Anti-virus

With food inflation expected to hit 20% this year, here is something that may help extend the monthly stipend just a little.

There are some good free anti-virus packages available for download.

I have been using Grisoft's free version of AVG anti-virus for some time now. What made me think of sharing this in today's post was a comments made by well-known columnist and blogger John Dvorak (www.dvorak.org/blog) endorsing AVG in the popular This Week in Tech podcast earlier this week. (www.twit.tv)
If he uses it, with all his resources available, hey, it can't be all that bad.

So my tip for the weekend, surf over to http://free.grisoft.com and download yourself a copy. Not only is it free, but it uses way less resources when scanning and updating in comparison with the other commercial competitors, particularly Symantec's Norton anti-virus.

Another open-source option is Clamwin (http://www.clamwin.com/), I have given it a short-term test, and the only frailty is the lack of real-time scanning.

Bye for now!

Free MTN Airtime anyone?

So, I have never used, or even thought about using the Mxit mobile instant messaging system that has taken off like wildfire and caused such controversy here in South Africa, but ...

They are now giving away 10 000 six month airtime contracts worth R135 every month to their subscribers. Tempting, very tempting!

The catch? Well, you need to be an existing MTN pre-paid subscriber and the R135 is the total NOT per month contract value.
But hey, if you fit into the profile, why not. Go to http://forum.mxit.co.za and click on the 'Tradepost Treasure Competitions' forum for more details.

For the one of you who does not know what Mxit is, it's a cellphone base Instant Messaging system. The attraction being that it allows for test communication using data transfer protocols as opposed to the way more costly sms alternative. A simple download of their program to your cellphone and you are up and ready to chat. But remember it's only with those who have also done the same. I.e. downloaded and activated the chat client on their cellphone.

I use a (in my opinion) much more universal alternative...I must tell you about it some time, he he!

The CycleTour

"30th Cycle Tour one of the best yet!
Excellent weather conditions, thousands of spirited supporters lining the route and the fact that there were no fatalities provided the perfect backdrop for yet another successful Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour.
Just over 30 000 cyclists from around the globe participated in the world's largest timed cycle race, including familiar names and faces like Francois Pienaar and tandem partner, Lucas Radebe, as well as Tour de France greats, Greg LeMond, Jan Ullrich and Steven Rooks."
Quoted from the Argus/PicknPay's website.
Although I can't help thinking the support was a little muted in areas when compared to previous years, the trip around the Cape was a great deal of fun yet againthis year. Yes, the weather helped but then so did the little bit of training!

If you haven't done so already check out www.cycletour.co.za and you will be able to search for your or your friends, colleagues, neighbours etc results. While you are at it click over to www.actionphoto.net and see if the pain has been sufficiently captured by one of the many photographers around the route.

No idea what I am talking about? EISH ... See you next year.

It got out!

Well, I suppose it had to happen. I don't know how but someone managed to sneak out a copy of the ill-fated FNB advert that caused all the controversy. I wouldn't be surprised if it was done on purpose!!

Check it out.

btw this was found on S.A's answer to YouTube, www.myvideo.co.za so if you are having problems viewing the embedded video go to http://www.myvideo.co.za/video/plea-to-the-south-african-president I actually found it played better. They must be using offshore bandwidth!

Free satellite tv

Free Satellite TV by Gary Davis
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Free Satellite TV

Legality aside, any kind of Free Satellite TV offered by a business is looking for a profit. However, stealing channels is an unintelligent activity at the very least. Free Satellite TV is a bonus for paying the monthly service fees for at least one year. So how free is Free Satellite TV? If you sign up and pay a monthly service, the company is more than willing to offer a free installation, free DVR, free HDTV, free equipment and free channels.

What is Free Satellite TV? Not all Free Satellite TV is the same. Different companies offer different policies. Generally speaking, more and more techniques are used to get people to sign up for a satellite TV service. Free Satellite TV is one of these things that people seem to think means getting a box from a company for free and then manipulating it into an all channel free service. Which is not only unwise, it's unnecessary. Free Satellite TV means getting free equipment, free installation, free to air channels and paying monthly service, just like everyone else. You can choose to pay for more channels other than the basic service, but that is your choice, and you pay only for what you are interested in. Channels you don't want, you don't get.

Free Satellite TV Equipment and Installation

Free Satellite TV equipment and installation usually include a DVR, HDTV and a technician going to your house with all the equipment and doing the setup for free. The DVR is a Digital Video Recorder, a box that records video feed from your Free Satellite TV to a digital storage space. Just like a hard drive on the computer, the DVR works as a virtual memory of video, related to the older analog VCR of the 80's and 90's. The HDTV is a High Definition Television unit that amplifies a video feed in such a way that the images, sounds and feelings coming from the TV are a far bolder experience. With HDTV the quality of a pin dropping from across the globe is as if from close up and in surround sound.

Free Satellite TV Channels When we think about Free Satellite TV we also seem to think about channels. Free Satellite TV channels are those that are free to air channels from all over the globe. Public broadcasting in any country is free of charge with Free Satellite TV and when you add the number of public broadcasting stations up in the diverse developing English speaking countries around the world, that comes to a whole lot of educational programming for one monthly signature in a basic package. And if you are thinking about the family, there is no better set of family channels than the Free Satellite TV channels.

Free Satellite TV is about paying a monthly service and the bonuses that come with a basic monthly package. Free Satellite TV comes with free installation, free equipment, free channels that include radio, public and educational programs from all over the world. So how free is Free Satellite TV?

"Unless you want more than a basic package, it will cost a monthly signature to your local Dish Network for a minimum of one year to get Free Satellite TV."

About the Author: Gary Davis is owner of http://www.dtv-satellite.com an authorized DIRECTV retailer, has over five years experience in the Satellite TV business and has written numerous articles on the subject.

