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  • Dark matter and dark energy may not exist at all

    Everything we know about the composition of the universe may be wrong, according to physicists.

    read more

    June 14, 2010
  • Enable DreamScene in Any Version of Vista or Windows 7

    Windows DreamScene was a utility available for Vista Ultimate that allowed users to set video as desktop wallpaper. It was dropped in Windows 7, but we’ll take a look at how to play DreamScenes in all versions of Windows 7 or Vista.

    Downloading DreamScenes

    First, you’ll need to find some DreamScenes to download. We’ve found some nice ones at both DreamScene.org and DeviantArt. You can find those download links at the end of the article. They’ll come as compressed files, so you’ll need to extract them after downloading.

    sshot-38

    Windows 7 DreamScene Activator

    If you are running Windows 7 you can use Windows 7 DreamScene Activator. This free portable utility enables DreamScene in both 32 & 64 bit versions of Windows 7. Users can then set either MPG or WMV files as desktop wallpaper.

    Download and extract the Windows 7 DreamScene Activator (link below). Once extracted, you’ll need to run the application as administrator. Right-click on the .exe and select Run as administrator.

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    Click on Enable DreamScene. This will also restart Windows Explorer if it is open.

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    To play your DreamScene, browse for the file in Windows Explorer, right-click the file and select Set as Desktop Background.

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    Enjoy your new Windows 7 DreamScene.

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    Although it says it is for Windows 7 only, we were able to get it to work with no problems on Vista Home Premium x32 as well.

    sshot-2010-06-12-[18-51-27] 

    You can Pause the DreamScene at anytime by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Pause DreamScene.

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    When you are ready for a change, click Disable DreamScene and switch back to your previous wallpaper.

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    Using VLC Media Player

    Users of all versions of Windows 7 & Vista can enable a DreamScene using VLC. Recently, we showed you how to set a video as your desktop wallpaper in VLC.  Since DreamScenes are in MPEG or WMV format, we will use the same tactic to display them as desktop wallpaper. We’ll just need to make a few additional tweaks to the VLC settings.

    You’ll need to download and install VLC media player if you don’t already have it. You can find the download link below. Next, select Tools > Preferences from the Menu.

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    Select the Video button on the left and then choose DirectX video output from the Output dropdown list.

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    Next, select All under Show Settings at the lower left, then select the Video button on the left pane. Uncheck Show media title on video. This will prevent VLC from constantly showing the title of the video on the screen each time the video loops. Click Save and the restart VLC.

     sshot-17

    Now we will add the video to our playlist and set it to continuously loop. Select View > Playlist from the Menu.

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    Select the Add file button from the bottom of the Playlist window and select Add file.

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    Browse for your file and click Open.

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    Click the Loop button at the bottom so the video plays in a continuous loop.

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    Now, we’re ready to play the video. After the video starts playing, select Video > DirectX Wallpaper from the Menu, then minimize VLC.

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    If you’re using Aero Themes, you may get a pop-up warning and Windows will switch automatically to a basic theme.

    sshot-17 

    If looping one video gets to be a little repetitive, you can add multiple videos to your playlist in VLC and loop the entire playlist. Just make sure you toggle the Loop button on the playlist window to Loop All.

    sshot-24

    Now you’ve got a nice DreamScene playing on your desktop. Another cool trick you can do with VLC is take snapshots of favorite movie scenes and set them as backgrounds.

    When you’re ready to go back to your old wallpaper, maximize VLC, select Video and click DirectX Wallpaper again to turn it off the video background. Occasionally we were left with a black screen and had to manually change our wallpaper back to normal even after turning off the DirectX Wallpaper.

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    Note: Keep in mind that using the VLC method takes up a lot of resources so if you try to run it on older hardware, or say a netbook, you’re not going to get good results. We also tried to use the VLC method in XP, but couldn’t get it to work. If you have leave a comment and let us know.

    While the DreamScene feature never really caught on in Vista, we find them to be a cool way to pump a little life into your desktop on any version of Vista or Windows 7.

