Window Shopping: Laptops
I rarely go laptop crazy. I have a trusty Macbook (one of those first White ones) and I am quite happy with it, except for the time when I need to lag it in my bag and it is quite heavy. I have been on the look out for one of those netbooks however, I wanted one with higher capacity as I wanted to use this for work as well especially when power is out at home.
So here are the laptops that has gotten my attention this time around:
1. HP Envy
After getting a top of the line HP Pavilion work station, I am now impressed with these all in one power heavies. Everything from mouse to monitor to keyboard have this embossed and silver insigna HP which my children and I love. Eye-catching all black with silver trim, the HP Pavilion is hard core as can be. I just ordered a new Pocket Media Drive to go with it from Amazon, and I cannot wait to fix my HDD and move and clean up my HDD.
So when it comes to netbooks, I have my eye on HP Envy and HP Mini. I am more inclined to drool and dream about the Envy because of its technical features:
- 1.6GHz Intel Core2 Duo SL9300 Processor (6MB L2 Cache, 1066 MHz FSB)
- 3 GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm); Expandable to 5GB
- 250GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive; External SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
- 13.1¿ Diagonal High Definition LED HP Radiance Infinity Widescreen Display (1366×768)
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 Graphics with up to 1757MB total graphics memory with 512 MB dedicated
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit; Up to 16.25 Hours of Battery Life
Not bad. And its running on Windows 7 already. Be still my heart!
Cost: $1,000- :(
2. HP Mini
HP carries an array of Minis and I just love the fact that they are MINI! Man, so small and almost notebook size. Great for travels and quick internet access and use anywhere. Almost like my Nokia E72 which I like to use at home for quick email checks and twitter and facebook updates using Gravity.
I am in love with the Vivienne Tam Edition Series. It is several hundred more expensive than the non-special mini’s but heck, this is dreamworld, so I can dream and drool non-stop. So, for now, I am taken with the Vivienne Tam Edition Series. I wonder how many stores in Manila have the VT Series, cause this is not available here in Northern Mindanao.
- An Intel Atom N450 processor for reliable performance
- Simplified daily PC activities with genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
- 2GB of system memory and a 250GB4 hard drive
- Three ports for transferring data to/from other devices
- A 10.1″ (diagonal) antiglare display
- A VGA port for connecting a monitor
- Integrated wireless-G for access within range of a hotspot2 (Wireless-N and Bluetooth are optional)
- The options of a 320GB hard drive, 2.4GHz wireless mouse in the same design, and external multi-format CD/DVD drive for installing software (the Mini has no internal optical drive)
- ENERGY STAR® qualification
Cost: $599-700
3. iPad
Isn’t iPad a portable laptop? Sort of. (shrugs) Despite the fact that I am veering away from Apple products now because of their cost, I am still quite taken with the iPad. I think all Apple products are great except the fact that they are just too damn expensive and the applications for Mac are NOT free. :(
Cost: $499
Anyway, anyone can dream even me. I have no plans of getting another laptop, but I do have some extra, I would not mind having the Mini or the Envy.
Read MoreWordCamp! Here I come…
To those who know me, I have always been a blogger– I have never attended any blogging convention though, and circumstances before had prevented me from joining even local blogging conferences. But this time, I stumbled on WordCamp Philippines just in time.
This year’s WordCamp is going to be held at the College of St. Benilde. I know, I might start kicking myself the moment I get there cause I am not exactly within the 24-29 age category. I dread someone might think I am a parent of one of the participants. LOL
So, ok registration is now open. To those blogging enthusiasts as well as those who intend to network with the local blogging community, this is your chance! Registration fee is only P700. If you register before August 15, enjoy a discount of P200 and pay only P500 or $12.
Secure a seat today! Oh, and did I forget to mention that Matt Mullenweg has confirmed and he is attending the event???
Read MoreTop Blogging Tools I Use
I have been a blogger for quite some time now. Writing is almost like breathing or lets just say I love doing what I do best. Now, blogging has not really been financially rewarding for me, except for the fact that blogging has helped me hone my writing skills as well as my technical know-how in various blogging platforms.
So here is a quick rundown of the Top Blogging Tools that I use here as well as my other sites:
WORDPRESS. WORDPRESS. I cannot say it enough but I love WordPress! And yes, this has little to do with intelligent and handsome Matt, but its because WordPress is probably the best blogging platforms today. I started blogging with Blogspot almost 10 years ago. I was unhappy with its hosting limitations so I decided to switch on Moveable Type, which was uber cool 9 years ago. I can probably launch a site in less than 10 minutes. I guess the pros can do it for 5 minutes, but since I am plagued with false modesty today, I reckon I can get a WordPress site up and running in 10 minutes. Another thing that I love about WordPress is its versatility when it comes to customization and there are literally thousands of reliable plugins to make your blogging experience spiffy!
For hosting, I have an account with SwankWebStyle. And for domain registration, I use local ploghost and GoDaddy.
MacBook and HP Pavilion p6240d. In order to write and post my articles, I use my reliable Macbook for non work related tasks. I also use my HP Pavilion to maintain and write my posts for my client’s websites which are running in WordPress.
For my internet connection at home, I use Globe Broadband which is the most reliable service in my area. Although I had issues with Globe (as if I have not ranted enough already), I have nothing much to complain when it comes to speed. I have 2 internet connections at home actually so my children’s PC has its own sole connection and I do not have to fight with them when we are sharing connections. Imagine, we can now do FarmVille and Farm Town simultaneously!
