David's Tech Blog

A $59 router for only a buck?

2006-06-29T00:07:00.000+02:00

Just got my FON router after 18 agonising days of waiting, or should I say a FON-firmware reflashed WRT-54GS (the most expensive flavour of the WRT-54G series). First thing I did was to register my $1 router (FON subsidised the difference; the $1 even included FedEx shipping!).

This router, which would normally retail for 55 times as much, was found by yours truly to be around $65 on Ebay. Goodness me. Why don't people do a little hunting before going to ebay (Amazon.com, NewEgg.com, TigerDirect.com). This is what puzzles me about Ebay.

Oh well. I have already been a bad boy by reflashing FON's firmware on this machine with a more powerful one, DD-WRT, thereby rendering FON's subsidising my router useless (their goal is to create a planet with free hotspots). Oh well. Maybe I'll flash Linksys's original firmware and cash it in on Ebay ($50 profit after shipping and handling and Ebay and PayPal's cut of the share). Muihaha.

UPDATE: Fon is now shipping routers for $5 but you have to add shipping charges of $8 if you are in the continental US. Europeans have to fork out more but it still is a rather good deal. Should be interesting to see if Ebay gets flooded with WRT-54Gs ...

Support TPB! Send a free postcard to the RIAA /MPAA / Anti-Piracy Bureaus

2006-06-01T19:23:00.000+02:00

Sending emails MPAA/ RIAA/ Anti-Piracy Bureaus ineffective? Well, I suggest you use snail mail (i.e. a postcard) to get the message to them. Best of all, the whole process is free (yup, postage and the postcard).

4 Simple Steps to send a postcard to those folks for free.
1) Find a free postcard, from a hotel or airline, lying around (usu. 10 * 15cm). I used one from Singapore Airlines.

2) Print out the The Pirate Bay postcard (pdf). Link
Trim off the unused white parts of the A4 sheet until you get the following.
Then glue the cut-out onto the postcard. Stapling it is optional :)

3) Go to stamps.com to get free stamps (wait for the stamps.com kit to arrive and then print out the maximum postage you can print ($5 worth, not $80 as they claim; the fine print).

Be sure to print out a 24-cent stamp for the postcard.

4) Affix the stamp to the newly created postcard and fill in the address and whatever message you want those RIAA/ MPAA/ Anti-Piracy folks to hear. (Long live TPB?)

*Don't forget to cancel your stamps.com account after 4 weeks. I cancelled mine after I maxed out my free postage (i.e. print all your free postage at one go), being 5 days after I signed up, and I advise you to do the same.*

If you have money of course, you can purchase the real deal at http://www.cafepress.com/boombam.59960454

List of Addresses
MPAA
Office of the Chairman and CEO
Washington, DC
1600 Eye St.,
NW Washington, DC 20006

RIAA
1330 Connecticut Ave.,
NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036

Anti-Piracy Office
One Executive Blvd.
Suite 455
Yonkers, NY 10701

Microsoft not honouring Mystery Solved Windows® licensing USB Promotion

2006-05-27T03:10:00.000+02:00

Guess what I got in my inbox today after waiting some 7-8 weeks? Good job Microsoft.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Solved Windows® licensing promotion. We've received your request for more information to help clarify Microsoft® Windows Desktop Licensing pre-loaded on the USB drive. Unfortunately, this Mystery Solved promotion was available in the U.S. only and while supplies last. Supply is depleted at this time, so we encourage you to please utilize the online alternative today. Simply download* the Windows Desktop Licensing reference files directly at: www.microsoft.com/mysterysolved/corp To help simplify Windows Desktop Licensing, keep these points in mind:
	There are two legal ways to acquire a full Windows Desktop license: through your hardware vendor (OEM/System Builder) or Full Packaged Product.

	Volume licensing covers Windows Desktop operating system upgrades only.

	OEM operating system licenses live and die with each PC–they are not transferable.
Again, thank you for your interest in Mystery Solved and for helping us spread the word about proper Windows licensing. Sincerely, Microsoft Corporation

Cool Google Maps hacks

2005-07-06T06:48:00.000+02:00

As Google released APIs to devs, just expect the no. of Google maps hacks to increase. Here are some of the cool ones:

Best of both worlds, satellite and map- http://www.kokogiak.com/gmaps-transparencies.html
WiFi hotpots- http://california.metrofreefi.com/city/San+Francisco.htm
Virtual Crime Map- http://www.chicagocrime.org/zipcodes/60615/
For those in the housing retail market- http://www.housingmaps.com/

More Google Earth wonders

2005-07-06T06:26:00.000+02:00

The beauty of God's creation from the celestial heavens now made possible thanks to Google Earth. (I will add the more screenshots from time to time)

Click on the image(s) to zoom

2005-07-06T06:25:00.000+02:00

Click on the image to zoom

2005-07-06T06:24:00.000+02:00

Click on the image to zoom

Google Earth- A 3D world in your hands

2005-06-29T03:32:00.000+02:00

Google has just released Google Earth free to the public. A pro version is also available.

Say goodbye to .doc, .xls, and .ppt

2005-06-02T20:26:00.000+02:00

Microsoft announces new file format based on .xml

Jean Paoli was bouncing around the offices here in building 18 today. Who's he? One of the co-creators of XML. Why was he happy?

Because Office just announced their new file formats all built in XML.

"We just turned on 400 million new people to XML," he told us.

Other reports?

Mary Jo Foley and a bunch of other reports. More will be appearing on Microsoft's Office XML page.

This is big news for developers.

Here Brian Jones, program manager on the Microsoft Word team, talks all about what it means.

This is a HUGE change for the Office team. For the first time the default file format will be open and accessible by anyone.

Brian gives us a demo of how you will be able to look inside the new file format at 19:30.

So, what was announced?

Word, Excel, and Powerpoint will get a new file format all based on XML.

The extensions will change from .DOC, .XLS, .PPT to .DOCX, .XLSX, .PPTX.

The new file format is actually enclosed in a ZIP file. Change the extension name to .ZIP and you'll be able to double-click and get access to all the pieces of the new format (Brian in his demo shows what it looks like).

