Quote: billwill @ February 23 2011, 12:28 PM GMTelectronic transponder in the passport
I didn't realise there was one in a passport. Reading up on it, I'm a bit concerned about all the info contained within now; are there any special precautions we should take to prevent identity theft?
I have an electronic passport. You just whizz through checkout. When it's empty of course.
Quote: Nogget @ February 23 2011, 12:53 PM GMTI didn't realise there was one in a passport. Reading up on it, I'm a bit concerned about all the info contained within now; are there any special precautions we should take to prevent identity theft?
The data is not a lot of use to a crook unless they can also forge the paper portion of a passport.
The data is just a repeat of what is printed in the back page(s) of the passport.
Having always had a boring oldfashioned mobile, I've just got my first android phone, a Samsung Galaxy Europa, and I'm wondering how to keep expenses down. It's on PAYG, & the stories I've read suggest that it tries to automatically connect to GPRS to update stuff. I see there's an APNDroid app which prevents this, but being new to all this, I don't know what pros & cons there are to using such apps. I mean, it's free, but it comes with ads, does it? Also, are there sneaky ways to cheaply do stuff like texting and calling? And how do modern batteries cope with recharging, should they be completely discharged first? I'm new to all this, so any suggestions are welcome, thanks.
Depending on which company your with, you may get given say 30 free texts a month from their website. There's also cbfs.com which is a free texting website, it's a bit slow sometimes though and there's a limit a day I think.
Not sure about specific apps. You can choose to turn off GPRS or just don't download apps that use it (they should warn you before you install).
If you research it, Android phone can very very customizable. But it can range from easy to tricky phone knackering stuff.
Just browse the android forums, and because it's open source (or whatever the equivalent is) there's lots of cool features made by normal people who obviously create apps that real people need, rather than creating stuff which we're told we need, if ya get me.
Quote: Nogget @ March 1 2011, 2:48 PM GMTAnd how do modern batteries cope with recharging, should they be completely discharged first?
See, I read a thing a while ago where some random internet person claimed they worked in the battery biz'. They said modern lithium* batteries don't need the initial long charge any more, but it's always a safe bet to do it anyway. Letting your batteries run dry also is a thing of old, but again, it won't hurt trying it. To give your batt's a longer life.
*lithium? I don't know I'm just guessing.
I'd be surprised if there wasn't an option in your connectivity settings to turn off 3g connection, but really if you're downloading, surfing or using an app which automatically connects, you shouldn't have a problem.
Quote: Nogget @ March 1 2011, 2:48 PM GMTHaving always had a boring oldfashioned mobile, I've just got my first android phone, a Samsung Galaxy Europa, and I'm wondering how to keep expenses down. It's on PAYG, & the stories I've read suggest that it tries to automatically connect to GPRS to update stuff. I see there's an APNDroid app which prevents this, but being new to all this, I don't know what pros & cons there are to using such apps. I mean, it's free, but it comes with ads, does it? Also, are there sneaky ways to cheaply do stuff like texting and calling? And how do modern batteries cope with recharging, should they be completely discharged first? I'm new to all this, so any suggestions are welcome, thanks.
I've got a HTC Desire phone and I can switch 3G off by just going to my settings menu, choosing the wireless & networks option and switching the Mobile network option on/off. Most of the time I keep it switched off and use the wireless connection when I'm in the house. There is also a free app you can get from the marketplace called 3G Watchdog.
One widget I find very useful is called the Power Control. It contains a switch to turn off/on wi-fi, bluetooth, GPS, sync options and brightness.
In terms of cheap calling, you can always try to get skype on your phone which in theory should only be using your broadband connection and bypassing the normal phone charges. Of course you'd need to be on your wi-fi for this and not 3G. Not looked into this though.
Quote: Ishy @ March 1 2011, 3:55 PM GMTOne widget I find very useful is called the Power Control. It contains a switch to turn off/on wi-fi, bluetooth, GPS, sync options and brightness.
I second that.
Has anyone noticed Google has started redirecting you to random sites when you click on a search return? I just did a search for Game, clicked on Google's top search result which was obviously Game's website, and I was instantly taken here: Link Removed
It happened to me yesterday too when I was redirected to a bloody car dealership near to where I live! WTF?
I'm not going to click on that link. But you should probably do a virus scan.
I just tried googling Game and it didn't happen to me.
Henman's computer is a dirty whore! 
Quote: Lee Henman @ March 1 2011, 4:59 PM GMTHas anyone noticed Google has started redirecting you to random sites when you click on a search return? I just did a search for Game, clicked on Google's top search result which was obviously Game's website, and I was instantly taken here: Link Removed
It happened to me yesterday too when I was redirected to a bloody car dealership near to where I live! WTF?
Oh by the way, a bit of advice from Aaron: "Perform a full system virus scan ASAP."
Oooo f**k!
scanning now, captain
Quote: Griff @ March 1 2011, 5:58 PM GMTFrom the link:
Download and run Kasperky's Tdsskiller and follow the instructions. Once the software finishes and reboots your Google searches will work once again as they were intended.
Follow this link for the full description and instructions: http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684
Download tdsskiller here: http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.zip
ta!
Quote: Lee Henman @ March 1 2011, 4:59 PM GMTHas anyone noticed Google has started redirecting you to random sites when you click on a search return? I just did a search for Game, clicked on Google's top search result which was obviously Game's website, and I was instantly taken here: Link Removed
It happened to me yesterday too when I was redirected to a bloody car dealership near to where I live! WTF?
You may have malware in your system intercepting your Google searches.
<later>
Oh I see they already told you that.
Anyone know how to manage the power settings on an external USB HDD Seagate 1TB on a Mac 10.6?