I eventually came across a solution that had no comments from other people, so I didn’t really know if it would work. The person who provided the solution also provided a link to his/her website with it in action, so I was able to see that it worked.

This solution uses PHP sessions. It works by displaying the full Flash header only if never viewed during the current session. If it has already been viewed, it will display the second (non-animated) header until the session ends, which is on browser close. The next time the website is viewed in a new session, it will display the original animated header.

The first code you need to add is placed at the top, before any other code (DOCTYPE & HTML), in the header. This code checks to see if there are any views during the current session.

< ?php
session_start();
if (isset($_SESSION['views']))
$_SESSION['views']=$_SESSION['views']+1;

else
$_SESSION['views']=1;
?>

The next code is for displaying the Flash, just as you would normally, except it’s using PHP.

< ?php if ($_SESSION['views']>1) //if session views are more than one
echo “Flash embed code here”;
else //if session view is one
echo “Flash embed code here”;
?>

This code is just saying: If views are more than one, display the second (non-animated) header. If views are one, display the full animated header. It is really simple.

Make sure to remove the space that appears at the beginning of the PHP code: < ?php. Also, when adding the Flash embed code to be echoed, escape any quotes with a ‘\’ (without the single quotes).

Full credit for this solution goes to www.addisoncountyeagles.com. The actual solution is in the Coffee Cup forums.

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If you haven’t heard of Spore, Spore allows you to create an entire universe and everything in it. Creatures you have created will interact with each other. Their lives are in your hands.

I can’t describe it any better than Justine Ezarik:

It feels like a cross between interaction of The Sims, object creation in Second Life and a bit of World of Warcraft on the side.

I actually first learned through one of her twitters that Spore Creator is available, also as a trial. I quickly went to download the huge file and installed it. I had so much fun creating a creature. I even had fun with him, in a kind of cruel way. Watch the video below to see what I mean. Explanation of what’s happening in the video below the video.

First, I named my creature Twotoe. I couldn’t think of anything very creative and since he has two toes on both feet, he became Twotoe! Meet Twotoe:

Link to video if you can’t view it above: Twotoe

In the video: Twotoe notices a creature, shows some affection, notices another creature and seems to look a little disappointed with that one. He sees another one and shows some affection towards that one. The one he didn’t show affection to walks off looking sad. Then, the cruel joke I play on Twotoe begins (not intentionally). I make all three little creatures disappear. And he looks around wondering what just happened and then cries out.

If you have any videos of your Spore creatures, please share in the comments!

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The Logitech webcam I had is really good, almost clear video (in small resolution only though), but would still recommend for XP and earlier.

Last week the webcam arrived and of course I tried it out right away. As the instructions said, I installed the software first (which took a long time), then plugged the webcam into the USB port. Opened up the software to see how the video looked. It crashed and closed out! Something about ffdshow needed to be installed, according to Vista. The first thing I thought was: “Doesn’t everything I need come included on the CD?”

So, I installed ffdshow and the webcam software worked just fine. But, the video quality was really poor. It was like watching a station on TV that doesn’t come in very well, a lot of static. This webcam was claimed to have good video quality!

After playing with the ffdshow settings that made no difference at all, I uninstalled it. The webcam software worked fine even after uninstalling ffdshow. Weird. I looked up reviews online and eventually came across one person saying to not install from the CD, but to download the software/drivers from Microsoft and to change the USB bandwidth to a lower number.

I re-installed (just to be sure), switched the USB bandwidth to a lower number and noticed a change. But, a lower USB bandwidth number means slower video. Picture quality though for the most part is really good.

Here are some features of this webcam from the back of the box; my notes in italics:

• High Definition video (1.3 megapixels) and photos (5.0 megapixels interpolated) (Logitech webcam quality wasn’t as good)
• Wide-angle lens (Logitech webcam didn’t have this)
• 3x digital zoom (Logitech webcam has this)
• Automatic face tracking software (Logitech webcam comes with this too)
• Automatically adjust for low-light conditions for superior video quality (Not any better than the Logitech webcam)
• Read more features of the webcam on the Microsoft product page.

One thing I don’t like is if there is a light in the view of the webcam, it just makes that area completely white, rather than showing what is really there. The Logitech webcam didn’t do that.

Below is a very short clip of what the video looks like with the high definition video (1.3 megapixels) and the USB bandwidth set at 6. (Windows Media Player only, sorry.)