The new file format will be usable on existing versions of Office.

Video clip of the presentation

Liberated Games

2005-06-02T16:35:00.000+02:00

When a game is liberated, its publisher releases it to the public for free, often because production and retail of that game is long over. Games like Grand Theft Auto 1 and 2 and Quake 1 and 2 are the stars on this list. To check out the whole list of these liberated games, check out http://www.liberatedgames.com/gamelisting.php

You can also find other free games on this Xfire thread:
http://www.xfire.com/xf/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5262

Free Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 Pack

2005-05-31T19:30:00.000+02:00

For all you developers out there, here's a chance to preview the next-generation Visual Studio. Microsoft is giving free copies of Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 Pack (shipping is also paid by Microsoft, meaning a $0 monetary cost to you). It includes the following:

• Microsoft© Visual Studio© 2005 Team System Beta 2
• Microsoft© Team Foundation Server Beta 2
• WeFly247 training DVD
• Microsoft© SQL Server™ 2005 Standard Edition Community Technology Preview
• The Beta Experience newsletter (6-weekly, terminated with the launch of the final version of Visual Studio 2005)

For those in the Americas, visit https://www.getthebetas.com/profile.aspx
If you live in Europe, the Middle East or Africa, visit here: http://www.microsoft.com/emea/msdn/betaexperience/enxu/order.aspx

Google Personalized

2005-05-23T21:49:00.000+02:00

Is this a step towards Mircrosoft's My MSN and Yahoo's personalized front page? With Weather, news, access to the latest messages to your Gmail account and the word of the day, it sure looks a lot like the latter. But how about the more sophisticated former? Though it doesn't have some of My MSN's more advanced features (like importing RSS feeds and creating several pages of personlized contents). It does however beat My MSN in several of these respects: 1) It's way faster than My MSN and 2) its sports the Google hallmark of simplicity. Plus you can access that same page wherever you go (in the same way Google's My Search History works). The only major downside for now is the lack of weather support for non-US cities.
LINK: http://www.google.com/ig

Screenshot of what MY personalized Google page looks like, click on it to enlarge. I didnt enable the Weather Tab and the financial tab since 1) It only supports US cities for now and 2) I frankly dont care about stocks and shares.

Google Web Accelerator

2005-05-07T19:17:00.000+02:00

Speed Up the Web for Broadband users

Google Web Accelerator works with your browser to help web pages show up in a snap. Learn more.

Google Web Accelerator is...

•	Designed for Broadband – Web pages load even more quickly on DSL and cable connections
•	Easy to use – Simply install and enjoy faster web browsing in seconds

Free copies of Win XP for whistleblowers

2005-05-07T19:11:00.000+02:00

Microsoft will now provide customers in the U.S. that bought counterfeit versions of Windows XP with free genuine Windows copies. There is one catch, however: customers must first file a report on the reseller. How cool is that? Link

Adobe Photoshop CS 2 released

2005-04-28T16:38:00.000+02:00

Can't wait to start using the new features of the CS 2 version!

Star Wars Revelations

2005-04-28T16:00:00.000+02:00

"Panic Struck Productions have just released their first Star Wars movie, 'Revelations.' The movie has been produced on a not-for profit basis by a team of volunteers and is available for free download. Despite its humble origins, the production appears extraordinarily professional. The film is over 40 minutes long, complete with space battles and lightsaber fights -- need I say more? See more details at the official site, or jump straight to the download mirrors." (The dvd artwork and soundtrack can be downloaded gratis from their official website.)

Partner Pack for Windows XP

2005-04-26T23:46:00.000+02:00

Microsoft has released yet another free goodie pack for Windows XP users under their Windows XP Reloaded scheme (to compensate for the lateness of Longhorn, the next version of Windows that has been delayed twice until Q2 2006).

Included in this pack are ...

The Partner Pack applications can be downloaded after your computer has been updated. Click on the more information button to learn more about the applications.

Play

Share

Protect

Computer Associates
eTrust™

Explore

Google Deskbar™

Desktop Media Gallery™

Onfolio Express

Do More

Post-it® Software Notes

PayPal Payment Wizard

Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager

Google's My Search History (Beta)

2005-04-24T16:32:00.000+02:00

Don't take this personally, but Google wants your Web search history.

A new feature offered by the Internet search leader invites people to save and view all the Web searches they conduct at Google.

Launched in trial form Wednesday, Google's "my search history" is designed as a kind of Internet memory aid, giving people new ways to find information they previously saw online and to repeat previous searches.

The search history is an optional feature that requires people to sign in, so Google can store their searching histories online and make them available later from any computer where they might sign in. People who already have an e-mail address from Google's Gmail site or have registered at its Google Groups site can use those log-ins; anyone can also sign up for a new account (www.google.com/searchhistory).

This history feature is surprisingly detailed, showing not only what terms you entered into Google's search box before, but also which matching Web sites you clicked on, along with date and time stamps. A calendar view lets you browse through previous searches chronologically as well.

While Google tracks your searches whenever you are signed in, you can ask it to avert its gaze temporarily by clicking a "pause" button. You can also sign out entirely to stop all recording activity until you sign back in. A "remove items" button will erase all or some of your prior searches.

Google is far from the first Internet service to save people's searches, though it offers a few more choices with its implementation. Yahoo, America Online, Ask Jeeves and Amazon.com's A9.com also offer search history services.

All provide a basic ability to scan through prior search histories while people are signed in, allowing them to limit a new search for, say, "cave men" to all the previous pages Google has shown them in response to prior queries.

(Posted below are some screenshots I took of the new Beta service)

2005-04-24T16:31:00.000+02:00

Welcome to Google's My Search History (Beta)

2005-04-24T16:29:00.000+02:00

When signed into Google Search History Beta...

2005-04-24T16:28:00.000+02:00

The new look whenever you visit Google.com

New and cool Firefox extensions

2005-04-19T01:21:00.000+02:00

1) Adsense Notifer

Adsense Notifier simply shows your Google adsense stats on the status bar and updates the stats automatically. This is wonderful for anyone with OCD who needs to check their stats every three seconds to see if they have gotten any more clicks :-p

Adsense Notifier is highly configurable and should be useful for everyone that uses adsense.

