OS X Mountain Lion Update v10.8.3 (Combo)

Apple has finally released an update for Mountain Lion OSX 10.8.3 for a brief description click here

For detailed information about this update, please visit: click here

For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: click here

Interesting mobil phone stuff.

I came across the article about the Nokia 105 $20(usd) mobil phone. it has a 35 day standby battery life, radio and the basic functions. click here to find out more

I also found an interesting article on how to make your smart phone battery last longer. Turn off things you don’t need. click here for more information.

Puppy Linux Boot Camp Video Series

Here is a great guide for Puppy Linux operating system. It covers everything you need to know from beginner to expert using. A great guide. follow the series below or go to youtube playlistclick here

What is the google settings app on my phone.

you rebooted your android Phone only to fine that there is now a new app called google settings well dont worry its nothing bad or anything. This article explains what the new google settings icon on your android device is click here.

Chrome Web Store – Awesome New Tab Page

For those of you using Google’s Chrome Browser, I Discovered this great extension called “Awesome New Tab Page”(ANTP) it is great and the name says it all. it brings a nice new look and feel to the default tab page and a feel like no other. it is clean neet and easy to use. you can use specific apps designed for ANTP,  your existing applications, and create new links to your favorite pages. click here for the extension

note if you use chromium (the source application that chrome is built on)click here or SRWare Iron browser (a secure browser designed on chromium that removes links to google and some privacy issues people may be concerned about) click here  this will work in them also.  

One Laptop Per Child: Innovation at its best.

found this great article on the One Laptop Per Child (OLC) team making a Kid friendly, waterproof,  dust free, durable laptop to be given to children in 3rd world countries. its amazing what can be done with some inovation. click here for the article.

click here for the main website for OLPC

Transparent smartphone prototype.

this is a great demo of a future smartphone although it has limited functions, and the screen seems to not do anything yet, its being worked on and developed further. to see full review click here

New Android Technology

This is so cool that with advancements in android technology that using voice commands to talk to your mobile device are improving. this makes it easier for people with a disability, such as blindness, or who cant use their hands, to begin to use such technology.

How Google Retooled Android With Help From Your Brain | Wired Enterprise | Wired.com.

More VirtualBox Tips

Key for this post

• os:  operating system
• vbox: VirtualBox
• Host:  the main os you installed vbox on
• Guest: any os installed inside vbox

Following on from this post about vbox click here I thought it great to add this extra tips. If you have a legal copy of Windows, (not in use on any computer) you can also install and run it in vbox along with Linux os. There are 2 additional things needed to make your vbox installs run at their best.

vbox Guest additions: this is necessary to get full functioning of the os inside vbox.

1. setup and install your operating system 
2. boot into the operating system.
3. click on the “Devices” menu in the virtual machine’s menu bar
4. select “Install guest additions”

thats it Guest additions are installed. for more information in guest additions look in chapter 4 in the manual click here

usb 2.0 support: for usb 2.0 support in your guest operating system you need to install the “usb 2.0 extension pack”

1. install the extension pack for your version of vbox click here
2. click on the installed package and a Network Operations Manager window will appear, guiding you through the required steps.

I hope this helps you  get the most out of  vbox. this is by no means the end of vbox and what it can do. Will post more later.

How to setup and verify your url with google.

Today we are going to show you how to setup your domain url and verify it with google. we will be using a url purchased from http://www.namecheap.com.  We will pointing this url to a “Google Sites” website.

purchase a url (there are many places you can do this we used namecheap clcik here they are cheap and provide good services).

• log into “Google Webmaster Tools”  using your google account click here
• click on the red button ADD A SITE near top right of page.
• enter your domain url you purchased and add
• on the next page click on the “Alternative methods”  tab and find namecheap.com (or your domain provider where you purchased your url).
• follow the instructions on that page for your domain provider
  here is googles instructions for namecheap
  Follow the steps below to create a DNS (Domain Name System) record that proves to Google that you own the domain.
  1. Log in to your account at www.namecheap.com.
  2. Go to My Account>Manage Domains and choose the needed domain name from the domain list.
  3. Select All host records.
  4. Insert the @ character into the hostname tab under Subdomain settings.
  5. In the IP Address/URL field copy and paste the number below:
     (This code is unique to your google account you will need to use the one you are given).
  6. Choose TXT record as the record type in the drop down menu.
  7. Click on Save changes.

