The WiFi Zone

RAW Image Support – W7/Media Center 32/64 bit

bowman — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:50:45 GMT

I feel like I just hit the jackpot.

I’ve been bemoaning the lack of support for Nikon NEF 64 bit support for as long as I can remember inside Windows Explorer. And I’ve been wishing for RAW support for NEF inside Media Center forever.

I’m happy to say that there is a really nice solution.

The free image codec pack at http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/ had all the answers and gave me the brass ring.

Here’s a snippet from their web site on what is supported:

Raw Image Formats
Extension(s)	Name	Autorotate	Metadata	Remarks
*.dng	Adobe Digital Negative	Y	Y
.cr2, .crw	Canon Raw Image	Y	Y
*.raf	Fuji Raw Image	Y	Y
.3pr, .fff	Hasselblad Raw Image	Y	Y
.dcr, .kdc	Kodak Raw Image	Y	Y
.raw, .rwl	Leica Raw Image	Y	Y
*.mrw	Minolta Raw Image	Y	Y
.nef, .nrw	Nikon Raw Image	Y	Y	Can be configured to skip raw conversion and always use embedded previews.
*.orf	Olympus Raw Image	Y	Y
*.rw2	Panasonic Raw Image	Y	Y
*.pef	Pentax Raw Image	Y	Y
.arw, .sr2, *.srf	Sony Raw Image	Y	Y
Additional Features
Extension(s)	Name	Remarks
All formats	WIC Thumbnail provider for XP	Provides support for thumbnail views in Windows XP Explorer (SP3), for all the above formats and all existing WIC-enabled codecs.
All formats	WIC Import Plug-In for Photoshop	Enables Adobe Photoshop to directly import images from any installed WIC codec. The plug-in is available as a separate download in 32-bit only at this time (so it won't work on Photoshop CS4 64-bit edition for the time being).

I shoot Nikon RAW NEF. And I have full support now inside Windows 7 RTM. Explorer thumbnails, even inside Windows Media Center. Here’s the proof. Worth 3,000 words and a whole lot more.

Thumbnails inside Windows Explorer of my NEF files in Windows 7

Picture Details inside Windows Media Center/Windows 7

A folder filled with NEFs is now viewable inside Windows Media Center

Yes, XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 all can play with this. I’m excited, are you?

http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/

Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse, media center, Media Center Windows 7, windows media center, how-to, Tip

802.11n Now Officially Ratified – No longer a Draft!

bowman — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:31:47 GMT

“Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 11:01 AM
To: STDS-802-11-TGN@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG
Subject: [STDS-802-11-TGN] Standards Board Decisions today- 11w and 11n approved

All,

802.11 had two items under consideration during the Standards Board meetings being held this week.

I’m am very pleased to announce that both P802.11w and P802.11n were approved today.

Although this email vehicle falls far short of expressing the sentiment, Thanks to the hundreds of 802.11members that contributed to these efforts, as well as the 802 EC and the IEEE Staff.

With me here as I write this is Paul Nikolich who wishes to add his congratulations to the group.

I expect to extend the celebration of the success , (while we continue work on the other amendments in process ) when we convene in Hawaii two weeks from now.

Hope to see you there.

Bruce”

For most of us, this just means our Draft 2.0 802.11n equipment is now the real thing.

Technorati Tags: 802.11n,wifi,wireless networking

Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse, wifi, Wireless Networking, windows networking

Sophos Releases Klingon Anti Virus

bowman — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:30:14 GMT

This is just nuts, but true. These guys have released a free AV product that does not require you to uninstall your existing AV. And it is written in the Klingon language? You have to visit their website just to see this one. A VERY clever marketing gimmic if you ask me. Here’s a preview:

Why did we translate it into Klingon?

Our routine monitoring of sub-space transmissions alerted Sophos that the loss of the Klingon battlecruiser Klothos was not due to Romulan incursion into the Khitomer system, but a result of trying to remove VBS/PeachyPDF-A from the battle computer using M'swoN'kar after Commander Kor opened an attachment from the system S'cam-419.

