Saturday, March 28, 2009

iPod Shuffle 3G

Apple sent in a review unit of the new iPod Shuffle 3G. Though obviously lacking the usual control buttons, I’m still a bit amused at how small this iPod is (compared to the older generation Shuffles).

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In the box: earphones with controls, short USB and iPod Shuffle. The cable of the earphones are a little different from the old ones (this one is more rubbery).

Saturday, March 21, 2009

What was the yellow ribbon all about?

To welcome back Mayor Tomas Osmeña, his supporters and friends placed hundreds of yellow ribbons around trees, lamp posts, fences, and even street signs all over the city. According to his supporters, it is their way of welcoming the Mayor who recently flew in the from the United States of America for a short rest here in the Philippines. He will fly back to the United States soon for the removal of his bladder. Get well soon Mayor Tomas Osmeña!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

The Top 9 Tips For Extending Your Netbook's Battery Life

For any netbook user, battery life seems to be an issue that just won't go away. Indeed, while netbooks may be ultra portable, their batteries can only extend up to a certain number of hours: 3 hours with a 3-cell battery and proportionally higher with a 6-cell battery and 9-cell battery. Here are some ways to extend your battery life.

Here are some ways to extend your battery life.

1. Demand less from your hard drive.

One of the ways you can do this is to defrag regularly. By defragmenting, your hard drive performs better because it repairs the bad sectors in your hard drive. But of course, you do not defrag your netbook while it's on battery mode.

2. Dim your netbook screen

Cut your netbook's resolution and lighting to the lowest performance to increase battery life. Some netbook's allow you to modify your CPU and your cooling systems, so you might want to set them to the lowest level.

3. Close non-important programs

Some unimportant programs that you might want to close while your netbook is on battery mode are Windows Media Plyer, iTunes, and desktop search. All these programs (substantially) cut down your battery life. Also, if you have an external CD/DVD drive, do not use it while you're on battery mode.

4. Minimize external devices

Plugging USB devices like your USB mouse drain your laptop. So does using Wi-Fi and charging other devices like your iPod. (Charging USB devices while on battery mode is actually the surest way to drain your netbook's battery in the shortest time possible.)

5. Increase the RAM

Increasing the RAM allows you to process more with your netbook's memory rather than relying on its virtual memory, which demands more from your hard drive. Take note that adding more RAM actually consumes more energy, so you only have to do this when you use memory-intensive programs that would otherwise heavily use your virtual memory.

6. Keep your battery contacts clean

Make it a habit to clean your battery's metal contacts every two months with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. This keeps power transfer from your battery more efficient.

7. Take care of your battery

Do not leave a charged battery dormant for long periods of time. When a battery is charged, you should use it every two to three weeks. Do not let your netbook's Li-On battery completely discharge because it will affect the memory.

8. Clean your netbook

There's a lot of sense in periodically cleaning your netbook; your netbook will operate more efficiently because it becomes cooler. Clean your netbook's air vents with a cloth or keyboard cleaner.

9. Do not multi-task

Do one thing at a time on your netbook while you are on battery mode. Do one thing at a time. Set your mind completely on one thing rather than opening your email client, listening to music and typing at the same time. If you do this, you will only drain your battery without getting anything done.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Wifi Detector

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I bought this wifi Detector from Cdr king just Php 250.
This is a completely hassle free - no more booting up your lappies just to find a wifi signal.
It detects most available wifi networks with the press of a button.
The four lights indicate signal strength. Tells you how strong the wireless internet access signal is. It fits in your pocket - dimension: L 600 W 280 H 80mm.No need of software or computer required.
It can detects 802.11b and 802 11b/g signal up to 200 ft. away.
Just press the button to activate the detector. Cool!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Case Logic (My New Laptop Bag)

* Full-size briefcase holds most 16" laptops
* Expandable file compartment stores all your folders and loose papers
* SecureFit™ adjustable internal compartment with moveable padded divider accommodates a variety of laptop sizes, always ensuring a perfect fit (see recommended laptop dimensions below)
* Quick-access cell phone/MP3 pocket keeps your portable electronics within reach
* Smart Organization™ panel provides a place for your gadgets and accessories
* Thick foam padding and durable material provides superior protection for computer equipment
* Built in Fast-File® storage for 3 CDs or DVDs
* Padded, ergonomically-designed shoulder strap and reinforced carrying handle provide extra comfort, strength and durability
* Luggage strap securely attaches briefcase to most rolling luggage

* Fabric: Nylon
* Size: 16.25" x 12.25" x 5.5"
* Fits laptops: 14.4" x 11.12" x 1.77"
* Weight: 3 lbs, 13 oz
* Warranty: 25 Years

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The case is nicely organized and my laptop fit perfectly. I would recommend this to anyone needing a laptop case.

