I have never been into spending extra money on headphones, I always thought that the Apple headphones would do. I was able to get my hands on the NoiseHush NX80 Precise Bass Headphones and I will never use Apple’s headphones again.

When I first put these headphones in I instantly noticed how clear the sound was, the lyrics and bass are awesome. When fully inserted into the ear, not lightly placed, you can experience bass to the headphones fullest. For in ear headphones the bass is great. Keep in mind, to test these headphones I listened to a lot of dubstep, it sounds awesome.

The only small problem I have with these headphones is noise you get when touching the cable. If the headphones are fully inserted into your ear and you tap the cable, you can hear the thumping noise. Its not completely noticeable unless you know its coming. If your volume is turned above half you won’t hear it at all. Its a small problem that can effect a joggers experience when running. Other that this, the headphones are great.

You can pickup the NoiseHush NX80 Headphones for $29.95 at WirelessGround. I really like the headphones and use them daily. Highly recommended!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN!?

I’m not sure how many of you are wondering that but, I’m back. Or at least I hope I am. I want to start getting back into YouTube and Blogging. I didn’t know how to start so I decided I would release my server.

The server is running on an old 2006 Gateway laptop. Obviously it can’t handle hundreds of people. The most I have had online so far is 2. I set the cap at 10 as of now. I would love to upgrade to a newer computer or an online server. This is where you guys come into play. If we were to raise money I can either purchase an online server or a computer that will be devoted to servers ONLY, it will not be for my personal use. This way it will only need 4GB RAM and 100GB hard drive MAX.

Rules of the server:

1. NO GRIEFING
2. No more floating art
3. No floating trees
4. Build in YOUR area only
5. Use common sense
6. Be respectful
7. Have fun!

Email Me: Mail@billymcgovern.com. To be allowed to build and interact with the world. 

IP: minecraft.billymcgovern.com

Marware.com was nice enough to send me the CEO Hybrid case to review. If you like this case please head over to Marware.com and pick it up for yourself.

Right out of the box I could feel the sturdiness of the Hybrid (Short for CEO Hybrid), I also felt the nice texture of the case. It felt like it was stitched, but it also felt plastic like and leather like at the same time. But I am proven wrong.

“The C.E.O. Hybrid’s sophisticated carbon fiber twill pattern design comes lined with soft suede-like cloth…” Marware.com

The case also felt very strong and sturdy. “Thats a secure case”, the words out of my mouth while putting my iPad into the case. It wasn’t easy putting the iPad in the case but… isn’t that a good thing?

The fist feature I tested with the Hybrid was its strap in the back. This elastic strap goes around the users hand allowing them a much comfortable iPad experience. The Hybrid also has the ability to stand is three positions, all in landscape view. The first is about 70° while the next is about 45° and the last position is the “perfect typing position” that many of us know about.

This is just my first thoughts about the case, I am saving a lot more for the full on review. Stay tuned!

Marware.com was nice enough to send me the CEO Hybrid case to review. If you like this case please head over to Marware.com and pick it up for yourself.

Macally was nice enough to send these awesome cases for me to review, make sure you go check them out!

Macally sent me two cases, the Bookstand Case and the Metro-IMD case. Both cases at first glance look nice and protect the pad.

The Bookstand case has a very nice, soft, felt, microfiber texture. This obviously has a tiny chance of scratching the iPad and will protect it very well from scratches. The bookstand opens like a book, hence the name, and is secured closed with a leather flap. When the case is opened all the way it has the capability for the flap to hold the case up in landscape view (look at picture below). At first glance I realized that this case doesn’t have that much protection on the sides. The main reason I felt this is because I came from a very protective, heavy duty, leather, case. Because of the way I use my iPad, the old case was not necessary, this case fits my needs much better.

Bookstand Case in Landscape View

The Metro-IMD case is unlike any case I have ever owned…of course I have only owned one. This case only has protection on the back, and like the Bookstand doesn’t offer much protection on the sides. But if you don’t torture your iPad, like me, this case is perfect for you. My iPad gets used mainly around the house and when I am on vacation. It doesn’t go through stress tests and the Metro-IMD works quite well.

