ChapsNet: Computers and Internet

Fixing your WindowsMobile Device Icon in Vista

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:55:29 GMT

When looking to fix a friends issue with his WindowsMobile synchronising with his Vista machine, I came across this article. I have summarised it and placed it in one location for everyone to see. However, the original is here…

In Windows Vista, the Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) replaces ActiveSync to synchronize your files and information to your handheld. On the WMDC is a large photo of a device. By default Microsoft included some illustrated generic images for either Smartphone or Pocket PC (which is a nice looking graphic, don't get me wrong). This is well and good, but those of us that want to customize this are left in the dark as to how to change the image.

The OEMs (the people who release the devices) are capable of switching the graphic to a "custom" graphic. On the PC, the image, is in both in the registry and the file system and created in the profile directory here:

c:\users\(your username)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\ActiveSync\Profiles\(your profile key)\

That graphic was "sync.ico". The icon file needs to be in the Windows directory of the device and it needs to be there on initial load of the drivers If you have already loaded it, then remove the device and re-add it, which would then show the graphic on each sync. So here are the steps:

Setting custom Icons for WMDC

1. Get your icon files. You can get a lot of (US_centric) icon files from the guy who originally worked all of this out. He has done many icons for a lot of different devices ( see Figure 1)

2. Rename the icon file to "sync.ico" (without the quotes). This is how WMDC will recognize the file. Right click on "sync.ico" and choose COPY.

3. Place your device in the cradle and let it full sync. This does two things

a. it allows you to backup all the information on your device

b. Lets you access your device so you can place the ICON file in the correct location

4. You now need to get the ICON file in your \windows\ directory on your device. The problem is (in Microsoft's great wisdom) they hid "system" files on your device in Vista, so through Windows Explorer on the PC, you can't see it by default. Instead of me walking you through turning on those files, we will do it an easy way.

a. On the Main screen of WMDC, go to "File Management" and then click on "Browse the contents of your device." This will pop up a Windows Explorer window allowing you to copy files to the device.

b. In the Pocket PC window on the PC, it lists a "\" for the root of the system, double click on the "\". Right click in the background of this window and hit "PASTE". This will paste the "sync.ico" file on your mobile device.

c. Now move to your mobile device (un-docking if you must), and open File Explorer on your mobile device. Go to the root folder in File Explorer and CLICK AND HOLD on the file.

d. Choose CUT. Open the \Windows\ folder. Scroll all the way to the bottom, and CLICK and HOLD in the white space at the bottom, below all the other icons, and choose PASTE.

e. The "sync.ico" file will appear (it might be missing the .ico extension). Close File Explorer.

5. Now we need to get WMDC to see the icon file

6. Make sure the device is synced and connected to your PC. You need an active connection so that Windows Vista sees your handheld device.

7. Uninstall your Device

a. Go to the Control Panel.

b. Switch the Control Panel to the "Classic View" in the upper left hand corner of the Control Panel windows.

c. Open Device Manager.

d. Click the small "+" in front of "Portable Devices"

e. Right click on "Pocket PC" or "Windows Mobile Device" or "Smartphone" or similar.

f. Click Uninstall

g. Choose OK when prompted about Uninstalling the device.

8. The Device Manager will flash a time or two, and the devices will no longer show up on the Portable Devices list.

9. Remove your Device from the computer

10. Wait a good 30 seconds to 1 minute and then connect your device to the computer again

11. Your computer will now be installing the device once again

Open Windows Mobile Device Center, and you should now see your Device icon on the left hand side (see picture below), and you have not lost any details of your partnership.

Windows Vista Media Center

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:34:26 GMT

Can you imagine if I had to store all the music (listed left) as well as all 129 movies and all the recorded television on various physical media. Just to play it, I would need an entertainment crammed full of different AV boxes and still only be limited to one room for listening and viewing pleasure.

These days Windows Vista Media Center is more widely misunderstood than ever before. Despite being more readily available, still people are amazed when I show them our setup and what I can achieve with it. I have just re-purposed a Dell Precision 370, added a Nvidia GeForce 8500 card and a Dual Tuner card and upgraded the HDD to a 500Gb drive and bingo.. This was financed by winning the 2007 office footy tipping Competition. It is so easy to use that even my daughter can now whip around all the options at high speed and knows where it everything is, even with severely limited capabilities we have here in Australia compared to the US (Thanks for nothing Channel 9!!)

