commit be187a35620e86c0ad9c2360f1d2939fd3d9c23d Author: sipp11 Date: Tue Nov 25 03:14:25 2014 +0700 init migration diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore new file mode 100644 index 0000000..badbc02 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitignore @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +_site +.sass-cache diff --git a/_config.yml b/_config.yml new file mode 100644 index 0000000..17620ee --- /dev/null +++ b/_config.yml @@ -0,0 +1,13 @@ +# Site settings +title: 10ninox's blog +email: info@10ninox.com +description: > # this means to ignore newlines until "baseurl:" + 10ninox is a place where you'll find talks about tech mostly. + Opinions, how-tos, fixes, deals, dreams all in one place. +baseurl: "" # the subpath of your site, e.g. /blog/ +url: "http://blog.10ninox.com" # the base hostname & protocol for your site +twitter_username: sipp11 +github_username: sipp11 + +# Build settings +markdown: kramdown diff --git a/_includes/footer.html b/_includes/footer.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..be3976f --- /dev/null +++ b/_includes/footer.html @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ + diff --git a/_includes/head.html b/_includes/head.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..557e4cc --- /dev/null +++ b/_includes/head.html @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ + + + + + + {% if page.title %}{{ page.title }}{% else %}{{ site.title }}{% endif %} + + + + + + diff --git a/_includes/header.html b/_includes/header.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cfe381f --- /dev/null +++ b/_includes/header.html @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ + diff --git a/_layouts/default.html b/_layouts/default.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4ab96f --- /dev/null +++ b/_layouts/default.html @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ + + + + {% include head.html %} + + + + {% include header.html %} + +

+ {{ content }} +

+ + {% include footer.html %} + + + + diff --git a/_layouts/page.html b/_layouts/page.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..74c1a11 --- /dev/null +++ b/_layouts/page.html @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: default +--- +

+ +

+ {{ content }} +

+ +

diff --git a/_layouts/post.html b/_layouts/post.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c79d11b --- /dev/null +++ b/_layouts/post.html @@ -0,0 +1,15 @@ +--- +layout: default +--- +

+ +

{{ page.date | date: "%b %-d, %Y %H:%M" }}{% if page.author.display_name %} • {{ page.author.display_name }}{% endif %}{% if page.meta %} • {{ page.meta }}{% endif %} • {{ page.tags | array_to_sentence_string }}

+ +

+ {{ content }} +

+ +

diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-04-all-the-connector-diagram-in-the-world.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-04-all-the-connector-diagram-in-the-world.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b37b66e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-04-all-the-connector-diagram-in-the-world.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: All the connector diagram in the world +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 3 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=3 +date: '2007-08-04 19:11:16 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-08-04 19:11:16 +0700' +categories: +- electronic +tags: [] +--- +

just to keep it for the archive, so I don't have to google much :-P I don't know this is worse than googling when I want. Let's try =)
+ http://pinouts.ru/connector/
+The common thing we should know:-

2 pin MONO plug

+ 2 pin RCA plug

diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-16-digital-speaker-with-analog-connecter-really-works.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-16-digital-speaker-with-analog-connecter-really-works.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c23a7e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-16-digital-speaker-with-analog-connecter-really-works.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Digital Speaker with analog connecter really works? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 4 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=4 +date: '2007-08-16 07:43:44 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-08-16 07:43:44 +0700' +categories: +- after-works +tags: [] +--- +

I don't know that much about the digital speaker since I never have one yet. All I wonder is if digital and analog signal are really different when they all are from computers which use digital signal as a base. If it's really output as digital, then the digital speaker must have DAC too. Does that sound weird? and why should we have to have a sound card anyway--just to have a digital connector?

That's what I have to figure out next. Surely, I will get one of those soon.

However, what I want to say today is I had a chance to fix one of my friends' computer; he had Sony VAIO with SoundMax AC'97 onboard. There are 3 common connectors--line in, speaker, and mic in. Moreover there is one SPDIF as well. The strange thing is he had plugged the RCA coax + converter to stereo plug to line in connector. He claimed that it worked randomly. I really had no idea how it works; I thought it might be the same as my creative audigy ZS which one connector can handle both digital and analog output. By the way, I have no luck to make it work. All I can find is plain drivers which allow sound card to work properly--there is no option to tweak only a bit. At that time, I'm almost pretty sure of that's his mistake. But I don't know really because I never have this experience. All a guide book, whatever documents from sony.com don't help.

After having no hope to tweak those connector to work digitally, I asked him that he had to have a new cable. Fortunately, he gathered all stuffs from his cabinet and found old computers. What I found is Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2. Yes! it has S/PDIF output as well and that port is not optical but electrical which is working very well for his cable. :-D Ultimately I can solve his problem then.

Only the question left in my mind: if it's an electrical connector which needs electrons to carry the signal--is it digital really? or it's analog signal with digital encoded inside. If so, it should consider as digital or just analog as same as telephone signal?

Oh I don't believe that I'm an electrical engineer :'( because I think everything is analog by the way :-P Digital is just for any calculations or processes in circuits. Whenever signal-to-noise ratio does matter, thus digital is all the way. (analog is just what we don't realize it's underneath in every single steps)

diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-22-cannot-double-click-to-open-any-drive-you-are-infected.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-22-cannot-double-click-to-open-any-drive-you-are-infected.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..80a8c7c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-22-cannot-double-click-to-open-any-drive-you-are-infected.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Cannot double click to open any drive, you are infected! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 5 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=5 +date: '2007-08-22 22:34:20 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-08-22 22:34:20 +0700' +categories: +- virus +tags: +- virus +--- +

I haven't had a chance to meet this virus myself for long time since I heard this symptom happened to my mom's computer and you know what? I thought it's a registry broken. I had tried to edit my mom's registry but no luck. I couldn't do anything other than this though because I didn't see it myself. However, the time is come. :-P First I saw this symptom is like some programs override the default shell of Drive. What happen is you have to right--click on drive, just to open it. And you will see Auto-bold to show that's default of double click action. As you know, it's just like nothing happen; nonetheless, the virus is activated and spreads into your computer. This virus, aka "flashy" family, use flash or external drives as medium to spread. However, it doesn't effect other tasks at all, as I know--pls correct me if I'm wrong.

The tool I found is pretty easy to use, just double click and wait. You may find that seems like your computer almost freeze, but don't worry it's not. When everything turns to normal, your computer is good to go.

Try by yourself and happy with powerful of double click that you used to.

download: >>Flash_Disinfector.zip<< (I need to zip it for secured reasons)

ref: data about file type association in Windows that I found--it doesn't help fix this symptom but may be nice thing to know

http://one.mycapsules.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112&f=3

diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-23-how-to-config-samba-server-and-user.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-23-how-to-config-samba-server-and-user.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6114420 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-23-how-to-config-samba-server-and-user.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,50 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: how to config Samba server and user +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 6 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=6 +date: '2007-08-23 03:35:52 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-08-23 03:35:52 +0700' +categories: +- Uncategorized +- linux +tags: +- how to +- linux +--- +

First, I was switching from all time Windows user to Linux user, more specifically Ubuntu--first Linux that I can use regularly. I was wondering if I can share files over the network with Windows as well. I know that there is Samba service out there but I don't know how to configure it properly. I messed things up as usual; all I knew to make it work is editing /etc/samba/smb.conf as security=share. Then I could get in there easily but no protection at all. Now I know, so I think it might be a good idea to explain in my ways instead of reading any-distro-docs which sometimes is too complex for novice users.

First of all, you have to install Samba server. I won't go through this process because if you don't know about this, you have to find out and get used to Linux first. My recommendation is trying with Debian, such as Ubuntu. It's really easy to understand.

Second, we have to configure the smb.conf file. This time you have to be as "root" to make a share folder. You have 2 choices here, GUI or editing the file. I found that GUI is easy to understand but I can't get it work for some reasons, thus I choose the traditional way :-P

After we already created share folders, we have to create a user for Samba too. This the point I misunderstood for a while; I thought that Samba will use the user from the system; however, it's not and system and Samba user are not the same as well.

These 3 steps are all you have to do to make it work perfectly. I brief all the processes first so you can imagine what we are doing in each step.

for editing Samba configuration file (smb.conf) you have to get in there

sudo gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf

once you get in there you will find a lot of comments and samples; you may go through the file for more understanding of each. However, we will pay attention to how to set share folder.

[share-name]
+path = /media/hdax/xxx/
+comment = whatever you want
+available = yes
+browsable = yes
+public = yes
+writable = yes/no

This is what you have to insert at the end of the file. After you put the proper value, you will be able to see this share from another Windows PCs. However, you can't browse the file right now because of login window. Whatever user and password you fill are not working :-P Don't be surprise, that's normal. You still have to know 2 more values which are

valid user = user-name
+guest ok = yes/no

the first one, valid user, is which user you give permission to read and/or write. Another one, guest ok, is to enable guest user which is read-only user.

After this step, if you enable guest user, you will be able to see the share folder without any problem. If not, you still have to go on setting user.

For creating user, you will run the smbpasswd utility to create user and password

sudo smbpasswd -a user-name

Then you have to add that user to smbusers file

sudo gedit /etc/samba/smbusers

What you have to put in there is this form

system-user-name = "smb-user-name"

As you see, you may use Samba username (is what you add in smbpasswd) that differs from your username in the system depending on choice of preference.

All these methods above, you will be able to make many share folders with many conditions as you wish :-P

Note: If you just want to share all share folders without any restricts, you may change the line security = user in smb.conf to security = share and that's all set.

diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-26-what-is-so-good-and-bad-of-windows-home-server.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-26-what-is-so-good-and-bad-of-windows-home-server.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..83fcb7c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-26-what-is-so-good-and-bad-of-windows-home-server.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: What is so good and bad of Windows Home Server +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 7 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=7 +date: '2007-08-26 07:15:16 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-08-26 07:15:16 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +tags: +- microsoft +--- +

About several months ago, I have participated Windows Home Server Beta Test. It's a Windows 2003 tweaked for home use as its name. It works pretty well--duplicating data, organizing, and backing up all PCs in home network. However I don't know if it's worth $199 or more--as rumors. $150 should be very interesting price point for this OS though. Yet what I really like in Home Server is:-

1. Automatically backup all of your PCs in the network: automatically means truly automatic, you don't have to do anything--just leave the computer on, the home server will communicate with all PCs and synchonize the hard drive to its storage--all data really. If you are one of the fan of Norton Ghost, I bet you will love this Home Server because not only backup automatically, but also restore pretty easy and fast too--using Windows Home Server CD and boot it in the program. Then choose which partition is the one. After 20-25mins, it's like time machine.

2. Remote access to any computer in home network; this feature is really useful not only sharing the file over the Internet but also making the remote connection to *any* PC on home network too. This really makes people so convenient to do whatever they want like they sit in front of their own computer at home. Kudos to Microsoft for livenode.com domain (eventually changing to homeserver.com for RTM version and later) to synchronize the home network IP intelligently, so we don't have to use DynDns or No-IP anymore :-P

These two features above are what I really like about WHS; however, there are what I don't like as well--maybe it's what it should included in WHS.

1. Backing-up-over-network really makes other works get slowly and waste a lot of time. I don't know whether I am exaggerate or not but I really feel it. So I set WHS to back up other computer around 1am - 3am which is not effecting my work. There is still a problem left which is you have to pay your electrical bill more a bit :-P If WHS can wake other computers and shut them down automatically, it should be ideal. Just to wake up it should not be a problem much but to shut them down after finished backing up might be a bit hard. I hope there will be a solution for this soon.

2. Requiring such a complex password. This is what I really hate about WHS. Since it requires all computers to use the same user and password as the ones in WHS, all users in desktop and laptop have to have complex password as well. That's really suck idea for home network! I don't care about security much in home network because I want all my family to use computers easily--I don't think my mom will try to remember such that complex. This rule is just not suitable for most ordinary people :-P I don't think everyone at home is computer geek though.

note: there is a way to trick this as well but it's just not practical >> link here

3. I really like WHS included Media Center!! The thing is I don't want to leave all my PCs on, so this solution should be great idea; maybe it's just only working on recording by schedule; it doesn't have to broadcast live TV on this machine. Therefore, it will not handle that much load. Media Extender will come to play another rule Oh, please I really like to have this.

note: there is SageTV 6.26 RC - Stream Digital Media from WHS now; I will try and tell about it soon

All in all, there is a place for Add-in programs, I hope there will be programs that fulfill the lacking features very soon! So far so great, Windows Home Sever! This is really nice idea of organizing computers in your home. While I'm using RC right now, I always check and hope for OEM to hit NewEgg at the right price! Another thing is Home server products from any vendor should be really interesting, I can't wait to see it!'

check out more info at http://mswhs.com/

diff --git a/_posts/2007-09-07-a-weirdo-case-can-surf-only-on-ie-while-no-connection-on-others.markdown b/_posts/2007-09-07-a-weirdo-case-can-surf-only-on-ie-while-no-connection-on-others.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98017fd --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-09-07-a-weirdo-case-can-surf-only-on-ie-while-no-connection-on-others.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: A weirdo case--can surf only on ie, while others have no connection. +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 8 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=8 +date: '2007-09-07 23:06:58 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-09-07 23:06:58 +0700' +categories: +- after-works +tags: [] +--- +

This is my first time that I can't get computer works as I want and in the time I work. Oh! darn! I really don't have any idea how to do it since I have no another computer with me. No excuse I can't fix that.

The symptom is it works almost the same as usual but you cannot connect to the internet at all (but LAN is connected to DSL modem successfully) except ie which you can surf to the internet almost perfectly. That thing is there is something blocks the popular mail site for logging in. I mean I can login to Yahoo! Mail via mobile site and go to http://mail.yahoo.com without any problem! What the heck is that? that makes me stupid for a while.

What I had done is trying to disable almost everything unnecessary from startup; the result is LAN is connected as usual; I mean I can login to Modem via HTTP (192.168.1.1) but I can't go to other sites at all. Then I set the startup as default; what I got is slow (surely) and only ie that can connect the internet, besides most web-mails.

x Hosts file
+x Startup program

:-( desperate me, I never think of this moment but I won't give up.

Now I have 1 suspect which is expired Norton Antivirus that I can't uninstall at first due to broken registry and lots of spyware & worms. I mean I really can't uninstall or re-install by common way. So I might need a backup--but who else around me can help this! (Norton remove tool and how to manually move Norton out of the system) I will try these two ways to see if it works. Keep up!

diff --git a/_posts/2007-09-08-windows-live-writer-2008.markdown b/_posts/2007-09-08-windows-live-writer-2008.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..44ce7e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-09-08-windows-live-writer-2008.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Windows Live Writer 2008 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 9 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=9 +date: '2007-09-08 07:54:00 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-09-08 07:54:00 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +tags: +- microsoft +--- +

Oh, I'm posting from Windows Live Writer, one of the Windows Live Product. I found that it's quite good, giving me first impression easily. From what I see recently--since Office 2007 or more specifically OneNote, I think Microsoft have done really good job about usability of their software; even though, Vista is what all folks complained about--I will talk about that later though.

Windows Live Writer is for writing. I doubt that what it's really for. At first I thought is sort of OneNote but it's actually, Windows Live Blogger! It will help anyone posting a blog very easy from your Windows PC. Whatever blog you have from Windows Live Space, SharePoint Webblog, Blogger, or even your WordPress; this program will recognize by itself, damned easy!! what I have to know is my blog address, user, and password. And I mean that's it. Windows Live Writer will find anything in a minute for ready to post! I can do almost everything I should have to do--setting category, inserting any object, adding plug-ins, setting publish date, editing the post that publishing via the program itself or adding tag for any tag providers you like. I don't know what else to say; it's better than posting on blogger via Picasa for sure.

What I really like is I can save draft on my PC for publishing later or preview like it already published on your blog. You've got to see it for real.

However, why it's version 2008 I have no idea :-P but newbies products from Microsoft are really changing the way they were before. It's clean and easy but still tweakable. Maybe Microsoft is trying to show that it's still far superior than its opponents; who knows? wait for Leopard hits the shelves and see if it still is.

diff --git a/_posts/2007-10-01-what-is-the-digital-speaker-really.markdown b/_posts/2007-10-01-what-is-the-digital-speaker-really.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..754cc18 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-10-01-what-is-the-digital-speaker-really.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: What is the digital speaker really? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 21 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=21 +date: '2007-10-01 14:21:31 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-10-01 14:21:31 +0700' +categories: +- follow-up +tags: [] +--- +

All questions from a previous post has been answered since I bought Boston BA735 myself. well I will start from what is the difference between a analog speaker and a digital one? then go to signal and interface consecutively.

the speaker itself does not have things different because it's still plain speaker as we all know--you can still buy a bare speaker unit and change by yourself; however, what makes these two types distinct is the DAC inside the digital one while there is no any DAC in the analog speaker. In other words, the digital speaker will receive only digital signal which contains information of 0s and 1s, then translate that signal into analog by the DAC unit right before transmit to a speaker. This process differs to the analog one because normally a computer will transmit the signal to speakers directly by sound card which has the DAC built-in. You may think like I do why and what is the advantage of the digital speaker over the analog one. All can I say is almost none--in most cases--these days. It might have one significant advantage which is almost none CPU utilization because the CPU doesn't have to do anything about sound--just help transmitting throughout a digital port. The digital speaker will take care of the rest. Nonetheless, if you have such a great sound card like Sound Blaster Augidy or whatever so, you already have a very low CPU utilization and you will not take any advantages of your sound card at all by using the digital speaker. You may get the idea what it really is now, but this is the idea. I will show you about when using this what you have to do other than normal one.

The real problem of the digital speaker is you need a digital signal. You may think this is just simple because every single computer use digital to process anyway. Nevertheless, the default of sound output in every computer is analog. You may find hard to set it as a digital output. Most of modern sound cards have a digital output as a feature--not all of them though. For me, I find it very difficult to use this speaker. My on-board sound card doesn't have digital-output support, although its name is digital bla bla bla, so I have to use one of my spare SB Live! just to use this speaker. Believe it or not, I cannot work this out with my Linux box yet.

For a performance, I had Boston BA635 (analog) which is predecessor of BA735 before. I can't notice any different between two of them--maybe my ear is not that good though LOL.

For the connector, my misunderstanding is, for the digital output, it should be SPDIF or an optical port--the one I never ever have a chance to use. However, it's wrong. There are 2 types of digital connector--coaxial and optical. So it could be both optical and electrical signal that carry digital output. In my case--BA735, it use just plain cable. On one terminal is coax; another one is just mono headphone jack to connect with my PC-box. There is no significant differences between analog and digital at all. That should be the reason why only a few web sites mentioned this.

What you have to do to use this kind of speaker

You have to have a sound card that has digital output capability. The easiest way to know this is get yourself into Control Panel >> Sound and seek for "digital output only" feature in every single page. If you can find it, you're good to have a digital speaker. If you can't find any, go to manufacturer's web site and find its detail tech spec. You may get a good information.

Analog or digital speaker is just choice of preference. A performance is also on the same factor: price, model, and brand. All we have to do is understand what it really is and uses it efficiently.

diff --git a/_posts/2007-11-04-is-windows-vista-so-expensive-comparing-to-mac-os-x.markdown b/_posts/2007-11-04-is-windows-vista-so-expensive-comparing-to-mac-os-x.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4450c90 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-11-04-is-windows-vista-so-expensive-comparing-to-mac-os-x.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,44 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Is Windows Vista so expensive comparing to Mac OS X? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 31 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=31 +date: '2007-11-04 20:48:59 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-11-04 20:48:59 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +tags: +- opinion +--- +

Comparing to the number one contender like Mac OS X, newest release--Leopard, Vista seems so expensive. But that's just a thing you automatically agree by the word of media without thinking by yourself. Just thing about it thoroughly, do we buy Leopard retail version or do we buy an upgrade version of Mac OS X? By comparing the method of Microsoft selling their OS, if you consider Leopard as a retail version of Mac OS, it sounds like you can buy an apple computer without an OS. That's the point of retail version. However, if you use one of Windows OS's family, you can buy an upgrade box with the same features as the retail one except the price which is almost at bargain price.

Take a look at the price of both company:-
+Mac OS X Leopard Home version: $129
+Mac OS X Leopard Premium version: $129
+Mac OS X Leopard Business version: $129
+Mac OS X Leopard Ultimate version: $129
+Mac OS X Leopard 5-licenses: $199

I really love & hate this Jobs' joke at the same time. The fact is you can't buy a Mac without an OS, so, to be fair, all this version should consider as an upgrade when we want to compare with Microsoft's strategy. However, you could buy 1-license box around $100-$110 and $180 for 5-license box, if you just put enough effort on Google.

on Microsoft side:-
+Vista Home Basic retail box $199.99
+Vista Home Premium retail box $249.99
+Vista Business retail box $299.99
+Vista Ultimate retail box $399.99

Vista Home Basic upgrade box $99.99
+Vista Home Premium upgrade box $144.99
+Vista Business upgrade box $189.99
+Vista Ultimate upgrade box $249.99

and surely the cheapest one, OEM version:-
+Vista Home Premium OEM DVD $111.99
+Vista Ultimate OEM DVD $179.99 (both 32-bit and 64-bit)
+Vista Home Premium 3-license OEM DVD $329.99 (both 32-bit and 64-bit)

You may think Microsoft is so suck to have so many versions, 4, of Windows, but that's just like a car. Not everyone wants to drive the fastest one like F1 or Ferrari which may consider as one of the most advanced engine and some just couldn't bare sitting on compact car like Yaris. I think if you want to most powerful one, just go for Ultimate and then you will find Home Premium is enough.

Oh sorry I'm out of topic a bit. If you see the price really, you will find that Vista price is not so pain comparing to Leopard. And you know that there still is a way to get this cheaper, like the way you pay less for Leopard. The thing Apple is definitely better than Microsoft is they offer 5-license package for a low price. (I think I could install 1-license Tiger DVD on many computers though) Nonetheless, I couldn't directly compare both Leopard & Vista because I don't know what version of Vista should be equal to Leopard; you may think the Ultimate one but Leopard doesn't have that much feature like Tablet-related features. Maybe Home premium is the one you could do that. So they are just not really differing from each other.

All in all, you know now both Microsoft and Apple are just the same. They both need money from us :-D ha ha ha

ps. OEM version is just the way to pay less, only a DVD and COA sticker you need. Otherwise is the same.

diff --git a/_posts/2007-11-23-network-problem.markdown b/_posts/2007-11-23-network-problem.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..552f3c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-11-23-network-problem.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Network problem?? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 32 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=32 +date: '2007-11-23 18:57:45 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-11-23 18:57:45 +0700' +categories: +- after-works +- microsoft +tags: +- microsoft +- network +--- +

This is just the case I still wonder now what the cause really is. By the fact that there is 5 clients and 1 server in the network behind a router. All of clients are running Windows XP professional and the server runs Windows Server 2003 for file backing up and file server.

network-problem-1

The problem is only one-pair of them has a problem. The computer x1 rarely sees the x3 one and sometimes x3 is accessible but with very sluggish speed--almost 2 minutes waiting just to browse the file in explorer. Nonetheless x1 is accessible on x3 perfectly.

You may want to know that any other pairs don't have this problem. Even though x1 and server or with x5 or x3 with anyone. ping is good, time is less than 3 ms with anyone except the problem pair.

To alleviate the random problem like this, I really have no idea much. So, I have tried to change the file sharing to be more advanced and add the user 'everyone' and 'administrator' into the share permission. I forget to let you know that every single computer on the network uses 'administrator' as a login and they have the same password but the x3 one which normally use another user name as a login and administrator doesn't have any password. However, I have changed the password of administrator to be the same as others already. For you guys who wonder about firewall on x3, it's installed Norton Firewall and I did turn off to prevent a problem but frankly the problem was not gone.

But, then, it still has the same problem. I really frustrate with the windows network for the first time, not because it's working or not working, but because the symptom happens randomly so I couldn't figure out why it really is. When I go fixing, it seems works just fine. Nonetheless I use the alternative--set the x3 as a fixed IP--to solve this and it seems help.

After that, I haven't heard they have a problem again which could mean two things: the problem was solved or they don't believe me fixing that again :-/ ha ha ha if anyone passing by has any idea or else, please let me know. Thanks!

diff --git a/_posts/2007-11-30-vista-eating-up-your-hard-drive-good-or-bad.markdown b/_posts/2007-11-30-vista-eating-up-your-hard-drive-good-or-bad.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d51f3c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-11-30-vista-eating-up-your-hard-drive-good-or-bad.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Vista eating up your hard drive, good or bad? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 34 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=34 +date: '2007-11-30 09:19:46 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-11-30 09:19:46 +0700' +categories: +- Vista +tags: +- microsoft +- Vista +--- +

Okay this was my problem with my new tablet since I have it only 2 weeks or so. But with 120GB it has really is left only 29-31GB which means I used about 70 GB already (5.5GB is being separated to another partition). All my programs are like 20 programs or so, including heavy-weight stuffs like Microsoft Office 2007 (625MB), Thunderbird DB (600MB), Eclipse (330MB), Photoshop CS2(210MB), PC-Doctor-5(130MB)--bundled with my tablet--I'm not quite sure what is really is :-P I'll give it a shot first. However, all these programs, including Vista business, and my data, are only 30GB. So where the heck is another 30G?

Let's see; I had tried with all my common sense and it came up with nothing; I felt like when I was finding the photos in my treo in FileZ; you couldn't see whether they are in memory at all! (if you are using Palm NVFS-based device, try by yourself; you'll see what I'm talking about) What I did is using Disk Cleanup, deleting all temp files, checking all the program that might related with backup/restore, turning off UAC, getting into safemode with admin account to find where that file is, and restarting many times. I still found no clue. You may see 2 figures below. That really conflicts with what my computer shown above!

I hadn't known what the hidden 30GB file is until I googled it. I found that Vista has a whole new system of system restore, including new strange name--shadow copy storage. For Vista you couldn't adjust how large the storage for system restore is by GUI anymore. It shows only a bit information, and a check box to turn on/off. So what does the system restore differ to the old one on XP? I can say that they are practically the same but, on Vista, it's much more elegant and powerful (or too powerful, I guess)

"In Windows XP, System Restore uses a file system filter to keep track of system file changes. In Windows Vista, System Restore uses Volume Shadow Copy Service to keep track of block-level changes over the selected volumes."

shadow copy service was introduced in Windows Server 2003, I believe. It uses for keep tracking all the data and copy in this backup disk (which is invisible) This service is totally automatically--meaning that you can do nothing about this. However, the maximum shadow storage will be set based on the actual volume or the free space after setting up. It's usually up to 30% of free space or 15% the overall size of the volume. I found the typical computer has a maximum shadow storage about 15GB, but, frankly, my Thinkpad X61T doesn't have the maximum value, how odd!!? UNBOUNDED--that's what it set to mine. :-/

Anyway, you could check the used, allocated, and maximum shadow copy storage by run elevated command prompt (start | type "cmd" | right-click on cmd.exe and tap Run as administrator)

vssadmin list shadowstorage

In case you want to change the maximum shadow storage, you could use the command

VSSAdmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=15GB

While For is the volume you want to backup, On is the where the shadow space is, MaxSize is a maximum size you want. If you are shrinking the volume, you may lose your previous backup as well, just to beware.

Now you know what shadow copy storage is. Then you will know how you can take the advantage of this service and you'll know how great this is. Practically, shadow will copy everything in every period you have changed anything to the disk. Thus, you will be able to restore what files/folders you want to be the way they were by easily right-click on that file/folder, then tap on "Restore previous versions"

then you will see tons of file/folder you want to restore in many points of time.

For me, with UNBOUNDED setting, I can roll up to the first day I got this tablet. The process is quite intuitive. I can't wait to try Time Machine in Leopard to see how good it is though.

All in all, this is such a great feature but it can't be great with *unbounded* setting for sure. You may try to find out how much shadow eating up your hard drive, then resize it. I have no idea why this happened, but, without this problem, I won't know that there is something running underneath and duplicating all my stuffs. I have about 3 computers with Vista now, I haven't found this bother me, perhaps it was set correctly. Therefore, I haven't noticed this invisible volume. Finally, I can think of many situation that found this really great tool, like accidentally delete the important file, or a file was intentionally deleted, but I need that file back. As long as it doesn't waste much space, it's a fantastic feature.

ps. I don't know if this bundled in Vista Home basic or premium or not, since these 2 don't have restore/backup capability. I'll let you know when I found out. But for Vista Business and Ultimate, you expect to have this :-)

Edited on Jan 23, 2008: Vista Home Premium does have Shadow Storage feature. Thus I think there is no reason why Home Basic would not include this useful feature as well.

reference: How Volume Shadow Copy Service Works, Volume Shadow Copy Service Overview, Windows Vista Backup Technology

diff --git a/_posts/2007-12-10-whats-so-good-about-trackpoint.markdown b/_posts/2007-12-10-whats-so-good-about-trackpoint.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..58c08bc --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-12-10-whats-so-good-about-trackpoint.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: What's so good about TrackPoint? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 54 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=54 +date: '2007-12-10 11:28:46 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-12-10 11:28:46 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- review +tags: +- mouse +- opinion +--- +

I always hear people around commenting Lenovo ThinkPad (formerly IBM ThinkPad) series is great, but they are rarely buying one just because of "the red stick" in the middle of one of the best keyboard ever. I were among that group of people as well; however, time changes; people also change too. Ever since I got my X61T, I had been forced to live with the only choice of mouse called "TrackPoint". I have started changing my mind then.

Everybody around me knows that I naturally hate using touchpad. You will hardly find me using touchpad. Thus, I'm always carry a little USB mouse with me since I have a laptop although that loads me a bit more. However, it doesn't mean I use touchpad as slow as one who haven't ever touched a computer. The thing has been changed since I got ThinkPad X61. From the very first feeling of using TrackPoint, I did feel somewhat awkward and found it not as fast as my weak touchpad skill. But it was just a time when I was a stranger to TrackPoint. For the time being, TrackPoint is a breeze comparing to touchpad and unfortunately better than a mouse in some ways.

trackpoint scrolling To get into why it's so good, you may have to know a bit of how it works out. In order to move a cursor, you have to gently push on the red stick in a direction you want. Right-button and left-button are right below spacebar. For the middle button, it doesn't work as a standard middle button but it will works as a wheel by hold the button and using the red stick to scroll in whatever direction you want--two or eight directions depending on the program.

Sound normal to you, right? It is. However, the advantage of TrackPoint is the position itself. While the touchpad is below the keyboard, TrackPoint is on the keyboard. While you have to move your hand a bit to use touchpad, you don't have to move your hand at all using TrackPoint. Imagine typing and scrolling the page back and forth, you will see how pain it is when using touchpad but it's so easy to TrackPoint. For a Trackpad--Apple's stuff, they requires your 2 finger--mostly index and middle one which you have to move your whole hand--to scroll the page, but for TrackPoint you just use your thumb to hold the middle button and your index to control the direction; you don't even have to move your hand. That's easy! For more example, scrolling the page, you have to drag your finger from top to bottom many time 'til the end of page. Nonetheless, you don't have to move any part to use TrackPoint; you just gently press on the red stick, how convenient. That's the point why I prefer TrackPoint to mouse when I read stuffs; it's so smooth like using MicroGear™ Precision scroll wheel of Logitech in VX/MX series but better in term of controlling.

IMO, the real disadvantage of TrackPoint is when you are using programs like Photoshop, using a mouse is a way much better! I don't think you will find any cons of TrackPoint comparing to touchpad though. Also, I found that TrackPoint is creating for a regular work, not intending to make it very accurate, or fast in any way, so it does not give you a perfect experience when you are playing a game like shooting, or any requiring accuracy.

Another point is finger pain, it does happen but it probably the same as touchpad. In addition, by setting to highest sensitivity and using the soft rim--type of TrackPoint cap, I think you will use it comfortably by now.

For who you don't believe me, try it by yourself; you'll know what I'm talking about.

Types of TrackPoint Cap:

Classic Dome: The Classic Dome cap is for users who prefer the touch and feel of the cap traditionally associated with the TrackPoint.
+

Soft Dome: With a large, convex surface area and soft texturing, the Soft Dome cap provides a soft touch and feel.
+

Soft Rim: The large, concave design of the Soft Rim cap provides a completely different touch and feel and creates a mechanical advantage whereby less force is required for pointer motion.

Edited on Jan 23, 2008: Soft Rim really helps you use trackpoint easier and lesser effort. You should try ;-P and, then, be happier with this :-)

diff --git a/_posts/2007-12-17-how-to-install-thai-input-in-eee-pc.markdown b/_posts/2007-12-17-how-to-install-thai-input-in-eee-pc.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..69dc5cd --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-12-17-how-to-install-thai-input-in-eee-pc.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,62 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: How to install Thai input in Eee PC +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 59 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=59 +date: '2007-12-17 14:44:28 +0700' +date_gmt: '2007-12-17 14:44:28 +0700' +categories: +- linux +- Eee PC +tags: +- Eee PC +- how to +- linux +--- +

I don't know if this is useful, but I found many sites mentioned that Eee (Xandros) is not capable of handling Thai--only for input, I guess. So this could help somebody who passes by and is finding how to add Thai as an input language.

Originally, Eee PC comes with English and Chinese, of course. Thus, it needs something to switch between those languages already. Luckily it is SCIM - Smart Commom Input Method Platform. If you are familiar with another linux distro and using other language besides English, you will know it well. This is all you have to know in order to add Thai or any language as a keyboard input.

source: screenshot of openSUSE 10.3

Basically, SCIM has 2 parts which are core programs and tables (.bin & .png) for any languages. Usually, when you install SCIM, it will bundle tons of table for you to choose, but unfortunately Eee does have only English and Chinese. So, what you have to do is copying the table for the language you need into SCIM directory. That's it!

I upload all non-CJK tables for SCIM in Sky Drive here, it's only 110kB, so you may add all that or just choose what you want.

After you got the file, you have to extract and put them in

/usr/share/scim/

or if you want to add only Thai language, you have to copy Thai.png in icons folder to /usr/share/scim/icons and Thai.bin in tables folder to /usr/share/scim/tables. (you have to gain root privilege in order to do so)

Then you have to set for a hotkey for switch the language a bit. You might not use grave accent though since grave button is not on the right place as usual keyboard. I found that Ctrl+space is very comfortable way to switch, but it's just my way.

Step-by-Step: how to add thai for eee pc:

1. download SCIM table from my Sky Drive here
+2. Extract to where you want, assume /home/user
+3. get into Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T)
+4. gain root privilege

sudo -i

5. copy 2 files needed for a lauguage you want

cp /home/user/scim/icons/Thai.png /usr/share/scim/icons/
+cp /home/user/scim/Tables/Thai.bin /usr/share/scim/tables/

6. right-click on SCIM and set for a hotkey
+7. you are now able to type Thai on Eee PC, congratulation!