For images, I use a Canon Digital Ixus 30. This has been one of my recent upgrade since the loss of my reliable GE Digital Camera. For photo editing, I just use Picasa since uploading in Facebook takes only a few clicks! I also like carrying a spare micro SD card along with my mini tripod along with my digital camera.
I also use my trusty Nokia E72 to take photos. Its been very handy and I tend to use the camera as well since it comes up with decent images for my blog.
Blogging has provided me company when the going gets rough. I would like to believe that I have amused and even helped some people because of this love for blogging. There is no chance that I will quit writing in the near future, so all of the tools that I have dearly invested in better be worth it! :)
Read MoreMy Top 3 Symbian Applications
I have a Nokia E72. Inasmuch as I loved everything Apple, I decided to buy a Nokia since it is more practical (easier to use) and yes, economical (its way cheaper than drool-worthy iPhone). Compared to Sony Ericcsson, Nokia phones have easier navigation features. Its almost like Windows and its easy to remember each functionality.
So when I lost that Nokia E63, I went for the Nokia E72 and did not regret the purchase. I use it often now because of the brownouts, to keep tabs on my email and sometimes, when it becomes too boring, I like peeking into Facebook and Twitter. lol
So here is a list of my favorite Symbian applications:
1. Gravity- I like Twitter and although I am not a heavy user, I like the fact that I can add multiple twitter accounts in one application. At the same time, I can follow and search for other users quite easily. However, Gravity is not free. This great application costs $9.95.
2. Skype for Mobile- Who doesn’t use Skype? I like using Skype on mobile by tapping on my own wifi connection. It is convenient when I am not close to my desk and I seldom miss conference calls at all. Skype for Mobile is FREE.
3. Facebook for S60- Next to Gravity, I like keeping tabs on my friends via Facebook. Gone are the Friendster days, and I am more or less into Facebook now since most of my friends are living all across the globe. Facebook Mobile is FREE. And yes, thanks to wifi connection at home, I can go around the house without missing shoutouts.
4. Bloove- this is a very useful application! You can download the Bloove agent and backup all your important SMS messages and contacts. It is FREE, however, they have a premium version which I have not subscribe to since I have no need for their premium service. The free service serves its purpose and I like to backup my phone at least once a month.
5. Nimbuzz- if you are a social networking addict, then you need Nimbuzz application on your phone! With Nimbuzz you can connect to various Instant Messaging Networks using one nifty application. Skype, Yahoo, Windows Live, Facebook, Twitter and AIM you name it, they have it! I used to like Nimbuzz alot but I found out that it fcuks up my Yahoo and after using Nimbuzz, using Yahoo IM on my PC becomes impossible. For some reason, I get locked out of my account for a few hours. Weird. But if you needed one application for everything, boy Nimbuzz is just great. And yes, Nimbuzz is FREE!
Are you using a Nokia smartphone? I am currently looking for an application for Symbian that can track expenses, etc. I would love to get my hands on a superb task management application for Symbian. Any suggestions?
Read MoreHello Nokia E72
After I lost my trusty Nokia E63, I thought what the heck, this could be the time to get an iPhone! But alas, the darn thing cost an arm and a leg, and after my horrendous experience with Globe Telecoms, there is no way I am getting an iPhone with a postpaid subscription.
For one, postpaid subscriptions are great for heavy mobile users. Not me. Right now, I can go as much as P500 only per month on prepaid loads. When I ran out of load, I use my Skype credit since its quite cheap with Skype. Secondly, I hate thinking of the exclusive tie up that goes with postpaid subscriptions. 2 year tie up is way too much, too long, and in the long run– expensive.
Since Globe is the exclusive distributor of iPhone, well, I needed to let go of my crazy I love everything about Apple mentality. Another choice is hitting Smart. They have the Blackberry. Not as hot as the iPhone, but I have heard alot of raves about it.
Anywhooo, I needed to consider cost as well. 
Sad to say, mobile phones is not in the budget. So I needed to check out other mobile phones, and making a shortlist was not hard at all. Nokia or Sony Ericsson. Had both mobile in the past, both lasted years! So it all came down to budget. Heck I refuse to spend more than 20k for a mobile phone…
So, I ended up buying another Nokia– this time, a Nokia E72. Looks like my E63, but better… its faster, and it look snazzier than the 63. Not bad at all. Let’s hope this thing will last for at least 2 years!
Read MoreGlobe- WTF?
Globooooooo
Since I lost my mobile, I was pretty lost. When the internet connection is bad at home, I log into Smart GPRS or Smart 3G connection in the city to check my email. As you all know, I earn my living as a Webworker and I have alot of emails to monitor and sometimes, impatient clients wanted response pronto. Not only that, living in a rural area where landline application takes a year for approval, I thought what the heck, lets go start checking out Globe and Smart for a postpaid plan since I did not want to spend a dime for another mobile and postpaid plans offer mobile phone discounts.
I started looking through the website of Smart and Globe, checking out the postpaid plans more closely. Honestly, I have been a Globe subscriber for almost 10 years and only stopped being one when we moved aboard. Anyway, so I started preparing the documents needed to go with the application. 2- IDs (so I took photocopies of my passport and US issued credit debit card; 1- Utility bill (so I prepared by Internet statement which is paid in advance); Proof of Income (photocopies of my payslips including certificate of employment signed by my clients);
Armed with all the requirements and confidence that since I am already a Globe Broadband subscriber and a former Globe Postpaid Subscriber, my application will be approved immediately. Boy was I so wrong…
Read More