Now I have a fair bit of music and a lot of movies. Sure, not all of it I listen to all the time but my tastes change, evolve and a fair bit of rotation happens too. To do this any other way beside having a Vista MCE machine would be impossible. The fact that I access a lot of it from various machines and the Xbox 360 in the house means all music is available all through the house. It is hard to think of something else that could let me do this on the same budget.

Media Centers (in any form, open source, Apple or MS) are the way of the future and I can only hope that some of those large wads of cash that have been handed over to their new advertising agency will go to actually having some kind of marketing campaign for Windows Vista Media Centre.

I know that when my LG DVD Recorder dies (it pre-dates my MCE box and is only used for time-shifting – something my MCE box can also do), it will be replaced by a proper MCE box in a proper AV case and nice and quiet with loads of storage for recorded TV and streaming music from my Windows Homer Server. Not only is this a great setup, it also has a great PAF score (Partner Acceptance Factor). My wife is getting the hang of it and my daughter loves it. I can’t ask for more than that…

Tags: Windows Vista Media Center Home Comsumer

Windows loses only %2.54 despite extensive Vista Sucks campaign

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:46:41 GMT

According to Net Applications, the market share of Windows dropped from 93.34% in June 2007 to 90.89% in June 2008, representing a difference of 2.45%. Mac gained 1.91% in the same time period and now has a market share of 7.94%. Linux’s market share is 0.8%, which corresponds to a difference of 0.37%. According to the headlines of some news sites, the situation seems to be much more dramatic. Apple’s improvement corresponds to a growth of 32%, certainly a respectable success for Apple. Of course if Apple maintain its groeth rate, they should have %20 in 2014… provided they can maintain it… They didn’t maintain the rage after the Mac IIe real well did they?

Considering the hype and blanket coverage of the whole “Vista Sucks” campaign, most by people who have never even touched a Vista machine, a small loss of 2.45% is quite amazing. The fact that Apple is now only up to less than %8 even though so many people have raved that the MacOSX operating system is soooo much better shows that Apple continues to be Style over Substance.

This is also the reason why I still shy away from the whole Apple experience. In my opinion, there is not an apple product that i would use that isn’t inferior in some way to what i Use. I have my Dell XPS 1530 Laptop running Vista, a homebrew desktop at home for gaming, a Vista Media Center PC, a XBox 360, a HTC TyTN II and an iRiver Clix MP3 Player and each of those is far better for me than any Apple equivalent.

New Betta Electrical Advertising

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:58:24 GMT

There has been a new Betta Electrical Advertising TV campaign released and it looks pretty good… The last one generated a fair amount of controversy and more than one nutter came out of the woodwork to provide all sorts of insults and threats.

Theses ads cover four different ranges available in the stores – Computing, Home Entertainment, Kitchen and Laundry

I reckon they are pretty good, get onto YouTube and update your comments and ratings

YouTube - Betta Electrical TV Commercial - Computing

YouTube - Betta Electrical TV Commercial - Home Entertainment

YouTube - Betta Electrical TV Commercial - Kitchen

YouTube - Betta Electrical TV Commercial - Laundry

DISCLAIMER: of course, it must be said that I do work for betta Electrical (well, the Parent Company) but i wasn’t involved i nthe production of the videos…

Tags: Betta electrical betta Commercials ads advertising

Australian Windows Mobile Blog

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:46:22 GMT

So now we have a local blog on Windows Mobile. I Hope this does well, the most comment i get when asked about my HTC TyTN II (Kaiser) is “what do you do actually use if for?? I am still working on all the things that i use it for, as is my wife who inherited my old Dell x51v ( the best Windows Mobile PDA ever…). I do lists, gaming, ebooks and all that as well as starting to incorporate using MS OneNote synchronisation as well.

This is very much a work in progress and i look forward to reading more articles from the Blog, especially with an Australian flavour. Unfortunately, we suffer from horrible, horrible pricing plans for data connectivity unlike the all-you-can-eat buffet that the US folk do. I remember getting a $375 bill from a single month because i had left my email checking at the default 2 Hour Interval… Ouch! This kind of limits some of the better stuff we can do so I hope that we can look forward to articles full of localised content.

New Clothes for my laptop

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:26:34 GMT

I Finally got the right Skin for my Dell XPS 1530. I had ordered one from the Dell Skinit Webpage while back and i received the wrong one. The Support guys were fantastic and whipped me out the correct one for me right away.

So now i have it, a pre-cut Vinyl skin for the laptop to make it all my very own, considering how successful the XPS line is going, I’m glad mine can stand out a little from the crowd.. definitely one to check out, considering it is only $30 US to buy. They also have the regular Skinit site for other gear.