Immediately our Product Marketing away team embarked on a mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and flog them Network Access Control solutions. Sadly they chose Qo'noS as their first destination and when their severed heads were beamed back to Sophos, the engineering team created this software, not in a spontaneous display of gratitude to the Klingon race (as the Register would have you believe) but to honour their memory.

Test your existing anti-virus protection

Scans without the need to uninstall or disable your existing anti-virus.

Runs on Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista.
This software has compatibility issues with the version of msxml4.dll used by cloaking devices on Romulan-modded D7-class battle cruisers. Installing this software on such vessels is punishable by ordeal of Ginst'a'Ed.

Uses a single scan to detect viruses, spyware and adware - including zero-day threats.

Updates automatically for 30 Galactic standard days.

Beam me up...

Defy Hackers with Routers with Captcha

bowman — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:40:39 GMT

D-Link has once again one-upped the wannabe hacker community by adding a feature that will make it a whole lot harder for the script kiddies to break into your router programmatically.

The current crop of Extreme N routers now have updates available that add CAPTCHA to the login page.

You can’t be too secure.. Right?

Install WordPress on WHS PP2

bowman — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:31:40 GMT

Installing WordPress on Windows Home Server PP2 takes some concentration and some time, but isn't that difficult. The key to success is having the right tools before you start this project.

First, set up access to your WHS installation

You will need remote desktop access to your server (or any of the remote access add-ons that let you manipulate/add files and folders, access the Start menu and Administrative tools).

Second, obtain the necessary software

You need some software that you can download from the Internet.

1. Download mysql 5.1 Windows Essentials

from http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.1.html

2. Php 5.2.9 zip package

http://us.php.net/downloads.php

3. 5.2.6 PECL package from

http://php.net/get/pecl-5.2.6-Win32.zip/from/a/mirror

(For me, the fastest download was selecting United States, Yahoo)

4. Download wordpress 2.7.1 from

http://wordpress.org/download/

Third, install PHP

Note, in the editing instruction below for the php.ini file, if I have used quotes " ", these should be included in the edits you make. This does not apply to the registry modification.

Create a folder named C:\php and unzip all the files to that folder
Unzip the PECL files to C:\php\ext
Rename C:\php\php.ini-recommended to C:\php\php.ini

4. Open the php.ini file you have now and uncomment cgi.force_redirect in php.ini and set it to 0

5. Find and change 'upload_tmp_dir = ' and set it to 'upload_tmp_dir = "C:\php\upload" ' and make the directory

6. Find and change 'session.save_path' to 'session.save_path= "C:\php\sessions" ' and make the directory

7. Find and set the line 'extension_dir' to 'extension_dir = "C:\PHP\ext" '.

8. Find the line that says ';error_log = filename' and remove the comment semi-colon and change it to: ' error_log = "C:\php\errors.log" '

9. Uncomment these extensions:

extension=php_mysql.dll

extension=php_mysqli.dll

extension=php_gd2.dll

extension=php_gettext.dll

extension=php_mbstring.dll

extension=php_sockets.dll

extension=php_xmlrpc.dll

extension=php_zip.dll

10. Go to the Start menu > Control panel > System > Advanced Tab > Click "Environment Variables".

11. Select Path and press Edit. Next add C:\PHP to it, preferably to the beginning (use a semi-colon to separate it from any entry that follows --- ;)

12. Now run regedit.exe from a cmd prompt or the Run field

13. Add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PHP to the registry (edit/new/key), and under that add a new string value "IniFilePath" and set it to "C:\php" (right click/modify)

Fourth, Install Mysql

1. Use the typical installation and run the configuration wizard.

2. Choose the "Developer Machine."

3. Select "Multifunctional Database" it.

4. If you are using WHS, install to the D:\ drive in the default location it selects. Or you can install to the default on C:\.

