Sean Chen's Tech Space

Apple iPhone email

2007-04-03T19:06:00.000-04:00

I received Apple email today as picture shown here. Hope iPhone will come out as scheduled.

Apple releases Vista-compatible Boot Camp

2007-03-29T14:53:00.000-04:00

New version of Boot Camp, Apple's software that allows Intel-based Macs to run Windows, is compatible with 32-bit Vista.

Source: ZDNET Link

It's such a good news since I just bought the Windows VISTA and Office 2007 from Microsoft.

SlingBox! the TV extention to the Internet!

2007-03-07T23:20:00.000-05:00

I have learned about the Slingbox from the BU IS714 class. After purchasing it last month, I would say the SlingBox is a pretty cool and great product - and I can watch CNBC in the classroom. The Slingbox is a extension device to bridging your media content from cable/Tivo/etc to Internet.

Product site:
http://slingbox.com/

Windows XP x64 Edition, no VPN so far!

2006-09-11T18:43:00.000-04:00

Windows XP x64 Edition. I installed on my Compaq laptop smoothly and found almost all drivers with no problem. However, there is no VPN clients I can use to login my school network environment.

I found the alternative VPN from Japanese website: PacketiX VPN 2.0 - Nevertheless, I have no idea how to configure the same as the Cisco VPN clients.

So........ I use the backup system as Windows Server 2003. ^_^

Web-links:
Windows_XP_Professional_x64_Edition, and Windows_Server_2003.

MS SyncToy - useful tool for Sync your files in different Drive locations

2006-09-07T00:59:00.000-04:00

I found this tool is simple and useful for sync files in different drives. Also, it is easy to use and can be scheduled by the schedule tasks, the windows schedule event tools.

Related web-pages:

Introduction web-link from M$

CNet intro-article

Pando: Send out email attachment up to 1GB

2006-07-16T18:10:00.000-04:00

I read an article on WSJ this afternoon. It introduces the Pando free service - allow user to send out the email attachment up-to 1GB. The pando is using the Bit-Torrent, which is using broadly in Peer-to-Peer software, to transfer the files.

User can send out the single file or even a folder. It will be very useful to me sharing my collections with my friends.

WSJ article Link: Chinese / English

Pando webpage: Pando.com

Upgrade/Change PowerBook Internal Hard Drive

2006-05-20T11:55:00.000-04:00

I visit the ifixit.com for the guideness about replacing internal hard drive @ my PowerBook. Actually you can find almost every Apple product on the list and try to modify or updrage the hardward by yourself. It will be a great fun and saving your money out of your pocket. (Of course, you should have certain level of the technical knowledge and proper tools.)

The Opened PowerBook!

The new hard drive Hitachi TravelStar 7k60. Left side is the original internal hard drive Fujitsu MHT 2080AT.
(There is Taiwan Address on it! COOL! )

New MacBook! The new generation of iBook

2006-05-18T04:40:00.000-04:00

MacBook (from $1099) At a Glance
*1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
*13.3-inch (diagonal) TFT glossy widescreen display
*Apple Remote with Front Row
*Up to 2GB memory(3)
*Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
*Slot-loading optical drive
*Up to 120GB hard drive(3)
*Built-in 54-Mbps 802.11g AirPort Extreme wireless
*Analog and digital audio in and out
*FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 ports
*iLife ’06, Mac OS X Tiger

* from Apple's MacBook page

I am thinking to sell my PowerBook to get the MacBook now........

Firefox Useful Extensions!

2006-05-17T12:49:00.000-04:00

I just found the website by searching "Translation between simp. chinese and tranditional chinese." The extension links are really and useful. ^_^

Link to 23 corner

Firefox extensions @ Firefox official site:
Extend Firefox Contest Finalists

Mouse-less Firefox: HOT KEYS

2006-05-14T18:04:00.000-04:00

(picture from lifehacker.com)

It has been a hard time for me to use tab-browsing FireFox with heavy using mouse. Finally, I find out the Key-Combinations to switch tabs.

Most combinations are from lifehacker.com.

