Your Clients the Whole Package - I’m not necessarily a freelancer but I have tried to make ACE Computer Services appear bigger than it is - maybe I should heed the warning here.

Wi-Fi Hotspot Usage: The Numbers are Up…Way Up - Not a big surprise, but interesting to see just the same. Hopefully people are keeping secure in public wi-fi spots.

Cities turning off plans for Wi-Fi - Unfortunate news.  Wireless is what people use, what they want and will offer access to more people to get online.  C’mon cities!

Posted in Links, General | 1 Comment »

September 19, 2007 by AC.

I have an older, but serviceable Dell laptop at home that my kids like to use.  My son is six and has taken to the computer like a fish to water but I am not a fan of him pounding away on our main computers.  Enter the older Dell.  The processor is a little slow compared to todays technology but it was enough to handle Windows XP and run websites and games that my son enjoys.

For me it was too slow - especially coming from my own speed machines.  After a while even my son complained about the startup speed and refresh rates.  After debating whether it was worth pumping money into this older machine I finally decided to grab some extra RAM to upgrade the feeble 256 MB that was in the original configuration.  I searched around eBay and found a steal of a deal for 1 GB RAM under $75 with shipping.  After installing the RAM today I have to admit I cannot believe I waited this long.  The machine is downright zippy now.

Adding additional RAM is always a worthwhile investment and can squeak a couple extra years of usefulness out of a machine.

Posted in Hardware, All Platforms | No Comments »

September 19, 2007 by AC.

Slow day today….

Digg Goes Deeper with Social Networking - Social sites are still the development rage, but are people still spending as much time visiting them?

Web Strategy: What the Web Strategist should know about Twitter - Great description of Twitter and what its all about,  but I still don’t get the usefulness of the site.

LucasArts Unleashes The Force On The Wii - Totally cool.

Posted in Links, General | 2 Comments »

September 12, 2007 by AC.

Virtually tied: Parallels Desktop vs. VMWare Fusion - I am strongly considering a new Mac for myself and like the idea of running Mac OS & Windows OS at the same time….great article here on two of the programs that help get that done.

Microsoft Office vs. Google Apps: Latest Skirmishes - This one could get ugly.

Review: Moto Razr2, Q9m fail to excite - Ouch, I was thinking about both of these phones.

Blaming MP3s And iPods For Ruining Music- I firmly believe I get more out of my music by having it available on the computer and iPod.

Apple offers 30-day trial of One to One with iPhone- Price cut, now personal services -Apple is very aggressive trying to move the iPhone.  What gives?

Posted in Links, General | No Comments »

September 11, 2007 by AC.

Walgreens Offers Free Printer Ink Refills on Wed - Nice Promotion.

BIS service hiccup on Friday- A little rest for the BlackBerry thumb.

Getting the Most Out of GMail - Some cool Gmail tips.

FITNESS TOOLBOX: 60+ Health & Fitness Sites - Nice roundup of fitness sites online.

iTunes ringtones service goes live- My laptop bluescreened during this iTunes update - thankfully it is working normally again now.

Open Season On Microsoft Office - I am still not sold on online office suites. Yet.

AjaxWindows: Most interesting Web OS experiment yet - Definitely interesting. Funny how the data is stored in Google Gmail but Google was not consulted.

Posted in Links, General | 1 Comment »

September 10, 2007 by AC.

ACE Computer Services is now a Protexx reseller. Protexx ensures your privacy when using Wi-Fi hotspots, Wireless, Cable, and Network connections by keeping your personal information safe and anonymous from hackers. It provides the highest level of encryption (up to 2048 bit) due to the recent security breaches cracking SSL, DES, 3DES, CDMA, WEP, WPA. Protexx automatically encrypts all your inbound and outbound Internet traffic (emails, HTTP, FTP, Web, IM and VoIP calls, etc.) and provides Identity Management as “Protexx knows you are who you say you are” by the issuance of PKI Digital Certificates”. It also provides a personal firewall to block Wi-Fi, Wireless, Network and Cable hackers from using your connection to gain access to your computer and stealing confidential files or infecting your computer with viruses. Free trial available.

Posted in Software, All Platforms | No Comments »

September 10, 2007 by AC.

I created a quick widget over at Widgetbox to promote the ACE Computer Services Blog and post recent blogs on the main ACE Computer Services page. Check it out in my Blogger Post.

Posted in Blogs | No Comments »

September 6, 2007 by AC.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta - Ready for download for those brave enough to try the Beta.

Apple Cuts iPhone Price and Revamps iPods - Wow. See some great pictures at Engadget.

IPod: My internal monologue as I agonize over which new iPod to buy - Funny.  But I am thinking the same thing - all three new/updated units look wicked cool. 

HP updates business, consumer notebooks - The second of two big product updates yesterday - HP is getting stronger and stronger.

HP Pursues Business Travelers With Five New iPaqs - More new toys from HP.

Snitter Twitter on Your Desktop - I still do not get Twitter.

Posted in Links, General | No Comments »