Because less then 2% of the AT&T users doesn't know what WiFi is, (or because AT&T doesn't know what UPGRADE YOUR DAMN SYSTEMS mean) AT&T has decided to remove the unlimited data plan from there arse...er arsenal rather.
This first started when I got two unexpected txt messages from AT&T. The first one sent around 8:35am read:
"AT&T: Free Msg: Did you know a data plan is required for your Smartphone? Call 611 or visit att.com/smartphoneplans for details."
Wait. I thought I had a smartphone plan. In fact, I know I do! Another message just a peculiar was sent at the same time (8:35am)
"AT&T: Free Msg: Your Smartphone requires a data plan. We have added the approprite plan for your smartphone. Call 611 or go to att.com/smartphoneplans for info.
So you mean to tell me that even though I already had a smartphone plan, AT&T was nice enough to give me another one?!
But then I saw an article in several online papers saying that AT&T is getting rid of there unlimited data plan. They also said that Current contracts would still be honored. (I would hope so. Can you say Breach of Contract?) The new plans would set a 200MB cap for $15, and for $25 for a 2GB cap. If you need more, it would be $10 for each extra GB.
At first I was outraged. But then I had to ask myself...Just how much 3G bandwidth do I use? I looked on my Android to find that the OS did not keep track of that info. (out of all the things my Nexus One does do, Data Tracking is not one of them =/)
But I did find a few Apps that looked like it would do just that. Here is a preliminary of those apps.
3G Watchdog: Monitors your bandwidth and compares it to you data cap that you can set. It seems pretty agile and runs in the background. You can set your limit as
Bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes and Gigabyte per a number of Days, Weeks or Months. It will issue you a warning if you are over a percentage of your quota, and cab be disabled if you max your quota. The widget can refresh between every 30 seconds, to every hour. The more frequency, the more battery it eats. It will also put a notice on your bar to let you know where u stand. It also tell you your usage in a chart format.
3G Data Use Beta: As the name implies this is beta so changes are imminent. It will give you data usage for the day and the month and will also present it in a graph. Setup is a bit strange when it asks you for the protocol, (eth0?) It also has the plans preset so if your fone co. doesn't offer data in that range, then too bad.
NetCounter: This a simple counter that reports your usage. It doesn't take into account datacaps. It does however monitor your WiFi usage too.
Those are really the only ones I have found that seemed recommended. If you have one to try let me know. For now, I will monitor my data usage with these apps to see just what I use.
Thursday, June 3
Tuesday, April 6
iPad? Sorry, but I'm not sold.
I know that there is a plethora of Apple-zombies out there who would completely disagree with me when I say this, but I do not see the appeal in the new iPad. Sure its new, and from Apple, but why does that convince me to buy this thing?
Now this iPad is being pitched as a Tablet. But this tablet looks more like an oversize iPod Touch then it does a tablet PC. Everything you install on this device must come from the Apple App Store. The App Store has such a tyrannical procedure for approving apps, and even then there is no guarantee that the apps you purchase are worth it.
The other thing that disturbs me is the fact that this is considered to be a Tablet. A normal Tablet would be able to load programs in Flash, Java, etc. It normally has the ability to install programs that I have purchased previously. The iPad does not give your those options.
Now, perhaps if Apple were to market this as a glorified e-reader, going up against Kindle, I might be more willing to bite. But even then, I can do the same stuff on an iPhone or iPod Touch and still be able to use it for other purposes. Otherwise, I have my Nexus One phone, my PC and my Laptop. That really all I will be needing.
Now this iPad is being pitched as a Tablet. But this tablet looks more like an oversize iPod Touch then it does a tablet PC. Everything you install on this device must come from the Apple App Store. The App Store has such a tyrannical procedure for approving apps, and even then there is no guarantee that the apps you purchase are worth it.
The other thing that disturbs me is the fact that this is considered to be a Tablet. A normal Tablet would be able to load programs in Flash, Java, etc. It normally has the ability to install programs that I have purchased previously. The iPad does not give your those options.
Now, perhaps if Apple were to market this as a glorified e-reader, going up against Kindle, I might be more willing to bite. But even then, I can do the same stuff on an iPhone or iPod Touch and still be able to use it for other purposes. Otherwise, I have my Nexus One phone, my PC and my Laptop. That really all I will be needing.
Monday, June 29
Why I hate Office 2007
I realize that this will only set off a firestorm. But I think its time to r1ealize why people who hate Office 2007, hate Office 2007.