#-----added on 2007-12-25---- การลงภาษาไทยใน eee pc --------#
+Additional part for you guys who prefer Pattachote keyboard layout (ปัตตะโชติ บน eee pc) pattachote on Eee; ปัตตโชติ บน eee

First of all, you don't have to follow the step above. You have to do something a bit different which is adding scim-thai repository.
+1. Get into terminal by ctrl+alt+t
+2. add repository that has scim-thai (one I know is from linux.thai.net)

sudo kwrite /etc/apt/sources.list

add the following line into the file, then save and exit.

deb http://linux.thai.net/apt ./

3. update the repositories and install scim-thai in terminal

sudo apt-get update

You may have to try several times until you haven't seen an error. Then:-

sudo apt-get install scim-thai

apt-get_scim-thai
+4. once you finished installation; restart once--I don't think it needs to but scim sometimes confuses about adding new stuffs.
+ choose_layout_in_scim-thai
+5. After you get back; setting in SCIM then you all set!
+ test_keyboard_on_eee

Happy New Year! I hope you find some fun with your Eee PC!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-01-08-is-a-format-war-over-blu-ray-eventually-or-is-it-the-great-marketing-of-sony.markdown b/_posts/2008-01-08-is-a-format-war-over-blu-ray-eventually-or-is-it-the-great-marketing-of-sony.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f15c69e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-01-08-is-a-format-war-over-blu-ray-eventually-or-is-it-the-great-marketing-of-sony.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Is a format war over? Blu-ray eventually? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 66 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=66 +date: '2008-01-08 02:47:27 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-01-08 02:47:27 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +tags: +- opinion +--- +

I just have no idea really because I haven't had any chance to have any Hi-Def disc drive myself. However, I thought this war already ended up months ago. Now I just sit reading news and surprising why people are still whining about this again and again...

The previous format war is recordable DVD standard, DVD-R or DVD+R. This ended up peacefully by hybrid drive which is able to handle both of them. With the same scenario, I thought the release of Samsung BD-UP5000 1080p HD-DVD Blu-Ray Disc Combo Player is great ending--no compromise, and fully compatible with both. It was about $1049 in Q4, 2007, and now, only a week of 2008 it's only $799. No doubt, there will be bunches of Combo player like this coming very soon (now LG) and, surely, the price will go deep down rapidly over time like you had seen with other previous formats--DVD, VHS, or else.

The question is why? why do people still talk about this war? here, here, and here. Warner will go for Blu-ray exclusive and is that it? I don't think so. Even though Blu-ray has more capacity (dual-layer: 50GB) per disc comparing to HD-DVD(dual-layer: 30GB), the price is higher as well. For example, Amazon sells Blu-ray and HD-DVD around $19.95 to mostly $27.95 and mostly $19.95 respectively. From what I have seen, the price is going to be real vital factor which consumers decide to get. Like me, I still prefer burning with single-layer DVD (20-40c/disc) to dual-layer DVD ($1.25-?/disc) because of the price solely. Nevertheless, I still prefer to see this war ends with whatever you choose, we can play.

In short, all I hope is both of them become cheap so that we all can take the advantage of them.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-01-09-a-trend-of-notebook-in-year-2008-fashionable-notebook-maybe.markdown b/_posts/2008-01-09-a-trend-of-notebook-in-year-2008-fashionable-notebook-maybe.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..92fa325 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-01-09-a-trend-of-notebook-in-year-2008-fashionable-notebook-maybe.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: A Trend of Notebook in Year 2008, fashionable notebook maybe? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 79 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=79 +date: '2008-01-09 02:42:47 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-01-09 02:42:47 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- notebook +tags: +- opinion +--- +

Since there are tons of new CPU/GPU in the market now, most of them are over-performance of what we really need now. Joe and Jane folks, we all use computers mainly for surfing the Internet, checking e-mail. You may argue that you are kind of gamers, graphic designers, or whatever bla bla bla... But you may know, you are minority.

Ever since I have computer at the age only 1-digit, I mainly use computer for gaming, and learning something inspiring me until now. But at that time, notebook or portable device is just too expensive for everyone, only business use, I bet. These days, I guess kids still do the same as me, but, because of computer getting smaller, lighter, and more importantly cheaper so that they could bring their new tools (& toys) to school for lecturing. That's why the word *fashionable* is coming to this world in order to increase "wow" factor and let buyer take the money out easier.

I guess Apple should be named as the first who brought this word to the electronic world really from iMac G3 up to now. But, this year, I bet you will see lots of fashionable notebook going to town. First, unfashionable Dell was starting to color their popular Inspiron line, though it was a first take which was not quite impressive since there are complaints about wearing out of the color. However, from what I can see, they are selling quite well comparing to other models. I guess it's just like something extra on top, no reason why you wouldn't get it?

That just was the start; the upcoming is not only plain color anymore, it's getting more style. For Dell new Inspiron 1525 series, you will see choices of unique patterns like strips or waves.

But the most impact model of Dell is XPS series, m1330 and m1530, they are just so appealing in a way Dell customers couldn't ever imagine. Not only did Dell do this, others are on the way as well. HP gives you such a variety of very cool choice like this:-

Also, Lenovo who doesn't seem to care much about their consumer line is going to release the small notebook in Chinese red suit and its siblings named ideaPad U110, Y510, and Y510.

Don't get me wrong, fashionable doesn't have to be colorful, though colorful is preference and easier to present. Some notebooks like Macbook and Asus Eee PC are good examples of fashionable notebook without color (color version comes later on anyway.) They have lots of wow factor in itself much more than many models in the market.

All in all, these are just the example of upcoming notebook. And you know all these notebooks haven't had any kind of horse power hardware. Thus, year 2008 is going to be the year of fashionable notebook indeed. We'll see!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-01-14-e-book-will-be-better-after-acquiring-ereader-by-fictionwise-wont-it.markdown b/_posts/2008-01-14-e-book-will-be-better-after-acquiring-ereader-by-fictionwise-wont-it.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95d8d82 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-01-14-e-book-will-be-better-after-acquiring-ereader-by-fictionwise-wont-it.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: e-book will be better after acquiring eReader by Fictionwise, won't it? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 82 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/01/14/e-book-will-be-better-after-acquiring-ereader-by-fictionwise-wont-it/ +date: '2008-01-14 13:54:26 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-01-14 13:54:26 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +tags: +- opinion +- ebook +--- +

Only one thing that exacerbates eBook market is tons of DRMs out there. Even though you have such a great device like e-Ink device (Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle), or Nokia Internet Table (which has very nice screen, 220dpi), or even your PDA or notebook, you still have very huge obstacle in order to read because most devices have their own backing, and they mostly accept only one DRM.

good e-book store and good device are parallel; You may think unlike me since MobiPocket.com, eReader.com, etc. offer many platforms like Mac, Windows, Palm, PPC, and Symbian. That covers almost all devices people use this day. Nonetheless, sadly, none of them are suitable for reading e-book. Since PDAs have such a low resolution and too small screen, thus you will end up with your eye pain after several pages. Any notebook or sub-notebook to date is too large to consider as portable, then you will find you couldn't read any time you want or it won't last long to the book ended.

Suitable devices I could find all have the problem with DRM one way or the other. Firstly Nokia 770 or N800 series could be a good e-book reader device since they are portable and have decent screen, enough battery life, and great e-book reader program I could find--FBReader. But then again it doesn't support any protected e-book. Also, Kindle and Sony Reader are too strict to their own DRM and the bad part is their stores don't have the large resource as other stores.

About the store, MobiPocket and eReader are the websites who really strict on their DRM while Fictionwise offers various formats--support wide range of devices, both DRM and non-DRM. I won't say it's better than others, but I just hope there will be one provider who has bunches of e-books and provide a program for all e-book platforms really. As you may know, it doesn't that much, only a few more platforms left. Or actually Fictionwise + eReader could release their e-Ink or good enough device; that solution could be nice since they have enough resource to build up the community already.

Just so you know, I'm one of Fictionwise and MobiPocket customers, but not eReader. And I have heard that eReader is so good to allow your e-book, which encrypted with your own credit card number, to put in many devices as you want. IMO, It's a better way comparing to MobiPocket that allows you to use with only 4 (or 5?) devices at a times--you may add/remove devices as you want, so you could count it as any devices, but it's just too much effort.

Briefly, I however just don't care how it works. All I care is having the better device for reading and I am able to use that to read books I want without any trouble or effort. I bet there are people like me a lot and that's the main reason why they are still reluctant to buy e-book reader and e-book for the time being. Perhaps we just have to wait an iPod-like e-book reader--the one that's good enough to rule them all. I hope merging of Fictionwise and eReader could do some impact to an e-book landscape rather than they just want to gain more profit themselves.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-01-15-macbook-air-is-another-sub-notebook-eventually.markdown b/_posts/2008-01-15-macbook-air-is-another-sub-notebook-eventually.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe10fd1 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-01-15-macbook-air-is-another-sub-notebook-eventually.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Macbook Air is another sub-notebook eventually +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 91 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/01/15/macbook-air-is-another-sub-notebook-eventually/ +date: '2008-01-15 19:11:06 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-01-15 19:11:06 +0700' +categories: +- notebook +tags: [] +--- +

This is almost the same spec as Macbook but whole lot thinner and lighter that Apple had never achieve in the notebook line before.Briefly specification:

CPU Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6-1.8GHz (Merom, I guess)
+2GB of DDR2 SDRAM onboard
+13.3" Screen -- 1280 by 800 native resolution
+80GB 4200rpm P-ATA [1.8" I guess] or 64GB SSD
+802.11n + Bluetooth 2.1
+Backlit Keyboard
+5hr Battery Life
+1 USB port/1 mini-DVI port
+ optional USB SuperDrive $99
+optional USB Ethernet Port $29
+Height: 0.16-0.76 inch (0.4-1.94 cm)
+Width: 12.8 inches (32.5 cm)
+Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
+Weight: 3.0 pounds (1.36 kg)

Damn! it looks so good on the paper, but until now there is no word on price, maybe we have to wait for Steve Jobs' KeyNote ended first. However, I found that Mac dealing with non-CD notebook so good. They just use CD Drive on another Mac and share to Macbook Air. Although it's the basic thing we always do, most people just can't do this on their own. Nice job, Apple.

remote disc

From the spec (plus Apple logo on the lid), it won't cost less than 1.5 grand for sure; it's just too far to reach since Thinkpad X61s will cost you only $800 after promotion/coupon and it's lighter (but thicker) and faster than this baby.

Macbook Air @ Apple.com

updated: this baby will cost you $1,799 and $3,098.00 respectively by hard drive configuration--ooh, 2-3*Thinkpad X61s and about same price as Macbook Pro.. No more word :-x

diff --git a/_posts/2008-01-19-onenote-printer-missing-after-updating-office-sp1.markdown b/_posts/2008-01-19-onenote-printer-missing-after-updating-office-sp1.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c99e35b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-01-19-onenote-printer-missing-after-updating-office-sp1.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Onenote printer missing after updating Office SP1 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 97 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/01/19/onenote-printer-missing-after-updating-office-sp1/ +date: '2008-01-19 08:13:28 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-01-19 08:13:28 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +tags: +- microsoft +--- +

I don't know this sort of problem happening really; but it's really suck since this virtual printer is so valuable.

If you do update this, you will suddenly find that you are not able to print anything to OneNote again and it's not just easy adding printer, and you will get it. :-P

Unfortunately, the solution is much easier--repair the program via add/remove programs.

Control Panel >> Add/remove program (or Program and features in Vista)
Choose Microsoft Office 2007, then click change
Click next, next, ..., until it's done.
after all, you have your OneNote printer back, easy?

:-P it's easy to fix; nonetheless, the truth is this shouldn't happen ever :-X

diff --git a/_posts/2008-01-20-inkseine-will-be-available-after-valentines-day.markdown b/_posts/2008-01-20-inkseine-will-be-available-after-valentines-day.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a72218 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-01-20-inkseine-will-be-available-after-valentines-day.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: InkSeine will be available after Valentine's day. +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 100 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/01/20/inkseine-will-be-available-after-valentines-day/ +date: '2008-01-20 14:07:13 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-01-20 14:07:13 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +- tablet PC +tags: +- tablet PC +- software +--- +

We've got a good news from Microsoft Research community; The tablet centric program will be ready for download from Microsoft Research on February 15, 2008 after it's only beta for full-time Microsoft employee for a while. If you don't know what it is, take a look at this.

It looks really promising program for Tablet PC or UMPC, we'll see what it can do. I'm very happy to see the tablet-related program coming after the great OneNote 2007 :-P Stay Tuned!

For more information: InkSeine: Find Your Stuff With Ink,
+

diff --git a/_posts/2008-01-24-getting-to-know-more-about-inkseine.markdown b/_posts/2008-01-24-getting-to-know-more-about-inkseine.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d829e07 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-01-24-getting-to-know-more-about-inkseine.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Getting to know more about InkSeine +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 102 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/01/24/getting-to-know-more-about-inkseine/ +date: '2008-01-24 15:43:21 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-01-24 15:43:21 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +- tablet PC +tags: +- tablet PC +- software +--- +

InkSeine is probably designed solely for pen; every single thing is completely new world of controlling; ~~you won't find it easy if you are not using with the pen~~. Imagine that you almost don't have to click, just tap and drag. I'm really exciting waiting for try in person.

Here the samples come:-

> Twelve Days of InkSeine by Ken Hinckley@Microsoft Research, today there are up to day #3 but they are all coming soon.
+> GBM InkShow: InkSeine - you will get tons of idea what Inkseine is. Very good show indeed.

I can't wait for Feb 15! Nevertheless, I really hope InkSeine would have a notebook tab organization like we used to have in OneNote. That's going to be awesome.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-02-05-first-take-fixing-loose-fujitsu-s2110s-power-jack.markdown b/_posts/2008-02-05-first-take-fixing-loose-fujitsu-s2110s-power-jack.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d2a5ff --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-02-05-first-take-fixing-loose-fujitsu-s2110s-power-jack.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'First take: fixing loose Fujitsu S2110''s power jack' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 110 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/02/05/first-take-fixing-loose-fujitsu-s2110s-power-jack/ +date: '2008-02-05 11:28:37 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-02-05 16:28:37 +0700' +categories: +- electronic +- notebook +- repairing +tags: +- repairing +--- +

Actually, if you have Fujitsu laptop, you are likely to have this problem since this is just a bad selection of power jack, or I could say that it's a bad design instead. Nonetheless, it has been served me very well since late last year. No one wouldn't disagree how good Fujitsu is though.

powerjack The problem is when you plugged the power jack, it randomly disconnected. You had to move the power adapter tip a bit to get it work properly again. Since I'm setting a brightness when plugged in and on battery differently, so I found this problem is really bothering me; it just keeps switching brightness back and forth any time I move my laptop. In my opinion, it is because the power adapter tip isn't that smooth at the edge and when you plug it in, it does have some trigger (to avoid loosing power jack perhaps). That, however, it's the bad part; the more you plug in and take out, the more power jack on the print circuit (and/or its mechanism) is loosing. I bet you won't find this problem with Apple Magnetic power adapter and many other manufacturers.

Well, I don't know if I'm good at explaining this situation. But I know that the picture says thousands of useful words.

loose-dc-power-jack

You may know what is the cause of this problem now and you might have a solution already too. As you know, this is a first take; I won't do anything much since I found that soldering of DC power jack is still good enough, there is no need to take it out and find a replacement. At first, you have to get this part out. (if you don't know how to do, take a look at this. It might not cover this part truly, it gives you an idea though.)

I took a look at this part to see how to fix this for a while.

DC power jack circuit DC power jack circuit 2

I found that if you could fill two holes I showed above to prevent DC power jack moving, it might help. You know? I tried that but no luck; I had nothing that can fill that out. Thus I came up with another idea which is finding something to put in between DC power jack and print circuit making it more solid and securely attached.

DC power jack fixed

It's working beautifully by inserting a paper (in fact, I should find some non-arc thing like plastic) between them. I haven't found any random power disconnection for few weeks by now. I know this is not permanent solution, but the phrase, "If it works, don't fix it," is always a good solution. When this problem shows up again, you will see another solution indeed.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-02-10-dell-xps-one-product-red-wallpaper.markdown b/_posts/2008-02-10-dell-xps-one-product-red-wallpaper.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..587d84b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-02-10-dell-xps-one-product-red-wallpaper.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Dell XPS One (PRODUCT) RED wallpaper +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 119 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/02/10/dell-xps-one-product-red-wallpaper/ +date: '2008-02-10 23:19:00 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-02-11 04:19:00 +0700' +categories: +- wallpaper +tags: +- wallpaper +--- +

Windows Aero This is basically XPS One in red, it might not be interesting one at all for someone. However, there is one thing that is really cool about it which is Wallpaper. I bet many thought like I do.

Thus, today I grabbed all of wallpapers of XPS One (Product) RED. They are so cool as it looks in the web site.

Here they all are for you :-P I forget to tell you that they all are 1680x1050. But you won't have any weird feeling using on 4:3 screen like using on my Thinkpad X61T :-D

+(Click to see full-sized wallpaper)

Enjoy!!

more info about (PRODUCT) RED

updated (Feb 20, 2008): Mirror (if above doesn't work):
+

diff --git a/_posts/2008-02-14-inkseine-is-out.markdown b/_posts/2008-02-14-inkseine-is-out.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6012d25 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-02-14-inkseine-is-out.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: InkSeine is out! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 121 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/02/14/inkseine-is-out/ +date: '2008-02-14 15:24:14 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-02-14 20:24:14 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +- tablet PC +tags: +- tablet PC +- software +--- +

Finally, it's released one day earlier than what we knew at the first time, Valentine's gift probably. You can go grab it here.

Since it's BETA, it would be impossible that it is bug-free program. See the limitation here. However, that's not going to make this great program bad at all. We all know that we could workaround this anyway.

To improve this program, don't forget to tell what you think to developer :-P Thus, we will have better program in any perspective. But for now, I have to go testing InkSeine myself.

Have fun.

updated: comments, suggestions, feedbacks via gottabemobile forum -- here you will learn lots of thing also.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-02-16-lenovo-thinkpad-x300-back-to-premium.markdown b/_posts/2008-02-16-lenovo-thinkpad-x300-back-to-premium.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a81ab0a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-02-16-lenovo-thinkpad-x300-back-to-premium.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Lenovo ThinkPad X300: back to Premium!' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 123 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/02/16/lenovo-thinkpad-x300-back-to-premium/ +date: '2008-02-16 21:40:04 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-02-17 02:40:04 +0700' +categories: +- ThinkPad +tags: +- notebook +--- +

x300_evelope

Oh, man! this ThinkPad is so cool. It's almost no compromise in design with countless features, such as ThinkLight--I really missed it, Roll Cage, Stainless steel display hinges, shock mount HDD, LED backlight, mic, camera, fingerprint, spill resistant keyboard, 802.11n, Bluetooth, Opt. WiMax/WWAN in this small chassis which is also hardware removal/installation friendly.

Battery light is also great as well with
+- 4.3 hours with 3-cell battery (3.13lbs)
+- 6.5 hours with 6-cell battery (3.32lbs)
+- 10 hours with 6+3-cell batteries (3.51lbs)

I have no idea about 6+3-cell batteries how it would be though--thru dock? However, 6.5 is impressive already, you maybe just carry another battery, then you will be all set. What you are sacrifice is faster CPU, instead they choose to pop Intel Core 2 Duo LV 1.2GHz 4MB L2 cache. I prefer longer battery life as always though.

BUT, sadly I couldn't afford it. With the premium price tag--$2,700. That's super far beyond my reach. At least, ThinkPad X300 is a dream machine of most people. I wish Thinkpad X200 will be almost the same with HDD and low price tag as X61s or X70 will be out soon.

X300 Brochure leaked via Forum.ThinkPads
+X300 take apart via Forum.ThinkPads

update (Feb 26, 2008): After coupon and else, we could actually get this cool ThinkPad around $2,100-2,200. Not bad, not bad at all! (but still couldn't afford it :-/)

diff --git a/_posts/2008-02-23-how-to-maximize-your-phones-battery-performance-by-palm.markdown b/_posts/2008-02-23-how-to-maximize-your-phones-battery-performance-by-palm.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f268931 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-02-23-how-to-maximize-your-phones-battery-performance-by-palm.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: How to maximize your phone's battery performance by Palm!? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 126 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/02/23/how-to-maximize-your-phones-battery-performance-by-palm/ +date: '2008-02-23 19:38:33 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-02-24 00:38:33 +0700' +categories: +- misc +tags: +- misc +--- +

Palm, Inc. just released Palm Self-Paced Learning Guides for their smartphone series; it's sort of cool for users to walk through a dynamic guide rather than just plain user guide.

When I got in there, my curiosity took me to the guide of Centro immediately. Everything seems decent, not much detail but Palm provides you enough information for new users. However, there is a Tips & Tricks section that made me Oh-O!! It's Maximize Battery Performance. See it by yourself.

First two are okay, some may not know that Li-ion doesn't like to be drain-out. This definitely helps. Nonetheless, the third one make me think that Palm should NOT be in smart-or-stupid-phone market at all. They want us not to use our phone and turn it off. Why should we buy the phone but plan not to use it then? What is the point of mobility? let all calls be picked up by voicemail, LOL!!

Have you ever heard any manufacturer tell you this--buy phone but not to use it? Please, go back and work on only your great PDA, Palm.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-03-01-is-it-better-to-move-my-stuffs-to-another-partition.markdown b/_posts/2008-03-01-is-it-better-to-move-my-stuffs-to-another-partition.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7cae958 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-03-01-is-it-better-to-move-my-stuffs-to-another-partition.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Is it better to move "my stuffs" to another partition? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 127 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/03/01/is-it-better-to-move-my-stuffs-to-another-partition/ +date: '2008-03-01 04:15:00 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-03-01 09:15:00 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- software +tags: +- opinion +- software +--- +

This is a very interesting topic in my opinion since I were on both side and I still have doubt how I am going to deal with my every new laptop/desktop. However, I think I have a point for folks who want to settle this confusion.

Firstly, I never thought of using My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, and My whatever Microsoft named it. I think it's kind of stupid saving files in them because the real path is such a pain. From Windows 95 until Windows XP, it looks like this:-

C:\Document and Setting\<username>\My Documents

It's just simply too hard to type, remember, and use. I ended up storing things in somewhere like:

D:\<xxx>

Unfortunately, I still ended up with filling My Documents and mostly My Pictures with a bunch of stuffs because some programs--Office, all photo viewer or music management--just use those values as a default and changing the location every time is not fun at all. The real problem is when I wanted to reinstall an OS, I needed copy a backup of those directories. Then after I was all set with new OS, I just wanted those directories to be neat and clean, then waited until I had enough time to organize. Eventually, those sets of "My Documents" backup are still on the same place--never make it to where it should.

I might be like you, or not at all, but I really like what Microsoft have done with Vista especially Tablet features and how it organize all this folder. Their names are much easier to find and recognize:

C:\Users\<username>\Documents

So, I have less reasons not to follow this type of organization and surely I gave them a shot. Then, I'd better start previewing both solutions.

1. Stick with one: I believe that this is most people do because you don't have to do anything with it; just normal. However, if your system corrupted, it's over. That case doesn't happen every day though.

2. Better have two: This is what I believe it's so good since I mostly re-install my OSes every month--don't ask why; it's just fun maybe at that time--and use multiple OSes in the same machine--that's an obvious reason: I can't afford to buy 2-3 machines and learn them one-by-one. At that time, you have to remember that Linux could not handle NTFS this well, so FAT32 is just a practical solution; nonetheless, it has very bad limited which is a 4GB largest file. I couldn't bare using to store some image files I have. Finally the easy way is using FAT32 partition as a storage for every OSes. This way I have no problem finding files I want anymore and more importantly, OS crashes, breaks, or doesn't work anyhow; you just reinstall it. All your files are still there at the same old place. Don't think of more than 2 storage partition, I don't think it's a better solution.

Up to now, it seems that one dedicated partition for storage has only advantages over a single partition. Let's see why single partition is more than enough nowadays.

You will get dynamic size of storage for both system & data -- that's what we really concerned since the more we have grown, the more storage is required. It's like we could fill up 120GB in a year while 40GB is like an infinity several year ago.
Not only you get dynamic size of storage, you will have less confusion of where you stored your data as well since everything will pack in C:\User\<username>\*.*
Multiple OSes? no problem, with NTFS-3g which improved both reading and writing abilities, Linux doesn't have any problem or trouble accessing data in NTFS again. Thus, if you want to do multiple OSes, just think of main OS you are going to use which mostly we ended up with Windows since hardcore Linux users will use it as only OS anyway. Then we just let Windows in bigger partition and store data in it. You'll never have problem of unable to access them.
Backup solutions are variety -- with the backup program like Norton Ghost, Acronis, Vista Backup & Restore, Windows Home Server, or just creating a duplicate on another drive. These programs are very useful if you data are the thing you concerned. Once you have a backup, you know you will not lose data. I know it's the way more expensive, but wait! it's safer and more reliable than storing in the same drive--no pain, no gain. If you are in the case of reinstalling OS for fun, you can partially restore only files you want anyway. This is highly recommended!

By the way, do not think I'm convincing you to use this way. I'm okay with both, but these days I need my machine to be more reliable than before. I am not dare to play with every stuffs I possibly find; I'm so tried of installing any OSes every two weeks or month. So this is the way I believe it's good for me now. Just so you know, I run Vista Business & Xubuntu on my X61T, my data are mostly in Windows' partition, it's working beautifully like my old days with many partitions. All in all, if you want your data to be safe, both ways are the same, but you can increase reliability of your data by having a backup.

The problem is choice...you decide it

diff --git a/_posts/2008-03-06-dell-product-red-complete-set.markdown b/_posts/2008-03-06-dell-product-red-complete-set.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..157cdc4 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-03-06-dell-product-red-complete-set.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,58 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Dell (PRODUCT) RED complete set +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +excerpt: " $\"Untitled\"$ \r\n\r\nDue to lots + of request from previous post about the rest of (PRODUCT) RED set. So you + will be satisfied with this post thoroughly. The complete set include:- $\"image\"$ \r\n

Wallpapers - all of them are in this post.
2 gadgets - to + make it clear, it's only 1 new gadget--just only a link. For the red clock, you + already have it with your Vista; all you have to do is find options and change it. + That's my bad; that I think they are the same; however, the RED clock one is a bit + different. No a second hand available is a disadvantage to me though.
Screensaver - this is nothing interesting at all. If you don't + believe me, try it. But I recommend you to turn off screen, it's way lots better + than opening screensaver.
DreamScene - this is what you see above; you may like it though.
What + else? - theme? no more! you could do on your own as your preference.

\r\nHappy + with (PRODUCT) RED stuffs.\r\n" +wordpress_id: 129 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/03/06/dell-product-red-complete-set/ +date: '2008-03-06 02:06:54 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-03-06 07:06:54 +0700' +categories: +- misc +tags: +- misc +--- +

Untitled

Due to lots of request from previous post about the rest of (PRODUCT) RED set. So you will be satisfied with this post thoroughly. The complete set include:-

Wallpapers - all of them are in this post.
2 gadgets - to make it clear, it's only 1 new gadget--just only a link. For the red clock, you already have it with your Vista; all you have to do is find options and change it. That's my bad; that I think they are the same; however, the RED clock one is a bit different. No a second hand available is a disadvantage to me though.
Screensaver - this is nothing interesting at all. If you don't believe me, try it. But I recommend you to turn off screen, it's way lots better than opening screensaver.
DreamScene - this is what you see above; you may like it though.
What else? - theme? no more! you could do on your own as your preference.

Happy with (PRODUCT) RED stuffs.
+
+ clip_image001

Added: March 9, 2008

Thanks to fediafedia, I realized that's based on the same code as well. Thus, If you want to have a second hand. You just go tweaking the code directly. Here is a simple way to do; get into this directory; just paste this in Windows Explorer

%userprofile%\appdata\local\microsoft\windows sidebar\gadgets\clockr.gadget\en-US\js

Then you will see the file "settings.js", just edit by Notepad or your choice of editor. Find the function ClockSettings() [line:120] then edit

this.secondsEnabled = true;

Then you got the RED clock with a second hand, Horay!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-03-07-dell-outlet-impression.markdown b/_posts/2008-03-07-dell-outlet-impression.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c091394 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-03-07-dell-outlet-impression.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,51 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Dell Outlet Impression... +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 138 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/03/07/dell-outlet-impression/ +date: '2008-03-07 04:09:26 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-03-07 09:09:26 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- notebook +tags: +- opinion +- notebook +--- +

Refurnbished Sticker on the bottom Recently I just had a chance to grab one of newest machine available on Dell Factory Outlet (so, it's absolutely not new in a normal sense.) I have no idea whether or not I will be impressed and there are a lot of possibility to end up with returning this back since I have not really good experience with refurbished stuffs. For instance, refurbished Blackberry Pearl from TigerDirect was one of my bad experience. It had tons of scratches and flexes all around the body. Also, the system was freezing randomly all the time, even reset couldn't help from that.

Why? why do I have to buy from this channel again?

First, it's cheaper;with the same spec, I could save almost $200 and that is based on $599 based price--so that's around 30% off.
Considering this as a computer; it surely is easier to fix. I mean most parts are available; you could change it if there is something wrong. And that doesn't require any knowledge--just brave to try, I guess. If you are not good about this, just ask--there are a lot of great community in the cyberspace. If it was mobile, PDA or any small gadgets, when it's dead, it's 95% dead.
You also are likely to feel getting a new machine. That feeling is so good, isn't it?

Okay then, now you may wonder what I have ordered. It's Dell Inspiron 1525 with this brief spec:-
+ unboxing 1525 All recovery & setup discs

Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2330 1.6GHz 1MB L2 Cache (Merom)
15.4" WXGA (1280*800) matte screen [no dead/stuck pixel]
1GB DDR2-667 RAM (2*512MB)
160GB Hard drive SATA 5400rpm
2MPixel webcam
DVD Burner
Vista Home Basic
Recovery DVDs -- Windows Setup DVD, Dell Recovery DVD, Driver CD, etc.

All these, I got $407.15 + $19.99 shipping = $427.14 which is not bad at all. It's less than what I paid for my Eee PC and it is hardly beaten by others with this price point. You know what? After this order, I don't think I will ever buy brand new laptop again if I choose Dell as a choice. Not only is the price my impression, but also...
+
+(click to see larger images)

I ordered on Friday, Feb 29, 2008 4:42pm and I got it on Monday, Mar 3, 2008. That's 3 days including Saturday and Sunday!! I thought NewEgg is quick, but this is astonishing.
Virtually no scratch--you have to look thoroughly in order to see only a few of them.
They give every discs they should while some vendors don't care about this, even with a new purchase.
It's fast! after uninstalling bloatwares -- Norton Antivirus & Google Desktop; only 2.

You may wonder how it can be fast with 1GB RAM on Vista, I have no idea too. But it seems working as fast as my ThinkPad X61 Tablet with Core 2 duo L7700 1.8GHz with 3GB RAM. Boot time from complete shut down is just around 40s to get login screen and about 30s extra for complete loading. Just so you know, this is the first Dell I ever touch & play in my room :-D I will post more thought of Dell computer in the future though.

In short, if you are going to purchase a new system, don't overlook this channel. It's just great as it originally is. The system works flawlessly; there is nothing to worry about. Kudos to Dell for giving us an outlet plus coupon =) I'm truly impressed.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-03-18-workaround-x61-tablet-pen-problem-on-photoshop.markdown b/_posts/2008-03-18-workaround-x61-tablet-pen-problem-on-photoshop.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8920f20 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-03-18-workaround-x61-tablet-pen-problem-on-photoshop.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Workaround X61 Tablet Pen problem in Photoshop +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 144 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/03/18/workaround-x61-tablet-pen-problem-on-photoshop/ +date: '2008-03-18 07:33:07 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-03-18 12:33:07 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +tags: +- tablet PC +--- +

It's an odd that we can't use Tablet features in Photoshop if you are using Tablet PC with Multi-Touch screen (Both active and passive digitizer) Although a pen sensitivity works flawlessly with every other programs such as OneNote, Alias SketchBook, InkSeine, or even Paint.NET, it just doesn't work with Photoshop. Yes, you could draw on it, but without sensitivity? why do we have to use an active digitizer? passive one should be enough.. Okay every problems have a solution. This still applied. Just for a reference, I am testing on Thinkpad X61 Tablet Multitouch, but this is a problem of all Multitouch tablet.

The problem is Photoshop can't recognize the Wacom pen on Multitouch screen. In other words, an active digitizer on Multitouch Tablet PC will not work in Photoshop. I don't know if this should be a Adobe or Wacom issue though. But if I have to answer, it should be Adobe that needs to work with Wacom about this since other programs work just fine. From this problem, when you draw, you will get something like this.

You can tell that I'm not an artist or any kind close to that. So don't laugh at me :-/ As you see, what you got from original driver of you tablet. Isn't worth using tablet at all....

Solution:

Here is what you have to do, you have to go to Wacom website and get a bamboo driver. Then installed it. Easy, right? You will get something like this instead:-

I'm not quite sure which one is better--still kid drawing :-/ but you can see a difference, big difference since an active pen is working properly now. Nonetheless, this is not a permanent solution at all because touch--or passive digitizer--will not work under a bamboo driver. It means that you will be able to use only Wacom pen, mouse and keyboard--not your finger. If you want to touch again, you just have to install multitouch driver. Then everything will be normal again--Photoshop will not recognize active pen again. In case you want to use Photoshop w/ active pen in the future, all you have to do is reinstalling a bamboo drive back and forth again and again :-D

I don't know when this problem will be solved permanently but now, at least, you will be able to get an advantage of your machine. "May the active pen be with you"

updated--same day--12:44pm: After I messed with all this, I might get Multitouch work. I just need to check about it to see whether it's going to last. Up to now, they are still working after several restarts w/o tweaking a bit. Stay tuned!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-03-28-my-first-thought-of-iphone.markdown b/_posts/2008-03-28-my-first-thought-of-iphone.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..916e9b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-03-28-my-first-thought-of-iphone.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: My first thought of iPhone +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 148 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/03/28/my-first-thought-of-iphone/ +date: '2008-03-28 10:49:30 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-03-28 15:49:30 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- gadgets +tags: +- opinion +- gadgets +--- +

First screen Around half a year so far, I have seen iPhone more and more on the street, but frankly Treo is still a lot as well. Not that I'm crazy about iPhone, I just have to get one for my sister. Yes I won't disagree that it is so cool gadget nowadays, but it is NOT perfect as well, or maybe it isn't worth comparing to all PDAs, even the features are comparable. Just so you know I just use iPhone as a PDA, not phone :-P, so no thought of how good it is as a phone.

