Forget about starting fires with sticks and setting up tents in the wilderness. Since videogames are played by the vast majority of children across the United States, the Boy Scouts of America have decided to get with the times. They will be offering a Video Games belt loop and pin to the Cub Scouts. No, I’m not kidding. I only wish I were.

To earn the belt loop, the kids must explain why it is important to have a rating system for video games, and check their video games to be sure they are appropriate. With the help of an adult, they have to create a schedule to do things such as chores and homework… and still fit in game time. They have to “do their best” to follow the schedule. And last – but not least – they have to learn to play a new game that is approved by their parent, guardian or teacher.

There are more steps to go through in order to receive the pin. They’ll need to create a plan to buy an appropriate video game. Next up, they must compare two gaming systems, explaining the differences between them. Another step requires them to play a game with family members in a tournament. They’ll need to teach one of their favorite games to an adult or friend. At least there’s some writing involved when they have to make a list of tips for someone who is trying to learn a new game. Playing a game with a friend for one hour shouldn’t be much of a stretch. Installing a game system with adult supervision is likely something they’ve already done, as well. The only halfway interesting step in this process is when they have to think of a game they want to buy and compare pricing at three different stores to find the best deal.

What happened to the days when the Boy Scouts learned things that added value to their life in some way? I recall having to do things like learn how to save a person’s life. I’m sure I would have enjoyed getting rewards for playing games, but I just don’t see how that would have really added something important to my education and the way I turned out as an adult.

• Why compete when you can sue?
• Could you use some tips to solve the ‘Corrupt Master File Table’ error?
• Arnold is planning to take time off as the Governator in order to star in a movie.
• How do you extend the life of your notebook battery?
• Some people will only use Windows 7 in a virtual machine environment.
• The new AMD Phenom chips are pretty awesome looking.
• The new Hyundai Genesis Coupe is heating up the pony car race.
• If Apple doesn’t change, the iPhone could become a niche product.
• Is the iPad hype over?
• Is HP a big player in the mobile phone market now?
• Should you be sharing your broadband?
• Toyota has yet another major malfunction.
• Does foreign policy help or hinder global health?
• The GNU/Linux systems have reached an important level of maturity.
• Inscrutable domain names are coming soon… four have already been approved.
• Do you “like” Facebook?
• WinCustomize 2010 has finally launched.
• Beware of Gmail account phishing scam.

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Earn a Boy Scout Badge for Gaming

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My thoughts on Ubuntu… hah! I think it’s a Linux distro. I don’t have any issues with the operating system. As far as Linux distros go, it’s likely the easiest to use. Any time I say something about one distro instead of another, a war tends to break out. They can all agree, though, that Ubuntu is about as close as Linux has come to being mainstream thus far.

I run Ubuntu in a virtual machine. But quite honestly, everything I need to do is taken care of inside of OS X or Windows. The software available in Linux is good, yes. But it all boils down to personal preference. I don’t know that Linux will ever grow beyond where it is today.

As far as viability in the desktop market, I don’t know. It would take huge strides to replace Windows as the operating system of choice for most manufacturers. I don’t even know if the average person even cares what operating system they are using as long as their software works.

For embedded and lower-cost devices, I think Ubuntu (or similar distros) are the way to go. However, I just don’t feel it’s there yet for the desktop environment. What are your thoughts?

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Ubuntu Thoughts

The Linux MPX Multi-Touch table may not be as sexy as Microsoft’s Surface, but it does show the huge advancements being made in penguin-land. MPX (or Multi-Pointer X) is a modification of the X Windows Server that allows multiple input devices to be used at the same time. All you need to make it work is a normal computer, a keyboard and a mouse. This system will let multiple users work together on an application at the same time. The software is still under development, and the developer states that there are (of course) still bugs and kinks to be worked out. However, this video gives you an excellent insight as to what you can expect in the future.

Important to note: DiamondTouch is completely different that Microsoft TouchLight. Yet the end result is actually a better thing for all of us. DiamondTouch will recognize four different unique people. Surface allows multiple users to interact, but doesn’t recognize them (yet) as separate people. Therefore, the MPX is a large step ahead of Microsoft in this department.