2) Bork Bork Bork!

In a bit of humorous tit-for-tat, Opera Software has released a version of its browser that automatically translates the MSN home page into text only The Swedish Chef would love.The "Bork Bork Bork!" extension Transforms all page loads to Bork talk like in the Muppets while enabled.

2) BBCodeXtra

BBCodeXtra is an extension, compatible with Mozilla FireFox and Mozilla Suite, which adds to the context menu new commands to insert BBCode/Html/XHtml codes in an easy and fast way. BBCodeXtra suits well with all forum types, for example: * phpBB * Invision * VBullettin This extension can really simplify your life with all forums that use BBCode or Html codes when posting new messages.

Firefox 1.0.3 Released, Plugs Recent Security Holes

2005-04-18T11:13:00.000+02:00

Mozilla Firefox 1.0.3 has just been released. A minor update, this version fixes a few security holes and some other bugs. If you're currently using Firefox 1.0.x, you want to install this release. Firefox 1.0.3 is a "branch build" serving as an interim update to Firefox 1.0. It addresses critical security and performance issues that resulted after the release of Firefox 1.0.

Google adds 13 different languages to GMail Interface

2005-04-14T18:20:00.000+02:00

While Google just entered the local searching market through its SMS based searching capabilities, it also somewhere down the line added support for 13 different languages for their GMail Webmail Services. As a result, the GMail interface now supports 13 languages. Unfortunately, the list still ignores Hindi for maybe logistically complicated reasons.

The Google’s new feature page gives out instructions on how to change the relevant setting in the backend. There is a new language option added in the settings providing this enhanced functionality. The newly supported languages are Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and UK English.

The language selection however does not change the way messages are sent and received. There is another warning from the search engine giant. Some of the functionalities available in the English version are not made available from other language selections. They are still working on perfecting this transformation and adding more languages. And knowing Google, support for the rarest of languages might not be far off!

Firefox share in Europe

2005-04-10T17:55:00.000+02:00

The French company Xiti Monitor just published an updated and more complete Firefox market share analysis for Europe. The numbers are amazingly high for some countries:

* Finland: 22.62%
* Germany: 21.56%
* Czech Republic: 19.02%
* Poland: 14.93%
* Sweden: 14.41%
* Switzerland: 13.89%
* Austria: 12.80%
* France: 12.45%
* Luxemburg: 11.57%
* Romania:10.69%
* U.K.: 10.66%
* Belgium: 10.01%

By popular demand, here is the picture (source: Xiti):

More details on http://www.xitimonitor.com/etudes/equipement5.asp (in French, but I guess people can read the figures and the map in any language, right? ;-) Please note that these numbers where gathered on a Sunday (March 27th). Firefox usage on week-ends is usually higher than during week days, with a 2 to 3 points margin.

Microsoft launches final version of MSN Messenger 7

2005-04-07T23:48:00.000+02:00

It has taken the world’s largest software company quite sometime to release the final version of their flagship instant messaging client. After four months of intense testing, Microsoft has finally released MSN Messenger 7 as a final release. The company has done its homework well and integrated many of their services together to release this latest version.

MSN Messenger 7 brings to its users full-screen video and PC-to-PC audio in addition to integration with MSN Spaces and MSN Search. In addition, to enhance their MSN Video Conversations, the company has joined hands with tech giants Logitech who would be providing them with the technology.

Microsoft has also brought in SMS text messaging to this updated version. This let the messenger users contact other people on their mobile phones using MSN Messenger 7. Messenger users get to add new friends using their mobile numbers. A test message to a mobile phone in the United States from MSN Messenger 7 in India worked fine.

MSN Messenger 7 is also now somewhat integrated with Microsoft’s own Windows Media Player and Apple iTunes application and displays the current song being played on these applications. Winamp is however missing from this list of supported applications. MSN Winks is of course present as in the beta versions along with the paid content from services like American Greetings, Sprite, and Adidas.

User would not definitely like the addition of paid services and advertisements on the chat windows of the applications. Nevertheless, this is how the company has decided to extract revenues from this otherwise resource intensive online service. Especially considering the fact that Microsoft is serving around 155 million users with 2 billion instant messages transmitting around every day.

Gmail's Infinity + 1 storage coming to an end?

2005-04-06T17:03:00.000+02:00

According to pjh,

The ever-going-counter will stop on around April 9th, with an amount of storage equalling 2075 MB(unless Google decides to update the page before then…). You can find this out by looking at the JavaScript on the page.

Happy 1st Birthday Gmail!

2005-04-01T11:10:00.000+02:00

from Gmail.com
A Google approach to math.

On the eve of Gmail's one-year birthday, our engineers were toiling away furiously. Notes scribbled all over the walls. Complex calculations on napkins and empty pizza boxes. Millions of M&Ms.

The result?... starting today, we're beginning the roll-out of their new and top secret Infinity+1 storage plan. The key features are:

Write, don't worry.
You want to stop caring about storage. We want to keep giving you more. Today, and beyond.

The gift that keeps on giving.
2 gigabytes of storage (and counting) for every user.

No complicated equations. No tough algorithms.
Just this one graph:

PLUS, Gmail's not in the plains anymore
Fonts, bullets and highlighting, oh my! Gmail now offers rich text formatting. And over 60 colors of the rainbow. Discover a land of more than just black and white. Learn more

MSN Video Download Launched

2005-03-31T17:47:00.001+02:00

Microsoft has announced the launch of MSN Video Downloads, which will provide daily television programming, including video content from various networks.

A one-year premium membership to the MSN Video Downloads service with access to all available videos is $19.95 (U.S.). In addition, people can access a limited amount of free content without a paid membership.

The MSN Video Downloads service is "designed to keep people better entertained and informed" with content provided daily, such as sports highlights, news headlines, children's programming, music videos, independent films and comedy shows.

