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The reason I prefer using a DV camcorder as a pass-through is because of the FireWire connection that is standard on most DV cams. Even though you still use RCA connections to output the signal from your VCR or VHS camcorder, you only need one set of hardware for your old video and your new video using this method. You can either capture the VHS content on a MiniDV tape first and then transfer it via FireWire to your PC, or in some cases, you can simply use the camera as a conduit to pass the signal directly to your computer.

I specifically tested a Dazzle device, because they are quite common at all computer retailer outlets, and seem to have promenient positioning, which makes it likely that they will be purchased more frequently than anything else. The older Dazzle stuff relies on USB 1.1, which is not nearly as fast as FireWire, and seems to drop frames, unless you disconnect all your other USB devices. Don't get me wrong, the Dazzle hardware is a legitimate option if you are on a tight budget, but make sure you spring for the Dazzle Digital Video Creator 100, at the very least, so that you get standard television resolution video.

Between working on the GnomeTome, performing my regular Lockergnome tasks, and muddling through that USB floppy problem I mentioned yesterday, I've been reading through Jason Dunn's book, Faster Smarter Digital Video, from Microsoft Press. If you're already a DV editing expert, this book may not be your cup of tea, but if you are looking for a great resource to get you started, this book should definitely be sitting right next to your monitor. While Windows Movie Maker was still at version 1.2 when the book went to print, Faster Smarter Digital Video is probably the best reference I've seen for consumers who want to make videos with their PC. Jason does a great job of outlining each stage of the video editing process, from capturing your video with a camcorder, to importing it and editing it, to outputting your resulting file to a variety of formats. More importantly, he guides your through the process of choosing the right equipment for each task - all in language that means something to those of us who never went to film school. As I mentioned in last week's Digital Media newsletter, the official Web home for FSDV has a PDF version of the chapter on buying a DV camcorder available for free download.

Tomorrow, we return you to your regularly scheduled Pirillo.

Yours Digitally,              
Jake Ludington       

GnomeDOWNLOADS

MP3 Utilities v1.6.23 [2.8M] W9x/2k/XP FREE

http://www.emilianomartin.com.ar/MP3%20Organizer/Intro.asp#MP3sUtilities

{Just like its name - MP3 utilities} This is a package with six applications to manage MP3s. MP3 Organizer organizes your MP3s by title, artist, album, year, comment, genre, and path. MP3 Browser browses your music files and gets your groove on with one click. MP3 List creates text, Word, or Excel files with the MP3s you have and they can be synchronized with a Pocket PC device. MP3 Mover moves MP3s from the path where downloaded files are placed to the location to where all your MP3s are stored. Upgrade only impacts those who have used an earlier version of this collection. Last, Integrity Viewer is an application to see what problems occurred when trying to find the tags' information. Sounds like a "sound" package of MP3 utilities. [Meryl]

Folder Password Expert v1.0 [676k] W9x/2k/XP US$39.95 (FREE trial version)

http://www.folder-password-expert.com

{Folder lockout utility} Always on the go? Have pesky family members? Whatever the situation is, people are going to be curious and want to look at your files, and there's not much you can do (as far as protection) with the current Windows security if you haven't logged out. Folder Password Expert does exactly what the title implies. It's as easy as choosing a folder to protect & creating a password!

As opposed to other software, Folder Password Expert will not allow access to the locked folders in Windows Safe mode or DOS. One warning, though: protecting executables could be volatile. If other programs are using them, you may not be able to decrypt. A great scenario for this using this software is on a laptop. What if you travel a lot and you mistakenly leave the laptop behind on the train or in the cab? Your chosen passwords are not stored anywhere within the Windows Registry where they could be found. Locked files cannot be copied or modified in any way - nor can they be deleted - so make sure you remember the password. Face it - we live in a world with a bunch of nosy people, but now you can have a sense of security with your personal data. [Sam]

Browser Extension Manager v1.0 [1.5M] W9x/2k/XP FREE

http://www.mywebattack.com/gnomeapp.php?id=105886

The Browser Extension Manager enables you to take control over many Internet Explorer customizations and extensions that are often added by third-party products or ISPs, and sometimes are left behind or are difficult to change. Among several other options, the tool allows you to view and remove BHO extensions, context menu entries, and more. You can also customize the search settings, remove or edit the logo and title branding, toolbar layouts, and Explorer bars. Advanced users can even disable selected ActiveX controls and delete search hooks. Browser Extension Manager allows you to create multiple backup sets of your settings, which allows you to restore a previous configuration in case you've messed things up. [MWA]

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GnomePORTABLE

SlovoEd Multi-language Palm OS Dictionary v4.11 [2.2MB] Palm OS 3.0+ US$24.95

http://software.palm.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=43129

In a perfect world, we could all drop a fish in our ear and carry on a conversation in our native language without fear of misunderstanding. Since we don't live in that world, dictionary tools like this one help bridge language barriers by simplifying the translation process. The SlovoEd dictionary engine offers some of the most convenient translation I've used, allowing you to select words from any currently running Palm OS application and discover its foreign translation in the language you need. Look up words in your native language or from their native form, with the dictionary engine automatically recognizing special characters unique to a specific alphabet. Dictionaries may be launched from a memory card (for space savings on your Palm OS device), making it easy to keep multiple dictionaries on hand. An edit feature allows you to add new entries as you learn them, or modify existing entries so that the definitions make more sense to you. If you are a student, or just someone looking for a better understanding of a particular language, the SlovoEd dictionary engine is an invaluable addition to your Palm OS device. [Jake]