The Real Internet;
+Safari on iPhone is fantastic indeed; however, a tab feature seems to act so weird. I mostly found that tabs in background were blank and needed to reload again when I switched over. How could it end up like this? It's really annoying--like it's only single-tasking. Another drawback is a concept of iPhone that based on portrait view instead of landscape. It does rotate automatically but it doesn't take any advantage of wider width at all since font is larger; screen width = column width as same as portrait view. Keyboard in landscape view also is real nice, much better-bigger but that exacerbates screen estate a lot. I thought browsing on Nokia 770 is much easier to scan the content than this. Long story short, iPhone is created with portrait view in mind, no way that landscape mode will be better. Eventually this real Internet is very close..., but not yet. I still think N-series is a bit better.

Safari mobile Page is gone

The best iPod ever:
+I can't disagree at all since it could do everything iPod suppose to do & do that better with more eye candy stuffs. Furthermore, iPhone fulfils what iPod misses all the time--dedicated volume control & speaker. You'll be able to increase/decrease while device is locked. the speaker also is decent, such a great move, IMO. iPod touch sadly doesn't have these.

More thought later.
+Sent from my iPhone << I really hate this :-P ha ha ha

diff --git a/_posts/2008-04-08-finally-here-hp-2133-comes.markdown b/_posts/2008-04-08-finally-here-hp-2133-comes.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce52de2 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-04-08-finally-here-hp-2133-comes.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,107 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Finally, here HP 2133 comes +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 157 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/04/08/finally-here-hp-2133-comes/ +date: '2008-04-08 08:38:02 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-04-08 13:38:02 +0700' +categories: +- notebook +tags: +- notebook +--- +

This might be a sub-notebook you are waiting for, so am I. But, could it be an Eee PC killer? I bet it is since it has HP logo on its lid--I'm not telling you that HP is better than Asus, you know what I mean--and it will sell through brick-and-mortar store everywhere, unlike Eee PC which is not that ubiquitous.

Okay first important thing first, spec and price comparing to Eee PC 700 series:-

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

	HP 2133 mini-Note	Eee PC 700 series
CPU	VIA C7-M (up to 1.6GHz, 128 L2 Cache)	900 MHz Intel Celeron M ULV 353 @ 630 MHz
RAM	512MB-2GB PC5300	512MB/1GB PC5300
Display	8.9" WXGA (1280x768)	7" WVGA (800x480)
Screen type	Super Glossy	Matte
Hard drive	120/160GB 5400 or 7200rpm SATA or 64GB SSD or 4GB PATA Flash module	2/4/8GB SSD
Expansion	ExpressCard/54, SD slot	SD Slot
Dimension (W"xD"xH")	10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05~?	8.86 x 6.46 x 0.846~1.4
Weight	2.63-3.23 lbs	2.0 lbs
Keyboard	92% full keyboard	crampy full keyboard
Port	VGA, Ethernet, 2xUSB	VGA, Ethernet, 3xUSB
Wireless	802.11a/b/g or b/g or bluetooth	802.11b/g
Battery size/life	3-cell (28Wh) 2:15hr +6-cell (55Wh) 4:11hr	4-cell (44Wh) 2.8hr +4-cell (52Wh) 3-3.5hr
Price	$499 -- 1GHz CPU 512MB RAM 4GB Flash SLED OS +$749 -- 1.6GHz 2GB RAM 120GB 5400rpm Vista Business	$299 -- 2G model +$399 -- 4G model +$499 -- 8G model

As you see, HP 2133 looks much more professional, has a lot more variety configurations than Eee PC and there are a lot of advantages over Eee PC but a few things that are worse than Eee PC is just a vital factor--weight & price. I mean for $499 you almost get nothing in HP 2133 perspective but you could get 8GB model and still 2.0lbs sub-notebook with Eee PC. For the top one, that's $749--I think it's not only a bit too steep; that price you could get ThinkPad T61 if you don't mind portability or add about $150 more to get Thinkpad X61 which is about the same weight or lower as well and surely better in any terms.

Also, there are a lot of folks crying of HP choosing VIA C7-M over newcomer Intel Atom or VIA Isaiah. IMHO, HP 2133 boot time with Vista Business, which is about 1:20min -- according to a clip @notebookreview.com, is not that bad. It might not as great as Eee PC did, but considering Vista boot time is slow as default. I think this trading off with 4-hour-battery life is more than satisfied since I have a full shutdown few times a month anyway. Sleep & hibernate will come to take that role instead, just wait and see how good VIA chipset is about power consumption at a deep sleep state.

In brief, I don't know yet if this is a real good deal. I got to see in person first; I hope it will hit brick 'n mortar store around soon, then we will know. Timing might be a vital factor here since if Eee PC is around in the store first, it will be a tough job for HP indeed.

For more info & photo & videos, check out at NotebookReview.com
+

diff --git a/_posts/2008-04-15-thinkpad-x61-tablet-and-photoshop-are-friendly.markdown b/_posts/2008-04-15-thinkpad-x61-tablet-and-photoshop-are-friendly.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d56899 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-04-15-thinkpad-x61-tablet-and-photoshop-are-friendly.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Thinkpad X61 Tablet and Photoshop are friendly eventually +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 160 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/04/15/thinkpad-x61-tablet-and-photoshop-are-friendly/ +date: '2008-04-15 19:55:12 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-04-16 00:55:12 +0700' +categories: +- follow-up +- tablet PC +tags: +- tablet PC +--- +

Well, a long time passed since the last time I posted about this problem and the way to solve is just what I haven't thought it would work, but it works--99% great. I have tried on every situation from messed system to after clean installation, and it still works properly.

This is what I did:-

uninstall every drivers about touch + Wacom digitizer -- restart once.
download driver here
then install. That's it.
download Wacom bamboo driver from Wacom directly
then install it, now you will be able to use your pen, not your finger
now you've got to have your multi-touch in hand and install it. +
- MultiTouch Driver for Vista 32bit -- Thinkpad X60, X61 Tablet
+
At this point, everything should be ready.

I have tried on Windows 7 64-bit. It works like a charm for both digitizers, no luck, no drama ever again--just work. However, you have to use only Photoshop (32-bit), not 64-bit one.

This is unbelievably easy, isn't it? I don't know why I could not get it work at first. If you still have the issue, get into device manager (start >> "devmgmt.msc") then you have to see something like this;

the yellow asterisk ones are what Photoshop is looking for (bamboo driver). The rest is from multitouch driver. You've got to have both to get both passive and active work together.

If you have a problem, just ask. I might be able to help :-P

Note: rarely yet I found that Photoshop doesn't recognize the Wacom pen properly. I mean the pressure doesn't register at all. You just have to re-open Photoshop, then it will be all set. This is waaaay better than restart your system.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-04-21-windows-yes-64-bit-one-not-its-time-yet.markdown b/_posts/2008-04-21-windows-yes-64-bit-one-not-its-time-yet.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff55937 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-04-21-windows-yes-64-bit-one-not-its-time-yet.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Windows, yes! 64-bit one, not it's time yet. +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 161 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/04/21/windows-yes-64-bit-one-not-its-time-yet/ +date: '2008-04-21 02:11:13 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-04-21 07:11:13 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- software +tags: +- opinion +- software +--- +

I don't know how people choose their OS from but for me I choose Windows Vista 32-bit for my primary machine. Why? You'll know from the listing below--important thing always comes first.

Software compatibility -- this is the biggest issue of me since the first day Office 2007 arrived, I found myself stay away from Linux or any other OS more and more. It's not about the ribbon tab interface, but only one program in 2007 suite. Many of you guys may know now. It's OneNote 2007. Dude, that's an awesome piece of software on the earth. It makes Windows distinguish from others indeed, at least for me. That's only a few programs that are not cross-platform I use but now I can't live without it.
Hardware compatibility -- If you buy something on the street but can't use it, it's a problem, isn't it? who will argue me about this? drivers for Linux, yes they are better but, as long as reality is concerned, they are out of Microsoft's league. Mac OS, huh? don't even think of this. Talking about 64-bit hardware, since AMD released its first 64-bit CPU around 2003 (5 years ago), now they might realize that they have made a huge mistake having backward-compatible with 32-bit instructions. That's what Intel followed and has made the world still doesn't care about 64-bit much because 32-bit system still is working very well. 64-bit system is great--fast, nice but you can't just simply pop some old cards into 64-bit system.
Friends -- this also is a big factor. If you are only one using Mac in your workplace and are not tech savvy, you'll know what I mean. I do think of myself in that situation; I would argue that I can do everything Windows people can, but for docx, xlsx, pptx file I would have no idea what folks around talking about for a year, then I realize it's new version of office suite file and can open them. You can't just always let anybody save in backward compatible type.

From all 3 factors above, choices will come down to 2 which are Windows 32-bit & 64-bit. For friend factor, they look alike & work the same, so nothing to worry about. For hardware compatibility issue, they are almost on par for both systems nowadays (if you don't have such a rare item, you won't find any trouble with 64-bit anyway) However, the problem comes down to software compatibility. You still have to use 32-bit browser to watch flash contents; you still have to use many 32-bit software. Although they are running flawlessly under 64bit system, one thing I found it wouldn't work is OneNote. They are no OneNote virtual printer for 64-bit system. It's just a deal breaker to me. Yet there is no one to blame since we all are okay embrace older system while we all already have newer stuff around. That's just why we haven't had a big step forward. I mean 64-bit system is getting better and better now but if you have to put more effort to get things work and result are the same, why wouldn't we go easier route for now? Then when things have changed, so can we. This is how and why I choose 32-bit Windows as my main operating system.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-04-25-what-a-great-service-from-logitech.markdown b/_posts/2008-04-25-what-a-great-service-from-logitech.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b48e6cf --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-04-25-what-a-great-service-from-logitech.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: What a great service from Logitech +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 167 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/04/25/what-a-great-service-from-logitech/ +date: '2008-04-25 00:42:34 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-04-25 05:42:34 +0700' +categories: +- service +tags: +- service +--- +

Thumb up Logitech Not only does Logitech have a good product, but also has a great service. I haven't thought it's this good really. The thing is my VX Revolution has a problem about free spin wheel. Its wheel doesn't work well since a rubber ring was kind of loose--maybe I'm fun with spin too much :-) --Then I had contacted Logitech customer support. It was very good, quick process and surely it's truly online--doesn't have to make a phone call a single time.

Well, my problem is shown on the picture.

vx-issue-2008-04-16

As you see, it is annoying in deed. Since I first contacted on April 15, 2008, I had to talk with the representative and give some information back and forth few times. I was expecting to have a new wheel for a replacement since I'm okay with disassemble and reassemble it, but they said they would send me a replacement unit for me. What I thought is only VX Revolution itself which is more than I could expect anyway. Then I unfortunately found out that this morning (Apr 25, 2008) DHL guy came to my apartment and gave me this box.

DHL box DHL open box brand new VX revolution

Yep, it's a brand new Logitech VX Revolution. I can't be more impressive than this. 10 days with an excellent support. You know what? This is the first day I think that 3 year manufacturer warranty on this expensive guy is genuine. Maybe I just had a bad experience with Apple care and automatically expect others' being the same. I, nonetheless, now know the great company is really existed.

Many thanks, Logitech.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-05-01-developers-were-gone-dont-you-feel-anything-palm-inc.markdown b/_posts/2008-05-01-developers-were-gone-dont-you-feel-anything-palm-inc.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..63c34db --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-05-01-developers-were-gone-dont-you-feel-anything-palm-inc.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: developers were gone, don't you feel anything, Palm, Inc? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 170 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/05/01/developers-were-gone-dont-you-feel-anything-palm-inc/ +date: '2008-05-01 00:57:57 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-05-01 05:57:57 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- Palm +tags: [] +--- +

Palm OS was one of platforms that has very large community behind its success. No matter how many limited it has; there is a will, there'll always be a way to work around. Yep, that was true. Sadly, now it's definitely not.

First, Dmitry talented Palm OS developer decided to release his famous work--skinUI--as a freeware and not to code Palm OS program for good. In addition, he won't continue supporting Palm OS Nova as well.

Next, PDAMill high quality game coder also quitted developing for Palm OS platform. If you do remember Snails, you know how good they were. PDAMill did follow the same path by releasing all Palm OS softwares for free.

Yet Ellams Software long time Palm OS developer went in a wild too.

What I'm pretty sure of is there will be a lot of developers go away from Palm OS platform. This is such a terribly huge sign of the death of Palm, both Palm OS itself and Palm, Inc. Doesn't Palm Inc feel anything so far? I don't know if it's because the limit of OS itself or darned bad Palm Company. IMHO, the latter factor is more significant to me since Palm OS is working just fine to me as a PDA, may be not a decent web browser though. This seem to be a result of choosing worse choices in every steps in last few years--releasing under-powered Treo 700p while it could do such a great performance with Centro 2 years later with the same core platform (but too late of course), canceling Foleo which had such a potential of success if you look at Asus Eee PC as an example, and the worst decision ever--deciding to discontinue its own strength--PDA line. I think Palm might think that Treo could do everything Palm PDA can do, so there is no reason to keep that. But what can I say is Treo is a big plus of Palm PDA, not a substitution. It's like the reason why we still have a laptop while tablet PC could do much more. Palm itself just chose to fight in a league it's not used to with many powerful rivals and opt out of where they are good at.

What's next? Palm OS Nova based on Linux? Then what? Apple already proved that the best-selling device doesn't have to be the best really, just have its own strength and that's it. It's like the great Palm Pilot or the last Palm TX or Treo that have such a great PIM, but instead of promoting & improving it, they decide to leave it behind and promote the weaknesses--multimedia or whatsoever.

Dude, that's no imagination at all.

Good bye, Palm, Inc. I do hope I would be able to find you in stores in next few years. But honestly I don't think you will be there. That's truly sad.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-05-05-nas-which-os-should-be-on.markdown b/_posts/2008-05-05-nas-which-os-should-be-on.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8b09e0c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-05-05-nas-which-os-should-be-on.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,70 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'NAS: which OS should be on?' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 171 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/05/05/nas-which-os-should-be-on/ +date: '2008-05-05 01:42:26 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-05-05 06:42:26 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: +- software +--- +

I do have a problem about which OS would suit best on my NAS for quite a while. I had Lacie Ethernet mini, NAS device which is Linux Embedded, a while ago and that served me well. In addition, I need an extra one since that NAS device had not enough storage for me anymore. So, I have microATX box which installed Ubuntu. Yes, the performance gained significantly from ARM-based system to x86 system. My electrical bill, however, went up as you could expect since that was <20W on NAS to 45-50W on full PC. Then I came up with an idea of merge DVR with NAS together to save the bill. My only answer would be MS Windows again. It doesn't matter which version I choose; they are basically the same. If you ever tried Windows Media Center, you will know that you will be missing something without it. I think it might apply to whom you are using TiVo or similar stuffs as well.

The reason why I wrote this, nevertheless, is not urging everyone to use like I do. I just want point out pros & cons of each system as a NAS.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

	Lacie Ethernet mini	Ubuntu Feisty Fawn	Windows Vista Home Premium
Power Consumption	lowest	medium	low-medium^w1
Throughput	slow	fast	fastest
Protocol	FTP, HTTP, SMB	FTP, HTTP, SMB, etc	FTP, HTTP, SMB, etc.
Indexing ability	N/A	local only^u2	Yes, Windows Desktop Search^w2
Ease of use	Very easy ^(on/off)	Normal	Easy
Cost	Free	Free	$$^w3

u2 - yes it does have Beagle, but any remote machine couldn't use its index at all. If you guys have a suggestion, I would love to hear.
w1 - although I use the same system as Ubuntu, Windows does have 3rd party like RMClock to undervoltage which is really help. I could drop about 10W or so without sacrifice the performance and stability.
w2 - For Vista client, you could just exploring to that NAS and find them. It'll use index on NAS automatically which is so fast. But I couldn't find client with XP+Windows Desktop Search work the same way.
w3 - It's not free, Vista Home Premium OEM is $99; depending on what you think if it's worth or not.

All in all, choosing OS is ultimately up to you need. If you need a DVR system like me, Vista would be very good choice plus you will get the best performance from you NAS and search server capability also. You, however, would find an only NAS device is a best solution for you if you just want to add extra storage to your home with easy accessibility. If you have any other thought, please don't hesitate to share.

Note: By the way, there is an alternative OS which is truly for NAS like Windows Home Server ($159.) I had experience when it's BETA. IMO, it's great really but the point is its cost is just too steep while Vista Home premium (OEM $99) could do almost anything I need besides automatically backup the clients. It seems to be a worth trade-off to me. For XP, I think it would perform great and, as I know, its index from Windows Desktop Search would be available to remote machine like Vista too.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-05-20-lenovo-ibm-service-feedback.markdown b/_posts/2008-05-20-lenovo-ibm-service-feedback.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..747eba5 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-05-20-lenovo-ibm-service-feedback.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Lenovo (IBM?) Service Feedback +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 174 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/05/20/lenovo-ibm-service-feedback/ +date: '2008-05-20 15:25:33 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-05-20 20:25:33 +0700' +categories: +- ThinkPad +- service +tags: +- service +--- +

This time is the time for Lenovo after really splendid service from Logitech. What happen was my Thinkpad X61T didn't boot up at all after flashing a new BIOS; screen on both internal and external was blank; only sound and LED indicator seemed normal. After a quick self-diagnostic, there was no way I could fix myself. It was the time to call Lenovo customer service. You know? I dig around to find if there are any chances to contact a representative by chat which is really cool way as far as my experience was concerned. Unfortunately there is no free service. It's sad since most companies have started having that, and it works well. (Sprint, newEgg, for example) Okay, so far, the only way is calling them on the phone.

Day 0 (Thu , May 15, 2008): The system was down; call 1-866-96-THINK; then as you could expect, I wasted 10 minutes or so on an automatic system and identifying myself & my case, then they threw me another number which is IBM service department in Atlanta, GA. After that I had to have another 10 minutes to do the same procedure before getting into the real talk. The representative had done what I would do if I were him; asked customer to try to turn on, hook up to external monitor, but no luck happened here. Thus, while my machine is still on warranty, they had to send me a box by DHL which I had to send back to them for further investigation. What I can say is it's quite impressive procedure so far.

SNV10150 Day 1 (Fri, May 16, 2008): The box with foam inside that fit my machine was come including one instruction paper and information form on the back. Soon as I got that I filled out the form and call DHL to pick up (it took only an hour after I called them). It's pretty quick and smooth process here. At this point, I got an email about the case (and a link to my case info page on ibm.com) and tracking number for the box. But, since I have already completed all things they wanted, I don't care much. As so you know, it's all DHL express overnight service for free, pretty good.

Day 2 (Sat, May 17, 2008): I got another mail from Lenovo that told me that the repair on my case had been completed (o_O" I'm surprised how fast its whole process is) and a tracking number of the box that was shipping to me.

Day 4 (Mon, May 19, 2008): Since it was Sunday, I guessed they had to postpone to Monday before it delivered. I'm so thrilled to get my machine back. Yeah!

Surprisingly after I opened up the box, I found Windows XP Professional COA on the back instead of Vista Business COA I have on my machine. I thought it was quick because they just swapped and shipped me back. Unfortunately I was so wrong. It was IBM Thinkpad T43.

WHERE THE HECK IS MY X61 Tablet @(DJISD#(*)@&^uidfa@(*&#(@)(%)*^.

That was shock because I recognized that is the box I sent to them; every stickers were right: my name, my address, my case ID, and my machine S/N. Soon after I could keep my breath I looked up my case info on ibm.com; found that the case was closed with no failed part (yep, since it was no broken part really) Then I called Lenovo immediately. No luck this day since it was 9pm and no one would pick up my call.

Day 5 (Tue, May 20, 2008): I called Lenovo in the morning and explained that you guys shipped me a wrong unit. They sounded not surprised at all which sounded surprise to me indeed and they also told me to ship the box and would investigate the case and report me back in 5-7 days. It sucks; since it shouldn't happen at all. I rather have few days waiting at first instead of this.

Anyway, they contacted me again at noon to ask if I could stay at home and wait for DHL guy to pick the system up and they would contact me again about my system within 48 hours. Hell yes, I want my X61 back fast. No way I would decline this. And DHL came by my apartment to get the box as promise.

Yet, I have no clue what will happen next. I could only do hope everything would be alright. Although shipping a wrong unit sucks, very fast process might be able to compensate it. Will see when my case will end.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-06-14-day-30-lenovos-missing-laptop-saga-still-continues.markdown b/_posts/2008-06-14-day-30-lenovos-missing-laptop-saga-still-continues.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1bd97cd --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-06-14-day-30-lenovos-missing-laptop-saga-still-continues.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Day 30, Lenovo's missing laptop saga still continues +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 175 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/06/14/day-30-lenovos-missing-laptop-saga-still-continues/ +date: '2008-06-14 19:17:06 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-06-15 00:17:06 +0700' +categories: +- ThinkPad +- service +tags: +- service +--- +

Just to let you guys know that I still haven't got my laptop; even though this is 30th day. Not only have I contacted numbers of representatives, but also from many departments as well. They still couldn't locate "really" where my laptop is while one of reps claimed that he knew; eventually that was just an excuse from a frustrated customer, I guess.

I don't really understand how Lenovo managed laptop arrival and departure to/from their repair center. It's really a mess. I will post details later how this saga really is. Sounds like I'm not going to get my laptop back soon.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-06-19-shopping-at-hpshoppingcom-experience.markdown b/_posts/2008-06-19-shopping-at-hpshoppingcom-experience.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..91c9a27 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-06-19-shopping-at-hpshoppingcom-experience.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: shopping experience @HP Home Store +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 178 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/06/19/shopping-at-hpshoppingcom-experience/ +date: '2008-06-19 14:28:05 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-06-19 19:28:05 +0700' +categories: +- service +tags: [] +--- +

You may wonder why I have to write (or complaint? or comment?) about this; please keep reading you'll know why eventually. I was going to place an order for HP Pavillion tx2500z with a $500 off coupon; The deal was eventually $903 free shipping with max out everything possible but RAM which I can grab somewhere else. For this machine, I expected so high after very good comment from almost everywhere to its predecessor--tx2000, we'll see how good it is soon. At least I could use this one while my Thinkpad X61 Tablet is gone in a wild (sadly to think about that :'() if it comes before X61T can find the way home. Well [get back to the topic], the problem that shouldn't happen start right after I clicked SUBMIT this order.

Everyone who use PayPal debit card might encounter this problem--card declined--as regular basis. There is no reason underneath and PayPal folk couldn't give me a good answer as well since it was randomly. Yes, fortunately it happened on this order. HP had sent me an notification e-mail letting me know that I had to drop them a line solving the issue. Sounds normal, doesn't it? Yes. I called them and gave them a new card which is not PayPal one. Then it shouldn't be any problem anymore. Basically, I used to call Dell many times solving exactly the same problem; Dell rep could give me a result right away whether a card was approved or not. But, oddly HP rep couldn't give me that info, just told me to wait for a further info via e-mail. At that time, I usually say goodbye and hang up. Luckily, I had a doubt about this order, so that I asked him how much the total was, just for sake of confirmation. His answer made me really pissed, "$14xx."

Well, I suddenly asked how it could be like that? since my order was only $903. He answered without hesitation that he couldn't use the coupon repeatedly in the same account. Dude? I asked him why you had to create a new order then? because I called to fix the problem, not created a new problem. Thus, I asked him for a solution. He answered that I had to wait for the item arrived, then call HP customer care to credit $500 back. It shouldn't be a problem. {In my mind, surely it's not yours, but it's definitely MY PROBLEM.} I again asked him to cancel the order right away. He rejected mine momentarily and gave a non-sense answer that since he pressed SUBMIT an order, he couldn't change anything before the credit card validation was over. {How sucking is the process!!} So I decided to let it go and wait for refund credit later..

hp order history

With a frustrating mood, I had to double-check in HPshopping.com how my order was. It was $1442!!! I never thought if this amount at all. At the time I was listening to what he said, only fourteen... it made me very pissed already. This was not only does he place a new order w/o coupon, but he decided making this order two business days shipping instead of free shipping without any permission also. I couldn't even understand how HP rep was so ****. I picked the phone calling them immediately and needed a clarification so badly. It was a lady that picked my call; hp shipping charge when I told her about my problem, instead of telling me about the solution, she talked about "HP Pavillion tx2500z was the newest one HP really recommended.. blah blah blah." I ask her I knew that and what about my problem. She asked me back whether I would like to answer the survey blah blah blah.. {Sometimes too much like this made customer very angry, do you realize this HP?} I repeated my question again, and this time it worked. Her answer was the same as previous rep, but she told that $39 shipping was not refundable. Thus she recommended that if I insisted to cancel the order I had to wait until the credit validation was over, then I could do cancellation. This made me a bit happier that I could cancel. So I decided to make another order--for $903 via the web with another account again and would cancel the $1442 order on the first moment I could.

a day later, $1442 order was canceled and the last order seemed to be processing smoothly. But maybe I really had a bad luck recently. HP called me to verify my phone number on billing address; {I never had this problem before since I had 2 phones on my family plan which I and my girlfriend use} probably I put the one that HP doesn't like since I put my phone number randomly every time I purchased stuffs online and surely there is no problem ever. {perhaps NewEgg is the only place that all processes are soo fast, smoooth, and flawless.} However, HP rep couldn't give me an answer if the order went thru or not again. HP rep just told me to wait for a notification e-mail later. Next few hours, they called me again {yet no e-mail} to verify the shipping address if it was right since my shipping and billing address are not the same. This time rep could give me that my order was accepted and would ship soon. It likes taking a trouble out of my head completely when I listened to that.

Ultimately, all problems were solved while it in fact should never be a problem at all. I don't know if your experience purchasing with HP was like mine or not. But one thing I could tell, buying from HPshopping.com & HP tel are such a mess. I probably avoid as much as possible. Don't get me wrong that I don't like them to double-check everything, but about placing a new order with different price and configuration (+shipping) themselves (not customer's one) is what I really concerned. In other words, some HP rep sucks indeed, please be aware.

note: I really don't expect 10ninox blog to be like a place to complaint any bad service, but sometimes I can't resist writing it.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-06-25-live-mesh-impression.markdown b/_posts/2008-06-25-live-mesh-impression.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb22251 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-06-25-live-mesh-impression.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Live Mesh: impression' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 181 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/06/25/live-mesh-impression/ +date: '2008-06-25 00:30:05 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-06-25 05:30:05 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +tags: [] +--- +

If you haven't tried or even known what it is, this is a service from Live family of Microsoft again. So far, it's only tech preview which is waiting for necessary features implemented. However, only features available now is very useful already. Basically, Live Mesh is a synchronized service which allows all our desktop and laptop PC, hopefully phone &mac in near future, to have the same share folders. You could even access this folder in the cloud. Along with this service, there is another one which I found it really useful which is Remote Desktop.

my mesh

As you can see, you will have all your PCs around the mesh which tells you which one is online. If it is online, then you could just click connect. That's it; very straight forward remote access. Setup part is a breeze. My sister, who doesn't even know how to turn on Wifi on her notebook, can installed this--by telling her only get into mesh.com and click 'add device'--without any issue. As a result, I could check and fix her problem while she was in west coast and I was on Atlantic side without a hitch.

Yet another great stuff from Live team you have to check it out.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-06-30-d-link-dir-628-5ghz-80211n-on-cheap-price-performance.markdown b/_posts/2008-06-30-d-link-dir-628-5ghz-80211n-on-cheap-price-performance.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3ba5359 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-06-30-d-link-dir-628-5ghz-80211n-on-cheap-price-performance.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: D-Link DIR-628 5GHz 802.11n on cheap price & performance +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 189 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/06/30/d-link-dir-628-5ghz-80211n-on-cheap-price-performance/ +date: '2008-06-30 00:13:22 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-06-30 05:13:22 +0700' +categories: +- review +- gadgets +tags: [] +--- +

I have heard a news about this router last week that it was the first sub $100 dual band router; it actually $119 MSRP, but only $79 on BestBuy. I'm so thrilled to get one to be able to achieve 300Mbps and don't have to plug in CAT5e for Gigabit anymore. Although I don't expect to get Gigabit performance with draft 802.11n, I still think I would get any better than 2.4GHz 40MHz channel width 802.11n that gives me 130Mbps connection regularly (but it's only a bit better than 802.11g in practice)

Then I don't hesitate to grab it @ Bestbuy. It really looks better than DIR-625 the one I have.

The selling point of this router is dual band; Dlink doesn't forget to remind customers that this is dual band antenna as well =)

Dual band antenna

Setting up part was flawless like every router. Plug and Play; change WAN MAC address a bit; then you are good to go. I, however, tested this router as only Wireless LAN (802.11n) access point; I just connected this LAN to my main router (D-Link DIR-625) and disabled DHCP server on DIR-628 also.

300Mbps Wireless Connection status

It was very exciting to have 300Mbps via the air; imagine that was 3 times faster than Ethernet even though you would lose a bit throughput for header. Just so you know that this was 5GHz band and it's the only way get 300Mbps connection with Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN. In a router configuration, there were choices of only 802.11n or only 802.11a or mixed. I tried with only 802.11n and both. I haven't found any different though.

Yep, there is no difference at all. From 2.4GHz to 5GHz, the speeds Windows reports were different, but it's different story in practice. I don't have any scientific result for this since I copied back and forth between my Thinkpad X61T (802.11n) and my media center box (Gigabit LAN) several times. What I got was only about 4-6MB/s and 7-8MB/s for copy from and to media center box respectively for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz mode. There is no reason to test for that low performance; it's so disappointed because it's only 48Mbps and 64Mbps which were only about 802.11g theoretically speed. At least, I expected to see 100Mbps throughput (approx. 12MB/s) for 300Mbps connection. Just so you know, I got over 40MB/s via Gigabit LAN, so sometimes, most of the time in fact, I prefer to plug the cable in at all time. It really has a significant difference, no lag while transferring data since most of my data were on network drive. I hope final 802.11n would gain what it aims soon. When the time comes, I'm ready to switch immediately. Now, I just have to return this and stick with what I already have.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-05-how-36-day-lenovo-missing-laptop-saga-ended.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-05-how-36-day-lenovo-missing-laptop-saga-ended.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a798d77 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-05-how-36-day-lenovo-missing-laptop-saga-ended.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: How 36-day Lenovo missing laptop saga ended +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 190 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/05/how-36-day-lenovo-missing-laptop-saga-ended/ +date: '2008-07-05 01:29:04 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-05 06:29:04 +0700' +categories: +- service +tags: [] +--- +

First of all, I have lost faith in Lenovo completely after all these experiences.

Day 6 (May 21, 2008): I got a call from repair center to ask how my case was and that's it. They just told me to wait.

Day 7 (May 22, 2008): Then I waited.

Day 8 (May 23, 2008): Today I called repair center again about my situation. They answered that they could track where my machine was as well. (In fact, no idea at all how this mess happened.) By the way, they promised that if they still couldn't trace it, they would issue a replacement immediately, but they had to work on that for few days first. I was satisfied for what they had done so far. I knew that sometimes things happened, so I didn't blame them. Before hanging up, they asked me to drop them a line on May 27, 2008 to ask for any progress and if there was nothing again, they would file this case as missing laptop, so that I could get a replacement.

Day 9 - Day 10: Weekend...

Day 11 (May 26, 2008): Memorial day, so no one wanted to work on my case for sure.

Day 12 (May 27, 2008): I dropped them a call as they wanted me to, but the result was not as I expected AT ALL. They pretended (or real?) not to know my issue at all. Thus, I had to start over about my situation and about a replacement. Fortunately, they still spoke the same dialog, they need a bit more time to find my machine and when the time was right, they would file as a missing laptop. At this point, I doubt that I would ever get my machine back in a short time and didn't expect a replacement indeed.

Day 13 (May 28, 2008): I called IBM customer care tons of times today because most of reps were not able to address my case. Since my case was closed and I have no evidence to show them if I sent Thinkpad T43 back already. All I had was Machine Type and its serial number. Maybe they were not enough for some reps who are lazy. Today I got a new number to contact with. It's delivery exception center. Which seems to be much better at least I didn't have to go through all menus again. The rep who took care of me was Greg. Yet no any progress so far.

Day 14 (May 29, 2008): ---

Day 15 (Fri May 30, 2008): I called Greg, but as you could imagine. He came up with all the same dialog, yet no new news.

Day 16 - Day 17: Weekend...

Day 18 (Mon Jun 2, 2008): --

Day 19 (Tue Jun 3, 2008): Received call from Greg telling me that I have to wait for 2 days to be able to contact him since that customer was on vacation. Huh?? I have to wait for his vacation as well, right? and last 2 weeks Lenovo did nothing to contact him, didn't they? Unfortunately, nothing happened. They still couldn't contact that customer again

Day 20 (Wed Jun 4, 2008): Vacation?? Is that supposed to be my vacation too?

Day 21 (Thu Jun 5, 2008): I got a call again. This time crying wolf story is they already sent a box to that customer and Repair center expected to have my machine asap. I asked him about a replacement since this was 3rd week by then, the answered was what you guys guessed--he would ask his manager for this and tell you later.

Day 22 (Fri Jun 6, 2008): wait, wait and wait...

Day 23 - Day 24: weekend, so there is no way that Lenovo would take care of my case.

Day 25 (Mon Jun 9, 2008): I took my mom to Atlantic City, NJ. So it's basically my vacation. However, Lenovo (Greg) called me to inform that he was able to contact the customer who got my laptop for the first time. Yes, I typed it right. "The first time." I don't know how Lenovo knew how the customer was on vacation last week and finally the box was shipped him though. Although I was on vacation, I was still be able to be reached, dude. Could you understand this? Anyway, Greg still couldn't tell me when I would get mine back, but promised that it would be pretty soon. I had asked if I could get a replacement now. The answer was the same "No way." Seems like 25 days sound like 25 minutes to Lenovo, probably.

Nonetheless, I was really upset since I have been lied several times that they would give me a replacement if they couldn't find my laptop or it took such a long time to process and they had a contact with the customer who got mine last week. Thus I decided to call JM, the person who replied my survey that I commented,

"Although the process was quick; I eventually got a wrong system in return which until now; almost 3 weeks; I still haven't got anything but notices that my system has been shipped to another customer......"
+

JM picked my call instantly which was really impressed. Then I had to tell him whole story again. It was like the same story I speak over and over again. Eventually he confirmed that I should be contacted by him or someone else from Lenovo pretty soon about this issue. Yes, it's familiar phrase, isn't it? You will see how it goes.

Day 26 (Tue Jun 10, 2008): I had a call from JM to tell me that my machine was in repair center already. I would get it any day soon. That's really excited, but I ask him when it's any day any way and if you have any specific date. JM didn't answered anything. Otherwise, he repeatedly told that when I get the machine, he asked me to call him if the machine is working ok; that's the most important. Also, he would give me an extended warranty for the time wasting for finding where my machine was. End of this day with quite pleased feeling and a hope to get my system back very soon.