Overall these cases are great and I look forward to fully reviewing them. Tomorrow, January 27th, I go to Quebec on a class trip. I will be bringing with me the Bookstand case because I feel like it has more protection to offer. The Bookstand will go through some stress, I will let you know how it holds up in the review!

Macally was nice enough to send these awesome cases for me to review, make sure you go check them out!

It’s coming… no its not. It’s coming… I guess we were wrong. It’s definitely coming this time! YES! It actually happened! The Verizon iPhone was rumored ever since the launch of the very first iPhone. Numerous videos went up on YouTube and many blogs posted for years about an iPhone reaching Verizon and it has finally happened.

The new iPhone will be available for pre-order on February 2 for existing customers and February 10 at Verizon and Apple Stores. Pricing for the Verizon iPhone is the same as previous iPhones, $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB. The Verizon iPhone will, however be on the Verizon network so that means no simultaneous voice and data but lots and lots of solid coverage.

I am currently on Verizon but no where close to being eligible for an upgrade. If any of you actualy follow me you would know I got a Blackberry in September. That being said, Verizon has discontinued their “New Every Two” program. This leves me wondering, will the iPhone cost the same on Febuary second as it will when my contract ends? If this is so I would rather wait until they come out with a new iPhone in the spring, they always do. I do not want to spend money on an expensive phone that will get updated soon.

So, what will you guys do? Let me know in the comments! P.S. While writing this post I hit 1,000 subscirbers on YouTube.

There are so many Twitter clients out there that it is overwhelming. It is hard to decided which one is a “keeper”. Nambu is what I call a keeper; with its sleek design, bucket full of features and multiple account support it is the Twitter client for me.

Up top there are eight tabs; The first tab brings us to every tweet that has to do with everyone we follow (ReTweets, mentions, and so on). Next is Home, home is the content we care about, I don’t want to see @SoldierKnowsBest talking to some random dude on my Twitter feed! Mentions, This displays every tweet that mentions your @UserName. Next is Re-Tweets; people who you follow tweet’s that get re-tweeted… pointless and confusing. Direct messages, everything you tweet, lists, and last but not least, search.

Pictures that are tweeted via Twitpic and Yfrog will pop-up withing the program (when you click on the picture not the link). When uploading pictures via the client it is a little annoying. First you must take your picture… obviously, then click the little gear next to “Post” and click “Share Picture”. Now you must located your file and then click OK. ANNOYING! Why can’t I just drag and drop?

One of my favorite features is the auto-complete or what I call “Spell Check”. For example if I want to tweet @Jon4Lakers all I have to do is start typing “@Jo” and Nambu will give me a list of @UserNames that start with “@Jo”, then I click enter to confirm.

Example of Auto Complete/Username Spell Check

Right clicking on any tweet allows the user to;

• Reply
• Reply All
• Retweet…
• Direct Message
• Quote Tweet
• Traditional Retweet
• Add to Favorites
• Translate
• Hide
• Follow or Unfollow
• Mute User
  • 1 Hour
  • 2 Hours
  • 6 Hours
  • 12 Hours
  • 24 Hours
  • 48 Hours
  • 7 Days
  • 30 Days
  • 365 Days
  • Forever
• Mute Hashtag
• Automatically Translate User
• Block User…
• Report as Spam…
• Open Links…
• Copy Link
• Email Link to Tweet
• Copy Link to Tweet
• View on Twitter.com…

I think all the ways to Re-Tweet a tweet is awesome. I love being able to add the RT @bllymcgvrn123 into the tweet, this way everyone can see the tweet not just my non-followers. This method of Re-Tweeting is called “Traditional Retweet”.

Nambu is my number Twitter client right now and is currently running my “Tech” account. I know it is possible to have multiple Twitter accounts in Nambu but I like being able to post without making sure its not my personal account or vise versa.

