lessons gate

Hard Disk Drive Setup - Partition and Format

2010-09-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

This procedure explains how to setup a new hard disk. Warning - if you are setting up a hard disk which contains data, the following procedure would completely erase your hard disk and the data would be unrecoverable.
Before a new hard disk can be used it needs to be setup. This involves partitioning and formatting the hard disk. Windows 98 or ME boot disk contains the required software to perform this procedure. FDISK.EXE and FORMAT.COM are the files required in your bootable floppy disk. Start the partition and format procedure by booting your PC using a Windows boot disk. Make sure you set the BIOS so that the boot sequence is set to detect the floppy disk first. If your system has no problems booting you will be presented with a Windows boot disk menu. This gives you the option to start the system with or without CD-ROM support. At this stage you do not need the CD-ROM support, so choose the option to boot without CD-ROM support. You should end up in the MS DOS prompt A: (A drive). From A: command prompt type fdisk. You will be presented with following message:

Choose "Y" to enable large disk support.You will now be presented with the FDISK main menu as shown below.

From the menu, choose option 1 - Create DOS partition or Logical DOS drive. Another menu will present the following options.

Choose option 1 - Create primary DOS Partition. FDISK verifies the integrity of your drive and will ask you if want to use the maximum available size of your hard disk to create the primary partition and set it active. To keep things simple we will create one large partition. Choose "Y" to use maximum available space. When the partition has been created successfully you will be notified by the system. Your drive is now known as C: (C drive). Press "Esc" to return to the menu. Press "Esc" again to exit FDISK. You need to restart your system for the changes to take affect. Leave boot disk in the drive.When the system reboots, choose start without CD-ROM from the boot disk menu. While booting from floppy disk you might get error message like "Invalid media type reading drive C" this is OK for this stage as the hard disk is not formatted.

From A: command prompt type format c:You will get a message saying "WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST. Proceed with Format (Y/N)?".
Don't worry about the message as you do not have any data in the new hard disk. Choose "Y". The format will proceed and would show you a progress indicator. The time it takes to format a hard disk depends on the size and speed of the drive. This could be around 5-30 minutes. Once the format is complete you need to reset your system. You are now ready to install an operating system.

Get credit for free

2010-09-07T21:10:00.000-07:00

this is a new ptc site having excellent click rates.

per click: 0.01
per ref click: 0.006
daily ads: 8-9
min payout: 2$

but the site is in arabic. so we'll have to use google translate for using. or hover the cursor to the links and see what it is in the status bar. i m uploading the screenshots for easy of the members. thanks.

Register here

Registration page.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Announced

2010-09-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire videogame, scheduled for a November 2005 release in conjunction with the Warner Bros. Pictures film based on J.K. Rowling’s fourth book. In the game, players experience the thrilling moments of the movie and put their magic to the ultimate test in co-operative play with up to two friends.

“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fifth Harry Potter videogame we have created, and we are incredibly excited with the fresh innovations that the team has brought to the game,” said Harvey Elliott, Executive Producer at EAUK. “With high anticipation for the film and our strong relationship with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, we have been able to develop a game that complements the film in this exciting addition to the Harry Potter franchise

“Working with EA, we look forward to offering players a highly developed Harry Potter game with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” said Jason Hall, Senior Vice President for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The game will possess the extremely creative aspects of the Harry Potter world captured in both the film and the book, giving fans a complete interactive experience.”

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry is mysteriously selected as the fourth competitor in the dangerous Triwizard Tournament. Each contestant in this international competition must confront a fire-breathing dragon, rescue friends from the icy depths of the Black Lake, and navigate the twisting mysteries of a vast, dangerous maze. Players will experience all the thrills of the movie - from the Quidditch World Cup campsite to a heart-stopping duel with Lord Voldemort himself!

Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all playable characters, modeled after their big-screen counterparts. In this game, an all-new spell-casting system allows players to feel the magic for the first time as the controller shakes and reacts with every flick of the wand. Players can also team up with friends in co-operative play to combine their magic and produce more powerful spells than ever before!

Under development by EA’s UK Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the Harry Potter library of games, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is scheduled for release for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP handheld entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and Windows PC. This game has not yet been rated by the ESRB

learn how to get your free gifts

2010-09-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

Xpango uses a unique Credit system to reward our customers with Free Mobile Phones, Gaming Consoles, MP3 Players & HDTVs !

Each Gadget is received for Free in exchange for Credits which can be received from Xpango.

When you register with Xpango and select your Free Gift, you will receive a 'Referral ID' which is used to gain Credits.

Credits can easily be gained by either (or a combination of) participating in Xpango Offers, Referring Friends, or by purchasing a Clix Package .

Credit requirements for Gifts vary depending on the retail price of the Mobile Phone/Gaming Console/MP3 Player/HDTV. More expensive Gifts require more Credits than less expensive Gifts. The diagram below details how the system works

http://www.xpango.com?ref=92204816

FreebieJeebies - Free iPods, iPhones and much more

2010-09-07T03:42:00.000-07:00

Advantages: 100% free iPods, iPhones, Games Consoles etc

Disadvantages: Requires a little work but doesn't cost any money

FreebieJeebies

FreebieJeebies is an online based company that offer free gifts such as iPods, iPhones, Nintendo DS's, HD TVs, Playstation 3s and many more. They are often labelled with the online scam artists and scam websites that phish for your details but they're really nothing like that at all. Most people just assume because they of the free gifts, it works like a lure to attract naive internet users but it's really not like that.

I personally use FreebieJeebies and its very simple how they can afford to 'give away' all of these expensive items once you have been enlightened so to say. It works like this:

FreebieJeebies are partnered up with bigger companies such as Love Film (the DVD/Game rental company) who then pay FreebieJeebies a commission every time they bring in a potential customer (You!). They get paid roughly £20 every time someone signs up to their 14 day free trial, through FreebieJeebies. Once you have signed up and completed an offer (e.g. Love Film 14 day free trial) all that is left is to refer some friends to do the exact same thing. If you was to refer two friends who signed up to the Love Film trial, this generates another £40 (£20 per sign up, remember?). Now FreebieJeebies have got £60 thanks to you and you can now redeem your referrals as a free gift. Get it?