  Congratulations! Your new DNS TXT record now contains your security token. Keep in mind that changes to your DNS settings can take up to 24 hours to propagate through the Internet, but depending on your host, this can happen faster
• Now in webmaster tools click verify if after 24 hours if things still dont verify contact your domain provider for further assistance.
• Next log into your “Google Sites” website you want to add the url
• in the top of the page n the right hand side click on more from the dropdown menu click “manage site”
• on the left side panel click on web addresses
• type your url in the box provided and click add.
• if all has gone well you should now ba able to use your url.

Blogger Widgets – Blogger Widgets

Here is a list of extra tips and tricks you can apply to your blogger site.�

Blogger Widgets – Blogger Widgets.

itunes 11 – The new look and feel.

itunes 11 has a new look and feel. This can make it annoying for all of us long term users.  Things are not so bad.  here is a link with some tips that can help you again use itunes. click here

Training.

here is an online it training course. You can do this training at your own pace and get qualified click here

Kindle Cloud Reader: Kindle on your pc.

    You may have a kindle reader or kindle on your tablet or smart ph but did you know about Kindle
Cloud Reader. I just found out about it and it rocks.

Kindle Cloud Reader lets you read ebooks instantly in your web browser – no Kindle device
required.

To start using the kindle cloud reader or any kindle device you need an amazon account.

1. go to the amazon website click here.
2. login to your account or create one if you dont have one.
3. then buy or find free books and get them.
4. then log-in to Kindle Cloud Reader  click here
5. you will be prompted to setup cloud reader for offline use if you like ane you can download the books you want to read from your account.

Enjoy reading your books on your pc in your web browser and have fun.

To all Mac, Windows and Linux users “This guy has a point”.

Was looking around Youtube for the latest on mac, windows & linux stuff and came across this guy. He made a valid point among his ramblings.

I agree totally with his views that it does not matter what computer, operating system or device you use. use what works for you. Don’t slam others that have a different view, or way of doing things. Yes have your own views but don’t force them on others, or think less of them for having a different way.

Now I Have always had the view that all operating systems have a place out there. I like all operating systems for different reasons.

1. Windows: This is the best widely used gaming platform. This is due to the game developers building on the  windows platform more. some have mac ports which are ok . Usually linux does not even get a look in. Windows are cheeper
2. Mac/Apple/osx: Generally Mac has always been at the top of the professional Music and Graphics side of the market Mac is simple easy and has less tweaking. It just works. they do cost more but they are made really well.
3. Linux: Linux is generally for people who like tinkers. Linux can be tweaked and rebuilt for the users equipment/hardware or the exact needs the user may have. There are many different operating systems built on the linux platform.

Price:  How much money do you have to spend,/want to save.

• PC computers: You may prefer to get your pc due to the cheeper price.  if you get a pc you are free to get one with windows preinstalled, one with no os(put your own on), or build your own from scratch.   either way with your pc you can choose to run windows, linux or dual boot and have 2 or more operating systems on the same computer.
• Mac Computer: Mac computers are expensive to get but updates and apps are generally cheeper, once you have one. Mac also make great computers that are built to last

At the moment I have a Macbook pro running osx 10.8 Mountain Lion and am happy using that.  I have an few linux os running in a virtual machine (vbox) and that suits me fine. I dont own a windows pc, and have an old XP copy that the license no longer works. so i dont have windows so to speek. I will not be buying the full Windows 8 just to have it. I would get the upgrade if i had a working windows os already. its cheep atm.  upgrade = $89 full = $189 (nzd).

Windows and apple release.

Here you go Apple and Microsoft both had their product release conferences within 2 days of each other . Both clame to have the most popular Operating System(os), products and stuff in the us. amazing, how can they both be claiming the same thing.

Apple actually build, create, and sell their own computers, smart phones, tablets etc with their os themselves. this gives apple the ability to integrate their os and devices together directly. This direct approach does give Apple soem advantages as their departments are closely working on the same focus.  To provide the best user experience, and top computers.

Windows on the other hand make just the operating systems and rely on other companies to make computers, smart phones, tablets etc for them. this means that as Windows is not directly building the computers the manufactures have to build their devices to take advantage of the os fully.  This indirect approach means that each computer manufacture competing against themselves  don’t have much room to push the boundary. they can only do what the os allows them.

Product Launches

Apple keynote Special Event, October 2012

Windows 8  Launch. October 25th 2012

An interesting article from New Zealand Herald click here

Mac: How to protect your investment

As mac computers are expensive and they do look nice. you may want to protect your investment as much as possible. Its worth paying a little bit extra to keep it in top condition.

KEYBOARD PROTECTERS

You can get keyboard protectors such as the moshi ones. click here. they provide a great protection from dust, oil from your fingers and liquid spills. A good way incase something may happen.

WARNING: I was going to get a keyboard protector  till I heard someone say DON”T GET ONE. the reason being that.

