Computers, Advice, Columns, Switched Video
Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.
Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.
Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.
Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.
17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.
Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."
Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?
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Denon AVR-4306 (black)
Incredibly well-featured 7.1-channel receiver; excellent sound quality; three HDMI inputs; converts analog video to HDMI output; upconverts analog video to 720p/1080i HD resolution; iPod and USB MP3 player connectivity; Internet radio and MP3/WMA streaming audio via built-in Ethernet port; XM Satellite Radio compatible; touch-screen remote; multizone, multisource operation; browser-based control via home network; accurate autocalibration routine. Full Review
8.8 out of 10
KEF KHT3005 (black)
The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review
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KEF KHT3005 (silver)
The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review
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Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL significantly boosts your cell phone reception and is easy to operate. Also, it uses a wireless connection to your phone. Full Review
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Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger
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LG VX6000 (Verizon Wireless)
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Canon EOS 1D Mark III
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Nikon D3 (body only)
Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review
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Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review
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Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review
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Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
One of the fastest PCs we've tested; a PCI Express RAID card helps media encoding performance; typically immaculate Velocity Micro assembly; strong, three-year warranty. Full Review
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Dell Studio Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 750GB HDD, 6GB)
Best performance in its class; dedicated graphics card; large hard drive. Full Review
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
athar usmani said 3:39PM on 9-01-2007
why not just go to bestbuy and buy a replacement keyboard for $14:99 if the old one dies on you? Even Apple keyboards are under $30 these days.
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jerzystar2 said 4:27PM on 9-01-2007
Sure Althur,thats right, you can go out and buy a new keyboard, BUT what if you are doing something on your computer at a time when it just isn't possible to go out and buy a new keyboard,there could be a number of reasons.But if there is a way to fix your liquid spills in your keyboard, why waste the money to go out and buy a new one when the problem can be fixed by just cleaning it.In my opinion,computer companies make enough money and if I see an article that helps me save money with my computer problems, then I am very happy to read them to have the know how of what to do , for accidents like this etc.So I say, Keep the helpful hints coming!!
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Carman Turner said 7:02PM on 9-01-2007
The Video isn't available to me, so I don't know what is in it. I have in the past repaired a keyboard that I spilt coffee on. I first disconnected it from the computer. I then tipped it upside down so the keys were flat on the desk to allow any liquid to escape. I then removed all the screws and pulled the back off of it. Very carefully I blotted the insides with paper towell and q-tips. Removing all the liquid. You have to be very careful that you don't damage any of the gold connections or trails between keys and the wires. Once I reassembled the keyboard I had only lost the use of one key. I took it apart again and used a q-tip with alcohol on it to clean where a coffee spot has dried between 2 of the nerve trails. (I don't know the technical terms) The keyboard worked great once put together the 2nd time. I used it for another year before replacing it. I don't know if I did it correctly, but it worked for me.
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Frank Caruso said 7:37PM on 9-01-2007
After disconnecting, most keyboards can be taken apart by removing a few screws from the bottom. Gentle cleaning with weak soapy solution, good rinsing and blotting dry will make most components (Plastic, rubber, etc.) squeaky clean. Leave them disassembled overnight to make sure all are dry then reassemble. Works great most of the time if you use a little common sense. But this day and age common sense may be hard to find. I have cleaned perhaps a dozen over th years with perfect results in all but one. That one worked well except for the a key and the comma key. At that point I sprung for a new $12.95 special.
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David said 9:20PM on 9-01-2007
What a brilliant idea! Maybe I should pour a whole bottle of ketchup on my t-shirt when I spill a little ketchup on myself! Worse I can do is end up buying a new t-shirt! What a dumbass!
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Mon said 4:27PM on 9-02-2007
After I fried a second keyboard, I figured that I had nothing to lose and I rinsed it off in the sink--literally, drained off as much water as was possible and put it out in the hot summer sun to dry thoroughly. VOILA! It works good as new!
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wendell said 9:04PM on 9-02-2007
Unless you are certain that you can properly recall the position of every key on the keyboard, I suggest you make a note of the nonobvious ones before you pry them all off.