For example, an iPod shuffle costs 2 referrals. You and two friends sign up and generate the £60 for FreebieJeebies, and then redeem your referrals for an iPod shuffle. FreebieJeebies use roughly £45 to buy you the iPod then another £5 is used to send it to you next day special delivery so it will arrive the next day. FreebieJeebies then pocket the last £10 as profit as they need to make some money too!

The referrals are pretty easy to get as you can start with family and friends and then branch out. To gain a referral you have to have your friend sign up to FreebieJeebies through your own special link that you give them, which then credits you when their offer goes green (Completed).

This is what your personal link looks like:

http://apple.freebiejeebies.co.uk/361201

If you signed up to the link above you would be one of my referrals. When you completed an offer, you would be credited with one complete offer and I would also gain a referral for showing you the website. If you want to start using FreebieJeebies you're more than welcome to use my link, although you don't have to if you don't want to. I would appreciate it if you did though.

I personally have received an iPod shuffle from FreebieJeebies and recommend them highly. Their customer service is superb and they're very quick. If you want any help getting yourself a free item, just drop me a message here on DooYoo and I'd be glad to help out or just check out my website, http://www.freebiearcade.co.uk!

Take care

Win Laptop Free From Ezlaptop

2010-09-07T03:35:00.000-07:00

How would you like to receive your very own laptop absolutely FREE? Now you can with EZLaptop.com! Register today for our e-mail program to start turning useless e-mails into useful e-mails! When you register with EZLaptop.com you're opting in to receive and read our e-mails, which will then directly deposit credits into your account for you to earn your very own laptop!

Simply read our e-mails, earn credits, and claim your laptop! All newsletters are sent to your EZLaptop inbox which is located in the member's area to ensure delivery each and every time!

When you register you will have access to your account immediately so you can start receiving our rewarding e-mails! After reading each e-mail sent to you there is a credit link to click which will then deposit credits into your account right away. There's nothing to buy from our sponsors and you will never have to complete any of their offers in order to earn credits! Each newsletter is worth at least one full credit so you can earn credits much faster than any other program out there!

Another way to earn credits is to refer friends, family, and co-workers to our program! For every person that joins the program under your referral link, you will receive credit for it! You could receive your laptop in as little as a few months!

We currently offer these laptops once the amount of credits required has been reached:

* Sony Vaio VGN Series (195 credits)
* MacBook Pro 15.4" (295 credits)

We also offer great advertising plans for other webmasters. If you own a site and would like to advertise with us click the Advertise button at the top of the site. It's FREE to signup for an advertisers account

http://ezlaptop.com/?r=433775

Best Free MAC FTP Client to connect FTP Server

2010-09-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

After posting free windows FTP client software, here is free Mac FTP client software that provides FTP account management and FTP functionality to upload and download files to your FTP server on Mac OS. Beside that, these free MAC FTP client able to support various FTP technology such as FTP , SFTP and even webDAV.

Free MAC FTP Client List to transfer files on MAC platform:

CyberDuck – Free Open Source FTP Client Software

CyberDuck is the most famous MAC FTP client that supports FTP/TLS (FTP secured over SSL/TLS), using AUTH TLS as well as uploading and downloading by drag and drop and is able to synchronize files and directories. Plus support WebDAV servers and Amazon’s S3 storage service as well.
The FTP functionality is quite comprehensive which you can open some files in external text editors, a FTP bookmark manager and supports the Mac OS X Keychain and Bonjour networking. Plus more, the latest CyberDuck FTP client Version 3 adds a feature to quickly open a file via its http URL in a web browser. Many OS X core system technologies such as Spotlight, Bonjour and the Keychain are supported and a large number of translations makes you feel at home.
Classic FTP – Free Simple MAC FTP Client Software

Classic FTP is a free ftp client that allows you to view, edit, upload, download and delete files from a remote server (website) or network for free. Classic FTP has been specifically designed to look and feel like a typical ftp software client. Which you can also upload or download files with a single click of a button. Plus more, it also allows you to synchronize navigation of a local folder with a remote folder, saving you time and reducing the risk of uploading to the wrong folder. Classic FTP is perfect for both advanced and novice website administrators.
FileZilla- Open Source FTP Client Freeware

FileZilla is a FTP client that support cross platform like Mac, Linux and Windows. It can manage all entire FTP connection details and logins as well as offers Explorer style interface that shows the local and remote folders and can be customized independently. Plus more, a FTP transfer queue logs to shows the real-time status of each queued or active file transfer.
On FTP connection, Filezilla FTP Client can work wells under firewalls and proxy connections as well as Kerberos GSS security. Plus more, it has the ability to pause or resume the FTP file downloading or uploading on anytime and file transfer size can exceed 4GB.
OneButton FTP – Free simple FTP Client Software

OneButton FTP is a graphical FTP client for Mac OS X with a strong emphasis on simplicity, drag and drop usability, and file queuing. It allows you to easily transfer files to and from remote servers, such as the ones hosting your website, simply by dragging files to and from your computer.
Secure FTP – Free Secure MAC FTP Client

Secure FTP is a MAC FTP client application that allows for a 128-bit encrypted secure connection to be made to a server that supports FTP over SSL (or FTPS). This FTP application can run via its graphical user interface (GUI) or from the command-line interface (CLI), allowing for headless (scriptable) operation. This makes Secure FTP a great option for both novice and advanced users.
Meanwhile, Secure FTP client also fully RFC 2228 compliant and offers both types of SSL connection options: explicit and implicit, which means more server compatibility. However, Secure FTP is free to use for noncommercial use. Those wishing to use the client for commercial purposes are granted a license free of charge for 30 days.
Hope you like the free Mac FTP software list. If you know other free Mac FTP client software is good, drop us a comment and let us know
Article source:http://www.techmixer.com/best-free-mac-ftp-client-to-connect-ftp-server/

