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Epson Class Action Suite Payment

May 29, 2007 by debbie T | Printers

For those interested parties, the class action suite against Epson has finally been settled and benefits have been sent.

There were many comments posted on the prior article I wrote, and lots of frustrated Epson users were waiting for results.

Today, I finally received my settlement benefit document, which included a check payment for $25 and a $20 store credit code to be used at http://www.Epsonstore.com.

For those that opted for just the store credit, you should be receiving a full credit of $45. For those that opted for a check and credit, don’t throw away the check stub, it also includes the store credit code.

I just briefly browsed the Epsonstore web site, and nothing jumps out at me; I will probably choose the bright white paper and some photo stickers. I don’t think the credit will affect the shipping charge, only the merchandise charges.

Important to note: The store credit is not active until June 20th.

Related web resources:

Configuring a Linksys Router

April 13, 2007 by debbie T | Computers • Internet • Wireless

My friend Jenn is having a tough time properly configuring her Linksys wireless router, so I told her I would write a tutorial. (waving to Jenn!) Hopefully this will help her, and anyone else in need. I suggest printing this tutorial to follow along easier.

First off, let me state that I am not a security expert, so please take everything in this tutorial with a grain of salt. ;) My router is a Linksys WRT54G wireless router, and I am using Comcast for broadband internet access. If someone is using DSL or a different router model, then settings might be slightly different.

For lots more information on wireless security, I recommend the podcast “Security Now” with Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte. Along with the audio podcast, there are also text transcripts for each show. For specific wifi discussion, locate podcasts from 2005 - episodes 10 through 13.

Let’s get started

Read the Rest of the Article

Mouse vs Wacom Pen & Tablet

March 28, 2007 by debbie T | Computers

I have been using a Wacom pen and tablet exclusively for about 1 1/2 years (instead of a mouse), and I have noticed a big difference in how my wrists, fingers, arms feel.

Well, now that I am working at a new day job, and using a mouse more, I have noticed the aches and slight numbness in my fingers, wrist and arm are returning. Kind of a bummer, but it proves to me that the pen and tablet is a much safer and ergonomic choice than a mouse.

Now I just have to figure out a way to limit my use of a mouse at work.

Free Storage at Box.net

June 6, 2006 by debbie T | Computers • Internet • Mac Corner

A couple of months ago, I noticed that Netvibes, my custom homepage, offered an add-on module for box.net. I registered for a the free account which offered 1gb of web storage space. Pretty good! The netvibes module made it easy to access and upload files, so I played around with the account a little, but was a little uneasy with the security.

I felt more comfortable when I found out that box.net offered a 128bit security when logging in on https://www.box.net.

Tonight, I found a great tutorial for Mac users to mount their box.net account in Finder. Check out the tutorial at Uneasy Silence.

I tested it and it works very well. The only difference was I didn’t find a “dav” desktop icon, but it was very easy to log in again using the Go Menu from Finder. I saved the box.net address to my Connect to Server favorites.

Related Links:

Update: It appears that larger files (huge 100+mb files) are difficult to transfer to box.net account. I am not sure if it is my ISP, box.net, or something else. Smaller files work better, and multiple files work fine as well.

Nosilla podcast: XP on Mac Using Parallels

May 4, 2006 by debbie T | Computers • Mac Software

I have enjoyed listening to Allison of the Nosilla podcast discuss her adventures and experiments with Parallels on her new MacBook Pro. Last week, she created a video for the Techpodcast Round Table and was good enough to share it with the rest of us. The video XP on Mac Using Parallels includes installation and some features of Parallels. Besides Windows, she even includes a few tidbits on other installations, like Linux. It can be downloaded from her web site, just right-click to save to your own hard drive.

I just finished watching it, and it is excellent. Parallels isn’t so much of a mystery to me anymore, thanks to Allison and her generous work! I hope she continues to keep us updated with more Parallels news and hey, maybe if we beg her a little, she will even create a follow-up video!

New Apple Ad Campaign - "Get a Mac"

May 2, 2006 by debbie T | Computers • Mac Corner

As promised by Steve Jobs at the shareholders meeting last week, Apple released a new advertising campaign and the ads are hilarious!

I can’t decide which is my favorite, but I think I (obviously) love the Viruses one, and the iLife one…gosh I love them all! Very effective marketing.

The two characters are perfectly cast! The PC guy is in a suit and tie, slightly overweight (bloated) and doesn’t appear very comfortable with himself. The Mac guy is cute, young, hip, casual, and confident, without being overbearing or conceited. It’s subtle genius!

Apple has to gain more home users, and these ads are geared towards the typical family with digital photos and movies to share with others or a student that needs to buy a computer safe from viruses and spyware. These ads could certainly convince them to purchase.

Apple created a buzz around the iPod, transforming it into the mp3 player that every one wanted. You weren’t cool unless you had an iPod. Hey, I should know, because that was my first taste of Apple!

And now Apple is trying to create a buzz around their computer systems! Now more than ever, it is the perfect time to do it! PCs have become “dull little boxes” and Macs are just plain cooler!

Related Links

Epson Class Action Settlement

April 15, 2006 by debbie T | Printers

The class action suit against Epson America has been settled and here are the details.