Peter Hutterer, PhD Student Wearable Computers Lab at the University of South Australia and MPX developer, granted an interview with Gizmodo recently. Peter discussed the technology more in-depth and explained many of the features (and bugs) that exist.

This is definitely something to keep your eye on as development progresses. It will be interesting to watch how it evolves.

Linux MPX Multi-Touch Table

If you’re a music fanatic, I bet you’ve griped many times about the lack of space for tunes on your Apple device. With the release of the new version of iTunes today, those rants will hopefully be relegated to the past. Apple has added a feature to reduce the size of the music files on your iPod or iPhone by converting the bit rate to 128 kbps. Most of you will never notice a difference in the quality of what you’re hearing when playing back your selections.

Install the update and begin your sync. Make sure to check “Convert higher bit rate songs to 128 kbps AAC” when you plug in your device. The sync will take longer than usual, because the application will need to convert all of the media to the new specification. You will be rewarded for the wait, though. Your iPhone or iPod will now be able to hold up to twice as many individual tracks as before.

This feature has been available on the iPod Shuffle for a while now, and many of us are happy to see that it has been extended to other popular Apple gadgets. Keep in mind that your original files in iTunes will not change. They will still have the same high quality as they had prior to the changes on the device.

What tech developments have come to your attention today? If you have anything to pass on that we may have missed on this blog, feel free to drop us a line.

• Google is making Chrome flashy.
• Why are debit cards a nightmare?
• How do YOU deal with popups?
• Should you upgrade to Internet Explorer 8?
• Will Apple pass Microsoft in valuation?
• What things should you not do if you care about your privacy?
• What happens when your Search function becomes disabled in Windows?
• Morgan Stanley predicts that iPad sales will reach 6 million before the end of the year.
• What would a new Mac Mini mean to you?
• Do you use a Microsoft keyboard?
• Is Microsoft being obtuse?
• Would you prefer to run Ubuntu or Windows 7 on a netbook?
• How can you view your Revision History in Microsoft Word 2007?
• How do you get organized in the Google era?
• Hey Linux fans… what happens when your S.M.A.R.T. disk suddenly acts dumb?
• What is said in YouTube comments DOES matter, and can even send you to jail.
• Will the iPhone trump the Android on Verizon?

Ramp up your computer with the latest software found on the Web.

How to Add More Music to Your iPod or iPhone

I’ve seen this type of discussion come up many times within my community, and in others. When someone breaks a site rule and is “reprimanded” for it, they will often scream about their Freedom of Speech, guaranteed by the United States Constitution. I always get a chuckle out of this. You see, when you join a privately-owned site and agree to abide by their rules, there is no Freedom of Speech. The owners and administrators of said service are well within their rights to tell you what you can – and cannot – discuss on their little corner of the Web. If you don’t like it… well… no one is forcing you to stay there as a member.

This may sound harsh to some of you, and I don’t intend for it to be. I guess I’m trying to remind all of you that common courtesy and a maturity in following rules YOU agreed to when you joined a particular site are far more important than anything else. Anytime I see some ticked off person on Geeks yelling about their Freedom of Speech, my first thought is to ask them what rule THEY broke. I’ve learned over the years that 99% of the time, the upset person in question wanted to push the limits, and discuss something illegal, or otherwise against the rules.

What are your thoughts? Do you believe that the owners of a particular site or service have the final – and likely, ONLY – say in what is and isn’t allowed there?

• Earlier today, AMD announced the new AMD Gaming Involved program.
• Would you recommend a plastic or aluminum MacBook to someone looking to purchase?
• What type of software do you use to keep yourself organized?
• One survey has pegged about 40% of IT pros staying with Windows XP until 2014.
• Are you a Linux Geek who loves to discuss Fedora?
• Why would Outlook Express suddenly try to download 16 thousand messages at once?
• The cost of the first 3D HDTVs is going to be around three thousand smackeroos.
• What influence do you feel that modern media has over the World?
• Is there a way to recover lost text in WordPad?
• Install social media tools and the masses will come.
• OnLive not only has an official release date… it is also offering free membership for three months to 25,000 people.
• You say you want some virtual desktops?
• More websites are accidentally serving up malware.

