The Centro files: Text input

It's a day after I got my new Centro, and it's a day of satisfaction and some surprises. I've never owned a Treo but I've had lots of experiences with a Palm OS device. There are differences of course on the thumb board layout from my previous M600i, but it's something to learn than to complain about. What surprised me was, I can't enter text using the touchscreen (or I think I can't, because I still haven't figured out how to), all text input (for the meantime) is through the thumb board.

Setting up the email was fairly easy (easier than the M600), so I think on this part, I've made a better decision on getting it than the P1i. But, I still have to get used to the smaller screen as compared to my Zire 72.

So far, I'm amazed at this phone, this is going to be a, exciting daily experience (hopefully not an expensive one).

My New Phone

Ok, so I've finally gave in to my cravings, and bought the Palm Centro. Forgetting about the higher camera resolution and wifi from the Sony Ericsson P1.
What turned me off the P1 was the difficulty in accessing the local wifi signal here at work, and how difficult it is to configure settings especially how Gmail would work.
I will be back to write on my experiences on this new toy of mine.

Posting simultaneously to Twitter and Pownce

If you're like me who has both Twitter and Pownce account and is wondering how you could simultaneously post on both accounts? Worry no more! Use Hellotxt, it's a web-based service where the user can post one update to a different micro-blogging networks such as Twitter, Jaiku, Pownce, Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. The also have a mobile version. Try it, it works!

P1i vs. Palm Centro

If I'm going to get the Centro I will have one less clutter in my pocket because I will ditch my Zire 72 (which holds my ePocrates Drug Database, MedCalc, Archimedes Med Calculator, Merck Manual), but I won't have any WiFi capabilities. While if I get the P1i, I will have the familiar QWERTY thumboard (no more learning curve), and Wifi (less charges for the DATA from Globe), but will not lessen the load in my pocket. Hmmmmm Dammit!

Twitter on the Left Sidebar

I've added my Twitter updates on the sidebar. It's a small version of my Blogs, it's simple.

Torn Between the Sony Ericsson P1i or the Palm Centro

A year has passed since I got my SE M600i, I like it, it's still stylish even today. But the SE P1i, the M600's successor has it's price down, and I'm eyeing to get it. But then, Palm has released the Centro, at the same price point as the P1i. Now I'm torn between the two. With the P1i, it's got WiFi and a camera with of course an expansion card, and a touchscreen, the problem I have with the P1i (actually with the UIQ interface), is that I had a hard time to make the JAVA softwares work! Heck, I didn't get it to work. But with the Centro, it uses the aging Palm OS, and it doesn't have WiFi! But the Centro got lots of softwares that I can use for work. Now that's my dilemma.

Well, you can't have it all huh?!

Connecting to a Linux Box from Windows XP

All the while I thought that using Linux would be easier, especially if I use it as a server, but then again, I was wrong. I can't seem to see my Kubuntu box from my WinXP machine. Now I am forced to transfer files from XP to Kubuntu manually, as in, putting files on a flash drive and then moving it into the Kubuntu box. What a way to network machines huh? I guess, multiplatform network is not yet as easy at it looks, not time for mainstream yet!

Connection is acting up again

Torrents are back, I guess, shooting went back after the writer's strike was called-off. Anyways, this means that I'm back to downloading TV series. Well, after filling up my torrent client with downloads, my DSL connection started to act up. The frequent disconnection problem is back. Called Globelines Broadband hotline and they confirmed it. I was told to observe and the problem is a "remote" problem, meaning it's not on my side.

Before this, I noticed that my connection would slow down after some time of being connected, but a restart of the modem would bring me back to the speedier connection.

Globe's Version of Wholesale Data

For some time now, SMART has been offering it's subscribers a way to surf the net wirelessly either thru the mobile phone browser or using the phone as a modem. They are charging P10 for every pulse of 30mins. That's P20 for an hour, pretty good for an area without any WiFi hotspot. But don't expect blazing speeds as it will use whatever data signal is available, and at the moment, it can vary from GPRS to EDGE to HSDPA (still unconfirmed).