• keyboard skins raise internal temperatures by as much as 20 degrees C.
• With only one thin slit serving as both inlet and exhaust (it runs along the hinge) and no other holes in the case, ventilation is *vital*. heat does escape from under the keyboard.
• A keyboard protector will bake it into an early grave.
• A better way to keep the Keyboard clean. There isn’t one, unfortunately, short of operating with clean fingers, and perhaps running a little keyboard vacuum cleaner around the edges now and then.

With the expense of mac computers anything that will cause the computer to raise the internal temperature and ware out faster is not an option. I hope this bit of information will help you making a decision weather its worth using a protector or not.

Still if you feel its worth getting one by all means its your choice.

CASE PROTECTORS

these are a great investment

• Mac official store products: c;ick here
• Hard covers: click here
• Skins:  removable, easy to reposition skins GelaSkins click here
• Sleeves: click here
• Bags: Any laptop bag will do. I prefer backpack style as I dont drive, catch public transport and walk allot.

CONCLUSION

Whatever you decide best suits your needs when it comes to protection, it is ok to pay for something quality your macbook investment is worth it.

Finally a great computer experience.

Well on friday the 14th September I finally received my macbook Pro. It came within 2 days of ordering it from mac online store. wow.

So far i have activated the free upgrade to OSX 10.8.1  ”Mountain Lion”

To install apps first. 

• Go to Launchpad>System Preferences>Security & Privacy.
• unlock the app.  click on the padlock on the bottom left corner and supply your password.
• under allow applications downloaded from make sure you select anywhere

Now you are ready to install all apps my usual applications.

1. chrome browser
2. Thunderbird email
3. Adium instant messaging (suggested by pidgin messing site for mac),
4. Songbird media centre
5. Avast antivirus
6. Dropbox
7. VLC media player
8. Skype
9. Libre Office
10. Picasa photo manager 

I found a link detailing some of the better alternative apps for mac OSX. click here it mentions soem of the above apps I had already setup.

More tutorials on how to setup these apps and other things i find out will come.

Keep save file small. for better running.

As Saluki Linux is one of the many unique and varied Puppylinux operating systems. After using puppylinux myself over a few years, I notice, some people Find having a small save file, apart from taking up less space, helps to make it faster and more stable.

1. first save all you document, music, and other personal files outside the save file.
2. use sfs files instead of installing pets. sfs files are great for saving space and on smaller flashdrives, they may take up more ram to run so consider wisely which apps to install and which to run as sfs.

Another good way is to have some of the bigger apps outside the save file if possible. The following works for Thunderbird, and firefox. and maybe other applications to.

1. first download the latest Firefox (ff) tar.gz file from click here
2. extract it to the folder /mnt/home/apps folder. (/mnt/home is the drive, where the puppy setup files are. (You will need to make the folder called apps, to put all applications outside of save file)
3. once extracted, open it and click on the firefox-bin file and ff should run.
4. next you will need to create a desktop file. create the folder /mnt/home/apps/desktop-files
5. go to menu>office>geany and copy the following.

   [Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Firefox
Icon=/mnt/home/Apps/Icons/firefox.png
Comment=Email
Exec=/mnt/home/Apps/firefox/firefox-bin
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=internet
Comment=A full featured Web Browser
GenericName=Firefox

6. save this file to /mnt/home/apps/desktop-files
7. next you will want to make a folder /mnt/home/apps/icons
8. go to google images and type firefox icon, choose an icon and download it. then move it to the new icons folder you made
9. go to /mnt/home/apps/desktop-files right click the file and go to create symlink. A new linked app will popup.
10. right click on the new linked file and select cut.
11. next open /use/share/applications right click on an empty space and select paste. Now restart x. the desktop file will put firefox in your puppy menu.

This works for other apps as long as the source file tar.gz has a app bin file. some do others don´t trial and error is the best thing.
With this setup I run Firefox and Thunderbird in several different puppy os, saluki, wary, slacko, lupu528.

Puppylinux boot options and setup modes.

If you have been using puppy linux for a while you should be familiar with the 2 main ways of installing puppy full and frugal click here. The recommended way that puppy is designed to run at its best is frugal install.

Basic Options: There are some options with the frugal install. these options can be found if you press f1 when booting from the puppy live cd. there is a good explanation for them click here and click here

Advanced Options: (behind the scene, options when running puppy). There are several other ways you can run a puppy frugal install, called the PUPMODEs.  There is some good information about the different PUPMIODES click here. What pupmode you need depends on the computer specks., how you intend to run puppy and what you want to achieve. Take a look and see what is the best option for you.