A. Switch Tab:
1. Forward switch: Ctrl + Tab
2. Backward switch: Ctrl + Shift + Tab
3. Specific choose which tab you want: Ctrl + 1, Ctrl + 2, Ctrl + 3, and etc.

B. Close Window/Tab:
1. Close Tab: Ctrl+W (If there is no any other tabs opened, Ctrl + W will close current window.)
2. Close Window (no matter what how many tabs openning): Ctrl+Shift+W

C. Direct locate to Address/Location Bar:
Ctrl + L

D. Open new blank Windows/Tab:
1. Open new blank tab: Ctrl + T
2. Open new window: Ctrl + N

E. Open link to new Windows/Tab:
1. Open link at new tab: Ctrl+Enter
2. Open link at new window: Shift + Enter

Here are all short cuts from Mozilla:
Full list of Short Cuts

Get Google/YouTube Video

2006-05-14T12:18:00.000-04:00

From Kej's Blog, I found the ways to get video from Google Video and YouTube.

Links from Kej's Blog:
Download Google Video/YouTube from Kej's Bolg (Chinese)

GooTube FLV Retriever (Chinese)

Also, you can find here as another direct solution (English).

PDF generator!

2006-05-14T00:12:00.000-04:00

Here are some software for generating PDF. The data consilidated from Pank.org

PDFCreator (PDF Printer, Freeware)
PrimoPDF (PDF Printer, Freeware)
pdfFactory (PDF Printer)
SolidPDF (PDF Printer)
OpenOffice (Freeware)
Adobe Acrobat 7 Professional - (PDF Printer)
pdf995 (PDF Printer, Freeware)
CutePDF (PDF Printer, Freeware)

PDF: Crack password protection

2006-05-13T23:52:00.000-04:00

1. PC: PDF Password Remover (from Pank's Blog)

2. MAC: ColorSync ( from B.C.T.C.: PDF 解密 (in chinese) )

Sync Address Book between PC & MAC

2006-05-13T12:21:00.000-04:00

Indroduced by OIKOS, one of the biggest taiwanese MAC online community, I tried to use Plaxo to Sync my Adress Book on Powerbook to Outlook on my Compaq laptop. The result is amazing. It not just sync the names but also the group. I don't have to key-in by myself.

Also, the basic service is FREE! ^_^

VNC @ MAC OS X AGAIN!!

2006-05-13T02:05:00.000-04:00

I had tried VNC for remote control my OS X at my powerbook. Since I reinstall everything on my Compaq, I have to try it again.

1. MAC OSX side: Open build-in setting ( you will need Mac OS X 10.4)/ using OSXVNC server

2. Windows side: UltraVNC

You can see the following website for detail setting instruction: macminicolt.net

Hot! MAC Book Pro!

2006-05-12T20:42:00.000-04:00

Picture from http://home.sc.rr.com

My sister has purchased the MacBook Pro for few days. Based on online discussion and my personal experience, the laptop is extremely HOT!!! I cannot image that the temperature of Mac Book Pro is so high. There are some rumors about the manufacturing flaw in transfer CPU/Chipsets hot outside.

More pictures.......
http://home.sc.rr.com/mixedbag/MBP/Welcome.html

However, Apple official froum has deleted all discussion posts. This move makes the story more plausible.....

Related website:
Hardmac

Related websites (in chinese):
If you can read chinese, you can visit the following site for more news.
Oik
Mobile01

Macbook! First INTEL-inside laptop at Apple!

2006-01-25T03:26:00.000-05:00

This laptop might be the one I most desire to have. I compare the price/spec with the original powerbook and find the new Macbook would be a very good deal for new buyers.

Most important part is the Macbook is supporting the Front Row, the new and easiest way to use computer as home entertainment center. (The front row are standard equipment for iMac and Macbook.)

As a student, I found that the price is even able to lower $150 to $200 as student discount. Now I have Powerbook G4 1.25 GHz, and I will wait for next version of Macbook to get one for myself. ^_^

Apple PowerBook Adapter Story Part II

2005-10-10T22:52:00.000-04:00

The story was not ended! After got new power adapter and replaced the old one, I was aware of my PB temperature has been significantly lower than before. I guess the reason of high-temperature was the old power adapter malfunctioned.