And now, Globe went and splashed their way into the wireless broadband arena (I've been waiting for this, actually I've been itching to get the SMART's plug-it prepaid version of their SMART Bro wireless broadband). Though I am still contemplating in getting one of these, convincing myself that I need it. My connectivity needs is actually complete, broadband at home and in the hospital. No gaps at the moment. But hey it's cool to be connected anytime I want to.

Globe's version, charge P5 for every P15minutes of usage. But then again, if you're going to look at it, it's just the same as that of SMART's. But the advantage I see with connecting thru Globe is that, Globe does not block ports, unlike that of SMART's.

My New Switch

I've set up my own network at home. I have my wireless DSL modem/router (PROLINK H9300G from Globelines) then two LAN cables run down to the basement connected to my VoIP adapter and to my desktop PC. When my desktop PC conked-out, I replaced it with a new one (no problem so far), but I was able to fix the busted box, I installed Linux on it and hooked it up to my HDTV hoping to make it my Media Center PC. So now, I need another connection to it. Then, one of the LAN cables became food for the rats. That's why I decided to get me a switch.

I bought it from PC Express. Actually I bought a crimping tool, a cable tester (both from CD-R King) and RJ45 jacks (from PC Express).

The challenge I thought was how to arrange the tiny wires to fit in the RJ45 but after a wrong wiring and wasting one RJ45 jack, I was able to make, I think, 4 LAN cables hehehe.

Ok now with the switch. Why Dlink? Well, I was looking for a cheap switch, there were two brands under P1000, a Cnet and Dlink. Logic dictates I get the one with the better branding, and that's Dlink, it's actually P50 more than the Cnet.

Now, instead of running more cables across the house, one cable from the router will be enough, and the wirings will be split in the basement.

G.I.Joe the movie - Snake Eyes

Feast your eyes on Snake Eyes! From the live action movie GI Joe! Looks like I'm going to bring out my action figures! Hehehe I'm getting too excited on this.

G.I.Joe the movie - Page 8 - Philippine Macintosh Users Group

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SMART Bro Plug-it Prepaid

SMART has just announced the prepaid version of their Plug-it Smart Bro. This is basically a USB data card that connects via UMTS (3G), GPRS to a Smart Cell tower. The charges are the same, it's just like connecting a 3G capable handset to a mobile PC. P10/min which is reload-able pretty much like those prepaid mobile numbers. It uses a SIM card that is data-enabled, which also means, it's not capable of voice and SMS. A P300 load is good for 900 minutes or 60 days. The initial outlay is P4500.

I think I'm going to get one, just for the heck of it.

More details here

EeePC Bundle in Globelines promo

Globelines is offering a promo where they are bundling an ASUS EeePC surf to their DSL with Landline package. At P1620/month, it's quite a deal, especially for those who doesn't have a notebook computer yet.

Details here

Wireless Landlines - tempting

The problem with someone living in the outskirts of the city is that, everything that promises cheap communication to the city is always a tempting deal (aside of course for the technophobe in me).

I got myself a Bayan Wireless Landline prepaid a couple of months ago. Yup, it serves it's purpose. I can call Manila with ease, with some choppy bearable calls. I can call it free, no long distance charges because it's got a Manila area code, heck, I'm even thinking of getting a handheld type. The problems that I have with it at the moment, well, it's hard to find call cards for it. So far, I can get it from the agent that I got it from, but I can't expect him to sell me cards forever. And the next place I could get it is at SM Manila Bayan Center. Regarding the load, well, as long as reload before the expiration day, I get to keep the unused loads. The other problem is the signal. I was so happy with it the first time I tried it because I got a strong signal all the way home from Manila, but the signal dropped as soon as I entered the house. Right now, I have it near a window where I get a fluctuating 2-3 bars.Still, it's usable.

Now remember I was thinking of getting a handheld wireless landline? Looks like I'm getting one, but not from Bayantel, PLDT has just officially launched their own wireless landline prepaid service, the postpaid plans has been out for some time now. What's nice about the PLDT thing is that, it uses SMART's own cellular signal, which means, wherever there is a SMART signal, the PLDT wireless. But the caveat is, even though there's a signal, if it's out of the local area (e.g. a Manila SIM will only work in Manila), you cannot use it anymore, as in, no incoming and outgoing calls. But what's exciting is, I can use the SIM on any openlined GSM mobile phone, as it's just a cellular service in the guise of a wireless landline. I'm more inclined into getting one anyways. I'm just waiting for the regular work to resume and a visit to a business center is at hand.