If you purchased a qualifying Epson printer between April 8, 1999 and May 8, 2006, you are eligible to receive a $45 settlement. If your printer has been registered with Epson, you will automatically be sent a $45 e-credit to use at the Epson Store.

An alternative, is to fill out the claim form, and you can choose to receive a $25 check along with a $20 e-credit to the store.

If you do not want to register your printer with Epson, it is also possible to receive the settlement by filling out the claim form.

The whole gist of the lawsuit was due to Epson’s sneaky way of forcing you to change the ink cartridge even though there was still plenty of ink inside the cartridge. The lawsuit doesn’t require Epson to change their printer technology, but they will change their software and packaging to reflect a statement that an undetermined amount of ink is remaining in the cartridge even when the printer claims it is empty.

As of this morning, when I checked the official settlement web site, it was down due to high bandwidth usage. (snicker) When the web site does come back, you can find details at http://www.epsonsettlement.com.

Additional details can be found:

Personally, I am disappointed in my Epson CX5400 printer, and I doubt I will be purchasing another Epson printer again. As for this class action lawsuit, I have opted for the $25 check/$20 e-check alternative settlement and will be mailing my claim form next week.

UPDATE (May 6, 2007): I just received an email concerning the Epson settlement.

Claims Administrator
c/o Rust Consulting, Inc.
PO Box 1308
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1308

Per your request, this is to inform you about the Settlement Discount Code activation date for the Epson Ink Cartridge Cases. Codes will be active as of June 20, 2007 and valid for 12 months. This code will be redeemable at www.epsonstore.com.

If you have any further questions about the Epson Ink Cartridge matter, please visit www.epsonsettlement.com.

The direct link to the update on the settlement: http://www.epsonsettlement.com/Notice.htm

List of Portable Applications

March 21, 2006 by debbie T | Computers • Linux Corner

List of portable applications on Wikipedia.

Lively conversation (as usual) on digg.com concerning the linked post.

Wireless Internet Access Through Floors and Walls

March 17, 2006 by debbie T | Computers • Internet • Wireless

Recently, I asked my mom if she would like to try sharing the high-speed cable Internet that my sister has upstairs in her bedroom.

At first, I was considering running Ethernet outside the upstairs window & into the window in her office downstairs. Gosh that would require a lot of wiring, but initially I didn’t think wireless access would be possible.

I started researching, and learned that wireless-G access is much better reaching through walls and floors than wireless-B.

So I figured I would give it a shot; if the signal was too low, I could always consider adding a repeater to strengthen the signal.

Since I loved my new Linksys WRT54GS, I started looking at the sales flyers. I found the WRT54G (v5) at Staples for $50.

Note: I really don’t think the speed booster router was necessary. I did purchase the speed booster version for our home, but only because it had a better price at that time, and I liked the reviews better than the plain G. But basically, I am pretty sure that both routers are exactly the same, except one has the speed booster.

Along with the router, I needed a wireless adapter hardware for her desktop. I admit I am hardware challenged, so I really didn’t want to install a PCI wireless adapter. I opted for the WUSB54G (v4) USB network adapter from Linksys, but I bought the Linksys PCI adapter just in case the USB adapter didn’t work well. (Each were $50.) The reviews on the USB adapter were very mixed, in fact reviews were not so good for any USB network adapter.

To save time, I configured the router at my house with WPA2 Personal security (with a strong password,) Universal Plug ‘N Play disabled, firewall enabled, and a new administration password. Then I brought it over to my Mom’s.

Once it was plugged into my sister’s system upstairs, I plugged the USB network adapter into my Mom’s system. Hmm, it wasn’t working, so let’s read the directions. Uh oh, do not plug in the adapter until the software from the CD is installed. Gee, I guess I should have read the instructions first.

So, I uninstalled the driver Windows XP installed, and unplugged the adapter. After installing the drivers on the CD, I plugged in the network adapter again. In my opinion, the interface is a little awkward and unintuitive. When the network was found, a dialog box appeared with password text box. It took two tries, but I did finally connect.

Initially, the signal fluctuated from 60% to 70%, so we experimented with placement of the USB adapter and router (upstairs). Eventually, the signal strength moved to 80%.

When I have more time, I might go over there and experiment a little more. After reading the User Guide online, it appears I can forgo the Linksys connection monitor, and use Win XP’s monitor instead. It might be easier to do that. One night my Mom noticed another signal (40%) on the list of available networks, and I want to ensure that she cannot accidentally connect to any other open networks in the area. I know XP can be configured to not add every network to your list of preferred connections.

Bottom line, my mom loves the speed, and my Dad is even thrilled to be going online. It was a good upgrade for them and I recommend both the Linksys WRT54G router and WUSB54G USB Network Adapter.

Beware of Fake USB Flash Drives on eBay

March 7, 2006 by debbie T | Computers • Internet

Been hearing news of unscrupulous Ebay dealers selling fake USB flash drives. In the US, the drives are already pretty cheap. I just picked up a 512mb for $15 and a 1 gb for under $35.

Take a look at the Digg story for more details and also another story on the Australian Ebay reviews site for some tips on how to spot a counterfeit drive.

Beware of Fake USB Flash Drives on eBay