MSN Video Downloads is one of the first online video download services dedicated to portable entertainment. In its debut, the MSN Video Downloads service was previewed at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show in January.

John Pollard, director, windows mobile applications and services marketing, Microsoft, said, "The launch of Portable Media Centers in 2004 began a new era of portable entertainment, and today's announcement solidifies the continued momentum we've seen for portable video."

Since the launch of the Microsoft Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center, more than 20 new content partners, including CinemaNow, MLB.com, MSNBC.com, MSN Music, MTV Networks Music, Napster, SnapStream Media and TiVo have agreed to make video available online specifically formatted for Windows Mobile-based multimedia devices such as Portable Media Centers, select Smartphones and Pocket PCs.

"With content from some of the most recognized brands in entertainment, MSN Video Downloads helps bring this vision to life, allowing people to take their favorite television shows with them whether they are on the train, waiting for a doctor's appointment, or keeping the kids occupied in the back seat of the car," he added.

Of the many lessons in life

2005-03-23T15:19:00.000+01:00

Here's what I have learned over the past few weeks being online,

1) Hitler wrote a sequel to Mein Kampf, which was previously locked in a safe in Berlin and recently discovered less than a decade ago. Included are plans to invade America. - History Channel)
2) Insects that have more than three legs (be they the 44 legs of the centipede or the 8 legs of the spider) actually use 3 at a time (think of a tripod) - Discovery Channel
3) Einstein hated Quantum Mechanics, even though he pioneered the field of the photoelectric effect which gave birth to the former field. He tried disproving Quantum Mechanics in the latter days of his life by trying to extend his General Relativity theory to everything to no success (he died before completing his Theory of Everything). Einstein also later came to regret that the atomic bomb (and thus the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) was thanks to both his E = mc2 equation and his letter urging President Roosevelt to build an atomic bomb before the Nazis could.- BBC Horizon
4) Yahoo is going to upgrade the email storage of accounts yet again from the present 250MB to 1000MB (previously increases had been from 4MB to 100MB to the now present 250MB). -Neowin.net

Windows Mobile 2005 (aka Magneto) LEAKED!

2005-03-22T01:35:00.000+01:00

A user named Gora from xda-developers leaked what seems to me an authentic copy of a Windows Mobile 5.0 ROM, Microsoft's next mobile platform for PDAs and smartphone (Gora, you better start hiding from MS now!). The About dialog displays the following versions:

Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0 OS 5.1.1700 (build 14326.0.0.0)
ROM version: 1.50f.00WWE
ROM date: 02/24/05
Radio version: 1.10.00
Protocol version 1337.18

The ROM is extracted (?) from the HTC PH10B Himalaya device. Will keep you updated!

update 1: Download ActiveSync 4 mirror 2
update 2: Download WM2005 mirror 2

Be aware that downloading this software might violate copyright in some countries!

Screenshots:

Voice Command 1.5 now available!

2005-03-20T17:13:00.000+01:00

New! Additional features to assist people with impaired vision. For consumers who have difficulty reading a small screen or using a key pad, Voice Command v1.5 now includes features that provide people who are blind and visually impaired with complete voice-controlled access to phone functions on Pocket PC Phone Editions. Voice Command v1.5 features include:

New! Incoming and missed call announce. Pocket PC Phone Edition users can take full advantage of incoming caller ID without ever looking down at the screen. Incoming call information is announced as calls are received. If you think you may have missed a call you can simply ask “What calls did I miss?” and Voice Command will recite the time and phone number of missed calls.
New! Voice-controlled utilities. Users can check the signal strength and battery life to assure optimal functionality of their Pocket PCs. Voice commands also access the time and date with the touch of a button.
Best-selling Pocket PC software. Core features, including hands-free, voice-controlled interaction with the phone, contacts, calendar, media player and other popular applications continue to help consumers stay connected to digital information while on the go.

Of being a computer expert

2005-03-18T22:47:00.000+01:00

I hate it when people tell me I'm such a computer pro and should consider doing something to do with computers in the future.

Well guess wot, I used to be that stinking pathetic person at computers as you were a long time ago. Over three years ago, my knowledge of computers was basically limited to just plaining age of empires and learning some baisc programming. So how did I suddenly become a pro at computers? Well, you wouldn't believe it- it wasn't through a sudden interest or a spark, rather, it was the reading of a few issues of PC magazine and PC World (the more I travel the more I get access to them; that's right, the good ol' magazines in the airline rack). It also helps if you have researched, purchased, and assembled your own PC too. As simple as that.

So if u want 2 be a computer expert, quit whinning and take the first step: Admit your computer knowledge is pathetic and do something about it by just reading 1 or 2 issues of PC Mag and PC World. (Just to make your life easier, I can send any digital issue 2 you. Just READ THEM!)I hate it when people tell me I'm such a computer pro and should consider doing something to do with computers in the future.

Well guess wot, I used to be that stinking pathetic person at computers as you were a long time ago. Over three years ago, my knowledge of computers was basically limited to just plaining age of empires and learning some baisc programming. So how did I suddenly become a pro at computers? Well, you wouldn't believe it- it wasn't through a sudden interest or a spark, rather, it was the reading of a few issues of PC magazine and PC World (the more I travel the more I get access to them; that's right, the good ol' magazines in the airline rack). It also helps if you have researched, purchased, and assembled your own PC too. As simple as that.

So if u want 2 be a computer expert, quit whinning and take the first step: Admit your computer knowledge is pathetic and do something about it by just reading 1 or 2 issues of PC Mag and PC World. (Just to make your life easier, I can send any digital issue 2 you. Just READ THEM!)I hate it when people tell me I'm such a computer pro and should consider doing something to do with computers in the future.

Well guess wot, I used to be that stinking pathetic person at computers as you were a long time ago. Over three years ago, my knowledge of computers was basically limited to just plaining age of empires and learning some baisc programming. So how did I suddenly become a pro at computers? Well, you wouldn't believe it- it wasn't through a sudden interest or a spark, rather, it was the reading of a few issues of PC magazine and PC World (the more I travel the more I get access to them; that's right, the good ol' magazines in the airline rack). It also helps if you have researched, purchased, and assembled your own PC too. As simple as that.

