Friday, March 26, 2010

Joliclould pre-beta: review

If you happen to have a laptop, you would be hard pressed to look for a windows alternative OS.  Linux has over 1,000+ distro to choose from ubuntu, openSUSE, linux mint and more.  This review focuses on Jolicloud.

Created by Tariq Krim, which focuses on making a laptop centered linux distro.  Can it compete with Ubuntu Netbook? Easy peasy? read on. 

Test machine: Asus EEEpc 1005ha. 

Most linux distro lack support for various hardwares.  Along comes Jolicloud, at first glance it looks like a ubuntu rip-off, as its based on ubuntu, but it strives to make an OS that is user friendly to those who have never tried linux/ubuntu.  it has the following features:
  • customized for laptops (with over/under clocking options to adjust power consumption)
  • "one click install" for its many app available for free
  • supports 100% of the laptops in the market today. 
  • after a software update it supports almost 100% of the 3G usb modems sold by smart / globe telcom in the Philippines.  
THE GOOD STUFF:
If you never used linux J-cloud is the best distro for you.  It has the simple click and install for that windows feel.  There are many apps available like adobe air, vlc for video, mp3, and possible iphone in the final release.

Making a bootable usb thumb drive is easy in windows.  For Linux users, UNetbootin works very well with jolicloud.

You can install it within Windows (Ubuntu users are snickering as this feature is very common to their releases).  Install takes only 15min as opposed to the movie like install time of Windows.

All devices work out of the box!  Internal mic works great, camera is fantastic though the volume has to be adjusted manually for the hard of hearing (like me).

Like most Linux, this one is FREE.  So between a free OS and a commercial OS, you'd go for the free one right? Windows license does not come cheap today.

COMPLAINTS:
  • If you are a linux user, as of now you can download the ISO file via torrent only.  Window users have it easier.
  • Office apps are not built-in as you have to install them one at a time, imagine installing writer, calc and impress.  Although linux master can always use the sudo apt-get command.
As you can see the benefit out weight the negative aspects.

If you are a I.T. student/enthusiast/professional, give j-cloud a try by installing it on top of windows or beside it.  Ubuntu users might have to adjust with the absence of the package/software manager.

Give it a try, and share the free knowledge to all.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Is Wikipedia good as a research source?

Most researchers and teachers (I am guilty of this one to an extent) would cite wikipedia as a holy grail of knowledge but one fact still remains:  anyone can edit entries in wikipedia.  The first entry I edited was a minor edit on the Ubuntu OS page of wikipedia, adding Lubuntu and its description. I am not saying that what I added was erroneous but we must not ignore the fact that it can be edited by anyone. 

There are many entries in wikipedia.org that are unbalanced.  Here's a good example from  penny-arcade.com click here to view the example.

Another one? 
Search for Eli Soriano on wikipedia and you will see the constant changes to its entries by the supporters of Soriano and his 'enemies' in Inglesia In Cristo and other religious sects.

Wikipedia must be starting point of any research but it must not end there.  Remember Validity and Reliability are the important factors to a research.  If people would say they pick that data from wikipedia, that's as good as saying they got the information from a reliable rumor mill. 

Always re-check with other encyclopedia based sites.  Do not trust everything that you read in the internet.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

How to Unlock Smartbro (huawei)

NOTE: If you are in Cebu, as of March 18, 2010 Smartbro e1552 White models can be purchased at MSI / Accent Micro North Wing SM City Cebu.

If you happen to own a laptop and need internet access on the fly, I suggest you buy Smartbro E1552 model.  Its the only smartbro that can easily be unlocked/open lined.

Once open lined you can use any SIM card to access the net (Globe/Sun/Red).

google for "symbianize version of Huawei unlocker", download the software,

Enter the IMEI number for your 3G Dongle.  Write down the NCK code (8digits).