Why I know the PB temperature is not as high as before? Because the internal fan is not working so often now! ^_^

BTW, the Apple PowerBook Power Adapter could issue student discount. I got it around $74 (including tax). ^_^

Apple Powerbook Power Adapter DEAD!!! >_<

2005-10-08T23:35:00.000-04:00

My Powerbook Power Adapter got a very serious problem - the line is somewhat not functioning well.

The following part is from another user at store.apple.com website:

What happpened?
Written by JG from Moreno Valley
Every laptop needs a power cord and these cords tend to get moved a lot. So why the fragile cord? I had THE SAME thing happen to my cord. I moved my PowerBook off of my lap to stand up and saw the LED go out at the connection site to the Mac. I thought it had unplugged itself, but no. It is dead. And pretty expensive to replace. I still don't understand what happened. I love my laptop but the fact that I cannot get around buying another presumably equally fragile cord makes me very unhappy.

I cannot agree JG anymore! Unfortunately, I have to save my data in my powerbook as well. I will have to go to Apple Store tomorrow and get a new power adapter ($79).

New BLOGGING TOOL! : Publish Blog via ecto!

2005-10-06T00:23:00.000-04:00

Just got an idea about post blog much easier via ecto! Hopefully it will be a big help for me about publishing my BLOG!

Here is the web-link:ecto 2.3.9

Skype in Powerbook with Logitech Freeman Bluetooth Headset

2005-09-18T23:55:00.000-04:00

I have been using Skype as my 'International Phone call service provider' and free computer-to-computer voice chatting software. The voice quality is really great and the price even could compete the cheapest phone card service I have used.

When I use Skype on my Powerbook, I use it with my Logitech Freeman Blutooth Headset. Compared with its forth gerneration - the Logitech Mobile-Pro Headset, it is more strong in carrying, in wearing, and in easy-using. (The Mobile-Pro is very good in sound quality but very easy mis-use-broken. ) If you would like to use the bluetooth accessories with your computer, I would strongly recommend the device to you. ^_^

By the way, Skype had been bought by eBay few days ago. Let's see what gonna happen the future.....

My iPod 40 GB Comes Back!

2005-08-23T00:50:00.000-04:00

iPod Fix Plan! 3rd Gen. 40GB change screen!

I broke my iPod 3rd Gen. 40 GB screen for a long time. I decided to replace the broken screen with another good screen on my 'Baterry-DEAD' iPod 3rd Gen. 10GB.

After 20 minutes following the introduction by Internet articles - mostly the articles are teaching about 'How to change the dead Battery (by iPodBattery.com)'- I successfully switched the screens of my iPods!

I also found that the Battery on eBay was sold around USD 15. Maybe next time I should get a new battery and another good screen to fix my 10 GB iPod.

Well, now you know that I can fix iPod.........I am hoping your iPod will work flawlessly forever! :D

I can enjoy my iPod again! ^_^

iPod 10GB (left) and iPod 40 GB (both 3rd Gen.) - after switching the screens.

Apple Store Special Deal!

2005-08-22T01:37:00.000-04:00

On the right, down side at the Official Apple Store Online, a good bargin price. Just got an iPod Shuffle 1GB for USD 99.

Using Laptop as a DVD player.....but FAILED! @_@

2005-08-20T01:21:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I've tried to switch my Compaq laptop monitor to my Sony television - via ATI Radeon® Xpress 200M 'S' TV Out port - just like a DVD player, connect to TV and play DVD. Nevertheless, for certain unknown reason, I failed.

I tried to connect on 'External CRT Monitor' - it worked perfectly in both monitor switching or using dual (extended) monitor.

The only thing I am not sure was that I was using my Mac Powerbook 'S' TV Out connect-line with my Compaq laptop - the 'S' connect-line worked flawlessly with my Powerbook. However, based on 'last experience of switching RAM ', I am not so sure about whether the line could be compatible with my Compaq laptop or not.