Download DirectX 10 for Windows XP

2010-09-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Download DirectX 10 for windows XP is available now. This DirectX 10 for windows XP still in alpha stages and isn’t the original of DirectX 10 files from Microsoft. As Microsoft has announced that the DirectX 10 currently support to Windows Vista only.
However, Cody Brocious the Alky Project leader has released a full preview of DirectX 10 Alky preview compatibility libraries for Microsoft DirectX 10 enabled games. These compatibility libraries allow the use of DirectX 10 games on platforms other than Windows Vista , and increase hardware compatibility even on Vista, by compiling Geometry Shaders down to native machine code for execution where hardware isn’t capable of running it. No reason for gamer to change or upgrade the OS and video card(s) to play the latest games.
Here are some pictures sample to difference’s from DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 on images quality.
DX 9 scenery from Flight Simulator X

And a rendering of the same scenery with DirectX 10

So, Here is DirectX 10 Alky preview which can be used with DX10 SDK.
The DirectX 10 for Windows XP Preview contains a read me file which goes like this :-

To install:
Copy d3d10.dll, d3dx10.dll, d3dx10.dll, dxgi.dll, and Nucleus.dll to C:\windows\system32\
To get the examples:

Follow the instructions on Using Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition with the Microsoft Platform SDK

Download and install the DirectX SDK

To build and run an example:

Go to the Microsoft DirectX SDK folder, Samples, C++, Direct3D10, Tutorials, Tutorial12

Double-click “Tutorial12_2005.sln”

Select “Start Without Debugging” from the Debug menu.

There are a number of known issues with most of the tutorials, but they will all work to some extent. Tutorial 12 is currently the recommended example.
Please direct any feedback to the Falling Leaf Discussion forum

if you’re serious computer gamer, i highly recommended you give a try download on Direct10X for windows XP and install it. Then you feel the differences especially on the images rendering and images processing. However, Do it carefully !!!!
Download the latest DirectX for Windows XP
Alternative link to download DirectX10 XP DLL files : Alky Preview Code DirectX dll

Updates : DirectX10 XP EXE Installer for XP

I have listed download two DirectX10 for XP installer that found over internet.

1. Download DirectX 10 RC2 XP Fix 3

Latest DirectX 10 XP installer patch that easily installing all the important DirectX10 DLL on Windows XP 32. Meanwhile, this DirectX10 installer program support Windows 2000 and Windows 2003.
Tutorial : How to install DirectX 10 RC 2 Pre Fix 3 on Windows XP

More information : DirectX 10 Vista vs DirectX 9 XP

Article source:http://www.techmixer.com/download-directx-10-for-windows-xp/

Windows 7 Logon Screen Tweaker: Customize and Tweak Logon Screen

2010-09-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

Customizing things according to our own need and comfort is a common thing that we do. Many people wish to have a new look every time they login to their computers. Changing or customizing windows logon screen nowadays is very easy with numerous applications suited for particular work like Windows Logon Notifier which is meant just for displaying a custom logon message.Very few applications in this category provide additional functionality like tweaking, adding or removing features from the logon screen. Windows 7 Logon Screen Tweaker is an application that provides full tweaking for the logon screen.

Windows 7 Logon Screen Tweaker is a windows portable freeware application that can be easily used to change logon screen background, changing logon button, remove ease of access button, change user account image, changing default windows logon sound, remove logon text branding, removing shutdown button, displaying custom logon message and changing logon text branding to any version of windows 7.

Using this application is extremely easy with options that can be altered just by a single click. Logon Tweaker also provides testing of the custom logon screen before applying them. Any accidental changes can be reverted by the Default option.

Download Windows 7 Logon Screen Tweaker – Customize and Tweak Logon Screen

Article source:http://www.techmixer.com/windows-7-logon-screen-tweaker-customize-tweak-logon-screen/

JumpControl: Add Shutdown, Logoff, Restart and Sleep Button On Windows Taskbar

2010-09-06T13:10:00.001-07:00

Every one loves to use shortcuts, they not only make our work easier but also saves lots of our precious time by terminating the need to search for applications each time. Using shortcuts brings these small frequently used applications or utilities at our finger tips. JumpControl is an application that helps to bring Windows power control to taskbar.

JumpControl is a freeware portable application for Windows that allows you to add Shutdown, Logoff, Restart, Sleep, Switch User and Lock windows options to taskbar. Working with this application is easy, only thing you have to do with this application is download it and pin it to your taskbar.

You can select the various power options that you want. After selecting the options you can avail the shortcuts just by right clicking on the JumpControl pinned application.

Download JumpControl – Add Shutdown, Logoff, Restart and Sleep Button On Taskbar

Create Bootable BitDefender USB Rescue Disk

2010-09-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

Download JumpControl – Add Shutdown, Logoff, Restart and Sleep Button On Taskbar

Article source:http://www.techmixer.com/jumpcontrol-add-shutdown-logoff-restart-sleep-button-windows-taskbar/

How to edit youtube videos

2010-09-06T13:05:00.001-07:00

Do you want to know how to edit videos on youtube? Until recently, we used to download the youtube video, edit it using windows movie maker and upload it to youtube again.However, Youtube had recently introduced an experimental video editor that lets you do some very basic video editing like trimming the video, adding an audio to the video and giving it a good title.Thus you don’t even have to download the youtube video or convert it to wmv format, to edit it!

The new youtube video editor lets you edit all you videos online. Here, we will tell you how to go about editing videos on youtube.
Note that youtube has a storyboard section, where you can add multiple videos or add the same video multiple times and trim the desired portion of each of the selected videos. The trimmed videos can then be mixed in any order to form a new video!

How to edit youtube videos?