Link to video if you can’t view it above: Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000

I like that the webcam can sit on top of my monitor, unlike the Logitech that wasn’t designed to. I may have to put some double-sided tape on part of it so it doesn’t move when my monitor is bumped though.

Overall, I guess it’s an okay webcam. You get what you pay for right?

I don’t plan on purchasing a new webcam anytime soon, but if you know of one that has really good quality videos, I’d like to hear about it!

Image is a modified screenshot from the Microsoft product page.

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This isn’t going to be a huge giveaway like most are. But, since I have a premium WordPress theme that I don’t plan on using now, with Brian Gardner’s permission, I am giving it away! The theme I am giving away is the Revolution Theme. Here is a live demo if you would like to see it in action. If you need help with this theme, there is a support forum and tutorials.

UPDATE: I decided to change the rules, because I might be really busy and won’t be able to keep up. So, everything with a strikethrough does not apply.

To enter, subscribe to the RSS feed and then come back here and leave a comment on this post saying that you subscribed. Be sure when filling out your e-mail address that it is correct. It will be used to send you your new theme!

I will choose three people at random. I will ask the first person for a code. This code can only be found when subscribed. So be sure that you have subscribed! If the winner can’t give me the code, I will contact the second person and so on.

The code will not be the same code that is used for the free advertising, so please look out for the correct one!

You must leave a comment about subscribing before June 5th, 2008 EST. And yes, if you’re already subscribed, just leave a comment and you get an entry.

In summary, here are the steps to enter to win the theme:

• Subscribe to the feed.
• Leave a comment on this post saying you subscribed. This is important or you will not receive an entry!
• Watch the feed for the correct code anytime between now and June 5th.
• Wait until June 5th, 2008. I will announce the winner on this post!

The winner will be announced after one of the random three has given me the correct code.

Even if you don’t win, you can still purchase the Revolution Theme or several others. Or if you want something unique, maybe Brian can help you with that by creating a custom design.  I also hope when this ends, you will decide to stay subscribed subscribe!

Good luck to everyone who participates!

I wanted to announce this because the forum I found this on doesn’t allow me to post; possibly would if I had an account, but I’m not creating an account just for that purpose. So, I am announcing it here on my blog in hopes that any visitors from that forum looking for a live demo of the NewsPress theme will see this.

I’m flattered someone would use my blog as a live demo, but not by someone who is trying to distribute copies of the theme illegally and obviously not wanting to point to the actual live demo in fear of getting caught. NewsPress is available to buy if you are interested. The theme looks really good though, so if you want it, please buy it instead of trying to steal it.

Premium themes are usually themes that people have worked hard on to provide you with a high quality theme for your blog. They deserve to be paid for their time. So, if you’re looking for a free theme, there are plenty of websites that offer free themes. You can search Google for quite a bit of websites offering free themes.

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It was a little harder with customizing to get it to work right, but I managed. It was one of those ‘It works in Firefox, but not IE7′ issues. Took me a couple hours to finally get it just right (at least in IE7 and Firefox). I’ll leave it up to anyone using other browsers to point out if anything looks wrong. Just a small note: it isn’t BuySellAds’ code that caused the problem, it was some CSS not working right with the layout in IE7.

I do like how they don’t just show your Google Page Rank or Alexa Rank; they show more information, such as Yahoo Inbound Links, Technorati Rank and more. This allows people who have lost their Google Page Rank to at least appear popular in other areas (assuming they actually are).

I added two spots on the side which both currently say “Advertise Here”. If you click on one, it will take you right to the page to purchase an ad. I hope they will fill up.

Also, I am currently offering free advertising to one random RSS subscriber. Just pay attention to the bottom of each post in your reader and one will mention free advertising with a code. Just follow all instructions if you’re interested. Good luck!

Advertise on Soft Tech Reviews for FREE!
Code: 323452
You will need the code. Read all instructions regarding the free advertising on the page.

Even though it would be great to win $100, a MacBook Air would be even better! I would love to have a new laptop to replace the one that I have that overheats (has melted the bottom of the laptop) and probably cause a fire (I hope not).

