New HotSpot directory

I just had to pass this along. Alan Hoyle just sent me a link to the best HotSpot directory I've seen yet. It's very complete, fast, and uses something we've not seen in a while - straight HTML. No funky Java, Ajax, or Flash to trip up your Palm's browser, just pure, sweet HTML, the way the Web was meant to be.

http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com/browse/us/2000252/

That's just the NC hotspots. The searching and such is pretty easy to find spots in other states and countries.

Go forth and surf!!!

4-18-05 Meeting Links

Aeroplayer now has an AAC plugin, which allows you to play songs encoded or purchased with iTunes. They recommend using JHymn to remove the Apple Fairplay DRM from your store-bought tunes, enabling them to be played with Aeroplayer. Aeroplayer is free, but the AAC plugin is $14.95.

Aeroplayer at Aerodrome.us

Blog upgrades

This blog now has a working syndication feed (you'll find a link in the sidebar). It's an Atom feed (because Blogger no longer supports RSS), but it should work with most aggregators. Let me know if you have problems with it.

I also gave the blog a makeover with a new template because the original one was really primitive and ugly. But I've saved a copy of the old template, just in case everyone hates the new one.

This is my way of making up for missing three meetings in a row.

Directions for the 2005 February meeting

I have re-directed the "Directions" link on our main web page here to the Weaver Street Market's own directions page. Rather than try to re-do what they have up, I figure I'd just point to it.

See you folks at 6:30 PM, on Monday, 21 Feb. Bring your pod-cast-able handhelds, of whatever stripe they may be. Or, if you don't know what that pod-casting stuff is all about, bring questions. See you all there! With game discount coupons as swag!

Podcasts

I just wanted to add a note. Not only will Podcasting work on iPods (and other, greater digital music players) but many people load podcasts onto PDA's and smartphones. It is even possible to stream some podcasts to wireless devices. I'll do my best to cover these bases as well at the meeting.

Chris

Ever wonder what a podcast is? Never heard of the term?

Well, for those of you who have heard of it and wonder what the heck it is, member Chris Owens will share not only the what's and why's of this new method of staying up to date while being mobile, but he'll go through the process step-by-step, so that you can know how to play along at home. Or, better, bring your laptop and iPod (or other, lesser digital music player), and follow along from software download to install to setup to sync. Sweet Cracker Sandwich!

We're meeting at the Weaver Street Market in Carrboro this month, remember, so we should have no trouble with the town-wide internet service there, right? We'll see.....

Smythe

Acid-Spider

Things continue to get better in the doorprize sphere. Our friends at Red-Mercury, makers of the phenomenal Acid-Image, have offered us a wonderful deal: a full copy of their newest game, Acid-Spider, plus 3 copies at $5 off of the same program. I'm offering the free copy to the first person who submits a review of the product. If you've never played Spider solitaire, I recommend you don't start if you have anything that needs doing in the next few hours. You'll be - um - involved with testing the app for at least that long, maybe longer.