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GnomeSYSTEM

Spam CSI v2.0.0.8 [6.4M] W9x/2k/XP FREE (Registration and donations appreciated)

http://www.promailix.com/

{Spam defense} I'm a fan of CSI (Crime Scene Investigation), the TV show. Like on the show, Spam CSI treats Spam like a crime and goes after the criminal. Spam isn't as gory as what we see Grissom and company handle on the sometimes-graphic (but educational) program. The program starts its investigation by scanning the POP mailbox, and investigating links found in the e-mail messages, and scouring through the Spammer's Web site for evidence. After collecting all the vitals for the case of the stinky Spam #23, the program notifies you what is going behind the message. It comes with the ability to have all spam messages be returned to the sender as undeliverable. Also included is a database for maintaining records of trusted and denied domains or senders. Like the TV show, this program isn't for the faint of heart, because it comes with advanced features. Investigators, get on the case and report back to me. Be warned this is a popular crime lab and the server may be slow Ð be patient and return to the lab when appropriate. [Meryl]

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GnomeFAVORITE

Did You Bring Bottles?

http://www.groceteria.net/

{Supermarket history} Remember Skaggs or Skaggs Alpha Beta? It was my favorite grocery store as a kid and I got mad when they shut down. Eventually, Skaggs migrated to Albertson's and other stores depending on the locale. If you haven't heard of these stores, they may not have been in your neighborhood. The Web site explains the story behind Alpha Beta, which began as a concept (not a store name). Man, touring the site brought stores long forgotten back into my memory: Sack 'n Save where you bagged your own groceries, Winn-Dixie, and Piggly Wiggly (who couldn't help but giggle at such a name?). Mergers are no surprise in today's environment, but they've been happening for a long time in the grocery biz and you can check out the chains that own other chains for clarification. Let's see here... when I lived in Washington, DC, Safeway was prevalent. When I moved back to Texas, Tom Thumb was one of the big three in the area. Safeway owns Tom Thumb... I need some ibuprofen. [Meryl]

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You need these Windows XP Tips! Where do you go for support after you upgrade to the latest Windows OS? Look no further than these 50 useful tips to get you up and running with many of Windows XP's most important features. Whether you've been using it for a while or are planning to upgrade to the new OS soon, this ebook is right up your alley. Download your copy of Lockergnome's Top 50 Windows XP tips now!

GnomeTIPS

Question: I want to include a music file with my PowerPoint Presentation, so it will play automatically the whole way through the "movie." How can I do that?

Answer: Good to hear you want to make sure your presentation "sings," as we hear plenty of boring presentations where the presenter just reads each slide word for word. We'll assume that your presentation has already been put together and is polished, ready for some tango or disco. The music can be in an audio file on your hard drive or it can be on a CD that you'll have with you during the presentation. If it's the latter, you may want to save the music from the CD onto the hard drive to have it all in one place. Here's the procedure:

1. Roll up your sleeves and go to the title slide.
2. Click Insert | Movies | Sounds. Select "Sound from File" or "Play CD Audio Track."
3. Browse the hard drive for the sound file, or specify the CD start and end track. You'll receive a dialog box asking if you want it to automatically play at the start of the presentation.
4. If you answer "no" to this dialog, PowerPoint will place a speaker icon on the presentation, and you can click on it when you want the music to play.
5. If you want the music to loop, right-click on the speaker icon, and select Edit Sound Object. Check the "Loop Until Stopped" checkbox. You're ready to boogie with the presentation! [Meryl]

Question: I've been using my computer at work for, oh let's see, five years now. It's a standalone Windows 98 computer that isn't even hooked up to the Internet. My question is this: every morning when I boot up, I have to enter a password. Now, I know this is no big deal and it only takes a second to click "OK," but I want it to go away. I'm not part of a network, so why is it acting like I am? How do I make it realize that it is one single, stupid computer? Thanks!

Answer: That is a very good question, and may I compliment you on the way you wrote it. (I especially like that last question; very funny!) I think we can solve your login prompt problem. There are two possible causes for this dilemma, so let's start by checking the first major cause. You should see an icon on your Desktop that says "Network Neighborhood". Right-click that and choose Properties. On the Configuration tab, you should see a drop-down list that says "Primary Network Login." Make sure this is set to "Windows Login" and then click OK. If you are asked to restart, click "No," as we're going to move on to the other cause.

Open up your Find tool by going to Start | Find | Files and Computers. In the name field, type "*.pwl" (sans quotes) and click "Find Now." This will pull up all the password lists stored on your computer, and as long as the computer can find one of these lists, it will prompt you for a password. Once the Find utility has completed, delete all the PWL files you see listed. Keep in mind that any stored passwords you had may be lost. Once complete, right-click your Recycle Bin and choose Empty Recycle Bin Contents. Now, restart your computer. When Windows boots up it will ask you for a username and password. Go ahead and type in a username but leave the password blank and click OK. You have now eliminated your password prompt problem. Restart your computer to test the fix; you should see a computer that boots without a password. [Brian]

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So, what happens when two girls take two guys shopping for various and sundry things? Hoopty gets stuck at Macy's. Watch as the digital daredevil takes on escalator after escalator, hoping to find an exit on each and every level. Ultimately, he gets stuck in front of the make-up counter for three hours. Did he go nuts? Did he go raisins? Did he go marshmallows? NOTE: this is the slightly abridged video montage.