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About the Author

Gary Davis is owner of http://www.dtv-satellite.com an authorized DIRECTV retailer, has over five years experience in the Satellite TV business and has written numerous articles on the subject.

Satellite tv

Satellite TV - Finding the best location for dish installation by Todd Humphrey
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Satellite Dish Line Of Sight

Line of Sight
A satellite dish must have a clear line Line-Of-Sight to the satellite. The largest mistake an inexperienced or careless installer will make is locating a dish where trees will partially block the satellite signal, resulting in a lower then normal signal level. ANY signal blockage is unacceptable. Even if you have a clear picture, you can have signal blockage. A satellite dish with a clear line of sight will deliver a signal average of at least 75-80.

Satellite broadcast channels are called transponders. Each transponder contains up to 20 TV channels. The minimum signal level for a transponder to provide a clear picture is about 40. Atmospheric conditions such as rain, snow and dust affect the strength of the signal. During a heavy rain storm (rain fade), you may loose some or all of your signal. If your system has an average signal level of 60, you will experience more outages then someone who has an average signal strength of 75. The satellite industry considers 70 as the minimum signal level for all transponders. Some transponders are not used and will have a 0 signal level. Others are not meant to be used in your geographical area and may have signal levels far below normal.

Do not accept an average signal level of 70. 70 is the minimum considered as acceptable, but only a few should be that low. Most signal levels will be around 75 or higher.

Sometime your installer may be required to install the dish at the highest peak of a roof to avoid any future tree problems. These installations are not a basic or standard installation. When the installer is required to walk on a roof to access the dish location, the installer will usually charge a service fee for this type of work. Not all installers will even offer to provide this type of installation. If your installer refuses to provide this type of additional charge installation, even in safe conditions, you are usually better off seeking a different installation company, which does offer this form of custom installation.

A dish should not be installed if any tree growth will block signal within 1 year. If your installer cannot guarantee that you will have a clear line of site for a period of time you find acceptable, then you should seek another location, installer or perhaps even consider another system.

A common practice to avoid tree problems is to mount the dish on a ground post. Do not use a wood post, it may twist over time. The installer should carry a steel post and concrete. The installer will charge extra for this custom work, but it may be your only option. If your installer does not offer a steel ground post option, you should seek an installer that will.

DirecTV and Dish Network use different satellites for their core programming. For satellite Internet service there is also more then one choice. Often you will find that one system will work better for you due to a better line-of sight. Your installer may not be able to discuss your other options because of their obligations to the client that sent them to you. But, you can ask for their advice. Most good installers will help you.

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About the Author

Todd Humphrey operates a Satellite TV and Satellite Internet consumer help web site, DBSInstall . DBSinstall provides consumers the resources they need to solve common Dish Network, DirecTV, DirecWay, HughesNet, WildBlue and FTA Satellite problems. When professional help is required, consumers can search though our national database for local Satellite Retailer or Installer near them.

Dish Satellite TV

Beaming about Dish Satellite TV - My search for reality in TV revealed television's future, now.
by Danny Planet

Recently, during an emergency replace-ectomy of a dying Zenith behemoth, I realized I was in deep trouble. Never mind DVD. Who knew of progressive scan and digital convergence? Aspect ratios and digital comb filters - anti-glare coatings and so many lines of resolution? I knew of the satellite system TV, but...

...dish satellite TV and all the new bells and whistles is light years away from the TV I was beamed up on.

I never dreamed of TV becoming amazing again. I was the guy with 12 o'clock blinking-green on his VCR. Yes, VCR. Getting the hang of today’s TV was not a piece of cake for me.

I can remember Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show gyrating inside a black & white-glass-globe-picture-tube about as small as the window on a front-load washer.

And the glow of that box-at-the-end-of-a-wire got me excited.

I watched plenty alright! And I can't remember ever complaining about having to get up from the couch to change the channel... or adjust the antenna.

Wagon Train, then Star Trek on a 19 inch "color television set" became good as it got.

I lost sight of television's high technology after that I suppose. Yes, I saw TVs getting bigger and I got hip to cable and the remote control, but distracted by intelligent life forms and a gazillion other things, today's dish satellite TV and a whole new world almost passed me by.

It wasn't until my first trek to a home-electronics super-store to replace that dinosaur 25inch Zenith color-console in a polished-wood-cabinet that matched our living-room furniture so long ago that I realized - I wasn't in Kansas anymore. I was lost.

Lost in a new-world-unknown.

A world of dish satellite TV on flat-screens square and wide. A world where thin plasma televisions hung on walls and flat-panel LCD TVs framed in silver sat upon slender, tilting pedestals.

I saw TVs that connect to your computer and one giant-screen, rear-projector that eats digital camera memory sticks to show your photos of grandma on vacation - in larger than life and surround!

TVs are still getting bigger alright. But now they're amazing again and I'm excited. And with that "excitement and amazement" comes downright confusion. How do they do that? And what of "all that" is right for me?

So began my personal quest for reality in TV.

I like the idea of a satellite system TV dish on my roof, but it's a new-tech jungle out there my friend. Prepare if you too are from Kansas.

I'll help you get a clue about what's beyond the cornfield before you go out to buy "what could become" the most incredible entertainment experience you and your living room - or Elvis, could ever dream-up. And for a lot less than you probably think. I learned some tricks.

Keep your eye on the Planet. I'll fill you in on why I can't leave home anymore. Hint? My final destination of wide screen TV, hi-def receiver, satellite system TV and provider of dish satellite TV.

Click for Dish Satellite TV

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Danny Planet is author of Danny's Planet, "the hippest free zine out there", hundreds of articles, radio spots, web pages and celebrity ghost scrawling. Get your seat on Danny Planet's Ark below.