Office 2007 uses a completely new user interface. this interface, known as a ribbon, is designed to make it eaiser to find what you are looking for in simple tabs. Sadly many of the basic features are unfindable to many veterans of Office, and really any other traditional UIs.
My first experence with Office 2007, Not only would I have problems finding the features that I traditionaly enjoyed, (lists, alignments, tables, etc,) but I was even unable to find print, save, undo and redo. On one occation, I spent almost 45 minutes trying to undo an edit, only to reaze that it was on the very tip top in a 5x5 pixle button overshaddowed by the new "medalion".
Many of the features I want to use are hidden in the tabs. While the tabs are designed to be "intuitive" many are not even close. For example, If i wanted to insert a footer, In 2003 it would be Insert => Header. In 2007, the Header is not even close to the Insert tab but rather listed under Reference. Many things that one
would need in the "home" tab are spread out for in different tabs, while the Home tab is taken over by the wonderful, "styles" block. This will give you a choice of what preset style you want to use. If you dont like thoes styles, you can always change them. However, if your like me and like to customise everything, this makes setting up the styles much more difficult.
While most of my professors insist that you are not suppose to put spaces between paragraphs, in 2007 you have little choice. You can change this in the word options, (of which I also had a hard time finding btw) but this option is burried and obscure to most common users.
Now, most 2k7 lovers would start to argue, "Well why don't you just stick with 2003 if you hate it so bad." While that is an exelent idea at home, the office is a completely different story. If you are in an enviorment where you don't get to choose what version of office you want, your pretty much stuck. In my situation, I switch computers almost daily depending on what I am working on. Most of these machines have DeepFreese on them which will undo any changes you make to them. And because our school decided to make the leep, it would be impossible or improbable to get a ligit (or even an illigit) copy installed on a computer without issues. Open office would run into the same issues, having to downloade and install the program again and again. Even still, Open Office had a really bad spellcheck system, somting i rely on mor then anney-theng else inn a ofice programe.
Another agurement, (or argument rather) is to "Just get use to it." Sadly, I will, but that dosen't mean I'm willing to go quietly. In Windows 7, many of the programs are designed similar to Office 2007 including Paint. Some third party programs such as AutoCad or Photoshop also use similar setups. But here is the difference, the third party stuff actualy ARE intuitive. They also have a menus to be able to find what you are needing.
Some say "Well if you get a new car, you dont expect it to look like the old car?" But as one forum poster put it. "Even if I get a new car, I don't care if it looks like the old one or not. However, I do expect the Brakes, to be on the floor the Ignition switch to be next to the stearing column, and the steering wheel to be right in front of me."
While many people are swearing to the Office 2k7, consiter this, a recent survey conducted by average office workers, found that Excel 2007 actualy reduced productivity. Many complain that they are having to hunt for features that they normaly took for granted. Even Microsoft executives have been quoted had disliking the new setup
So how can Microsoft make Office 2007 better? One idea would be to allow customisations to the UI. Let us put what we what where we want it. It is, after all, our work enviorment. There are addons that would let you customize it, but many of these will cost money, We already paid for the program, why would we want to pay more for the ability to use it. There are many featurs that I would never ever ever ever use, so why is it taking center stage compared to the essentuals, like PRINT, or SAVE! Another option would be to let us revert to traditional UIs. Just a simple option that would let us do that. Most Windows versions can be reverted to look like Windows 95 if you wanted to.
But since we cant count of Microsoft to do anything but break things, There are a few options we can do. For example, we can use Shortcuts, or learn enough features to get us by. There is also a program called UBitMenu that will add a tab to Office 2007 called the Menu tab. This will give you the feel of Office 2007 without getting rid of the tabs for the minority of people who still embrace the new ribbon. Additionaly the program is small enough and requires minimal work to install and use. (link to it later)
So while I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that the "ribbon" layout is here to stay, I do think it can be drasticly improved. I think it is obvious the reasons people who hate 07. I do hope the miniority who cannot seem to grasp this, will finaly understand where we stand.
Office 2007 uses a completely new user interface. this interface, known as a ribbon, is designed to make it eaiser to find what you are looking for in simple tabs. Sadly many of the basic features are unfindable to many veterans of Office, and really any other traditional UIs.
My first experence with Office 2007, Not only would I have problems finding the features that I traditionaly enjoyed, (lists, alignments, tables, etc,) but I was even unable to find print, save, undo and redo. On one occation, I spent almost 45 minutes trying to undo an edit, only to reaze that it was on the very tip top in a 5x5 pixle button overshaddowed by the new "medalion".