Emm...I will try it again some day when I have another 'S' TV Out connect-line. Well, it will be another story. ^_^

Monitor Switch!

Ram/Memory Diagnostic! What a Tough Work!

2005-08-18T08:29:00.000-04:00

Summary

I refreshed my brain and got my memory back about how to do the RAM/Memory Diagnostic on PC again. The skills I had already known when I was a R&D engineer in Taiwan.

I used two tools as following:

1. Microsoft Official Tools
Windows Memory Diagnostic

2. MemTest86 - A Stand-alone Memory Diagnostic Tool
Memtest 86

Both tools would take a while - from few minutes to an hour - to finish the diagnostic job. Just be patient if you want to do the RAM test.

Here are other tool collections......More Tool Collections at 'SnapFiles'

Full Story about WHY:

I have been using my Powerbook around 2 years with 1.25GB RAM ( 1 piece of 1GB, another piece of 256 MB) and both of RAM are working smoothly.

Since I got my Compaq laptop, which equiped 512 MB RAM (2 pieces of 256 MB), lots of daily works have been switched to Windows world. Thus, I decided to reblance my RAM setting - both Powerbook and Compaq V2000 laptop using the same RAM spec - PC 2700, CL 2.5

After easily switching RAM on both laptops, I happily used my Compaq - and Windows just crashed suddnetly - with 'PHISICAL RAM ERROR' in typical Windows XP Kernal Panic screen - yep, you are right, the white words and blue background one.

My first thinking was that I might damage the RAM during the switching processes - might be some things happened, or some ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) damage the RAM accdiently.

Then you guys know. Did the search on Google and found out 'the forgotten solutions' as I had listed above.

Conclusion:

1. The 1 GB RAM (originally installed on Powerbook) was not able to pass full-test on both Tools.

2. The 512 RAM (2 pieces originally installed on Compaq Laptop) passed sucessfully.

3. I switched the RAM back to their origional places, and then everything was going well surprisingly.

Although the RAM Specfication of both laptops are the same, I believe there is still something missing. For certain unknown reason, the MAC RAM seems to be different from the PC's side. Two yeas ago, I had tried uning regular PC's RAM on my previous iBook - that was totally fine.

Emm....I wondered someone could answer me the question.

Konfabulator, I am back!

2005-08-17T17:18:00.000-04:00

Before I upgraded my MAC OSX from Panther to Tiger, I had used the Konfabulator at my Powerbook. After the Tiger released, I switch from Konfabulator to the Dashboard - the integrated OSX function with almost same tool even having better functions.

Now I am back. Since I got my Compaq V2000 series laptop, I am back to Windows -- therefore I am back in using Konfabulator as before.

As the Dashboard at Tiger, Konfabulator could be programmed by user. I am thinking about building my own widget someday -- both on my Powerbook and Compaq Laptop!

The Screen Shot:

Konfabulator at my Compaq Laptop

VNC at MAC OSX

2005-08-17T10:23:00.000-04:00

I got a new Compaq laptop for my incoming MS.MBA life, and I didn't want to leave my Powerbook on my desktop alone. Therefore, I setup the OSXVnc on my Mac-Tiger, and UltraVnc on my Compaq laptop using the remote control. (Actually, I had tried RealVNC and UltraVNC -- finally I choosed UltraVNC.)

Something funny was that I couldn't connect my OSXVnc when I was outside of my apartment-local-network -- I successfully did the connection in local network via my Compaq Laptop.

The final answer was not because anything worng in my OSXVNC or UltraVNC setting -- it was because Comcast CABLE Service BLOCK the VNC-service-port. The reason I gave up RealVNC was Ultra VNC was a little bit faster and easy to setup service-port.

Finally, after 12 hours from starting, everything was working correctly.

This might be my first MIS class before my MS.MBA program.

Result:

OSX at VNC Screen Shot

Related websites:

OSXVNC & RealVNC website

UltraVNC website

My first Blog-Post

2005-08-17T03:16:00.000-04:00

This is my first Blog post....just wondering what I am going to share with my friends.....

Maybe I should leave the question and think it again tomorrow.

Good night.