A couple of months ago we set out to start a new podcast for the community of people who are interested in desktop customization, skinning, and just tech in general. When we started I was using a inexpensive Logitech USB mic. It’s a very good mic for the price, but it’s not up to any type of professional recording level that I now need. With that I sought out an alternative which was insanely expensive, but still had a very good sound quality. I read review after review and did quite a bit of research before deciding on which one I should purchase. The choice I made was the Samson C01U USB condenser mic.
I chose this one for several reasons. One being it was was on the very few condenser mics on the market that was USB, which is a big plus because I didn’t want to have to buy a mixer, and I liked the ability to plus it in to pretty much any computer. On Windows Vista and OS X Leopard, it’s basically just plug and play without any additional software or drivers needed. The next reason was price….less than $100 which a great deal considering the specs on this mic. Depending on where you shop, you can find this with a decent discount.
Included in the box is the microphone itself, a desktop stand, and quite a long USB cord which is very nice, and sometimes uncommon with electronics. If you are on Windows XP there is software that is included that adds an Input Level Meter, and some other features, but it’s not compatible with Windows Vista. The only problem I had during setup was the mic was recognized, but I could not adjust the sound. After 20 minutes of scratching my head I realized I needed a driver update from Windows Update. No big deal, but be sure to check to make sure you have the latest updates when installing.
I used the mic on both a podcast and the recording of a screencast. I was pretty blown away by the quality of sound, and it was a complete difference between the C01U and my previous USB microphone. Background noise was minimal and my voice came through as clear as I can imagine it sounding. I used a few different applications to record the sound including Camtasia Studio 5, and although I configured each application for its own sound settings, the results were basically the same across the board. I didn’t have a problem configuring the C01U for use with these applications other than making sure the mic was the selected recording device.
Obviously, there are better mics out there, but they will also cost you a significant amount more. For the money and quality, this mic gets the highest rating I could give it. I have no problem recommending it for anyone who need a good, but inexpensive mic for podcasting or other recording types. For more information visit the Samson C01U product page.
This is a photo I took at Sea World Orlando. It was a beautiful waterfall scene I thought others might enjoy. The download includes multiple resolutions including widescreen. I also included a link to download the logon for Windows Vista users.
The latest episode of the WinCustomize SkinCast is now up, and this week I go solo and do a re-cap of the latest news and happening on WinCustomize.com.
Sins of a Solar Empire is one of the biggest hits this year, and I’m pleased to announce the next major update (v1.1) will be available as a public beta sometime in July.
Stardock has made available the preliminary change log to Sins of a Solar Empire v1.1. Developer Ironclad has been busy updating virtually every part of the game based on player feedback. Version 1.1 not only includes a host of play balancing changes but new content such as an updated graphics engine, updated visuals, new damage animations, and more. It also includes a new multiplayer system called “Alloy” which eliminates the need for configuring routers or changing port numbers.
This huge beta will only be available on Impulse from Stardock. The preliminary change log which lists many of the updated features can be found here.
This is one of the best sidebar gadgets for Vista….ever! This gadget checks the status of your website at your choice of intervals (1-60). You can run multiple instances of this gadget to watch a variety of your sites to make sure they are functioning properly. The background will change to display the status of your site, so it’s easy to spot a problem.
MacHeist is in the final days of offering a nice discount on Parallels 3. It’s normally $79, but you can get it through MacHeist for just $49, and if you have purchased a MacHeist bundle in the past, you can get another $10 off. I have used Parallels and it’s a great way to get Windows working on the Mac.
Brightkite, the "location-based social network" has been getting quite a bit of buzz lately. I like and use it because you can check in at your current location, and have that location broadcasted in one of several ways. Posting your location to Twitter is something I am seeing more and more of.
I was reading their blog this morning and saw an update they labeled as "notifications for your ego". You can now be notified via e-mail or text message if someone uses your username in a post. While it might be good for your ego, it is a cool way to keep up to date on what is being said about you.
Brightkite is still invite-only, but I have a few invitations. Just send me your e-mail address and I will get you hooked up.
I was talking with a colleague the other day, and the topic of working at home came up. Working from home is something I’m sure many people would love to do, but I’m not sure if many people could actually do it effectively. I work from my home office, and I absolutely love it, but it’s not as easy as some people would imagine. The first thing you need is a strong initiative. Working at home you don’t have someone directly looking over your shoulder, so the opportunity to goof-off is there, but you need to have a strong desire to work and succeed with what you are doing. If you have a strong initiative and are not they type of person who needs to be told specifically what to do all the time, then you have a better chance of succeeding at home. Dedication and the willingness to do what it takes is the next step. You have to passionately care about what you are doing to be effective at home, otherwise slacking off is inevitable. Knowing what your job is and your responsibilities is key, and getting those done without having to be asked is key.
Distractions are a big issue when working from home. Right now I have three children home on summer break, and although my kids have pretty good behavior, they still are kids. Sitting down with them and letting them know that even though you are sitting at home on a computer, you are working, and you have a job to do. This definitely helps. Taking the kids to the pool at lunch or break also gives them time to get some of that youthful energy out of them, and it gives you a break as well. That leads to my next topic….taking breaks. Now this is something I will admit I have a problem with. When I start something I want to get it done, and if that means skipping lunch or something then that’s what I will do. However, that is an easy way to get burnt out. So take a lunch, take a break, go out and stretch your legs a bit. It will make your overall work experience much better.
One problem with working at home is lack of personal interaction. Mainly, you are probably sitting by yourself all day. Now this varies with what type of work you actually do, but like in my situation, I always keep in contact with my co-workers through e-mail, IM, chat, etc. It’s not the same as being in person, but the interaction is good on so many levels. Besides, keeping in constant contact you can ensure you are up to date on the latest news and happening from the job.
Here are some other ways to be effective when working from home.
If you have the space, have a dedicated home office. When I moved I specifically sought a townhouse that has an extra room that would be my office, so I could have a dedicated space where I could avoid some distractions. I will go more into creating a great home office in another blog soon.
Try to set hours for yourself. I would recommend following what your co-workers hours are if possible. Once again, this depends on what you are actually doing. I started at 7:30am this morning and I’m still going just because I have many things to get done.
Take breaks to stretch your legs and rest your eyes. This is especially true if your main job is sitting in front of a computer all day.
Know exactly what your job is, and what your employer expects of you. Stick to it, and if you do run into a questionable or problem area, just communicate the issue. Most times it can be easily solved.
Make sure you have all the tools you need to do your job effectively. Whether it’s the right computers, desks, office supplies, etc., make sure you have them.
Have a “take charge” attitude. As I said above, don’t wait to be told what to do. You know what your job and responsibilities are, go do them!
Working at home is a big advantage, but it’s not for everyone. I read recently that more people are looking to telecommute because of rising gas prices, but before you make or accept the offer, make sure you can follow the basic “rules” of working from home.
I just went and picked up copy of Battlefield: Bad Company. There is a bad storm coming through so I only got to play a bit of the single player. It seemed pretty good, although I am really wanting to go head on into the multiplayer aspect of it.
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