State Of Hands Test...

I have been wanting to try this InLinkz thing on my blog. And right now with Riley playing in his bouncy toy, I can bust out the laptop to try it.

So here is the state of my hands:

Weed pulling without gloves hand... (need to get me a new nail brush!)

Or maybe: think twice about biting my nails...
Or: I really need to get into the studio hands...

Riley's hands are busy curious hands today! I think he has learned that now with teeth, hands being in mouth can hurt...

Peeves the cat is a bit playful... Technically not hands, but that's not her fault... paws count too!

And Stinker... Well, you get the picture right? This shows her whole attitude about life...

Ok, so here is the test. Does this work with URL links to any site (blogs, websites, Flickr, Facebook, etc).

To find out, add your link to this blog of a picture of the state of your hands... (Nothing vulgar please - you know whom I am talking to!)

Make sure your link is to the actual page with the image, not just to a general website... Share this with friends too so we can get a good test batch...

Link back to this post by clicking on the title of this post and copying it on your post (if you can) somewhere...

This test will run until July 1, 2010 @ 11pm EST.

Thanks!

State Of Hands Test...

I have been wanting to try this InLinkz thing on my blog. And right now with Riley playing in his bouncy toy, I can bust out the laptop to try it.

So here is the state of my hands:

Weed pulling without gloves hand... (need to get me a new nail brush!)

Or maybe: think twice about biting my nails...
Or: I really need to get into the studio hands...

Riley's hands are busy curious hands today! I think he has learned that now with teeth, hands being in mouth can hurt...

Peeves the cat is a bit playful... Technically not hands, but that's not her fault... paws count too!

And Stinker... Well, you get the picture right? This shows her whole attitude about life...

Ok, so here is the test. Does this work with URL links to any site (blogs, websites, Flickr, Facebook, etc).

To find out, add your link to this blog of a picture of the state of your hands... (Nothing vulgar please - you know whom I am talking to!)

Make sure your link is to the actual page with the image, not just to a general website... Share this with friends too so we can get a good test batch...

Link back to this post by clicking on the title of this post and copying it on your post (if you can) somewhere...

This test will run until July 1, 2010 @ 11pm EST.

Thanks!

How To: Check iPhone 3GS New Bootrom or Old Bootrom (iBoot) Version

Courtesy of By Taimur Asad | June 25th, 2010

On Mac OS X

Step 1: Put your iPhone into DFU Mode (not recovery mode)

• Connect your iPhone to your computer.
• Turn iPhone off.
• Start iTunes.
• Hold Power and Home buttons together for 10 seconds or so.
• Release Power button but keep holding the Home button until your computer recognizes a new USB device.
• iTunes will now recognize your iPhone.

Note: Your iPhone screen at this time should be blank (black in color), if not, then you are most likely in Recovery Mode, not DFU mode.

Step 2: Run "System Profiler" and navigate to: Hardware -> USB (menu on left).

Step 3: At the top right under “USB Device Tree” panel click “Apple Mobile Device (DFU Mode)”.

Step 4: Now down under in “Serial Number”, simply go through the string and you’ll find the bootrom version (iBoot) as shown in the screenshots below:

iPhone 3GS – Old Bootrom 359.3

Step 5: If it’s 359.3, you have old bootrom. If it’s 359.3.2 or anything above that, its a new bootrom.

Note: In both the cases above, it doesn’t matter whether your iPhone is an MB model or an MC model. As long as it has 359.3 bootrom, it is iPhone 3GS with old bootrom, and if 359.3.2 or above then it is iPhone 3GS with new bootrom.

Internet Sharing from Macbook Pro to iPad

Today, I tried several experiments to see which works.

Internet <---> Ethernet <---> MBP <---> WiFi (Airport enabled) <---> iPad (THIS WORKS)

Internet <---> iPhone 3GS <---> USB <---> MBP <---> WiFi <---> iPad (WORKS)

Review - My Yoobao iPad Case

1. I have been searching high and low for the best iPad case.
2. Finally I decided to get Yoobao V2 from eBay. The seller seems genuine enough.
3. I have never purchased anything from eBay, but my previous and first experience in getting an STM XS Scout iPad Bag from Amazon encourage me to buy from online again.
4. The Yoobao iPad Case which I ordered from eBay arrived today (almost 10 days).

UPDATES - REVIEWS

• Review: 13 Reasons iLike iPad - How About You?
• Review: I Am A Student - Is It Worth To Buy an iPad?
• Review: After 1 month using iPad
• Review: What is it like after 2 months owning an iPad?
• Review: iPad - After More than 100 Days
• Review: After 4 months - List of my 11 Pages of iPad Apps
• Review: STM Scout XS
• Review: Screen Privacy Filter
• Review: Yoobao iPad Case
• Review: Apple Wireless Keyboard

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

iOS 4.0.1 to solve Antenna Problem or to Stop Jailbreak Solution?

