Tech Talk
Just a brief one
Nov 25th
A whole lot of work has literally just fallen into my lap – awesome time of year for it really!
This is usually the time of year I work on my own projects, update my blog themes, look for places to free directory submit, them and keep them popping up in the search engines etc.
What this particular blog is going to be doing in the next few weeks (once the work is wrapped up, and slows down (if it does) over the silly season) is a complete overhaul of categories, to bring it in line with my masterbranding. I’m rolling out similar themes (with varying colours) across all my blogs and standardising them to some extent to make it easier to keep everything updated and in its own place.
It *is* a huge job, requiring lots of legwork, and finikityness (yes it’s a word because I said so) and TIME. So I forsee many late nights for me getting this all in order before the new year rolls around, which of course will be sooner than we think!
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From Dreams to Reality, from Macbook to iMac
Nov 14th
It’s barely real.
Or at least, it feels very unreal.
When I started this blog, I had dreams of one day upgrading from my little 13″ Macbook, to eventually getting my own iMac. The fact that I would forever remain a mac devotee, already well established, the only thing that remained ‘up in the air’ as it were, was the timeframe.
My Macbook had been the brilliant re-entry to the MacWorld for me, and took me from fledgling photographer, to full time professional, and I then further branched out into graphic design. To underestimate the role that my macbook played in this transformation, would be silly. It is the very thing itself which allowed me to believe in my abilities. To encourage me when I got tired, (by it’s sheer tenacity and will to keep my programs, projects and files safe from nasty viral harm), and to forever spark my imagination to strive for greater heights.
My Macbook, changed my life. Or at least, gave me the tools with ably assisted me to transform myself.
Then, the unthinkable happened. My back was turned for a few minutes, and little toddler hands, sent my Macbook smashing to the floor.
…
Thank god for insurance! For all risks, all damages insurance!! You always moan about your insurance, until the day you need it.
So…I checked out our insurance papers. The insured amount would be enough to cover a new Macbook, but since the majority of my work was now being done from home, I realised that perhaps the time had come to trade the mobility of the Macbook, for the more ample screen space of the iMac. Closer inspection of my local apple reseller’s website, set my heart pounding. The 20″ Aluminium iMac, was retailing for the same price as the new Macbook…
Several sets of paperwork later, and my insurance company obtained a quote to ‘fix’ my Macbook. It amounted to about 80% of the value of buying a new one, so they then obtained a quote to ascertain the cost of buying a new machine instead.
I thought disaster had struck when the sales guy went and quote them on old stock (that they still had on their shelves, but a newer model than my 3yr old Macbook nonetheless). But this would mean that I would simply have to pay in an amount of around ZAR1200.00 in order to finally get my desired iMac. I signed the insurance paperwork agreeing to them paying me out for the broken machine, and then set about the exciting prospect of buying my 20″ iMac.
One phone call to my local apple reseller sent my heart straight back to my boots again, when the salesman told me that they had NO stock of the 20″, and no date as to when stock was going to be replenished. He did however say that there was a rumour that Apple would be releasing a new model in the next few weeks and that it might be prudent to wait for that. About 20 phone calls later to every single Apple Authorised retailer in the COUNTRY, and it confirmed for me that there was absolutely no stock left anywhere (unless I wanted a low spec second hand educational model machine…which I did not). I wasn’t sure what to do, given that I did not have the additional funds for the 24″ which was still sporadically available, or to wait for the possible announcement. Thankfully most of my clients were totally flexible and understood my dilemma, so I decided to wait and see. The stress levels at this moment was proving to be the best fat burner a girl could want!
48hrs later, and Apple announced the beautiful new 21.5″ iMac with their perfect wide screen ratio of 16:9, brushed aluminum casing, and shipping with the wireless mouse and keyboard as standard.
A quick call to the very helpful sales guy confirmed that they would know in a day or two when their stock would be arriving…the only thing remained, would be the pricing…we would have to wait and see…
Continued tomorrow…
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Working On the Road
Sep 28th
With the advent of PDAs, it really has made the lives of freelancers like myself *so* much easier.
Just recently I upgraded my cell phone contract to a Blackberry device, and suffice it to say that the availability of push email and unlimited internet access has helped me to save countless hours which formerly was ‘time wasted’.
Doing the ’school run’ in the past used to suck at least an hour out of my work time, now I arrive a bit early, and I immediately use that time to go through my latest emails, make voice notes about any thoughts I’m having on current projects. Of course if I don’t feel like working, then it becomes my Mp3 player of choice and with 2GB of memory it basically holds my entire library of music right there.
Oh yeah, and it’s a phone too… guess I forgot to mention that!
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Man, I love the Internet!
Sep 20th
Don’t you just love the internet?
I mean really?
Hasn’t it fundamentally changed your life?
Seriously?
The thing that I find MOST fascinating about it, is that it’s both entertaining, and educational.
So while the library is still awesome in terms of being a place to go, and hold real books in your hands, the fact that I now have a machine in my home that I can ‘ask questions’ to, and actually find answers from, really amazes me.
Graphic Design Trends. At my fingertips.
Parenting Help. At my fingertips.
Movie Trailers. At my fingertips.
Helpful info about malignant Mesothelioma. At my fingertips.
Work, Money, Earning. At my fingertips.
