Is Windows 7 improved? My Review! October 27, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: mac os x, Microsoft, opinion, review, stormancast, Windows 7
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3 weeks ago I was in Memphis with my boss and noticed his laptop had Windows 7. He told me we had the Windows 7 enterprise for IT to install on our laptops. Finally got around on installing on this week. Pleasantly surprised Windows 7 installed with no issues. All I needed to do was install 3 drivers including my scanner. Most of the apps was able to install without any updates. There was roughly been 38 updates since I updated my Laptop on Wednesday. Windows 7 removed a lot of headaches that Windows Vista had.
Windows 7 Feel:
You will need to learn Windows 7 format from Windows XP (Just like Windows 2000 to XP, 98 to XP Home). Compared to Vista I found Windows 7 was easier to move around in. Windows 7 felt like a combined mix with XP, Vista and Mac OS X. Customizing the Windows 7 to your needs is easy.
Will it work with the apps I have:
Like any new OS there will be apps you will need to update or will not work. If this is concern I would wait. I just needed to update two applications.
Will I need to upgrade hardware?
Depends how new your PC is. If you have older workstation it might be cheaper to replace it with newer model.
Windows 7 does not use as many resources as Vista did but it does require at least 2gb of ram but would recommend 3gb. Below is image of my work laptop specs and performance meter with nothing really running this will give an idea.
Link to Windows 7 Requirements
Truthfully I think this is the best Windows that Microsoft has come out with The test will show in time if there will be compatibility issues, security, viruses and so on. We will see!
Mac OS X Snow Leopard install August 29, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: apple, mac os x, microsoft exchange, snow leopard, stormancast, upgrade
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The install was very straight forward and no issues. It took roughly about 55 minutes to install Snow Leopard upgrade. Leopard needs to be installed for the upgrade, if you have Tiger you will need to purchase the Mac Box Set that costs $169 on the Apple site. After the install was completed it required some updates after couples minutes I was up and running with no issues. My next test will be on how well ical, address book and mail work with Microsoft exchange.
I SUCK at Home Videos!! July 23, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Family.Tags: camcorders, creativehomemovies.com, Family, home videos, normspace, stormancast, techniques
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Home videos are fun to make and we enjoy watching them when its your family. Then you have a get together at your house or send a copy to friends and family then it does not seem as entertaining. I pretty much suck when I create home videos. From forgetting where I place the tapes to editing. A friend of ours has a talent on making cool family videos that we actually enjoy watching. What he does differently is that he adds a story behind it and great editing. He started a blog site about 2 weeks ago on some basic tips and tricks. His site CreativeHomeMovie.com. If you want to improve your Home Video skill check his site out!!
Improving Sound Quality to Your Video. July 22, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Family.Tags: camcorder, normspace, recording, sony, sound, stormancast, techniques
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Most consumer camcorders does not include a microphone plug in and you have to settle for the built in mic. It does fine for close range and if you want to hear everything else but you from a distance. There is two options you can either buy an expensive camcorder that has a mic plug, risk buying an older camcorder or my preference is buy a digital recorder. Huh, digital recorder? Yes, a digital recorder with a cheap lapel mic! most low cost editing or if you have iMovie09 you can add or remove sound easily. Any one can do this, It just takes a little patience to learn.
U.S. Daelim Owners Need Parts? June 14, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Uncategorized.Tags: customer service, daelim, parts, repair, Scooters
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Being a U.S. Daelim scooter owner it can be a pain since currently there is no distributor in the United States. I needed part since my scooter was up for state inspection and wanted to start riding for the summer. Thank goodness Daelim did not let me down. They are a trying to locate credible distributors in the United States. I contacted Daelim directly and they were very reponsive and recieved parts within the week of when I wired the money. Daelim is there to help.
If you can wait a little longer for your parts it will save you money since Daelim is trying to get a couple US distributors online. You can contact Daelim directly to get parts but it will cost more the cost of parts is cheap but the international shipping and wiring the money will get you.
