Change Windows XP Logon Wallpaper

This is a simple Windows tip that many look for. You want to change the logon wallpaper on a Windows XP computer. This tip provides how to change it, remove it, tile it, and/or center it.

Be sure you are comfortable using the Registry Editor and understand what problems you can create by improper use.

• Open Registry Editor - click Start, Run, Type regedit, click OK
• Navigater to HKEY USERS\ .DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop

To change the image

• Double click the wallpaper value, and type in the full path of your image and the filename.

To remove the image

• Double click the wallpaper value, and delete any filename in the space.

To tile the image

• Set "TileWallPaper" to 14

To Stretch the wallpaper

• set "WallPaperStyle" to 25

Close the registry editor and the changes will take place when you restart the computer.

What is MAME - Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator

Years ago Nicola Salmoria developed MAME and it is one of my favorite computer creations of all time. Those of us lucky enough to experience the early-mid eightys first hand will remember the days of the video arcade and all the classic games that existed. All games were 25 cents and with a hand full of quarters one was set for a while of electronic bliss.

At the time, home game consoles sucked. Atari, Coleco, and Intellivision were the main players but didn't come close to what was really out there in the arcades. If only we could bring them home.

Well 20 years later and consoles now rival arcade games and yet I find myself stuck in the old times when games were simpler and just plain fun.

Getting back to MAME. This emulator allows a modern computer to act as if it were the old processor boards that mad up so many of the old video games. The ROM codes were able to be retrieved (and preserved) to allow the emulator to reproduce the original game in all detail.

Of course one cannot legally own the ROM codes unless on owns the original game.

Visit www.mame.net to obtain the emulator and read more.

HP Photosmart R927 Camera Review

I am catching up on some reviews and the HP R927 digital camera is the last one on the to-do list. Some details first:

• Resolution 3296 x 2480 pixels
• Bit depth 42-bit
• Lens system HP Precision Lens; 24x total zoom (3x optical, 8x digital); 7.8 to 22 mm focal length; approximately 35 to 105 mm (35 mm equivalent); f2.8 to f7.8 m (wide); f5.0 to f8.5 m (telephoto)
• Picture mode Auto (default), Action, Aperture priority, Beach, Document, Landscape, Manual mode, My mode, Night Scenery, Night Portrait, Panorama left, Panorama right, Portrait, Shutter priority, Snow, Sunset, Theatre
• View finder None
• Imaging technology AE bracketing, AE metering, auto focus area, color bracketing, contrast, EV compensation, image quality, ISO speed, saturation, sharpness, video quality, white balance
• Image control functions Off, date only, date and time
• Memory card compatibility Secure Digital

Review: This is a nice and compact digital camera that is easy to use and provides excellent image quality. The rear display is very large (3") and is easy to see even in bright light. Like most digital cameras there is a slight delay before the shutter so some action pictures may not be what expected unless there is a lot of light and the camera is in sports mode. The buttons are simple and well located. The on screen menu can be a bit cumbersome but complete.

The included dock makes charging and image retrieval a snap. One complaint, by a techie, you can't access the memory card as if it was a drive. It is accessed as a device making some retrieval slower and less flexible.

I'd give this camera a 8 out of 10.

Garmin StreetPilot c330 GPS Review

The StreetPilot "c-series" GPS navigators feature a simple touchscreen interface, with automatic route calculation to any destination and turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions along the way. Selecting a destination is straightforward and requires only a limited amount of input from the user. Plus, the StreetPilot c330 allows you to choose between a three-dimensional navigation view or the more traditional “bird’s eye” overhead view. For the ultimate out-of-the-box convenience, the StreetPilot c330 comes preprogrammed with highly detailed City Navigator® street data. The database features nearly six million points of interest including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions.

StreetPilot c330 Features:
Receiver: WAAS-enabled 12 parallel channel GPS
Display: 2.8” W x 2.1” H (3.5” diag.), 320 x 240 pixels; QVGA transflective TFT with 16-bit color; 64K colors; bright white LED backlight and touch screen
Unit dimensions: 4.4” W x 3.2” H x 2.8” D
Weight: 9.45 ounces
Battery life: up to 8 hours; rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Preloaded maps for all of North America or Europe
Fingertip touchscreen interface
Look up addresses and points of interest
Choose 2D or 3D map perspective
Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams
SD memory card expansion slot

Review

We had an opportunity to use one of these for a bit of time. We found using this thing to be relatively easy and intuitive. The screen is large enough to see from a small distance and bright enough to see even on a sunny day. Inputting destinations was easy but the virtual keyboard was arranged alphabetically, not in a keyboard style. The voice was pleasing and easy to understand. One annoyance we found is if you get off track, perhaps intentionally, the GPS continued to try to get you back to the pre-determined route. The mount was easy to deal with and configure for varying locations. Battery life was acceptable.

NETGEAR Wireless-G Router Review

NETGEAR WIRELESS-G ROUTER

Specs...
Good for surfing the Internet, email and online chat
Simple and secure way to share your high-speed Internet connection
Easy set-up with Smart Wizard® installation CD

Features

Internet sharing broadband router and 4-port switch
Configurable for private networks and public hotspots
Double Firewall protection from external hackers attacks
Touchless WiFi Security makes

Physical Specifications:

Dimensions: 6.9 x 1.1 x 4.7 in (175.3 x 27.94 x 119.4 mm)
Weight: 0.26 kg (0.57 lb)
Routing Protocols:

Static & Dynamic Routing with TCP/IP, VPN pass-through (IPSec, L2TP), NAT, PPTP, PPPoE, DHCP (client & server)
Application Support:

Works with most Internet gaming and instant messaging applications
Functions:

Automatically detects ISP type, Exposed Host (DMZ), MAC address authentication, URL content filtering, logs and e-mail alerts of Internet activity
Interface:

Internet/WAN: 10/100 Mbps (auto-sensing) Ethernet, RJ-45
LAN: 4 ports 10/100 Mbps (auto-sensing) Ethernet, RJ-45
Wireless:
Network Speeds: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, & 54 Mbps (auto-rate capable)
Modulation Type: OFDM with BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, DBPSK, DQPSK, CCK
Frequency:
2.412 ~ 2.462 GHz (US)
2.412 ~ 2.484 GHz (Japan)
2.412 ~ 2.472 GHz (Europe ETSI)
2.457 ~ 2.462 GHz (Spain)
2.457 ~ 2.472 GHz (France)
Firewall:

Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), DoS Attack Protection
Encryption:

40-bit (also called 64-bit), 128-bit, and 152-bit (802.11g only) WEP encryption, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
Antenna:

2 dBi
Power Adapter:

12.0 VDC, 1.0 A; plug is localized to country of sale
Warranty:

NETGEAR 1-year warranty
Package Contents

Wireless-G Router (WGR614)
Setup CD
Power Adapter
Ethernet Cable
Vertical Stand
Warranty/Support Information Card

REVIEW
I installed one of these several months ago after a miserable existance with a Linksys. Installation and setup was easy and I don't think I have had to reset it or mess with it since. I am sold on the netgear product for home use.