So if u want 2 be a computer expert, quit whinning and take the first step: Admit your computer knowledge is pathetic and do something about it by just reading 1 or 2 issues of PC Mag and PC World. (Just to make your life easier, I can send any digital issue 2 you. Just READ THEM!) And I guarantee that in no time, you'd b know how to circumvent Windows XP's activation scheme ;)

Run Mac OS X on your PC easily and cheaply

2005-03-10T14:51:00.000+01:00

Short Intro
For all u emulator n00bs out there, here's wot this app is about: it's a PowerPC emulator, meaning it allows you to run Mac OS X, or even Tiger (latest, still in beta). This equates no more having to splurge your money on fancy but extravagently marked up Apple hardware for their awesomely sleek OS (just throw your win xp into the trash can now lol)

But one thing first, I've been tinkering with this ever since PearPC came out (PearPC is teh REAL STUFF, and it's licensed under the GNU license). Then one fine day this Kreizu scum came along and claims he invented a whole new emulator for Intel machines to run PowerPC chips. The first few betas as well as the source code reeks of copied code. Worst still, he managed to 'persuade' a Hawaiian software company to publish it. It was supposed to b released mid-Aug last year but it seems like they encountered 'technical difficulties'. Ahem! Trying to conceal code... Ahem! Thank goodness Paradox released a keygen in time to coincide with their first release. May their sales suffer And feel free to ask me should u have any technical ques about Mac OS X emulation.

Why use it over PearPC
Though PearPC is the real stuff, in my opinion, it's too complicated if u wanna try running OS X on your Intel machine 4 fun. It took me over 18 hours to master how to get it working and I heard that this 'app' apparently eased the whole process. Don't forget that this is the GOOD Ol' PEARPC under the hood of a pretty commerical skin. So this = good to steal and spread. Plus dont you feel aroused by Apple's aqua interface? NOTE: You WILL STILL NEED MAC OS X CDs, cos this is just AN EMULATOR.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://cherryos.mxsinc.com/CherryOS_Software.zip
Squander as much of their bandwidth as possible lol. Then use this keygen to register the app and save yourself $49.95. Squish that CHERRY NOW

Windows Longhorn Release Date set

2005-03-08T18:13:00.000+01:00

Expect to keep Windows XP for another year an a half; the next version of windows will only be shipping July 2006. More info here

Screenshots from the next OS

The Longhorn Explorer features a left-most pane of Lists and AutoLists, a breadcrumb navigation bar, instant filtering with an integrated Search box, and quick file preview at the bottom of the window.

Fast Search results let you sort by custom metadata ("Reference" in this example).

Stacks let you dynamically group documents and files so you can view the same data in multiple ways.

Firefox 1.01 and more

2005-03-03T17:34:00.000+01:00

Firefox 1.01 was released a couple of days ago- patches some security flaws. Also, it seems like Merriam-Webster has put up a page that has a bunch of cool tools for Firefox users.

Here's some more info at MozillaZine. This is a great example of what web sites can do to work well with Firefox. If there's a web site you like, ask them to do something similar, or do something similar for your own site.

Mall Tycoon 2 Deluxe Edition

2005-03-03T02:47:00.000+01:00

Installed and played this for a couple of hours; it is definitely by far the worst Tycoon game I've ever played. The graphics was extremely small and terrible, the interface was clunky at best and there was too many crashes. Basically, the whole game design just stinks the relatively OK music (as compared to most other games).

10 GB of free storage

2005-02-27T14:04:00.000+01:00

Finally, a site where you can sign up to get free storage for almost everything you have- from pics to videos to mp3s. The only caveat is the 100MB download cap (that's why the other plans come in). The thing I like best about this is 10 GB storage and no caps on the upload (though the largest file one can upload is a 100MB file; still beats Gmail's 10 MB cap)

338,723 invites up for grabs

2005-02-24T22:08:00.000+01:00

Who can blame Google for the recent flood of gmail invites? Well, the first and foremost place one could get a Gmail invite without being a friend of a geek, GmailSwap, has finally declared mission accomplished and closed shop. If you've never heard of Gmail and want an invite, hop on over to http://isnoop.net/gmail one of the few sites still actively giving away gmail invites (yeah, they're so commonplace now that you can get them for free now, instead of having to buy them over ebay for $50 or trade your spanking new graphics card for one).

Star Wars 3 SPOILERS

2005-02-24T20:32:00.000+01:00

Revemge of the Sith

I can't believe this! Someone outside the studio has released some spoilers on the upcoming Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Too bad that person didn't leak a copy out on the scene lol.

LINK: http://www.tpu.fi/~t4jlaaks/ep3/

Torrentbits 2

2005-02-10T18:06:00.000+01:00

My Torrentbits avatar

It's about time I got a torrentbytes account (aka torrentbits 2). This site offers the FASTEST speeds one can find on the Bittorrent scene (but then again, if you're on a 0.5mbps connection, there's no point. And yes, I've got a 8mbps connection.) Well, I'm off torrenting now...

Gmail Launching?

2005-02-06T20:40:00.000+01:00

I've received 50 gmail invitations this morning. And I bet many other Gmail account owners have the same. This only means one thing: Gmail is going to be launching any minute now, which I think is a bit quite overdue.

Love me, love my DOS

2005-02-05T15:01:00.000+01:00

I found this thread at the General Discussions Forum at filesoup.com really funny, so enjoy:

'Modelling for Geeks' presents Bill Gates in a 1985 Microsoft promotional photoshoot...

But wait... it gets worse!

And yeah, they're real...

More pictures taken in 1985 by celebrity photographer Deborah Feingold shortly after the release of Windows 1.0.

Gates goes Google-eyed

2005-02-02T13:04:00.000+01:00

Bill to get Google whacked?

Geeksville is turning into a major battleground today.

Bill Gates is taking on the supremacy of Google as the world's leading search engine, by establishing Microsoft's own MSN Search facility.

And Gatesy's not planning to do it by halves, you won't be surprised to learn.