Day 27: waiting and waiting patiently.

Day 28 (Jun 12, 2008): Soon after DHL came by my apartment with no box for me, I had contacted with JM once again. He surprised a bit that my case wasn't over yet. I promised to clean the mess and minutes later he called me back to ask whether I or anybody else told him that my machine was in repair center already. But when I asked if I could get a replacement now. He answered rapidly that my machine hasn't been touched, sit in the box and ready to ship why I would want a new one. That very sucks answered since if you know that my system was there, just ship that to me, why would you have to wait? And I really want to ask why I would want a new one since my system is max out everything, there is no way I can get any better at this time anyway. I JUST WANT A MACHINE TO GET MY JOB DONE, dude. I could really tell I was very pissed. In addition, I called JM again on 5:40pm, no luck, no one picked my call up.

Day 29 (Jun 13, 2008): Jim Edwoods was the person I could contact since Jim M. didn't pickup my call (with whatever reason) and Greg had been off that day. Jim had tried to trace the note of my case. Frankly, he got nothing. More frankly, I said that Greg told me about around Jun 9 or 10 he was able to contact that customer for the first time. Jim E replied oddly that he saw that but he thought there was nothing else progress. He would go contacting manager about my case; and let repair center call me back. Hurr... the last sentence is what I always hear from them but after all these I don't think I could believe in what will happen again.

Day 30-31: Weekend

Day 32 (Jun 16, 2008): I got a call from Greg in the morning to let me know that I got a grant for a replacement and there will be a representative from Depot calling you about the spec and so on. And someone from Lenovo called me about the spec as Greg told earlier. She mentioned if I agreed on X61 Tablet Multitouch 1.6GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB, Bluetooth, and 4965AGN Wireless LAN. I replied that mine is 1.8GHz. She answered promptly that she would find that and call me back asap. Yet no call back.

Day 33 - 34 (Jun 17-18, 2008): No call at all. I just decided to let it go on their way for a bit.

Day 35 (Jun 19, 2008): I waited until 2pm, yet there was still no call. Thus, I called them up and asked for any progress since I should know if anything happened by then. Rep told me that the person who took care of this at Depot was not there, she leave a message about a replacement and caught me back soon. An hour later, A rep called me that they found my machine (?) so that my replacement will be canceled and I would get my machine back tomorrow by overnight shipping.

That was shock; not that I don't like my machine back, but if you were me, you would get how I feel.

I asked again whether anything stupid happened again? she wouldn't dare answer that. I was really frustrating I could tell ya; it's unbelievable anyway that she still stayed on the line at all time until I could get my mood back to normal. She offered me to extend 1 month warranty since she claimed that Lenovo couldn't do anything else to compensate what I lost. I told her that JM would take care of that. What she answered is surprise me again. Instead of just say that she would do this then JM didn't have to do again, she said she didn't know who JM was and she didn't have to offer 1-month warranty then since JM would do anyway. Soon after she finished her conversation, she hung up.

What a great service Lenovo was. o_O"

I'm glad that my X61T will be home tomorrow (If there is no any bad luck again) BUT I felt like I had been slapped on the face twice because it seemed like they gave me a hope to get a new machine just to buy an extra time... I really have nothing to say...

Day 36 (Jun 20, 2008): It's over, I got my Thinkpad X61T back. My machine works well as it used to and I found in Windows log that there were a usage on May 17, 2008--the first day it was at repair center--and May 19, 2008--the day it supposed to be at my room (or the day I got a wrong unit.) After that, there was no log of turning my machine on. (or it was deleted?) That leave me a big curiosity of where my machine was for a whole month--which no one could not find.

All in all, I got my X61T back. I'm happy with it, but I still feel bad about IBM repair center. It's only the matter of time, I guess.

After the saga ended, I called JM on July 1, 2008 to tell that I got my machine back and it worked beautifully as it used to be. As his position, he said he was going to extend my warranty for 3-month. I don't know whether I could ask anything more since warranty from Lenovo (IBM?) is what I still have to avoid. At least, they do something good for customer, right? [comparing to $50 coupon immediately if HP couldn't ship your order on estimated date without any complains--such a big gap between they two]

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-08-asus-trying-to-keep-netbooks-throne-by-cutting-100-every-eee-900-series.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-08-asus-trying-to-keep-netbooks-throne-by-cutting-100-every-eee-900-series.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d979d24 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-08-asus-trying-to-keep-netbooks-throne-by-cutting-100-every-eee-900-series.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Asus trying to keep Netbook throne by cutting $100 every Eee 900 series +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 193 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/08/asus-trying-to-keep-netbooks-throne-by-cutting-100-every-eee-900-series/ +date: '2008-07-08 23:18:19 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-09 04:18:19 +0700' +categories: +- Eee PC +- netbook +tags: [] +--- +

Eee 900 Eventually, Asus could not keep hiking the price of Eee up like gasoline. This will effect Eee 900 series on both Linux and Windows XP model. Though Intel Atom version will not included. I guess it's due to shortage supply as well. By the way, in practice, it doesn't seem that Atom performs much better than Celeron, so I don't think it will be an issue.

For the time being, Asus Eee PC 900 8.9" 16GB, 20GB SSD 1GB RAM Linux will cost you around $400 and $450 (after $100 mail-in rebate for some stores) respectively while Windows XP version will be $50 extra. Oddly, there is no price cut on Eee 700 series which means Eee 701 4GB is about $399 and 702 model (8 GB) is still $499. It seems like no one would buy 700 model intentionally =) By the way, I still expect to see either another $100 off for 700 models or fading out of this series pretty soon. If you are interesting in the King of Netbook, this is such a nice time to grab one. Every popular online stores I know have this in stock.

Nonetheless, $100 off of Eee 900 is yet to tell if Asus will be able to retain the crown since $399 with 8.9" Intel Celeron is almost the worst spec on paper. There are many arch rivals like Dell E, Acer Aspire One, and MSI Wind with this price tag and better spec. We will see how Asus is going to do with this.

Note: I just have a chance to see HP 2133 Mini-Note physically; it is such a toy!! I can believe that its keyboard looks really cheap--a lot cheaper than Eee PC, I must say.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-09-oops-july-11th-iphone-3g-has-a-company.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-09-oops-july-11th-iphone-3g-has-a-company.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..42fb4e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-09-oops-july-11th-iphone-3g-has-a-company.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Oops! July 11th, iPhone 3G has a company! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 196 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/09/oops-july-11th-iphone-3g-has-a-company/ +date: '2008-07-09 00:14:53 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-09 05:14:53 +0700' +categories: +- Palm +tags: [] +--- +

I do understand that Palm has no creativity anymore, but to release new Color [Electric Blue, Wow!!] of Best-selling device, Centro, in Palm's world on the iPhone 3G day is such a bad idea of all time. Not only does no one care, but no one mentions that there is NEW color of Centro also.

From this price point, $99 w/ 2yr contract, I bet you can guess that this NEW color is tied to ONLY AT&T again. Why bother advertise this? Since you--Palm, Inc.--have Unlocked version for sell, then make it available for all color to boost your little margin, please.

Advertisement: No matter how bad Palm, Inc. is, I think Centro is the fastest smartphone available from Palm. It's really impressive for what they have done comparing to Treo700 and so on. It's just way tooooooo late, IMHO.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-14-centro-down-to-fight-with-less-buck.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-14-centro-down-to-fight-with-less-buck.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4ea349e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-14-centro-down-to-fight-with-less-buck.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Centro down to fight with less buck +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 201 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/14/centro-down-to-fight-with-less-buck/ +date: '2008-07-14 00:35:08 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-14 05:35:08 +0700' +categories: +- Palm +tags: [] +--- +

AT&T might think that all folks aim to buy only iPhone 3G, then they need to lower Centro price a bit, $70, since monthly charge is more important in this game. I wonder if Palm would get less from dropping this subsidized price or not. It's just such a pain in the ass to compare cheap centro to Zire 21 which costs $20 more.

Damn, I can't believe PDA is dead, but MID is coming; ain't they the same? Why PDA just evolves to MID instead of dying like this?

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-14-if-your-tablet-pc-firefox-3-crash-a-lot-get-nightly-build-now.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-14-if-your-tablet-pc-firefox-3-crash-a-lot-get-nightly-build-now.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..12ec39b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-14-if-your-tablet-pc-firefox-3-crash-a-lot-get-nightly-build-now.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: If your tablet PC & Firefox 3 crash a lot, get nightly build now +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 204 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/14/if-your-tablet-pc-firefox-3-crash-a-lot-get-nightly-build-now/ +date: '2008-07-14 08:24:56 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-14 13:24:56 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +tags: [] +--- +

I don't know whether this would happen to you, but surely it happens to me quite a lot; let's say >5 times a day since Firefox download day. It was just closing itself or crash/freeze and needed restart the browser, esp. on particular web pages (Gmail and else) and more importantly on your tablet PC. There are a lot of Tablet PC user suffering from this issue, but then now solution is here now. Grab Firefox 3 nightly build--3.0.1-candidate, then this issue will be gone.

Some folks report this happen on one w/ Wacom Intuos3 as well. After update to this version, you will find yourself much more happy like you were with its predecessors.

[via jkOnTheRun]

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-15-all-new-thinkpad-ideapad-from-lenovo.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-15-all-new-thinkpad-ideapad-from-lenovo.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fac5b26 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-15-all-new-thinkpad-ideapad-from-lenovo.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: All new ThinkPad & IdeaPad from Lenovo +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 224 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/15/all-new-thinkpad-ideapad-from-lenovo/ +date: '2008-07-15 00:56:17 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-15 05:56:17 +0700' +categories: +- notebook +- ThinkPad +tags: [] +--- +

Finally It's the time for Thinkpad 6x series to go since it has been out for a few years now. Yes, the newcoming Thinkpad is still Thinkpad--you know that its design will rather be evolution than revolution and IdeaPad will still follow the same old design. What you are likely to get now is

X200 will be the successor of X61 with 0.8" think design likely to be the same footprint as X300 and more interestingly it will start at $1,199 with 11.6" by 8.3" by 0.73"-0.8" & only 2.93 lbs. I can't wait to see X200 Tablet here.

SL series will debut for small business section; from SL300 (13.3"), SL400 (14"), and SL500 (15"); $699-$1199 price range; HDMI, Blu-ray, 3G, and WiMAX as optional. I guess this would be in the same market as Dell Vostro series.

W series is another new series here separating form T series with an ability to switch back and forth between ATi Mobility FireGL and integrated one.

T400 and T500 will replace T61, similarly to W series w/o switchable graphic card.

R400 & R500 will be the budget series as same as R is.

For IdeaPad, there will be 4 new models as well. Quite a lot for Lenovo, huh?

U330 will be a bigger sibling of fabulous U110 with a little over 4 lbs and switchable graphic cards. Quite interesting really.

Y-series will unleash Y430, Y530 and Y730 as 14", 15" and 17" model respectively

They all are based on Intel Centrino 2 platform (aka. Montevina) which will utilize 1066 MT/s FSB and better RAM than DDR2-667 that we all have in Santa Rosa platform--that includes DDR2-800, DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, and DDR3-1333. It also will support DisplayPort--new digital display interface--along with full supplemental support of HDMI, DVI, and VGA standards and mini-PCIe adapter as well. For integrated graphic card, it will be X4500. We will see how this compete with AMD Puma platform. I bet Intel will win over everything but graphic card, which might be the most important factor. Stay tuned.

[via Engadgat, Gizmodo, and Yahoo! news]

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-17-omg-what-a-cute-little-tablet-pc-kohjinsha-sc3.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-17-omg-what-a-cute-little-tablet-pc-kohjinsha-sc3.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..35143f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-17-omg-what-a-cute-little-tablet-pc-kohjinsha-sc3.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: OMG! What a cute little tablet PC--Kohjinsha SC3 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 239 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/17/omg-what-a-cute-little-tablet-pc-kohjinsha-sc3/ +date: '2008-07-17 04:28:22 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-17 09:28:22 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +tags: [] +--- +

Well, I am not sure whether this should be UMPC or tablet PC. Actually, it should be something in between. However, pocketables.net got a review of this baby which you really have to check it out.

Brief spec:

CPU: Intel Atom Z520 Silverthorne 1.33GHz (single-core, hyper-threading)
+Chipset: Intel SCH US15W (Poulsbo)
+RAM: 2GB DDR2-533 (1GB standard, upgradeable)
+OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
+Hard drive: 60GB
+Display: 7” swivel touch-screen (1024 x 600)
+Wireless: 802.11b/g, [Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, GPS]*, 1seg tuner
+Size: 7.44" x 6.10" x 1.00"-1.30"
+Weight: 1.76 lbs.
+Colors: Black or white
+Price: around $1,000 [this is not Netbook indeed]
+*[optional]

It's smaller than Eee PC, but much more interesting since its screen resolution is quite large and more importantly, it's a swivel screen!! I do hope it will ink as good as Fujitsu P16xx or as same as Samsung Q1--that should be alright.

According to Jenn in the review's comment
+
Inking
+
Inking on the SC3 in portrait and landscape slate mode is actually pretty good. The display is a passive touchscreen, but it's not overly sensitive. It responds to stylus taps and fingernails immediately but will only register fingertaps when done deliberately.
+
Handwriting recognition through the Tablet PC Input Panel is great. I'm not an inker, so writing on the screen feels unnatural to me. I know there isn't exactly a "right" way to ink, but I'm pretty sure seasoned tablet folk would notice how awkward I am. Even so, the SC3 recognized every single word I wrote.
+
Writing directly on the entire screen through Windows Journal is not as great, but still quite good. The screen seems able to withstand light palm touches; vectoring is only an issue with heavy palms and when that sharpish bone right above the wrist taps it.
+
Posted by Jenn | 01:13 PM on Jul 16, 2008

Full review @ pocketables.net!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-24-knol-wikipedia-killer.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-24-knol-wikipedia-killer.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..26bbaba --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-24-knol-wikipedia-killer.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Knol - Wikipedia killer? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 242 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/07/24/knol-wikipedia-killer/ +date: '2008-07-24 02:34:09 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-07-24 07:34:09 +0700' +categories: +- misc +tags: [] +--- +

This is another try from Google to control all over the Internet. Creating Knol--basically Wikipedia made by Google--which you could write anything you know as a knowledge base controlling & filtering by others.

What really differ from Wikipedia is Google needs you to use your real name instead of "anonymous" you found in Wikipedia. In my point of view, it's just better to put your real name in order to make you feel more responsible for what you write. However, I don't know how Knol will go since it's going to have a tough fight with a very large existed Wikipedia community. By the way, there will be only positive things come up after this fight--a lot more stuffs to make people more knowledgeable. Keep reading!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-08-07-is-dell-90w-adapter-fragile.markdown b/_posts/2008-08-07-is-dell-90w-adapter-fragile.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f6cd81 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-08-07-is-dell-90w-adapter-fragile.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Is Dell 90W adapter fragile? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 251 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/08/07/is-dell-90w-adapter-fragile/ +date: '2008-08-07 05:15:07 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-08-07 10:15:07 +0700' +categories: +- notebook +tags: [] +--- +

I don't know whether or not this is widespread problem, but I could find people who face this situation easily with a single search. The same applies to one of my friends; she said that she has this problem with previous and the current machine. For the first machine, she just left behind. However, she brought this to me this time.

The Dell AC power adapter type cannot be determined

The AC power adapter type cannot be determined. Your system will operate slower and battery will not charge.

It's what you see above; this machine was locked to run as slow as it could--always 800MHz instead of 1.73Ghz. Whether the adapter couldn't provide enough juice or the DC jack on this board is malfunction was possible here. It was really hard to decide if you didn't have a spare adapter to test. Therefore, it left me no choice but buying a new adapter to test. Luckily Dell adapter was cheap =) only $28+$9 shipping from portabledetails.com and it took 3 days to arrive.

After I got a replacement--new one has a ground line as a plus, Dell probably realized that laptop case was not the best place as a ground (electrical charge was noticeable on the chassis when I put the old adapter.)

Soon after I popped up new adapter, the Inspiron 9400 was coming alive again; battery was charging immediately and it sucks full 90W--Kill a Watt meter told me. It's really surprise that this 17" laptop draws power even more than my desktop!

Briefly, this machine is only 1 and a half years old, and surely out of warranty. If you have this problem and it's in warranty, Dell should not have any problem replacing the broken adapter for sure. In fact, this adapter basically should last longer than the laptop itself. I really have no clue how Dell took care of this design & manufacturer at first place since I never heard this problem with another brand yet. Maybe that's just me :-P

Note: 90W draw occurs only when you have almost empty battery and/or run this machine simultaneously. 40-60W is a regular power draw for normal condition.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-08-13-clip-and-go-dock-with-logitech-v550.markdown b/_posts/2008-08-13-clip-and-go-dock-with-logitech-v550.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d4de27 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-08-13-clip-and-go-dock-with-logitech-v550.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Clip-and-Go Dock with Logitech V550 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 256 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/08/13/clip-and-go-dock-with-logitech-v550/ +date: '2008-08-13 22:53:21 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-08-14 03:53:21 +0700' +categories: +- gadgets +tags: [] +--- +

new ideas from Logitech still continues. Now it's innovative feature called Clip-and-Go

“To meet the demands associated with increased mobility, the V550 mouse offers a complete set of features to make it easier to use a mouse with a notebook when moving from the kitchen to the living room or from one’s desk to a meeting. Now, you won’t have to choose between grabbing your mouse or a cup of coffee.”

It's real nice idea here. But wait! not only is this new feature, but shape & hyper-fast scrolling are also coming to Vxxx series. In addition, the battery life is extended to 1 and a half year. With the MSRP @59.99. I hope Vx series will be updated to make a distinct pretty soon.

This will hit the store around late this month! Stay tuned!

[via Engadget]

Added [8/17/2008]: the way it hangs on the lid is here and there will be two colors available.

Logitech V550 bottom

And this model has been up on Logitech.com already!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-08-19-hurting-developers-heart-stupid-move-from-plm.markdown b/_posts/2008-08-19-hurting-developers-heart-stupid-move-from-plm.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af0507d --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-08-19-hurting-developers-heart-stupid-move-from-plm.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,35 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Hurting developer's heart? STUPID MOVE from P*lm +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 265 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/08/19/hurting-developers-heart-stupid-move-from-plm/ +date: '2008-08-19 02:52:35 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-08-19 07:52:35 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- Palm +tags: [] +--- +

All P*lm developers should be aware, P*lm will follow you guys and ask you "politely and forcibly by the power of the law" to drop off "p" word you are using as your trademark or whatsoever.

This is what Dmitry, one of the most talented P*lm OS developers, had faced. As a result, he had to move his web site from http://palmpowerups.com [06/07/2005] to http://PlmPowerups.com to avoid such a confusion (perhaps because P*lm couldn't do any better than him?) and change the SDHC driver to "PlmSDHC" since it has no relation or approval from P*lm [of course, since they DON'T EVEN CARE all predecessors' product]

here is the first post of palmpowerups.com:-

Palm Powerups opens
+
Palm Powerups opens today. This website will offer to you the software needed to make your palm more powerful, usable, interesting, and exciting. The currently available products include UDMH, warpSpeed, skinUI, Picsel Accelerator, and SysNfo. Of course you can expect many more great programs from Palm Powerups in the future, and your ideas are always welcome in the forums
+
Posted by dmitrygr on Tuesday, June 07 @ 16:50:43 MST (15 reads)
+(Read More... | Score: 5)

I haven't seen anything telling he worked at P*lm, just one developer that wanted to make Palm device more powerful! [which is a good thing for them, right? I'm not so sure if P*lm thought the same way]

P*lmRevolt [1/4/2006] and P*lmInsiderPro [03/20/2006] also got a notice and changed the names to pRevolt and ZInsider respectively. I don't know what P*lm think really since all these programs and names has been up *PUBLICLY* for many years ; why now?

"The letters P-A-L-M reflect a prized brand with significant customer awareness and earned loyalty," said Ed Colligan, palmOne president and chief executive officer. "Innovation, power, ease of use, and elegance all are attributes of the brand, and we intend to invest to turn what is a strong name today into a household word synonymous with leadership in mobile computing."

What they are proud of when getting it back from palmsource [$30M -- 3.5 years installments from 5/24/2005] -- I just realized they haven't paid off it yet! [few more months left =)]

Just putting a note " *** is not affiliated with or endorsed by P*lm Inc in anyway" isn't enough? They support you & they do everything to help you get better product but you just want to destroy that, what a shame! although you have all right to do so. How come you haven't chose more mature way, e.g. releasing policy will effect the software released after this day or something or mentioned this at the first place. Oops I just realize that they probably use Garnet for a long long time without releasing newer OS, so they have to think of such a dated software as well.

It's just plain STUPID. I think the doom day is closer than you think.

Go back to work, P*LM.

update [2 weeks later]: Palm seemed to react to this issue as they should do firstly which is letting PalmPowerups.com continues its name. However, all product names which has this-4-letter-word still need to abandon their name. I think they ain't busy working Nova enough.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-08-21-viliv-s7-set-your-eyes-on-it.markdown b/_posts/2008-08-21-viliv-s7-set-your-eyes-on-it.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..541b1d9 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-08-21-viliv-s7-set-your-eyes-on-it.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Viliv S7 -- set your eyes on it! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 270 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/08/21/viliv-s7-set-your-eyes-on-it/ +date: '2008-08-21 22:33:36 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-08-22 03:33:36 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +tags: [] +--- +

After Kohjinsha SC3 got my attention from its design, it failed me completely when coming to battery life--2 hours or so. Now Viliv, the company I also never heard of, come up with Viliv S7 claiming that it would suck less juice and be able to achieve 7-9 hours on single charge!

Viliv S7

And more importantly its form factor won any of their class, IMHO.

Viliv S7

Whoa! What an impressive first look from UMPCportal.com. It's Atom-based device, 1GB RAM, 30/60 GB HDD, 7" touch screen, 1024px * 600px, 830g (including battery) I couldn't ask for more.

In fact, I don't believe if this baby could really achieve 7-9 hours life. But by this approximation, I just wish it would get up to 5-hour-battery-life and that would be enough for my need indeed. If the price is right (less than a grand, please), I won't hesitate to grab one.

Stay tuned! this will be out around the beginning of next year. I hope this company could make this dream come true.

Check out more gallery & info at UMPCportal.com

diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-01-dell-studio-hybrid-got-reviewed.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-01-dell-studio-hybrid-got-reviewed.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a37e99c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-01-dell-studio-hybrid-got-reviewed.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Dell Studio Hybrid got reviewed. +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 276 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/09/01/dell-studio-hybrid-got-reviewed/ +date: '2008-09-01 12:05:26 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-09-01 17:05:26 +0700' +categories: +- desktop +tags: [] +--- +

Desktopreview.com has reviewed Dell Studio Hybrid, the tiny desktop which built by notebook's part as expected. With the spec:-

CPU: Pentium Dual-core up to Core 2 Duo
+Memory: 1-4GB (SODIMM)
+Hard drive: upto 320GB (in fact, you could grab 2.5" 500GB HDD putting yourself)
+Optical drive: CD/DVD burner and Blu-ray as an optional
+Wireless: 802.11n (optional with PCIe)
+Ports: 5*USB, 1*HDMI, 1*DVI, 1*Gigabit LAN, 1*IEEE1394 4pin [no VGA port, sorry =)]

Also, you can grab the extra colorful cover for just $17 each. This is starting at $499 [$399 usually if promotion is concerned] I think it's pretty nice. With a notebook standard, this little box is also sucking the juice less than regular desktop. Moreover, all parts is easily accessible and upgradable.

Check out more detail @ desktopreview.com

diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-02-google-chrome-completing-the-circle-of-googles-world.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-02-google-chrome-completing-the-circle-of-googles-world.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e478b5 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-02-google-chrome-completing-the-circle-of-googles-world.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Google Chrome: completing the circle of Google''s world' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 281 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/09/02/google-chrome-completing-the-circle-of-googles-world/ +date: '2008-09-02 16:56:49 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-09-02 21:56:49 +0700' +categories: +- Google +tags: [] +--- +

This might be the day Google trying to complete their circle after playing around web applications from the beginning.

Google Chrome is the browser based on AppleWebkit, the core that drives Safari nowadays. It sure is the proved solid browser.

Now it's only on Windows OS. I could tell that it's surprisingly fast, clean and nice UI. It's also imported all my bookmarks from Firefox without a hitch. I'm pretty sure of that Google will release this on every OSes soon.

Now Google already moves to build its own platform. It just surprises me that they haven't chosen Gecko as their platform after released so many add-ons for it. Probably it is way too many to be able to support them all [and other's too].

However, the only thing that keeps me using Firefox, instead of ie8 and others, is its add-ons!! Will see how Google will react on that issue.

Try here!

diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-09-dropbox-first-take.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-09-dropbox-first-take.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c75985 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-09-dropbox-first-take.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Dropbox - first take +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 283 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/09/09/dropbox-first-take/ +date: '2008-09-09 16:47:50 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-09-09 21:47:50 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: [] +--- +

If you guys are familiar with Live Mesh but no need of remote connection what soever dropbox , this might catch your attention. Dropbox is basically an online storage service--2GB for now--which has cross-platform client running natively on Windows, Mac, and surprisingly Linux also.

After couple days of trying it, it just works. There is no fancy feature or customized location yet. But it gets job done with less memory than Mesh, of course. It works flawlessly so far on my several PC and Mac. Since it's only BETA, you will be expected to test its flow, report and suggest to the developer. If you guys would like to try, I have 10 invites available. =)

diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-16-bypass-windows-vista-login-screen.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-16-bypass-windows-vista-login-screen.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b73d75 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-16-bypass-windows-vista-login-screen.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Bypass Windows XP/Vista/Win7 login screen +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 289 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/09/16/bypass-windows-vista-login-screen/ +date: '2008-09-16 03:56:08 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-09-16 08:56:08 +0700' +categories: +- Vista +- Windows 7 +tags: [] +--- +

If you prefer the fast way (less secure), Vista does provide an easy GUI for configure this.

Vista: control userpassword2

Here is the what you have to call. I just wonder why they don't provide this in normal User Account page. Then you just to select the account you want to access automatically, then uncheck this:-

User Accounts

It will ask you a password of the selected account. Then next time, you restart the computer, you will never have to put a password anymore :-D

Update before Win 7 launch (Oct 19, 2009): Although this command works with Vista and XP, it doesn't seem to work with Windows 7. The alternative is using 'netplwiz' instead of 'control userpasswords2' and yes, netplwiz works on Vista and XP too. Quite good, huh?

diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-16-disable-adobe-updater.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-16-disable-adobe-updater.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e83ecb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-16-disable-adobe-updater.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Disable Adobe Updater +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 286 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/09/16/disable-adobe-updater/ +date: '2008-09-16 03:45:59 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-09-16 08:45:59 +0700' +categories: +- after-works +- software +tags: [] +--- +

This was not my issue until today. I just got my hand on tx2500z and as usual HP provides us tons of good & crap pieces of software. I decided to live with this configuration for a while and see how HP manages on its own image. So that I could review it as it really is out-of-the-box. However, one annoying thing I found so far was Adobe Updater from Acrobat Reader was popping up to download newer version all the time. It was quite a big file, so I could cancel it before it finished. By the way, after restarting it was still showing again and again.

So I needed to fix this so badly. The problem was Adobe Updater didn't have a shortcut available for easy access. You guys might find this after completing first update and be able to disable it. But if you are not that patient, so you have to get into

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Updater5
+

You will see AdobeUpdater.exe file which oddly have no beautiful icon for even regular size. Seems like Adobe doesn't like us to find this really. When you open this little app, you have to click "Preference" to customize its behavior.

disable adobe updater

Once you uncheck this, Adobe Updater will never bother you no more.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-29-missing-fingerprint-software-on-your-hp-laptop.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-29-missing-fingerprint-software-on-your-hp-laptop.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7659c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-29-missing-fingerprint-software-on-your-hp-laptop.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Missing Fingerprint software on your HP laptop +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 292 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/09/29/missing-fingerprint-software-on-your-hp-laptop/ +date: '2008-09-29 03:48:35 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-09-29 08:48:35 +0700' +categories: +- notebook +- software +tags: [] +--- +

It's a weird issue since wouldn't provide their fingerprint software in recovery partition although your system has fingerprint reader. And HP website doesn't good at providing information about it that much. It's intuitive and easy to find drivers enough for Windows, so it won't bother you about missing any. However, after I had tried several times, all drivers and apps available in the product page are not enough to make the machine perform as good as HP factory image. Maybe I miss something? But that should mean HP give me less info too :-P If you have any recommend, please share. I have tx2500z.

Digital Persona Fingerprint Reader Well, anyway, if you are restore your OS back with HP recovery partition or disc, you will not have Fingerprint Software with you and the thing is there are 2 different softwares available from HP; first is Bioscrypt VeriSoft Access Manager and another one is Digital Persona. Frankly you can use both of them--but should be only 1 at a time, ok? I believe that the first one is originally for older system (2007 or before) and the latter one is for newer one. I do recommend the 2nd one, it's really good one. You can even save password for your IM or any programs since its logo would float almost all the time when there is password field show up.

Here is the link for Bioscrypt VeriSoft Access Manager and surely this is for Digital Persona.

Have fun swipe your finger!!

Note: if you are not yet doing restoration/clean installation, don't forget to archive C:\SWSetup. That's all you need--everything, all drivers and apps that you have since the first you got your machine.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-10-04-dell-studio-wallpaper.markdown b/_posts/2008-10-04-dell-studio-wallpaper.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7ef7fa --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-10-04-dell-studio-wallpaper.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Dell Studio Wallpaper +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 299 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/10/04/dell-studio-wallpaper/ +date: '2008-10-04 23:29:11 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-10-05 04:29:11 +0700' +categories: +- wallpaper +tags: +- wallpaper +--- +

Another good wallpaper from Dell; since our lives need something new to keep us fresh. Well, this might be a chance to add new wallpapers in your collection. I grabbed these from Dell Studio 15--some are old, traditional Dell; 3 are new, and they all are here.

Click them to see the original size (1920px*1200px)

diff --git a/_posts/2008-10-05-lenovo-ideapad-wallpaper.markdown b/_posts/2008-10-05-lenovo-ideapad-wallpaper.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..93ab38b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-10-05-lenovo-ideapad-wallpaper.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Lenovo IdeaPad Wallpaper +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 313 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/10/05/lenovo-ideapad-wallpaper/ +date: '2008-10-05 00:14:48 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-10-05 05:14:48 +0700' +categories: +- wallpaper +tags: +- wallpaper +--- +

Yes, I know I just posted Dell's ones minutes ago. But I can resist sharing this as well. They are so cool and this is the one I'm using right now. Lenovo provide such a good one here on Ideapad U110--a lovely ultraportable notebook. What I'm pretty sure of is you guys all would love this set.

Theme of this set is seasons; first 4 wallpapers are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Very nice indeed. As usual, you may click on the thumbnail for original size (1920px*1200px.) These are all wide screen version. Believe it or not, Lenovo are so kind to give us full screen version also. If you guys like it, just let me know. I just think that most of you guys all have wide screen monitor, so these are all you need. Unlike me, with my 4:3 screen on the great X61T.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-10-11-sharing-printer-from-64-bit-box-to-32-bit-clients-2.markdown b/_posts/2008-10-11-sharing-printer-from-64-bit-box-to-32-bit-clients-2.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8fdae5e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-10-11-sharing-printer-from-64-bit-box-to-32-bit-clients-2.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,46 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Sharing Printer from 64-bit box to 32-bit clients +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 319 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/10/11/sharing-printer-from-64-bit-box-to-32-bit-clients-2/ +date: '2008-10-11 12:35:48 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-10-11 17:35:48 +0700' +categories: +- software +- network +tags: [] +--- +

Well, I was starting to turn all my Windows boxes to 64-bit--all Linux ones are 64-bit already. I expected to see an improvement, but yet to see in practice. Along the way to transform to 64-bit, I had a problem about printer sharing. By the fact that I had network attached printer, you might wonder why I need to share it again. If I told you here that my printer was HP, most of you guys might get it why I prefer to do this way.

HP drivers are crap.
It comes with a lot of bloatwares.
Too many running processes required.

Windows also doesn't have currently HP printer driver, so I couldn't print that easily. The advantage of this method is you could just add a shared printer with minimum driver installed on your workstation. Please share if you have a better way to do so.

additional drivers

By the way, Microsoft put some trick making this more difficult than it should be. The idea is when you install the driver on the 64-bit box then share. This is simple. However, this will allow only 64-bit machine to use this shared printer since there is no 32-bit driver or any particular driver for your machine architecture. Simple solution is adding another architecture driver to that. That was an unexpected problem started.

Windows Media (x86 processor)

Add drivers, then it will ask for driver for the architecture you choose--32-bit in this case.
Browse for the 32-bit drivers.
Then it will ask for Windows Media (x86 processor) [ntprint.inf file]
What the heck is that?? +
- I put VIsta setup disc
- download new drivers
- find the file in %windir%
+

Those above don't help. So, how do we know where and what that files are. I just found that it was located in your x86 machine.

%windir%\winsxs\x86_ntprint.inf_******************

That's where you need to point to or you can just copy that folder out to 64-bit. That would be fine as well. After this, you've done. Sit back and relax. All your machine will be able to use the shared printer seamlessly.

Thanks to the development of network, so that we can live our lives much more comfortable :-P

Note: For sharing printer from 32-bit box to 64-bit one, you just have to get the **_ntprint** folder from 64-bit machine, then add driver as procedure above. You will be all set. =)

diff --git a/_posts/2008-10-27-netbook-notebook-gap-getting-darn-too-close-with-dell-mini-12.markdown b/_posts/2008-10-27-netbook-notebook-gap-getting-darn-too-close-with-dell-mini-12.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a39b8be --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-10-27-netbook-notebook-gap-getting-darn-too-close-with-dell-mini-12.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Netbook & Notebook gap getting darn too close with Dell Mini 12 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 330 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/10/27/netbook-notebook-gap-getting-darn-too-close-with-dell-mini-12/ +date: '2008-10-27 10:55:55 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-10-27 15:55:55 +0700' +categories: +- netbook +tags: [] +--- +

The day netbook will merge with notebook is closer than you and I think--next month!? Since Dell will unleash Dell Inspiron Mini 12, the successor of Mini 9, with $600-$700 price tag depending on configuration. 6-cell battery one probably last 6-hour (let's say 4-5 in practice) according to LaptopMag.com.

