Time agree with me… SyFy Rebranding Makes Time Magazine\’s Top 10 Worst Corporate Name Changes

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

In honor of Comcast\’s decision to rebrand itself as XFinity, Time Magazine published a list of the 10 worst corporate rebrandings, and the Sci Fi Channel\’s decision to become Syfy made #3. Writes Time, \”Spell Check On Syfy: Unless science fiction is spelled syience fyction, owners of the popular television network need some serious spelling help.\”
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1914815_1914808_1914777,00.html#ixzz0ezhWqoi0

What\’s the difference between Track-At-Once & Disc-At-Once?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Track-At-Once
This is the first option that was introduced when CD duplication software was first created. With this mode, each time a track is finished burning, the laser recording the information stops. When it stops, two run-out blocks of data are written. After that, one link block and four run-in blocks are written when the next track begins to record. With track-at-once, you may burn both data and audio on the same disc. These blocks in between tracks are not a problem when data is being read, but you may hear a click on some CD players when playing back audio. This is something that may cause you problems if you are having your disc mastered and duplicated or replicated at a professional facility. In that regard, track-at-once is best suited for CDs for personal enjoyment.
Disc-At-Once
This burn mode takes all of your data, be it audio data or regular data, and burns it all to disc in one big block. No gaps are added between tracks, the laser never stops burning the data to disc. This is a newer feature, which should be an option in most modern CD burning software. One option you have with disc-at-once mode, which is kind of interesting, is that you can place allows any amount of audio data (or no data at all) to be written in the \”pre-gaps\” between tracks. With this option, you can place track introductions between each song. This is cool, because you can create \”hidden tracks\” on the CD in the pre-gap areas, that are only accessible by rewinding backwards into the pre-gap area. This is the ideal choice for CD masters that will be going to a CD duplication or replication house.

No Menu Bar or Tabs in Windows XP Task Manager

Benjamin Schollnick1 Comment

When you open up Task Manager in Windows XP, there is no title bar, menu bar, or program tabs showing. Only the running applications, End Task, Switch To, and New Task buttons show up.
This problem is easy to fix, the Task Manager is running in \”tiny footprint mode\”. To correct this, simply double-click on the border around the window and it will return to its normal state. To place task manager back in \”tiny footprint mode\” again, double click again on the border around the window.
Here is the Microsoft article to this problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;193050

Credit scores? 720? 850?

Benjamin Schollnick1 Comment

I am sure you\’ve seen those commercials, touting you need to have a credit rating of 720….
But have you ever thought about what that means?  The FICO credit score ranges between 300 and 850. The VantageScore score ranges from 501-990.  Typically the 720 refers to an FICO credit score..
Think about that… The adverts are suggesting that you need roughly a 84.5% credit score, to be able to \”Get a cell phone\”, \”Get a car\”, \”Get a job\”….
While, I agree credit scores are great…  Just keep in mind what they are asking you to have when you see these commercials…
Important information from the Federal Trade Commission, the nation\’s consumer protection agency: annualcreditreport.com is the ONLY authorized online source for you to get a free credit report under federal law. You can get a free report from each of the three national reporting companies every 12 months. Some other sites claim to offer \’free\’ credit reports, but may charge you for another product if you accept a \’free\’ report.\”
The AnnualCreditReport.com website was easy to use and we were able to access all three reports without paying a penny.
You can also get your free credit report via phone by calling 877-322-8228. Just remember, you can only request one free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies each year.
Why do you need a copy of your credit report?
You might be wondering why you\’d want a copy of your credit report. There are many reasons you should check your credit report, including making sure your information is correct (which is important if you want to apply for a loan or a new credit card). You very likely will find mistakes on your credit report.
Further, getting a copy of your credit report is important to help monitor against identity theft. You can read more about identity theft here.
Here are four tips for getting your free credit report:
Tip 1: Watch your spelling if you type in the web address (rather than click on our link) — many of the bogus sites are just one letter away from the site you want.
Tip 2: To gain maximum benefit, you may want to space out your free credit reports from each of the 3 credit bureaus over the year. This will allow you to see changes that occur over time.
Tip 3: Print or download your credit report(s) immediately. You may not be able to gain access again for free later.
Tip 4: After you get your free credit report, quit your browser so no one else can access it.