One thing i have learnt though… i completely suck at taking photos with a camera-phone… I’m not sure i have ever got one without being blurry somewhere… I might try taking some without the silicon skin to see if that is causing me to press too hard…

Windows Home Server – Every House should have one!

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:08:23 GMT

I am sooo glad that I bought my copy of Windows Home Server. I installed it on a Dell PowerEdge 715n Server Appliance that i happened to purchase cheaply second-hand. Since then it has been backing up our laptops and also my desktop PC.

Last week, it earned it’s keep. I had been running some stuff remotely via logmein.com and all of a sudden, it disconnected me and i could not re-connect. I got home that arvo and my wife said that my PC had been beeping all day and kept rebooting. I sat down to have a look and sure enough, boot to logon screen BAM! Blue screen and reboot. I was able to boot into Safe Mode and nothing looked out of place and i was beginning to wonder what the hell it could be. of course, i was having that feeling of dread starting in my stomach because these things rarely go well… Then i remembered….

I went to the shelf, got my PC Restore CD and booted it up in my PC. I selected the previous nights backup and started the restore. I went upstairs for Dinner and promptly forgot about it. the next morning I came downstairs and lo and behold, my PC is sitting at the Logon Screen. I logged in, Updated the System Time and whaddyaknow.. She was all fixed. Simple, no loss, no heavy investment of time…

Thank you Home Server and Thanks to the WHS Product team… If you ever come to Australia, there’s a beer in it for you from me…

Identifying Fonts.

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:58:23 GMT

I had to identify a couple of Fonts that i wanted to use in a project that i was doing so i could buy them... but then, how do you do that.. Sure, there is the common list the MS provides as part of Office but i had two specific ones that i had examples of in a picture.

Now when it comes to design stuff, a blog i always check out is Brand New, one of four blogs offered by UnderConsideration. The Brand New Blog shows before and after shots of updated logos and brands by various companies around the world, along with offering an opinion on what is good or bad about the changes. Asa bit of an outsider looking in with respect to design, i always find it fascinating to look at what is updated and the thoughts behind simple little changes.

So, when it came to look for some fonts, i got in touch for some help. I got a return email from Armin Vit stating that he didn't know what they were but pointed my to the Typophile website, particularly the Type ID board. Sure enough, I posted the pic, asked for help and within minutes, i received my response (Coronet and Calcite) whcih also included links to a site where i could get them...

So my Thanks to Armin and also the members of the Typophile for helping me out...

Laptop winging it's way to me....

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:50:01 GMT

Cripes, now it is in the hands of the local Carrier... Wacko, does that mean I could get it tomorrow, ahead of the expected delivery?? One can only hope

That way I could spend Friday just setting everything up the way I like it and still be able to get a good weekends fun in...

Damn, i forgot, i was gonna check out some Laptop Skins to jazz it up a bit. Now that i actually own my own laptop, i have to get to personalise it a bit...

Laptop makes it ashore..

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:08:10 GMT

So my Laptop has made it into Australia !! Maybe I will get it this week. Although, If I do, I'd have to use my own Bandwidth to download all the usual bits and pieces... mind you,, I'd love to have it for the weekend !

that way i can spend some time mucking about with it and chucking some VM's on there to fiddle with...

Laptop edges closer

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:25:13 GMT

So it is complete and now on the way... I cannot wait until it gets here. At last i will be free of the glowing blue ring. it is really starting to annoy me, expecially now that I know i have a quick one on the way. Mind you it is my fault, the Latitidue D620 probably wasn't meant to run Vista, especially not in that configuration...

One thing i realised, i forgot to specify a Dial-up modem on the new laptop. I wonder whether or not this will come back to haunt me?

My Laptop is on the Assembly line...

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:49:05 GMT

So my Laptop has made it onto the assembly line... I am just so sure that something will happen, a Factory fire, a Dock strike or some kind of worldwide delivery crisis that is going to delay it.

I dare not hope against hope that it may be on-time with the delivery. At least I have plenty of time to work out what I am going to install on it. COD4 anyone?

My Laptop is beginning it's journey..

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:02:54 GMT

Woohoo, My new Laptop order has just hit the factory...