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hambril said 5:52PM on 9-03-2007
what if it is a laptop keyboard? Any suggestions? Purchased contract but worthless. Won't repair user's mistake.
I hate to have to buy my husband another laptop. We lost one in a hurricane and now this tragedy. Thanks for any help . Lynda
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malliekyla said 11:43PM on 9-03-2007
When I spilt coke on my keyboard I immediately rinsed with water and let dry - worked fine.
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chaya said 2:27AM on 9-04-2007
nahhhhh! all too much trouble. this is a guy's answer. i spilled water all over my laptop. it got into the computer and wouldn't turn on. everyone, including the manufacturer, told me it was dead. no way! every woman knows that a hair dryer does the trick. one blow dry and the laptop was
up and running. perfect.
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Carly said 11:44AM on 9-04-2007
why would someone sit there and make a video about this? lol It is common sense if you spill something on it to turn it upside down and get the liquid out. As for popping off the keys, I don't know about you people but I have a job to go to and that seems a little time consuming. I would just purchase a new keyboard like a normal person.
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msxymf said 2:49PM on 9-05-2007
wait a min!! put it in the dishwasher!! come on!! i can't recall how many keyboards i have been thru, i have tried letting them dry but they won't "resusitate", i know i spelled that wrong, lol. but anyhow, i wish that these rememdies were easy, but if possible, which i may make a practice of, buy a spare keyboard or just spend the extra and get the spill proof ones. lucky u if any of these solutions work...
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steve said 2:50PM on 9-05-2007
I USUALLY JUST STRAP THE KEYBOARD TO THE ROOF OF MY CAR AND THEN RUN IT THROUGH THE CAR WASH. AT LEAST THEN I'M ALREADY OUT AND CAN GO TO STAPLES/OFFICE DEPOT TO BUY A NEW ONE.
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Cole said 2:59PM on 9-05-2007
I've always just put mine in the dishwasher... alone... no detergent. Oh, and make sure you turn off the heated drying option. I didn't take my keys off.. just took the screws out of the back.. take the seperate layers apart and let it dry thoroughly. They come out spotless and work fine.
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Fluffysfiles said 3:17PM on 9-05-2007
I cleaned my keyboard after a coke spill by rinsing it a couple times with alcohol, then drying overnight. I keep a gallon jug of alcohol just for cleaning things, it works like a charm.
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Kristi said 3:18PM on 9-05-2007
I broke my husbands ACER laptop when I accidentally spilled a spoon full of milk on the keyboard. I literally cried over spilled milk!!!!
A year old, $1700 laptop ruined just like that! Maybe they should make them better...
He still gives me grief over it.
They need to make laptop keyboards fool-proof!
Surprised to hear that a hair dryer would of worked??
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Jim said 3:29PM on 9-05-2007
Reading all these comments, my avise. Don't go near computer with anything that would spill onto keys. I't would avoid a lot of problems. Keep liquid away enough so it wouldn't get near keys. Turn your head and drink away, not on top of keys.
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Sim said 3:50PM on 9-05-2007
I don't know about keyboards in the dishwasher but I did a load of record albums once (no soap cool water) Cleaned them up so well it was always a mystery what record I was going to hear as all the lables were washed away!
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Liza said 4:04PM on 9-05-2007
Thank goodness someone finally said this out loud! I use an ergonomic keyboard (always have an old extra one in case of emergencies), and many times I've spilled my coke on the keyboard. I do exactly what he said, turn it upside down, wait a day, then put it in the upper portion of the dishwasher upside down with nothing else inside. Then I let it dry upside down for 2 days, and viola, perfect! It works every time!
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Belinda said 4:13PM on 9-05-2007
I wish I had known about these cleaning tips I spilled something on mine that made the keys stick. I went out and bought another. If I had known that it could be cleaned, I would have opted for that. I'm on my computer a great deal of the time because I have an internet Shopping Mall. I have to constantly change banners and content to keep up to date with my affiliates
http://www.freewebs.com/galleryshops/
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