Go to youtube’s video editor.You will asked to sign in if you are not already singned into your google account
After signing in, you will be taken to an area called the “Media Picker”.Under the My videos tab of the youtube editor, you’ll find all the videos you’ve uploaded to YouTube.
You will also find an audio tab where you will find a list of music you can add to your video.
To preview a video before selecting it for editing, click on the center of the video.
Next, select the video for editing by clicking the “+” icon next to the video. The video you have selected will show up in the video storyboard at the bottom. You can also drag and drop videos from the Media Picker to the Storyboard area. You can select up to seven videos to edit at any given time.

Mouse over a video in the Storyboard and click on the scissors icon to open the Edit Clip dialog.

The Edit Clip dialog pops up that lets you trim your video by setting new start and end points. Grab the trimmers on either side of the clip and drag them to your desire entry and exit points. You can use the video preview to determine where to drop them.
You can also use the small left and right arrows on the top and bottom of the trimmer to “nudge” the entry and exit points of your clip 1/15th of a second to get it just right.

After trimming the video, Click on “Save” to save your trimming or click “Cancel”.If you had chosen multiple videos, you can choose to trim each of the sselected videos and the trimmed videos will be mixed in sequence. You can drag and drop the trimmed videos, in the storyboard, to your desired sequence. Note that you can add the same video to the storyboard to trim a different portion and mix it.

Next, click on the audio tab to add audio to your video. Select a song from youtube’s approved collection by clicking on the + icon. You can browse by genre, artist, or search for a track by name in the toolbar at the top.If you use an audio track, YouTube may place ads on your video to compensate the copyright holder.

Finally, enter a title for your new video. This newly edited video will not replace your existing version. Instead, it will create and publish a new video.If you’re satisfied with your new video, click on “Publish” to complete the process.

Windows Movie Maker – Free Download

2010-09-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

Windows Movie Maker – Free Download version 6.0 and 2.6 for windows 7 and vista!!! Windows movie maker is one of the most popular video editing softwares on the web.Computer users running windows operating systems like windows xp, vista and windows 7 can use windows movie maker to make simple movies with effects, transitions, titles/credits, audio track, timeline narration etc. There is also the Auto Movie feature that will analyze your video and automatically make a movie for you!!!

Though windows movie maker may not be a tool for the professional video editors, it is definitely a great tool to make some brilliant movies out of your photos and videos and share them with friends and family.

Windows Movie Maker 2.1 (Free Download)

While people liked the windows movie maker 2.1 for xp a lot, microsoft had introduced windows movie maker 2.5 for windows xp, with support for more transitions and DVD burning as well!!! With windows vista, microsoft introduced windows movie maker 6.0 that included new effects and transitions, and support for the DVR-MS file format that Windows Media Center records television in. The HD version of windows movie maker in windows vista Premium and Ultimate editions, added support for capturing videos from HDV camcorders, that will create DVR-MS files.
If you are one who loved making movies with windows movie maker, but is disappointed with the abilities of windows live movie maker, you could download and use windows movie maker 2.6 from here.This works on windows 7 and vista.
Though windows movie maker 6 for vista was cool, its drawback was it could not import videos from analog video source like an analog camcorder, VCR or from a webcam. Moreover, it could not work on certain computer systems that does not support hardware accelaratrion (note that almost all computers or laptops released these days support hardware accelaration) and hence microsoft released windows movie maker 2.6, which is the same as Windows Movie Maker 2.1, but does not have the ability to capture videos.

Windows Movie Maker 6.0 (Free Download)

In Windows 7, microsoft did not include windows movie maker with the operating system.Instead it bundled the popular video editing tool with windows live and allowed it to be freely downloaded as windows live movie maker. Many did not like windows live movie maker for windows 7, as it is a stripped down version and in an attempt to simplify the tool, microsoft even removed features like Timeline and audio edits, along with the ability to overlay text on a video!!! Many failed to understand why microsoft decided to remove such an essential feature like the Timeline.
But, if you have a computer that supports hardware accelaration, then it would be better to download the vista version of windows movie maker, as it has all the features that you liked.Yes, you could now download windows movie maker 6.0 from here, and use it on windows 7 and vista (you should be already having this on vista, unless you uninstalled it) and enjoy movie making with ease.

What is even better with this download is you could run both windows live movie maker and windows movie maker 6.0 side-by-side, if needed. This installer supports both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

Read more: http://techblissonline.com/windows-movie-maker-free-download/#ixzz0ymHHSOdy

How to convert Powerpoint to PDF

2010-09-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Do you know that you could turn your powerpoint presentation to PDF in Office 2010 and 2007? Yes, this can be accomplished without using any third party tool!

Microsoft Powerpoint is a great tool for creating impressive slides with great fonts and images.Powerpoint presentations are usually made with a lot of graphics, pictures, photos and images, to reinforce the information that the presenter is presenting. A good powerpoint presenter usually shares the powerpoint presentation with his audience, a few days before the actual presentation. This gives the audience a high level idea of what will happen during the presentation session and this would also make the session more interactive.
The presenter could choose to share a PDF document of the powerpoint presentation, as PDF is a great way to share documents by email or any other means, and the content cannot be easily changed!
It is easy to convert ppt to pdf in office 2010 and 2007. Moreover, the PDF copy of the powerpoint preserves the fonts, images and the formatting! The PDF documents would also look the same on most computers.

How to convert powerpoint (PPT) to PDF?

In powerpoint 2010, click File >> Save & Send >> Create PDF/XPS document.

You could also optimize the PDF file for publishing online and printing, by choosing “Standard” or “Minimum Size” options, while saving the PDF.

That is it!!!
For powerpoint 2007, a microsoft add-in was released to publish ppt as pdf. After installing the add-in, you need to open a presentation, Click on the Office button in the top left corner of the PowerPoint 2007 screen, choose “Save as” and click on PDF or XPS in the pop-up menu.You will then be presented with a “Publish as PDF or XPS” dialog box. You then have to specify a location to save the converted pdf file.
While powerpoint is a great tool to create impressive diagrams, PDF is a great way to share content as it reduces the file size considerably.Convert ppt to pdf and share powerpoint presentations with ease.