"Search and destroy: Microsoft's new mission to topple Google," writes the Times, adding that so far "analysts are far from impressed" by the MSN rival.

And here's how, according to initial findings.

"Microsoft has produced a search engine that's better in almost every way than Google: except one: its search results are terrible," says someone or other from IT newspaper, The Register.

Talk of Gates inevitably brings up its own search result from the same old question: "Just how rich is he?"

He's worth an estimated £26.7bn, writes the Independent, adding that a Google search for the man himself brings up a "real-time Bill Gates personal wealth clock", and "calculates how much each US citizen has contributed to it ($203.03)".

The Guardian also surveys the Google-MSN battlelines, analysing how the "fight for web hits and advertising dollars" is "also a reflection of how a simple tool has become essential to the way we live our lives".

Unless, of course, you hate computers and don't give a monkeys. In which case you're not reading this.

KOTOR 2

2005-02-01T21:45:00.000+01:00

7 days more to the release of Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords!!! Oh the agonizing wait ...

Windows Media DRM10 Cracked?

2005-02-01T20:26:00.000+01:00

So, the word is that a popular internet magazine in Japan has posted information on how to crack the protected files. It appears that you still need a license for the content to start with, that's kind of a big thing. I'm sure there will be more information about this later.

The software has the file names of "DrmDbg.exe" and "DRM2WMV". DrmDbg.exe is supposed to get the KID and the Seed from memory when a DRM-enabled file is being decrypted/played. That spits out a .key file and DRM2WMV is supposed to take that .key and unprotect the WMV. This would leave you with a WMV file that is entirely unprotected and playable in anything that supports WMV playback.

While this may seem like it's great for fair-use and all, many content owners are upset with the matter. Microsoft has not commented on the issue publicly yet. It should also be noted that because of the architecture of WMRM this potential break does not mean that the tools will be valid to use in the future.

The Hector Safety Button

2005-02-01T18:01:00.000+01:00

The Hector Safety Button: Keeping children safe online

This Hector Safety Button has been created by the NetSafe® Programme of New Zealand to help keep children safe online. The function of this button is to give a child the ability to quickly cover the screen of the computer with a screensaver of Hector Protector when they encounter material that frightens or upsets them. With a click of the button, the problem is covered over by Hector until a trusted adult can come and deal with the situation. Hector also gives children very positive feedback for using the button and for talking with an adult about the problem.

Is Google's grip on search technology is slipping?

2005-02-01T17:13:00.000+01:00

In response to Cnet's Google blogger reappears, redacted article, I have this say to Google: What in the world is going on? Searching for the term 'David's Tech Blog' didn't yield a link to this blog of mine at all (although www.techblog.tk is listed, it's because of my multiple attempts to register this website on Google's spider list; the real address, davidstechblog.blogspot.com, isn't). Yahoo, on the other hand, manages to list it with a higher rank (no. 2)!

There's an explanation to this: Google does not index blogger.com blogs (unless your blog's address has appeared on other sites; remember that Google works on a popularity contest mechanism). But does this mean I will ditch Google in favour of Yahoo, not at this present moment (though I think the new Yahoo makeover will make me reconsider in future) :D

Microsoft bloopers

2005-02-01T17:02:00.000+01:00

MapPoint users in for long and winding road

Published: January 26, 2005, 8:05 PM PST

By Ina Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

Norwegians might want to use a reality check before trusting directions from Microsoft's online MapPoint service.

A bug in Microsoft's MapPoint software sends those looking to travel between two Norwegian cities on a trip across much of Western Europe. The suggested quickest route between Haugesund and Trondheim is a 1,685-mile journey through Belgium, England, France, Germany and Sweden to make the journey. With two trips across the ocean and a fair bit of overland travel, the site estimates the journey will take some 47 hours and 31 minutes.

CLICK TO VIEW

The humorous glitch made the rounds on various blogs on Wednesday. Ultimately, Microsoft evangelist Robert Scoble posted a blog item of his own, apologizing for the error and indicating that the company is working on a fix.

"I'm sorry about this, lots of people have reported this bug to the team and they are working on a fix," Scoble said on his blog. "I hear it'll come in February."

Although Microsoft is a very worldly company with offices across the globe, the world's largest software maker has been known to occasionally make a geographic error. In the original version of Windows 95, the world clock function showed only a portion of the disputed Kashmir region as being a part of India and the government threatened a ban. Microsoft recalled 200,000 copies, costing the company millions of dollars.

To avoid a repeat, Microsoft's no longer separates the world into countries within the clock, but the company has managed to make other cultural faux pas.

Because of a translation error, a version of Windows XP aimed at Latin American markets asked users to select their gender between "not specified," "male" or "bitch." In another case, Microsoft used chanting of the Koran as background music for a computer game, prompting the Saudi Arabian government to ban the game.

Photobucket

2005-01-30T23:37:00.000+01:00

This is a test post from Photobucket.com

Rising from the ashes

2005-01-12T18:59:00.000+01:00

From the ashes of so many great bittorrent sites which have ceased to operate, newer ones spring up. Here are a few. And if you happen to know more, feel free to hare by replying to this thread:

New sites
Suprnova.org successor: http://torrents.us.to and http://bi-torrent.com
Tvtorrents.net successor: http://www.tv-swarm.com
CentralDownload/Centraltracker successor: http://bit-ance.net

Old sites that still function:
http://www.filesoup.com
http://www.lokitorrent.com
http://filelist.org
http://www.mvgroup.org
http://www.potuk.com
http://pianosheets.org
http://trackerwww.prq.to
http://www.sharethefiles.org
http://rlcmedia.org:6969
http://murfy.dyndns.tv
http://www.ktrao.com
http://www.bubbas-world.net
http://crazymazey.kicks-ass.org

Temporal File Storage up to a gig

2005-01-06T20:56:00.000+01:00

I've got a movie file of 1 GB and I want to send it to multiple friends. Instead of having to spilt it up into 100 chunks of 10 MB files and hoping that all of them have Gmails, I could instead just upload the file to YouSendIt servers and just sending the link to my 20 friends. The only caveat: files only remain on their servers for 7 days. But it's not bad a deal at all.