Dell XPS M1530

Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4Ghz
4 Gb RAM
256Mb 8600GT Video card
200Mb SATA 7200rpm HDD
15.4” WSXGA 1680x1050 Display
Wireless AGN + Bluetooth

PLUS.. Dell Travel Remote and earbuds..

about time I finally got a new laptop, in fact i don't think I've ever had a new one before, always just inherited my laptops from the guy before me, complete with "Keyboard Jam" and all manner of freeware and crap installed. Finally i get to strike out all on my own

Chaser Video on Telstra

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:21:29 GMT

I always did like their parody videos.. this one on Telstra is funny as... there is so much more that they could do a full DVD of Telstra rip-offs.

new Dilbert Widgets

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:14:19 GMT

Scott Adams has announced his new Dilbert Widget that is pretty much a three sizes fits all. There are available in 400x300,300x250 and 160x300 sizes. I have embedded the the 400x300 here in this post.

This is fantastic, apparently the entire archive will be available. I hope so, because i want to get my favourite one of all time. This one never ceases to make me smile, partly because of my own dependence of Coffee to see me through the day... Hopefully, we can extend this services to allow any archive to be printed on the merchandise.

Anything has got to be better that some of the more unofficial ones, i had one for the Vista Sidebar ( that is now replaced by this one) that would suck up as much memory as it could until the whole thing keeled over...

The F-18 Hornet

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 03:46:41 GMT

As a lad, I loved these jets. In my mis-spent youth in the Air Force i worked on and finally got to ride in one and they are still my favourite jet. As far as the Hornets go, there are no finer pilots of these magnificent flying machines are the Blue Angels (except perhaps our FCI - Fighter Combat Instructors).

Check out this guys photographs of one of their shows in San Francisco... I have seen them go as low if not lower but that was over a concrete hardpan, not over water through the middle of the spectators boats.

http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1a/

These are the best photos of the Angels I've seen in a long time...

Get your Live.com.au email address now

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:46:13 GMT

Ever since we came out with live.com I have been a huge fan of the domain name. You say "Google it" I say "Live it!" To each his own.

Either way, for a long time I have hoping to use username@live.com instead of user@hotmail.com as my email address... and today they have delivered! Starting right now you can go here and register a name, like bubba@live.com, but you better hurry before all the good (short) names are taken and you end up with something like clownmember.f4r7@live.com.

Not only that, you can get a <username>@live.com.au. At last, localisation from a MS product. Now if only they could do it to the Zune

The HTC TyTN II gets recognised in AU

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:21:41 GMT

At last I can see details about the TyTN II on the Australian version of the HTC Site. This is a good start.

I am gagging to look at one of these to make sure it does all that I want it to do... We had a Asus M530w come in today for one of the managers to try out. I'm Hoping the HTC will be better all around

The sooner i can get one, the better...

Vista Media Center lives

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:34:58 GMT

I have finally got my Vista MCE up and running downstairs. I took and old Dell Precision 360 I had and updated RAM to 2Gb and a 80 + 400GB HDD's and chucked a Tuner card and bingo..

Getting the Guide to work was a bit of a challenge. I still only have a shoddy pair of Rabbit ears connected so the channels are a bit funny. I am using the IceTV guide at the moment but it is coming due for subscription so i am not sure if i will use it or change to the EPGStream version. Bloody backward-thinking Aussie TV Stations. I just have to work out if i can get rid of the slight delay when changing channels.

i do have the MP3's and the DVD's sorted. Alas, all my AVI's and various non-DVD format movies are lumped in the video section of the menus rather than with the DVD's. Em and Colleen have both taken to it with great relish. Considering the functionality of the LG DVD Recorder i have, i don't think it will take much to get approval for a serious Lounge room version.

Laptop upgrade ... I think

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:35:47 GMT

So I have been using my Dell Precision M60 here at work for the last couple of years. It has been a loyal soldier working wonderfully with only a trackpad repair required during it's time with me... I have loved the big screen, the Video card has been adequate, i have been able to run Halo, Quake 2 and BF 1942. All essential games for the office Friday arvo BSU therapy.

Now that my offsider has moved on, i have been able to inherit his machine, a Dell D620 running Core Duo. Trouble is that it has limited Speakers (if any) it has a smaller screen but it is in widescreen format. i have been able to install Vista on it and it runs just fine with it...

I'm not sure that I have actually upgraded at all... it is newer, lighter, able to run the latest OS but I just feel that I haven't really mad that much of an improvement. I'll use it for a bit longer and then I'll make a decision. They are still both the best Laptop HW we have in the company and we sure don't have the budget to upgrade anyway.