Many of the features I want to use are hidden in the tabs. While the tabs are designed to be "intuitive" many are not even close. For example, If i wanted to insert a footer, In 2003 it would be Insert => Header. In 2007, the Header is not even close to the Insert tab but rather listed under Reference. Many things that one
would need in the "home" tab are spread out for in different tabs, while the Home tab is taken over by the wonderful, "styles" block. This will give you a choice of what preset style you want to use. If you dont like thoes styles, you can always change them. However, if your like me and like to customise everything, this makes setting up the styles much more difficult.
While most of my professors insist that you are not suppose to put spaces between paragraphs, in 2007 you have little choice. You can change this in the word options, (of which I also had a hard time finding btw) but this option is burried and obscure to most common users.
Now, most 2k7 lovers would start to argue, "Well why don't you just stick with 2003 if you hate it so bad." While that is an exelent idea at home, the office is a completely different story. If you are in an enviorment where you don't get to choose what version of office you want, your pretty much stuck. In my situation, I switch computers almost daily depending on what I am working on. Most of these machines have DeepFreese on them which will undo any changes you make to them. And because our school decided to make the leep, it would be impossible or improbable to get a ligit (or even an illigit) copy installed on a computer without issues. Open office would run into the same issues, having to downloade and install the program again and again. Even still, Open Office had a really bad spellcheck system, somting i rely on mor then anney-theng else inn a ofice programe.
Another agurement, (or argument rather) is to "Just get use to it." Sadly, I will, but that dosen't mean I'm willing to go quietly. In Windows 7, many of the programs are designed similar to Office 2007 including Paint. Some third party programs such as AutoCad or Photoshop also use similar setups. But here is the difference, the third party stuff actualy ARE intuitive. They also have a menus to be able to find what you are needing.
Some say "Well if you get a new car, you dont expect it to look like the old car?" But as one forum poster put it. "Even if I get a new car, I don't care if it looks like the old one or not. However, I do expect the Brakes, to be on the floor the Ignition switch to be next to the stearing column, and the steering wheel to be right in front of me."
While many people are swearing to the Office 2k7, consiter this, a recent survey conducted by average office workers, found that Excel 2007 actualy reduced productivity. Many complain that they are having to hunt for features that they normaly took for granted. Even Microsoft executives have been quoted had disliking the new setup
So how can Microsoft make Office 2007 better? One idea would be to allow customisations to the UI. Let us put what we what where we want it. It is, after all, our work enviorment. There are addons that would let you customize it, but many of these will cost money, We already paid for the program, why would we want to pay more for the ability to use it. There are many featurs that I would never ever ever ever use, so why is it taking center stage compared to the essentuals, like PRINT, or SAVE! Another option would be to let us revert to traditional UIs. Just a simple option that would let us do that. Most Windows versions can be reverted to look like Windows 95 if you wanted to.
But since we cant count of Microsoft to do anything but break things, There are a few options we can do. For example, we can use Shortcuts, or learn enough features to get us by. There is also a program called UBitMenu that will add a tab to Office 2007 called the Menu tab. This will give you the feel of Office 2007 without getting rid of the tabs for the minority of people who still embrace the new ribbon. Additionaly the program is small enough and requires minimal work to install and use. (link to it later)
So while I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that the "ribbon" layout is here to stay, I do think it can be drasticly improved. I think it is obvious the reasons people who hate 07. I do hope the miniority who cannot seem to grasp this, will finaly understand where we stand.
Tuesday, May 26
Firefox Connection Interupted
So I have been getting this really annoying error in Firefox recently. Like most Firefox Powerusers, It is not unusual to have several tabs open at once. However recently I have been getting an error that says "Connection Interrupted." I decided to search some forums to see what if there may be a fix. I did find some details as to what people are doing that I have in common with them.
1) they are using multiple tabs
2) they are using AVG Anti-virus
3) They are using Firefox 3
4) this is happening in XP, Vista and in my case Windows 7.
5) After a short while, the page can be reloaded.
6) Most users are using Wireless connections
The majority of these issues can be chalked up to coincidence as most people anymore use wireless connections, Some form of Windows, use multiple tabs, and are using the most recent version of Firefox. But the AVG is what really stands out for me; specifically AVG 8. Since no other AV is being mentioned, I may want to start there. I am going to experiment with this by installing a different AV for the time being. I will also check the AVG forums to see if there may be some conflict. Keep you posted.
Edit: I actually found a few sites that have pinpointed the problem to AVG's Active Link Scanner. They say that disabling this feature will resolve the problem. Lets find out. They also say that Firefox 2 as well as IE are experencing the same issues. Since I refuse to use IE unless desperate, then I had no Idea of this part.
