Replace Your Apple iPod’s Battery
One of the biggest complaints about the Apple iPod is the device’s poor battery performance.
An iPod holds a charge just fine when it’s new, but after a year or so of regular use, the operating time of the stock battery starts to shorten drastically.
When your iPod’s battery goes South, you’re left with a few replacement options.
You can send the unit to Apple and pay $66.00 USD, or you can buy a replacement kit for about $20.00 - 30.00 USD and perform the iPod surgery yourself.
I’ve done a few iPod battery replacements for friends and would highly recommend that you use a 3rd generation iPod battery kit from a company called Blue Raven.
Here’s a YouTube video of someone demonstrating how to replace an iPod battery:
Remember that any damage you do to your Apple iPod during the battery replacement is your own responsibility.
Also, cracking open your iPod and messing with its guts will void your warranty.
How To Rock at Guitar Hero
OK, you’re never going to headline a stadium tour, however thanks to Guitar Hero II, you can still be a superstar in your own living room.
Below you’ll find 4 awesome Guitar Hero tips that will help you learn how to strum and slide your way to the highest level.
If you practice these 4 simple tips daily, you’ll be a professional Guitar Hero shredder just in time for the release of Guitar Hero III, Legends Of Rock.
1. Challenge yourself.
No pain, no fame. Skip the easy level (which requires just three fingers) and opt for medium. It’s important to get your pinkie playing as soon as you can.
Try “Hangar 18″ and “Misirlou,” along with bonus tracks “Six” and “The Light That Blinds.” These songs are fast and among the least pattern-based, so you’ll get better quicker.
2. Perfect the hold.
There are more buttons than you have available fingers. Use your pointer, which is your most coordinated digit, to operate both the red and green buttons up top.
Also, while it’s generally OK to down-strum, you’ll have to strum up and down on really fast passages, like those in “Misirlou” and “Six.”
3. Learn patterns.
If you’re struggling to get through certain solos, check out the training mode. It lets you break down a song into sections and practice difficult solos at a slower speed, allowing you to spot patterns like three-button runs.
4. Maximize star power.
You’ll score more points if you’re smart about your star power. Though it seems practical to wait until your meter is full to start using it to get double points, start at the halfway mark.
A full meter lasts longer, but then you’d miss out on more potential bonuses since you can’t earn star power while using it.
The Simpson’s Game: Neverquest
If the actual gameplay of The Simpsons Game (PS2, PS3, 360, Wii) is half as good as the game’s trailers, it’ll be Game Of The Year material.
It’s hard to decide what to like best about this Neverquest trailer: the brief homage to Joust, the nod to The Lord of the Rings, or “My ears are pointy!”
Microsoft Buckles, Gives Windows XP A Life Extension
The people have spoken and Microsoft is listening. The company has decided to continue selling Windows XP through the end of June 2008, which is five months past the original deadline. The extension applies to both retail sales of XP and the company’s OEM deals with major manufacturers.
There are some customers who need a little more time to make the switch to Windows Vista. We’re responding to feedback we have gotten from our OEM partners that some customers will benefit by extending availability of Windows XP.
-Mike Nash, Windows product management
There’s been much ado about Windows Vista and it’s hardware requirements versus XP, and the web is filled with tales of disgruntled users “upgrading” back to XP after experiencing problems with Vista.
CNet recently ran an editorial calling for Microsoft to abandon Vista, or the OS “will bring the software giant to its knees.”
Despite some bad press, Microsoft still claims Vista is its fast selling OS ever, with more than 60 million licenses sold to date.
The five month extension should be good news for those waiting on the first Vista service pack before upgrading.
Although no final data has been given for Vista SP1, the beta is in the hands of testers now and is expected to be released near the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
Free MP3 Music Downloads From WuZAM
Doing some late night, early morning research for an upcoming client project, I stumbled upon a free MP3 music download site called:
So what exactly is WuZAM? Taken from the official site:
WuZAM is an internet music search engine that makes mp3 downloads available for free. Search any song or artist you wish to hear and WuZAM’s powerful engine will discover it for you. WuZAM is the best source of free music downloads online.
Unlike peer-to-peer programs, WuZAM doesn’t require others to upload their music to you.
WuZAM searches for files stored on servers, not on users’ personal computers. WuZAM searches specifically for files in the mp3 format.
Sites like this come and go but for now it seems like a good source to track down some of your lost and forgotten music favorites not easily found at your local music shop.
Now it’s time to run off and listen to an old favorite of mine, “Holy Diver” by Dio 
IronKey 4 Gig Endurance Team
Last week I posted a pretty detailed review of the IronKey 4 GB USB Flash Drive.
After even more testing, I still stand by my review that anyone who places a high value on protecting their privacy and their data will be extremely happy with the IronKey.
Yesterday afternoon I received a care package in the form of a t-shirt from the nice folks at IronKey.
Here is the front of the shirt with the IronKey logo on the front left:
and here is the back of the shirt with the words “IronKey 4 Gig Endurance Team”:
Yep, you’ve guessed it. I’m now part of the IronKey 4 Gig Endurance Team - w00t!
Only staff members, IronKey beta testers and geek-o-holics like me can get a hold of these shirts or if you meet the development team at a trade show you might score one.
I’m sure in the near future you’ll be able to purchase an IronKey t-shirt. I love geek t-shirts.
The shirt is a little wrinkled from the shipping as you can see in the photos but it’s nothing that a quick run in the washer or a warm iron can’t fix. I’m just happy to have this shirt.
Thanks again IronKey! You guys are great.