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Does Free Speech Exist on the Internet?

Finally, we can grab some hard-core Linux shirts to wear… at the same time we’re donating to the cause! The Linux Foundation supports the development of the Linux Kernel financially, and they’ve come up with a new line of awesome shirts and other merchandise to help out.

According a release made public by the Foundation, merchandise available in the Linux store is “designed to reflect the unique and varied culture associated with Linux” and will support the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds. For example, shirts contain phrases like Free The Code, FSCK the Establishment and the ever-popular Fork You. All revenue generated from the store will go directly towards Linux Foundation.

To help celebrate the launch of the store, Linux is holding a shirt design contest! Submissions are due to the store site before April 11th, 2010. The top five will be put up for community vote on the Linux Foundation site through June 6th, 2010. The winning design will be featured on shirts available for sale in the store! In addition, the winning designer will receive travel to Boston to attend the LinuxCon conference in August!

If you’re a Linux Geek, make sure you check out what they have available, and show your support. If you’re a designer… get those thinking caps on!

Shirts for the Linux Geek Inside of You!

I am like many of you out there… I cannot work unless there is music playing in the background. My assistant Kat is the same way. If she’s at her computer (which is always!), there is music playing. She swears she cannot concentrate unless she has music pumping through her speakers or headphones. It apparently makes her more productive than if she has silence or a different type of noise in her immediate area. Thinking about it, I guess I’m the same way. I do my best writing when there is music to fit my mood at that moment playing.

That’s the key for me… my mood. I don’t listen to any one particular style of music all the time. I like a pretty wide variety of stuff. Some call me “eclectic” in my tastes, and that’s fine with me. I like what I like… and I don’t expect you to listen to it if you don’t. However, I do encourage you to always broaden your musical horizons by listening to something completely different than your normal playlist every once in awhile. Pandora is great for that!

What type of music are you addicted to? Do you work better when you are rocking out, or do you need complete quiet in order to concentrate?

• The newest version of BumpTop is available for download!
• Keeping in touch via cell phone while traveling abroad can be a nightmare.
• Some fans are starting to feel as though Sony needs to get their act together.
• Should schools allow students to take short naps during the day?
• What others know about you – and what you should know about yourself.
• A concierge is only an App away.
• Should the United States sell its gold to help fix the debt problem?
• How can one possibly find untainted jurors in the age of the Internet?
• YouTube has dropped support for IE 6 now.
• Should Google fear Murdoch? Heck, his own kids disagree with him!
• Do you want your Twitter account to be searchable by using your phone number?!
• If you knew today was your last day on this Earth, what would go through your mind first?
• Where do you turn first in your research when looking to buy a new hard drive?
• Verizon Wireless has a heart.
• What is Sony’s advice for PS3 users?
• Will you be attending Geek Pride Day this year?!
• Help! My partition is missing!
• Will the UK be facing serious restrictions for their Wi-Fi access points?
• The LA Times has revealed that the Toyota acceleration problems reach all the way back to 1992!
• A new study shows that video games could help combat depression in older adults.
• Which Linux distro can boot completely in under ten seconds?
• What is life really like without Windows?
• iPhone vs Android – it often boils down to coverage.

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What Type of Music Helps You be More Productive?

Mozilla announced yesterday that the much-antipiacted Weave Sync is finally ready for the general market. Using it will allow you to sync your Mozilla experience across all of your supported devices, including your desktop, your laptop and your mobile phone.

Any pages open within Firefox on your desktop will automagically open in the mobile version. At the end of your workday, you can walk away from your desk, and continue right where you left off from your phone. All of the information is encrypted and sent through the Cloud between your desktop and your phone. This could potentially increase productivity, allowing you to finish up last-minute details and projects while riding home on the bus or train – but not while driving!

This is excellent news for many Firefox fans, and I was very happy to read this news today. There have also been many excellent things posted in our community. I’ve gathered together some of the best, in the hopes you don’t miss out on anything!