BOYCOTT

2005-01-05T20:31:00.000+01:00

The threats of legal action against lokitorrent.com, a bittorrent (BT) site, by the MPAA (the Motion Picture Association of America) has caused a number of other BT sites to close (most closed due to high maintance fees that they weren't able to meet; the MPAA's recent declaration of war against BT sites was only the last straw). The solution I am proposing: BOYCOTT.

Emma of Sweden (a notable admin of several BT sites in including filesoup.com, of which I am a VIP) has set up P2P Unite, a rallying call to all p2p users to unite by boycotting all films and music during boycott week, the last week of April 2005.

My suggestion is to take it a step further: Not only boycott all films and music, but also use Bittorrent to download all the movies/ music you were thinking about going to see or buy during the boycott week.

If you are new to BT, here's a quick tutorial (a more detailed one can be found here)

Step 1. Download a BT client. I use bitcomet.
Step 2. Get the torrents you want by searching or from a friend. Great sites include:
Filesoup.com
bi-torrent.com
http://lokitorrent.com/

Step 3. Support these sites by donating whatever amount seems fit. After all, hosting sites never is free.
Step 4. Enjoy.
Step 5. Show them you mean business by posting an entry at p2p unite's guestbook.

Happy Torrenting!

Tsunami Footage

2005-01-04T22:40:00.000+01:00

A couple of clips about the terrible tradegy that struck the Indian Ocean nations.
Link: http://www.maxconsulting.us/videos/tsunamiVids.zip

Search and Recover 2

2005-01-04T22:06:00.000+01:00

It's about time I found a good recovery program! Being a fan of 'Shift-Delete' (I find just pressing the 'Delete' key too troublesome cos that means I've also got to empty the recycle bin), I have had extremely nasty experiences- the worst one being accidentally deleting a whole photo album 2 years ago. I've used many other terrible ones before until I stumbled unto this app recommended in this week's PCMagazine. Hope it lives up to its 4.5 outa 5 star rating.

Oodles of Doodles

2004-12-31T15:39:00.000+01:00

Here´s the Google doodle for this season:

Want more eye-candy? Hope on over here.

Merry Gmail Xmas

2004-12-30T11:14:00.000+01:00

Luv the new Gmail logo.

2004-12-17T16:12:00.000+01:00

Finally got hold of a HL2 Collectors edition DVD. I think im going to luv my xmas present ...

2004-12-11T23:31:00.000+01:00

An MSN blog? While it may sound as a cheap maneuver by Microsoft to win some traffic and status, it actually isn't. Unlike the MSN Search engine, this blog service by Microsoft may actually b awesome. Cool features include integration with MSN messenger (tons of msn pop-ups for the folks on my msn contact list now ..) and other cool stuff. Can't wait 2 try it out during my xmas break ...

Google Scholar

2004-12-11T21:30:00.000+01:00

Google Labs is busy again; this time, two new flavours of Google are in beta. Meet Google Scholar: Search through journal articles, abstracts and other scholarly literature. Can't wait to use it at once...

Google Suggest

2004-12-11T21:26:00.000+01:00

The other new variant of Google search. Quote: 'As you type your search, Google offers keyword suggestions in real time'. Awesome.

My very own server

2004-12-10T21:38:00.000+01:00

Finally created my own server- and yes, it runs Apache 2.0, not the Microsoft IIS. Here's a foolproof tutorial http://www.tanguay.at/installPhp5.php5?step=1 that I found very very useful.

PHP Calendar

2004-12-10T20:08:00.000+01:00

This awesome script is just fantastic- I'm now able to access my calendar on the fly virtually anywhere in the world with just a computer and internet connection. Thanks to this PHP scirpt (thanks to the great guys at ForgeSource) . What you need is any calendar app that supports the .cal standard (see below) and a registration at www.icalx.com.

- Apple iCal
- http://www.apple.com/ical/
- Mozilla Calendar
- http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/
- Ximian Evolution
- http://www.novell.com/products/evolution/
- KOrganizer
- http://korganizer.kde.org/
- WinDates 5.0
- http://www.rockinsoftware.com/windates.htm

Mass Deployment of Firefox

2004-12-06T13:30:00.000+01:00

Awesome app that will help large enterprises and schools to make the switch (or anyone with more than 4 computers for that matter)

Microsoft December Security Updates

2004-12-02T11:52:00.000+01:00

For all you I.E. folks, be sure to update your Windows right away. This latest flaw is critical. Another reason to use another safer brower like Firefox, Opera, or Netscape.

2004-11-30T16:51:00.000+01:00

Half-life 2. After playing it for 3 days now, i can say that this is the best first shooter ive ever come across. But i dont think id b finishing this any soon now ...

2004-11-24T22:44:00.000+01:00

15 days after the debut of Firefox 1.0, the whole world is now being set ablaze. The media is no exception; look what has been gracing the latest copy of my eweek!

Cherry picking season postponed

2004-11-24T19:19:00.000+01:00

With the promised dateline looming in just 1 day's time, the makers have decided, yet again, to push back the release date of CherryOS. This move definitely confirms my doubts that CherryOS is nothing more than a PearPC in a cherry's skin. Shame on you Maui X-Stream for supporting and backing a thief like Arben Kryeziu.

Microsoft says Firefox is not a threat (13th November 2004)

2004-11-17T17:14:00.000+01:00

Good old Microsoft - it's their complacency around security and features which have helped Firefox to gain popularity, and yet in a CNET News interview Steve Vamos, Microsoft Australia's managing director, claims that he doesn't believe that Firefox is any sort of threat to Internet Explorer's dominance. That's rich, coming from someone who then in the same interview freely admitted that he'd never used Firefox.

	Internet Explorer	Mozilla + Firefox
June	87.5%	7.6%
July	85.0%	10.6%
August	79.7%	14.5%
September	79.0%	15.8%
October	58.4%	36.5%
November	54.1%	40.1%

So, Microsoft reckon they're okay. Strange then that EA Games ran a poll about favourite browsers with Firefox coming out top with 54% of the vote and Internet Explorer trailing with 25%. No threat from the gaming community it would seem.