5. Select "Decision Support (DSS)/OLAP"

6. Leave TCP/IP Networking and Strict Mode enabled and check the box to enable the firewall exception.

7. Select the "Best Support for Multilingualism" option.

8. Install as a service and check the box to include the bin work directory in the Windows PATH

9. Enter a password. This is the password that will be for the "root" account, which has total access to every database. Save this password somewhere. I used the same password as I used for the Administrator on my WHS PPS box. No need to create an Anonymous account.

10. Execute the changes.

11. Reboot your WHS server to and then log in again via RDP, and verify that the MySQL service is up and running.

Fifth, create a blog directory, unzip WordPress, change directory permssions

12. Create the directory blog under inetpub and unzip all files there

c:\inetpub\blog

13. After extracting the files, right click on the "blog" directly, and select "Properties". Find the "Security" tab and click the "Advanced" button. Add the user "IUSR_SERVER", replacing "SERVER" with whatever you named your WHS server. Iused SERVER2

Give that user Full Control.

Enable "Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects", and click okay and then yes.

•This will reset permissions on the files, and will revert back to being unchecked when it is done.

14. Next perform the same permissions change on the folder C:\PHP right click, then select "Properties". Go to the Security Tab, and click on the "Advanced Button". Click "Add..." and add the user "IUSR_SERVER" where "SERVER" is your WHS server's name (same as you above). Specify Full control, and click Okay. Finally, enable "Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects", and click okay/yes as you did above.

◦Note: The machine name is the name of the server originally. This may be SERVER, or in the case of the HP's MediaSmart Server, it will be HPSERVER, making the account "IUSR_SERVER" or "IUSR_HPSERVER". If it is not one of these two look for any account starting with "IUSR_" as this will be the correct account.

◦Note: As before, this will reset permissions on the files, and will revert back to being unchecked when it is done.

Sixth, run the MySql command line client

1. From the Start menu, navigate to "MySQL Command Line Client". This requires you to enter a password. Enter the password you used when setting up MySQL.

2. Create the database that WordPress needs. Use the name "wordpress" for the database. You can use any name here. Note: In the commands that follow for the cmd line client, be sure to type in the semi-colons ;and the apostrophes ' as they are needed in the syntax. Press [enter] after the semi colon to execute and see the confirmation

mysql> create database wordpress;

you should then see:

Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)

3. Now that the database exists, you need to "use" that database andthen create a user specifically for WordPress to avoid using the root account (security, security, security!). I created the username and gave it permission to use the new database. I used the username "wpadmin" and the password "wppassword". Here are the commands and the corresponding confirmations displayed in the cmd line client:

mysql> use wordpress;

Database changed

mysql>CREATE USER 'wpadmin'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'wpadmin';

Next, type these SQL commands and hit enter after each:

mysql>FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

mysql> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* to wpadmin@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'wppassword';

Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.01 sec)

4. This completes configuring the database, wordpress user account for the database and security. Write down all usernames and passwords you established. To quit the cmd line, type:

mysql>quit

Seventh, Configure IIS

1. From the Start menu, go to "Administative Tools" and open "Internet Information Services."

2. Open "Websites", and then find "Default Web Site." Right click and open the "New" group and select "Virtural Directory." Not Virtual Directory from file.

3. Type in the directory name where you to unzipped WordPress installation. I created a folder named blog, so this is what I typed in.

4. Click "Next" and set the path to "C:\inetpub\blog" or whatever name you used for this directory.

5. Click "Next". Options for the new virtual directory will display. Select "Read", and "Run scripts".

6. Right Click on Web Service Extensions located on the left side and choose Add a new web service extension. Enter in php and click add.

7. Browse to C:\php\php5isapi.dll. Also, be sure to set extension status to allow. Click "Okay".

8. Right Click on websites and choose properties. Select the Documents tab and add index.php as a start document.

9. Next, select the Home Directory Tab and click Configuration. Go to the mappings tab and click on add. Enter .php for the extension and enter C:\php\php5isapi.dll in the executable textbox. Verify that the setting all verbs is checked and keep clicking ok.

Note: ◦if prompted to apply changes to home, remote, and UPnP DO NOT apply changes to "Remote", "Home", or "upnp" directories.