Technorati Tags: Dell , Latpop , notebook , Precision , Latitude

At last, a Wireless Mouse using onboard Bluetooth

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:27:32 GMT

Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000

Microsoft Corp. makes the Bluetooth experience easier with the introduction of the Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000, designed to work seamlessly with Bluetooth ready computers. More than 54 percent of all notebooks shipping worldwide in 2008 are expected to be Bluetooth enabled, and this mouse delivers on the experience that consumers have long desired — a mouse that just works, with no transceiver or extensive setup process needed. The Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 will keep users on task with its High Definition Laser Technology for smoother tracking, more responsiveness and better precision. The mouse also provides users with the following:

Ultimate Bluetooth convenience. The mouse has 2.4GHz Bluetooth technology without a transceiver for quick and easy wireless connectivity.
Modern design features. The mouse offers more than a sleek design; this ambidextrous mouse is comfortable for either hand and comes with a convenient carrying case.
Smart power features. It has a battery life indicator right on the mouse, an On/Off button and three-plus months of battery life.

Technorati tags: Microsoft, Wireless, Mouse, Bluetooth

HTC TyTN II unboxing Video Pt I

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:35:40 GMT

Here is a video from Matt and Tracy blog showing the new TyTN phone ... Doesn't show the new Touch Flo interface though..

YouTube - HTC TyTN II unboxed

The HTC TyTN II - the ultimate mobile companion

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:11:53 GMT

HTC unveiled the HTC TyTN II across Europe today which means that there is the unique possibility that we well may see it very soon here in the USA. The highly anticipated TyTN II features global high speed HSDPA connectivity, in-built GPS and an adjustable screen angle.

The HTC TyTN II packs all the power of Windows Mobile 6 into a unique new form factor, continuing HTC’s 10-year heritage of innovation in device design. The 2.8-inch colour screen slides back to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, then tilts up to position the screen perfectly for reading and creating emails, using applications, or even just playing videos and games. The HTC TyTN II allows users to get connected in any country with tri-band UMTS and quad-band EDGE. It boasts unrivalled worldwide 3.5G high speed Internet, HSDPA, at speeds 9 times faster than 3G and WiFi 802.11b/g to ensure users can enjoy high-speed surfing, uploading and downloading while roaming anywhere in the world.

That just leaves Oceania.. c''mon lads.. keep up for a change....

Nearly there......

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:57:23 GMT

it is available for pre-Order in the US but no release dates as yet... Come on HTC Australia, don't be falling behind now...

Release Me!!

Platform: Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6 Professional
Dimensions: - 112 mm(L) x 59 mm(W) x 19 mm(T) - 176 g with battery pack
Processor: Qualcomm MSM7200, 400MHz Samsung
Memory: - ROM: 256MB (for programs and users’ storage) - RAM: 128MB SDRAM
Main LCD Module: - 2.8″ transflective TFT-LCD with backlight LED's, touch-sensitive screen - 240 x 320 QVGA resolution with 64K Colours
Communications: - Dual-mode, HSDPA- 3.6 Mbps - UMTS (tri-band, 850/1900/2100 MHz) - GSM/GPRS/EDGE quad band (850/900/1800/1900)
Camera: - 3 megapixel colour - Video Conference Camera
Audio: - Built-in Microphone / Receiver - Loud Speaker for Hands-Free Support
Connectivity + Interface: - Bluetooth® - 2.0 - Wireless LAN 802.11b/g - 3V USIM/SIM card Slot - HTC ExtUSB - MicroSD card Slot - External Antenna connector
GPS - Internal GPS antenna - Standalone GPS and A-GPS mode - TomTom Navigator 6 Edition
Power + Battery: - Removable and rechargeable Lithium-ion polymer - Typical capacity: 1350 mAh
- Standby time: Up to 200 hours for GSM; 180 ~ 250 hours for UMTS - Talk time (Screen off): 4 ~ 5 hours for GSM; 2 ~ 4 hours for UMTS - Media playback: 8 hours (WMV); 12 hours (WMA) - AC Adapter - AC input: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz - DC output: 5V and 1A
Value Added Applications: - 3G-324MVideo Telephony - Picture Enhancement for Pictures and Videos
- MMS and Java applications - Smart Dialing and Voice Speed Dial - Comm Manager - Backup Tool
- HTC Home menu Screen - Business card scanner

Talking about Add files to your space!

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:50:13 GMT

So they added links from SkyDrive to Spaces... that'd be just great if it was available here in Australia. I hope they do realise that we speak English here too. I'm hoping that it woun't be too much longer until it is opened up to a wider audience.

Quote

Add files to your space!
Along with our release this morning, we’re also proud to announce a new feature of Windows Live Spaces: add your files to your space!

To get started, simply sign in to Spaces and click Share files on the What’s New page!