Brief specification of this mutant netbook:-
CPU: Intel Atom
RAM: 1GB of RAM
Hard disk drive: 60/80GB
OS: Windows Vista Home Basic
Screen: 12.1" Glossy WXGA (1280x800)
Connectivity: Bluetooth, WLAN 802.11b/g
Ports: 3*USB, VGA, Card reader, Mic & headphone jack.
Extra: Webcam
Thickness: 0.92" - 1.09"
Weight: 2.72 lbs

I am amazed of what netbook is going to be--from 7" Eee 70x to now in only less than a year!! No more portability in that sense. Not that I don't like this, but this should mean things equipped Intel Atom shouldn't belong to only netbook no more. Then it will make sense

IMO, eventually expensive ultra portable will fade away from the market. No matter how good they are, they are just like Vertu which offers none to other, but extraordinary price that no one considers buying one. Sad that some of them are such a great thing--Sony TZ. The question is whether we will see less and less innovation in that area too? probably so. :-/ [but we will see innovation in low-end side instead!! :-D I don't know which is better honestly.]

check out more pics @ LaptopMag.com

[via Notebookreview.com & LaptopMag.com]

diff --git a/_posts/2008-11-02-voodoo-envy-133-wallpaper.markdown b/_posts/2008-11-02-voodoo-envy-133-wallpaper.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8037295 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-11-02-voodoo-envy-133-wallpaper.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Voodoo Envy 133 Wallpaper +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 333 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/11/02/voodoo-envy-133-wallpaper/ +date: '2008-11-02 01:19:32 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-11-02 06:19:32 +0700' +categories: +- wallpaper +tags: +- wallpaper +--- +

This might be one of dream machines of many people, but as it turned out, it might not be as cool as we were expected from the machine in that price range. Slow speed could be a compromise, but less than 3-hr battery life is just little short. Yes, although Envy 133 comes with cool power adapter, that doesn't justify that we should pack that up in the bag at all time, does it?

I never ever see that in person though and I don't think I will ever see that too :-P However, that doesn't mean that we couldn't use Envy 133 wallpaper!

Here you go, at first I think this could be super cool wallpaper but when I got it, it's kind of so-so, disappointed a bit, but someone might want to have it.

If you guys have this very good looking machine and have extra more wallpaper from it, please share I would love to see that.

diff --git a/_posts/2008-11-17-major-rebate-processor-files-for-bankruptcy.markdown b/_posts/2008-11-17-major-rebate-processor-files-for-bankruptcy.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f9b3dd --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-11-17-major-rebate-processor-files-for-bankruptcy.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,70 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Major Rebate Processor Files for Bankruptcy +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 335 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/11/17/major-rebate-processor-files-for-bankruptcy/ +date: '2008-11-17 02:02:00 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-11-17 07:02:00 +0700' +categories: +- misc +tags: [] +--- +

Well, as you may know, in the US, there is a strange way to have such a cheap deal, MIR -- Mail-In Rebate. Stores aren't likely to give you an instant discount to make a real good deal, so mail-in rebate is for filling that missing link. Basicly, when you buy stuffs, you have to cut off UPC, barcode on the box, to make sure that you cannot return, fill out the form, and mail all these to a company--rebate processor company. Then, wait. Some companies take only about a month, some companies take almost 4 months--believe me, that happened to me once. However, average wait time is about 2 months or so. It's mostly just wait (and pain arguing about denial of rebate.) Nowadays, you might have to be aware much more than that!!

With the period of US economy collapsing, many companies are gone. Customers spend less, things get more expensive. What the heck we can do about that? Nothing =) Just be alert for cheap deal, spend money as efficient as we can. Most of good deal online or in store come with rebate, it usually has only a question that how long we will get our money back. Nonetheless, now you might have to ask whether we will ever get our money back!! Surely, you are not likely to get rebate from store that use this rebate processor since it filed for bankruptcy!! The answer is uncertainty that you will get or not. If lucky, everything will work out well. If not, no one could help you either. Sue? yes, you can but for $40, $80, or $100? will you?

Anyway, in case you are in the US and you have tons of waiting MIR list. You may like to know this--the companies that use this rebate processor:-

ABBOTT LABORATORIES (FREESTYLE METERS)
+ACRONIS SOFTWARE (TRUE IMAGE)
+ACTIVISION
+AD-AWARE
+ADOBE
+ADVANCE AUTO PARTS (Parts America?)
+ANTEC - Called Antec and they are having problems. Said not to cash ! Antec CSR number 1-800-222-6832, Press 1
+ArchBrook Laguna (Magellan Refurbished Rebate from Pep Boys)
+ATDEC
+AVG
+BED BATH & BEYOND
+BIC CORPORATION US - Shaver Division
+BFG Tech - Told me to Call Rebate Status. Will re-email on Monday
+BRIDGEVINE
+CANON says DO NOT CASH http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=StandardDisplayAct&fcategoryid=2587&keycode=important_rebate_info edit atene
+CHECKER / SCHUCK'S / KRAGEN Auto Parts
+CITIBANK
+CORE
+COSTCO (COSTCO email says don't cash at bank, take it to a COSTCO and they will CASH it. If you prefer to receive by mail call 1-866-355-3137)
+DELORME
+FUJITSU
+HOME DEPOT
+JOE'S SPORTS
+KENSINGTON
+LOGITECH (Called toll-free number Nov. 14, spoke with CSR. CSR said my check was good to cash. Not sure of others.)
+MOTOROLA (SURFBOARD MODEM)
+MURRAY'S DISCOUNT AUTO PARTS (oil)
+NATURE'S EARTH (cat litter)
+NERO
+NEWEGG (certain products have rebates from newegg directly e.g. TATUNG, ROSEWILL)
+PANDA DISTRIBUTION
+PANDIGITAL
+PC TOOLS --> Phone: (866) 431-5087
+PRICEGRABBER - Don't Cash Check (Even older ones you haven't cashed in yet)! Will Send out New Rebate Check Directly
+ROSEWILL (NEWEGG)
+RUSTOLEUM - Menard's July $4 Door Paint Rebate (Contact Rustoleum directly @ 1-800-323-3584)
+SAMSUNG
+SMITH MICRO SOFTWARE (ANONYMIZER)
+SPOT (Satellite beacon)
+TABLETOPS UNLIMITED
+TRENDNET - Don't cash check; make a copy and mail the original check to TRENDnet headquarters (can be found at trendnet.com along with a printout of email regarding this issue. ) New check will be issued.
+WESTINGHOUSE
+XFX
+XM SATELLITE RADIO
+ZEROTHERM
+ZYXEL

Well, that's a long list. Some companies are kind enough to take this responsibility, but some are just quiet about this. Who know the future? Just keep avoiding getting all rebate deals from the company listed above until things are clear.

This holiday season is just starting... be careful.....

Note: More information and progression at SlickDeals.net forum

diff --git a/_posts/2008-11-23-how-to-configure-ftpd-proftpd.markdown b/_posts/2008-11-23-how-to-configure-ftpd-proftpd.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e40024 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-11-23-how-to-configure-ftpd-proftpd.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,80 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: How to configure ftpd -- proftpd +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 337 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/11/23/how-to-configure-ftpd-proftpd/ +date: '2008-11-23 20:37:03 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-11-24 01:37:03 +0700' +categories: +- linux +tags: [] +--- +

I'm planing to write Unix 101 -- beginner for beginner. Since I started getting into shell much more than GUI, I liked how simple Unix is. However, I'm no pro as Unix user; Thus, I probably have an idea what Unix 101 should be like much more than reading through Unix manual indeed.

By the way, after trying Windows Server 2008 standard for a month or so, I found that there were too many hassles involved. It was good to have GUI or wizard to walk through but sometimes it just gave us more confuse. Believe it or not, I can't even get FTP server on IIS work properly :-( Although the alternative, like FileZilla server, works flawlessly, it's just not right using 3rd party while using server edition and that's already equipped with FTP server. It's just like using Apache HTTPd on Windows server; why just use IIS or just change to Linux box for good =)

So I choose to have less complicated way--Ubuntu. Well, the reason why I choose Ubuntu is nothing but easiest. In Ubuntu server 8.10, there is no ftpd by default for whatever reason. So adding one of them is a must. Because There are many many choices, I don't know what is good too. I just choose proftpd and I find that's easy to configure. That's simple.

Firstly, install it! -- remember this is Ubuntu--it's debian. Your distro might use something else, but that differs when installing only.

$ sudo apt-get install proftpd

Done with ftpd installation. That's easy, isn't it? Then we have to do configuration, briefly we have to:-

manage user
edit proftpd.conf
start/restart proftpd

For managing user, you might use the same account in OS, so that you don't have to do a thing in this step, but if you want to use isolated user for extra security (?!?), go for it.

useradd [ -u uid ][ -g gid ][ -G gid [,gid,.. ]][ -d dir ][ -m ][ -s shell ][ -c comment ] loginname

You could just have only parameter you want, then the rest would be default value

$ sudo useradd -d /home/ftp ftpuser

$ sudo passwd ftpuser //for creating password for ftpuser

For configuring our ftpd, here is the most important part--editing /etc/proftpd/proftpd.conf. In my case, I have login thru ssh, so no GUI no gedit no mousepad, nano is my first choice of text-editor here. You guys might us different one as you like.

$ sudo nano /etc/proftpd/proftpd.conf

what you need to configure basicly are the following:-

+ServerName            "10nas" 
+  ServerType            standalone 
+  # Set the user & group server 
+  # normally runs at. 
+  User                nobody 
+  Group                nogroup 
+  # Set default root as a NAS 
+  DefaultRoot /mnt/nas 
+  # This is for keeping FTP user
+  # inside DefaultRoot only! 
+  DefaultRoot ~ 
+  # Valid Logins 
+  <Limit LOGIN> 
+  AllowUser x1 
+  AllowUser x2 
+  AllowUser x3 
+ AllowUser x4 
+  DenyALL 
+  </Limit> 
+  MaxLoginAttempts 3 
+  # well, <Directory> /mnt/nas> looks weird,
+  # but it's not a typo! 
+  <Directory> /mnt/nas/> 
+  # This is basic security for initial 
+  # file permission
+  Umask 022 022 
+  AllowOverwrite on 
+      <Limit ALL> 
+      Order Allow,Deny 
+      AllowUser x1 
+      AllowUser x2 
+      AllowUser x3 
+      AllowUser x4 
+      Deny ALL 
+      </Limit> 
+  </Directory>
+

Commands to start/stop/restart the service is similar to any service

$ sudo /etc/init.d/proftpd start
+$ sudo /etc/init.d/proftpd stop
+$ sudo /etc/init.d/proftpd restart

Well, this should be enough for setting up basic FTP server securely. =)

diff --git a/_posts/2008-12-05-filezilla-and-iis-ftp-server-failed.markdown b/_posts/2008-12-05-filezilla-and-iis-ftp-server-failed.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..398a16e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-12-05-filezilla-and-iis-ftp-server-failed.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: FileZilla and IIS FTP server != Failed +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 353 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2008/12/05/filezilla-and-iis-ftp-server-failed/ +date: '2008-12-05 05:18:22 +0700' +date_gmt: '2008-12-05 10:18:22 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: +- ftp server +- IIs +- FileZilla +--- +

This was the problem that I couldn't solve in the past with IIS FTP server. Then I gave up using IIS and turned to FileZilla Server instead. Unfortunately, I have to use IIS FTP server again and this time I have no choice of migrating to others. Well, after figuring out for a while, I found that the reason why FileZilla couldn't retrieve directory listing is Windows Firewall is blocking its request. Since FileZilla uses passive mode as a default, it need to initiates data connection to random port which > 1023 and specified by server. Here, the problem occurs; Windows Firewall blocked anything if they are not in the exception. That's why we have such a delay before Error occurs in FileZilla.

Well, the easiest solution here is forcing FileZilla to use 'active transfer mode' instead. Thus, client (FileZilla client) will not have to initiate data connection. It's server's job to do so. In brief, firewall is not a problem no more here and we are happy using FTP although it's not that secure protocol, but gets the job done quite well.

Alternatively, we could get passive transfer mode work here too, but we need to open so many ports [of course, it's random] waiting for initiation from clients. We could specify the range by command:-

C:\Inetpub\AdminScript\adsutil.vbs /MSFTPSVC/PassivePortRange "8400-8420"

Then add exception for all those ports (8400-8420 as example above). I just don't think it's a good way to add too many exceptions to firewall :-P It's just a choice; choose what suits best to yours.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-01-08-palm-pre-worth-waiting-this-long.markdown b/_posts/2009-01-08-palm-pre-worth-waiting-this-long.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..287cd4c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-01-08-palm-pre-worth-waiting-this-long.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Palm Pre: worth waiting this long?' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 374 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/01/08/palm-pre-worth-waiting-this-long/ +date: '2009-01-08 19:22:03 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-01-09 00:22:03 +0700' +categories: +- Palm +tags: [] +--- +

Eventually Palm folks could be sort of exciting of what it will be releasing tomorrow like what we always had long long time ago. Palm PRE! newest release device from Palm, Inc.

It's a PHONE. DAMN! I still want PDA-only device, but will watch this closely how they deal with Zen of Palm.

Only 2 things I am so anxious to try out are PIM--I still want easy and intuitive calendar like the old day--and e-mail--which is supposed to be as great as Chatteremail. Stay tuned!

Check the Pre out at Palm.com

No word on price, but as expected it should be up as high as Palm could do--$599 probably?? You know? Palm just needs money to run damn bad business.

Well there are tons of features which they claimed:

- GPS navigation software (made by Palm, really? I just don't think it's Garmin or Tomtom)
+- Full Web experience (Well, no words on real engine yet--Webkit? Gecko? well hope it's not what Palm cook themselves :-P) [it's Webkit with no flash support, according to pocketables.net]
+- The rest is what you can expect from every phone these days.
+- Oh I miss another one, fat design device. Palm just wants to differentiate itself from today's trend I guess and be like what it was all the time.

Personally I don't like glossy finish of this device that much, but would love to try if this WebOS (can they think of better name? Nova is much better, dude) is good as we are expecting. I'm just afraid that Palm couldn't reach our old Palm OS folks' expectation because its web, Palm Pre's web, still is broken somehow--so unprofessional. Could you think of Apple's site broken like this? Never..

All we have is "hope" to have more than 2 great mobile OS besides iPhone's one and andriod.

Well head over jkOntheRun, for some info about WebOS. I found out that all apps are natively running on browser. In other words, they all are just HTML, CSS, and javascript. We'll see if that's the only thing they got.

Still no exact words on PDN about SDK. If it's really only a "Web" OS, I'm not jumping on this board for sure!!!

Added[Jan 09, 2009]: Pocketables.net has such a nice detail in Palm Pre Lounge; Pre's feature makes me think of G1 indeed--no on-screen keyboard, small battery capacity. Also no memory slot with that fat design??

Look like the world responds to Palm Pre pretty well--about 40% stock price up. Wait and see if it's real or just a hype.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-01-12-netbooks-all-aroundwhat-catch-me-most.markdown b/_posts/2009-01-12-netbooks-all-aroundwhat-catch-me-most.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3c50cb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-01-12-netbooks-all-aroundwhat-catch-me-most.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,35 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Netbooks all around—what catch me most? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 382 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/01/12/netbooks-all-aroundwhat-catch-me-most/ +date: '2009-01-12 04:40:02 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-01-12 09:40:02 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- netbook +tags: +- HP Mini 1000 +--- +

Only tiny bit over a year since the first “netbook,” Asus Eee PC 701, was released to the market. I don’t think anyone expected netbook to be this large market, but it is growing constantly and rapidly. However, it’s probably coming real close to saturated point so far. It just could not be anything more than this since there is almost no possibly significant improvement available. Low price? yes eventually Eee 701 and 900A reach $199 in brick and mortar store. If it’s lower than this, I bet Asus would better bundle with their hi-end motherboards which almost twice as that. Performance? I think Atom can only take you this far since intel won’t take any risk to destroy Pentium D indeed. Cheap stuff gives less margin; no business wants to destroy its own profit indeed. Size? 7” 9” 10” 12” what else do you want? smaller than this will be MID or PDA or even phone, larger than this is Notebook. There is just no more room to fit in. CDROM? we still need that? once a year usage won’t justify extra price and weight for this market.

What we have so far should be about the same as we will have in next 6 months or a year I guess and I’m really happy seeing all netbooks available in B&M store. In my opinion, if I have planned to buy another netbook besides Eee 702 I’m using, I will buy …

HP 2133 Mini-Note – It fades out of the market for a while; although keyboard is big, it looks so cheap anyway. Passed! We'll see if HP Mini 2140 will be better or not.
MSI Wind 10” – this could be named as king of netbook because it’s just about right in everything. Sadly it’s too big for my taste.
Acer Aspire 1 – this is another good netbook with a nice keyboard. No weird right-shift anymore, but it failed me in term of appearance.
Eee Eee Eee – I don’t know what model they have anymore 900 900A 900HA 901A 902Z 1000HA 1000A whatever I don’t care them anymore, just because too many models and I don’t believe in quality of SSD from Asus from my own experience. For $300+ I expected to know what I will get, not luck.
Dell mini 9 – it might be a good one, but by the fact that it is the only one I have yet to see in person and there is no dedicated F1-F12 keys. I would not get it anyway. Such a shame that most B&M stores carry Dell laptop, but it's hard to find Dell mini 9.
Lenovo S10 – look good; quite good features; small keyboard for 10”; somehow I just don’t feel S10 better than anyone else on the market, how weird is that?
Samsung NC10 – the first contender for Wind 10” throne. Fantastic >6-hr battery life on 6-cell; nice design; matte finish chassis. Ohh I like it very much. It seems to be real solid machine in my opinion.
HP Mini 1000 – damn! I couldn’t believe that HP can improve 2133 this much. Same design but look much much more solid than the predecessor. Its lid looks like normal HP, but once open it. What a nice job from HP! Everything is about the same with others IMO but it looks much better with matte finish. Just about 3-hr battery life—no larger battery available due to design—not so bad, but it wins me completely.

Although I’m not a person who buy things by its look, when comparing HP Mini 1000 to the rest, it just shines. If you don’t see it in person yet and are looking for netbook, I highly recommend to see and play HP Mini 1000 by yourself. Alternatively, Samsung NC10 could be on the top of the chart in term of functionality. Again if I were you, I definitely pick HP Mini 1000. Hey! sometimes look can just win functionality without any logical reason.

** I can’t believe I like HP product this much since I hate glossy design so badly. HP Mini 1000 is just an exception.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-01-12-windows-live-2009-suite-beta-is-up-for-grab.markdown b/_posts/2009-01-12-windows-live-2009-suite-beta-is-up-for-grab.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1521559 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-01-12-windows-live-2009-suite-beta-is-up-for-grab.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Windows Live 2009 suite BETA is up for grab +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 395 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/01/12/windows-live-2009-suite-beta-is-up-for-grab/ +date: '2009-01-12 09:43:28 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-01-12 14:43:28 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +tags: +- windows live 2009 +- live writer 2009 +--- +

Everything is new; from the installer which is much smarter to install what they are needed rather than giving us some unuseful info & help. Live Messenger, Live Writer, Live Photo Gallery, and Live Movie maker are completely redesign. Although I am yet to find any significant improvement for Live Writer besides Photo album, it is much easier to recognize non-blogging content manager like Drupal. I like that =) For messenger, it's supported new animation display and is much cleaner UI.

They all are quite cool update; check them out here.

Added 1/16/2009: you can grab standalone installer here; about 134MB total.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-01-16-circuit-city-was-gone-whos-next.markdown b/_posts/2009-01-16-circuit-city-was-gone-whos-next.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..24e5b43 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-01-16-circuit-city-was-gone-whos-next.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Circuit City was gone; who’s next? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 408 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/01/16/circuit-city-was-gone-whos-next/ +date: '2009-01-16 23:18:06 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-01-17 04:18:06 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +tags: [] +--- +

It’s just sad that another nationwide brick & mortar store is closed. Although anyone can see this coming, I don’t think they expected to be this fast. News was spreading this morning; they are going to close at the end of today. The rest, from now on, Circuit City will be controlled by the liquidation store—sale? good deal? probably. But the thing is their sale will be final, no warranty of any kind. I don’t know whether it still is a good deal this way. It’s worth to spend time seeing all those left over though. It's only 10% of tag price; not even close to some Circuit City online deal.

Nonetheless, the more important things are how long Best Buy will be the only giant nationwide electronic store. New face coming up or all B&M stores fading away, who know? But now less competitor, less competition. That’s bad for us anyway.

Sooner or later, there surely will be another big store closing. But the question is who? -_- Now it’s time to move to *local* store, *smaller* business. Thus it will have more stability and reliability.

Yeah!, America. It probably is the right time to realize that you couldn’t control anything although you can print bills as many as you want. Is that relevant, huh? :-P

diff --git a/_posts/2009-01-19-techcrunch-reallys-takes-their-tablet-project-seriously.markdown b/_posts/2009-01-19-techcrunch-reallys-takes-their-tablet-project-seriously.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98ee97a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-01-19-techcrunch-reallys-takes-their-tablet-project-seriously.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: TechCrunch reallys takes their tablet project seriously? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 423 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/01/19/techcrunch-reallys-takes-their-tablet-project-seriously/ +date: '2009-01-19 22:04:46 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-01-20 03:04:46 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +tags: +- Crunchpad +--- +

Whoa! that’s the first word seeing TechCrunch plain simple tablet named Crunchpad turn out to be real. The idea is quite simple—a device, tablet PC basically which has nothing but touch screen and web browser. If you missed that, check this out. That’s on July 21, 2008 around half a year ago!

And now they come out with their prototype B. It’s not a render photo anymore, it’s real.

Briefly it’s like Motion Computer device and runs Ubuntu. Check for more information at TechCrunch. There are youtube running this in person too, but as it is prototype, so don’t expected to have that deep info. They just told that it would be ended up around $299 or so.

What do you guys think of this? or grabbing used motion like LS800 is a better idea!? I just don’t think this Crunchpad has that bright future honestly until it will be like what they designed at first.

[via UMPCPortal]

diff --git a/_posts/2009-01-20-new-hp-home-server-ex485-487-are-up.markdown b/_posts/2009-01-20-new-hp-home-server-ex485-487-are-up.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..02f996b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-01-20-new-hp-home-server-ex485-487-are-up.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: New HP Home server EX485 & 487 are up +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 429 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/01/20/new-hp-home-server-ex485-487-are-up/ +date: '2009-01-20 02:58:52 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-01-20 07:58:52 +0700' +categories: +- server +tags: +- EX485 +- EX487 +- HP Media Smart server +--- +

It has been a rumor for a while; finally it’s up on HP website. Basically it’s just changing from AMD platform to Intel platform. Can it be more exciting? no!

Same old brand chassis with a little new change:-

HP EX485 & EX487 spec

These two new models have only one difference; size of the storage. It’s not even clear whether this Celeron will be dual-core or not since there are 2 possibilities suiting this ambiguous spec.

Hope that HP is not that cheap to put single core on this 2 servers since the price of E1400 is only $8 more, but thinking of 65W versus 35W, HP might come up with such a nicely green excuse. Celeron 440 does to job well! Overall, I’m happy to grab EX470 at $260 on black Friday. Only $30 more for new Athlon 64 might be able to gain performance to be on par with these new releases. That is easy. Stay tuned for full review at myCapsules.com.

read EX485 review @wegotserved.co.uk

diff --git a/_posts/2009-01-25-does-defragmentation-really-help.markdown b/_posts/2009-01-25-does-defragmentation-really-help.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0fa3973 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-01-25-does-defragmentation-really-help.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Does defragmentation really help? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 439 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/01/25/does-defragmentation-really-help/ +date: '2009-01-25 06:56:38 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-01-25 11:56:38 +0700' +categories: +- software +- tweak +tags: +- defrag +--- +

I was not defragmentation believer that much until using Outlook for a while and most of Outlook users would know how darned slow it is. I usually have to wait about >30s to be able to open the mail otherwise Outlook will freeze for 5 sec or so.

Now—since my machine has done disk defrag, now I could use Outlook as fast as Thunderbird [might not that fast, but waiting few sec comparing to a min is fantastic.] Ohh my god! it’s really helping. My outlook databases (3*IMAP) are about 800MB, 500MB and 200MB. FYI, whole defrag process is about 5 min or so for my 120GB with about 50% free of space.

I don’t know which one is the best, but I can say that Auslogics Disk Defrag is worth checking out. It’s free and fast, enough huh? If you have any advice, I would love to hear.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-02-02-pixlr-online-photoshop-like.markdown b/_posts/2009-02-02-pixlr-online-photoshop-like.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..de950c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-02-02-pixlr-online-photoshop-like.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Pixlr – online Photoshop-like +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 445 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/02/02/pixlr-online-photoshop-like/ +date: '2009-02-02 04:36:29 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-02-02 09:36:29 +0700' +categories: +- online apps +tags: [] +--- +

I’m not a fan of online apps but I need to share this. Nothing much to say; incredibly fast, nice with a lot of features. I couldn’t believe it’s this fast; I bet it’s going to be such a important tool while being on-the-go or just doing something quick. You could save as either JPEG or PNG. Very impressive!!

Kudos to Pixlr team!

Try out by yourself! It’s really masterpiece of online apps.

Pixlr.com or get in to image editor directly

diff --git a/_posts/2009-02-07-virtual-cd-for-windows-7.markdown b/_posts/2009-02-07-virtual-cd-for-windows-7.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..668fe4c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-02-07-virtual-cd-for-windows-7.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Virtual CD for Windows 7 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 446 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/02/07/virtual-cd-for-windows-7/ +date: '2009-02-07 07:10:24 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-02-07 12:10:24 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: +- Windows 7 +- Virtual CD +--- +

If you guys have tried Windows 7 + one of virtual cd, you probably have this problem—frozen explorer after resuming out of sleep.

Alcohol 120%, MagicISO, PowerISO, Daemon, or Virtual CloneDrive; They all have this symptom. However, Slysoft developers working on Virtual CloneDrive has released newest BETA, version 5.4.2.3 beta, which is working quite well with Windows 7. It’s free, it’s great so far.

Check it out here or download directly.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-02-11-for-whom-you-need-more-screen-estate-dual-154.markdown b/_posts/2009-02-11-for-whom-you-need-more-screen-estate-dual-154.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d41b5ad --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-02-11-for-whom-you-need-more-screen-estate-dual-154.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: For whom you need more screen-estate, dual 15.4” +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 453 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/02/11/for-whom-you-need-more-screen-estate-dual-154/ +date: '2009-02-11 09:49:04 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-02-11 14:49:04 +0700' +categories: +- notebook +tags: +- gScreen +--- +

gScreen It’s symmetric dual screen unlike Thinkpad W700ds, you may like to know the spec:-

gScreen G400 15.4-inch Specs:
+> 2 - 15.4-inch LED - backlit display screens
+> Windows VISTA w/ WIN XP PRO
+> Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8 GHz T9600 or P8400 2.26-GHz
+> 4 - 8 GB of RAM
+> 160GB - 500GB 7200-rpm HD
+> NVIDIA® Quadro FX 2700M Graphics with 512MB dedicated memory
+-or-
+NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GT with 512MB dedicated memory
+> Ports: USB 2.0 (x6), VGA, Display Port, RJ-45, Audio, Firewire 1394 Powered 6-pin
+> 6 and 9-cell battery available
+> Starting at 7.7 lbs.

There is no word on screen resolution, but I bet it’s going to be 1280*800 each? gScreen will be available for any customer on Feb 25, 2009 on Amazon.com. It will be 13” and/or 17” next later late this year depending on how popular 15.4” model will be I guess. Also, there will be rugged version of this huge screen laptop for US NAVY. Still no clue if it will be available to consumer or not though.Looking forward to seeing more variation of laptop besides netbook evolution this year!!

visit gScreenCorp.com for upcoming update.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-02-12-rest-in-peace-palm-os.markdown b/_posts/2009-02-12-rest-in-peace-palm-os.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3ae9557 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-02-12-rest-in-peace-palm-os.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Rest In Peace – Palm OS +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 455 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/02/12/rest-in-peace-palm-os/ +date: '2009-02-12 04:40:16 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-02-12 09:40:16 +0700' +categories: +- Palm +tags: +- RIP +--- +

Due to webOS and Palm’s laziness, they finally confirmed that there would not be any Palm OS powered anymore at an investor conference. I don’t know what you guys think of this, but for me it’s real sad. It’s the only OS I feel comfortable using it as PDA. Although I gave up on Palm OS after getting Treo, I couldn’t find any replacement so far. Windows Mobile? Too complicated. Apple iPhone? Still not the right one for me. Android? haven’t had a real chance to try—G1 is a phone. I just don’t want PDA phone. I don’t need phone to be smart. Phone is just for calling/answering the ring. Indeed, I doubt that webOS would satisfy my need. We’ll see. I hope Pandora could be the one.

Centro is the best Palm OS Phone ever, I can tell, and it IS the last Palm OS powered device. It’s fast like T|T3 or T|C which you couldn’t find from Treo 650/700p/755. It’s just damned too small and far too late to gain a market share. By all mean, Palm OS still has potential to serve all PDA’s need. Palm, however, just left it cold and was not even care die-hard PDA user. I hate you, Palm, Inc!!!

I decided to resurrect my old Palm powered device list and comparison matrix. It didn’t cover all Palm powered device out there—esp. newer than T|T5, I guess. But it should have plenty more than you can imagine--you will see how much I love Palm OS! If the mood is right, I will update one last time. You may check it out below:-

Good bye, Palm OS!

diff --git a/_posts/2009-02-24-its-about-time-multi-touch-on-passive-digitizer.markdown b/_posts/2009-02-24-its-about-time-multi-touch-on-passive-digitizer.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e63a78e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-02-24-its-about-time-multi-touch-on-passive-digitizer.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: It's about time--multi-touch on passive digitizer +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 463 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=463 +date: '2009-02-24 16:08:00 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-02-24 21:08:00 +0700' +categories: +- gadgets +tags: +- multitouch +--- +

For old-day-PDA folks, we usually were obsessed by touch screen. Tapping on the screen with our nail to make it a precise touch is just great. However, once Apple released iPhone, it seems like capacitive digitizer rules everything else by multiple-input captured capability.

Now it looks like passive (or resistive or whatever you want to call) digitizer finds the way back.

Well done, now we would have precise touch + eye-candy feature at the same time. When the time is right, we will have a chance to try in person!

via Engadget

diff --git a/_posts/2009-02-25-firefox-sidebar-the-little-productive-area.markdown b/_posts/2009-02-25-firefox-sidebar-the-little-productive-area.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..10f5763 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-02-25-firefox-sidebar-the-little-productive-area.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Firefox sidebar, the little productive area. +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 474 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/02/25/firefox-sidebar-the-little-productive-area/ +date: '2009-02-25 02:32:07 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-02-25 07:32:07 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: +- Firefox +- sidebar +--- +

I have been such a long time Firefox users since primitive ages of Firefox. I really liked how fast it was at the time, but so far it is not that fast anymore. It, however, is still the very first choice of me and most people because of how productivity it is. It's like why Palm OS was great--a lot of flavors to add on. Foxmarks, adblock plus, grab and drag, and so on are such a nice addition to Firefox, but most folks is not realized how handy Firefox sidebar is, including me until I discovered the use of it.

Weather Channel in sidebar Basically, it is just a narrow browser. (or another tab if you like) It's better than just another tab because it won't disappear: it will stick on the side at all time. The question is why we use such a narrow place while we have such a wider one already. Yes, we will not find sidebar awesome than any regular tab or anything; It's just good for fast scanning some info or keeping watching something like constantly change w/o sacrifice other tasks. It's easier to try out and see if this works for you and of course I have some to recommend:-

1. Todo list from GMail – This is the one I use most; very simple todo list. I believe that you have to enable “Tasks” in GMail Settings | Lab first then add http://mail.google.com/tasks/ig?pli=1 in the bookmark and surely don’t forget to set it to load in the sidebar.

2. Google Calendar: – show what is on your calendar – the gadget on still faces technical problem; if you like to do the hard way, here it is on LifeHacker.com. It’s just read-only calendar – agenda so far.

3. Weather – pretty clean interface from Weather Channel.
http://xhtml.weather.com/xhtml/hbhf/03811 << This is a link; all you have to do is replaced the zipcode; then repeat the same step to get it work in sidebar.

4. Twitter – there is an extension taking care of this “Twitbin” – everything is automatic, but there is only one drawback, sidebar width will not be able to shrink narrower than 250px anymore. It might not be a problem with most people. Someone, however, like me who still like 4:3 screen will lose considerably a lot horizontal space.

5. GTalk I think it is nicer to put here than sticking in Gmail all the time. It’s called Google Talk Gadget which is based on flash, not just javascript like the one in Gmail. I think this one has much better interface though. http://talkgadget.google.com/talkgadget/popout << this is the link !! it will work like a charm.

6. Google Reader – This one is a bit awkward fitting in the sidebar; iPhone version works reasonably good although it’s too wide & uses too big font. You’ve got to try yourself. Actually there is PDA version, but I don’t think it would suit in here. http://www.google.com/reader/i/ << here you go.

You will see that most of the sites suited using in here is PDA/Phone version. Since they all are designed with the limited screen, esp. width, in mind. Putting their link in bookmark bar, check "load in the sidebar." You'll be all set.

Happy using what you like and get the most of it. This probably is the another reason why I couldn't switch to ie, chrome, safari, or anything else soon. If you find anything worth for you, please share since it might be worth for someone else too =)

diff --git a/_posts/2009-02-27-is-vista-home-basic-enough.markdown b/_posts/2009-02-27-is-vista-home-basic-enough.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e2e43b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-02-27-is-vista-home-basic-enough.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,403 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Is Vista Home Basic enough? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 476 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/02/27/is-vista-home-basic-enough/ +date: '2009-02-27 13:55:19 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-02-27 18:55:19 +0700' +categories: +- Vista +tags: [] +--- +

Vista Home Basic Badge One of the most requests in Windows 7 blog is to eliminate the least popular version – less features version. In the past, I had used Windows XP Home all the time and I had no single issue with it. No remote connection? No sort of professional utilities? Not an issue for me. It’s probably I didn’t play with network or things much. However, in Vista, Home Basic version is cut off the most eye-candy feature—Aero interface—out. What else has been cut off? Remote connection, Windows Media Center, tablet PC feature, domain network, Virtualization, encryption, and bla bla bla are not what regular folks use (or even know if they are existed) anyway.

To see what Vista Home Basic has; pretty basic interface, system restore (w/o shadow copy service) and backup and restore center (w/o network capability). Missing Windows Media Center can be easily fixed by installing ffmpeg codec or using VLC. Therefore, only real missing feature is Aero!

