Well, I recently started reading up on DNS servers and how to make my internet connection faster for free. I stumbled upon (literally) Google Public DNS [http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html] and tried switching my DNS Servers to Google Public and boy, was I surprised. My internet connection load time went down exponentially. But now that I had done that, like any other human being, I wanted faster, faster faster! So I kept looking. I found a project hosted by Google Code called Namebench [http://code.google.com/p/namebench/] and tried it out. NOTE:  I had also configured my router to use Google Public DNS. Namebench suggested that for my Primary DNS Server, I direct it to my router, which had a faster connection time to Google Public DNS than my computer did (logically) and gave me a Secondary and Tertiary server. After some research, I discovered that a Tertiary server is a back up server, incase both the first two go down. Below is a tutorial on how to add a Tertiary Server in Windows Operating Systems (XP and up).

Step 1: Open Ethernet Adapter Settings

Depending on what Windows OS you’re using, you need to navigate to your Ethernet Adapter Settings (Also called Network Connections). It should look a little something like this:

Step 2: Open Properties, Change DNS Settings

Right-Click your Internet Connection, Select Properties. Double-Click “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”. Click Advanced, Select the DNS Tab.

Step 3: Adding the Tertiary Server

Select the Add button, and enter the DNS I.P. Address of the Tertiary Server that is provided by Namebench.

Tada! You’re done! You have now added your backup DNS Server (which may make your connection slightly faster, too!)

-dwmcc

Boy oh Boy,

Today I hauled out my old server running Windows 2000 Server and I wanted to do a re-install. The re-install went smoothly, until it came to the “server setup” wizard. I clicked the “This is the only server on my network” button, and hit next. It waited, thinking and then said: “There is already another server installed on your network.” Wow. No, there isn’t. Well, I’ve figured out a way around it, and here’s how:

It turns out that if you have any type of router, wired or wireless, and sometimes even a modem, the server interprets that as another server. A simple fix: Unplug your internet cable from the server. Click “This is the only server on the network” and then click next. Volia! The next screen appears. IMPORTANT: Be sure to plug in the internet cable after clicking next, otherwise the server will encounter errors!

Undoubtedly, some of you have heard of BugMeNot, a free service in which users could submit passwords to specific sites that ask you to create an account to sign up. Because of legal issues, BugMeNot was recently closed and in it’s place, up popped RetailMeNot, a free service that provides promotion codes to hundreds of thousands of online shopping sites. Ever looking to buy something online? Get it cheap at http://www.RetailMeNot.com.

Recently, while flying American Airlines, I found out that they’re putting Wi-Fi on most of their planes. It’s $12.95 per flight (session) but, if you have work that needs to get done, it’s an option. To learn more about American Airlines and GoGo, Visit: http://www.gogoinflight.com/. Use the following code to redeem free Wi-Fi during the first time you use it. CODE: AAFREEWIFI

Here’s a cool Wormhole effect that I created in Photoshop Elements 6.0. The tutorial is below. Click on the image for full size.

 
Recently, I stumbled upon a really cool trick: Use a javascript code to edit any webpage.

CODE:    javascript:document.body.contentEditable=’true’; document.designMode=’on’; void 0

Instructions:

1.Go to the page to be edited.

2.Copy and paste the JS code into the URL Address bar and hit enter. You can now edit any aspect of the webpage in the browser. There are some limitations and sometimes there are errors. You can’t save this page or publish it and in no way is it hacking the page, it just enables temporarily editing the page. As soon as you exit or reload, changes will be gone and the page will be normal again. This trick just changes the look of the page on your computer, not on the web.

Windows 7, the post Vista OS, was released in beta form in early February 2009. Being a pro-Windows person myself, I downloaded the beta and dual-booted it with Vista. Wow. All I can say. Vista runs okay on my 3gb RAM, 2.0ghz HP laptop. Windows 7 runs like a charm. It boots in like 1/4 the time of Vista (FASTER THAN LEOPARD!) and shuts down immediately (Yes, I’ve experienced Vista’s almost minute to shut down). Dual-booting was a charm, and untraditionally, it installed in 20 minutes with full options. If I could, I’d upgrade now, even to the beta. After starting up, you’re asked to log in, and after typing in your password, you see the Welcome screen for all of about 2 seconds. It then brings you to the desktop and every thing’s so fast!

Full ZDNet Review: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=958

Samsung Instinct s30

All hail the Samsung Instinct s30. It’s the new Instinct phone. Don’t call it a replacement of the origanal Instinct, it’s nothing like that. Think of it as an upgrade. There are a few major differences: For some unknown reason, the s30’s browsing capabilities were downgraded from Revision B to Rev. A. This means a slightly longer loading time for the web. The s30 is much sleeker than the origanal Instinct: only curved, beveled edges. It’s smaller, too. Both the Instinct and the s30 come with a ton of features. List below:

FEATURE LIST

-Software Features:

• Email
• Text Messaging
• Visual Voicemail
• Sprint Navagation (GPS)
• Calculator
• Notes
• Calendar
• Clock
• Music
• TV/Video
• Radio
• Camera
• Video Camera
• Games/Apps
• NFL
• Nascar
• Facebook
• Youtube
• Web
• Live Search
• Weather
• News
• Sports
• Movies
• Speed Dial
• Contacts (Duh!)
• History
• Visual Dialer

-Hardware Features

• Dedicated Sleep/On Off Button
• Regular 3.5mm Headphone Jack (Used on iPods, mp3 Players)
• Volume Up/Down Switch
• Dedicated Camera Shutter Button
• Voice Command (Voice to Action) Button
• MicroSD Slot (Comes with a 1gb card)
• 2.0 MP Camera

Unboxing:

When opening the box of the Instinct s30, you see a sleek black box with a slide open cover. Inside you’ll find all kinds of goodies, including:

• Specialized Samsung Headphones including dedicated Call/Speech to Action Button
• A Phone Recycle Bag
• Getting Started Phamphlet
• A MicroSD to SD adapter
• Phone Manual
• Subscriber Agreement
• Phone to USB Cable

Conclusion:

The Samsung Instinct s30 is a great phone for calling and multitasking. It’s apps don’t span nearly 1/100 of what the iPhone has but, it’s nicknamed the “iPhone Killer!” I’d give it a 4/5: Very Good. It has some great features and visual styles. I’m very pleased with this phone.

Recommended Accessories for this phone:

Here are some accessories that work well and really are needed for this phone.

1. Screen Protector – http://www.clearfreak.com

2.Black Case – Link

Well, it’s time to start posting reviews on all types of tech. Here’s how they’ll be classified:

-Review: Full Fledged Review.

-Minview: A mini review. A partial peek into said tech.

Hello World! We’re up and running on the dwmcc.com blog.

Make sure to check back soon!

Dylan