    Downloads

    DreamScenes from Dreamscene.org

    DreamScenes from DeviantArt

    Download VLC media player

    Windows 7 DreamScene Activator

    Got an opinion to share? Click here to join the discussion

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    June 14, 2010
  • Two New Names Join ‘Spider-Man’ Rumor List

    Aaron Johnson and Anton Yelchin are the latest actors to have their names linked to the upcoming “Spider-Man” reboot.

    June 14, 2010
  • Xbox 360 Slim outed by Italian ad?

    Xbox 360 Slim outed by Italian ad?


    Of the rumored devices we’ve been looking forward to getting official at E3 this year, two of the biggest come from Microsoft — both of which, sadly, seem to have escaped from their bag a little early. First is Kinect, the re-naming of “Project Natal,” and now it’s looking like the rumored Xbox 360 Slim has been leaked early as well. An Italian site, Console Tribe, ran an ad (embedded after the break) showing the above rather more angular looking console that’s definitely an Xbox 360, but definitely not a current model. It mentions that this model is compatible with the Kinect and also invites you to “live today.” We’re thinking this model was not supposed to go live until tomorrow, but seizing an extra day doesn’t sound so bad for us.

    Continue reading Xbox 360 Slim outed by Italian ad?

    Xbox 360 Slim outed by Italian ad? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceConsole Tribe  | Email this | Comments

    June 13, 2010
  • Phaneuf to be named new Leafs captain

    The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to unveil Dion Phaneuf as the 17th captain in club history on Monday.

    June 13, 2010
  • HP picks up Phoenix’s HyperSpace, HyperCore and Flip instant-on assets for $12m

    Phoenix Technologies, remember those guys? Yeah, us either. Not that we really minded its instant-on OS or anything, but considering that full-fledged operating systems can boot up in under a minute on most machines, they’re kind of a hard sell. Unless you’re selling to HP, of course, which is on somewhat of an acquisition rampage. In fact, Hewlett-Packard hasn’t even filled out the appropriate paperwork to close that Palm deal it entered into last month, and already the company’s dropping another $12 million in order to pick up Phoenix’s HyperSpace, HyperCore and Flip instant-on and client virtualization products. There’s no mention from either company on what exactly HP plans to do with the new code, but considering that this deal is expected to go final by the month’s end, we’re guessing we’ll be finding out sooner rather than later. On the edge of our seats? Oh, you bet.

    Continue reading HP picks up Phoenix’s HyperSpace, HyperCore and Flip instant-on assets for $12m

    HP picks up Phoenix’s HyperSpace, HyperCore and Flip instant-on assets for $12m originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 06:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

    June 13, 2010
  • Riders eager to start centennial season

    The Saskatchewan Roughriders begin another quest for the Grey Cup on Sunday as the club observes its 100th year.

    June 12, 2010
  • Ricky Gervais in ‘Curb’ next season

    HBO confirms that Ricky Gervais has been cast in the next season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

    Full story at The Live Feed

    June 11, 2010
  • Watch the First 90 Seconds of the Season Premiere of Futurama [Futurama]


    Click here to read Watch the First 90 Seconds of the Season Premiere of Futurama

    Futurama’s coming back on the 24th (two weeks!), but Comedy Central has the first 90 seconds of the first episode. Woooo! [Comedy Central] More »









    Futurama – Comedy Central – Arts – Television – Comedy

    June 11, 2010
  • Keep Your Gmail Tasks, Chat, and Compositions Open in New Chrome Windows [Gmail Tip]


    Click here to read Keep Your Gmail Tasks, Chat, and Compositions Open in New Chrome Windows

    Chrome only: Up until now, closing the main Gmail or Google Apps mail tab in your browser would close down any connected windows you had open, too—compose windows, Gmail tasks, popped-out chats, and the like. Now Gmail's fixed that with a JavaScript tweak for Chrome, so you can keep working on the email, or keep a conversation running, after you’ve closed down your main inbox. [Official Gmail Blog] More »









    Tasks – Google – Searching – Search Engines – Google Calendar

    June 11, 2010
  • CONFIRMED: ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn’ Will Be Two Films

    The final chapter in the “Twilight Saga” will be spread across two films.