Ill try this first. At least this will keep me from installing SAV. Here are some links to other forums.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20502964-AVG-8-link-scanner-causes-Firefox-to-crash
http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?locale=en-US&forumId=1&comments_parentId=36995
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1029653.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/networking-forum/networking-support/306403-solved-connection-interrupted.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/alternative-computing/mozilla-firefox-browsers/269369-firefox-connection-interrupted.html
1) they are using multiple tabs
2) they are using AVG Anti-virus
3) They are using Firefox 3
4) this is happening in XP, Vista and in my case Windows 7.
5) After a short while, the page can be reloaded.
6) Most users are using Wireless connections
The majority of these issues can be chalked up to coincidence as most people anymore use wireless connections, Some form of Windows, use multiple tabs, and are using the most recent version of Firefox. But the AVG is what really stands out for me; specifically AVG 8. Since no other AV is being mentioned, I may want to start there. I am going to experiment with this by installing a different AV for the time being. I will also check the AVG forums to see if there may be some conflict. Keep you posted.
Edit: I actually found a few sites that have pinpointed the problem to AVG's Active Link Scanner. They say that disabling this feature will resolve the problem. Lets find out. They also say that Firefox 2 as well as IE are experencing the same issues. Since I refuse to use IE unless desperate, then I had no Idea of this part.
Ill try this first. At least this will keep me from installing SAV. Here are some links to other forums.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20502964-AVG-8-link-scanner-causes-Firefox-to-crash
http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?locale=en-US&forumId=1&comments_parentId=36995
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1029653.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/networking-forum/networking-support/306403-solved-connection-interrupted.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/alternative-computing/mozilla-firefox-browsers/269369-firefox-connection-interrupted.html
Tuesday, December 16
Tri-Boot Project Phase 3
Tri-Boot Project Phase 3
Installing Windows 7.
This is the installation is Windows 7 beta build 6801
As I mentioned before, Windows 7 works a lot like Vista in many way. Its almost like Vista 1.0 (where the initial release is Vista 0.5, and Vista SP1 is Vista 0.7) Because of this, one could assume Vista and her twin sister Win 7 would boot in the same manner. I mentioned the whole boot loader issue between XP and vista. But I will explain further how I got the XP and 7 to play nicely together.
Although you can edit the MBR with the command prompt, this is very difficult to do. So to simplify this, I used a program called EasyBCD. This really did make the process easy. One little issue I did run into though, 7 would not recognize the hard drive that had XP on it. After a bit of playing around, I got the system to recognize, although in the process I deleted the MBR (oops). This was easily fixed by throwing the disk back in there and running the system restore.
One thing I thought was pretty awesome was the fact that Windows 7 quickly found all of my drivers with the exception of the Sound Card (Diamond 7.1). This is including the Buffalo wireless card, which on installation, wanted me to set this up to my router, pretty sweet.
Tomorrow I am going to get Ubuntu installed and get this onto the boot loader system.
Installing Windows 7.
This is the installation is Windows 7 beta build 6801
As I mentioned before, Windows 7 works a lot like Vista in many way. Its almost like Vista 1.0 (where the initial release is Vista 0.5, and Vista SP1 is Vista 0.7) Because of this, one could assume Vista and her twin sister Win 7 would boot in the same manner. I mentioned the whole boot loader issue between XP and vista. But I will explain further how I got the XP and 7 to play nicely together.
Although you can edit the MBR with the command prompt, this is very difficult to do. So to simplify this, I used a program called EasyBCD. This really did make the process easy. One little issue I did run into though, 7 would not recognize the hard drive that had XP on it. After a bit of playing around, I got the system to recognize, although in the process I deleted the MBR (oops). This was easily fixed by throwing the disk back in there and running the system restore.
One thing I thought was pretty awesome was the fact that Windows 7 quickly found all of my drivers with the exception of the Sound Card (Diamond 7.1). This is including the Buffalo wireless card, which on installation, wanted me to set this up to my router, pretty sweet.
Tomorrow I am going to get Ubuntu installed and get this onto the boot loader system.
Sunday, December 14
Tri-boot Project Phase 2
Phase 2
(Phase 1 was the backing up my hard drives part btw)
I decided to start out by getting XP installed. I found a really good tutorial series that walked me through virtually every Linux/XP/Vista duel-booting sequence a person could thing of (except the tri-boot thing) Since Vista and Windows 7 are really close like Identical Twins, I used the Vista tutorial as a guide. (The guide can be found here)
Vista uses a completely different way to boot. XP uses the Boot.ini sequence. Vista uses a system called a Master Boot Record (MBR) Indecently, This is much harder to edit then Boot.ini. (which isn't easy to edit to begin with) Fortunately there is a nice freeware program called EasyBCD (which can be found here) that simplifies the process.