10. Select the Home Directory tab and Verify "RemoteAccessAppPool" is selected, and not "DefaultAppPool".

11. Log off from the RDP sessions on your WHS server

Eighth, Configure WordPress

Configure your new blog from any machine on your network or the internet by accessing

1. Open IE and navigate to http://yourcustomedomain.homeserver.com/blog

2. Error will display "no wp-config.php file"

3. Click the radio button to create the file and follow the prompts and then click Run the Install

4. Give your blog a title, specify the username, etc. and then click Install WordPress

5. Write down the password/copy to clipboard, you will need it to login to configure the rest of the blog features. And you can change this password and add users/authors/etc. when you login.

Have fun. You're on your own from here!

$15 to Check first bag on American Airlines

bowman — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:48:34 GMT

Here we go. The end of airline travel as we know it. American Airlines has announced substantial cutbacks in service, decommissioning of aircraft, and increase of other fees from $5 to $50.

And if you check a bag, you'll need to cough up $15 for the first bag.

Other airlines will surely follow.

Can you imagine the ruckus when you board your plane, roller board in tow, only to find that there's no room in the overheads since everyone and their brother will be carrying on everything on the planet?

Buckle your seat belts, there is huge turbulence ahead.

Technorati tags: Airline regulations, travel, airline travel

Why won't MS take x64 Computing Seriously?

bowman — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:53:01 GMT

This is the second time Microsoft has let down Vista 64 bit users who are also photographers. The first was on the lack of RAW codecs for Windows Photo Gallery, which the PIX team blamed on the Camera makers.

Today, a new tool, "Pro Photo Tools Version 1", for pro photographers was released.

And there is no support for x64. Thanks, Microsoft! I salute you, again, for your support (and I don't mean the 21 gun type of salute..)

Technorati tags: Companies Not Supporting x64 Vista Suck

Do you have a non working DSM-750 Media Center Extender?

bowman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:15:35 GMT

Here's some info from Mark Espenschied, a Marketing Communications Manager for D-Link Systems, Inc. in Fountain Valley, California.

" A small number of early production DSM-750 Wireless N HD Media Center Extenders have an issue with a corrupted security certificate, which results in the communication error messages described in this post when trying to affiliate the DSM-750 with a PC running Windows Media Center. Unfortunately, this defect cannot be rectified through firmware upgrade, and can only be addressed by a factory-trained technician.

If you receive the communication error while attempting to affiliate the DSM-750 with Windows Media Center, please call D-Link technical support at 888-900-3939, Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm PST. This a special number which will allow you to directly reach appropriate technical support agents. They will assess the issue and determine if your unit needs to be replaced. D-Link is ready to quickly resolve this issue; tech support agents have been briefed and customers will be shipped replacement units if needed. "

Technorati tags: DSM-750, D-Link, Media Center Extender

Wireless Networking Gear-the Softer Side

bowman — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:04:44 GMT

I've got this great DAP-1555 Draft 802.11n "Xtreme N Duo Mediabridge" that I use to wirelessly enable my Xbox 360. (You can buy these in pairs to add to existing networks. And if you want to use your 360 wirelessly, you'll definitely want "N" speeds.) The device itself supports both the 2.4 and the 5.0 Ghz bands. In my wifi oversaturated neighborhood, the 5 GHz side is truly a neccessity!

My only beef was that the stark white color made the device stick out like a sore thumb. I stumbled on a page on D-Link's web site that showed some skins for the DIR-655 router. Since the form factor for the DAP-1555 is the same, I decided to go for it. I went with a color scheme that sort of matches my Xbox 360.

D-Link DSM-750 Media Center Extender (FAR better than Linksys!)

bowman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:58:18 GMT

I've just setup a production DSM-750 Medialounge Media Center Extender. This new extender streams everything over Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 (using a DGL-4500 in 5GHz mode) including High Definition Live and Recorded TV from a Vista Ultimate x64 box with two DCT (OCUR) tuners.

Some unboxing and setup images can be found at one of my websites.