Once added, your Files module will automatically show your visitors only the folders to which they have access. It’s a great one-stop shop for all the stuff you’re sharing.

Let us know how you like it!

-Windows Live SkyDrive Team

Need to find an Auctioneer? Here's How

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 03:09:02 GMT

My brother has a launched a new site that he has been working on for a while. The new site is a directory of Auctioneers and Valuers in Australia. It shows company listings in all states of Australia, for Auctioneers and Valuers in industries such as Motor Vehicles, General Plant and Equipment, Antiques and Collectibles and Stock and Station Agents. Stock and Station agents handle livestock and farm auctions, if you didn't know. The site address is www.auctionlink.com.au.

At this stage it is directory listing, but he tells me in the future it will also contain up-to-date auction sales listings, and you'll be able to find where, say, you can buy a fridge at auction in Brisbane next week. I guess he can cross this one of his "Ideas List".

Technorati tags: Search, Auctions, Auctioneers, Web, AuctionLink

Automated Adobe 8.1 Installation

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:51:41 GMT

I finally got around to automating the installation of Adobe reader 8.1 yesterday. I had wanted to restrict a lot of the functions, especially the auto-updates and the Collaborative stuff as they don't really apply here... So i thought I'd have a bit of a look around and read up on all the issues and stuff.

Lo and Behold, someone has not only done most of the work beforehand but they have also written some fantastic articles about what they did too. It would be remiss of me not to share Aaron Parker's Blog to everyone else as it is a fantastic resource in this regard. there are some other auto-installation resources there too.

Technorati tags: Adobe, Reader, Deployment

Microsoft Zune 2.0

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:25:11 GMT

So it seems that Microsoft's 2nd Generation Zune Player has been confirmed. As mentioned on Whizbyte (and many others), we can expect an update later this year. The most important part that I read out of the following passage was the third item:

There are three predictable paths along which we’ll expand Zune:

Device family – adding in new sizes, styles and price points
Features – we’ll move towards parity with iPod building in support for video, podcasting, etc and at the same time build on key differentiators such as the wireless feature, the FM tuner, etc
Geographic Markets – we’ll start to expand the international footprint of Zune over time but only when we can ensure an offering which is tailored to that market

Does this mean that an Australian Release is finally on the cards? Will we finally get some FTA love returned? Well, one can only hope for the former option, the latter is never likely to happen.

Of course this would just happen as i have finally made the plunge and purchased a iRiver Clix 4Gb MP3 player. I had hesitated for so long and agonised over the whole Solid State vs Hard Driver versions. In the end, I came across an eBay auction that was too good not to bid on... now i am just waiting on delivery....

Technorati tags: Microsoft, Zune, MP3

Finally, Genealogy Software I can use

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:57:39 GMT

I came across this application project today that is way cool. usually Genealogy programs a just awkward to use or a complete mess. This one really shows off the potential of WPF and is pretty bloody easy to use. Congrats Vertigo for not only making this a success but to also post it as a CodePlex project as well. Bravo

They have two example files included, one in their standard format (of the Windsor Family) as well as one in GEDCOM format of the Kennedy family that can be imported. each person in the family has space to write stories about the subject as well as a place to Drag and Drop photos into their profile.

This is just fantastic and will finally motivate me to document a bit of history of the Chapman Clan. I can add Pops' tours through Europe in WWI, my dad's parents epic journey to carve out an existence out the back of Eumundi QLD Australia, my uncles exploits and Milk delivery boys throughout the town of Eumundi and so on... All the stories and stuff which should be recorded before they are all forgotten and lost to the sands of time...

Tags: WPF Windows presentation Foundation Microsoft Vertigo Genealogy

Windows Home Server goes Gold

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:19:45 GMT

yes, the Home Server Team have finally finished and is is RTM. I can't wait, my RC install is running smooth, backing up my 4 main PC's onto the Dell PowerVault 715n that I had sitting around otherwise idle. I have yet to move all my files and everything up to the central location but that is a time restraint rather than a technical one. i also want to do a bit of a cleanup of all the idle data that is sitting around on my servers and PC's to reduce the duplicates and outdated info.

I think the Add-ins will only help to strengthen the different ways to use this in the home. as has been with most MS products, the ability for developers, both amateur and professional to add in their own bits and pieces will improve the overall experience. I can't wait for a way to add in email functionality to be able to do SMPT/POP3 capabilities. imagine the use in Small Business then. It would be the perfect foil for businesses that are a bit to small to invest in Windows 2003 Small Business Server but still wanted central file storage and Client backups. You heard the idea here first folks....

