Stuff I can do with my cellphone!

Well, I made it past Service Pack 2 (at least so far) and I even learned how to create and upload my own Ringtones to my cellphone using Magix Ringtone Maker and my Mobile Phone Tools software. Now, about MPT, it's not something that's included with your free upgrade, at least it wasn't with mine. I got a Motorola V220 camera phone when I upgraded, but that's all I got...that and a wall charger. You can find it online by doing a search at Froogle.

Anyway, I get regular press releases about new products from Karen Thomas at Thomas PR and she sent one out about a new product by Magix for creating your own ringtones. At the same time, one of my website clients asked me if I knew how to do it. I write a regular technology column for Mules and More Magazine and Sue Cole, the owner, had a regular reader ask how she could put a mule sound on her phone. That was enough of a motivation for me to finally figure out how to use MPT and to get my own copy of Magix Ringtone Maker. Between the two of them, I was able to create my own personalized phone ring (remember the Super Chicken cartoon from the 60s?). I used the Magix program to create the MP3, which is one of the formats my phone uses for sounds. I saved it into a folder I created especially for My Ringtones, then I used the MPT software to copy it via USB cable to my cellphone. Wow! It is SO cool! If your phone uses infrared or Bluetooth, you don't have to worry about the USB either. You can send your newly created ringtone directly to your phone (I think....). Does anyone else out there create their own ringtones? How do you do it?

Oh, yeah, another advantage of having the MPT software is that I can finally download the pictures I take with my camera to my computer.

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Post Service Pack 2

Well, so far, I've had a couple of problems since I've installed my SP2...I had to download an upgrade to the version of Nero 6.0 that I was using to get a version that's compatible with SP2. No problem! Then, I tried to download a review copy of the new Roxio Easy Media Creator that Roger, my co-host on PC Primer (watch for new PC Primer blog coming soon!) gave me and couldn't install it. It got to a certain point, then wouldn't complete. When I rebooted, my laptop got stuck in a boot-up loop. It wouldn't start normally or in Safe Mode. I finally chose Last Known Good Configuration and it booted into XP...what a relief! I haven't tried to install Roxio again until I find out what the conflict is. It's possible that it could be with Nero, I suppose. I've Googled it but so far I haven't found the solution.

I just accepted an invitation from Penny Haynes of 1st Podcast Publishing to join her Podcasting Network at Ryze. Thanks, Penny! I'm really ready to get started with podcasting since I see that as the perfect opportunity to put PC Primer on the Internet and not be held captive by a local radio station and sponsor.

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Service Pack 2 Drop Dead Date

Microsoft introduced Service Pack 2 to us Windows users in August (I think) of 2004. There was a lot of grumbling going on that had Microsoft been more vigilant in the first place and not sacrificed security for the sake of user friendliness, there would never have been a need for such a comprehensive service pack.

Since the debut of SP2, I have heard war stories and love stories. At first, I heard more war stories but as time went on, it seems the people who integrated SP2 into their XP operating systems were much happier with the results. Of course, new computer buyers didn't have to go through the transition since their machines came with SP2 preinstalled. I was very hesitant to install it myself at first since the horror stories far outnumbered the love stories. Truth is, I still haven't taken the plunge on all of my machines. My main computers which are Rick's desktop and my laptop are still using SP1.

Since my mom is not the heavy duty user that I am and since she only has her desktop and isn't networked to anyone else, I used her as my guinea pig and used a CD to install SP2 on her computer. She's never had a problem, at least not a problem related to SP2. My husband, Rick, installed SP2 on his computer at work and immediately lost contact with his server and ended up rolling back the installation. I know I have until April 12 to "git 'er done" as Larry the Cable Guy would say. I did get my own CD from Microsoft since I don't want to spend hours and hours waiting for a download to complete, then spend another hour or so to wait for the installation to complete. I'll probably wait until the final hours before I bite the bullet and complete installations on my remaining machines. I guess I need to check out the sites that tell me what I need to know before I install it. I regularly recommend those to other folks but just haven't gotten around to reading them myself. Any insight is welcome!

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Welcome to my new blog!

Hello from the Coop! I'm supposed to be an in-the-know tekkie chick but blogging is completely new to me. After hearing glowing comments from my fellow female business owners at the International Virtual Women's Chamber of Commerce, I decided I had to try it. I plan to open this blog up to discussions on anything and everything tekkie. As co-host of a local computer call-in show, PC Primer, I get the opportunity to hear about all kinds of technology issues...some multiple times...and others are brand new. My co-host on PC Primer, Roger, is quite the gadget dude. If it's new and it's "gadgety", then Rog has it. He's been writing review columns on the latest and greatest technology stuff for over 8 years. I'm more of a software buff. If it can make my life easier, I want it! I'm really caught up in the adware/spyware wars and try to stay on top of the latest by visiting Eric Howes website, Spyware Warrior and Mike Healen at Spyware Info. Fighting in the wars is a challenge I just cannot resist!

So, that's enough for my first post...

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