Windows only: DriverBackup2 is a lightweight driver-backup tool. The application is portable with a caveat: you'll need administrative privileges for full use. You can opt to backup one or all of your drivers, the backed up files are dumped into a tree structure based on driver name. DriverBackup2 also allows you to restore and delete unnecessary drivers. If you ever hunted for obscure drivers online, when installing legacy or obscure hardware for instance, DriverBackup2 will save you the hassle of searching them out again. For other driver viewing and backup solutions check out DoubleDriver and DriverView. DriverBackup2 is freeware,...
Fujistu-Siemens in the UK has recently announced their Lifebooks4Life program, which at first sounds a bit like some sort of gang tattoo, but turns out to be a new program that entitles you to a new laptop of the same value (adjusted 10 percent for inflation) every three years for the rest of your life. Granted, you'll be obliged to purchase a three year warranty with each new machine, and the machine must remain in warranty (you know what that means -- no cheap, off-brand RAM upgrades and absolutely no mods). But still -- a new notebook every three...
Shortly after Google’s new Webkit-based browser, called Chrome, hit the streets, we took a look at how many people were using it. Our first look at the early stats found that an impressive 4-5% of users were using Chrome a couple of days after launch. Perhaps not surprisingly. given that Chrome was aimed initially at a more technical, early adopter crowd, it was Firefox that took a hit at the start rather than Internet Explorer, even though most pundits agree that Google is taking aim at Microsoft with their browser initiative, not Mozilla. After the initial euphoria of a new...
We gave you our theory, we gave you RIM’s official statement and now people, it’s time to move on. The bottom line is that everyone who snagged a Storm from Verizon ended up with v4.7.0.65. The indisputable caveat - v4.7.0.65 has issues. No firmware is perfect and no future firmware revision will ever be completely bug-free, but what we can tell you is that the folks at RIM and Verizon know v4.7.0.65 might be just a little sub-par. How do we know they know? Why else would they be issuing OS updates just a few weeks after releasing the...
It’s not the first time we’ve heard rumors about Facebook looking to acquire Twitter or about an impending deal breaking down. But this time, Kara Swisher over at BoomTown offers a bit of insight about the deal size. According to Kara (and her sources), Facebook was offering $500 million of its stock at the infamous (and ridiculous) $15 billion valuation to acquire Twitter up until 3 weeks ago. Apparently talks, which were reportedly initiated by privately-held Facebook, broke down because of doubts on behalf of Twitter investors and executives about the stock’s actual worth, the usual concerns that arise when...
We've got a Verizon tipster who let us know that starting today, Verizon is offering one free high-def or standard-def set-top box to new customers—but it's all unofficial, see? All you have to do is sign up for one of Verizon's 12-month commitments and kvetch and moan about the monthly set-top box's pricing being too high, and the guy doing your installation will offer you one of the boxes for free. The box would eventually cost you $120 over the year of service, so it's a pretty sizable deal, but there's a caveat, as always. Don't mention that you know...
Keith, Andrew, Jacob and I discussed the news of the week. In fact, I tried to break the world record by opening up as many cans of worms as possible within a 60 minute period. You’ll have to listen to the show to hear if I was successful. Ad Copy: WordPress Weekly is brought to you by the fine advertisers on WeblogToolsCollection.com. Without their continued support, this show would not be possible. If you are interested in advertising on WordPress Weekly, please contact me at wpweekly at gmail dot com.. Stories Discussed: WordPress 2.7 Beta 3 Released Why 2.7 Is...
A major update to the iPhone’s firmware arrived at the stroke of midnight Thursday, surprising Apple (AAPL) watchers and taking just a little steam out of the launch of Research in Motion’s (RIMM) BlackBerry Storm Friday. iPhone 2.2 contains dozens of fixes and improvements — most of which had been telegraphed in advance through leaks from the developer community. Apple’s handy checklist: Enhancements to Maps Google Street View public transit and walking directions display address of dropped pins share location via email Enhancements to Mail resolved isolated issues with scheduled fetching of e-mail improved formatting of wide HTML email improved...
Here at Gear Live, we’ve been big fans of Orb for quite a while. Back in the original iPhone days, they made an app that was only available on jailbroken phones that we really liked - we just knew it needed to run at 3G speeds to be useful when on the go. The time has finally come, though, as OrbLive has hit the App Store. To back up for a moment, Orb allows you to access files and media on your home computer while on the go. This means that any music on your home computer can now...
News from the IAB (caveat, I am on the Board)... The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB ) and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) today announced that Internet advertising revenues reached almost $5.9 billion for the third quarter of 2008, representing an 11 percent increase over the same period in 2007. While double-digit annual growth continues, the quarter-to-quarter curve remains relatively flat compared to recent past performance.... ...The Q3 2008 figures, published in the IAB Internet Advertising Revenue Report, are 2 percent higher than the Q2 2008 results. Set against strong economic headwinds in the U.S. economy, Q3 '08's $5.9 billion represents nonetheless...
As the global recession looms over all of us, I’m sure some of you who may be thinking about investing in mind mapping software are saying to yourselves, “I don’t know if I can afford it.” Don’t let a little recession stop you from investing in the productivity-enhancing benefits of mind mapping software. Because there are over 20 commercially available mind mapping software programs on the market today, there are actually many bargains to be had. Earlier today, I did an informal review of all of the developers’ websites, and found an amazing 14 programs available for under US $100....
Above is a chart from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It shows total number of establishment jobs starting in 1945 -- essentially right after WWII. Note that we can break this graph down into a few different time periods. Let's look at each of these two eras with an eye to only one data point: job losses and recessions. The big period of job losses on this chart occurred in 1957 - 1958 era. According to the NBER, there was an expansion from May '54 to August '57 and a recession from August '57 to April '58. The expansion...
