thanks Daniel.

iPhone users. Documents To Go has a new version out that adds ability to edit xls files.

My GF is an English teacher who has developed vocal cord nodules.

We bought her a headset microphone yesterday, with the plan to plug it in to the powered speakers she already has in her classroom. The plan was to go through the computer, which already runs into those speakers.

However, the computer she has in her classroom is crippled - it doesn't have the ability to monitor the Mic input, so there's no way to amplify her sound to get into the speakers.

Now we think we want to skip the computer. So we need a device (I think maybe it's a preamp?) that will take the microphone and up it to levels that can go straight into powered "computer" speakers.

Does such a device exist? Or should we just buy her a portable PA to plug the microphone into?

Sure they exist.

Like this: [link] But yu would need an adapter for the headset, I guess.

Or this: [link]

Or this one, which has 1/4 inch phono jacks, it appears: [link]

Or a 7-band preamp equalizer: [link]

I'm sure there are many more, and perfect for what you need.

Some computer speakers ave their own preamps, too.

Every once in a while, I see something that makes me say, "Wow, I had no idea computers could do that."

'PhotoSketch' Program Converts Doodles Into Photos (VIDEO)

ZDNet calls PhotoSketch, a new web-based program developed by a group of students in China, "quite possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen a computer do."

We couldn't agree more. The application takes a simple sketch (see screengrab below) and converts it into a detailed, digital, realistic, very cool photo.

How? Watch the video below and prepare to be amazed. Basically, the program takes the sketch (and the tags on it), scours the web for photos that match, then stitches them together using an algorithm.

This is one of those things that might make more sense if you watch the video....

Wow. That is WAY cool.

Now I will have to think twice about second guessing computer achievements on CSI and their ilk. Because I never would have guessed computers could do that.

In pairings I never would have guessed: Dell/OPI.

Dell/OPI.

I saw that and though, "Oh, how funny, that makes it look like Dell's going to work with a nail polish company." Then I clicked on it and, hey, Dell's going to work with a nail polish company.

I hope they put out a Russian Navy case.

This may be the weirdest technical question ever asked on the Buffista board. (Maybe there is no "may" about it.) But I realized a nitty gritty question about the details of sacrifice to folk saints and pagan gods really is a technical question.

I read about St. Expedite on Boing Boing who is a folk saint, or really a minor deity, one of whose sacrifices is pound cake. And I started wondering about the details of sacrificing pound cake on a home altar. It seems like it would almost have to be an outdoor altar. Cause indoors the pound cake would sit and rot and attract insects and rodent. Outdoors, I guess it would too, but without harm, and symbolically I guess when the ants or whatever get it that is the saint eating cake. If the altar was indoors, I would be tempted to put a well wrapped slice of cake there, leave it for a bit and if the saint did not take , eat for him. But if the saint was real (and if you are actually sacrificing on an altar to a saint you probably mostly believe he is real) that would be a very bad idea. So I guess what I'm wondering is how does this whole sacrificing flowers and cake and wine and stuff work? I mean assuming gods don't actually stop by and bodily pick up their sacrifices, how are sacrifices made in a way that is not - messy?

TB,

through some googling, I found a sacrifice of pound cake recommendation for santeria. You are to go to the ocean and sacrifice the pound cake (or to a river and leave fruit):

[link]