Merlins Tower

Steal from Microsoft: Get Office 2007 Ultimate

Posted on September 15th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Hack, Office, Shopping, Web Service.

Just saw this incredible deal from Microsoft if you are a current student. This deal is good until April 2008. Basically what the deal is that if you are a student you can get The Office Ultimate Edition for only $59.95. The catch is you must have a valid .EDU address and if they ask you - You must provide proof that you are enrolled at the school currently.

steal microsoft ultimate deal deals university college student free hack

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Apple Safari Brower For Windows: Fixing the Font Issue

Posted on June 17th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Safari, Tutorial, Web Service.

Below is a my guide on how to fix the font issue after installing Safari Browers for Windows.

My Issue is I love fonts and have several hundred installed from Free Fonts and many other font resources on the web (Another Article some day) Well, my love of fonts seems to have choked the Safari Browser for Windows. The Issue is Safari scans the system every time it loads and updates the font list. So the simple solution is to follow the directions below and and when you restart the Safari Browser most if not all of your font problems will be gone.

1) Download the Fonts.Plist from here. (Right Click and Save Link as) to a location you can keep it on as if you upgrade to a newer version you may need to replace it again. I Suggest creating a directory such as “c:\Safari Extras” and save it there.

2) Open up Windows Explorer and make sure you have set Show Hidden files and folders radio button set (To Set this click on -Tools- -Folder Options- Click on the second Tab -View- and in the section called Hidden Files and folders you will find the radio button to press. See below for what it looks like.

3) Now go to the following directory:

Using Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name Here\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\Safari

Using Windows Vista
C:\Users\Your User Name Here\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\Safari

Now Copy the fonts.plist you download earlier over the file located in the directory for the version of windows you are using. I see no need to keep a copy of this as if you want to recreate it run Safari for windows without it being there but if you want feel free to rename if to fontsold.plist

Now you want to right click on this file an click on properties and make sure the read-only check box is checked.

If not Safari will over write this file and you have to copy it again.

You can view this fonts.plist file using notepad and if you do you may notice I have a few fonts in there that are not normally installed such as the Helvetica Fonts - These are required if you want to see the RSS Feeds as the main.css file located in:

C:\Program Files\Safari\PubSub.resources

Points to Helvetica as the default font

This is why you can not see the Washington Post Link under the News dropdown. or Any of the RSS Feeds.

The Fonts I have for Helvetica are as follows and can be found here.

The fonts you need to download are: Not sure which ones you need but better safe then sorry. :-)

Helvetica
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr45w.ttf
Helvetica Bold
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr65w.ttf
Helvetica Bold Oblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr66w.ttf
Helvetica Condensed
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14526.ttf
Helvetica Condensed Bold
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14528.ttf
Helvetica Condensed Bold Italic
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14529.ttf
Helvetica Condensed Italic
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14527.ttf
Helvetica Narrow
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr47w.ttf
Helvetica Narrow Bold
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr67w.ttf
Helvetica Narrow Bold Oblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr68w.ttf
Helvetica Narrow Oblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr48w.ttf
Helvetica Oblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr46w.ttf
Helvetica-Bold
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr65w.ttf
Helvetica-BoldOblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr66w.ttf
Helvetica-Condensed
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14526.ttf
Helvetica-Condensed-Bold
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14528.ttf
Helvetica-Condensed-BoldObl
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14529.ttf
Helvetica-Condensed-Oblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\ps_14527.ttf
Helvetica-Narrow
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr47w.ttf
Helvetica-Narrow-Bold
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr67w.ttf
Helvetica-Narrow-BoldOblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr68w.ttf
Helvetica-Narrow-Oblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr48w.ttf
Helvetica-Oblique
C:\Windows\Fonts\helr46w.ttf

Make sure to install these into your Windows Font Directory and restart your system.

This is located:

C:\Windows\Fonts

Well that is it - Now you can run Safari for Windows and see the pages you want.

The reason I understand this is happening is that Apple decided to render all the font in its own font engine and not use the built in windows one. This also makes the fonts you see on the screen slightly blurry - this is Apples form of Clear Type working to help reduce eye strain.

Hope this helps everyone that is having this problem.

Technorati Tags: Apple, Safari, Browser, Windows, Font, Issue, Fonts.Plist, Safari+For+Windows, Washington+Post, RSS, Issue, Safari+Fonts, Safari, Issue

1 comment.