DOWNLOAD

Now a-days most states have banned the use of cellphones while driving. Thanks to WirelessGround.com I am able to review the NoiseHush N650 Solar Powered Bluetooth Car Kit…. say that five times fast.

The N650 comes with; the actual device, a brace that magnetically attaches to the N650 (the brace also has suction cups that attach to the windshield), a universal USB car charger, USB to Mini USB cord, and instructions/papers.

The N650 has three buttons on the front; call answer/end, volume up and volume down. During the the review of this device I will discuss what functions these buttons can do. On the face of the device is status screen and a large speaker. I actually used the device today while driving home and it was quite loud. On the back is the solar panel. On the left side is the power on/off. Lastly, on the right is a button labeled “A/T” and a Mini USB charging port.

The N650 has two options when charging. 1. the sun! 2. by using the Mini USB cable with a car charger or plugging it into any USB charger. WirelessGround.com also has a USB Mobile Phone Solar Charger which will run you $39.95.

The NoiseHush N65o is an excellent product at first glance and can be bought here for $59.95. Thanks again to WirelessGround.com. A full review will be up soon. 

In this episode of “So You Want To Be A Blogger” I will be going over customization, posts and pages. The structure of all blogs is HTML, CSS, and PHP. Without any knowledge of any of these three topics you and your blog will certainly fail.

Main Points

• Learn HTML, CSS, and PHP
  • Know the basics; how to fix your blog if it goes down, how fix page errors, how to style text etc.
• Pick a theme
  • Picking a theme should relate to your blogging topic. The theme “Thesis” runs this blog. Thesis is the most customizable theme out there and can be used with any blogging topic. BUT to be able to customize this theme you must know how to code (HTML, CSS, and PHP).
• Customize your blog, make it your own
  • Create your own header in Photoshop, add social buttons that link readers to your YouTube, Twitter, Facebook etc. accounts. Make the blog yours!

Using Pages

• Page examples (My Pages)
  • Subscribe
    • Allows my readers to receive an email whenever I post new content.
  • Contact
    • Allows my readers to get in touch with me. I receive troubleshooting emails, emails that ask my opinion on various subjects and complements.
  • Downloads
    • I host multiple “Jailbreak” softwares on my blog. If you have a program you designed or you are an artist a downloads page is recommended.
  • Archives
    • Lists all posts ever published, by month, from newest to oldest.
  • Apply/Join
    • Allows anyone to apply to become an author on my blog.
  • Donate
    • I work hard to help the people of the internet, it is nice when they give back.

Writing Posts

• Length
  • Posts don’t have to be incredibly long. Write enough to get your point across but not too much that your reader gets overwhelmed with content.
• Your Opinion
  • Make sure your opinion is known. State what you think! Do you disagree/agree, do you like/dislike. During a review the reader wants to know!
• Headlines/Titles
  • Make it “pop”. Headlines should attract someone to your post. It works on newspapers, make it work on your blog!
• Write With Passion!
  • Care about the topics you write. Don’t post “because you have to” post because you want to! When you write about stuff that you think is interesting the content is much better.
• Bullet Points!
  • Have you noticed that this post is really easy to read? It’s because the bullet points make it much more organized!
• Revise and Edit
  • Grammar mistakes are not allowed! Typos make posts sound sloppy and unofficial. Always re-read before hitting “Publish”!
• Posts Should Be Easy To Scan
  • Allows the reader to find what they want, when they want. Use bullet points, bold font, and paragraph headers.
• Be Consistent
  • You got your readers for a reason, they don’t want to see you and your blog change! (Besides design purposes)

Thats it! Now go post some good content! Git Git!

I have been blogging for about a year now and I want to share my knowledge with you! Blogging is a simple topic but, many people quit early because they get lost or give up. During this episode of “So You Want To Be A Blogger” I will show you the basics to starting your own blog!

Step one: What are you going to blog about? There are so many things to choose from but, there is one main topic nobody will be interested in. You. I hate to tell you the truth but unless you are some super celebrity nobody will be interested in reading about your weekend, thats what Twitter and Facebook are for.