Daelim website http://www.dmc.co.kr/english
Community Member Missing – Your Help is Needed May 8, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Uncategorized.Tags: community, Geeks, Gerald Smith, indstate, missing, need help
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Info from Chris Pirillo:
http://www.indstate.edu/geraldsmith/ – Gerald Smith is a longtime community member, and an active member on Geeks. Sadly, Gerald has been listed as a missing person for five days. Please, if you have ANY information, contact: Office of Public Safety at 812-237-5555
So many Scooter Stores and no parts stocked! April 2, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Life.Tags: accessories, charlotte, motorcycles, MRP, normspace, Off brands, parts, Scooters, stormannorman, transportation
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In Charlotte, I see many stores selling various brands of scooters. They’re not Vespa’s, Honda, Suzuki, not the most common brands you see in America. I have a Daelim S2 250, when it came time that i needed parts pretty much of the stores did not have anything in stock they just sold scooters, no accessories or parts. The motorcycle stores that sold scooters only really had motorcycle parts and accessories. I finally found a store / scooter rentals in Florida that carried variety of parts and accessories for every brand of scooters. I would love to find a scooter store near where I live that would stock up on various parts and accessories, but for now I will keep ordering parts from my favorite Florida scooter parts store!
Fasting 19 days and going! March 16, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Uncategorized.Tags: boobtubious, christian, Fasting, health, natural, normspace, prayer
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I have made efforts to try to fast for more than one day and failed. Holy people of the Bible and history seemed to do very long period of fasting , not meaning one day but very many days even past a month. I have been watching one of my Youtube subcriber channels he has been Fasting for Lent. He is known as “boobtubious” (http://www.youtube.com/user/boobtubious). It has been 19 day so far and looking at my clock it will be 20 days for him in a hour and a half. He has been doing a daily video journal almost each day and it has been an encouragement to me to try it.
Me and Teddy going on a Road Trip! March 9, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Uncategorized.Tags: Family, landmarks, road trip, sites, stormannorman
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Me and one of my daughter’s favorite teddybear is going on a road trip. My daughter saw the AT&T commercial with the dad taking pictures of the daughters stuffed monkey of different sites. So as you can guess my daughter grabbed her favorite teddy and handed to me asked me to do it to. How can I say no!
Charity Water : HELP – Twestival! Charlotte February 8, 2009
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MORE INFO ABOUT TWESTIVAL:
Charlotte Meetup: http://charlotte.twestival.com
Raleigh Meetup: http://raleigh.twestival.com
LA Meetup: http://la.twestival.com
Find your city: http://twestival.com
100% of the proceeds are going to http://charitywater.org
Raider of Lost Gas! September 28, 2008
Posted by stormannorman in Life.Tags: charlotte, gas shortage, local, North Carolina, offshore drilling, politics, South Carolina
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Its amazing how the news does not cover the Gas shortage in many major cities in the South after “Ike”. This is very new to me. I dont ever remember having this issue in Southern California. I just wanted to show what its like when a shortage hits.
My view of some overhyped products October 26, 2008
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: normspace, overhyped, Technology
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I decided to get back into technology with my shows. This show was based on article I read on Yahoo named The Most Overhyped Gadgets by Nick Mokey from Digital Trends. Its amazing how much hype they put on products before they come out and be disappointed once they come out.
LifeTech101.TV: Acer Aspire One – XP Version November 11, 2008
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: acer aspire one, asus eeepc, laptops, lifetech101, netbooks, notebooks, portable, Technology
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The new wave Netbooks some people say they are overhyped and there to small. I say it depends on the person. For most users that carry a laptop or notebook they just need the basics an office suite and the most important browse the internet. The first preference for an average user (not a power user) is usually a notebook because of the size and easier to carry versus the bigger laptop. The problem, the notebooks are lot more expensive so we settle for a lower cost and heavier laptop .
The first set of netbooks was linux based to save money and not needing that much hardware perfomance just powerful enough to browse the web and with OpenOffice as your office suite. With only 4 to 8gb of space to work with and average user not really know on how to save in word format in open office it lacked. Netbooks such as Asus EeePC and Acer Aspire One stepped it up offering a Windows Home XP version that could run office. More Ram and Hard drive space sort of creating a hybrid Netbook /Notebook. So far I have been impressed with the Acer Aspire One. I had to adjust using the keyboard and trackpad. Netbooks lack on optical drive and duo processor, but it does run surprising fast. This is designed not to be primary computer, but tool that would allow you to do your work on the road and play. Its actually built very well. But I will not enjoy upgrading the ram with the acer aspire one since it has to be taken apart to get to the ram slot. Enjoy the video.