Well, after talking of only what we miss, is there anything we gain using Vista Home Basic? Yes! there is at least one—energy-wise. The basic interface really shines when using on the battery. About at least a watt less than Aero interface. No gain, no pain, huh? My GF who has Vista Home Basic on her Thinkpad won’t allow me to install left over Vista Ultimate license on because she doesn’t think that she would get any better (performance-wise) She has all she needs; that’s what she claims.

If you don’t care much about transparent window border, Vista Home Basic is enough for you absolutely and so far I don’t see any reason cutting out affordable/cheap version. Just please make it cheap enough for 3rd world countries, hey! $100 in Thailand is almost 4-week paycheck for non-degree folks, if you like to know.

Reference: Below is what Home Basic misses. [Full comparison matrix at mydigitallife.info]

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Feature	Home Basic	Home Premium	Business	Enterprise	Ultimate
Themed Slide Shows		Yes			Yes
Windows Media Center with CableCard support		Yes			Yes
Windows DVD Maker		Yes			Yes
Windows Movie Maker HD		Yes			Yes
Scheduled Backup of User Files		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Backup User Files to Network Device		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Network Projection		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Presentation Settings		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
PC to PC Sync		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows Aero User Interface with Glass		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows ShadowCopy		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows SideShow		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows Tablet PC Features		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
New Premium Games		Yes	Yes*	Yes*	Yes
Administrator Control Over Installation of Device Drivers			Yes	Yes	Yes
Centralized Power Management through Group Policy			Yes	Yes	Yes
Client-Side Caching			Yes	Yes	Yes
Complete System Image-based Backup and Recovery			Yes	Yes	Yes
Dual (2) Processors (Sockets) Support			Yes	Yes	Yes
Desktop Deployment Tools for Managed Networks			Yes	Yes	Yes
Domain Join for Windows Server			Yes	Yes	Yes
Encrypting File System			Yes	Yes	Yes
Folder Redirection			Yes	Yes	Yes
Group Policy Support			Yes	Yes	Yes
Integrated Smart Card management			Yes	Yes	Yes
Network Access Protection Client Agent			Yes	Yes	Yes
Offline Files and Folder Support			Yes	Yes	Yes
Pluggable Logon Authentication Architecture			Yes	Yes	Yes
Policy-based Quality of Service (QoS) for Networking			Yes	Yes	Yes
Previous Versions			Yes	Yes	Yes
Roaming User Profiles			Yes	Yes	Yes
Virtual PC Express			Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) Client			Yes	Yes	Yes
Wireless network provisioning			Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows Fax and Scan			Yes	Yes*	Yes*
Internet Information Server			Yes*	Yes*	Yes*
All 35 Worldwide User Interface Languages Available				Yes	Yes
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications				Yes	Yes
Support for Simultaneous Installation of Multiple User Interface Languages				Yes	Yes
Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption				Yes	Yes
Windows Ultimate Extras					Yes
Windows Anytime Upgrade	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes
Remote Desktop	Client Only	Client Only	Host & Client	Host & Client	Host & Client
Simultaneous SMB peer network connections	5	10	10	10	10
Maximum RAM supported with 32-bit processor-based system	4GB	4GB	4GB	4GB	4GB
Maximum RAM supported with 64-bit processor-based system	8GB	16GB	128+GB	128+GB	128+GB

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-02-touch-book-nice-little-affordable-slate-tablet-pc.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-02-touch-book-nice-little-affordable-slate-tablet-pc.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2e7a59e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-02-touch-book-nice-little-affordable-slate-tablet-pc.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Touch Book – nice little affordable slate tablet PC +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 495 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/02/touch-book-nice-little-affordable-slate-tablet-pc/ +date: '2009-03-02 18:43:29 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-02 23:43:29 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +- netbook +tags: +- touch book +--- +

After waiting for Viliv S7 for too long, as usual things go fast in semiconductor world and that is even faster on mobile computing. Today, upcoming ideal machine is coming. Close enough to all netbooks’ buzz with 8.9” screen; but if you may know Intel Atom which is considerably low power consumption on x86 world, it’s still by far to ARM CPU. Oh, yeah ARM on your mobile, PDA, or whatsoever is improving a lot lately. You will see ARM coming more and more I bet.

The specifications of Touch Book

9.4" x 7" x 1.4" for 2 lbs (with keyboard)
ARM Texas Instruments OMAP3 chip 600MHz
1024x600 8.9'' screen
Storage: 8GB micro SD card
Wifi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth
3-dimensional accelerometer
Speakers, micro and headphone
6 USB 2.0 (3 internal, 2 external, 1 mini)
10h to 15 hours of battery life

That looks like netbook, right? Look closer in variety of view:-

Screen is completely detachable and works like a slate tablet PC. That reminds me of HP Compaq Tablet PC TC1000, hybrid tablet pc one. Although Touch Book is sort of low power comparing to netbook or any UMPC, with $299 (or $399 w/ keyboard) price tag, it’s hard to beat. 10-hour battery life with no sleep/shutdown hassle—that looks like huge PDA replacement for me =)

Stay tuned!! I might have a chance to get this for review later on if Pandora will not be released anytime soon hahaha.

Check out more info or *PRE-ORDER* @ https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/ & First hand-on by Gizmodo—over there there are such a nice set of photo and clip when Touch book ran. I think it’s quite impressive. If you ask me, I will take this over Viliv S7 I have waited for a while since battery life is more important than performance due to my usage.

Touch book - Internal USB port Oh I forget to mention internal USB port it features! Kind of very cool idea! Instead of hanging USB dongle outside, why don’t we put them inside the chassis??

haha Logitech, with their nano receiver, might not think it’s cool though =)

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-07-reminder-check-your-bank-transaction-more-often.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-07-reminder-check-your-bank-transaction-more-often.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..eaf952a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-07-reminder-check-your-bank-transaction-more-often.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Reminder: Check your bank transaction more often..' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 502 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/07/reminder-check-your-bank-transaction-more-often/ +date: '2009-03-07 00:52:25 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-07 05:52:25 +0700' +categories: +- misc +tags: [] +--- +

I don’t know if you guys have experienced this issue or not, but I have faced this several times by now. Unauthorized transactions magically appeared on my PayPal—oddly, I used many cards, but only PayPal one that has this issue. First time it was about half a year ago, 2 strange transactions buying some service from some unknown websites—about $150 in total—were authorized under my card. I contacted PayPal in sudden, mailed an affidavit form and waited about 2 weeks to get $ back. It was not that bad since we all know that we would get $$ back anyway. However, if we haven’t checked, that’s what we are going to lose.

Again, few days ago I got an unauthorized transaction from Square Enix, playonline.com, as shown below.

I never heard of this merchant before, so I dag for more info a bit. As a result, it was game online website. Some of kids in there probably needed $$ so badly since I’m not the only one who had the issue #1 #2 (same day & amount as mine too!), and a lot more. Thus they have to find the illegal way to satisfy their need. I honestly have no clue how my info was leak yet, but at least, this should be a good warn for everyone—check your transaction thoroughly before you will be the next victim.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-09-photoshop-101-keyboard-shortcut-for-switching-tools.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-09-photoshop-101-keyboard-shortcut-for-switching-tools.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..de5bc9b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-09-photoshop-101-keyboard-shortcut-for-switching-tools.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Photoshop 101 - keyboard shortcut for switching tools +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 504 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/09/photoshop-101-keyboard-shortcut-for-switching-tools/ +date: '2009-03-09 10:13:16 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-09 15:13:16 +0700' +categories: +- Photoshop +tags: +- keyboard shortcut +- '101' +--- +

photoshop_toolbar I always find Photoshop such a great tool, but it’s quite annoying that I couldn’t find how to switch between tool (in the same group) quickly.

Then: It’s the same keyboard shortcut, so how can I switch between them then? Hold ‘G’ would not do it, Ctrl + ‘G’ is not right. As a result, I have to stick with hold the left click and switch it.
+Now: Just hold shift + ‘G’ (or whatever key you want) to rotate tools in the group. That’s easy, right? I really wish I knew this long time ago!!

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-14-hotmail-revision.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-14-hotmail-revision.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bd1b35b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-14-hotmail-revision.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Hotmail revision +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 508 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/14/hotmail-revision/ +date: '2009-03-14 14:47:11 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-14 19:47:11 +0700' +categories: +- misc +tags: +- hotmail +--- +

Hotmail w/o ad

As far as I remembered, Hotmail was such a bloated webmail fully loaded with ads, esp. on the top—around 100px height. That is about 15% waste in vertical space. Now, they are gone—and of course, it has changed to as right column instead which is much better considering new screen is wider and wider.Not only eliminating ad at the most disturbing place, but also add supporting for POP3 server for free as well. FYI, it will work with your hotmail, live and msn account too.

POP3 server: pop3.live.com:995 (SSL)
Username: Your Live ID
Password: That’s the one only you know
SMTP server: smtp.live.com:25 (SSL)
Authentication required: Yes

Nevertheless, Hotmail always provides such a nice alternative for e-mail client anyway and today it’s Windows Live Mail—using HTTP to fetch all stuffs in a secret way. It works flawlessly if you ask me. Is there anyone care about standard {protocol bla bla bla} if what they use works already?

I, myself, prefer to use off-line e-mail client any day with any e-mail, but sometimes without my own computer, webmail is required. Thus, with this update, I see myself accessing more ‘used to be abandoned’ Hotmail account more often I guess.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-18-apple-iphone-30-major-update-to-crash-pre.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-18-apple-iphone-30-major-update-to-crash-pre.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dee0050 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-18-apple-iphone-30-major-update-to-crash-pre.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: iPhone OS 3.0 – Major update to crash Pre? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 513 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/18/apple-iphone-30-major-update-to-crash-pre/ +date: '2009-03-18 08:37:00 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-18 13:37:00 +0700' +categories: +- gadgets +tags: +- iphone +--- +

No matter how Apple wants to say this is a big update. It looks like updating features waiting for Palm Pre to me.

* copy & paste
* SEARCH!!
* finally more Bluetooth support!
* Apple Push notification service [seems like Apple wants taking control of everything to me though]
* more GPS support
* etc.

Apple Push Notification Service Apple SDK iPhone 3.0

Although there will be thousand of new API, I still don’t think it will change anything and make anything more exciting to well-established platform like iPhone. Jail-breaker one still is the way to go anyway—more apps, much cooler apps without any interferer. However, there is one thing that could make a difference—search. I would love to see how Spotlight goes in this update, that’s probably the only thing that makes Palm Pre look so great over iPhone to me. With the delay of Pre, I bet iPhone will rule mobile arena for another year comfortably. But $9.xx bucks for iPod Touch user again? That’s a lot. Thinking of $20 last time for 2.0 and a few more for minor updates. Such a greedy Apple.

All in all, I hope there would be a lot more “potential opponents” like Palm Pre over the next year, so iPhone 3.5 or 4.0 will catch up all iPhone 1.0 promise such as Flash eventually. ~~What the heck are you doing Microsoft?? You were better than this :-P~~ I was so wrong; Windows Phone (formerly Windows Mobile) and all RIM army are still out there standing firmly—we shall see if they will be over hype of Jesus phone or not.

Q4 2008: WM beated iPhone in term of sale, not hype; also RIM shipment over last 2 years never go down a bit [over iPhone always of course]

That’s going to be much more interesting this year. If I were Palm, I would quickly unleash Palm Pre before the *hype* was gone although there still are several bugs or unfinished work—just disable/hide it like Apple did to iPhone.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-18-linux-101-grub-recovery.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-18-linux-101-grub-recovery.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e5653aa --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-18-linux-101-grub-recovery.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Linux 101: grub recovery' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 518 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/18/linux-101-grub-recovery/ +date: '2009-03-18 14:41:40 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-18 19:41:40 +0700' +categories: +- linux +tags: +- grub +- '101' +--- +

When you messed with many OSs, boot strap loader might point to somewhere you don’t want it to be. grub considering the best – easiest? – to deal with many OSs and of course, it’s easy to tweak or adjust as well.

Firstly get into any sort of shell. There are basically 2 parts needed to be done: set active partition and set MBR back to point at grub again. The first part is fdisk, there is ‘m’ for help. All you have to do is set the partition where grub is to active. Others are not.

The second part: set MBR point back to grub. That’s easy via grub command shell

grub-shell +

The easiest way to find partition referenced by grub is to find it

find /boot/grub/menu.lst

Then you have to set toot and setup the hard drive. Then you are all set. For grub menu, Linux needs

Title XXX
   root (hd0,0)
   kernal /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/…bla bla bla
   initrd /boot/initrd

For Windows, you just need to link to Windows boot loader again.

Title Windows XX
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,1)+1 # this is Windows partition.

That’s all you have to do. pretty easy, right?

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-19-fennec-ready-to-try.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-19-fennec-ready-to-try.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c12f1a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-19-fennec-ready-to-try.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Fennec – ready to try +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 524 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/19/fennec-ready-to-try/ +date: '2009-03-19 08:10:11 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-19 13:10:11 +0700' +categories: +- software +- gadgets +tags: +- fennec +- maemo +--- +

fennec

Fennec – Firefox mobile if you say – is ready to try on almost every platform: Maemo, Windowns, Mac OSX, Linux. It’s basically the binary files, ready to run.

It’s really nice interface for touch environment if you ask me, really clean, pretty nice for small screen device like Nokia N8xx – Maemo platform. I’m really happy to see another good browser engine on mobile device, besides WebKit.

Give it a try if you have <7” device, here, otherwise, you won’t find any advantage of Fennec over Firefox ;-P

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-19-ie8-released-finally.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-19-ie8-released-finally.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e2319c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-19-ie8-released-finally.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: ie8 released finally +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 527 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/19/ie8-released-finally/ +date: '2009-03-19 23:48:07 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-20 04:48:07 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +tags: +- ie +--- +

ie8

Although I’m Firefox user, I don’t deny ie8 still the first choice for many folks. Now it’s eventually out of RC. I honestly don’t know if there are any change much.

After trying for a while, there is InPrivate Filtering feature which I still can’t figure out what it is for. Developer tools also is really nice, but I still like to see adblock plus kind of thing, but it probably won’t be real anytime soon. One thing I could tell so far is it’s *much faster*. For example, when ctrl + t in the past, it will be few seconds lag before new tab will be usable. However, this final release does the job; open new tab instantly. That’s good enough for second web browser to me =)

Update yours at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-22-javascript-playground-anything-possible.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-22-javascript-playground-anything-possible.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0703384 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-22-javascript-playground-anything-possible.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'JavaScript playground: anything possible' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 530 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/22/javascript-playground-anything-possible/ +date: '2009-03-22 14:55:25 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-22 19:55:25 +0700' +categories: +- Google +tags: +- javascript +--- +

I couldn’t believe it can do such a capability. Yes, the one pushing JavaScript to limit is not anyone, but Google and at http://www.chromeexperiments.com/ there are a lot of experiments that you don’t even dream of its possibility.

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

	This NY guys are speaking because of you. This one is real fun to play with.
	Bouncing ball through many windows. What a cool thing!! I couldn’t stop throwing the ball again and again :-D

Yeah, they mostly work on every new browsers because of intensive JavaScript. Just don’t expect to play on this playground if you are running with ie6 or something like that =)

Anything is possible and indeed fun @ Chrome Experiments.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-26-smartq-q5-the-most-affordable-mid-in-town.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-26-smartq-q5-the-most-affordable-mid-in-town.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..33293cb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-26-smartq-q5-the-most-affordable-mid-in-town.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: SmartQ Q5 – the most affordable MID in town! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 543 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=543 +date: '2009-03-26 07:24:46 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-26 12:24:46 +0700' +categories: +- gadgets +tags: +- MID +--- +

I am not exactly sure how good it would be, but its official price tag is as low as I ever see—900 yuan (around $130) That price was on smartdevice.com.cn press release, so it should be reliable enough although it might hike up a bit when across the ocean to the US, but it should be under $200 anyway!

Look at the spec you’ll get from $130:-
+- 4.3" 800x480 capacitive touch screen
+- SDHC support
+- Wifi A/B/G/N
+- Bluetooth with phone tethering support
+- USB 2.0 host with full OTG driver stack and support for USB ethernet, 3g modems, and GPS. USB gamepads, as well
+- Dimension: 120 * 74 * 14mm
+- CPU: Samsung ARM11 S3C6410 667MHz
+- 128MB DDR RAM
+- browser: WebKit [here]

This ARM CPU has quite good feature, MPEG4 codec, h.264 codec, OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 (datasheet) From the spec and price tag, I wonder how they can make this cheap. I hope it would be available pretty soon. I would give it a try indeed.

There are also applications for Q5 already; as far as I know, SDK will be available right after this product releases officially. It looks promising and it indeed makes MID much more interesting than “Intel” MID. I hope this would give a new low-cost trend for all MID in the future as well.

Check it out smartdevice.com.cn & more screenshot at mp4nation.net

diff --git a/_posts/2009-03-27-paypal-is-too-smart-or-too-cheap.markdown b/_posts/2009-03-27-paypal-is-too-smart-or-too-cheap.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..554e347 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-03-27-paypal-is-too-smart-or-too-cheap.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: PayPal is too smart or too cheap? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 550 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/03/27/paypal-is-too-smart-or-too-cheap/ +date: '2009-03-27 00:42:50 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-03-27 05:42:50 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- service +tags: +- ai +--- +

No offense. I have nothing bad about PayPal to talk about. They have such a great service, but “Contact us” is freaking me out.

paypal - chat bot

I just saw Paypal had chat available—great was what I first thought. When I got into it, it was surprisingly fast. Every responses are too fast to be human. Darn, after 2 conversations, I find out that it’s just a bot, but it’s pretty good, too good to be true. I just thought of Terminator kind of thing. Probably it’s closer than you think. Oh no matter how deep I got into technology, but this idea really freaked me out.

If I were PayPal, I would pull this off. In case you didn’t have enough people, then don’t have it. I just prefer to talk or chat with real person or wait for replied e-mail from real human or it’s just me.

=) I just don’t like it really; you may try talking to *it* here
+ps. I gotta watch too much science fiction lately :-(

diff --git a/_posts/2009-04-02-how-to-add-fonts-in-linux-manually.markdown b/_posts/2009-04-02-how-to-add-fonts-in-linux-manually.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a4a9437 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-04-02-how-to-add-fonts-in-linux-manually.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: How to add fonts in Linux manually +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 555 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/04/02/how-to-add-fonts-in-linux-manually/ +date: '2009-04-02 02:56:50 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-04-02 07:56:50 +0700' +categories: +- linux +tags: [] +--- +

Well, fonts are the weakest link in Linux in my opinion. Sharpness, crispness, or smoothness are just not right. That’s most likely to be the reason why Linux never gains that much user like Windows or even Mac in desktop environment.

Besides using package manager which is truly find and click, when you are going to add fonts in Linux by yourself, you should put in fontpath. They are in /usr/share/fonts or /usr/local/share/fonts or ~/.fonts/ then what you have to do is copying.

$ cp *.ttf ~/.fonts/

At this point, it will not notice the change yet. New fonts will not be visible. You have to run command, to update and rebuild its of fonts first.

$ fc-cache

That would be it. However, if you decide to put fonts in somewhere else, you have to edit ‘fonts.conf’ to add font directory in the list as well.

$ vi /etc/fonts/fonts.conf

Where <!--- font directory list –> is by adding

<dir>/opt/fonts/xxxx</dir>

Then rebuild the list and restart x (easiest way is Ctrl + Alt + Backspace). At this point, all fonts will be available to use =) Anyway, I still don’t think font smoothing or crispness in Linux is good enough so far. If that day comes, I bet Linux will outpace Mac and Windows in desktop environment surely.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-04-02-linux-101-file-structurehierarchy.markdown b/_posts/2009-04-02-linux-101-file-structurehierarchy.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fda37ec --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-04-02-linux-101-file-structurehierarchy.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,79 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Linux 101: file structure/hierarchy' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 558 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/04/02/linux-101-file-structurehierarchy/ +date: '2009-04-02 04:05:11 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-04-02 09:05:11 +0700' +categories: +- linux +tags: +- '101' +--- +

File structure is the basic things people get confuse when start using Linux. Most people nowadays are likely to stick with Windows’ idea, e.g.C:\Windows\ or C:\Program files\ or C:\Users\xxxx. That’s pretty easy to understand. *nix file structure was confusing at first, but it’s not that hard to understand. In order to learn using it, then you have to know where things are first.

In *nix system, everything is a file. Whatever they are, they are represented in file format. There is no extension to distinguish any type of file, but utility called file can identify it. directory is also one kind of file. Process is also represented in file. We’ll talk about ‘file’ in detail later. Ok, I got to start with what each of directory in *nix is for.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

/	Every tree needs root, file structure is also the same.
/boot	This is for boot loader files, e.g. GRUB, KERNEL, SYSTEM.MAP, VMLINUZ, INITRD, …
/bin	bin == binary; it contains commands stuff and /bin is for essential ones only.
/etc	This is for any system configuration; if you ever need to adjust things, this is likely to be the place to go.
/sbin	it doesn’t differ to /bin that much, but it contains system utilities that don’t need that much speed.
/home	This is the same as c:\users in Windows’ sense. Just contain any thing of each user in /home/<usr> commonly.
/usr	This is not where users store file, but it has hierarchy like / too. /usr/bin, /usr/lib, /usr/local/share, /usr/share, for example. What difference between /usr/bin and /bin is /bin usually contains kernel command while /usr/bin contains user commands that are not related to kernel/OS At first, /bin was designed to use in different disk (faster one) and the rest will be in /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin.
/usr/bin vs /usr/local/bin	The difference is /usr/bin stored user commands while /usr/local/bin stored local software
/opt	That’s for application software, such as Thunderbird and such.
/root	This is home for root =)
/tmp	tmp == temporary; it uses as its name.
/var	var == variable. It uses to store configuration, logging and application information
/mnt	mnt == mount point; some distros use this, some don’t, some even use /Windows or /media instead of this

note: basically each of these will be in different partition/disk as well, so there is another factor involved, speed. That’s why it has commands in all over the place. Some utilities are just more important than others.

Above matrix should cover basic filesystem structure. As usual, different distribution might have a bit of different point of view, but they all share the same idea =) After knowing each of these files are for, then you will know where to expect particular files or things you need. Have fun with *nix experience.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-04-08-verizon-hub-voip-renamed.markdown b/_posts/2009-04-08-verizon-hub-voip-renamed.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c87c76 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-04-08-verizon-hub-voip-renamed.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Verizon Hub – VoIP Renamed +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 568 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/04/08/verizon-hub-voip-renamed/ +date: '2009-04-08 22:56:53 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-04-09 03:56:53 +0700' +categories: +- gadgets +tags: +- voip +--- +

Well when I first saw the ads about Verizon Hub as “the Home Phone Reinvented.” I thought it was such a good idea integrated some sort of little computer into home phone. With a nice interface, that could really help technology grow exponentially into non-geek folks.

Verizon hub

That’s really neat. I couldn’t wait figure out what is running behind. As a result, it comes with unknown processor, 128MB RAM (as storage??), 10/100 Ethernet, WLAN, support most video and audio codecs, and 7” (800x480) touch screen. On application layer, it has sort of gadget for weather, traffic, movies, traffic, calendar, contacts, tracking system w/map, and messaging (I assumed that it is e-mail?)

Yeah, sounds nice, but when it comes to the price and how to hook it up, that really kills the deal since it basically is VoIP phone and you need *your own* broadband to do so. $200 for device and $35 more a month for service. That is about $420 a year excluding all surcharges. If it really is home phone with DSL + access point, that would be fine. However, this thing uses up our internet. Nationwide free unlimited call is what you can find for free or much cheaper, e.g. Google Voice, or ~$15 for 4 months free US call with VoipBuster, $10 with T-mobile@home, etc, thus this is not counted. That’s just too much $ for Verizon to ask.

Briefly with this setup, I guess $15 or $19.99 for service charge would be an okay point, $25 maximum! For me, I would love to have Eee Top thing + T-mobile @Home over this any day, but hey! this would be nice replacement for Vonage-like users though. In the end, Verizon hub is just another toy with premium price basically, not any innovation or evolution as I expected. You still can’t make a phone call when blackout. If you want more info then jump to VerizonWireless.com/hub [This is not even on Verizon.com]

note: This setup costs $620 for first year + $420 more next year, while Eee Top 15” touch screen costs $600 + $120 a year for T-mobile @home. That’s 7” with limit vs 15” with almost anything :-P

diff --git a/_posts/2009-04-10-crunchpad-getting-real.markdown b/_posts/2009-04-10-crunchpad-getting-real.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4ef852 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-04-10-crunchpad-getting-real.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Crunchpad getting real! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 575 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/04/10/crunchpad-getting-real/ +date: '2009-04-10 21:52:19 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-04-11 02:52:19 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +tags: +- Crunchpad +--- +

Since the earlier prototype didn’t look that good, recently there are some leaked photos of new one, probably the final product including the box. It comes in many colors as well.

View Full Album

They look pretty good, don’t they? TechCrunch came to talk later about the detail that it is still the same idea they want at first—dead simple web tablet. Spec is still unclear, but it is 12” touch screen equipped with camera, speaker, microphone, 1*USB port, audio ports. That’s it and it's probably powered by Intel Atom or VIA Nano. These two won’t make anything different anyway. One more thing is price. They mentioned that less than $250 is the cost. $300 could be the price for sell. How does it look to you? Will you like to try?

For me, 12” might be a bit too big for me. Also battery life is a deal breaker. We’ll see how it turns out pretty soon

more info @ techCruch.com

diff --git a/_posts/2009-04-16-adblock-plus-like-on-ie8-with-inprivate-filtering.markdown b/_posts/2009-04-16-adblock-plus-like-on-ie8-with-inprivate-filtering.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d9dddb2 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-04-16-adblock-plus-like-on-ie8-with-inprivate-filtering.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Adblock plus like on IE8 with InPrivate Filtering +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 578 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/04/16/adblock-plus-like-on-ie8-with-inprivate-filtering/ +date: '2009-04-16 12:06:14 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-04-16 17:06:14 +0700' +categories: +- microsoft +tags: +- ie +- adblock +--- +

Although I don’t use IE8 that much, it’s good to see how to implement adblock in IE. You will see it work like a charm as you experienced with Adblock plus on Firefox. It’s actually a feature in InPrivate mode (aka. porn mode) called Private Filtering. You may add rule yourself, but anony101 from dslreports.com did the list for you to import easily.

How to:-
1. Enter InPrivate mode in IE8 (Ctrl + Shift + P)
2. Menu: Safety | InPrivate Filtering Settings
3. Get into Advanced Settings
4. Then import this file "rules.xml"

You are now good to go! You will find that ad is gone in InPrivate mode. However, how about normal mode? All ads still there. If you like to enable this feature, you gotta get yourself into Registry Editor.

1. Start | Run "regedit”
2. Add “DWORD 32-bit” entry named StartMode with value 1 as shown below.

IE8: Enable InPrivate Filtering

Start your IE again, you will see InPrivate Filtering Feature is on and available in normal mode too. You can always disable and enable at all time or by shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F

Well, it works =) Happy surfing without any extra stuff.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-04-27-windows-media-player-in-ie-keeps-saying-ready-but-doesnt-play.markdown b/_posts/2009-04-27-windows-media-player-in-ie-keeps-saying-ready-but-doesnt-play.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fd9909 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-04-27-windows-media-player-in-ie-keeps-saying-ready-but-doesnt-play.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Windows Media Player in IE keeps saying ready, but doesn't play +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 582 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/04/27/windows-media-player-in-ie-keeps-saying-ready-but-doesnt-play/ +date: '2009-04-27 12:48:40 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-04-27 17:48:40 +0700' +categories: +- after-works +tags: +- wmp +--- +

While most video streaming web sites have moved to flash based, some stuck with WMP. Then the problem is likely to be more complicated than just installing newer version. If you have the problem like no video & audio, but it says buffering then “ready”, then the way that might help is forcing WMP to use HTTP protocol only and all multicast by following procedures.

1. open WMP
2. Menu: tools > options (if you can find it, click "alt" on the keyboard)
3. Tab: Network

WMP network setting
uncheck RTSP/*, but leave HTTP checked under protocol section
check "allow to receive multicast stream" below.
4. Done!

happy watching whatever you want =)

Note: if you are one of Thaitv.tv followers and have this issue, this definitely helps.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-04-30-thinkvantage-system-update-big-update-coming.markdown b/_posts/2009-04-30-thinkvantage-system-update-big-update-coming.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..126cf22 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-04-30-thinkvantage-system-update-big-update-coming.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: ThinkVantage System Update – big UPDATE coming?? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 588 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/04/30/thinkvantage-system-update-big-update-coming/ +date: '2009-04-30 03:41:39 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-04-30 08:41:39 +0700' +categories: +- software +- ThinkPad +tags: +- ThinkVantage +--- +

System Update -- Shut down temporarily

Although all ThinkVantage softwares are likely to be just redundancy from Windows stock, System Update is one of the best ThinkVantage software provided for Thinkpad. It basically automatically finds all necessary drivers and apps (of course within ThinkVantage suite) that need to be updated or installed and set all we want up by single-click. It works on and off sometimes but, 70%-80% chance, this helps save quite a lot of time spending on IBM support site. I don’t blame their unorganized site by any mean since there are tons of update every week. It’s just hard to be that organize and up-to-date at the same time.

By the way, I COULD NOT UPDATE ANYTHING with System UPDATE recently. What they tell us is only this pop-up?!? Well, May is coming—tomorrow!!. I hope it would turn out to be something very good for us, Lenovo!!! Don’t just refresh new UI like all new ThinkVantage but only a few improvement then. I don’t care if that looks cool; I want it to work well.

I’m PC Ad: I’m not cool enough to be Mac. That’s why I’m using Thinkpad, perhaps LOL

diff --git a/_posts/2009-05-01-fedex-2-day-vs-ups-3-day-shipping.markdown b/_posts/2009-05-01-fedex-2-day-vs-ups-3-day-shipping.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..29fbd91 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-05-01-fedex-2-day-vs-ups-3-day-shipping.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: FedEx 2-day vs UPS 3-day shipping +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 597 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/05/01/fedex-2-day-vs-ups-3-day-shipping/ +date: '2009-05-01 15:51:18 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-05-01 20:51:18 +0700' +categories: +- service +tags: [] +--- +

I don’t know if anyone feel like I do, but I prefer UPS to FedEx any day! Well, there is nothing wrong with FedEx though. It’s just funny to know that they define the service differently practically—I have no clue what they mean literally anyway.

From my experience, UPS 3-day service means the box needs full 3-day time to propagate from west coast to east coast and vice versa. If the destination is shorter than that, it will take less time. simple idea, isn’t it? For example, from shipping from NJ to NY takes only 1 day.

UPS - NJ to NY

If shipping from NJ to NH, take 2 days.

UPS - NJ to NH

However, FedEx defines 2-day 3-day service differently. What they really mean is no matter how far the package goes it will take time as you choose. For 2-day shipping, it takes 2-day for either shipping from west coast to east coast or vice versa or even NJ to NY. Unfortunately, but true. In case of NJ to NY, they probably decide that it will be wrong if they ship sooner than customer wants, then they just leave stuff in warehouse, let it relax a bit.

FedEx - NJ to NY

I can’t say that FedEx is worse than UPS though. They both achieve the goal, with a bit different approach =) Nonetheless, what I would love to know is what either UPS or FedEx will compensate if they can’t make it deliver on time? things went to wrong route, for example. I had that once in a while, but for such a small claim like this. Would they compensate anything for what they promise? If anyone has any experience about this, please share since they (and I too) never seems to care in my cases.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-05-14-panda-cloud-antivirus-simple-awesome.markdown b/_posts/2009-05-14-panda-cloud-antivirus-simple-awesome.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0454485 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-05-14-panda-cloud-antivirus-simple-awesome.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Panda Cloud Antivirus – simple & awesome +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 600 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/05/14/panda-cloud-antivirus-simple-awesome/ +date: '2009-05-14 12:24:29 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-05-14 17:24:29 +0700' +categories: +- virus +tags: +- cloud +--- +

Panda Cloud Antivirus Report +

Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t care having antivirus on my PC since most of the time you know how virus get into your computer. Network?, flash drive? or whatsoever. If it’s severe one, there is always a separate tool to check and kill it. That’s the way I choose.

However, with some of my wrack nerving clients, they just prefer to have something make them feel more secure although that’s slow them down. Most of the time, I recommend free one such as AVG, Comodo, etc. These anti-viruses works pretty well according to many people, but after a while, I still have to do cleaning up all infected PC with all free or paid tool installed. What the heck? What do they do really? Don’t they have recent virus signature? I don’t know. Signature/definition update issue might be one of them.

Recently I found our that Panda Could Antivirus, it’s still BETA last time I check, and it will likely to be free. What distinguish this antivirus from others is they loading definition on-the-fly while scanning. I am not sure if they send some info to the server for scanning or just downloading new signature, but it works to me. This can kill the hidden virus that Comodo Antivirus (installed) can’t in only 1st times of full scan. I don’t think they do on-access stuff which is good, no waste resource. You can just go do full scan once in a while. That should do the trick.

It, nonetheless, has a cons as well. It does take forever at 99%, but it is known issue and should be fixed in next release. Go check it out! at Panda Cloud Antivirus

ps. I still stop it all the time on my system unless I really want to scan anything =) This way works for me. It left only 1MB or so while turning off and about the same while on, but will consume like regular apps (20MB+) while scanning =)

added 2009-05-15: my worst fear happened. Panda deleted almost any of my tools, e.g. Cain and Abel and all kind of that stuff -_- darn it. That's why I never like having Antivirus on my machine :'(

diff --git a/_posts/2009-06-02-bing-re-badge-live-search.markdown b/_posts/2009-06-02-bing-re-badge-live-search.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4ebb21a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-06-02-bing-re-badge-live-search.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Bing – re-badge Live Search +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 607 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/06/02/bing-re-badge-live-search/ +date: '2009-06-02 00:09:31 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-06-02 05:09:31 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- microsoft +tags: +- search engine +--- +

This is definitely not the breaking news. Microsoft just decided to change the word, Live, to “Bing” I don’t know if Bing is so much better word or anything. Will Live suite which is great change its name to Bing suite as well? They claimed that Bing uses new algorithm or whatever to achieve better performance; we probably don’t care either. What we care is whether “our keyword” can generate the result we want or not.