Update... on Monday morning I found a vote called 'Sunday Smackdown' on reviews.cnet.com pitching Firefox against Internet Explorer. I voted for Firefox (of course) and 87.2% of voters had also done so. I'll leave you to work out what percentage voted for Internet Explorer. Okay, you probably could successfully argue that people visiting this site are the more technically astute population of web users, and therefore are more in tune with what's going on in the browser war. But don't today's technical leaders pave the way for tomorrow's general public? Whatever, Microsoft aren't worried. Maybe it's because even if Firefox does win this battle, it won't really hurt Microsoft's overstuffed bank balance or their desktop dominance.

2004-11-10T00:15:00.000+01:00

MSN on MCE 2005

Windows Media Center 2005

2004-11-09T23:30:00.001+01:00

Windows Media Center Edition 2005. We meet again. After having several frustrated attempts at using MCE 2004 (upgraded from v 2003) a year and a half ago, I ditched it because of activation frustrations (ahem). Well, 2005 is back now. And guess what, it's as good as ever. Will be posting more screenshots. (new support for online radio is a HUGE PLUS for me). Unfortunately, I'm having video playback problems in the media center interface (again! if only i had some extra cash to buy a proper Windows Media Center PC...)

2004-11-09T23:30:00.000+01:00

Tons of online entertainment. Just too bad I cant enjoy the vid clips on Reuters and MSN TV bcos of my video card (I think, or was it the software?)

2004-11-09T23:29:00.000+01:00

Top 40 on MSN Radio

2004-11-09T23:28:00.001+01:00

A whole suite of pre-installed programs ...

2004-11-09T23:28:00.000+01:00

... including messenger.

2004-11-09T23:25:00.000+01:00

MCE 2004 also sports a new theme.

Firefox RELEASED

2004-11-09T13:23:00.000+01:00

Version 1.0 is out today! A big hooray. I'm thinking that all the publicity with it's release (many ads taken out in various newspapers around the world including heavy weights like the NYTimes) is generating a lot a lot of buzz indeed (i.e. downloads). I really do suggest that you folks who have downloaded it please avoid getting extensions and themes to reduce the traffic from their website (which is currently very overloaded methinks bcos im accessing them at very very low speeds). Can't wait to download the version 1.0!

PhotoStory 3.0

2004-11-08T22:49:00.000+01:00

Free? Did someone say free? Yes, seems like this great app is now free (was a part of the $29.95 Plus XP! Digital Media Edition Add-on for Win XP). For all you XP users who have activated your OS one way or another (ahem!), grab your copy now. And no, it isn't a trial (Microsoft is also offering an older trial version for download too, the PhotoStory 2.0 LE)

Firefox Is Coming to Town

2004-11-08T13:56:00.000+01:00

Version 1.0 debuting tomorrow. DO YOURSELF A SERVICE and be safe (and yes, you're doing everyone else a service cos no viruses will be spreading from your computer to other ignorant users still using I.E.)

Gmail Blog

2004-11-06T14:33:00.000+01:00

This irritating message again? Geez, how many times must I empty my hotmail to keep my 2MB limit. WHEN IS MY HOTMAIL GOING TO UPGRADED TO THE PROMISED 25)MB?!@^% It's been 2 months since they've promised that upgrade...

2004-10-30T14:27:00.000+02:00

Madotate 2.02- Awesome app that helps reduce space and clutter by using 3D alpha blending and effects.

Gmail Skin for Firefox

2004-10-30T13:33:00.000+02:00

Gmail skins for Firefox

* Install the URLid Mozilla/Firefox extension.
* Download this CSS file.
* Locate your profile folder and the chrome folder within that.
* Copy the downloaded CSS file to the chrome folder and rename it to userContent.css (if you already have such a file, you will have to merge the two).
* Restart Firefox.
* Visit Gmail.

2004-10-27T18:07:00.000+02:00

Whew. Feast on that fact ...

Wild about mac

2004-10-26T18:04:00.000+02:00

http://wildaboutmac.tk/. New blog entirely devoted on mac. (nothing to do with apple hardwares :D)

2004-10-26T17:56:00.000+02:00

Am i going online storage crazy or wot? First it's Gmail Drive. And now it's my mac iDisk.

New Journal

2004-10-23T16:48:00.000+02:00

Decided to seperate my private blog from my tech journal. From now on, www.davidsblog.tk or edavidtan.blogspot.com will be my tech blog and the other one will be my personal blog.

2004-10-20T18:10:00.001+02:00

Ah. If only this was for Windows (stinking Outlook 2003) ...

2004-10-20T18:10:00.000+02:00

After 8 hours of agonizing wait, my 'Mac' is finally updated to the latest ver of Panther

Mac OS X on Intel machine

2004-10-20T18:06:00.000+02:00

Was a fun project. If CherryOS is indeed not a fake and offers up to 80% CPU utilization (compared to my current measly value of 215%), then im going to switch to OS X permanently :D. Tons of screenshots on the installation below.

2004-10-19T21:38:00.000+02:00

Firing it up ...

2004-10-19T21:37:00.000+02:00

Yes! Yes!

2004-10-19T21:36:00.001+02:00

Yes! It WORKED!

2004-10-19T21:36:00.000+02:00

Multilanguage support. A neat thing.

2004-10-19T21:35:00.001+02:00

My journey begins ...

2004-10-19T21:35:00.000+02:00

Ha. Interesting Requirements: a G3, G4, or G5 processor? I've got none; have an Intel one instead. :D

2004-10-19T21:34:00.000+02:00

obvious ...

2004-10-19T21:33:00.001+02:00

License agreement. blah blah blah....

2004-10-19T21:33:00.000+02:00

My only Mac drive.

2004-10-19T21:32:00.001+02:00

Start of Installation Part 1 (2 CD install- compared to XP's 1 CD ...)

2004-10-19T21:32:00.000+02:00

Start of installation Part 2