Cool Tool: Jott - Now in Open Beta

Posted on March 29th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Computing, Email, Notetaking, Web Service.

I just came across a new online service called Jott.

Jott has to be one of the most useful online web applications I have come across. I know I will be using this service as this solves many issues of being out and about and not being able to jott an (Such as an Idea, Phone Number, Web Address, Email to a Friend or Colleague, Note to Remember)

Basically Jott is the electronic version of the Post-It note on Steroids. This service is better then any PDA or SmartPhone because instead of having to
(1) pull out your PDA -
(2) then turning it on -
(3) pulling out the stylus -
(4) jotting the note down -
(5) saving and
(6) turningthe PDA off -

All you do is
(1) call a toll-free number and
(2) answer who you want to Jott - Such as by saying “Me” and
(3) then you are given a beep and you can record your message (Up to 30 Seconds) that will be transcribed and sent to your email.

What can be simpler.

And it is just as easy to send and email to a friend and or a colleague as well.

Jott is just as easy to setup and get started as well - Visit their site and register - It will take you under 5 mins to signup and verify your email and phone number. During this setup you get a chance to send your first test message to yourself to see how quickly this system works.

I went ahead and used the service to send several messages and several notes to myself today and found that I got the transcribes notes in my inbox under 15 mins. Plus you also get to listen to the original message on your Jott page inbox as well as being able to read the transcribed note.

So if you want to try out a free (Currently) service that will help you send and email, take a note and free up some time for you. Then Jott is for you.

Technorati Tags: jott, notetaking, transcription, trascribe, cellphone, service, beta, testing, email, note, free,

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Lending a Hand - Friend visiting Culinary Arts School

Posted on March 19th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Communication, Food, Life, Travel, Web Service.

I have been helping my friend plan her son’s trip to New York - He is heading off for several days to go and visit the culinary institute that he is looking in to attending.

Robert is getting so psyched about going to see this top notch Culinary Institute. All I have to say is that I have had a chance to eat some of Roberts projects in the past. He has been attending Culinary School while in High School and well he needed to practice so I got to volunteer. Even when it meant that I got to eat some Sushi  - well California Rolls and many other wonderful creations.

Currently his teachers he as at the High School Culinary Art Program are fantastic. I really can see Robert Hitting the big time.

My nephew was also following this same path as well a few years back. He was even in the same Culinary School that Robert is in currently. And My nephew did get to work in a really nice Restaurant here in Pittsburgh before it closed. He worked at Poli’s Restaurant as a Sous Chef preparing and prepping the dinners. But this was before he got his other calling in life as a sound technician. I wonder what would have happened if my nephew went to any Culinary Institute where he would have turned up. Not at all saying what he is doing now is bad - In fact it really is not - But that story for another day.

Ok Back on track - I was helping them plan the trip and Robert needed to get around New York and Needed a subway map. I was able to find him one at: Amadeus.Net - As they have many subway maps ready to print and use all across the world. Amadeus.net makes it easy with these Free Printable Maps.

Now - Readers - I would love your help - in helping Robert out - Besides the Culinary Schools that he will be visiting in New York - Can you suggest any Culinary Schools in your area that might help him out or do you know of any Top Notch Culinary Schools either near you or any that you may have had the chance of knowing someone that attended these schools or possibly you attended. He still has some time before he need to make up his mind on which culinary arts program he wants to attend. I know he is not interested in baking or desserts. He is mainly into the Restaurant Management and General Culinary Skills. But they are looking to send him to the best of the best culinary arts program. Feel Free to leave your comment below as this really can help him decide on where he will be spending the next 2 to 4 years.

Merlin =-=-

Technorati Tags: Culinary+Institute, Culinary+Arts, Culinary+School, Restaurant+management, New+york, Culinary, School, Arts, Program, Subway, Free, Printable, Maps

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Announcement: Cool Stuff to Look at

Posted on March 19th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

I am a co-editor now on this website: Cool Stuff To Look At

So Please Check it out and Feel Free to Check it out and Don’t Forget to use the Share This Button - Located on both websites.

=-=-=Merlin=-=-=-

Technorati Tags: Cool+thing, Website, Humor, Fun, Daily, Laughts, Stuff+to+See

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I hate Automated Customer Service Systems and A Solution

Posted on March 13th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Hack, Human, Tutorial, Web Service.