Out of the box, the DSM-750 blows the dinky Linksys DMA 2100 out of the water. Solid construction and a nice looking peripheral that doesn't look like cheap plastic in my living room. The DMA 2100 has no optical SPDIF (RCA flavor digital SPDIF only) and worse, does not see Atheros based 802.11 Draft 2.0 N SSID's and probably some other brands. The DMA 2100 only has two antennae. D-Link has all the ports and three antennae, which really helps with wireless connectivity .

D-Link integrates network setup with Extender setup and it is a real easy task to get up and running. While I admit to having had experience with a beta engineering sample, the engineering sample was wired only without the 802.11n dual band capability. I was really impressed with how well it worked and how integrated it was. D-Link has tons of experience with something like 6-7 previous versions in the Medialounge wireless media player line. This experience shows.

The Linksys takes forever to connect to the host Vista machine while the D-Link connects seamlessly and far more rapidly.

In my opinion, if you have a choice between the Linksys DMA 2100 and the D-Link DSM-750, the D-Link is well worth the wait. Linksys was first to market, but the race is not always to the swiftest.

Technorati tags: D-Link, Medialounge, Media Center Extender, Vista, 802.11n, OCUR, Digital Cable Tuner

NASA to beam Beatles Music Into Space

bowman — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:05:22 GMT

"Across the Universe" will be beamed towards the North Star on Feb 4th. I love this idea. Calling ET....

Technorati tags: NASA, Beatles

Don't pack spare Lithium batteries in checked baggage after 1/1/2008

bowman — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:40:21 GMT

According to this US Government site, spare batteries should be packed in carry-on luggage only. Here is the table that appears on the official website.

GUIDE TO RULES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2008
Type Of Battery/Batteries	In Checked Baggage	In Carry-On Baggage:
Lithium Metal Battery, Installed in a Device (up to 2 grams lithium)	Permitted ¹	Recommended ¹
Spare Lithium Metal Battery (Not Installed In a Device) (up to 2 grams lithium) (up to 2 grams lithium)	Forbidden	Permitted in carry-on baggage ²
Lithium Metal Battery, Spare or Installed (over 2 grams lithium)	Forbidden	Forbidden
Lithium-Ion Battery Installed in a Device (up to 8 grams lithium equivalent content)	Permitted ¹	Recommended ¹
Spare Lithium-Ion Battery (Not Installed in a Device) (up to 8 grams lithium equivalent content)	Forbidden	Permitted in carry-on baggage ²
“Special Case” Up to 2 Lithium-Ion Batteries, Spare or Installed (between 8 and 25 grams aggregate lithium equivalent content)	Spare Batteries: Forbidden! Installed in Devices: Permitted ¹	Spare Batteries: Permitted ² Installed in Devices: Permitted ¹
1. Although you may carry some devices and installed batteries in checked baggage, carrying them in carry-on baggage, when practicable, is preferred. Whether in checked or carry-on baggage, ensure that devices remain switched off, either by built-in switch/trigger locks, by taping the activation switch in the “off” postion, or by other appropriate measures. 2. Be sure to take protective measures to prevent against short-circuits. See the spare battery tips and how-to pages.

Technorati tags: travel tips, airline regulations, gadgets, traveling with extra batteries, batteries

Happy Holidays

bowman — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:27:00 GMT

And a Healthy and Happy New Year

MS to force us to view ads whether we want to or not?

bowman — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:25:39 GMT

ZDnet blogger Russell Shaw certainly has found a scary patent filed by Microsoft.

"Enforcing rendering advertisements and other predetermined media
content in connection with playback of downloaded selected media
content. Playback of selected media content is made conditional on
acquisition of a playback token that is generated in response to
playback of the predetermined content.

The playback token may be implemented as a digital rights management
(DRM) license acquired in response to playback of the predetermined
content. Another aspect involves a content insertion engine for
inserting ads or other predetermined content into the playback of
downloaded content."

