Video Camcorder and Live Broadcasting for the Iphone with Ustream

Now recording video on the iPhone is nothing new if you recently purchased or own Apple's iPhone 3G "S". However millions of us already owned either the iPhone 1st Generation or the iPhone 3G. I personally own an iPhone 3G and don't know how I could ever go back to another phone. The only item I feel is lacking on my current iPhone 3G is the ability to record video. Like many of us I am in a contract with AT&T and can't get a 3G"S" affordably for another year.

I am happy to announce that finally my wait is over. A new addition to Apple's App Store is the Ustream app from Ustream.tv. This app will add the functionality of a camcorder to the two previous versions of the iPhone before the 3G"S". The UStream app will allow you to record video with your iPhone and either save it locally or broadcast it live on the internet. You can link this iPhone app to your YouTube and Facebook accounts so you can quickly take that funny video you just recorded and share it with all your friends. It will also automatically, if you wish, send out a tweet on Twitter with a link to your latest video or tell them your broadcasting LIVE from your iPhone! So the next time your at a concert, or any event and want to broadcast your experience live with all your Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube friends you can right from your iPhone. There truly is an app for that. Now the video quality is definitely not HD by any means, but for the simple quick video of something you don't need it to be. Certainly not for anything you intend on putting on the internet. The best part is that this app is completely FREE right now in Apple's app store!

All you need to do to get started is to download the UStream app, and create a new user account with their website. Both are completely FREE. Then setup a new "Channel" on their site to upload videos to or broadcast live from. Once you have the channel created on the UStream site, then link it to your various online accounts like Twitter and Facebook. When you open the app on your phone it will ask if you want to save the video locally or broadcast live.

I personally am loving this new app in Apple's App Store, and think that if you have an older iPhone you will too.

Link to the new app in the Apple Tunes Store: Click Here

Link to UStream's website for more details: Click Here

Please check out our other blogs at Brew City PC: Tips From the Techs at BrewCityPC.com

Which Internet Browser Should I Use??

Today we have a lot of choices when it comes to how we browse the internet. There are four major web browsers out there: Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google's Chrome, and Apple's Safari. The key to any good browser is the speed and security it provides. Any of them let you navigate the world wide web, but how does the average computer user choose the best one to use?

When it really comes down to it, personal preference will be the deciding factor. The good news is that all of these browser options are free of charge and you can download them and give them a try. Brew City PC rates the top four below to help you make some decisions on where to start.


Microsoft's Internet Explorer
Internet explorer is compatible with all older and modern websites. The newer IE8 does do a good job of protecting you from phishing and malware attacks. This browser by default is installed with all versions of Microsoft Windows. IE8 is a good solid basic browser, however lacks good options for customization, add-ons, and most of the helpful features available on browsers like Chrome and Firefox. A serious downfall to IE is that because of it being the most common browser used (because it is loaded with Windows) many viruses, malware and phishing sites are geared toward the IE user. All browsers have some security holes, but Internet Expolrer's are the ones exploited the most often. We feel for that reason , and that all the other browser options are free of charge you would be better off with one of the other options below.

Download Link: Internet Explorer

Mozilla's Firefox - BREW CITY PC RECOMMENDED

Firefox is an award winning web browser that with its recent updates is faster, more secure, completely customizable to suit your busy online use. Take a minute and check out the thousands of add-ons available for almost anything by clicking here. To borrow the phrase from Apple, "There's a Add-On for that". This browser is very fast, reliable and safe to use. If you have been using Internet Explorer for a while now, it will import all of your settings, and bookmarks. Some of the features we like about Firefox are: Improved Tab Browsing, Spell Checking, Search Suggestions, Session Restore, Web Feeds (RSS), Integrated Search Box, Integrated Video, Pop Up Blocker, Phishing Protection, Spyware Protection and Automatic Updating.

Download Link: Mozilla Firefox

Apple's Safari
If your a Mac or iPhone user already, Safari is nothing new to you. It is the default browser for all Mac's, iPhone's and iPod Touch. Safari is also available for Microsoft Windows. Some nice features of this browser are: Super Fast Performance, Elegant User Interface, Tabbed Browsing, Forms AutoFill, RSS Manager, SnapBack, Phishing and Malware protection, and the coolest features are Top Sites and Cover Flow. Top Sites is a 3-D like view of your most commonly visited websites in a screenshot format and Cover Flow allows you to view these screenshots and scroll through them. Expect this functionality to show up soon in Firefox, Chrome, and possibly IE in the future.

Download Link: Apple Safari

Google's Chrome
The latest browser to join the race is Google's Chrome. This browser can compete with the best of the browsers above. It is very fast, reliable, and easy to use. This browser does allow for choosing themes for color, but that is about all the customization that it currently available. One of the largest advantages of Chrome is that has a multiprocess architecture, which protects the user from having a webpage or web application crash the browser. Every tab runs in its own environment, so if one tab has a problem the rest won't close on you. This browser has all the main features of IE, Firefox, and Safari. Its very fast also. Brew City PC considers Google Chrome its Runner Up to Firefox when if comes to browser reccomendations.

Download Link: Google Chrome

Please take a moment and post your browser recomendations

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Are You Safe If Your Hard Drive Crashes?

This week I personally experienced a hard drive crash on one of my families desktop computers. One second all of our pictures, home movies, and music was there, the next it was gone.

Thankfully we have been backing up all our important files for years so all we had to do was purchase a new hard drive and copy our files back over.

I know a lot of people however that aren't as prepared as we were. Keeping all your important information safe is simple as long as backup your files locally and offsite.

Getting a local backup setup can be done by first finding a storage device to backup everything to, and secondly installing a program to automatically backup the files you choose to on a schedule. For most backing up all your photos, music, videos, and documents is a large enough task that you will need an external hard drive. The good news is that these are relatively cheap and available at most any electronics store. Just plug your new external hard drive into your computer using the USB cable.

The second part is getting a program to automatically manage your backup. I use SyncBack by 2BrightSparks to easilly handle backing up my files. The basic software is completely free and available at http://www.2brightsparks.com/. Just download and install the Freeware version and follow the setup guide to finally rest easy that your files are safe. In addition to the SyncBack software I have sucessfully setup backups using B-Cup and Microsoft Windows built in backup features.

Once you have a local backup configured your safe against having a hard drive failure, but what if there is a flood, fire, or your laptop is stolen? That is why offsite backups are equally as important. There are many online services such as Carbonite, I-Drive, or Mozy that will handle your offsite backup for you, just like your local backup. However all of them do it for a price, if your data isn't that critical to pay for a service like this you likely can do it for free. All computers today come with CD or even DVD disc burners, you just need to burn all your important files to CD or DVD a few times a year. Then find a friend or family member to hold on to it for you just in case you ever need it.

By backing up locally and offisite no matter what happens to your computer your files are safe. I have seen too many times where someone lost all their digital pictures or business files because they never backed up. Please dont let this happen to you, as you can see above, it can be done for little or no cost and you cant put a price all of your memories.

If you need help setting up your backups, don't hesitate to call us at Brew City PC or visit us online at BrewCityPC.com. You can chat with us right on the website and we will help set you up.