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Items of Note:
Help support The Geekcast. If you like the show and want to help me do cool things like buy a domain for the show, click here and look for the “Donate” button. It would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Back on .Mac. Thanks to all those who e-mailed me about not getting the latest shows. I’ve gone back to .mac for the most current episodes while older episodes will be transferred to ourmedia.org. If you’ve experienced problems downloading old shows, please get them directly from the website.
Do those ‘get things for free’ websites really work? Lets find out. If you would like to help, click here and sign up for a free trial. If I get 9 completions, I can “get a free mac mini”. Lets see if this works, and I will report on the progress on future editions of the Geekcast. Anyone who helps can have their choice of a GMail or Yahoo 360 invitation.
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Tech news:
Windows Vista available. Windows Vista has been released as beta #1 to a select group of IT professionals. As suspected, the software has already been seeded on BitTorrent and is available to download by everyone. If you’re looking for it, it most likely will be taken down soon.
Apple upgrades iBook’s and Mac mini’s. Apple updated its iBook and Mac mini lines Tuesday, increasing standard RAM across the board to 512MB and improving other specs. The new iBooks are available in two configurations: 1.33GHz/12.1-inch for $999 and 1.42GHz/14.1-inch for $1,299. The 12.1-inch model features a 40GB hard drive and a combo drive, while the 14.1-inch model packs a 60GB hard and an 8x SuperDrive. Mac mini models received a more minor update than the iBook, with the $499/1.25GHz model receiving only the RAM upgrade to 512MB. The $599/1.42GHz Mac mini gains not only the increased memory but also built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth. A new $699 Mac mini adds a 4x SuperDrive to the mix. The $599 and $699 configurations ship with AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth card installed, while the 56K modem has been removed from each, but remains a build-to-order option. The $499 Mac mini continues to include the 56K modem.
This week, Microsoft started requiring users to verifiy their serial number before using Windows Update. This effort to force users to either buy XP or tell them where you got the illegal copy is called ‘Genuine Advantage.’ It was cracked within 24 hours.” More on this in the hacking segment.
Skype turns one. Skype is already a year old and to celebrate, they’ve announced that SkypeOut rates to more than 30 countries will be lowered and that 6 new countries have been added to the SkypeOut Global Rate. Cheaper calls for this already fantastic program are always a good thing. The changes are already in affect.
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How To: Cancel your AOL account
An AOL dialup account has always been notoriously easy to sign up for and hard to cancel. Tech expert Dave Taylor says it took 50 minutes in total to cancel his account after signing up with one of those ubiquitous free CDs for fun. A Lifehacker.com reader had more success and writes in with tips and details of the experience:
Call 800 827-6364. Say: “Cancellation.” You’ll need answer to your security question. Voice recognition not bad.
Then a live attendant. They ask why you’re cancelling the service. Just repeat: I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it. Don’t be any more specific, or they’ll go off into a tree.
Then they’ll ask, are you planning to go on highspeed? Do you want high-speed?
No. No. No. No thank you. No thank you. Just repeat. You’ll have to do this about five times. Amazing. Like talking to an automated attendant who can’t understand what you’re saying.
Don’t explain anything, or it just takes longer.
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Ask A Geek:
This segment will return on a future episode of the Geekcast.
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Hack: Bypass Microsoft Genuine Advantage
When working with Windows update, you always run the risk of exposing your ‘backed up’ copy of Windows that is on your machine. Microsoft has been working on putting an end to pirated software by creating the Microsoft Genuine Advantage program that forces you to verify your copy of Windows is legal before you’re allowed to download updates. As with most things, this has already been bypassed and you do not need to authenticate your software.
Before pressing ‘Custom’ or ‘Express’ buttons paste this text to the address bar and press enter:
javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck=’all’)
It turns off the trigger for the key check and allows you to continue. Have fun updating!
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The geek’s view:
This segment will return on a future episode of the Geekcast.
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