Category Archives: Computers and Internet

I’m building myself a new computer since I have to give the old one to someone else.  While installing all the software necessary to work and develop in these modern times, I got jumped by a popup window from a product called "PDF Complete".  Apparently, this is one of the few products (seriously, with HP […]

Since I don’t have DotNetBugs.com up and running yet, I figure I’ll put this here for now…   After installing Visual Studio 2005, you may find that trying to access local help results in an error saying "Cannot Find Server".  If you look at the URL you can see it clearly isn’t attempting to access […]

I recently purchased a component for imaging from a company that for argument’s sake we’ll call LeadTools.   The product is fine, we’re quite happy with it and we’re about to go live with a tool that uses it.  That’s not where the "failure to communicate" occurs.   I purchased the product from their web […]

If you have a Toshiba m200 (or m205) with Bluetooth built in, there is one thing you should know of when you try to get it all to work together.  By default, the Toshiba comes with the Toshiba Bluetooth stack installed.  I successfully got the MS keyboard and mouse to work on that stack, but […]

Microsoft has been in the habit over the past several years of taking features or goodies away from their users and calling it a benefit.  For example, a while ago they changed what an MCSE received – they went from getting 10 support calls to 2 support calls.  And a new logo or some such.  […]

My good friend Miguel A. Castro was on DotNetRocks for show 136 (released this week).  I’ve listened to a lot of DNR’s and I have to say that in my opinion this is one of the best ones, and I’m not saying that because Miguel has been a friend for over 18 years (yes, it has […]

It’s a real shame how complicated Microsoft makes certain things…   If you have the problem with VS.NET 2003 disappearing while compiling your app, you may not know that Microsoft has a hotfix for it.  Unfortunately, you cannot just get the hotfix.  You have to submit a support request, pay your money, get the hotfix, […]

If you’re going to build your own media center type PC, running either Windows or Linux based solutions, here are some nice looking cases to house the beast in:   Ahanix.com   Needless to say, these aren’t your typical $39 cases, but if the machine will be visible as part of your home theater set […]

I’ve complained about this before, but it just bit me again.  The implementation of the F Lock key on newer Microsoft keyboards is a user interface design gaff of massive proportions.  We have 20 years of people learning how to use function keys, and in one fell swoop, MS decides to change the way everything […]

Last Friday my Windows Media Center 2005 PC started refusing to display live tv, or record any tv.  The error message was that the data rate from the cable box was too low.  Well, after many reboots, shutting the system down to let it cool off, unplugging the cable box, etc, I decided that perhaps […]