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Filed under: Business, Internet, Utilities, News, Windows, Blogging, Productivity, Freeware

Why you need the T-Mobile Connection Manager

T-Mobile
For anyone who uses the T-Mobile wi-fi HotSpot service inside Starbucks, Kinkos, airports, and other places, this little free download comes in handy. I use the HotSpot service quite a bit, and generally it is pretty reliable, at least the Starbucks I frequent have it working well. For the first time the service continued to kick me off every few minutes for some reason. I use the Windows Zero Configuration wireless networking service, since it is often easier to use and requires no intervention on my part.

Not very happy with the quality of service at the moment, I downloaded the lightweight T-Mobile Connection Manager client. These proprietary clients are a dime a dozen, heck every wi-fi card maker has their own. This one isn't anything special except it did actually make my connection stay on and not drop me after I installed it. The client also manages any access point you might have nearby, including EDGE/GPRS and VPN networks. Why it works better, I don't know exactly, but it does. If you use the T-Mobile service in Starbucks or elsewhere, I recommend it. Less frustration equals happy bloggers. We don't want no mad and road-raging bloggers. That would be messy.

Filed under: Internet, News

Legislation may stop Internet connection tax for good

ConnectionThis just in to our venerable news room here...the same guy who doesn't like bloggers (John McCain) is partially behind the legislation to stop Internet access from being taxed. Why, I have no idea. This legislation, if passed, would ensure that Internet access will remain cheaper and therefore more accessible to the American public. The Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act would also allow a grandfather clause to provide for the 12 states that have already instituted an Internet access tax, which I call the "not stepping on the states toes" clause. How permanent is permanent here, who knows. It would just be nice to have this law passed, so keep an eye out for this law if you're into this sort of thing.

Filed under: Business, Developer, Finance, Utilities, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Office, Commercial, Freeware

Free SQL front-end: SQL Uniform Lite 1.7

sqlliteYeah, I know, there's a lot of you SQL types out there who just do it all in code. Unfortunately my brain doesn't work that way. Creating database connections from thin air was never my cup of tea, and don't get me started on inner joins. And the worst boss I ever had the pleasure of working with lived in SQLServer all day (maybe that was a personal problem)... But if you're needing a very simple connection and table retreiver front-end you might want to check out SQL Uniform Lite. It's free, and the Pro edition is still only $69 USD.

Unlike Crystal Lite, which is for drinking, SQL Uniform Lite is really only for reading and connecting. Using Java the app can be run on Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS, OS2 and Solaris. Where it really shines is the fact that it can connect to more than 20 types of databases. Obviously there's the ODBC and JDBC drivers available, but it's been tested on everything from Oracle to an Excel file. Check out the Winked-flash video here. Not bad for free, and with the pro tool letting you make, query, etc. your databases the whole enchilada is pretty compelling.

Featured Time Waster

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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