Read more: http://techblissonline.com/convert-powerpoint-to-pdf-free/#ixzz0ymH3RLHz

Online Photo Collage Maker to make a collage

2010-09-06T13:00:00.001-07:00

We earlier told you about a free online collage maker called collagr, which doesn’t exist anymore.When we were looking around for some good online collage makers, we came across Photovisi.

Photovisi is a cool online collage maker to make collages in a few seconds, from photos on your computer or those shot via the webcam! What is good about Photovisi is the choice of templates that it has in store.There is a variety of beautiful templates and you can choose any one of them for your photo collage.

While a few templates are made available for all users, a few others require users to register themselves with photovisi, before they could use them.Registration is however free and it wouldn’t take long to register.All you need is just a valid email address.

How to create a photo collage online with Photovisi?

Photovisi has an intuitive interface and even a computer novice may use it to create beautiful collages from his photo collection! One need to choose a template, add photos from the computer or directly from the webcam and choose Save.The application will automatically make a collage, using the chosen template and the uploaded photos, and make it available for download.You may even choose to select a background image or a background color for the collage, crop any image or delete any image, before you choose Save.
After the collage is finished, it is available for download and print! You can even forward it to an email address.Check out a few great photo collages made with this free online picture collage maker!

Features of online collage maker Photovisi

Photovisi has a range 24 beautiful templates to offer
It has an intuitive interface for making a photo collage online
Provides the ability to crop images, to fit the chosen template
Provides the ability to add a cool background image or color to the photo collage
Make a photo collage in no time from photos on your computer or the ones that you may capture through your webcam
Download the generated photo collage or send it a printer immediately
A free online service to make great photo collages online!

Head on to photovisi.com and begin creating beautiful collages online with this free photo collage maker.
You could also use Hockeyizer to make a collage or use Picasa, a brilliant free collage maker!

Read more: http://techblissonline.com/online-photo-collage-maker-to-make-a-collage-free/#ixzz0ymGfuwgD

How to download free youtube, yahoo, google, stream video for free?

2010-09-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

This step-by-step guide will show you how to download video from YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo and other video download website. Videos come from those websites are streaming videos. You need special software to capture steaming videos. Today we take YouTube video for example, write a guide about how to download streaming video to computer for free. This guide provides two methods:
1. with free online flv converter;
2. with firefox
This guide is also fit for other video websites as follow video list:
http://www.aiseesoft.com/article/free-download-video-list.html
3. How to transfer the downloaded youtube video to iPod PSP Zune iPhone Cell Phone and other MP3/MP4 player?

1. With free online flv converter
Step1. Open this website: http://vixy.net/. It's a free online FLV converter.
Step2. Then go to YouTube http://www.youtube.com and find a video that you love. Copy the URL that in the Red box. Like this format: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdUUx5FdySs

Step3. Paste your video file URL to the input box (figure as follow), choose the right format you want. If you want to edit the video, AVI is a good choice. And MP4 is fit for iPod, PSP, Zune, Apple TV and other MP4 players. This online converter also can rip audio to MP3. Then wait for the conversion.

Step4. When the conversion finished, we got the download link of the output video. Click the download link to download the video and save in your computer (remember where you save it in). Done.

2. With Firefox
If you have Firefox browser, you can follow these steps.
Step1. Install the videodownloader extension. This is a free plug-in for Firefox. It enables you capture streaming video from website. Here is the Download link:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390
Step2. After installing videodownloader, restart Firefox. In the bottom right, you'll see a little box. Go to the video you want to download, double click that little box, and select download link. Then you could download the streaming video you want. (Note, you have to rename the file extension from “html” to “flv”)

You have to rename the file extension from “html” to “flv” when you save the link. (Make sure your compute is show file extension)

3. How to transfer youtube video to iPod PSP Zune Phone and other MP3/MP4 player?
For iPod: if your download youtube video already is MP4 video, drag it to your iTunes library (or click iTunes "file" -> "add files to library"), plug in your iPod to computer, and then select your iPod device on the left panel of iTunes, click "Movies" tab, check the videos you want to sync and click "Apply", done.
If your downloaded YouTube video is not MP4 video, you have to convert it to iPod format at first, take a look at this free iPod converter, it embeds an iPod manager that can convert and transfer YouTube video to iPod directly without iTunes, here is a step by step guide about it:
http://www.aiseesoft.com/article/ipod-movie-converter.html
For PSP: PSP is the same as iPod, they are both support MP4 video, if you have converted the YouTube video to MP4 with above method, you can copy the MP4 video directly to the "Video" folder in your memory stick (if there is no "Video" folder in your memory stick, you can create by yourself). If your downloaded YouTube video is not MP4 video, you have to convert it to PSP format at first, take a look at this PSP Movie converter, it t can convert and transfer YouTube video to psp directly, fully support all firmware version of PSP, here is a step by step guide about it:
http://www.aiseesoft.com/article/psp-movie-converter.html
For Zune: Zune can play WMV video, if you have converted your download YouTube video to zune format, then open the Zune software, drag the wmv video to your Zune software, plug in your Zune to computer, and then Zune software should detect your Zune automatically, then click "Start to sync", the video will be transfered to Zune player.
If your downloaded YouTube video is not WMV video, you have to convert it to Zune format, take a look at this free Zune converter, it can convert video to Zune format, it can also convert YouTube video to MP3 for other player, here is a step by step guide about it:
http://www.aiseesoft.com/article/zune-movie-converter.html
For cell phone: Cell phone accepts 3GP video and MP4 video, just convert your downloaded YouTube video to the proper format, connect your cell phone to computer, and then copy the videos to your cell phone memory card. If you don't know how to convert video, take a look at this step by step guide:
http://www.aiseesoft.com/article/total-video-converter.html

Article source:http://www.aiseesoft.com/article/free-download-youtube-video.html

All PS2 Games: Download Links, Information, Covers

2010-09-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Full Download All PS2 Games: Download Links, Information, Covers, etc. [Updated at: March 6th '10] from rapidshare, megaupload, hotfile, All PS2 Games: Download Links, Information, Covers, etc. [Updated at: March 6th '10] torrent download, All PS2 Games: Download Links, Information, Covers, etc. [Updated at: March 6th '10] free.