I had a horrible time this morning - I had to call and get some paperwork straightened out about my vehicle. I had to call the bank the used to have my auto loan and try and get them to send out some paperwork that dealt with a lean on my vehicle that doesn't exist anymore and had not since 2003. Well, this morning I went through Customer Support H E Double Hockey Sticks. I really despise those automated voice prompt systems. (And I used to work with one at my previous job) But they seem to be getting harder to use.

I used to know the trick of pressing 0 to get a customer support specialist - well now they switched up and when you don't press anything or keep pressing the wrong buttons it switches over to the computer telling you to please speak your answer instead of connecting to a human.

Is it me or do those computer voice recgnotion systems really make things worse. After I tried pressing 0 - I was put into the voice prompt maze - Say 1 for this - Say 2 for that - say 3 for anything but the human I desired to talk to (Heck I would have been happy to even talk to a script reading operator located in some foreign land).

Since my issue is not that common (At Least I hope is it not that common) to have it's own voice prompt menu item. I kept switching from menu to menu and back over a few again - trying to find the correct combination to get to a person or by chance to a menu system that may have what I was calling about.

Now - the really furious thing happened  - The computer said it was not sure what I wanted to do and was told to call back when I had had all the proper information and proceeded to promptly hang up on me. Ouch 17 mins wasted in a phone menu maze and then the system hung up on. Yes, HUNG UP ON ME - How rude and very poor customer service.

Well I proceeded to check the internet to find alternative ways to get ahold of someone at this bank - Which honestly I should have checked in the first place and was able to find this God Send of a website — Get Human .COM — Using the database I was able to find the 800 number (The Same One I previously called) and it had all the keystrokes I needed to get to a human being right away.

This time around I was talking to a live human that was able to help me in a matter of only a few minutes and was able to send me out all the paperwork I needed. Complete phone call 7 minutes. I am so happy that I found this website and I just had to share this experience with you.

Make sure you share this website with your friends and family. Print out a list and keep it in your daytimer if you use one. This can be a big timesaver for everyone.

Technorati Tags: Customer+Support, Voice+Prompt, Phone+maze, Customer+Service+Hacks, Hack, Hacks, DIY, Operator, Information, Banking, Amazon, Auto+loan, Banks, Automated, Customer+Service, Customer, Service

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Greyhound Watch Out Here comes Megabus.Com

Posted on March 9th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Pittsburgh, Travel, Web Service.

Just saw in this evenings Pittsburgh Post Gazette that Megabus.com is coming to Pittsburgh. I just found this interesting that after many many years of being the only bus company to offer bus rides across the country that there will be another popping up when gas prices are starting to rise again.

Well Megabus doesn't offer as many stops as greyhound but what really is nice is the cost of a bus ride. I can do a round trip bus trip Leaving Pittsburgh Thursday Night arriving in Chicago Friday Morning and Returning Sunday Morning from Chicago and arriving back in the burgh Sunday Night. That full round trip will only cost me $9.50 Yes you read that right - Only Nine Dollars and Fifty cents. No gimmick the further in advance you order the cheaper the trip - Some trips are only $1 each way. Plus this is being run by a reputable company CoachUSA - Who does quite a bit of tour buses and bus trip rentals to various places like New England for Fall Leave Tours or to different Casinos.

You may wonder how they do it - well from what I gathered is that the best prices are when you order in advance - if you need a trip for tomorrow then you will pay more. And the only Hub is in Chicago - Here in Pittsburgh - You wait on the street corner until the bus arrives to take you to your destination. And the last reason they are cheaper is you MUST order your tickets off of the web. 

Megabus main hub is located in Chicago and from there you can catch a bus to (St Louis - Chicago, Ann Arbor, Louisville, Kansas City and more) See the Full Route Below.

I only mention this as I would like to visit Chicago this summer and take in a few of the sites (The Navy Pier, The Magnificent Mile and The City in General)  and I can not think of a better way to travel and see the country. I don't mind flying but if I can visit a city and return back for under $10 that is a deal or should I say STEAL.

Technorati Tags: Greyhound, Megabus, Travel, Bus+Trip, Cheap+Tickets, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Ann, Arbor, Milwaukee, Chicago, Kansas+City, St+Louis, Louisville, Round+Trip, Country

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