Cdr-king Wireless Router

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Product specs:
• Product Name: Bundled Pack (LP-8186)
• Support gateway modes
• 802.11b/g compliant
• WEP, WPA Encryption-64/128bit (WEP), WPA TKIP
• Wireless users access control
• Wireless sites survey
• TCP/UDP/ICMP/ARP protocol stack
• Dynamic DNS
• WDS
• VPN pass-through with the multiple sessions
• Firewall, DoS, IP/Port/MAC filtering
• Virtual DMZ
• DHCP Client and Server
• WAN Access mode
• PPPoE PPTP
• DHCP Client
• Fixed IP address
• UPnP

External Antenna

• Support USB 2.0
• Works with IEEE 802.11b/g standard (at 2.4GHz) for compatibility and mobility
• Up to 54 Mbps data transfer rate
• Ad-Hoc or infrastructure mode
• Soft AP (Access Point) feature creates AP function
• Compact pocket-sized design, lightweight

Last December, I bought this wireless router of CD-R King model LP-8186. It really gave me a headache in activating it and it took me two two days to solve the mystery behind in setting it up. Then another problem naman is how to encrypt my wifi. I did research how to set it but I can't find answers to solve my problem on securing it. (up to now) :((

I think I'll try to visit the CD-R King website and tried to talk to their techinical support there.

My problem just got solved coz I followed this guide. Thanks to Website Maker.


  1. Open your Internet Explorer, Firefox, or any available internet browser. Type in 192.168.1.254 in your url browser. Don't forget the “http://“. This will bring you to your router's WLAN page setup embedded in your router's program.

  1. Please change the wireless network name ex. owners name, then apply changes. Click “Apply Changes” button and wait again for 15 seconds for the router to restart and initialize.

  2. WLAN ACCESS POINT. select the encription supported ex. WPA. passphrase, fill in the key values. ex delacruz123 this is ur network key or password in wifi connection. Then apply changes.

  3. Note: you can choose whatever type of Encryption you want to use. In this sample WPA was used. You can fill any word (letters and Numbers) that you want with this field, Just Remember the word you filled in this field, because this will serve as the password for your wireless connection

  4. Next click on the TCP/IP Setting then LAN Interface and change the IP Address and DHCP Client Range then click “Apply Changes” button and wait again for 15 seconds for the router to restart and initialize.

  5. Change the default ip address to 192.168.10.254 (please note the highlighted number difference compared to the first IP address 192.168.1.254)

  6. Also change the DHCP client range to 192.168.10.1 to 192.168.10.253, apply changes

  7. On the browser’s URL or Address bar, type the IP address of the router which is 192.168.10.254, and then press the “enter key”. Please note this step because this is what I missed that is why I was not able to activate it the first time.

  8. Now click on the Management and click on “Status”, to check if your WAN Configuration has an IP address and that you are already connected to the internet.


Netbooks: The Down Side

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It cannot be denied that mini notebooks such as Asus Eee and HP 2133 have already gained a market. These notebooks can definitely do the basic works of a laptop. But what are the down side of these mini notebooks?

1. Currently (because there might be a change in the future), mini notebooks have a smaller storage capacity. Asus Eee, when it first came out the market was very attractive, yet when I tried to check its hard drive, it is only 4 G. And what software can you install with 4G now?

2. Most of them don't have a CD/DVD drive. This is a downside especially if you are a movie watcher. Currently, a flash drive with 8G is still a little expensive. Furthermore, you will have to put all your software in your CD or DVD in your flash drive first before you will be able to install your favorite software into these mini notebooks. And for all you know, CD/DVD is not yet out in the market. And even if it will, Blue Ray is still their close relative.

3. Most Mini Notebooks have a smaller RAM. This caused me to think more if I really need a mini notebook or not. We all know that in a computer, there are generally 3 things that we have to see in the specification to know whether or not, our PC is fast; the processor, RAM, and the video card. Either one of those is slow, it will greatly affect the speed of your PC/laptops.

4. Most of them are more expensive when it comes to "cost-benefit" analysis. I would say that if I have to choose a laptop that cost $300 vs. a mini notebook that cost $200, I will still choose the $300 especially if their specs differences are far apart.

5. Most of them have more limited capabilities. I used to think before that Mini Notebooks can do whatever the regular laptops can. But as of now, I am convinced that it still cannot outdo the regular laptops in its capabilities. If we are only going to consider these downside and we really value our money, regular laptops can definitely trash mini notebooks out.

In the end, as buyers we are still the one to decide. If you are always on the move and you doesn't have to consider the downsides that I have mentioned, then feel free to have one. I can say that they are still cool gadgets. It's just I want to value my money especially in times of crisis.

But, there is no doubt that mini laptops manufacturers can make their products more attractive in the future by improving the RAM, hard drive, and its other features in lower prices. Then, I should have no reason why not buy netbooks.