Click Here for Direct | Single | Fast Download Link for The Great Escape PS2

http://rapidshare.com/files/86470600/oiuztrew6m.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/86476657/oiuztrew6m.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/86477892/oiuztrew6m.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/86497899/oiuztrew6m.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/86516446/oiuztrew6m.part05.rar
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http://rapidshare.com/files/86594437/oiuztrew6m.part07.rar
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http://rapidshare.com/files/86881971/oiuztrew6m.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/86956586/oiuztrew6m.part10.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/87074481/oiuztrew6m.part11.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/87319308/oiuztrew6m.part12.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/87374453/oiuztrew6m.part13.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/87464814/oiuztrew6m.part14.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/87469038/oiuztrew6m.part15.rar

Click Here for Direct | Single | Fast Download Link for Black PS2

http://rapidshare.com/files/110009859/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110012597/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110015469/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110018351/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110020743/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part05.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110023219/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part06.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110025897/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part07.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110028501/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part08.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110031049/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110033504/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part10.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110036096/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part11.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110038935/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part12.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110038992/Pfgvdfvjbigv-blu.part13.rar

Click Here for Direct | Single | Fast Download Link for Fatal Fury 2 PS2

http://rapidshare.com/files/110246010/axuiztfhtm-blu.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110248461/axuiztfhtm-blu.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110250658/axuiztfhtm-blu.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110253033/axuiztfhtm-blu.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110255123/axuiztfhtm-blu.part05.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110257547/axuiztfhtm-blu.part06.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110260271/axuiztfhtm-blu.part07.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110263082/axuiztfhtm-blu.part08.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110265968/axuiztfhtm-blu.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110268943/axuiztfhtm-blu.part10.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110271527/axuiztfhtm-blu.part11.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110274380/axuiztfhtm-blu.part12.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110276963/axuiztfhtm-blu.part13.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110281374/axuiztfhtm-blu.part14.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110283821/axuiztfhtm-blu.part15.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/110285390/axuiztfhtm-blu.part16.rar

Click Here for Direct | Single | Fast Download Link for Underground 2 PS2

http://rapidshare.com/files/111327513/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111330574/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111333615/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111336981/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111340423/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part05.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111343753/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part06.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111347283/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part07.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111350477/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part08.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111353598/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111356403/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part10.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111359099/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part11.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111361842/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part12.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111365399/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part13.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111368197/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part14.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111370861/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part15.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111373371/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part16.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111375875/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part17.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111435623/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part18.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111437404/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part19.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111439273/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part20.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111443053/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part21.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111445077/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part22.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111446939/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part23.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/111448359/blurdfgmk2e-blu.part24.rar

How to make Windows XP Pro 100% Genuine

2010-09-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

OK, so you downloaded that pirated version of WinXP Pro and it keeps nagging you to validate it. I guess many of you are using the WGA-cracks that are released in updated versions every month. I did too, but got tired of it, and simply stopped updating the crack, since it was a big hassle. After a while, I found a new and better solution.

This method will make Windows 100% valid. Even things that don’t work with the WGA-cracks, like IE7-installation works.

Basically it’s just a wonderful keygen that somehow makes serials that work and validate. Heres how you do it:

Make sure all your previous WGA-cracks are deleted and that XP doesn’t validate. This is very important. The problems related to this are all caused by not doing this. It will only work for ordinary XP Pro installations, not for OEM-versions. Try this if you have another version of XP.

1. Visit http://rapidshare.com/files/85616486/WXG.rar.html to download the file.

2. Open it in WinRar, 7Zip, or something.

3. Open "Windows XP Keygen.exe", select Windows XP Pro VLK and press the "Generate" button. Copy the generated key.

4. Open "keyfinder.exe". There you see the key Windows XP is using right now.

5. In the keyfinder, go to the "Change Windows key" in the Option menu.

6. Copy the key you generated with the keygen into the "CD Key" box in the keyfinder.

7. Open "wga-fix.exe". After, restart your computer.

8. Viola! Genuine Windows! Open MSADiag.exe, press Continue and enjoy the sight!

TROUBLESHOOTING IT:

Here are some common errors associated with it NOT working correctly:

— Validation Status: "Cryptographic errors detected"
— Validation status: "Validation Control not Installed"
— Validation Status: Not Activated

The reason for the message "Validation Control not Installed" is because they have not installed WGA and its tools. Try a validation on microsoft.com (which hopefully should fail) and they will be installed.

To remove any old WGA cracks, go into your /windows folder then into /system32 and delete LegitCheckControl.DLL … then goto windows update.. that should work for you.

You need a regular version of Win XP, Pro edition only. No OEM versions, no MCE (Media Center Edition), no HOME Edition. The ‘Corporate’ Edition may also work, though.

Again, in order for this to work, your WinXP must NOT validate first.

For those of you who can’t validate with MGADiag.exe: Be sure that you’ve deleted LegitCheckControl.DLL and renamed both WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe (adding ".bak" in the end of their filename). Then install the latest WGA check from microsoft update. (a reboot before this shouldn’t be necessary) now, do the procedures again from Step 1.

Your antivirus may report it as a ‘trojan’ even though it is not. NOD32 is notorious for this, and you’ll need to disable it first in order to open/download the file.

ALTERNATE SOLUTION (works for OEM versions):

First download this: http://rapidshare.com/files/74738010/WHT.rar.html

Or http://botk.net/xp/WHT.rar

1. extract contents wherever.

2. double click Check if Windows is Genuinel.exe to show you if you are genuine or not. Then close it

3. double click Make Windows Genuine.reg. A registry prompt will pop up. Click yes, and then ok.

