Totally Unhelpful Error Message in Windows XP

This evening, I was working on rebuilding my sister's Windows XP machine because it became infected with some fake, rogue, antivirus malware. I launched Microsoft Update from the Start menu (really just an Internet Explorer shortcut that calls "C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\muweb.dll,LaunchMUSite") and I got the following totally esoteric and unhelpful error message, "The requested lookup key was not found in any active activation context.":

Oh of course! Silly me, always trying to request lookup keys that are not found in any active activation context. What was I thinking?

PlayStation Move Better than Wii?

CNN Tech has an interesting article discussing why the new Sony PlayStation Move might be better than the Wii.  Even though it's a little late to the game, one cool feature that I like about the Move is that it tracks motion more accurately.  For example, if you step back from the screen, it senses your movement and backs your player away (from a virtual ping pong table, for instance).  The Move requires a PlayStation Eye camera to function, which allows some games to actually insert you into the game.  The PlayStation Move bundle (Move, Eye camera and Sports Champions game) is $99 for PS3.

Restore Minimized Windows on Mac OS X

Whenever I minimize a window with command+M, switch to another app with command+tab, and then switch back, I find myself reaching for the mouse/trackpad to click to restore the window I minimized previously. I realize I can always just hit F3 to bring up Exposé, arrow to the window I want, and hit return. Today, I found a great tip: when switching apps with command+tab, hold down option before releasing to restore any minimized windows.

New Announcements from Apple September 2010

As expected, Apple made some exciting announcements today: iOS 4.1 (with 4.2 coming later this year featuring HDR photos and GameCenter), new updates to the entire iPod line, iTunes 10 (with a new logo and social music network, Ping), and an updated Apple TV. The event was finished off by a performance by Chris Martin from Coldplay.

The entire iPod line has been updated including a new iPod Shuffle (featuring buttons and voice controls), iPod Nano (with touch screen), and a new iPod Touch (thinner, 326 ppi LED Retina display, front camera with FaceTime, HD video recording).

One of the surprising announcements was Ping, a social music network integrated with iTunes 10. There was still no mention of online streaming or an online music library (still missing Lala!).

The most anticipated announcement was the announcement of the new, much smaller and less expensive Apple TV (which Steve Jobs had previously called just a "hobby") will retail for $99 later in September. The new Apple TV unfortunately will not store purchased content, but will only allow users to rent content ($4.99 for first-run HD movies, $0.99 HD TV shows). However, with apple's new AirPlay feature, you can stream any content from your iOS device to Apple TV. The Apple TV will also feature a Netflix app that will allow Netflix subscribers to stream movies. The HD on the Apple TV is unfortunately limited to 720p.