Anyway, there are several ways to get entries in this contest over at Bloggin-Ads. I recommend getting as many entries as possible if you really would like a chance at getting a MacBook Air. I will be very surprised, but very happy if I actually win a MacBook Air. Not because it’s a MacBook Air, but because of what it’s worth. That’s an expensive prize! And very much wanted.

There will be 12 winners. 10 winners will each receive $100 and 2 winners will each receive a MacBook Air.

Contest ends June 13, so get your entries in now! Good luck!

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On one of the Diggnation episodes, Alex announced that he’s going to give away his Xbox and some other goodies along with it to a random Twitter follower. But first, he needs 20,000 followers. Once he reaches 20,000 followers on Twitter, he will announce it on Twitter and ask everyone to reply if they want the Xbox, giving them something like 8 hours to reply in. Then, someone will be chosen randomly.

To win Kevin’s iPhone, I think the same thing applies. I’m not sure about the followers, but just follow Kevin on Twitter and wait for him to announce it if you want his iPhone for free.

Why do I want to win Alex Albrecht’s Xbox? Because ours broke a while back and I miss playing games on it! Besides, who wouldn’t want to own something Alex and Kevin signed?

Why do I want to Kevin Rose’s iPhone? Well, I don’t really need the iPhone, but I like it, and it belongs to Kevin!

This is real! Proof is on the latest Diggnation show, episode 150. Good luck everyone!

UPDATE: A winner was announced for Alex Albrecht’s Xbox 360. And, he’s decided to give away his iPhone to a random follower as well.

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One way to keep up with feeds is by using your mobile phone. You can access Google Reader on your phone by going to www.google.com/reader/m. If you have an iPhone, then you would go to www.google.com/reader/i.

If you use Firefox frequently, you can also set the sidebar to load Google Reader for the iPhone or the plain mobile one. It’s your choice.

Another way that might be my favorite, although needs issues worked out, is a desktop client called ReadAir, which connects to your Google Reader account. It’s not perfect, though. But, I’m sure eventually it could get pretty close. One of the issues only displays 20 items. Even refreshing does not remove the items you’ve marked as read.

Besides a few issues, ReadAir looks really nice and works very well. It’s not slow unlike viewing feeds in Outlook is. Using ReadAir makes me feel like I’m still using Google Reader, even though it’s on the desktop.

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I was slow grabbing a Twitter account and started off with Pownce. I like the ability to share pictures, videos and music. I eventually signed up to Twitter and started using it. I can see the difference between Pownce and Twitter and don’t mind using them for two different things. I haven’t even once wanted to post to both with the same message. Why? The people who follow me on Twitter are different from the people who read my posts on Pownce. If anyone wanted to read what I have to say/share on either one, they would add me.

Everyone keeps comparing Pownce and Twitter, but really, they are two different services. One offers several features, the other offers mostly just 140 characters. In my opinion, Pownce is more like StumbleUpon than it is like Twitter in the sharing aspect of it (images, videos..). Twitter is like having a chatroom open and reading what people have to say with the occasional link to read more.

I’m not telling you to stop cross-posting to both Pownce and Twitter, but try to consider the people who are following you. Are they going to be interested in reading what you have to say on Pownce with an @reply to someone on Twitter? What about the people who follow you on both Twitter and Pownce? Do they want to read duplicate posts? How do they know which one they should reply to that will get a response back? It wastes time. You may be saving time by posting the same message to both, but you are wasting other people’s time. Also, think about the replies. People on Pownce won’t see any of the Twitter replies, and vice versa, so they may be missing the whole conversation.

If you used IM the same way, wouldn’t you be annoyed if someone sent the same message to you with all of their IM accounts at the same time? (Yahoo!, MSN, AIM, Google, etc.)

There may come a time when you want to hear what both Pownce and Twitter people have to say, because maybe you’re asking for help or for an opinion or getting an idea for a new blog post. But cross-posting to both all the time could become annoying to some.

Suggestions

• Pownce allows you to group your friends. Maybe you could create a group that wants to receive your Twitter posts on Pownce. This may or may not work depending on the client, if it allows you to select a group.
• Prefix your posts with Twitter/Pownce so if someone is interested, they can follow up on either.
• Use Twitter and Pownce as two separate services, as they were designed.

As I said, I’m not telling you to stop, but just keep your friends in mind the next time you cross-post. If anyone else has a suggestion or reason why Pownce and Twitter posts should (or shouldn’t) remain separate, please comment.

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