Almost best of all? SHOPPING! At my fingertips.
I can totally see why some people end up never leaving their houses again.
Okay, not really, but still. Isn’t the internet the best thing EVER!?
Yes, I know, that which has great power, comes with great responsibility, and yes, it’s up to each individual to use it wisely.
Another reason I love the internet? Things are constantly changing new opportunities abound everyday. I’ve just managed to secure a small sponsorship for this blog, which will compliment it nicely. It’s going to include giveaways, and prizes, all of which will helpfully help me grow my readership base. Yes, competition in blogworld is strong, but that’s half the fun right?
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Shopping Online: For Computer Gear
Aug 27th
I went trawling the local web this morning, for a USB hub for my mom. Turns out her Lenovo Notebook is annoying the proverbial ‘you know what’ out of her. First of all I apologies to Apple, that as Mac user I have not managed to convert my techno-phobic mother to a Mac. Yes I know she would be far better off, but alas.
You see her Lenovo’s usb ports are on the right. She’s right handed. So when she has used her USB ports for things like her notebook mouse, flash drive and camera/printer/3G modem etc it constantly interferes with her mouse-using.
So she’s planning on using the USB hub on the one USB port at the back of the Lenovo (how happy I am to have a Macbook, that knows I’m right handed and has ports on the left where they are out of the way), and the plug in what she needs to there, to keep it out of the way of her mouse. Yes she has a trackpad on the notebook, but did you read the part above where I said she was a technophobe? Yes, we STICK with what we KNOW when that happens people.
Anyhoo, I was really pleased to find some really great priced stuff on the local web.
Huh. Whooda thunkit?
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Apple iPhone: Is It The Only Phone Worth Having?
Jun 4th
My gut feeling when it comes to cellular phones is that yes, it is.
I mean look at it! If you’re a Mac user, it’s a no brainer. The iPhone. Is. It.
But then I looked closer. Given the country I’m in, and the exhorbitive cost of internet bandwidth, and cellular phone contracts, a phone that offers you unlimited on device browsing (as opposed to the 250mb limit on the iphone imposed by cellular service providers in this stupid country), seems like a far more logical choice.
But, I have a solution.
Cellular providers in this country have chosen to limit the on device internet usage of a phone SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR BROWSING THE INTERNET, and yes, that is BEYOND DUMB.
So, me?
I’m leaving the country.
Problem?
Solved!
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File Extensions Part VII
May 12th
Do you know what the File Extension MOFF is used for? I didn’t until I did some digging to find out!
The File Extension MOFF is classified as the following: Movie, Video, Multimedia File Type.
So where is this file type used? This picture motion browser file is found on Sony Camera Hard Drives. At this stage, I’m unable to find any information on formatting or converting MOFF file types, or how to open it, whilst not using the Motion Picture Browser on the camera itself.
Also available on the website above, is a utility called “Driver Cure”. It’s available for free download, and will update your outdated drivers automatically. A useful little tool.
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File Extensions Part V: DOC
May 1st
Here’s a nice easy, and memorable one for you all! So who out there knows what the File Extension DOC is used for? Well of course you know! File Extension DOC is used for Microsoft Word Documents! Only complete novice computer users will not have noticed this well known and used file extension.
In fact it’s been so widely used that it’s now accessible from open source programs such as Open Office, NeoOffice etc.
Microsoft first introduced it *way* back in 1983, and has continued to use it ever since in every version of Word since! It can even be opened in WordPad, making it one of the most versatile file types out there. Did you know that you can search for .doc documents – using an asterisk (on Windows Operating Systems) if you’re not sure what the file name is? You simply type in something like myfile*.doc and hit enter, and it will search for .doc files containing the text ‘myfile’ and by adding the asterisk it will search for any and all variables on the text you entered.
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File Extensions Part III
Apr 24th
Do you have any idea what a .ged file is? Apparently it stands for File Extension GED, and can be explained as Genealogical Data Communcation. It’s commonly used in programmes which trace ancestry. I suppose that File Extension GED is mostly used in those family tree programmes that you can buy.
Have you traced your family tree? It’s a fascinating subject, one can discover all manner of things by researching it. I found a great television programme called “Who Do You Think You Are?” which traced the ancestry of celebrities, and they usually had several questions about their ancestry, that they wanted to find out the answers to, before setting out to discover their ancestry. For example, Jeremy Irons, wanted to know why he felt so at home in Ireland, when in fact he was English, and why he became the only actor in his family. It’s a fascinating subject and now you know the file extensions related to it to.
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Getting Organised Can be Really Good Fun
Apr 24th
What true techie, design geek or Apple fan would *not* like to shop for PDAs? I love them, I think they’re awesome, and they’re one of the things that I search for most when doing online shopping.
The possibilities are endless, and the idea of being organised and alerted to future meetings, appointments and tasks is seriously attractive! I mean after two kids, I’m lucky if I remember something as mundane as breakfast in the morning, matching socks I’m still working on, but getting a PDA would really solve a lot of those problems for me. I must admit, although I don’t have one *yet* I’m trying to use my ordinary cell phone (not an iPhone…SOB!) more comprehensively, so that I still get that organizational experience.
Oh well, you’ll be the first to hear about it when I do finally spring for one!
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