Finding your computer's Bonjour name

Finding your computer's Bonjour name

Bonjour (formerly known as 'Rendezvous') is a feature that automatically configures and detects certain network services on your local network you can use, such as printers, iChat AV, and various types of sharing. Your computer's Bonjour name identifies your computer to Bonjour-compatible applications and services.

1. Open System Preferences and click Sharing.
2. Find your computer name. Your computer's Bonjour name is displayed beneath your computer name. It is your computer name appended with '.local.'

For example, if your computer name is 'bbms' and you enable Personal Web Sharing, then other local computers can view your shared webpages by entering 'bbms.local' in a web browser's URL field.

If your computer name is not recognized by Bonjour, the name will be Macintosh.local.

To use Bonjour, computers must have Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

I'm trying Bonjour for Windows to see if I can print to a Canon printer attached to an Airport Extreme device.

Google Earth Hacks

Google Earth Hacks - Lots of downloads, information and hacks for Google Earth.

via Phil Greenspun. Resource page for extending Google Earth. I'm signing up for the Plus account now.

iPod battery replacement: now it's worth keeping old iPods

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Once an iPod gets to 2-3 years old it's outlived its original LiOn battery. On average, an LiOn battery is good for two years of heavy use (I'm now on my 3rd iBook battery).

When a new battery costs $100 plus shipping, and a new iPod is $200, it's not worth bothering with a replacement battery. Keep the old iPod as an external hard drive and buy a new device. Now that the replacement prices are considerably less, however, it's worth doing the swap.

BTW, Apple has an awful reputation for mangling iPods sent for a battery swap. The NewerTech batteries mentioned here are installed by the end-user. That's not entirely a bad idea.

Remarkable view of the Psychiatric DSM IV diagnoses

Alphabetical Index of all Psychiatric Disorders at ALLPSYCH Online

Very nice higher end drive enclosure for Mac.

NewerTech miniStack FireWire/USB2 Storage Solution with Integrate FW/USB at OtherWorldComputing.com

In addition to the drive it comes with an integrated firewire/usb hub, a decent heat sink, and temperature dependent fan. It connects to the Mac (or PC) via Firewire or USB 2.0. Costs $100.

This is very interesting! I'd love to know how loud it is.

Mac headphones for Skype and VOIP

Voice over IP (VoIP) - [Part 2]

A very good discussion! Logitech USB headphones ...

Update: I bought the SONY branded Logitech Play Station II headset Page Thomas recommended, it worked very well on my G3 iBook with Skype/Mac. Twenty bucks at Target, Walmart, etc.

After I configured the system audio preferences it worked well with my iBook, but with Skype/Mac there was no audio in. I opened the Skype audio prefs and the audio appeared the moment the dialog appeared. Minor Skype buglet.

The downside of this cheap and effective headset is the very long cord. It's designed for a PS2 user, who's far from the TV console. Not great for laptop use and especially not for travel. Skype is most useful to me for foreign travel, so I'm still looking for something better suited to travel.

What I want is a compact device that would plug into a USB port with a volume control, and standard mobile phone mini-jack (mute button would be nice). I'd carry the small box/cable combination and just use the earbud I use with my cell phone.

Logitech could cut the long cable/headphone off this device, insert the jack for the mobile phone headset, and have a real winner.

Home office fax/scanner/printer for OS X?

Canon PIXMA MP780 Multi-function Printer

I'd prefer a multi-function that had a laser printer (some of the Brother printers do), but this might replace my quite nice Pixma photo printer. Interesting.