DRM gets more Draconian with every passing day. Since the ad supported model obviously works so poorly, will we be forced into a Big Brother is watching you watch ads universe? Is the next step a patent to embed subliminal ads throughout the entire content? A scary thought that isn't all that far-fetched.

Technorati tags: DRM, Microsoft, Fair Use

Updating Acer Ferrari x64 Ultimate with new BIOS

bowman — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:34:26 GMT

Acer refuses to provide a 64 bit winphlash. I finally figured out a quick and easy solution (not wanting to buy a USB floppy). Acer adamantly refuses to acknowledge that 64 bit users want to update their BIOS. And the Ferrari 4000 doesn't support booting from a USB flash key.

So I figured it out. Ingredients, hardware, and instructions:

Hardware

1. Acer Ferrari 4000

2. USB Flash Drive

3. Vista 32 bit DVD

Instructions

1. download the BIOS from ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/ferrari_4000/vista/BIOS/

2. Unzip to root of USB flash drive (mine was formatted as FAT32)

3. Unplug the USB flash drive and power down.

4. Insert the 32 bit Vista DVD and boot from it (you are not actually going to end up installing it or doing anything, this just gets you to the 32 bit WinPE environment)

5. Click through until you get to the screen with the activate online checkbox and uncheck it.

6. Connect the USB flash key to the computer

7. Press Shift-F10 to open a command prompt

8. Change to the correct drive for the USB flash drive

9. type winphlash and press enter

10. browse to the correct wph file and go for it!

11. after the flash is complete, before letting the machine restart, EJECT the DVD. (remember, nothing was installed and nothing really happened except you had access to a 32 bit WinPE environment which you needed to flash the BIOS).

Technorati tags: Acer BIOS, x64, Vista

Infected job search sites lead to identity theft for 1.6M

bowman — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:23:00 GMT

Computer World is reporting that job search sites, including the highly trafficked Monster.com may have compromised visitors who click on malicious ads. Yesterday the report was 40K+ users, now it's 1.6 million.

Technorati tags: security, ID theft, malware

Help Design HP's Next Laptop

bowman — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:37:05 GMT

I received an invitation, in part because of some reviews I've done as a blogger, to provide feedback and ideas to HP on what kind of laptop I'd design if I could do it myself. The sky is the limit and I think this is a great opp for MVP's and others to speak up.

This is for real. I will be giving this link to HP and also collecting feedback. And of course supplying my own

If you ever wanted to make an impact, this is your chance. JUST LEAVE A COMMENT!

