September 2006
Portable Applications
Filed Under Technology
I happen to stumble one of the most amazing technologies for the people on-the-go…… Portable Applications. These are applications that can be placed on your USB flash drive, iPod, portable hard drive or a CD and use it on any computer, without leaving any personal information behind. No need to install your favorite application on every computer you will be using. Just plug-in your flash drive and you’re good to go!
That’s just how easy it is! All the applications on your fingertips… literally! Hahaha! Imagine, all you need is a flash-drive for a start. With it’s capacity expanding exponentially (2GB is already common), the possibilities are infinite. All for the cost of $0.00. Yes, they are all free!
So, what’s already on my SDCard?
XAMMP - Top on the list a portable integrated web development environment running on Apache, mySQL, PHP, phpMyAdmin
FileZilla - A full-featured FTP client
FireFox - The award-winning web browser that is safe and secure. It trumps Internet Explorer in many areas.
GAIM - A lightweight and secure instant messenger that can be used with AOL, MSN and Yahoo. Added to that is the fact that it features an easy-to-use interface
Nvu - An easy to use web editor for PHP, CSS, HTML and other scripting languages
Gimp - It’s a powerful image editor comparable to Adobe Photoshop
And yes, there’s a lot more! Just visit their site here. And when you go there, grab a copy of OpenOffice portable, an open-source office productivity suite which includes Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Presentations (similar to Microsoft Office)
I must admit that I’m totally amazed. It’s just like the old days when WordStar is installed in a 3.2″ diskette. But this time, it’s millions of times better! Oh well, I’d like to remind that you’ll need a fast internet connection. A dial-up just can’t handle it.
UAA Event : North Vs. South 2
Filed Under Hobby
I am deep envy with my teammates who attends the United Airsoft Alliance’s North vs.South 2 today in RubberWorld complex in Quezon City. I am very sure the event is very successfull. It’s a major airsofting event that groups the players in two with Pasig River’s Guadalupe bridge as median point. Players and teams based from Guadalupe bridge up to Appari will join the north team while from the same bridge down to Jolo will be under the south team.
Ever wonder why I wasn’t there? I’m here at Fontana in Clark, Pampanga to celebrate my sister’s birthday. It’s also my birthday on the 19th and so it was a good chance for the whole family to gather and bond. It is not everyday that I get to see my mother, my siblings and their kids. I’m sorry Airsoft, family comes first. Anyway, it is a blast in its own respect.
I wish everybody a fun and enjoying airsofting day and congratulations to the event and site organizers.
The Importance of Appreciation
Filed Under PersonalFor some people, appreciation is a small thing. It’s for people who lacks attention. But in reality, all of us requires appreciation. It’s part of our human nature to feel good when appreciated and longs for it when we have lack of it.
When you think that somebody has done something for you, big or small, you have to thank him or her or at least show some kind of appreciation. It always leave a good feeling when you are appreciated for something that you did especially if you put your heart in it. But when instead of a gratitude, you’ll get a reprimand, it hurts like hell. It really irritates me that sometimes, it is just too hard for some people to appreciate your sacrifices as little as it can be.
Most often than not, we tend to ignore our loved ones(especially our parents) that sometimes, it would be too late to show our love and appreciation. Let us not let that happen so that when you part ways, you’ll leave without a hurt or guilt feelings.
NetGear MR814v2 : My Own Wireless Network
Filed Under TechnologyIt may sound funny but it took me several days to configure my wireless broadband router. But what is important is I did it (actually, it didn’t occur to me that it would take long to set this router in myDSL because it was so easy with SmartBRO)! I can now share my myDSL connection with my desktop and notebook. And if my wife buys a wifi enabled cellphone, she would benefit, too! But this post is not just about the DSL, it is about my very own wireless network.
The Brief
NetGear’s MR814v2 is a WiFi-B broadband wireless router for people that don’t need the higher speeds afforded by 802.11g. Actually, most people don’t unless you have a superfast internet connection which unfortunately, is not currently available here in the Philippines. It is comparatively cheap at P1800 (when I bought it last June) and is simply the best valued WiFi gateway you could ever get around.
The Detail
MR814v2 is in a silver sleek case that really look nice and clean. In fact, the MR814v2 looks and feels exactly like its 802.11g sibling, the WGT624. The only real differences are speed and a few 802.11g-specific software features.
Setup is very easy, I didn’t even have to use the CD that comes with the package. All you need is a web browser and follow the simple Setup Wizard. Though you need to carefully read the instructions, I really feel that setting it up was a no-brainer (read or you’ll never make it work!). When connected to SmartWizard router manager, you can customize settings like wireless encryption, parental controls, and firewall features. The context-sensitive help files right on every setup page will surely help you through.
Despite its ease of use and beginner-friendly software, the NetGear is also a full-featured firewall with pro-level capabilities like extensive logging and alert options. Really, the only reason to buy a more-expensive 802.11g router is if you need the added speed for transferring files between computers on your network. If you are setting up a public hotspot, and prefer compatibility, low price and great support, the NetGear is a perfect choice. It has very good range and performance for its class. One thing that I didn’t like about this router is the fixed antenna. I wanted it to be detachable so I can throw the signal to my in-law’s apartment. Aside from that, I don’t have anything to ask in this router.
