CloudingClarity

Create Installation Packages with Advanced Installer

Posted on 24. Nov, 2008 by Eric.

Have you ever wanted to package several files or applications into one tidy file which can be installed with just a few simple clicks? If so, let me introduce you to Advanced Install.

What can it do?
While most applications come complete with an installer, occasionally you may encounter a standalone application which downloads nothing more than a compressed folder. To “install” the program, you simply decompress the folder and run the executable (.exe) file. Standalone applications are convenient for computer savvy individuals. They can place the application exactly where they want it on their PC or store it on a jump drive which would allow them to take the application from one PC to another without reinstalling it each time. [...]

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Download of the Month: Nintendo Emulator With Games

Posted on 22. Nov, 2008 by Eric.

For this month’s free download, CloudingClarity is offering you a original Nintendo (NES) emulator. The installer comes complete with every game ever made for the console so you should be able to relive your childhood to its fullest.  The emulator is compatible with both windows XP and Vista.  Enjoy!

Nintendo Emulator & Games

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Sony Vaio + Linksys Wireless = Connectivity Issues

Posted on 20. Nov, 2008 by Eric.

After returning my Acer Aspire One due to an unfixable bios error I was, once again, in the market for a new laptop. Though I have always been an advocate for HP, I decided that I should give another company the opportunity to impress me. Within a few days, I found a Sony Vaio at the local Officemax. Sony’s Vaio NS135 model is regularly $750, but I was able to pick it up for $600 on sale. It included a 2.0Ghz dual core processor, 3GB RAM, 250GB hard drive, and Vista Home Premium.

The Problem
Within minutes after bringing the new computer home, it connected it to my Linksys wireless router seemingly without a problem. Moments later, I observed that my old laptop was having connectivity issues. Every 10 seconds it would connect and disconnect to the wireless network. In hopes of troubleshooting the issue, I checked the connection status of the other computers on the network. To my dismay, they were all having the same problem…connecting and disconnecting. Meanwhile, my Sony Vaio was able to sustain continuous signal, however, the internet was very slow. [...]

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Netbook: Acer One Aspire 150

Posted on 19. Nov, 2008 by Eric.

Netbook computers emerged several years ago, yet it seems that only now, in 2008, they are becoming popular. Perhaps this can be explained by the recent drop in prices, or alternatively it could be due to the fact that these “baby” computers are becoming nearly as capable as their grown-up counterparts. As with all computers, one netbook varies widely from the next. Some can only perform a few specific tasks, while others can run a full windows operating system allowing them to be incredibly versatile.

Acer 150 Specs
Several weeks ago I purchased an Acer Aspire One 150, which is the most powerful netbook you can buy for the price (in October of 2008). It only cost $350 and included a 1.6Ghz processor, 1GB RAM, 120GB hard drive, and Windows XP. All in all, it was a little powerhouse. The only setback being that it did not have an optical drive so installing software from CD required an external drive. [...]

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Live Mesh

Posted on 05. Nov, 2008 by Eric.

What is Live Mesh?
Windows Live has recently developed a new service called “Live Mesh.” Live Mesh’s primary function is to synchronize folders between computers. Currently, Live Mesh only supports PC, but Microsoft is promising to support Mac and Windows Mobile shortly. Folder synchronizing services are not rare these days, if you were to run a Google search you would find that there are many alternatives. I, however, have found that Live Mesh offers advanced features which surpass all the rest (that I have tested).

Features of Live Mesh
First of all, Live Mesh will allow you to access your files online using a “Live Desktop” which simulates a computers desktop. From the “Live Desktop” you can add files or view files already uploaded. You can watch videos, play music, or view pictures without installing anything on your computer, providing you have Microsoft Silverlight, which is a pretty standard plugin for a web browser. Many folder sharing services lack the ability to manipulate files from online. Another handy features that Live Mesh supports is remote desktop, although when I attempted to use remote desktop, it required that I click “allow” on the computer that I was remoting into. This would defeat the purpose of remote desktop in most instances. Hopefully in future releases, Microsoft will correct this issue. Other than that, I find Live Mesh to be extremely useful. I have even been able to share my files with friends. When I place a picture in my Live Mesh folder on my computer, it synchronizes that picture not only with my other PC, but to my friend’s PC. Very cool!

Give Live Mesh a try and let me know your thoughts. If you are already happily sharing/synchronizing folders, what service have you found to suit your needs?

Live Mesh

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