Simpson's Trivia

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:42:52 GMT

So yeah, I've seen a few episodes here and there....

Maybe you have too. here's a chance to put you skills to the test with the Simpson's trivia game. See how many you got. My results are are displayed here. obviously i have some way to go as the top of the table is over 1400 points..

That is some serious Simpson's knowledge...

Another Handy Tip....

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:58:13 GMT

Do you know what i really hate... when i can't remember what i did to fix something last time..

I have been racking my brains trying to remember how to get the Playlist pane back onto the Now Playing list of Windows Media Player 11 for the last week or so. Just on and off mind you, whenever i sat down at my home machine and switched on some music...

I couldn't remember for the life of me how to do it... eventually I decided to search for it ( using Windows Live Search naturally) and there it is, i didn't even need to go to the page as it showed up in the first few lines of the search window..

A simple bloody click on the little arrow under the Now Playing button and then click (or unclick to hide) on the "Show List Pane" option. Now i usually switch it off to watch movies and stuff so at least this time i hope to remember it this time.

So if anyone else has trouble with this, unlikely but possible, here's hoping that this turns up in your search...

Dream PC Mk II

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:45:03 GMT

Well, there are some more Dell XPS 700 Pc's up for auction at GraysOnline. One of them appears to have a broken Power switch (when was the last time i switched off a PC??) and the other looks OK. I am so dreaming of one of these machines.

Realistically, it is only my Lotto PC, one i'd buy if i won a small fortune at lotto or something. because to buy with my own hard-earned cash, i could build a lot better PC for the price.... but it wouldn't be as cool...

Well, if anyone wants to hand off or give one away. Even if Dell would let me "evaluate" one for a six months or so, feel free...

Windows Live Folders beta

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:34:21 GMT

I heard that the Windows Live Folders had gone into an unrestricted limited beta so i went to check it out... and whaddya know, it isn't for people with my regional and language settings. One would presume that this translates into US people only. Come on Folks, return the love from your FTA partners... we offered up our Software Pirate on a silver platter (or did he walk the plank?), how about letting us in...

Anyway, back to the facts, the Live Folders team have started a blog that you can read while waiting for bated breath to be able to join in....

Tags: Microsoft Windows Live Windows Live Folders Live Folders

My New Phone...someday.

Fri, 25 May 2007 05:22:23 GMT

Here is an article on the unboxing of my planned upgrade to my phone. My Nokia 6260 is starting to get pretty worn out and my Dell Axim x51v is EOL and while still incredibly powerful, I never have it on me when i need it most. Now with the HTC Kaiser ( or whatever it'll be branded here should it arrive, either Dopod or iMate), I'll have the best of both worlds with only minor sacrifices to a separate Phone and PDA.

The only other possibility is the O2 XDA Atom Life (itself a rebranded Quanta Apollo - incidentally the rumoured HW partner for the Dell PDA Phone) which has the same CPU as the Del Axim as well as 1Gb ROM memory onboard. but the Kaiser has a keyboard, Windows Mobile 6 and GPS. It is due for release sometime in the second half of this year hopefully... let's hope i don't have to resort to an eBay purchase to get this one...

Here is a comparison between the two.... By the way, the PDAdb.net site is fantastic for details and comparisons on PDA and Smartphones and all version in between.

Tags: Smartphone Windows Mobile 6 HTC Kaiser

Marketing Slogans - Irony or Stupidity?

Thu, 17 May 2007 00:07:49 GMT

I was checking some info out on the Adobe website last night and saw their new promotional Slogans used to promote their new Creative Suite range of products (CS3). I have included a screen grab below and a close-up...

Now, setting aside the disturbing Jester made of playing cards image, does the whole " Creative License - take what you want" line seem a bit odd considering the amount of P2P traffic out there for CS3 products. I did a quick Google search for "Adobe + Torrent" (for research purposes only - I cannot condone the use of P2P for illegal file-sharing) and came up with the following:

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,470,000 for adobe + torrent. (0.10 seconds)

Hmmm. So the big question is, is it a double entendre or is it just ignorance about the potential misinterpretation.

Tags: Adobe CS3 Creative Suite marketing

Catch-Up - The IT world..

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:09:13 GMT

well so much time has passed so little posting... What are all the things I would ( nay, should) have posted about in the last few months....

The IT World...