The bottom line on the NetGear is that most people don’t need more than 1Mbps throughput to support their DSL or cable modem Internet connections. With its low price, it would be tough to find a better deal. In fact, I’m connected to the internet as I write this post through the wireless router. I just made sure that my laptop can really connect through it.
House Bill on FOSS
Filed Under TechnologyI read about Chin Wong’s blog about the use of Free and Open Source Software(FOSS). Apparently, this is being pushed by Rep. Teddy Casino. I’m not really sure if he is the author of the bill or he is just merely sponsoring it. Though I believe that it is a noble act, I think the bill must be carefully thought about. I personally push for the use of open-source software but restricting government agencies to use only FOSS may create more problem than solution. Instead of saving, the government may end up paying more.
Of the several government agencies I worked with (through bodyshop/consultancy work), I noticed that their systems are Windows based(i.e, Applications created in Oracle Developer, Powerbuilder and Visual Basic). Developing these applications involved huge sums of taxpayer’s money. And with merely using Windows as your operating system, you might already be violating some provisions. However, I agree that productivity tools(word processors, spreadsheet, etc) may come from open-source software providers.
Clearly, Rep. Casiño must not rush on filing this bill. The implications must carefully studied and restrictions must be carefully applied. I hope he’ll get some advice from various IT personalities, government agencies(who will mostly affected by the bill) and other concerned citizens.
Here’s one section of the draft bill on use/promotion of FOSS in Higher Educational Institutions
SECTION 10. Promotion of FOSS and open standards in Higher Educational
Institutions (HEIs) –
- 10.1.The government, through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the
National Computing Center (NCC), the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), and any other government office, shall promote the awareness of Filipinos
in free/open source software by providing laboratories; organizing competitions;
encouraging research, thesis and dissertations on free/open source software
development and the development of open standards;- 10.2.Within eighteen (18) months after this Act takes effect, the Department of
Education, the Department of Science and Technology the Commission on Higher
Education, and the University of the Philippines shall jointly formulate and
implement a curriculum for student’s training in the use and development of
free/open source software both in secondary and tertiary education. They will also
formulate a basic government retraining and certification program for existing IT
professionals to test their proficiencies and skills in implementing FOSS solutions.- 10.3.It shall be unlawful for any HEI to offer, as part of its curriculum, a certification
program training students to become professionals on the use and implementation of
proprietary software and solutions if it does not offer, also as part of its curriculum,
a similar certification program for FOSS, open systems and standards.
Here’s the draft of the bill.
I admire the intention but careful and comprehensive study must be done first. What’s your thought about it?
PLDT MyDSL : My First Hand Experience
Filed Under TechnologyI got my DSL connection setup yesterday afternoon. I wasn’t around while the contractor installed it so I had to wait until late last night to dissipate my excitement by testing the connection myself. So what happened? It’s less than exciting.
You see, the published speed for this account is 2mbps. That’s 6 times the published speed of my ever unreliable SmartBRO. Who would not be excited with that? And yes, I’m too eager to test it. Unfortunately however, I can tell you of what is coming this early.
I tried to call the customer service and I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to one after several minutes of waiting. However, just when I about to start asking technical questions, I was told by the CSR that he can’t help me because I just had my DSL connected several hours ago. I have to wait for 24 hours because my account isn’t fully activated yet. Whaaaaat!?!?! But what can I do? That’s what he said and it was already late in the evening, I don’t want to start an argument. I hang up the phone and decided to tinker the setup myself. Besides, I have PlanB because I have the number of the contractor.
Rudy, the contractor that installed the DSL modem, was very helpful and accomodating. Even if it was a Sunday, he helped me in resetting the modem. He knows what we was telling me to do. It was just a shame when I found out that the cable they used to connect the splitter to the phone box is a voice-only cable. Apparently, they did not use the splitter when they were testing since they connected the modem directly to the router. Oh well, that’s a small thing that was easy to replace. To make the story short, I was able to successfully connect to the internet. Whoa!!!!
At first, it was blazing fast… errr… comparatively faster. That’s what I mean. hehe… I immediately go to Broadstar in dslreports.com and was pleased enough with the 897/91 kbps download/upload speed at 830am Sunday. That’s less than half the published speed of 2mbps but that’s still more than twice the published speed of SmartBRO. “Good enough, it might go up later”, I told myself until after an hour. To my horror, I was disconnected! Hmnnn… don’t fret! I restarted the modem and then my laptop after it still didn’t work. And viola! I’m connected again. By this time, I asked my lovely wife to test the connection while I ran some errands on our apartment(the DSL is in her parent’s apt). And yes, I got a message that she had to restart again after an hour to reconnect. Hmnnn… maybe it was first-time-jitters… or whatever you call that.
You see, this DSL was given to me as part of DRP setup. With this kind of quality of service, I’m not really sure if I’ll be able to perform my duties if and when the time comes. We’ll be testing our readiness and since DSL connection will be vital. It might be a shot in the moon, but I’m hoping that PLDT will deliver their promises.
Just before publishing this post, I ran one final test. And here’s the result.
dslreports.com speed test result on 2006-09-10 09:26:23 EST:
380 / 144
Your download speed : 380 kbps or 47.5 KB/sec.Your upload speed : 144 kbps or 18 KB/sec.
What can I say? At least, I know the supposed speed of my SmartBRO.
Hmnn… a shame plug. Please visit this Apartelle