The Knight Rider

Just watched the whole Pilot episode of the New Knight Rider. Hmmm well, the plot was not that good. Perhaps, biased for the original episodes with David H., but then again, the scoring and the story telling has improved. About KITT, well, it's the voice, it's really not KITT without Anthony Daniel's voice (also the voice of C3PO). Lots of loopholes, since they are continuing the story of Michael Knight. Why did they just used the old voice and the old memories. Looks like KITT is a totally new car, in a sense. And the morphing is a bit pushing it too far. Reminds me of a Knight Rider knock-off, VIPER. Otherwise, pwede ng pagtyagaan.

Sync Google Calendar with Outlook - Google solution

I've been using Google  Calendar since it came out. It's a pretty nifty application. I was very happy when I was able to synchronize iCal with it. But had problems with synchronizing Outlook. All the third party applications available for Outlook-Google Calendar synchronization cannot seem to do a very good job.

At last, Google has released it's own synchronization software and it worked! It will, by default synchronize both ways, but has options to do it one way.

I never did use Outlook before as my centralized PIM, but now, it seems that has to change. Now, I synchronize my Sony Ericsson M600i, Palm Zire 72 and HP Voice Messenger 510 with Outlook. A centralized software to do all my PIM jobs.

My Kubuntu Media Box

As a resident physician, a weekends off is just like summer vacation
for students. It's a time that is relished and loved.

It's my weekends off and I'm not letting anyone take it away from me.

Anyways, I decided to fine tune my Kubuntu box, I installe KDE 4 into
it and it looks very sleek on my HDTV. But since I installed it, I
can't seem to figure out why the fonts are too small. I tried
adjusting the fonts from the Appearance option but a small increase
of the font size reflects a very large increase on the display. Just
when I was about to shift back to KDE 3, I tried one last option, by
checking on the force font size to 120dpi and that fixed it. The
fonts and the display are awesome.

Then I transferred AVI files to it and officially made it my Media Box.

Linksys WUSB54GC

It's been a long time since I wanted to buy a USB Wireless Adapter. I
was thinking of just buying one of those cheap adapters but decided
to do otherwise.

I bought a Linksys WUSB54GC because I wanted the security of a
dependable product. I actually have different Linksys product such as
a compact router (WRT54GC), a signal repeater WAP54G (I think).

Kubuntu on HDTV, Finally!

I replaced my aging Pentium 4 CPU who suddenly cannot recognize a re-install of WinXP. So I decided to install Kubuntu into it. Why Kubuntu and not Ubuntu? Well, I've gotten used to KDE, because this is what's in Xandros in my EeePC. Anyways, I didn't want to throw away the CPU, as it still has a good processor, I think the problem is the RAM, a PC266 RAM, which is hard to look for nowadays. So, I said I would use the CPU as a Medica Center type of computer, I hooked it up to my HDTV, and because it too has an nVidia Video card (it's AGP so I can't use it on my new CPU which uses PCI Express), I think I can use it to my advantage.

At first, I bought a Linksys WUSB54GC USB Wireless Adapter. Which I can't seem to make it work with Kubuntu, even with the updated repositories. And since I only have 2 LAN cables running in my basement, this became a dilemma. I have 3 units, that will be using the LAN cables. Two computers and one VoIP adapter. So, I decided to move the LAN cable to the Kubuntu unit and used the Linksys adapter to the WinXP box.

Now everything is running, except for audio, I have to route an audio line from the Kubuntu unit to my HT amplifier, at the moment, I don't have a long audio cable that could reach the AV receiver, hopefully, I would have time tomorrow or this week to get one and I'm off, right now, I'm downloading HD content from Tekzilla and Diggnation.

Next project is to get a NAS to store all the media that has been downloaded to be available to all the computer users in the house.

Everex Cloudbook - Disappointing

A couple of unboxing pictures of the Everex Cloudbook is already out in the net and so far it's synchronous in saying that the EeePC competitor SUCKS! The trackpad alone is useless for one hand operation. And the price is waaaaay farther than that of the ASUS.

Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide

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