4. double click Windows Activation Crack.exe. when window pops up click apply/browse. It will then patch your windows. Close that window when complete.

5. double click Check if Windows is Genuinel.exe once more, and you will notice you are now Genuine.

Works with everything Microsoft downloads, Updates, etc. I’ve used this on my computer for probably close to a year if not more. Tested with Windows XP/Home/Pro/MediaCenter.

There’s also this forum for Anti-WPA stuff.

ALTERNATE SOLUTION (works for XP SP3):

I’ve just tested this on Windows XP Professional SP3, v.3300 (Build #2600) so I’m pretty sure it’s good for ANY XP service packs.

1. Open notepad and paste the following code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]
"CurrentBuild"="1.511.1 () (Obsolete data - do not use)"
"ProductId"="55274-640-1011873-23081"
"DigitalProductId"=hex:a4,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,35,35,32,37,34,2d,36,34,30,2d,\
31,30,31,31,38,37,33,2d,32,33,30,38,31,00,2e,00,00,00,41,32,32,2d,30,30,30,\
30,31,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,86,56,4e,4c,21,1b,2b,6a,a3,78,8e,8f,98,5c,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,dd,da,47,41,cc,6b,06,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,38,31,30,32,36,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b5,16,\
00,00,83,83,1f,38,f8,01,00,00,f5,1c,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,66,e5,70,f3
"LicenseInfo"=hex:33,b7,21,c1,e5,e7,cd,4b,fd,7c,c6,35,51,fd,52,57,17,86,3e,18,\
d3,f4,8c,8e,35,32,7b,d1,43,8d,61,38,60,a4,ca,55,c9,9a,35,17,46,7a,4f,91,fc,\
4a,d9,db,64,5c,c4,e2,0f,34,f3,ea
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents]
"OOBETimer"=hex:ff,d5,71,d6,8b,6a,8d,6f,d5,33,93,fd

2. Save the *.txt file, and rename it "Filename.reg".

3. Run it. (Or right click, and select "Add to registry").

That’s it! Validation Complete!

Thank you for validating your copy of Microsoft Windows. Thank you for using the Windows Genuine Advantage program. You may now access resources for genuine Windows users.

Go to http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx, click Validate Windows - you should be able to apply these updates:

Downloading Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 (update 1 of 5)… done!
Downloading Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - April 2008 (KB890830) (update 2 of 5)… done!
Downloading Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 2.0 (KB928365) (update 3 of 5)… done!
Downloading Root Certificates Update (update 4 of 5)… done!
Downloading Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP (update 5 of 5)… done!
Initializing installation… done!
Installing Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 (update 1 of 5)… done!
Installing Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - April 2008 (KB890830) (update 2 of 5)… done!
Installing Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 2.0 (KB928365) (update 3 of 5)… done!
Installing Root Certificates Update (update 4 of 5)… done!
Installing Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP (update 5 of 5)…

Regular Updates should work fine as well.

Article source:http://filesharefreak.com/tutorials/how-to-make-windows-xp-pro-100-genuine/

How to Send Message to a Local User in Windows Vista?

2010-09-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

With the help of this tutorial you will be able to send a personal text message to a user who is logged on to your computer.

Text Message sent to a local user:

Figure 1

You can accomplish this in the following manner:

1) Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys to open Task Manager

OR

Right click on the Taskbar and choose Task Manager option

2) Now select the Process tab and click the button Show processes from all users

Figure 2

3) Now click the Users tab

Figure 3

4) In the Users tab select the user you want to send message to and click the Send Message button as highlighted above

5) Now type the desired message and click the OK button. The message will be sent to the user and will be displayed on his Desktop as shown in the Figure 1

Article source:http://www.itechtalk.com/thread4524.html?daysprune=-1

Open and view Local Group Policy Editor window

2010-09-06T10:39:00.001-07:00

How to open and view Local Group Policy Editor window in Windows Vista?

To open and view Local Group Policy Editor follow these steps:

1) Click Start menu button

Figure 1

2) Type or copy gpedit.msc in the search box and hit Enter key as shown above.

The Local Group Policy Editor window:

Article source:http://www.itechtalk.com/thread4051.html?daysprune=-1

Change Windows Live Messenger scene and color scheme

2010-09-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

How to change Windows Live Messenger scene and color scheme in Windows Vista?

If you are bored of the same default blue Windows Live Messenger scene and color scheme then you can very well replace it with the creative scene and color schemes provided by Microsoft.

Windows Live Messenger default scene and color scheme:

Figure 1

Changed Windows Live Messenger scene and color scheme:

Figure 2

You can accomplish this in the following manner:

1) Open Windows Live Messenger

Figure 3

2) Take your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the window until you see a small paint brush and a message Change your scene and click it once

3) Now you can choose from a variety of scene and color schemes

Figure 4

4) Click the Browse button and navigate to a desired scene and click Open button. Your desired image will be added to the Select a scene list.

Figure 5

5) Click on More colors link to define custom colors

Article source:http://www.itechtalk.com/thread4404.html?daysprune=-1

[FIX] WinRAR Causes Wide Context Menu Bug in Windows Vista, Server 2008 and 7

2010-09-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Its a known issue in Windows Vista, Server 2008 and Seven. I received lots of mails about this problem. Sometimes people called it a bug in Windows and sometimes a virus problem. But the truth is, its a compatibility issue between WinRAR and Windows.
Recently a visitor "Blu" contacted me about the same issue. He is using Windows 7. Whenever he right-clicks on a file/folder in Explorer, he gets a very wide context menu as shown in following screenshot:

If you are also facing this problem, follow these simple steps to fix the problem:
1. Open WinRAR and go to "Options -> Settings...".
2. Now click on "Integration" tab.
3. In "Shell integration" section, try following things to fix the problem:

Disable "Icons in context menu" option and click on OK button.
If the above trick doesn't work, then enable "Cascaded context menus" option.
If none of the above 2 options works, then remove the context menu entry by disabling "Integrate WinRAR into shell" option.

