Dj's Spin DjDATZ's musings on gaming, cars and bikes

Looking for Software Recommendations

Need 2 pieces of software to try out, and I'd love some recommendations on them.

The first is a lightweight (preferably similar to applet form, or with no install) application that allows me to RIP a DVD to ISO. Freeware/shareware is preferred.

The second is a solid, reliable, piece of software that can be used to backup the C: drive (logical) to the D: drive (logical, same physical drive) on a machine, and can restore that image at a later time. The machine boots off the C: drive.

Any suggestions?

Updated the ripper details.

Don’t Want to Pay for Tethering on AT&T with Your iPhone 3G/3GS/4G/HD?

Well, then say screw you to AT&T.

So I saw this news today: AT&T is adding two new plans related to tethering of your iPhone. (Tethering is the process of connecting your iPhone to your computer and using it as a modem for internet access. Up until OS 3.0 was launched last summer, it was not natively supported and you had to use the app I'll later mention to do the tethering.)  One plan at 200MB and the other at 2GB. Now, in order to be allowed to use tethering once it launches, you'll need to switch off of your unlimited plan and hop onto one of the new plans to be allowed to use tethering. But wait, that's not all! AT&T is going to charge you and extra $20 for the tethering privilege!

Let's take look at what's going on up here in Canada. The iPhone here, isn't exclusive to Rogers anymore, Bell, Telus and even Virgin have it on their networks.  For Rogers (who have the vast majority of all the iPhones) they have their regular data plans:

• 500MB for $25
• 1GB for $30
• 2GB for $45
• 5GB for $60
• Whenever an iPhone or BlackBerry launches, Rogers has a special data plan they bring in, which is 6GB for $30, the one I'm currently on

There are some minor discrepancies in terms of pricing, and I'm not sure as to why, but those were the lowest prices for each data amount. Either way, what I'm trying to get at here is that all of the plans that are 1GB or more INCLUDE tethering for FREE! None of this $20 crap. That way, I can tether now with my iPhone

And finally, the point of this post. Before tethering was able to be done natively folks had to use the PdaNet application on the iPhone to tether. Obviously, Apple doesn't want this, so it's not available through the App Store. Instead, you have to jailbreak your iPhone, and install it either using Cydia or Rock.

Once it's installed, open it up,  connect your iPhone to your machine and voila! You should now have access to the internets through your iPhone, and best of all, AT&T has no way of detecting it.

Stick it to the man!

Wind Mobile Commercials: Pure Genius

I saw the Hot Dog one (in short form) a couple days ago on TV and it really struck a chord with me for two reasons:

• First, it blatantly points out what's wrong with Canada's telecommunications industry
• Second, it makes fun of Rogers, Bell and Telus at the same, none of which I particularly like

So, I looked that one up specifically because I wanted to watch it and show it to people. Little did I know that there were 3 of them, and each one sported a shortened (for TV) version and an extended version.

I can honestly say that these commercials are along the lines of the Mac vs PC commercials in terms of ingenuity.  So, without further adieu, the commercials.

Sidewalk Toll

Bike Lock

Hot Dog Fees

Meteor in Wisconsin

From Mashable

The video is quite impressive; I'd have paid to have been there and seen that.

Forza Motorsport 3 Pictures Batch 22.03.2010

Finally I've uploaded a whole load of pictures from Forza Motorsport 3, some showing off  the sexy Mazda Furai, and others showing off my latest drift creations.

The BMW M3 E92 loves to step out, but because it's got a turbo, there's about half a second of turbo lag. The BMW M3 E46 takes a bit more to step out, but its power is available instantaneously and it's a lot easier to control.  If anyone's intersted in the tunes, let me know and I'll throw them up in my storefront.

The whole set is here, and the individual shots are below.

Too many for the main page, so more after the break.

Windows 7 Supercars Theme

Me again, this time with a nice goody.

Love cars? Love bikes too? Well I've got something nice for you! (Wow, I rhymed!)

Here's a theme for Windows 7 I created, fairly simple, with 33 pictures for backgrounds that show off some of the hottest cars today. Don't like certain ones? Simply uncheck them, and they won't show up again. And that's that!

Download theme (right-click and choose save as...)

I'll likely be doing an update when I get more pictures.