Our First Carolina Christmas Tree that we will remember! December 1, 2008
Posted by stormannorman in Family.Tags: Christmas tree, Family, Life, normspace, priorities, remembering
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We decided to really enjoy looking for a real tree for the first time in 6 years retiring the fake 9 foot tree I hated with a passion. So we drove 45 minutes into South Carolina to a tree farm to pick a Christmas tree. This will be great memory for our family, finding a tree in a field and the fun of cutting it down. Then as we waited for our tree to be wrapped feeling the warmth of the campfire and smelling the melting marshmallows on old sticks. The next day the tree is fully decorated from two pros, my wife and daughter, with a proud look in their eyes across from the warm fireplace. This moment I will remember not because we got a tree but for the time we spent together doing something new, cutting down a Christmas tree in a tree farm. We need to remember what Christmas is about and not let ourselves feel like we are obligated to it but to slow down and enjoy every minute of it. Through a tough economy it reminds me, we need to enjoy everything and be happy.
Tis the season to be no Christmas :-( December 7, 2008
Posted by stormannorman in Life.Tags: attitude, christmas, economy, Family, Life, normspace
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This year has been rough year for many, from retail to banking speeding into a dark tunnel with no light ahead. Coworkers, friends, family, and possibly you are out of work, fearing what is next around the corner. It has been frustrating watching coworkers and friends walk out the office for the last time wondering when my ticket will be called next. I don’t blame the company I work for and at this point there is no reason to point the finger at anyone for the bad economy. For those that say we survived the depression unless you’re almost 100 years old our generation has not witnessed anything like this. You can say it’s a nightmare that we have not woken up from yet.
This Christmas, I have heard more people say that they are not in the Christmas spirit and don’t feel like celebrating. It’s hard for me to celebrate because of tough times but that is not a valid excuse not to celebrate Christmas or have the spirit. I find myself reminding myself what Christmas is about, a Manger, a Star, a women named Mary, a man named Joseph and 3 Wise Men. Things were a lot tougher for them with a crazy king trying to kill all the children and we thought we had it rough! If you have kids this is the time we need to be strongest and show that we can still celebrate through tough times. During the Christmas season try to remember that things can get better and it does not hurt to pray. Don’t let the tough economy destroy your Christmas spirit.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
NormSpace
Useful Free Software! December 19, 2008
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: Family, free, software, Technology
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Being computer guy at work I always get asked “where can I get a free software for my computer that is safe?” So I decided to make a quick video of some applications I have tested and used. So whats your favorite free useful software?
Palm is making a comeback with the “PRE” January 10, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: cells, lifetech101, palm pre, Technology, web os
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This phone can actually be the threat to the iphone trend. With nice querty keyboard, nice screen size, card application method, nice touch screen, full html browser, camera, less is more method. The only issue I have its one the Sprint network. I think I actually take the time to stop by a Sprint dealership to look at this phone.
LG Watch Phone Possibly in 2009 January 11, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: ces, gadgets, LG, lifetech101, normspace, stormannorman, watch phone
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This year at CES we are hearing a lot on new cell phones coming this year. LG is coming out with the LG Watch Phone that from what I have seen will be available this year. It will be like the Modern Dick Tracy watch. Bright screen and about almost the same size as a scuba watch. It will offer a built in digital camera but it has not determined the mega pixel of the camera, the battery life would be the downside right now because currently it has 3 hours life (not good). At this time no info on which wireless service will carry this Watch Phone.
iLife09 Delivers! January 30, 2009
Posted by stormannorman in Technology.Tags: apple, ilife 09, imac, imovie 09, iphoto 09, iweb 09, lifetech101, mac, media, normspace, software
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I just received my copy of iLife09 yesterday. Like a little kid I ripped the Fedex box open, then the plastic off the iLife09 box. Install time took about 30 minutes then play time.
Improvements and added features:
iPhoto 09: Face recognition was easy to set up and worked very well. I did not have a chance to play GPS location feature. You can publish picture directly to facebook and flickr.
iMovie 09: More precision control, video stabilization, more transitions, themes, more text options, more editing features, create animated maps, backdrops and lot more I cant say enough. Much improvements!
GarageBand 09: Piano and Guitar interactive lessons (forget about hiring a teacher for lessons)
iWeb 09: Adding live content using widgets. You can record or take picture with the iSight and place directly on the iWeb. Much more enjoyable experience.
This upgrade is worth it in my opinion. I found it was easier to create various types of media than the iLife08. Dont get me wrong iLife 08 was great but the improvements on iLife09 has made it more enjoyable.
