Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000

I loathe Microsoft software. I love Microsoft hardware. They really know how to do hardware.

So I'm very interested in the Amazon.com: Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000. I zoomed the Amazon images and I was able to imagine that the damn thing might even have a focus ring.

I experimented years ago with various PC webcams as a videoconferencing aide. I wanted to image a whiteboard and send readable snaps every 5-10 seconds. The devices ran into bandwidth issues (too much data for a USB 1 cable) and the resolution was inadequate. I think these guys might work. Very neat.

I wonder how they compare to Apple's excellent webcam (though the built-in ones aren't as good). Alas, the Apple cam only works on a Mac. I wonder if this one might do Mac as well ...

Upgrading a Mac drive: nice tip

I like the procedure outlined here ...

Macintouch - MacBook

The specific screwdriver needed to remove the factory-installed HDD from its metal cover is a T-8 torx. Home Depot and Lowe's have these in multi-size Torx driver sets for less than $6...

Apricorn (www.apricorn.com) has a USB enclosure for a SATA drive (model EZ UP - S).

What I did was:

1. bought a replacement HDD
2. installed it into the above described USB enclosure
3. used Super Duper! to copy factory HDD to the new one in the USB enclosure and make it bootable (although you can not boot from a USB drive, it's still important to make the cloned HDD bootable).
4. Swapped the internal and external drives. This is easy if you have the above T-8 Torx screwdriver.
5. put the factory HDD into the USB enclosure.

Mactracker: a reference source for Mac hardware.

Mactracker - Get info on any Mac

Mactracker provides detailed information on every Apple, Motorola, PowerComputing, and UMAX Mac OS computer ever made, including items such as processor speed, memory, optical drives, graphic cards, supported Mac OS versions, and expansion options. Also included is information on Apple mice, keyboards, displays, printers, scanners, digital cameras, iPod, AirPort Base Stations, Newtons, and Mac OS versions.

via Macintouch. Excessive certainly. Valued, yes.

Allow Safari to handle Google Earth links

This worked for me. I created the file "com.apple.DownloadAssessment.plist" in my personal Library: Google Earth Community: Tip: Auto-open Safari links in Google Earth.

TEAC SR-L200i-W clock radio with iPod integration

After the iH5 debacle this TEAC SR-L200i-W Hi-Fi Radio with iPod Dock is appealing. Alas, I can't find any reviews anywhere. It might be too new a product. I'll need some reviews before I take a chance on in ...

iPod clock radio: iHome iH5

Update: EEAAAGGHHH. After I wrote the note before, I impulsively took a quick look at the Amazon reviews. What a dolt I am. I KNOW that the best sources of product information are the negative reviews on Amazon. (I always sort so the negative reviews come first, I think the positive reviews are often faked.) In a jaw-dropping exhibition of staggering stupidity, the alarm volume cannot be adjusted. It always starts low and scales to maximum. The LCD is bright enough to read by -- at the lowest setting. Thank heavens I was able to cancel my order before it shipped. iLounge gave this a near-top rating. Their credibility is now zero.

--- original comment -----

The iPod has a built-in timer feature, so you can use it with speakers as a clock radio. I wanted a conventional radio though, so I bought the iHome iH5 Clock Radio. It had a good iLounge rating. It's oddly almost alone in its niche. It will be the final resting place for my old troubled 3G iPod and its all-but-dead battery. I'm looking forward to some creative wake up playlists -- some gentle piano followed by increasingly rousing music.

One odd commerce note. I almost bought this directly from the iHome site, along with the remote. Alas, the site didn't support Safari well, which annoyed me. Then they hit me with a $15 shipping charge at the very last minute. I abandoned my cart once click from purchase. I got it for $25 less at Amazon (free shipping).

Review to follow.

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