Windows Home Server Beta 2/RC - waaay cool. I had the beta running in most basic form. Ultimately, i am looking to see if i can get it to work on an old Dell PowerVault 715n that i happen to get cheaply second-hand.
Longhorn Server Beta 3 - Sweeet. not only that but Beta 3 has just been released so that is definitely something i want to keep up on. We have just resigned our SA agreement for our Internal Servers so that we can be free to reap the benefits of the new OS
Dell XPS 710 - i just want one.. now with Vista.
Windows Vista. I now have this running on Home desktop and Home laptop. I just love it...
So Now i have 2 x Vista, 1 x XBox 360, 1 x planned Vista MCE and 1 x planned WHS box... need to get the home network sorted out.. including more cabling.
Check out This Guy. he has made a miniature XBox 360 out of paper, including the HDDVD. just for kicks he modded it so that it would be a USB drive.
it Seems the Dell Axim is to be no longer (AximSite post here and Official Dell Bog entry here). Alas, Axim, i knew him well. it still outperforms any PDA i have compared it too. here's hoping they are working on a Phone/PDA or PDA/Phone combo.
Speaking of Dell, Check out the Michael Dell's kit. Aaaaah, to be a CEO of a HW company...

I still haven't replaced my shelving unit with the HP E-Series Rack that i got on the cheap. Not only that but there are a few my PC's with their entrails spread out over the floor. My Desk is getting more and more messy, i really need to take back that Desk real estate...

I had to replace all the cooling fans in my PC as two had died and one had a good death rattle going. I now have fancy red ones complete with Fan grills in a bid to reduce the dust ingress. The new CPU fan is running ultra quiet and is a great buy for the price. a good sign when PCCaseGear sells out. this allows me to put off the big CPU/Mobo/RAM/Video Card Upgrade that is inevitable. Damn you PCI-EX!!

Windows Home Server

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 07:38:47 GMT

How good will this be... at last, a central point for all my stuff, photos's MP3's the whole deal... This looks to be very exciting. Check out this link for the Video from Microsoft 10. Click here for more info for a post from Charlie Kindel

this could make big changes to the way folks at home can setup their computers. central file storage ( with single instance), central patch management, central media, backups, pretty interface. What's not to like?

Technorati tags: Microsoft, Windows Server, Windows Home Server

DirectX 10 Video

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 01:54:48 GMT

While we were seeing Vista Media Center in action last night, we were shown the video from E3 that is a big ad for DirectX 10. It looked fantastic on the projector and relaly showed how cool future games will be. As a sucker for shoot-em ups, i loved the jungle setting with the trees that fell under automatice fire... super sweet!!

Quote

E3 Microsoft DirectX 10 Video (High Quality)

This is the DX10 video that was shown at E3.

Blogger Levels

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:51:05 GMT

Hey I have been catching up on a lot of unread Blog posts today... I have seen a lot of references to the whole blogebrity thing (is that even a word?). I saw it on Frank's Blog and also a few others... So, why not try it myself, i thought. Alas, i should've known, I am but a lowly D List Blogger.

A whole 2 posts linked to me in the last 180 days... maybe I'm not doing it right... i still haven't really worked out the whole trackback thingy either. I'm sure I'll pick it up if i get more serious about it..

Vista Gadgets

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:32:56 GMT

So Frank has posted his list of gadgets, and there are some great ones there...

Here is a list of mine on our evaluation Dell Optiplex 745... My laptop has these plus the battery monitor...

Standard Gadgets:
Added Ones:

1. Magic 8 Ball - how else do I make decisions?

2. Remote Desktop - Well, i have to log on somewhere

3. Run program - When Windows-R is just too hard

4. Video Poker - a guy has to pass the time somehow

5. Wikipedia Gadget - When you just gotta know...

The Magic 8 ball is my favourite. I just love referring decisions to it. After all, it predicted that i would keep my job here...

Halo Goodness

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 03:04:11 GMT

Happy Birthday Halo... 5 years since the launch of Halo, the finest shooter around in my opinion. It's the only one that i have played over and over again.. I am just going back and playing it on the PC as well for some refreshers...

To celebrate, Bungie are releasing new Halo 2 maps (for Xbox 360 only) as well as revealing that they will be launching a Halo 3 Public Beta on Xbox Live. Wooot, time to get that network connection to my Lounge Room...

Not only that, they released an actual screenie of the master Chief himself... Hail to the Chief, baby!

My Dream Laptop - Opportunity Lost...

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 07:15:12 GMT

I have blogged about my dream laptop for work an eternity ago back in April and already I am finding it on the Auction sites such as Graysonline. Of course, as is my luck, it comes at a time when I can least afford it so it still remains a dream or better yet, get's upgraded to a pipe dream