As I was getting XP installed (and doing the dishes, researching and taking care of a sick friend) I got the drivers installed. Most were not hard to find as my machine is an OTC Mass produced E-machine W-3400 with some additions to it, like a WiFi card and a sound card. (there is also a $100 laughing fine that will be charged for anyone making fun of my crappy machine. All proceeds will go to getting me a sweet-assed custom built top of the line gaming PC.)
I did run into one bit of a problem with getting my WiFi drivers installed. It turns out the Manufature of my Wireless card, Buffalo Technologies, is in the middle of a lawsuit with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) for copyright infringement. Because of this, They are not allowed to support there devices. (Details can be found here) The good news is that OpenDrivers.org did have the drivers backed up on there site. So all well and good.
Tomorrow I head into uncharted territory as I install Windows 7 and attempt to duel boot the system.
(Phase 1 was the backing up my hard drives part btw)
I decided to start out by getting XP installed. I found a really good tutorial series that walked me through virtually every Linux/XP/Vista duel-booting sequence a person could thing of (except the tri-boot thing) Since Vista and Windows 7 are really close like Identical Twins, I used the Vista tutorial as a guide. (The guide can be found here)
Vista uses a completely different way to boot. XP uses the Boot.ini sequence. Vista uses a system called a Master Boot Record (MBR) Indecently, This is much harder to edit then Boot.ini. (which isn't easy to edit to begin with) Fortunately there is a nice freeware program called EasyBCD (which can be found here) that simplifies the process.
As I was getting XP installed (and doing the dishes, researching and taking care of a sick friend) I got the drivers installed. Most were not hard to find as my machine is an OTC Mass produced E-machine W-3400 with some additions to it, like a WiFi card and a sound card. (there is also a $100 laughing fine that will be charged for anyone making fun of my crappy machine. All proceeds will go to getting me a sweet-assed custom built top of the line gaming PC.)
I did run into one bit of a problem with getting my WiFi drivers installed. It turns out the Manufature of my Wireless card, Buffalo Technologies, is in the middle of a lawsuit with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) for copyright infringement. Because of this, They are not allowed to support there devices. (Details can be found here) The good news is that OpenDrivers.org did have the drivers backed up on there site. So all well and good.
Tomorrow I head into uncharted territory as I install Windows 7 and attempt to duel boot the system.
Friday, December 12
Tri-boot Project
So my desktop has been acting quite screwy lately. Mostly because all of my hard drives were full. I was unable to load up a Windows Update. I held off of it mostly because I didn't want to loose any of my files. (Music, Movies, Porn, etc) It didn't help that I only have an 80GB, 40GB and a 20GB hard drives in my computer. The other reason was because I wanted to try Ubuntu on my Desktop. I also wanted to try Windows 7 on my desktop. But I also wanted something that would be a stable backup in case these didn't work. That's when I got the idea to tri-boot my computer. Now I'm going to be frank. (no I'm going to be Magical, but my words will be frank) There is NO DOCUMENTATION ON THE WIRED that will tell you how to do this. (I mean really, If you into Windows 7, you don't want Linux, and if you into Linux, you really like Microsoft.)
The goal of this project is as follows
1) Install XP on the Main (80GB) Hard Drive
2) Install Windows 7 on the 40GB Hard Drive
3) Install Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex on the 20GB Hard Drive
4) Get all the systems to recognize all devices
5) Get all systems to play nicely with each other.
This last one is going to prove the trickiest as nether XP, Windows 7, or Ubuntu really like each other. I will note. This is not going to be a definitive guide until i finish the project. I am going to publish some of my mistakes and goofups as well. That way if you get into trouble like I have will on occasion, You can see remotely how to fix it.
The goal of this project is as follows
1) Install XP on the Main (80GB) Hard Drive
2) Install Windows 7 on the 40GB Hard Drive
3) Install Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex on the 20GB Hard Drive
4) Get all the systems to recognize all devices
5) Get all systems to play nicely with each other.
This last one is going to prove the trickiest as nether XP, Windows 7, or Ubuntu really like each other. I will note. This is not going to be a definitive guide until i finish the project. I am going to publish some of my mistakes and goofups as well. That way if you get into trouble like I have will on occasion, You can see remotely how to fix it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)