Category Archives: Gadgets

Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.10

Gadgets, ,

Last week I upgraded the operating system on my netbook, and used the opportunity to install Windows 7.

The upgrade to Ubuntu 9.10 went without a hitch –  a desktop alert informed me that there was a more recent version of the OS available, and then I let the computer do its thing. The only downside was a long (4 hours) wait for everything to download from the Internet, and then overwrite the existing system.

Slightly more hoops were jumped through to install Windows 7, but nothing terribly onerous. 7  pales next to OS X, but it is an improvement upon XP and Vista. It is brightly mediocre with one notable exception – the Media Center. MCE is now a pleasantly integrated part of the operating system, making the computer a powerful DVR. I don’t understand why Apple has nothing better to compete with. Frontrow and theApple TV are solely neglected, the iMac screams for an integrated television tuner. I wonder why Apple does little here.

Upgrading to Ubuntu 9.04

Gadgets, ,

Last week I took the plunge and upgraded the operating system on my HP2133 to Ubuntu 9.04. I did not notice much in the way of a difference afterwards. This is a good thing.

Installing Ubuntu 8.10 had been fairly painless, but getting video and wireless card drivers to work effectively took some time and research. However, the recent upgrade was merely the case of clicking a few buttons and waiting for files to download and install. This was far easier than any Windows upgrade I have experienced.

Perhaps this is the year that Linux finally gains acceptance from average computer users. Ubuntu is free, easy to install and straightforward to use. Why pay for a Windows license?

I still prefer working in the OS X environment, and there is no way I am ditching my Mac, but every day I am getting to like Ubuntu more and more.

Messing about with Mobile Blogging

Gadgets, Internet, Mobile, , , ,

Even though iBlogger and BlogPress are fine programs I probably will not use then most of the time. Since I am using the iPod Touch I can only upload when I have WiFi access (and getting photos onto the iPod is unreasonably painfully). Which brings me back to the Blackberry. A device that allows me to upload and update the blog from pretty much any place with a decent signal.

I looked at BBMetaBlog and Mopress but could not get either to work adequately. Email looks to be the easiest option at the moment. All of which means that this site will soon be littered with blurry cellphone shots from the road.

And here I almost threw my laptop in a rage

Gadgets, ,
ScreenFlow

ScreenFlow

I use Screenflow to record lectures, presentations, and screencasts. Normally it is a program I love and recommend. But not today…

I upgraded Screenflow (which may be the problem) and everything that I recorded and that used screen and video actions was wasted. Somehow the editing process inadvertently merges the video assets and renders the final export unusable.

Several hours were lost today. I hate having to repeat unnecessary work.

Slowly starting to cool down and hoping that this is an aberration.

Yeh, Diabetes

Gadgets, , , ,
Hemocue 201

Hemocue 201

In January I was diagnosed with diabetes. This was a bit of a shock to me (and those around me) as I don’t fit the normal profile (having no family history of diabetes, skinny, vegetarian, etc.) so now I have invested much of my free time since in reading up on the subject as well as adjusting my diet and exercise.  The good news is that my blood glucose levels have come rocketing down to near acceptable levels. I feel more human now and less of a zombie. Looking back I realize that I must have had diabetes for quite some time.  At present I am employing the trifecta of medication, diet and exercise to keep blood sugar within a safe range. There are, however, frustrations – principally comprehending the competing and contradictory views on what to do, along with the somewhat depressing knowledge that most portable glucose meters are not particularly accurate. I have been comparing models as of late. I will post my findings shortly. The models I have tested are:

Ubuntu on the HP 2133

Gadgets, ,

Ubuntu

I finally got round to installing Ubuntu 8.10 on the HP 2133. I am incredibly impressed. I had not used Ubuntu before (my previous experiences were with RedHat) and this particular OS makes the NetBook sing. I can use Skype with the videocamera, the OS has a clean interface to install supported applications, etc.The only down-side at present is that the external VGA port no longer works. I attempted a couple of hacksbut to no avail. Will try later…

NetBooking

Gadgets, ,

HP2133

I have just started using a NetBook – the HP2133 to be exact (the cheap Linux version). The 2133 is a mix of contradictions; the keyboard is sleek and professional looking – reminiscent of something that Apple might produce – but the processor is underpowered, the NetBook has an integrated microphone and camera but no way of running Skype on the default version of Linux (SUSE), it is cheap but has a crisp screen and Express Card slot.

On the whole I like the device. For my use it is near perfect. Something I can easily carry with me on the train and to meetings. The installed version of Linux will disappear. Ubuntu 8.10 will take the place of SUSE. From what I have read Ubuntu will afford me a slightly snappier and more expandable OS. I hope the transition is relatively painless.