• As of March 1st, Google will no longer support Internet Explorer 6.
• How safe is your home?
• Could the “leaked” Windows 8 ship dates be true?!
• What is behind the psychology of voting?
• What advice do you have for someone just entering the IT field?
• Comcast is asking for IPv6 volunteers.
• OpenSUSE needs a new community manager.
• What types of hobbies do you have that involve your computer?
• Should Punxsutawney Phil be replaced by a robotic groundhog?
• Could the iPad be an in-flight dream come true?
• Can blocking a frown keep bad feelings away?
• Do you need open-source tax preparation software?
• Where do you turn when looking for compatible hardware to buy?
• Smokers are at risk from their own second-hand smoke.

Don’t forget to stop by our software center to check out the newest software deals we have for you!

Firefox Weave Sync Add-On Now Available

Everywhere you look today, the Internet is abuzz with news of the iPad. I’ve been attempting to do some work for hours now, yet I keep being interrupted by well-meaning people who all are demanding to know if I’m going to get one for myself or not. Yes – I am! Kat, however, is not. She adamantly states she doesn’t want one, and is tired of hearing about them already. I say she isn’t American, but that’s an argument for another day.

The funny thing is that several people in our chat room are “dying” to have an iPad for their very own. When someone asks them “Well, WHY do you want it so much?”, many of them don’t even have an answer to that. Another example… Kat’s sister told her earlier that she “has to have” an iPad. When Kat asked her why, the answer was a simple “it’s new, it’s hot and it looks great!”. Her sister didn’t even know what things are included (and what is NOT included) on the device. She just knew she “had” to have one.

This happens every time an anticipated device is released. Everyone has to have one. Remember the lines for the iPhone? What I don’t understand is why so many people claim to need a device, simply because it is new. Is it really that necessary to have what everyone else has? Doesn’t it matter whether or not a particular gadget will serve your needs properly? Have we truly lost sight of what is important when it comes to buying electronics and computer equipment?

What have you read today that is NOT related to the iPad? There have actually been a lot of things posted in our community, dealing with all sorts of subjects that aren’t even remotely related to Apple or their announcement. Hopefully you’ve taken the time to check some of it out!

• Fortron is bringing out a bronze-certified PSU lineup.
• Protect your computers from common websites and even more common threats.
• Are you interested in helping shape the future of Lockergnome?
• Facebook will be using McAfee to clean up their site.
• What are your thoughts on Google Wave?
• Has Apple lost over a million dollars to iPhone App pirates?
• Perhaps we should write more, and link less.
• Windows 7 was your idea, so what do you love about it?
• Are you going to be buying an iPad?
• Students now have their very own Ubuntu Linux distro!
• Mass Effect 2 has been released to Intergalactic acclaim!
• Just for fun: What are your favorite pizza toppings?
• Republicans are replying to comments about the State of the Union Address on Facebook!
• An ex-Air Force officer says the U.S. should be using Dirigibles.

Don’t forget to take time to browse through our software center to see what great new deals we have for you today!

Why Do You Want an iPad?

During the LeWeb conference yesterday, Queen Rania of Jordan was one of the featured speakers. If you aren’t familiar with who she is, you are probably wondering why she was a speaker at a technology and social media conference. Before I explain what she talked about – I have to say that she was one of the best and most motivational speakers I’ve had the pleasure of watching in a very long time. She is definitely one amazing lady.

Her Highness spoke about social networking, and asking if we are truly using it for creating social change. She touched on the fact that while we jump on the bandwagon to tweet and blog about important political and cultural situations – we are just as fast to switch gears and discuss celebrities. With that being the case, how, then are we really working towards any type of change for the better?

When we drop something important that could truly make a difference in favor of the hottest new gossip, we are dropping the ball on humanity. Queen Rania asked us to join her on One Day, One Goal. The concept is simple, but could have an amazing impact. Even if you have a cause you’d rather favor than education, you can still participate. Set aside one day to focus on one goal. Tweet and blog your heart out. Pour your passion into what it is you believe strongly in. Dedicate yourself to that goal for the day.