Remove the usb modem, and the Smartbro Sim; install any sim other than Smart (i.e. Globe / Sun).  Run the smartbro software and it will now ask for the unlock code.  Type the NCK code and press OK.  Go to settings and make a new profile with the following settings
Network Settings under the Smart Connection Manager

Go to TOOLS, Options, Profile Management, New

1. SmartBro Postpaid
Profile Name : SmartBro Postpaid
Select Static
APN : internet
Access number : *99#
Save
Activate SIM: text MMS ON send to 3401

2. SmartBro Prepaid
Profile Name : SmartBro Prepaid
Select Static
APN : SmartBro
Access number : *99#
Save
Activate SIM: text MMS ON send to 3401

3. SmartBro Red Mobile
Profile Name : SmartBro Red Mobile
Select Static
APN : redinternet
Access number : *99#
Save
Activate SIM: insert SIM to your phone, text RED(space) send to 9969
ex. N8950 send to 9969


4. Globe Broadband Postpaid
Profile Name : Globe Broadband Postpaid
Select Static
APN : internet.globe.com.ph
Access number : *99***1#
Save
Activate SIM: text TIME send to 1111

5. Globe Broadband Prepaid

Profile Name : Globe Broadband Prepaid
Select Static
APN : http.globe.com.ph
Access number : *99***1#
Save
Activate SIM: text TIME send to 1111

5. Sun Wireless Prepaid
Profile Name : SUN Internet
Select Static
APN : minternet
Access number : *99#
Save
Activate SIM: text Activate send to 2300

6. Sun Wireless Postpaid
a.Profile Name : SUN Broadband Basic
Select Static
APN : fixed
Access number : *99#
Save
Activate SIM: text Activate send to 2300

b. Profile Name : SUN Broadband Standard
Select Static
APN : fbband
Access number : *99#
Save
Activate SIM: text Activate send to 2300



c. Profile Name : SUN Broadband Nomad
Select Static
APN : mbband
Access number : *99#
Save
Activate SIM: text Activate send to 2300

Finally the semeste has ended.

Waking up for a 7am class is a bore, thankfully the semester has ended. 

If you have questions/problems regarding your grades pls email me on this address: aljoriz@gmail dot com (replace the 'dot word' with .)

See you in the summer!

Friday, March 12, 2010

FLASH REPORT

Walang pasok ang mga estudyante kay Sir Aljoriz Dublin sa Martes marso 16, ito ay dahil misa para sa mga (umm anong tagalog ng Graduwayte?) mag mamarcha de ceremonyas. 

Uulitin po natin, walang kayong pasok sa Martes. 

Sarang habid da booooo!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

UV Free Wi-Fi?

Among the greatest mysteries in the U.V. is the presence of the UV Free Wi-Fi signal, if you happen to bring a wi-fi enabled laptop at U.V. Main Campus you will find a UV "free" Wi-Fi Signal but you can never connect.

I can only wonder if its some sick practical joke by a BSIT student, where his laptop acts as a Wi-Fi Hot spot and uses the UV FREE Wi-Fi name.  I can only hope and pray that UV can offer a free Wi-Fi service otherwise its all globe tatto / smartbro for me.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Download Instructions

Some students may have a difficulty on downloading the STI / SEX ED. ppt file

Instructions:
1.  click on the download here link
2.  You will be transported to the file factory site. 
3.  Scroll down or press PAGE DOWN until you see DOWNLOAD NOW with File factory basic
4. Press Download load now.
5. a new page will tell you to wait for 60sec (with a count down)
6. then select where to place the file.

Thank you to those 5 students who have downloaded the file.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Sexually Transmitted Infection

Download here

As promised to my students for Society Culture with Family Planning, is the ppt (power point) version of my slide made open office

By the way, I am giving away free copies of Linux Mint 8 OS (but a new version is coming out in May).  Just approach me to request for a free copy of the 'best linux distro'... at least for me as I have tested Ubuntu, Puppy Linux and Slax. 

Monday, March 01, 2010

Sex Education powerpoint

Some students prefer to use technology when studying.  If you are a student of mine on Sociology with Culture and family planning.  Do yourself a favor by viewing at my .ppt file. 

The file is virus free, as I made it on a Linux system.  If you have difficulty in downloading, leave me a message either on this blog or via facebook. 

Download Here