Dennis Faas

Infopackets Reader Karen S. writes: " Dear Dennis, I ordered a new computer, digital camera (Kodak: model CX7530), and an Easy Print and Share printer from Dell a little while ago. I've recently had some time off work, and had a technician come over ... and set everything up for me. To my dismay, the technician told me that I am missing the digital camera software, power cable, and transfer cable (so I can transfer my photos to the computer). I called Dell for assistance, but they were unable to help me because I waited too long after my order to place a complaint; I was, however, able to ... (view more)

Synopsis: Are you tired of using below standard, run-of-the-mill digital photo editing software that came free with your Digital Camera? Wish you could produce professional looking photos and share them with friends and family -- all with little ... time and effort? Then look no more! ColorCoded PhotoStudio is a full, feature-packed photo editor, slide-show viewer, organizer, web album maker, and the last photo solution you'll ever need for manipulating, organizing, and sharing your digital pictures. Now that's a mouthful! ColorCoded PhotoStudio Pro v4.1: Screenshots Click to view: Page 1 | Page ... (view more)

Synopsis: Are you a self-proclaimed film fanatic? Do you own so many movies that it sometimes takes 30 minutes just to find 'the right' selection? In that case, you need Movie Collector! Movie Collector is an organized, automated movie database ... system that is designed to help you catalog your collection of DVDs, DivX files, VHS tapes, and more! Adding movies to the database is quick and easy -- with virtually no typing necessary! Just enter in the movie title and Movie Collector will automatically download all information from various sources on the Internet (like IMDb and DVD Empire), ... (view more)

What's the easiest, most cost-effective way to repair a scratched CD or DVD? That was the question Infopackets Reader Manny K. asked earlier this week. In Part 1 of our discussion, I provided instructions on how to properly clean a CD or DVD using a ... cotton swab; at the end of the article, I also asked Infopackets Readers to send me their best home-based remedies for repairing a scratched disc. In Part 2 , I provided a brief explanation of the comments I received, and then proceeded to quote the findings of our Readers. Part 3 is the final stage of our discussion and will continue where we ... (view more)

Since asking Infopackets Readers for their opinion on the best solution for Removing Scratches from CD or DVD compact disc, I have received a land-slide of great suggestions and insight. So far, the consensus has been that many users have ... successfully reported using ordinary house-hold cleaners, such as wood polishers (Pledge), Brasso (a metal polisher), and toothpaste (an abrasive tooth polisher) for small surface scratches. For deep scratches, by far the best recommendation I've received is to take the disc to a local DVD video or CD music rental store and have them repair it. These stores ... (view more)

Synopsis: Make your own sweet beat! Acoustica Beatcraft is an extremely powerful, yet an easy-to-use Drum Machine software program for beginners and professionals alike! Its friendly, streamlined interface makes beat generation fast, while allowing ... your unlimited creativity to pour through. Beatcraft features an extensive library of top-quality, professional drum sounds, powerful sequencing and loop generation tools, and killer audio effects, all wrapped in a clean and comfortable interface with a 32 bit state-of-the-art sound engine. Acoustica Beatcraft: Screenshots Click to view: Page 1 | ... (view more)

Synopsis: Confused about burning music CDs? Worry no more! Designed to be super-easy-to-use, Acoustica MP3 CD / DVD Burner is an intuitive music burning program jam packed full of user-friendly features! Not only will Acoustica MP3 Burner burn your ... music in the order you want it, but it will let you edit each song to get rid of silence, extra long applauses or even fade in and out incomplete songs! And because Acoustica MP3 Burner can also boost, equalize, or normalize each song individually, you won't have to constantly adjust the volume dial on your stereo! With Acoustica MP3 CD Burner, you ... (view more)

After sending out three newsletters last week that dealt with watching downloading movies on a DVD player / entertainment system, I received two (somewhat related) questions from Infopackets Readers over the weekend. The first question comes from ... Reader Manny K., who writes: " Dear Dennis, Please forgive me if my question has already been answered in your newsletter; however, I'm a tad curious if you happen to know whether or not those do-it-yourself DVD/CD scratch repair schemes actually work? I'm not talking the those repair kits you buy at the electronic stores -- I'm talking about ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Don S. writes: " Thank you for your ongoing coverage of watching downloaded movies on a home entertainment system [see: article 1 | article 2 ]. After reading your first article, it prompted me to email you with my solution. I ... recently purchased a non-wireless, standalone DVD unit that is capable of playing back .AVI, .MPEG, and almost anything else that I can throw at it. And, it only cost me $89.95. You can search the web for similar players, as they're fairly new in the market. " My response: $89.95 is a very reasonable price to pay for a feature-packed DVD ... (view more)

Synopsis: Are you ready for an out-of-this-word challenge? AstroRaid is a crazy retro style space shooter that features crazy space aliens, weapons, and bonuses that will have you glued to your computer for the next few weeks! You'll need plenty of ... luck (and skill) to play AstroRaid because it's not only addictive, but extremely challenging! AstroRaid: Screenshots Click to view: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3. AstroRaid: The Fate of Humanity is in Your Hands Add one part Space Invaders, one part Galaga, and one part Asteroids ... shake vigorously, and voila -- now you've got a modern version of an ... (view more)