Some great topics are:

• Tech (News, Rumors, Reviews, Tutorials) One of the few times people want your opinion on something.
• Science (Experiments, Facts, News, Stories)
• World News (Hardest topic because you must take info from some other website)
• Art (Photoblog, Photos)
• Graphic Design (Coding, Building a Blog, Photoshoping)
• Fashion (Fashion Stuff) I don’t know anything about fashion
• Music (New Songs For Your Band, Get Noticed)
• Gaming

Step Two: Choosing a blogging platform. In my opinion the best blogging platform in WordPress. The blog you are reading now is a WordPress blog! There are many other platforms though such as Blogger, Posterous, iWeb (the most annoying but, easiest way), and much more.

Step Three: Choosing a blog host (somewhere to store your files). The best place for your blog to be located, when starting out, is with the Platform’s website. For example WordPress.com (not .org) hosts thousands if not millions of blogs, that’s all they do. They do care if your blog is down and you will achieve optimum speed when using your Platform’s website to host your blog. This option is free but, your domain will be example.wordpress.com

Step Three Continued: Using  a hosting website. Hosting your own blog can have its downsides. When your blog is down, they don’t care. As long they are getting traffic to their hosting, your blog will go back up when they get to it. There are free hosting websites out there, such as X10Hosting. X10Hosting is the company I used when first starting out. The only problem about a free host is that 1. you will not get a free domain name, 2. its free, this means hogging resources will cause your blog to be shut down. When I was using X10Hosting my blog was shut down several times and I was just able to download all my info before they shut me down for good. I had just posted something about the iPad coming to Verizon, it didn’t happen, but I got 1,500 hits instantly. As a result of hogging all the resources X10Hosting shut me down. The best way to avoid this is getting a paid host. Getting a paid host will not only give you more space, bandwith, and resource usage, it will most likely give you a free domain name (for about a year). The host that WordPress recommends is BlueHost. What ever you do DO NOT use iPage! Most likely the worst hosting I have ever experienced, my free X10Hosting is better than them!

Click Here to watch a video on how to install WordPress on X10Hosting.

Step Four: Domain Names. A domain name is your personal web address, such as BillyMcGovern.com. A domain name can be purchased through GoDaddy.com, which is the most recommended, or you may be able to get a free domain when purchasing a host.

I hope you enjoyed this episode of “So You Want To Be A Blogger | Blogging Tips For Noobs”. Next time I will be going over Themes, Customization, Posts and more! If you would like to send me requests or comments regarding the show you can email me at Mail@BillyMcGovern.com or Tweeting me at @bllymcgvrn123.

Modify UAC (User Account Control):

The User Account Control security feature was one of the most reviled additions to Windows Vista, with good reason – its constant warning messages asking for permission to continue many operations drove the users around the bend. UAC has been improved upon a lot in Windows 7 so that it’s not as intrusive as in Windows Vista, but you can still tweak it if you like.

Here’s is how to turn UAC on or off, and make it less or more intrusive than the default:

1. Go to the Control Panel –> User Accounts and Family Safety.

2. Click User Accounts , then click Change User Account Control Settings.

3. If confirmation password is asked provide it and then move to change the UAC settings. From the screen (as shown below) use the slider to select the level of protection you want. I would now describe all the four levels and what they mean:

Always Notify Me:

This behavior is same like that of Windows Vista – asking user for each and every sytem related tasks which are performed by user or program.

Default – Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer:

This is the default Windows 7 behavior, if the user makes a change to UAC, then it leaves you alone, but when a program makes a change to system then UAC prompts for action by you and your desktop goes dark, just like it does in Windows Vista. otherwise, UAC sits there silently.

Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop):

This setting is identical to the above setting but with one difference – When UAC prompts you, it will not dim your desktop. Instead it will ask you for permission in normal mode. But this presents a slightly elevated security risk over the default setting, because a program could allow a malicious program to interfere with UAC prompt.

Never Notify me:

In this mode the UAC is turned off completely. This of course is not recommended for most users as it is an insecure option.

After you make the selection, you need to restart your computer for the new settings to take effect.