KtecK Tech Blog

While the Macheist nano bundle is the craze of the web there are still some of us who don’t own a Mac or just plain don’t want to. This list is for the windows users who find the idea of some of the apps appealing but can’t use them due to them being mac only. First off here is the order of the apps in the Macheist bundle:MacJournal, RipIt, Clips, CoverScout, Flow, Tales of Monkey Island, RapidWeaver.

Lets get this started

1. KeyNote NF: A great free advanced notebook program that offers you many options.
2. HandBrake: Great free program for ripping your legally bought dvds… Little known to many yes this is a windows app as well.
3. YC3: Easy to use free clipboard extender that lets you browse the stored items.
4. iTunes: Apple provides the ablity to get cover art built right into iTunes… why pay extra.
5. FileZilla: Great free ftp,sftp & ftp file transfer client.
6. Scorched3D: Great & fun free game thats based on a classic dos one.
7. KompoZer + GIMPshop + WebsiteBaker: While this is not one alternative but when combined together they are a powerful combo

Tags: alternatives, Apple, bundle, Mac, MacHeist, Microsoft, WIndows

Due to apple using the AppStore app Classics as inspration for their new iBooks app on iPad you can now get Classics for free for a limited time.

Grab it while you can @ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/classics/id294773236?mt=8

Tags: Apple, AppStore, Classics, iBooks, iPad

So it seems it’s that time again…. either wait for Ubuntu 10.04 or install Firefox 3.6 your self. It’s not like it will crash the os by including 3.6 in a update….  anyway here is my Firefox 3.6 install guide for Ubuntu 9.10.

1. Download the latest Firefox 3.6 from http://getfirefox.com/
2. Run the Archive Manager as root by pressing alt+f2 and runing gksu file-roller
3. Open firefox-3.6.tar.bz2 from your Downloads folder
4. Extract the firefox folder to /opt/
5. Open Terminal from Accessories menu
6. Run the following commands
   1. sudo mv  /opt/firefox/Plugins /opt/firefox/Plugins-orig
   2. sudo ln -s /usr/lib/firefox-addons/Plugins /opt/firefox
   3. sudo mv /usr/bin/firefox /usr/bin/firefox-orig
   4. sudo ln -s /opt/firefox/firefox /usr/bin
7. You now got the latest Firefox installed

Tags: Firefox, install, Mozilla, Ubuntu, Update

StreamDesk 1.2 for windows has been released… This build marks the start of stable feature packed builds.

New in this build

• New updated user interface
  • Easy to use menu bar with streams menu (You can still get tree menu for streams via view menu)
  • Replaced info bar with status bar and combined chat menu on left)
  • New icon based on site branding
• New database update method (Replaces the buggy xml update)
• Easy access to help via Live Help in Help menu
• Multi-Window support (Via backend service)
• Easy control of backend service
• More Stable
• Gecko render engine (Same as Firefox)
• Auto resize between streams (larger & smaller)
• Update Notifier

Check it out @ http://streamdesk.ca/pages/windows.php

Tags: Gecko, Multi, Stable, StreamDesk, Update, WIndows

When Apple announced they were gonna allow free apps to use in-app purchase I was not impressed. This was for many reasons… firstly crippleware trials, nagware free, and all out lame apps that require you to pay to do anything with it.

Well iBowl from SCN is the first i’ve noticed that has gone down this slippery slope of nagware. In my usual AppStore update check on my iPod Touch I noticed that iBowl was listed… the release notes listed that your high score was now kept and another minor thing. But they failed to mention the following: nagware for deluxe version via in-app purchase EVERY time you launch the app and that it was ad supported in the free mode.

There you see is the nag and the  in-app purchase price… so much for being a enjoyable free game. The nagware style of promotion takes the fun out of a once cool game.  I really hope that SCN sorts this out and makes it a a display once nag.

I’ll keep the updated app on my device for now to give them the benefit of the doubt that they will correct their actions… if they slip further down the slope i’m gonna go back to older version and not promote the game any more.

That’s all for now before I ramble on.

Tags: Apple, AppStore, fail, in-app, purchase