Author: Mike Pihlman

  • SightSpeed

    SightSpeed

    Rating: 3.5 Watertowers More history….this is almost fun!  🙂 ++++++++++++ I had first heard about SightSpeed a few years ago while working at LBL. I checked them out at the time, but, since we were involved in standards-based H.323 IP videoconferencing, SightSpeed held little interest for our user base. This week I have taken another…

  • How cool is this?

    In a previous post, I evaluated Proclaim by Netbriefings. Needless to say, I liked it a lot. Mira from Netbriefings posted a comment to that blog on November 5th. I just picked my head up from Subbing the whole week and saw the comment. The ability to comment via video, with the quality that is…

  • Blu-Ray or HD-DVD

    UPDATE January 29, 2019:  12 years later, we know which technology won this race!  🙂  Streaming was not even a dream when I wrote this.  😉  “Tech Detective” was my “name” when I published in magazines…..so fun to see this again.   In the old days, we asked “VHS or Beta” ? Now we are asking…

  • Digital TV Conversion

    +++++ UPDATE June 2023: A History Lesson! Enjoy. 🙂 June 2023: Apparently coupons were available to help you move to digital. I do not remember that: You can apply for one or more $40 converter box coupon(s) at this. Or you can call: 1-888-388-2009. Do it soon. There is a limited amount of money for…

  • Proclaim by Netbriefings

    Proclaim by Netbriefings

    UPDATE August 2023: Consider this a HISTORY lesson in videoconferencing / collaboration. Enjoy! 🙂 4 Watertowers Introduction Streaming video used to be a difficult process requiring special hardware and software and a team of technicians. Of course, high quality video streaming still needs all that, but, if you are interested in “personal streaming” and can…

  • HeadThere Giraffe

    YeOldeTechy says: “This is COOL!” Check out this new product that YeOldeTechy hopes he will be able to get his hands on to evaluate for this blog. Really quickly here is what the HeadThere Giraffe is: 1. It is a Videoconferencing System that works over the Internet. 2. It is a movable robot that allows…

  • Reality Internet Video Gone Too Far?

    OK, this is happening faster than YeOldeTechy can keep up….well almost. Check this out. People who live their lives with a web cam stuck to their heads. They are then “streamed” live on the Internet throughout their entire day. If Yeoldetechy did that….you would get a lot more sleep. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ I do not know about…

  • Simple Steps to a Safe Computer

    For all the Windows PC users out there here are a few simple steps to help keep (or make) your computer as safe as it can be. 1. Surf carefully. Avoid going to web sites that are not well known or that seem suspicious. Using common sense avoids many problems. 2. Use your internal Windows…

  • Telecommuting: A Sensible Alternative to Driving

    Interesting Late Breaking News: Read this article published Sunday, Sept 30, 2007 in the Tracy Press. It describes how commuting can be detrimental to family life in general. All the more reason to: Telecommute!————- For years, I have been evangelizing the value of telecommuting, only to be met with deaf ears. Hoping to drive home…

  • Polycom PVX for H.323 Video Conferencing

    Polycom PVX for H.323 Video Conferencing

    Update June 2023: This is a history lesson on videoconferencing! Enjoy! +++++++++++ August 2007 Rating: 4 Watertowers If a person needs to do standards based videconferencing from their desktop computer, there are very few choices, but, luckily, the Polycom PVX happens to be one of the best, if not the best. The PVX is relatively…