After trying for a while, I don’t see anything much interesting or persuasive enough to convince me that it’s much more than a re-brand & putting useless features like category, search history. I honestly don’t know if you feel the same way, to me, search is built to destroy any classified, categorized data since if you do arrange stuffs neatly, you don’t need search, but if you do need “search, “ then you have no need of organizing them [that includes others’ stuffs which is categorized in the different ways of your brain]

In short, if Bing couldn’t change attitude about putting more and more bots for much larger coverage, like Google, and try to get most out of those huge database, they are not going to be even close to the first choice. Don’t think Google is the only competitor here. Yahoo, which gives the results much different than Google, might be much better alternative to Google rather than old archive search like Bing.

ps. I really feel sorry for Microsoft that they have soo much potential in every ways, but they couldn’t come up with the ace solution to the market. They might need to re-organize or something to aim their goals much more efficient. For instance, if they happen to amalgamate all E-mail clients’ teams such as Windows Live Mail, Windows Mail, Outlook Express, Outlook 2007, into only 1 e-mail client—might be 2 sub-divisions: web-based & desktop-based. I believe they can have GMail-equivalent easily. But, they are dividing into small groups to achieve in everything as far as the products go. Consequently they just divide themselves… and think of it as a good plan. Hurr what a waste..

diff --git a/_posts/2009-06-07-palm-pre-will-i-get-it.markdown b/_posts/2009-06-07-palm-pre-will-i-get-it.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c0d398 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-06-07-palm-pre-will-i-get-it.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Palm PRE – Will I get it? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 609 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/06/07/palm-pre-will-i-get-it/ +date: '2009-06-07 02:55:04 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-06-07 07:55:04 +0700' +categories: +- Palm +tags: +- webOS +--- +

I still work on this question after get my dirty hand on tireless Palm Pre at local Sprint Store. Yeah! Although most of Palm powered devices don’t have any much more attention than any other device on the shelf, Palm Pre is an exception. It, honestly, doesn’t seem like a product from the company with 4 characters like PALM that used to know. Almost all people would like to have hand on such a new flashy device like Palm Pre.

View Full Album

I won’t deny that it feels great in my hand. The rubberized texture on the back does help a lot, but I hate to say the qwerty keyboard is too small & too thin—like Centro which I couldn’t even type comfortably and correctly. When sliding the screen up, I almost lost how to control the device between keyboard and the screen. It’s like keyboard couldn’t do anything to control stuffs and screen is way too far. I wish Pre was taller, had larger screen and used only on-screen keyboard or make the keyboard like what we have on Treo! That would be much better, but with only $199, that’s tough decision! haha

On software side, webOS does give such a nice feeling. Although I hadn’t tried to get to know it much, I feel it has potential to be real successor for Palm OS day, but what I couldn't figure out is where the zen of Palm. Ease of use? Well, let me tell you one thing, Calendar, and all PIM are only the reason why I still wait for Palm. However, when I made new event for calendar, I had no clue how to get out of that page to the day/week/month view. I have to get to main page, throw the card away and call calendar again. At least, one thing I can say is it’s not that intuitive like what I’m waiting for. Learning curve is definitely helping here, but it’s sad somehow losing all that feeling from this company. Other than not quite intuitive UI like what we have on iPhone, I don’t feel Palm Pre has the edge over iPhone much. Honestly, I don’t like iPhone much, but it still rule mobile’s world.

Time… is the factor here. This is only first time—10 mins perhaps. I might not know the OS and the phone enough to say that it’s worse than iPhone, but the smaller screen, below-par keyboard, not any notification besides screen doesn’t help Palm Pre cuts the edge over iPhone. We’ll see how 3rd generation of iPhone looks like. Then I definitely make a decision whether I will be Palm fanboy like old days or turn myself to be cool carrying iPhone.

I still wish webOS found the way to have PDA-style device on its own. I would buy it in matter of second for sure =)

diff --git a/_posts/2009-06-08-tvsu-revival-by-request.markdown b/_posts/2009-06-08-tvsu-revival-by-request.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dab9fb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-06-08-tvsu-revival-by-request.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: TVSU revival by request! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 611 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/06/08/tvsu-revival-by-request/ +date: '2009-06-08 02:20:36 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-06-08 07:20:36 +0700' +categories: +- software +- ThinkPad +tags: +- ThinkVantage +--- +

I don’t know if you guys know about this or not, but what I first thought is ThinkVantage System Update was temporarily dropped service due to update or whatever. It' was turned out to be Lenovo decided to cut TVSU out of ThinkVantage Suite due to the maintenance cost.

However, System Update made its way back by tons of requests. I’m really happy to see it back and it works just fine with Win7 (which I don’t have complete set of ThinkVantage software such as Fingerprint and Active Protection System) but CSS still doesn’t get along with clean install Win7. Oddly upgrading Win7 from Vista, CSS works flawlessly!

TVSU on Windows 7

This can be either the way to waste Lenovo’s bandwidth or it’s the way to keep the crowd with Thinkpad. But the bottom line is happy customers. You are on the right track, Lenovo!

Download TVSU 3.14.0024

diff --git a/_posts/2009-06-28-where-is-google-apps-free-edition.markdown b/_posts/2009-06-28-where-is-google-apps-free-edition.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94adac7 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-06-28-where-is-google-apps-free-edition.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Where is Google Apps free edition? +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 615 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/06/28/where-is-google-apps-free-edition/ +date: '2009-06-28 22:20:43 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-06-29 03:20:43 +0700' +categories: +- Google +tags: [] +--- +

No more free version The thing is I want to move all e-mails from one of my domains to Google Apps. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t offer free edition (or standard edition), which is allowing up to 50 users only, anymore. After finding for the link for Google Apps standard edition for a while, I just found out that Google started moving Apps, GMail, docs, etc. to be paid service only.

Not like Google at all huh? I started wonder whether Google will force everyone paying for used-to-be-free service or not although Google said that it was free before.

However, in this transient state, you still are able to signup for Google Apps: standard edition by this link. It works now. I don’t know how long this link is going to last though and more importantly, how long this free Google Apps lasts. If you are using it, just backing up all your mail data more often. That should do it! =) I just hope that Google would honor free edition as they claimed when we signed up. No new features? that’s not a problem. For me, GMail engine solely is the factor here. I bet most users are the same.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-08-19-always-innovating-starts-shipping-the-touch-book-out.markdown b/_posts/2009-08-19-always-innovating-starts-shipping-the-touch-book-out.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b37011 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-08-19-always-innovating-starts-shipping-the-touch-book-out.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,44 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Always Innovating starts shipping the Touch Book out +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 626 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/08/19/always-innovating-starts-shipping-the-touch-book-out/ +date: '2009-08-19 23:01:54 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-08-20 04:01:54 +0700' +categories: +- tablet PC +tags: +- touch book +--- +

Some people who were on pre-order this little slate tablet PC are receiving =) That’s darn good news considering my Pandora’s future is still unknown. What really interesting about this machine is it’s powered by ARM architecture CPU which you will see more and more often these days. I don’t know if it can perform up to par on bigger type of machine or not. I bet you will see that sooner or later.

Hardware specifications have been changed just tiny bit from what we have known back in March.

Texas Instruments OMAP3530 with Micron 256MB (RAM) + 256MB (NAND) Memory
8.9 inches 1024x600 A+ screen
Main storage: 8GB SD card — we decided to change from Micro SD to standard SD, so that you can easily upgrade it
Internal USB wifi 802.11 b/g/n powered by a Ralink 3070 chipset
Internal USB bluetooth class 2.1
FCC, CE, UL-certified, 5V, 3.5A power adapter
8.9 inches pressure sensitive touch screen
US Qwerty 24cm-large keyboard — around 95% of the size of a standard keyboard
Cirque Touchpad
Two Owolff high-quality internal stereo speakers
3D accelerometer
Two internal batteries 6000 and 12000 mAh — it can be replaced with a screw driver
7 USB ports: three external, four internal, three of them may be reserved for wifi, bluetooth and keyboard
Bi-color silver/black case — see photos — with a beautiful dark-red back cover (we decided to go only for red for the first batch as it really jumps out, you won't regret it).
Secured attachment system of tablet into keyboard
Independent magnet system for the tablet — we don't want your Touch Book to un-magnetize all your credit cards while carrying it in your bag!

For the time being, twitter might be the best resource catching up all info about this machine.

These above pictures have been posted by sfeger. Follow him if you are interested in Touch Book.

For me? it seems to be too thick for my taste, but you’ll never know, if you haven’t touched/seen in person. I still look forward to getting a good news from Pandora, or Zune HD if I can’t resist when it comes out next month.

Pre-order @ alwaysinnovating.com if you feel this is right for you!

diff --git a/_posts/2009-08-27-wpa-tkip-has-been-cracked.markdown b/_posts/2009-08-27-wpa-tkip-has-been-cracked.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..511a22f --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-08-27-wpa-tkip-has-been-cracked.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: WPA + TKIP has been cracked +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 627 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/08/27/wpa-tkip-has-been-cracked/ +date: '2009-08-27 20:57:59 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-08-28 01:57:59 +0700' +categories: +- network +- security +tags: +- '"wpa"' +- '"crack"' +--- +

Wireless Network is the most popular target for any attacker these days. No doubt, it will get even worse. After WEP has been cracked *easily* for a while, now it’s WPA + TKIP’s turn. Japanese scientist has developed WPA encryption crack system that can break WPA that uses the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) algorithm in matter of minutes. Well, some might say this is not new stuff since WPA *can be* cracked for a while now. However, cracking WPA this fast shows that it’s getting worse and worse and using WPA w/TKIP is as much vulnerable as using WEP nowadays.

Last November, security researchers first showed how WPA could be broken, but the Japanese researchers have taken the attack to a new level, according to Dragos Ruiu, organizer of the PacSec security conference where the first WPA hack was demonstrated. "They took this stuff which was fairly theoretical and they've made it much more practical," he said.
+

The earlier attack, developed by researchers Martin Beck and Erik Tews, worked on a smaller range of WPA devices and took between 12 and 15 minutes to work. Both attacks work only on WPA systems that use the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) algorithm. They do not work on newer WPA 2 devices or on WPA systems that use the stronger Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm.
+

According to the report, the best practice so far is like what we already know, moving to WPA2 with AES encryption: you will have a strong defense and gain the performance as well, as you may know, with WPA2 with AES, you will lose only less than 10% of bandwidth to all encryption stuff while the rest will waste more than 25% to all the key & stuffs. That’s like a bonus. Nonetheless, if you still carry stuffs from 2006 or older, using WPA/WPA2 might be the best practice. Well, putting your guard down can’t be that bad if you know what you are doing!

via Yahoo! Tech

diff --git a/_posts/2009-09-18-palm-pixie-epic-fail-again.markdown b/_posts/2009-09-18-palm-pixie-epic-fail-again.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f221afb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-09-18-palm-pixie-epic-fail-again.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: 'Palm Pixie: epic fail again' +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 632 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=632 +date: '2009-09-18 23:34:55 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-09-19 04:34:55 +0700' +categories: +- Palm +tags: [] +--- +

You may recall that Palm Pre is kinda sucess, but, in fact, it’s sorta fail. Being in NYC, I usually see any new device being used at all time. Few years ago, Palm Treo was the one. Every time Palm released the new one; yeah, there were tons of them everywhere. For Palm Pre, I honestly say that I haven’t seen one being used yet. The sale figure is just too minimal, esp. when Sprint decided to stick Pre with Simply Everything Plan *only*

Palm made news again! Palm Pixie, aka. stripped down version of Pre or Centro series of webOS. It looks badly similar to Palm Centro, but with webOS, it’s much much more interesting (or not?) At the very first, I was about to grab if Sprint doesn’t tie this tiny phone with any plan. Now I just see that it’s missing WiFi. WTH? My best bet would be like Sprint has something to do with it. They just want everyone to have this tying with data plan, so they can get $ more. No-go for me indeed. Why would I have to pay $30 for data while I’m paying $10 a month for data on my Treo and get the same thing. But if Palm won’t release either Pre or Pixie on GSM board + Wifi on board. Then PALM, this 4-letter, will fall out of the market pretty soon. Not to mention whether they are following App store’s policy from Apple or not.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-11-10-change-login-screen-background-in-windows-7.markdown b/_posts/2009-11-10-change-login-screen-background-in-windows-7.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e2579a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-11-10-change-login-screen-background-in-windows-7.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Change Login Screen background in Windows 7 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 651 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/11/10/change-login-screen-background-in-windows-7/ +date: '2009-11-10 01:59:08 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-11-10 06:59:08 +0700' +categories: +- misc +- Windows 7 +tags: [] +--- +

login screen win7 If you are sick of vanilla login screen background, there is a way to change =) You have to tweak in registry a bit though, Microsoft just made it easy for OEM partner only :-P

First of all, you have to prepare your new background. Crop your image to 1:1 to your screen resolution. The catch is you should save your image not to be larger than 256kB. You might think it turns to crap one, but believe me that’s good enough =)

After getting an image you want, rename it to "backgroundDefault.jpg”. Then copy to the folder

%windir%\system32\oobe\info\backgrounds

in case it doesn’t exist, create your own.

Secondly, enable the background in Registry, by getting into “regedit”

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background

regedit - OEMBackground

Create new key DWORD 32-bit, value 1 (1 as enable, 0 as disable) Also, if any of these doesn’t exist, create your own =)

That is it!, you may lock the computer and appreciate your personal login screen. Make your PC personal again!! lol

diff --git a/_posts/2009-11-10-free-windows-7-themes.markdown b/_posts/2009-11-10-free-windows-7-themes.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af64ab3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-11-10-free-windows-7-themes.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Free Windows 7 themes +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 648 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/11/10/free-windows-7-themes/ +date: '2009-11-10 01:32:37 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-11-10 06:32:37 +0700' +categories: +- wallpaper +- Windows 7 +tags: [] +--- +

I’m not a big fan of customized desktop since I regularly clean up my OS every now and then. This is much easier way to spice up the feeling a bit =) Yeah, it’s free.

Also, it has a lot of interesting wallpapers which, of course, are nice. It’s like looking through Flickr with rotating desktop wallpaper, a feature which Microsoft eventually get after Apple has for many years :-P

Check it out @ Personalized Gallery

diff --git a/_posts/2009-11-13-dell-inspiron-zino-hd-cheap-nice-looking-htpc.markdown b/_posts/2009-11-13-dell-inspiron-zino-hd-cheap-nice-looking-htpc.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f15505 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-11-13-dell-inspiron-zino-hd-cheap-nice-looking-htpc.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Dell Inspiron Zino HD – cheap nice-looking HTPC +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 663 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/11/13/dell-inspiron-zino-hd-cheap-nice-looking-htpc/ +date: '2009-11-13 07:37:13 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-11-13 12:37:13 +0700' +categories: +- desktop +tags: +- dell +--- +

I’m always interested in small form factor PC. yeah, Mac mini is pretty good too, but $500+ is just a bit too steep. When it comes to Dell, Studio Hybrid was introduced late last year, but by the fact that its price is not that different to Mac mini, people might reluctant grabbing one. Now, Dell offers a new line of tiny desktop again. It’s Inspiron Zino HD which has starting price as low as $230. Whoa, what an aggressive move from Dell, I think.

For specification, nowadays anything cheap, I bet Intel Atom is involved. Surprisingly, yes and no. Yes, for Zino [non-HD], it’s powered by Atom which I don’t care much since it isn’t available in the US as of now. However, Dell chooses to do different route for Zino HD. AMD rules this time. If you keep track of CPU market, Athlon Neo probably comes to your mind and it’s the one although there are options for Athlon X2 as well. Let’s see what we will get for Zino HD:-

CPU: AMD Athlon™ 2650e (512K L2, 1.6GHz), 2850e (512K, L2, 1.8GHz), X2 3250e (1MB L2, 1.5Ghz), or Neo X2 6850e (1MB L2, 1.8GHz)
+Memory: 2-8GB (PC2-6400 or DDR2-800 SODIMM eventually DIMM?? I don’t know if it’s really DIMM or typo)
+Hard drive: 250GB-1TB 7200rpm (supposed to be 3.5” since 1TB is available too.)
+Optical drive: CD/DVD burner and Blu-ray as an optional
+Graphic Card: ATI Radeon HD3200 or HD4330 512MB as an optional
+Wireless: Dell 1397 (802.11b/g) or Dell 1520 (802.11n) [both optional]
+Ports: 1*SD reader, 4*USB, 1*HDMI, 1*VGA, 1*Gigabit LAN, 2*eSATA, 1*Mic, 2*Speaker (back and front)
+Dimension: 7.8”x 7.8” x 3.4”, 3.53lbs (1.6kg)
+PSU: 65W or 75W if you choose HD4330

Well, CPUs are somewhat unknown since they don’t appear anywhere, but on this little box. They are absolutely better than Intel Atom though. According the review@AMD blogs, they claimed that it handles Hulu and Media Center smoothly, but no words on HD contents like 720p or 1080p or mkv. I hope the single core CPU could handle things w/o any hiccups. Guess we have to wait and see more reviews about this.

At $230, I honestly don’t think it will satisfy anyone which choosing this over nettop which is powered by Intel Atom + ION platform, but it’s cheaper, who cares? As for only surfing web, checking mail desktop, $230 is such a good deal to me. Nonetheless, as for HTPC, AFAIK, ATI HD3200 won’t deliver 7.1 sound via HDMI—only stereo, you’d better off with HD4330, $75 more, which will do anything you throw in. Also, dual core CPU is like a must here with $60 more. For RAM and such, you can add your own much cheaper than Dell offers. By this configuration, this little box would cost you roughly $230 + $75 + $60 = $365. It’s not that cheap, but not too expensive.

My opinion? only if Dell comes up with a good coupon dropping price a bit, it will sell pretty good. By the way, I’m the one who waits this baby on Dell outlet; that will be darn good deal indeed.

Check it out @ Dell.com or review @ blogs.amd.com

diff --git a/_posts/2009-11-18-must-have-flash-w-video-hardware-acceleration.markdown b/_posts/2009-11-18-must-have-flash-w-video-hardware-acceleration.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..36cffe7 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-11-18-must-have-flash-w-video-hardware-acceleration.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Must have – Flash w/ video hardware acceleration +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 665 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/11/18/must-have-flash-w-video-hardware-acceleration/ +date: '2009-11-18 11:03:51 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-11-18 16:03:51 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: +- flash +--- +

Flash Player 10.1

Flash, these days, is just an evitable plug-in to the world of the Internet; no one can avoid using that although some, like me, don’t prefer to use this resource hog app that much.While Flash never had any hardware acceleration involved, all HD content pushed Flash into limit. Even some Intel Core 2 Duo might not get smooth Youtube or Hulu HD videos or even flash games.

Now Adobe decided to help us a little bit by putting effort on video hardware acceleration too. Yeah, it’s been a while people asking for this, ARM and x64 support are another highly requested. Although this release is a beta one, as for myself, I have tried and it works way better than Flash 10. I don’t get any few seconds pause in any HD video anymore. Also, games like Farmville, Fishville, that sort of stuffs, won’t make a problem like they did before. I bet Netbook would get the real benefit of this release for sure. Try for self; you will like Flash content better.

Grab it @Adobe labs. Plus, if you use Adobe AIR too, there is AIR 2.0 coming out. Check it out!

note: I still hope that Silverlight would be more widespread use than this. We need competition to get moving forward faster.

diff --git a/_posts/2009-11-24-windows-or-mac-or-any-os-they-all-are-the-same.markdown b/_posts/2009-11-24-windows-or-mac-or-any-os-they-all-are-the-same.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d104ac9 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-11-24-windows-or-mac-or-any-os-they-all-are-the-same.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Windows or Mac or any OS – they all are the same +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 670 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2009/11/24/windows-or-mac-or-any-os-they-all-are-the-same/ +date: '2009-11-24 02:20:14 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-11-24 07:20:14 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: [] +--- +

Regardless of OS we choose, it’s always giving us problems and also pleasures. No more arguing since you probably have seen tons of BSOD or error dialog from Windows; Mac OS is the same story. They all are '”garbage in, garbage out.” Nothing is perfect in the world. Just choose what you like and get the best out of it.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!

diff --git a/_posts/2009-12-11-pandora-is-real-now-so-close.markdown b/_posts/2009-12-11-pandora-is-real-now-so-close.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e12a70f --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-12-11-pandora-is-real-now-so-close.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Pandora is real now; so close! +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 671 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=671 +date: '2009-12-11 00:16:11 +0700' +date_gmt: '2009-12-11 05:16:11 +0700' +categories: +- Pandora +tags: [] +--- +

well, I wish I had Pandora with me now. MWeston was showing/playing trying to make us want Pandora even more !!

Like someone in the community said, "take your damn time, but it's better be damn good."

Yeah, I can see that's coming!! hold your breath, it's so darn close now.

diff --git a/_posts/2010-01-09-lenovo-ideapad-u1-fantastic-2.markdown b/_posts/2010-01-09-lenovo-ideapad-u1-fantastic-2.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4be4add --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-01-09-lenovo-ideapad-u1-fantastic-2.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Lenovo Ideapad U1 – fantastic 2 +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 676 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2010/01/09/lenovo-ideapad-u1-fantastic-2/ +date: '2010-01-09 19:36:04 +0700' +date_gmt: '2010-01-10 00:36:04 +0700' +categories: +- notebook +- tablet PC +- gadgets +tags: [] +--- +

LenovoIdeaPadU1Hybrid21_thumb It’s good to see new idea implemented. Now it’s Lenovo’s turn. The idea of having tablet and the base is not that new since always innovating introduced a while ago although they don’t do mass production as of yet [or can’t build enough.] However, Lenovo came up with a similar idea, but it seems to be much more practical. Instead of having 1 machine which can be separated into 2 pieces, they decided to have 2 separated machines that can be merged into 1 device. Really interesting!

A tablet part is running by 1GHz ARM processor, 16GB SSD, Wifi-n, 3G, resistive touch, webcam, and battery. It’s powered by Lenovo-customized version of Linux. A base part is another machine running by Core 2 processor, standard HDD, memory, HDMI, Wifi-n [another NIC for base!!], and battery which is operated by Windows 7. You might wonder if they can really run as 2 devices; They can! according to laptopmag.com. You can use your TV or monitor plug to HDMI for the base while playing with the tablet part somewhere else.

How do they work? There is some sort of synchronizing program when 2 parts are joined. You will not lose anything when running on each device. For example, you are browsing Google Reader on tablet part. When you merge it to the base, that page will show in Windows 7 too. Well, I’m looking forward to it!

Lenovo blog says it is believed to cost $999 as starting price point and will be available in April, 2010. Not too shabby.

More information:
+Hand-on video @ laptopmag.com
+A lot of pictures @ pocket-lint.com
+Inside info @ Lenovo blog

diff --git a/_posts/2010-01-31-apple-ipad-too-big-or-just-the-right-size.markdown b/_posts/2010-01-31-apple-ipad-too-big-or-just-the-right-size.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7581a92 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-01-31-apple-ipad-too-big-or-just-the-right-size.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Apple iPad – too big or just the right size +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 685 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2010/01/31/apple-ipad-too-big-or-just-the-right-size/ +date: '2010-01-31 10:50:21 +0700' +date_gmt: '2010-01-31 15:50:21 +0700' +categories: +- opinion +- Apple +tags: [] +--- +

First of all, how the hell Apple manages to get *4:3 IPS panel* at this time while no others even care to get one. Kudos to Apple for that.

I don’t know what Apple plan for iPad; some says to beat netbook to death; some says to beat tablet pc; some says to create new category; whatever that is, I know Apple will find the way to establish their products well, regardless how big market share would be. When I first saw iPad, my react is like, “hmm they really did that!? I love to buy one,” but when I got to specification and realized that it is 9” screen; it gave me a big pause, here. 9” is way to big to consider as on-the-go device and one-hand operation, I don’t know really how I’m going to use it if I have one.

Well, it’s iPhone OS. I’m not sure if that is a good choice for such a big device like this. If it were 7”, that would be awesome with iPhone OS. I guess I gotta tryout on this. The only reason why Apple use iPhone OS I see is the thinness since it runs on ARM CPU; I can’t imagine Apple uses such a low end stuff like Atom either. Imagine that Steve Jobs claimed that Apple works with Intel specifically to have such a powerful CPU package named Atom. Nah, it just never works out well.

God almighty huge on-screen keyboard! That looks good. I think it will beat any on-screen keyboard indeed and yet, it might beat Apple own real physical keyboard as well since I have no clue why the heck they have that uncomfortable, thin and no tactile feedback for bigass iMac.

On the couch, it will be one of the hell device out there—no arguement here. I would love to see how IdeaPad U1 goes too since it’s basically the same thing as iPad, just differrent OS, which Apple already proved their supremacy, while Lenovo is just newbie. However, I can’t see iPad being used anywhere else. We’ll see if my imagination is too short here.

In short, this is just one of million opinions on iPad. We’ll see how it’s going to change when iPad releases.

diff --git a/_posts/2010-02-20-teracopy-the-solution-to-slow-multiple-copies.markdown b/_posts/2010-02-20-teracopy-the-solution-to-slow-multiple-copies.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..69049df --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-02-20-teracopy-the-solution-to-slow-multiple-copies.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: TeraCopy – the solution to slow multiple copies +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 704 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/2010/02/20/teracopy-the-solution-to-slow-multiple-copies/ +date: '2010-02-20 03:42:39 +0700' +date_gmt: '2010-02-20 08:42:39 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: [] +--- +

If you face situations, such as, very very slow copy files when you drag a file at a time to another drive or NAS, you might want to try this tool out. It does integrate to your regular work flow without an interrupt since you can just basically do the same—drag & drop again and again. Teracopy will catch that and put in the queue automatically.

TeraCopy - Queue

I dragged and dropped files twice, an above figure was what I got. TeraCopy put the second batch on queue waiting for the first batch to finish first. This way is the most efficient way to do so and I constantly got around 40MB/s over gigabit LAN while I practically couldn’t achieve this if using only Windows Explorer. As you might already notice, Explorer will share throughput for each, but, in practice, Windows couldn’t share that efficiently. The speed will decrease dramatically over the time.

Enough said, Teracopy is such a nice alternative to stock Windows Explorer copy handler. As of yet, I have no disadvantage of having Teracopy. It is that cool. oh better yet, free version is more than enough!

Note: There are quite a number of similar applications like this, such as, SuperCopier, FastCopy, etc. If I have a chance to try them and they are better, I’ll surely update. Also, if you have experienced them, I would love to hear too.

SuperCopier2.2: People claimed that it gives better performance than Teracopy, but for me, it lacks of a queue feature. Therefore, it doesn’t qualify for me. As shown below, overall transfer speed over gigabit LAN is <10MB/s which is what we normally get with stock copy handler.

supercopier22

diff --git a/_posts/2010-02-22-xpvista-cannot-load-cd-driver.markdown b/_posts/2010-02-22-xpvista-cannot-load-cd-driver.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e6bbdb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-02-22-xpvista-cannot-load-cd-driver.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: XP/Vista cannot load CD driver +author: + display_name: '' + login: '' + email: '' + url: '' +wordpress_id: 713 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=713 +date: '2010-02-22 02:02:04 +0700' +date_gmt: '2010-02-22 07:02:04 +0700' +categories: +- after-works +tags: [] +--- +

If you have a problem that your CD/DVD-ROM cannot be seen in my computer or exclamation mark on CD in device manager and you can do nothing about it, it can be fixed.

How come does this issue happen? conflict happened when you have >1 CD drivers related installed. It might be from CD/DVD burning app, such as Nero Burning ROM, Roxie, or daemon app like Virtual CD, MagicISO and such.

How to fix: First, uninstalling anything won't help, neither will updating. What you have to do is getting into Registry editor (start | "regedit")

Then, find "LowerFilters" and/or "UpperFilters" and delete them. Look carefully, you have to delete only ones in HKLH\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E966-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} whose Class key is CDROM. However, you don't have to worry much if you delete in others, you might have to restart more than once since Windows will have to detect and install the hardware driver again.

After deleted those 2 keys, just restart once. Your CD/DVD will come alive.

diff --git a/_posts/2011-11-11-freenas-8-cave-man-can-do-it.markdown b/_posts/2011-11-11-freenas-8-cave-man-can-do-it.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..11817de --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2011-11-11-freenas-8-cave-man-can-do-it.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,51 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: FreeNAS 8 – cave man can do it +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 868 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=868 +date: '2011-11-11 05:48:23 +0700' +date_gmt: '2011-11-10 22:48:23 +0700' +categories: +- software +- server +tags: [] +--- +

It’s FreeNAS. It’s easy. Set it and forget it with full fledge NAS you can’t find anywhere else. Well, it might not have DRBD, but for home/personal or even small business should be able to cope with rsync easily.

At least, this version makes me happy. My SS4200 comes alive w/ port multiplier; it just lives up to its potential.

Kernel log speaks louder than anything.
+++pmp0 at siisch1 bus 0 scbus1 target 15 lun 0 ++pmp0: < Port Multiplier 0325197b 000e > ATA-0 device ++pmp0: 300.000MB/s transfers (SATA 2.x, NONE, PIO 8192bytes) ++pmp0: 300.000MB/s transfers (SATA 2.x, NONE, PIO 8192bytes) ++pmp0: 15 fan-out ports ++ada1 at siisch1 bus 0 scbus1 target 1 lun 0 ++ada1: ATA-8 SATA 2.x device ++ada1: 300.000MB/s transfers (SATA 2.x, UDMA5, PIO 8192bytes) ++ada1: Command Queueing enabled ++ada1: 1907729MB (3907029168 512 byte sectors: 16H 63S/T 16383C) ++ada2 at siisch1 bus 0 scbus1 target 0 lun 0 ++ada2: ATA-8 SATA 2.x device ++ada2: 300.000MB/s transfers (SATA 2.x, UDMA6, PIO 8192bytes) ++ada2: Command Queueing enabled ++ada2: 1907729MB (3907029168 512 byte sectors: 16H 63S/T 16383C) ++ada3 at siisch1 bus 0 scbus1 target 3 lun 0 ++ada3: ATA-8 SATA 2.x device ++ada3: 300.000MB/s transfers (SATA 2.x, UDMA6, PIO 8192bytes) ++ada3: Command Queueing enabled ++ada3: 1907729MB (3907029168 512 byte sectors: 16H 63S/T 16383C) ++ada4 at siisch1 bus 0 scbus1 target 2 lun 0 ++ada4: ATA-8 SATA 2.x device ++ada4: 300.000MB/s transfers (SATA 2.x, UDMA5, PIO 8192bytes) ++ada4: Command Queueing enabled ++ada4: 1907729MB (3907029168 512 byte sectors: 16H 63S/T 16383C)

Thanks, FreeBSD guys enabling this feature. Thanks, FreeNAS folks developing nice-and-easy NAS.

diff --git a/_posts/2012-01-01-macjournal-to-evernote.markdown b/_posts/2012-01-01-macjournal-to-evernote.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e8331f1 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-01-01-macjournal-to-evernote.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: MacJournal to Evernote +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 864 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=864 +date: '2012-01-01 05:46:56 +0700' +date_gmt: '2011-12-31 22:46:56 +0700' +categories: +- software +tags: [] +--- +

I was a short-period Evernote user after OneNote took over by all features and everything many years ago. However, once I moved to Mac OSX, I had yet to find a right tool as OneNote alternative. Although VMWare Fusion 4 has been improved over the years, why on Earth I have to keep Windows running wasting my memory at all time.

I tried a lot of alternatives: OneNote on VMWare Fusion — Unity view of course, MarsEdit,Omnifocus, Circusponies Notebook, Journler, MacJournal, Springpad (webapp), Catch (webapp.) As a result, MacJournal it was by its simplicity for months. However, lacking of synchronization sucked big time, esp. with all mobile devices. Then there was an underdog option showing up again. Evernote. At least this piece of software was built with cloudsync in mind.

Well, this time, after couple years w/o using EverNote, I could say that it’s been vastly improved. It’s still far from OneNote counterpart, but this is all you can get on OSX. The question left is how to move all data in MacJournal to Evernote?

Like everybody else. I googled for a solution; I found a script which gave me an error, at least for me. Suddenly I thought of why we have to complicate life this much. So I decided to select all my journal entry, drag them all and drop into Evernote!

Boom! it works! way too easy, right? it works beautifully also. Evernote will show up tons of windows when it completely grabs each journal, but you can always wait a bit and close them all at once with cmd+q. After reopening Evernote, you would more than happy.

note: downside — tag doesn’t come along, but there is always a search, right?

diff --git a/_posts/2012-01-25-afpd-on-debian.markdown b/_posts/2012-01-25-afpd-on-debian.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fd83c2c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-01-25-afpd-on-debian.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,67 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: afpd on Debian +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 861 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=861 +date: '2012-01-25 05:43:16 +0700' +date_gmt: '2012-01-24 22:43:16 +0700' +categories: +- linux +- software +tags: [] +--- +

When you are on #OSX regularly, CIFS/SMB is not that good option. What you would need to do so is installing afpd and bonjour. Obviously, they won’t name as they are in Apple product. Their package names are netatalk and avahiconsecutively. Installation is as easy as one regular apt-get.

Setting up both at the same time, then we would configure later.

# apt-get install netatalk avahi-daemon libnss-mdns

After installation, we need to configure a bit for both service.

afpd — what we are going to do now is to disable legacy Apple File protocol back in pre #OSX time which we don’t need.
+# vim /etc/default/netatalk

 # enable new service
+CNID_METAD_RUN=yes 
+AFPD_RUN=yes 
+# disable legacy service 
+TIMELORD_RUN=no
+A2BOOT_RUN=no
+ATALKD_RUN=no
+PAPD_RUN=no

All you need to do is making sure if these values are assigned correctly. Next, we have to declare sharepoint. You can append to these new settings to the end of this file.
+# vim /etc/netatalk/AppleVolumes.default

/your/path VolumeName allow:@groupname options:usedots,upriv

Example:
+You can do a share by username.

~/ "$u" allow:myusername options:usedots,upriv

For Time Machine, you can do this; it might be a good idea to limit volume size before Time Machine takes over the whole drive by using volsizelimit:100000 in MB; 100000 = 100GB

/home/username/TimeMachine "TimeMachine" allow:myusername options:usedots volsizelimit:100000

Restart netatalk to see the change
+# /etc/init.d/netatalk restart

For more info: http://linux.die.net/man/5/applevolumes.default

Avahi (Bonjour)
+Next, we need to do help setting up bonjour or avahi. A setting file is/etc/nsswitch.conf which is belong to mDNS (mDNS comes helping hostname resolution.) we need to enable mdns module by add “mdns” to hosts: line as following:

hosts: files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns mdns4 mdns

Last but not least, we customize how any device see afpd. Create a new file named/etc/avahi/services/afpd.service and paste this in.

<?xml version="1.0" standalone='no'?><!--*-nxml-*-->
+<!DOCTYPE service-group SYSTEM "avahi-service.dtd">
+<service-group>
+ <name replace-wildcards="yes">%h</name>
+ <service>
+ <type>_afpovertcp._tcp</type>
+ <port>548</port>
+ </service>
+ <service>
+ <type>_device-info._tcp</type>
+ <port>0</port>
+ <txt-record>model=MacPro</txt-record>
+ </service>
+</service-group>

You can change model to something else which change icon you will see on #OSX client side. AppleTV, iMac, MacPro, Xserve, MacBook, MacBookPro, MacBookAir, Macmini, etc.