4. After following 3rd step, your problem will be solved.

Article source:http://www.askvg.com/fix-winrar-causes-wide-context-menu-bug-in-windows-vista-server-2008-and-7/

BitDefender Total Security 2011 Beta - Better and more Complicated

2010-09-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

This is a very good security suite with a lot of functions for protection and maintenance your PC. But the GUI is not good for all user. With Basic View, you can easily use it but lot of advanced features are hidden.

Screenshot (from Softpedia):

What’s New in BitDefender 2011?

New! Redesigned and streamlined installation. You install and configure BitDefender 2011 in one step without having to reboot your PC. It detects viruses before installing BitDefender and cleans your computer to ensure optimal usage from install time.
New! Search Advisor warns you about unsafe pages displayed in search results by checking each URL against the BitDefender online URL database.
New! Firewall Troubleshoot Wizard guides users and solves most common problems related to internet, printer or remote office (VPN) connectivity.
New! Performance Optimizer shows which applications are slowing down the PC and suggests corrective actions. The Optimizer includes memory and CPU usage gauges that show the last 60 minutes activity for each application running on your PC.
New! The protection level adapts to the processing power of your computer by adjusting settings to match the available memory and CPU type. This allows the user to fully be protected without slowing down the computer.
New! Basic and intermediate users can customize the dashboard by adding shortcuts to their favorite sections or actions.
Improved! Smart Schedule provides maximum performance with system load analysis so tasks like on-demand scanning are suspended, to free-up resources for other processes, such as a media player or games.
Improved! Improved usability with typical (easy) vs custom tune-up options.
Improved! Select the interface that best matches your security needs and knowledge. Basic, Intermediate, and Expert users can select the interface that best suits their needs. Most sections of the product have been redesigned to support basic and intermediate users.

System Requirements

Microsoft Windows XP SP3 (SP2 for x64), Vista (SP1), Microsoft Windows 7
Internet Explorer 6 (Internet Explorer 7 recommended)
Memory(RAM): 512MB (Windows XP), 1 GB(Windows Vista, Windows 7)
CPU: 800Mhz

Article source:http://www.vtechtip.com/2010/06/bitdefender-total-security-2011-beta.html

Happy Birthday Blogger!

2010-09-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

It has been 11 years since blogger started to invade the world wide web and I am fortunate to be with this site for more than 7 years now, meaning I started blogging since high school even up to now. I just found out recently that there is a Blogger Fiesta event for the people who blog using blogspot.com.
Kuya Azarel got some sponsors for the event. This was on Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street in Global City Taguig. This Blogger event was attended by more than 80 bloggers in Manila, including me. It was a night filled with fun talk as everyone would introduce themselves and give their sites. There was also also three speakers (Jonel Uy, Fritz Villafuerte, and Jomar Hillario). Gieser Mclang also gave away items as it has been one of the agencies that actively invite bloggers to their events.

Also kuya Az officially launched the Manila Bloggers' Network which is also a good time since most of the bloggers ae present. It was a very fun night with Pizzas by Greenwich, Krispy kreme Doughnuts, Goldilocks Pastries, and Yum Burgers from Jollibee. Also there are also invividual blogger who gave away prizes that made it more like a early Christmas party. Nevertheless, it was very fun, informative and also exciting as the blog scene in Manila is now in a bigger and connected network.

We look forward in having another blogger fiesta! And again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOGGER

Article source:http://www.yousaytoo.com/happy-birthday-blogger/386267

'Machete' review: Danny Trejo, Lindsay Lohan try to make Robert Rodriguez's imitation B-movie pop

2010-09-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

Anyone with a soft spot for cheesy '70s actioners had to love the fake trailers included in "Grindhouse," the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez tongue-in-cheek double feature from three years ago. One, "Machete," seemed to have the makings of a real movie. So now we have a full-length "Machete" movie, and it turns out that, as usual, less is more.

This feature-length exploito-rific action-drama follows Machete (Danny Trejo), a tough Mexican federale whose family is slaughtered by an evil crime boss (a bloated Steven Seagal). Years later, Machete - his nickname comes from the giant blade he carries with him - is eking out an existence as an itinerant worker in Texas. An oily businessman (Jeff Fahey) in cahoots with a racist politician (Robert De Niro) hires Machete to be the patsy in an assassination attempt, but naturally, they're messing with the wrong man.

Meanwhile, Machete's friendship with a sexy federal agent (Jessica Alba) brings him into contact with a fiery female revolutionary (Michelle Rodriguez) working to form a movement to battle the politician's anti-illegal-immigrant stance. Then there's the businessman's daughter, a drugged-up mess played by Lindsay Lohan, who may or may not have read the script before her brief topless scene. However, for those eager to see LiLo in a nun's outfit blowing bad guys away, this is your movie.

It's a movie filled with girls, guns, splattering blood and cheesy dialogue, which would be great if it was as fun as the flicks it's aping.
Rodriguez, co-directing with Ethan Maniquis - an editor on some of Rodriquez's earlier films (including "Desperado," "From Dusk Till Dawn" and "Sin City") - wants "Machete" to be both a present-day thriller and a loopy throwback. But the retro shoutouts feel like add-ons. The best examples of wit are film-stock scratches and glitches that occur right at the moment a head or hand gets sliced off.

As for those whose heads stay on - at least for a while - Alba continues her evolution toward full-time tough chick, while Rodriguez, who's been there a while, wears an eyepatch and machine gun beautifully. De Niro does a mean Lyndon Johnson imitation, though Seagal, wearing Eddie Munster's hair, never rises above parody.

Trejo, an ex-con and ex-boxer with a face as craggy as Monument Valley, can certainly hold the plot together as an anti-hero. But pushing this real deal to "act" in the B-movie style of Bronson, Svenson or Roundtree is, frankly, cutting the ground out from under him

Article source:http://www.yousaytoo.com/machete-review-danny-trejo-lindsay-lohan-try-to-make-robert-rodriguez-s-imitation-b-movie-pop/386337