    June 11, 2010
  • Google Chrome OS To Have Remote Desktop-Like "Chromoting" Feature [Google]


    Click here to read Google Chrome OS To Have Remote Desktop-Like "Chromoting" Feature

    Word is that Google’s Chrome OS will have some sort of mysterious “Chromoting” feature which is described as something that “will provide remote access to legacy PC applications” and sounds a lot like Remote Desktop Connection. [Register] More »









    Google – Google Chrome OS – Google Chrome – browser – Clients

    June 10, 2010
  • Sitting takes toll on body, scientists find

    The bodies of even the most physically active Canadians take a physiological hit from sitting for hours, say scientists who warn about health effects of an increasingly sedentary society and prescribe some standing advice.

    June 10, 2010
  • What’s the Difference Between Viruses, Trojans, Worms, and Other Malware? [Ask Lifehacker]


    Click here to read What’s the Difference Between Viruses, Trojans, Worms, and Other Malware?

    Lifehacker’s tech-savvy readers are the first people on speed-dial when it’s time to heal an infected PC, but how much do you really know about viruses, spyware, scareware, trojans, and worms? Here’s a helpful guide to understanding all the different types of malware. More »









    Security – Malicious Software – Malware – Spyware and Adware – Anti-Virus

    June 10, 2010
  • IPad users’ email addresses exposed

    A security flaw at AT&T has allowed hackers to access the email addresses of thousands of iPad users in the U.S., AT&T has confirmed.

    June 10, 2010
  • Most watched Stanley Cup Final in 36 years

    Last night’s Game 6 scored the highest overnight rating for any Stanley Cup Final in 36 years.

    Full story at The Live Feed

    June 10, 2010
  • Logitech launches four HD webcams, we preview the 1080p C910

    It seems like only yesterday webcams were struggling to shed their VGA roots; that megapixel cams were relying on interpolation tricks to falsely boost the pixel counts of their dinky sensors. No more. The age of the HD webcam is truly here, and Logitech has just announced a suite of the things, including the highest of the high: the 1080p HD Pro Webcam C910. It’s fitting that the manufacturer behind the most iconic brand in webcams would jump straight to the top of the resolution charts, but do the extra pixels warrant the $99 price tag? Click on in to see the video proof and decide for yourself.

    Gallery: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910

    Continue reading Logitech launches four HD webcams, we preview the 1080p C910

    Logitech launches four HD webcams, we preview the 1080p C910 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

    June 10, 2010
  • Blackhawks end 49-year Stanley Cup drought

    Nearly a half-century of Stanley Cup futility evaporated after Patrick Kane’s goal 4:06 into overtime gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 win over Philadelphia.

    June 10, 2010
  • Extension sync support lands in Google Chrome source code

    Those of you who — like me — run Google Chrome and Chromium on multiple computers with different operating systems probably find its built-in sync abilities incredibly useful. They’ve been steadily expanded from initially only handling our bookmarks to now syncing just about every personalization option available.

    June 9, 2010
  • Playstation 4?

    UPDATE: A Sony rep has commented on the videos. Click here to read more.

    ps41 Playstation 4?Well, the PS4 will, presumably, be released at some point in the future. And maybe it will be sooner rather than later. A Youtube account called SCElabs (Sony Computer Entertainment labs, I would think) has posted a pair of videos, one called “PS4 – Playstation 4 – Leaked Viral Video” and another called “PS4 – Playstation 4 – Leaked Launch Trailer,” and, for reasons that don’t need to be explained, my interest has been piqued. Hit the jump for more.

    The description on the one labeled “viral” says this: “Leaked clip from a viral campaign for the eventual release of Sony’s Playstation 4.” So there’s no reason to assume the PS4 is imminent unless Sony says so at E3 next week, and these videos may just be elaborate hoaxes anyway.

    But even if they are hoaxes, they’re pretty cool and worth the two minutes it takes to watch both of them. So watch them, and then tell us if you think these are legit or not, because I don’t have a clue.

    Viral video:

    Launch trailer:

    Share and Enjoy:Digg Facebook N4G Reddit Twitter


    June 9, 2010
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