Restart avahi-daemon to see the change

# /etc/init.d/avahi-daemon restart

diff --git a/_posts/2012-02-28-disable-osx-lion-from-re-opening-saved-app-state.markdown b/_posts/2012-02-28-disable-osx-lion-from-re-opening-saved-app-state.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8834b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-02-28-disable-osx-lion-from-re-opening-saved-app-state.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Disable OSX Lion from re-opening saved app state +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 872 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=872 +date: '2012-02-28 05:50:44 +0700' +date_gmt: '2012-02-27 22:50:44 +0700' +categories: +- Uncategorized +tags: [] +--- +

If you are like me, hate to see all closed files or tabs coming back after re-opening applications in Lion, you won’t be pissed any more.

Basically, Lion saves every single thing you do in every single applications in~/Library/Saved Application State. This is where the problem rises. Every applications will look at this saved state while opening up and will try to restore back to the same right before you closed, which I find this behavior annoying.

To fix it: You have 2 choices,
+1. disable write-access to this directory, by using chmod command. This will disable in every apps or by each app depending on which directory you are changing.
+2. disable savedState per application by using command

defaults write [application_name] NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -bool false

where application_name will look like following:-
+>> com.microsoft.Word for Microsoft Word
+>> com.apple.Safari for Safari
+>> com.google.Chrome for Chrome

Example, to disable saved state for Microsoft Word, do as following:-
+defaults write com.microsoft.Word NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -bool false

You can find by open ~/Library/Saved Application State and look at the name. Unfortunately, Lion also keeps ~/Library hidden too. You can fire up terminal and typeopen Library to open ~/Library in Finder and go through quickly.

To revert action: just use the same command with -bool true

diff --git a/_posts/2012-08-16-vnc-client-on-osx.markdown b/_posts/2012-08-16-vnc-client-on-osx.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e71215 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-08-16-vnc-client-on-osx.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: VNC client on OSX +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 874 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=874 +date: '2012-08-16 05:52:17 +0700' +date_gmt: '2012-08-15 22:52:17 +0700' +categories: +- software +- osx +tags: [] +--- +

I was using Chicken of the VNC for a long time without knowing that OSX does have its own VNC client. I do not know if this comes with Mountain Lion or not.

However, this little app is like Grapher; you don’t really see unless you find for it. It’s calledScreen Sharing. It’s in:

/System/Library/CoreServices

The easiest way for me to get there is opening up Terminal, type open/System/Library/CoreServices You will see many files. Look for Screen Sharing. There you go.

It’s the easiest, quickest VNC client so far. Surely, you can capture screen, scroll with guesture and almost everything you can imagine. Oh and it’s built-in. I can take control over my Ubuntu one very very easy as shown below.

diff --git a/_posts/2013-07-01-flash-player-installation-issue-on-osx.markdown b/_posts/2013-07-01-flash-player-installation-issue-on-osx.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0cda2bd --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-07-01-flash-player-installation-issue-on-osx.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Flash player installation issue on OSX +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 841 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=841 +date: '2013-07-01 22:19:12 +0700' +date_gmt: '2013-07-01 15:19:12 +0700' +categories: +- software +- security +tags: [] +--- +

I was on Mountain Lion and Firefox whined that current flash player was vulnerable. However, I couldn't seems to get a regular setup file to work properly.

I've tried to install many times, including doing uninstaller and reinstalling. Nothing worked. It always didn't response to mouse cursor at an auto-update choices dialog.

Solution: Download offline setup file from http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html and everything will be fine once again. I surely hope Adobe addresses this soon.

diff --git a/_posts/2013-07-25-ubuntu-edge-formula-1-in-mobile-world.markdown b/_posts/2013-07-25-ubuntu-edge-formula-1-in-mobile-world.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..20cc96e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-07-25-ubuntu-edge-formula-1-in-mobile-world.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Ubuntu Edge - Formula 1 in mobile world +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 848 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=848 +date: '2013-07-25 04:02:31 +0700' +date_gmt: '2013-07-24 21:02:31 +0700' +categories: +- gadgets +tags: [] +--- +

If you never heard of it, you should go check out at indiegogo.com. Basically it's a canonical team effort to build up their own mobile OS game. How does 4.5" screen, 4GB RAM & 128GB storage (in May 2014) sound to you? Not to mention, HDMI output acting like your Ubuntu desktop -- which is the one I hope they would get it done right. After all, though it looks good and/or sounds great, all we can hope so far is Edge will be up to people's expectation. IMHO, I don't particularly like what they've done with Ubuntu Unity. (I much prefer Cinnamon when it comes to GUI.) Maybe, this might lure me to Ubuntu. If not, rolling back to Android (AOSP) which is officially supported is an option.

$32M isn't that easy to reach, but roughly 40,000 Ubuntu Edges in a wild if this happens. Who knows? It might change mobile space entirely.

ps. I had never backed any Indiegogo project before this one. You might like to know that they do work quite different to Kickstarter. They took your money upfront, unlike Kickstarter. I don't know if I like the idea, but heck, I put my faith into many things already. Why not this one, right?

diff --git a/_posts/2013-08-02-why-should-we-have-3rd-party-sign-in.markdown b/_posts/2013-08-02-why-should-we-have-3rd-party-sign-in.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..29061ea --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-08-02-why-should-we-have-3rd-party-sign-in.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Why should we have 3rd-party sign-in? +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 853 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=853 +date: '2013-08-02 00:03:27 +0700' +date_gmt: '2013-08-01 17:03:27 +0700' +categories: +- after-works +- service +tags: [] +--- +

After many security vulnerabilities at many sites, Ubuntu forums, for example, has turned sign-in system into only-Ubuntu One-option. This is really interesting. The reason behind is simple: keeping sensitive data like password hash far away from not-so-secure-data like forum topics and stuffs. This eliminates a lot of stress on a forum side which a team behind forum can only focus on how to make community happy, not security audit every now and then. While another team on Ubuntu One will be responsible on make things as secure as possible with one focus in mind, providing user identity.

In case of smaller teams, they also have tons of options: Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo and so on. Not only don't users have to worry about forgetting different passwords on different sites, users also gets top-notch security from providers they trust. Moreover, user could careless things like man-in-the-middle attack on public wireless network. For example, I'm using Android and about to login on some websites while I'm sitting in coffee shop. If the website I want to get in has only own website login, what I need to do is filling out user and password. Yep, on the worst case, someone else might be doing ARP-poisoning and unfortunately it's not that difficult at all. At the end of the day, my login and password are compromised. It will only get worse if I use much the same login and password on multiple sites/services. However, if the website provides something like Google login option. The scenario would be changed entirely since when I tap on login with Google, browser would jump to Google login page which Browser would give you an extra option to sign in with your account on your mobile device. Soon as you choose the account, boom! you are logged on. As a result, you don't even have to expose any of sensitive data explicitly. All processes are done via temporary token which needed to prove your identity.

All in all, I think it's great to have a simpler solution, and more importantly more secure solution. This should be implemented to all web services. It doesn't matter whether it's OpenID, Mozilla Persona, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and so on. As long as you use the service from company you trust, it's still a safer solution than implementing your own.

diff --git a/_posts/2013-10-03-epson-linux-driver.markdown b/_posts/2013-10-03-epson-linux-driver.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2cba354 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-10-03-epson-linux-driver.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Epson Linux Driver +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 877 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=877 +date: '2013-10-03 00:19:32 +0700' +date_gmt: '2013-10-02 17:19:32 +0700' +categories: +- linux +tags: [] +--- +

Sometimes Linux distro doesn't really ship with necessary drivers and Epson main website doesn't care having one. This website, http://avasys.jp/eng/linux_driver/ had been a good service for a while. Now, here you go, Epson Japanese site is taking over.

In short, if drivers are available, I'm a happy customer.

diff --git a/_posts/2013-10-22-share-printer-from-linux-box-to-windows.markdown b/_posts/2013-10-22-share-printer-from-linux-box-to-windows.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e85a966 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-10-22-share-printer-from-linux-box-to-windows.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,44 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Share Printer from Linux box to Windows +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 880 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=880 +date: '2013-10-22 10:37:56 +0700' +date_gmt: '2013-10-22 03:37:56 +0700' +categories: +- linux +- microsoft +tags: +- printer +- cups +- samba +--- +

Of course, I know it needed samba, but I had difficulty sharing one to Windows PC which I didn't really get into much since the day I moved away from Windows. This was what I did to get it work.

$ /etc/samba/smb.conf

Find these lines and uncomment them; if you can't find, type.
+printcap name = cups +printing = cups

[printers] section should look similar to this

[printers] + comment = All Printers + browseable = yes + path = /var/spool/samba + printable = yes + public = yes + guest ok = yes + create mask = 0700 + use client driver = yes + path = /tmp +

Then you have to restart samba.
+$ sudo service smbd restart
+For some, you might have to use samba instead of smbd. That's varied by distros. However, after adding printer to your Windows box, you should be able to print. I find it's easier to navigate to \\linux-box-name in file explorer. Find printer there, then right-click to connect and add there. Add printer via Devices and Printer and auto discovery thing isn't impressed me 99% of the time.

diff --git a/_posts/2014-01-23-django-and-memcached.markdown b/_posts/2014-01-23-django-and-memcached.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc28af5 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-01-23-django-and-memcached.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Django and Memcached +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 889 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=889 +date: '2014-01-23 02:20:24 +0700' +date_gmt: '2014-01-22 19:20:24 +0700' +categories: +- coding +tags: +- python +- django +- memcached +--- +

Apparently it seems that both Django and Memcached work together flawlessly, but it fails silently most of the time which is hard to debug. One thing I've learned is never cache any queryset with Memcached since it wouldn't complain anything but doesn't do anything either. If you like to cache queryset, then using LoMemCache, FileBasedCache, DummyCache or whatever which is not Memcached. Everything will be all good.

Otherwise, you can separate cache into couple things then push queryset to one which is not Memcached.

CACHES = {
+    'default': {
+        'BACKEND': 'django.core.cache.backends.memcached.MemcachedCache',
+        'LOCATION': '127.0.0.1:11211'
+    },
+    'queryset': {
+        'BACKEND': 'django.core.cache.backends.locmem.LocMemCache'
+    },
+}

Then you can using get_cache to pick whatever you want

+from django.core.cache import get_cache, cache
+mycache = get_cache('queryset')
+

While cache will still point to 'default' or Memcached one.

diff --git a/_posts/2014-01-26-django-tastypie-filters.markdown b/_posts/2014-01-26-django-tastypie-filters.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7cb9d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-01-26-django-tastypie-filters.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Django Tastypie filters +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 894 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=894 +date: '2014-01-26 06:34:28 +0700' +date_gmt: '2014-01-25 23:34:28 +0700' +categories: +- coding +tags: +- django +- tastypie +--- +

Tastypie is a pretty good REST interface under Django. One thing everyone wants from it is filtering. Tastypie provides a simple one through class Meta for ModelResource

class Meta:
+    filtering = {
+        'fieldname': ALL
+    }

As of now, we could passing GET parameters just like you do on model filter.

http://localhost:8000/api/v1/yyyy/?format=json&fieldname__contains=queryword

However, it sucks having tons of filters while you can do just one query word like

http://localhost:8000/api/v1/yyyy/?format=json&q=queryword

Basicly, filters in ModelResource works by going through build_filters then apply_filters. With the idea above, we need to override something in ModelResource. It's build_filters(self, filters=None).

+def build_filters(self, filters=None):
+    if filters is None:
+        filters = {}
+    orm_filters = super(YyyyResource, self).build_filters(filters)
+
+    if 'q' in filters:
+        query = filters['q']
+        orm_filters['fieldname1__contains'] = filters['q']
+        orm_filters['fieldname2__contains'] = filters['q']
+    return orm_filters
+

By the way, it's AND filtering; if we want OR filtering, we will need to get much more complicated that just simple filter. Q is the answer, but in order to use it, we need to override apply_filters(self, request, applicable_filters) as well. The easiest thing is like following:-

+def apply_filters(self, request, applicable_filters):
+    base_object_list = super(YyyyResource, self).apply_filters(request, applicable_filters)
+    if 'q' in filters:
+        return base_object_list.filter(
+                   Q(fieldname1__contains=filters['q']) |
+                   Q(fieldname2__contains=filters['q']))
+    return base_object_list
+

There you go. It's exactly what we do in regular Django. Not to mention apply_filters which has request that contains user too.

diff --git a/_posts/2014-02-06-firefox-crashes-xfce.markdown b/_posts/2014-02-06-firefox-crashes-xfce.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..263805c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-02-06-firefox-crashes-xfce.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Firefox crashes XFCE +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 904 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=904 +date: '2014-02-06 19:40:07 +0700' +date_gmt: '2014-02-06 12:40:07 +0700' +categories: +- linux +- tweak +tags: [] +--- +

The more I use Ubuntu, the more I hate Unity. However, if you are going to simply install xfce like

$ sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

You will get xfce desktop environment easily; one thing I found is opening Firefox will end up freeze your system. After googling, the easiest solution I found is to delete .macromedia, done!

$ rm -rvf ~/.macromedia

It just works.

diff --git a/_posts/2014-02-12-ssl-nginx.markdown b/_posts/2014-02-12-ssl-nginx.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7729e67 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-02-12-ssl-nginx.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,71 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: SSL with Nginx +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 908 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=908 +date: '2014-02-12 07:08:24 +0700' +date_gmt: '2014-02-12 00:08:24 +0700' +categories: +- linux +- server +tags: +- ssl +--- +

https is pretty much preferred protocol over bare http nowadays and it gets very affordable for basic one sub-domain which you can get as low as $9 a year. However, how to get and use one sometimes pretty much overkill although it is rather simple. Yeah, I keep forgetting since I don't really have to do that frequent.

Depending on where you purchase SSL certificate, I pick namecheap. I don't have any reason for it, but they are as reliable as it could be. GoDaddy, to me, is okay--they tend to have lower renewal cost for domain too. Back to SSL certificate, you need to generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) to ask for SSL. I'm using openSSL.

# openssl req -nodes -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout mywhatever.key -out whatever.csr

A series of question will be asked:

Country Name (2 letter code) [AU]: US
+State or Province Name (full name) [Some-State]: NH
+Locality Name (eg, city) []: Atkinson
+Organization Name (eg, company) [Internet Widgits Pty Ltd]: 10ninox Ltd
+Organizational Unit Name (eg, section) []: 
+Common Name (eg, YOUR name) []: 10ninox.com
+Email Address []:
+
+A challenge password []: 
+An optional company name []:
+

Some fields can be left blank, but you pretty much like to answer all for your own credential. The thing is you should leave challenge password empty, otherwise, you will have to type that every time your Nginx reload or restart. Then you get 2 file mywhatever.key and whatever.csr

Back to namecheap, issue your SSL, then paste content of whatever.csr to the form. Wait for a verification step via email. Then you would get your_site.zip with following mails. The whole process should take less than 10-15 minutes as far as my experience goes.

Now you have to extract your_site.zip which contains several files something like

10ninox_com.crt
PositiveSSLCA2.crt
AddTrustExternalCARoot.crt

Merge those files into one, 10ninox-ssl-bundle.csr or whatever name you want.

$ cat 10ninox_com.crt PositiveSSLCA2.crt AddTrustExternalCARoot.crt > 10ninox-ssl-bundle.csr

Then copy the bundle file and mywhatever.key we got earlier to a directory in your server; location is up to you. There is no restricted whatsoever. The last process is to setup Nginx to know where SSL certificate is in Nginx virtualhost file (likely to be /etc/nginx/sites-available/10ninox.com for Debian)

This is an example how to configure one:

+server {
+    listen 443;
+
+    ssl on;
+    ssl_certificate /opt/projects/10ninox/ssl/10ninox-ssl-bundle.csr;
+    ssl_certificate_key /opt/projects/10ninox/ssl/mywhatever.key;
+    ssl_protocols SSLv3 TLSv1;
+    ssl_ciphers ALL:!aNULL:!ADH:!eNULL:!LOW:!EXP:RC4+RSA:+HIGH:+MEDIUM;
+
+    server_name 10ninox.com;
+}
+

ssl_ciphers ALL:!aNULL:!ADH:!eNULL:!LOW:!EXP:RC4+RSA:+HIGH:+MEDIUM; means disables all weak ciphers
ssl_protocols SSLv3 TLSv1; means enables SSLv3/TLSv1, but not SSLv2 which is weak and should no longer be used.

It's better to test it first with

# service nginx configtest

If pass,

# service nginx restart

diff --git a/_posts/2014-02-20-cryptocurrency-mining-rig-power-supply-unit.markdown b/_posts/2014-02-20-cryptocurrency-mining-rig-power-supply-unit.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7bfb426 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-02-20-cryptocurrency-mining-rig-power-supply-unit.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,59 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Cryptocurrency Mining Rig - Power Supply Unit +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 948 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=948 +date: '2014-02-20 19:07:25 +0700' +date_gmt: '2014-02-20 12:07:25 +0700' +categories: +- misc +tags: +- mining +--- +

I was looking around to see how to determine how much power consumption my rig would be. Well, there is never a definitive answer. Yet you can estimate from specification to get roughly guide.

Mainboard: 50W
CPU: 50-100W
RAM: 5W each stick
HDD: 10W each

That's for regular parts. For GPU, there are several things to consider from PCI-e specification: +

Base power - one PCI-e slot has to be provide 75W.
6 Pin PCI Express power connector - maximum power delivery = 75W
8 Pin PCI Express power connector - maximum power delivery = 150W

From this information, you can tell that +

Gigabyte Radeon R9-280x, which has two power connectors: 6-pin and 8-pin connectors, can draw 75W (PCI-e slot) + 150W (8-pin) + 75W (6-pin) = 300W (total) +
Gigabyte HD 7870, which has 2 6-pin power connectors, can draw power 75W + 2*(75W) = 225W +
+

For a regular mining rig, weak CPU, with 3 GPUs (7870):

50W Mainboard
50W CPU
5W 4GB RAM
3*225W Gigabye 7870

You will end up having 50W+50W+5W+3*225W = 780W; however, you'd better have at least 20% extra power available which helps power supply unit (PSU) not to be in too heavy load at all time. This simply means you should buy at least 780W * 1.2 = 936W. Surely, you can't find it, but 1000W PSU is close enough =)

Questions?

Does AX760i (Great PSU) which can provide 760W work with above example (which theoretically draws 780W) ?
+I'm sure it's working. What we are calculating is the maximum power consumption your machine can draw. In practice, it's never hit 100% mark, but why putting that heavy load on PSU? Its lifespan will get shorter no matter how good it is.
What if my machine draw more power than PSU can provide?
+It depends. (1) Good PSU is likely to shut itself down immediately; (2) some PSU tries harder to provide its juice which cause a ripple. Random reboot or shutdown is likely the result. Lastly (3) PSU is exploded. It is not as bad as it sounds though. In fact, capacitors inside PSU will explode. You will hear and smell clearly if it's gone. Don't worry. Maybe a bit of smoke, but mostly your components shouldn't be damaged, but you never know. :)

Reference: Board Design Guidelines for PCI Express™ Architecture, power supply cable at playtool
+Note: Above product links in this post are affiliated ;)

diff --git a/_posts/2014-02-20-mining-rig-setup.markdown b/_posts/2014-02-20-mining-rig-setup.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9cfff67 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-02-20-mining-rig-setup.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,182 @@ +--- +layout: post +status: publish +published: true +title: Cryptocurrency Mining Rig setup +author: + display_name: sipp11 + login: sipp11 + email: sipp11@gmail.com + url: '' +author_login: sipp11 +author_email: sipp11@gmail.com +wordpress_id: 918 +wordpress_url: http://blog.10ninox.com/?p=918 +date: '2014-02-20 15:51:01 +0700' +date_gmt: '2014-02-20 08:51:01 +0700' +categories: +- linux +tags: +- mining +--- +

Don't ask me if it's worth investment. I don't know since difficulty and exchange rate change (drop?) everyday. It's getting harder and harder to get even but it makes me feel building computer fun again. LoL

After trial and error, the painless route is to creating USB flash drive for it. Clone it for another rig. Of course, I use Xubuntu, I don't know how to deal with Windows these days.

What you need:-

Xubuntu - get x64 one -- Xubuntu, not Ubuntu. Unity is weird
8GB or more Flash drive; it doesn't necessarily need to be a fast one. Just make sure it's not extraordinarily slow. (You need one extra for Xubuntu setup if you don't burn Xubuntu ISO to CD)
Mining Rig -- Any hardware with AMD/ATI VGA cards, 4GB of RAM, any CPU would do it.
1x-to-16x PCI-e riser or 16x PCI-e riser -- 1x-to-16x is preferred since better airflow preferred. Well, basically you don't need this to get fully functional rig, but your rig will run so darn hot and it is NOT good at all.

What you don't need:-

From my experience, you don't need any dummy plug.
Powered 1x-to-16x PCI-e riser -- some recommended it over unpowered but you only need if you have > 3 GPUs (or using 1x slot) since 75W each slot draw -- GPU specification -- from mainboard is pretty much putting load under mainboard, esp. you are using 1x PCI-e slot which by specification 1x slot can't handle that much power (only 25W) while 16x is comfortably handled.

To build your mining rig is pretty much like every computer, but we choose to have only needed things, Mainboard, CPU, RAM, Flash drive, VGA cards, to save power as much as possible. If you like to know which hardware is better, you probably what to look at Mining hardware comparison. You should look at kH/s rate, the more the better, but IMHO you need to think of average kH/s of each GPU since the highest hash rate in that table means they overclocks their GPUs as well. To me, mining coins is long-term; need to be stable; run every at stock; keep temperature normal.

For the first time ever, you need to have monitor, keyboard or mouse.

get into BIOS, del on POST and choose to boot with Xubuntu setup flash drive. Also, you might like to check option power on after power failure too. It's very handy.
Xubuntu setup process is pretty much painless, you mostly click many 'next' buttons to get it done. One thing you need an attention is Log in automatically checkbox. You need to make sure it's checked.
Reboot after setup is done. Now you need to test if it's working by taking out Xubuntu setup flash drive out and let Xubuntu one boot up.
If it boots into Xubuntu, we are on half way to success. If not, repeat above.

Go to terminal and install GPU driver and necessary stuffs +

$ sudo apt-get update
+$ sudo apt-get install byobu openssh-server fglrx-updates fglrx-amdcccle-updates fglrx-updates-dev

Check if Xubuntu sees all your GPU +
```
$ sudo aticonfig --lsa
```
+
If you see every GPU, that's good. If not, try to power off, check, re-insert your GPU again

Configure your GPU +

$ sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak
+$ sudo aticonfig --adapter=all --initial

Reboot to verify if everything works +
```
$ sudo aticonfig --adapter=all --odgt
```
+

Next is cgminer part, download here. Please download 3.7.2 version since it's the last version supporting scrypt which is likely to be protocol for most pool; otherwise, we need proxy in order to join any pool. This post will not cover that since I like to write how I setup and get it running automatically first.

$ tar xjvf cgminer-3.7.2-x86_64-built.tar.bz2

You end up having cgminer-3.7.2-x86_64-built directory if download from here. You can test whether it is working:

$ cd cgminer-3.7.2-x86_64-built
+$ ./cgminer -n
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] CL Platform 0 vendor: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] CL Platform 0 name: AMD Accelerated Parallel Processing
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] CL Platform 0 version: OpenCL 1.2 AMD-APP (1214.3)
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] Platform 0 devices: 3
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] 	0	Pitcairn
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] 	1	Pitcairn
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] 	2	Tahiti
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] ADL Initialisation Error! Error -1!
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] 3 GPU devices max detected
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] USB all: found 9 devices - listing known devices
+ [2014-02-20 13:08:06] No known USB devices

-n means listing all GPU devices

If you don't see all, you like to try aticonfig things above again.
+My example rig above consisting of 2 * Gigabyte 7870 [Pitcairn] and 1 * Gigabyte 280x [Tahiti]. I just want to show that you can have different GPU in the same rig as long as your power supply unit can handle.

If you see all devices, that's a good sign. Do not worry errors like above though. It's working just fine and that's you have everything you need to mine.

Up to this point, monitor, keyboard and mouse are useless. You can shut computer down and take them off. From now on, you plug your power and switch on at power supply, it should be able to turn on automatically and surely that's what we intend to.

Running cgminer is the last thing left to do.

Well, I can't cover everything, but Mining hardware comparison is where you can see other configurations which is a good guideline for trials and errors. For pool, if you don't know anything, you will google a lot to see what the heck is pool. For me:

If you want to mine LiteCoin (LTC), you go register and add worker at WeMineLtc.com. Some says they are too large pool already, but I say it's very reliable and as newbie, you need to get familiar with mining process first. This is a good place to start.
If you want to mine DogeCoin (DOGE), you go register and add worker at RapidHash. Very reliable service there.

You can also find small pools everywhere, but I used to try some of them and I don't get coins at all after a week mining. -*- Maybe your mileage may vary. After registration, you will get: +

Statum Servers -- usually on pools' front page +
- WeMineLTC index page: World-Wide Server (VARDIFF): stratum+tcp://hot.wemineltc.com:3335
- Rapidhash has an example command shown on first page: stratum+tcp://stratum.rapidhash.net:3333
+
Worker user/password: it will usually be your username.xxx; for password, you can just use 1 or anything simple. If someone else want to mine for you, why not let them? haha You only keep account password and PIN safe. That's enough.

Next you try running cgminer, command is something like this

+$ export DISPLAY=:0
+$ export GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT=100
+$ export GPU_USE_SYNC_OBJECTS=1
+$ ./cgminer --scrypt --no-submit-stale -o stratum+tcp://stratum.rapidhash.net:3333 -u username.worker -I 13 -w 256 --thread-concurrency 8192 --auto-fan --gpu-engine 980 --gpu-threads 2

-I means Intensity [0-20] more intensity usually means more hashes, but with 280x >13 intensity produces more invalids; well, trial and error after all.
-w 256 means worksize, I only see people use this value haha.
--thread-concurrency 8192 to set GPU thread concurrency for scrypt mining, larger doesn't always mean more hashes though.
--auto-fan means let card adjust how fast fan is based on temperature. You could do like --auto-fan --gpu-fan 30-85 to specify range fan should be also. People claimed that running 24|7 at max fan speed could kill fan in 2 months. Well, believe it or not? I don't dare trying
--gpu-engine 980 means GPU clock speed; range setting like --gpu-engine 980-1000 is also possible.
--gpu-threads 2 means number of threads per GPU (1 - 10)

Above you are setting one value per parameters. If you have many of the same card in your rig, that will be applied to all cards. However, if you want each card running different parameters, you could do like -I 13,18 -w 256,256 --thread-concurrency 8192,12000 --auto-fan --gpu-engine 980,1050 to have different settings for each card. However, it's better to run many cgminer instance if you have 2 different GPU by using -d 2 means using only device number 2 (from ./cgminer -n as shown above) or you can use -d 0,1 to use this cgminer instance for device number 0 and 1.

When you get satisfied parameters, you can create a script file. For example, mining.sh

#!/bin/sh
+export DISPLAY=:0
+export GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT=100
+export GPU_USE_SYNC_OBJECTS=1
+cd /home/ninox/cgminer-3.7.2-x86_64-built
+./cgminer --scrypt --no-submit-stale -o stratum+tcp://stratum.rapidhash.net:3333 -u ninox.w1 -p 1 -d 2 -I 13 -w 256 --thread-concurrency 8192 --auto-fan --gpu-fan 20-85 --gpu-engine 980 --gpu-threads 2

Then make this file executable

$ chmod +x mining.sh

Verify if it works

$ ./mining.sh

You should see something like

cgminer version 3.7.2 - Started: [2014-02-19 11:42:25]
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ (5s):699.9K (avg):684.5Kh/s | A:566864  R:4944  HW:0  WU:618.4/m
+ ST: 2  SS: 7  NB: 919  LW: 8874  GF: 1  RF: 0
+ Connected to stratum.rapidhash.net diff 128 with stratum as user ninox.w1
+ Block: 2102e8d1...  Diff:1.15K  Started: [03:17:01]  Best share: 2.18M
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ [P]ool management [G]PU management [S]ettings [D]isplay options [Q]uit
+ GPU 0:  75.0C 100%    | OFF   / 5.000h/s | A:     0 R:   0 HW:0 WU:   0.0/m I:13
+ GPU 1:  73.0C  60%    | OFF   / 0.000h/s | A:     0 R:   0 HW:0 WU:   0.0/m I:13
+ GPU 2:  74.0C 3367RPM | 698.9K/684.5Kh/s | A:566864 R:4944 HW:0 WU: 618.4/m I:13
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+ [2014-02-20 03:16:24] Accepted 01a73a13 Diff 155/128 GPU 2 pool 0
+ [2014-02-20 03:16:29] Accepted 2b989e17 Diff 1.5K/128 GPU 2 pool 0
+ [2014-02-20 03:16:30] Accepted 01ed9e3c Diff 133/128 GPU 2 pool 0
+ [2014-02-20 03:16:36] Stratum from pool 0 detected new block
+ [2014-02-20 03:16:56] Accepted 01423a05 Diff 203/128 GPU 2 pool 0
+ [2014-02-20 03:17:01] Stratum from pool 0 detected new block
+

Shown above is using Gigabyte R9-280x working alone. The ambient temperature is roughly 30ºC; at night with lower ambient temperature, I could push more hashes in 7x0, but in quite hot country, I don't want to kill my GPU quickly by running at 8xºC always.

I'm impressed with 2 * Gigabyte 7870 more. With half a price of Gigabyte R9-280x, they are running smooothly at 42x kH/s each card at very low temperature.

cgminer version 3.7.2 - Started: [2014-02-19 11:43:02]
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ (5s):823.8K (avg):844.7Kh/s | A:697728  R:4608  HW:0  WU:765.9/m
+ ST: 2  SS: 66  NB: 923  LW: 9081  GF: 1  RF: 1
+ Connected to stratum.rapidhash.net diff 128 with stratum as user ninox.w1
+ Block: a3b04227...  Diff:1.15K  Started: [03:20:46]  Best share: 289K
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ [P]ool management [G]PU management [S]ettings [D]isplay options [Q]uit
+ GPU 0:  74.0C 100%    | 422.9K/422.5Kh/s | A:349488 R:2304 HW:0 WU: 382.8/m I:18
+ GPU 1:  73.0C  31%    | 423.0K/422.2Kh/s | A:348240 R:2304 HW:0 WU: 383.2/m I:18
+ GPU 2:  75.0C 3359RPM | OFF   / 0.000h/s | A:     0 R:   0 HW:0 WU:   0.0/m I:18
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+

This is stock clock speed of 7870 while I have to underclock my R9-280x and put it on the outermost to get coldest air to retain 7x ºC or its temperature will rise to 8x ºC. As always, your mileage may vary.

Mining part is complete. Nonetheless, you would want to have it start automatically if your system fails. The easiest way to deal with is crontab. I like to have one script to run it.

~/mining-cron.sh

#!/bin/sh
+sleep 40
+screen -dmS miner280 /home/ninox/rapid-280.sh
+sleep 40
+screen -dmS miner7870 /home/ninox/rapid-2-7870.sh

Don't forget to make this file executable also.

$ chmod +x mining-cron.sh

Above means hold for 40 seconds then run /home/ninox/rapid-280.sh in screen named miner280 and hold for another 40 seconds before running another file in screen named miner7870. For those who do not know what screen is it's a shell session which is always running in background. To check how session is, you could do:

$ screen -r
+There are several suitable screens on:
+	1892.miner7870	(02/19/2014 11:43:00 PM)	(Detached)
+	1680.miner280	(02/19/2014 11:42:20 PM)	(Detached)
+Type "screen [-d] -r [pid.]tty.host" to resume one of them.
+$

To open specific screen using screen -r miner7870 and
CTRL + a then d to get out of that session without terminating the process.

Then putting in crontab

$ crontab -e
+@reboot /home/ninox/rapid-cronjob.sh

This is setting cron job for your own user, not system.

There are a few problems when you think of Homebrew on OSX. This is a problem that has nothing to do with Brew at all.

+psql: could not connect to server: No such file or directory +Is the server running locally and accepting +connections on Unix domain socket "/tmp/.s.PGSQL.5432"? +

When you find this error message while getting back from system crash, freeze, or any unexpected shutdown, it only means that there is a dirty PID file pointing out the somewhere empty. Basically every daemons will create .pid to store process number, socket and such, so when need, it will be able to do it right and delete right after shutting down the daemons. However, when unexpected shutdown occurs, no time for cleaning up .pid file, that's where problems start. Everyone will think that the daemon is running (its .pid file exists) and asking for something, surely that .pid file can only lead to false route.

Solution: you do clean up for system. In this case, Brew's PostgreSQL .pid file is at /usr/local/var/postgres/postmaster.pid
++$ sudo /usr/local/var/postgres/postmaster.pid +
+Then you can start your postgres again. It's the same with every other daemons; you just need to find its PID file.

Unmaintained WordPress tends to get tons of spam comments regardless of how you do it. However, today, it's a weird day.

I got a request from one of spammers that the links they put on my mom's blog was hurting them. So I checked that out. I didn't even remember the password since it wasn't maintained and my mom apparently hasn't blogged for many years already.

This is what I've found. The same IP addresses have spammed not only to this web site, but another as well. I suspected this firm did hire spammers for SEO or whatever, but now it's damage control phase, huh? I have no clue what they are trying to do here since comment section on my mom's blog isn't even reachable. I migrated to Disqus years ago.

The question was why the heck would I care? It sounds to me like he wants me to clean up his shit he dumped on my porch. If anyone has this sorta experience, please enlighten me.

+ + {{ site.title | xml_escape }} + {{ site.description | xml_escape }} + {{ site.url }}{{ site.baseurl }}/ + + {{ site.time | date_to_rfc822 }} + {{ site.time | date_to_rfc822 }} + Jekyll v{{ jekyll.version }} + {% for post in site.posts limit:10 %} + + {{ post.title | xml_escape }} + {{ post.content | xml_escape }} + {{ post.date | date_to_rfc822 }} + {{ post.url | prepend: site.baseurl | prepend: site.url }} + {{ post.url | prepend: site.baseurl | prepend: site.url }} + {% for tag in post.tags %} + {{ tag | xml_escape }} + {% endfor %} + {% for cat in post.categories %} + {{ cat | xml_escape }} + {% endfor %} + + {% endfor %} + +

+ +

Posts

+ +

+ {{ post.date | date: "%b %-d, %Y" }} + +
+ {{ post.title }} +
+

+ + + +

Posts

+ {{ post.title }} +