Technorati tags: HP, Dream Laptop, Tablet PC

Nero 7, Vista, and where did the thumbnails go - registry fix

bowman — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:09:00 GMT

Bad bad nero. Changes the registry from these defaults. So save this as a reg file or carefully edit the registry (need admin rights):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS]
@=""
"PerceivedType"="video"
"MP2.Last"="Custom"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\OpenWithProgIds]
"WMP.DVR-MSFile"=hex(0):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11D1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{9DBD2C50-62AD-11D0-B806-00C04FD706EC}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\ShellEx\{e357fccd-a995-4576-b01f-234630154e96}]
@="{9DBD2C50-62AD-11D0-B806-00C04FD706EC}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wmv]
"PerceivedType"="video"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wmv\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wmv\shellex\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile]
@="Windows Media Audio/Video file"
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,01,00
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,\
00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,\
32,00,5c,00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,\
00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,31,00,34,00,00,00
"PreferExecuteOnMismatch"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,77,00,6d,00,\
70,00,6c,00,6f,00,63,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,37,00,33,00,36,\
00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell]
@="Play"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\open]
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,37,\
00,20,00,2f,00,4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\open\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\play]
@="&Play"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,\
6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,\
00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,39,00,31,00,00,00
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\play\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,37,\
00,20,00,2f,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\play\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PlayOnMyTV]
@="{FFB699E0-306A-11d3-8BD1-00104B6F7516}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPAddToPlaylist]
@="{F1B9284F-E9DC-4e68-9D7E-42362A59F0FD}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPPlayAsPlaylist]
@="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]
@="{031EE060-67BC-460d-8847-E4A7C5E45A27}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\VideoClipContainer]
@="{5cdcb131-a1a1-4fe9-9a10-80effe042ae0}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi]
@="WMP.AVI"
"PerceivedType"="video"
"MP2.Last"="Custom"
"MPlayer2.BAK"="NeroShowTime.Files7.avi"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\OpenWithProgIds]
"WMP.AVI"=hex(0):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11D1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\ShellEx\{e357fccd-a995-4576-b01f-234630154e96}]
@="{9DBD2C50-62AD-11D0-B806-00C04FD706EC}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile]
@="Video Clip"
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,01,00
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,\
00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,\
32,00,5c,00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,\
00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,30,00,35,00,00,00
"PreferExecuteOnMismatch"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\CLSID]
@="{00022602-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors\auds]
@="{0002000F-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors\vids]
@="{00020001-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,77,00,6d,00,\
70,00,6c,00,6f,00,63,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,37,00,33,00,31,\
00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\AU]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\AVI]
@="{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\BMP]
@="{00020006-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\DIB]
@="{00020006-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\FLC]
@="{00020007-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\FLI]
@="{00020007-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\TGA]
@="{0002000A-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\WAV]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers\AVI]
@="{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers\WAVE]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell]
@="Play"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\open]
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,38,\
00,20,00,2f,00,4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\open\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\play]
@="&Play"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,\
6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,\
00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,39,00,31,00,00,00
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\play\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,38,\
00,20,00,2f,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\play\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PlayOnMyTV]
@="{FFB699E0-306A-11d3-8BD1-00104B6F7516}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPAddToPlaylist]
@="{F1B9284F-E9DC-4e68-9D7E-42362A59F0FD}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPPlayAsPlaylist]
@="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]
@="{031EE060-67BC-460d-8847-E4A7C5E45A27}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\VideoClipContainer]
@="{5cdcb131-a1a1-4fe9-9a10-80effe042ae0}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg]
"PerceivedType"="video"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\shellex\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpeg]
"PerceivedType"="video"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpeg\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpeg\shellex\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jpg]
"PerceivedType"="image"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jpeg]
"PerceivedType"="image"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.png]
"PerceivedType"="image"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.gif]
"PerceivedType"="image"

Technorati tags: Media center, Vista, Nero

Best Buy Tells Me "Online Prices are Different"

bowman — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:50:33 GMT

No wonder the State of CT is suing Best Buy. Yesterday, I checked all the Internet ads for a microSD card for my cell phone. Best Buy had a 2GB Sandisk card plus adapter for 49.99 less 5.00 sale price.

I live 5 minutes from the local Best Buy Store. So I drive to the store and two sales clerks try to help me out by showing me a $75 2GB microSD Sandisk card "that came in last night". (In the process I walk by hangers of Sandisk 1GB cards at two different prices). I hold my ground and eventually a third clerk says, oh you want the phone card and pulls out the Sandisk 2GB microSD card with adapter marked $49.99. I grumble my thanks and walk to a register.

At the register, the checkout clerk only cares about trying to push rewards cards and service plans. She refuses to honor the $5.00 sale price I mention that is online and tells me I can always come back to the store and see Customer Service. I pay her the $50.

I left the register and walked over to Customer Service where three nice ladies listen to me complain about the $75/$49 bait and switch and my request for the $5.00 back.

All three mention without any prompting that online pricing is "different".

I get $5.00 cash. I leave the store.

Technorati tags: Best Buy, consumerism, bait and switch, deceptive advertising

BBC's Panorama Investigative Show Thinks WiFi is Unsafe

bowman — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:22:10 GMT

The basis for all of this nonsensical conclusion is apparently some unsubstantiated leap between mobile phone technology and equipment and a theorized similarity to WiFi equipment. Say what?

Someone at Panorama is WiFi phobic. My long standing opinion of the BBC as being grounded in meticulous research and analysis has crashed and there are no survivors.

Technorati tags: WiFi, 802.11, Wireless Networking, Technology