It’s time we stop sitting on our proverbial asses, talking about change. It’s time we actually get up and DO something about it.

Even though Queen Rania was very powerful in her presentation, we have community members right here at home who post amazing things every day. All of you discuss what is important to you, what you believe in, and what you feel is interesting to the rest of us. Keep up the great work!

• Google remains the king of search.
• How much do you know about old computers?
• Superdrive – loud is not allowed.
• What are the top five HDTVs this season?
• Why is it that OpenBSD rocks?
• Burger King is facing a hefty lawsuit – for spam.
• How do you access and use Twitter?
• Is Facebook turning in to Twitter?
• What screen recording software do you recommend?
• MSI is showing off the next generation of the AMD platform.
• There is even more malware being discovered running on Linux.
• What is the cost of a “free” game?
• Is AT&T going too far with data restrictions?
• How is Twitter making money for Dell?

I hope you took the time today to check out our downloads page. It’s like the box of chocolates that Forrest Gump loves so much – you never know what you get until…

Are We Really Creating Social Change?

You already know that one of my biggest pet peeves is to see people using simple words incorrectly. It drives me batshit to see someone use your and you’re interchangeably. Hello! They are not the same word! Are people seriously not learning these things in school, or are they too lazy to type/spell the words correctly?! It makes me want to tear my hair out.

I have a lot of pet peeves, I admit it. I freak out if I see someone using those yellow Post-It notes thingies. I hate those!! I could sit here all night talking about things that drive me nuts, but that’s not the point of my post! I want to know what makes YOU crazy? What little things make you want to run and scream?!

While you’re making your list – and checking it twice – make sure you take the time to read the things that our community has published today. There are some excellent discussions going on!

• Sapphire shows there’s some life left in the AMD/A Ti 4000 series.
• What is the oldest piece of technology you own?
• Microsoft has admitted that a large number of people are still using Windows 2000.
• Take advantage of pre-flight alternatives.
• Is Linux scaring people away from making purchases?
• Keep track of your ports with Simple Port Tester.
• Murdoch attacked Google. Now, the entertainment industry is attacking Redbox.
• Gamers should look at old programs in order to enhance their experience.
• Download holiday MP3s from Amazon without shelling out a dime.
• How do you manage the disk size in BootCamp?
• Tracking Keycounts has never been so easy.
• Are the shorcut arrows in Vista and Windows 7 getting you down? Remove them!
• Is Microsoft hiding things in plain sight?
• The Transportation Security Administration has breached its own security procedures.

There are new programs and apps available every day in our downloads center – some at deep discounted prices! Be sure you check back every day, so you don’t miss out on anything!

What are Your Pet Peeves?

I admitted in a video earlier today that I still enjoy playing with LEGO Bricks. I also apparently still like the Lite Brite!

There’s nothing wrong with occasionally letting your inner child come out to play when you’re a grown-up. I personally think it can help keep you sane and stress-free if you let your hair down once in awhile, and take the time to remember what it’s like to play. What do you do during occasions like these? Do you indulge yourself with crayons? Do you prefer to duke it out with action figures?

What toys do your inner child still love to play with?

• One doctor has proven that stem cells can heal the lungs of newborn animals.
• Do you get the most out of your gaming?
• Will you pay to Tweet?
• What type of volunteer work are you involved in?
• If you want to pimp out the Safari browser, take a look at Glims.
• Everything was going well, until a BSOD crept up on our blogger hero.
• How many more PS3s will the government buy?
• Keep your eyes peeled for comment spam – they are tricky these days!
• The 12 Gadgets of Christmas Song!
• News of Ubuntu One is making the rounds faster than lightning.
• Which version of Windows do you recommend for a netbook or laptop?
• Do you know how to take good holiday pictures?
• New users switching to Linux will be confused about the amount of choices.
• Do you know how to properly back up your WordPress blog?
• The Murdoch effect is already being felt in the UK.

Now that Cyber Monday is here, our download center team is working hard to come up with new and amazing programs for you to grab at deep discounts. Be sure to check every day to see what they have found for you!

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What Toy Would You Want for Christmas?