Technically its not easy to fix the antenna problems with a software unless the iPhones are using some sort of smart antenna technology which uses software to "tunes" the signal strength (which I don't think Apple is using) coz they have boasted about the new Antenna body design.

Hardware method is the easiest way and that's why they introduced the iPhone 4 case "bumper". Technically its called "RF absorber". Many designs have used this method to reduce the RF interference. However, I am not sure other "plastic case" design by other manufacturers have same quality as Apple Bumpers or not.

However, I believed the software patch (as mentioned by Apple Insider) 4.0.1 (if released) is not trying to solve the Antenna problem but instead the software patch is trying to close any security holes for Jailbreak solutions. :hehe:

Some Time Off...

I had a bit of an epiphany this morning...

I was out watering the garden with my little garden helper (Chloe - we found a little toad and were checking it out before letting it go into the garden) and had a moment of clarity...

 I should listen to Dave and my sister Wendy: schedule yourself a set amount of time and designated day to do things.

Frustration and Guilt are two things I cannot stand to feel.

Frustration because I am thinking about doing way too many things...

Guilt because I'm doing something other than I am thinking about, and maybe enjoying it...

And I feel both when I have orders that I need to be working on because

1. Things need to be pulled or created to fill the order

2. I have this business as my "job"

But there are times where I just want to sit on this computer and write or read blogs, catch up with friends and family on FaceBook.

There are times where I want to disconnect the computer and spend time with the little ones or in the garden or with extended family and friends...

Sorry Dave, notice "cleaning the house" isn't a priority on the list...

And when there is an order in studio, I feel the guilt and frustration settle in because I feel that needs to be priority. Priority as respect for my customers, and priority because I have this overwhelming guilty feeling of having to have a contributional income to this household. 

Right now, Dave carries everything on his back. 

And he's strong overall, but I think it's unfair to him...

So it does make sense to have time designated to work. 

Now if I could just stick to it for the one day a week (Thursdays) that I have to do it. Oh, and also during Riley's naptime - but that seems to be the time when I get on the computer the most.

Darn ADHD or rather my interest in anything and everything around me...

See, Riley is now waking up, and all my time that I had to spend cleaning glaze holes was spent organizing blog post labels, adding new blog pages, and writing this post (and reading and commenting on others). Oh well... maybe I will have another cup of coffee and get stuff done in the studio later tonight...

Some Time Off...

I had a bit of an epiphany this morning...

I was out watering the garden with my little garden helper (Chloe - we found a little toad and were checking it out before letting it go into the garden) and had a moment of clarity...

 I should listen to Dave and my sister Wendy: schedule yourself a set amount of time and designated day to do things.

Frustration and Guilt are two things I cannot stand to feel.

Frustration because I am thinking about doing way too many things...

Guilt because I'm doing something other than I am thinking about, and maybe enjoying it...

And I feel both when I have orders that I need to be working on because

1. Things need to be pulled or created to fill the order

2. I have this business as my "job"

But there are times where I just want to sit on this computer and write or read blogs, catch up with friends and family on FaceBook.

There are times where I want to disconnect the computer and spend time with the little ones or in the garden or with extended family and friends...

Sorry Dave, notice "cleaning the house" isn't a priority on the list...

And when there is an order in studio, I feel the guilt and frustration settle in because I feel that needs to be priority. Priority as respect for my customers, and priority because I have this overwhelming guilty feeling of having to have a contributional income to this household. 

Right now, Dave carries everything on his back. 

And he's strong overall, but I think it's unfair to him...

So it does make sense to have time designated to work. 

Now if I could just stick to it for the one day a week (Thursdays) that I have to do it. Oh, and also during Riley's naptime - but that seems to be the time when I get on the computer the most.

Darn ADHD or rather my interest in anything and everything around me...

See, Riley is now waking up, and all my time that I had to spend cleaning glaze holes was spent organizing blog post labels, adding new blog pages, and writing this post (and reading and commenting on others). Oh well... maybe I will have another cup of coffee and get stuff done in the studio later tonight...

[How-To] - Enable Internet Tethering for Celcom

By default you cannot see the "Internet Tethering" feature General --> Network settings.
However, when you enable with the below Celcom settings, you will be able to see the "Internet Tethering" and also the camera icon at the SMS app (for sending MMS pictures).

With this feature, I am able to use my iPhone 3GS iOS 4.0 for Internet Tethering in replacement for the "MyWi" app. However, this solution is incomplete since my iPad WiFi cannot use the Internet Tethering, instead, it requires the WiFi and MyWi.

The moment you insert the APN "celcom3g" for "Internet Tethering", you will get the feature enabled.

UPDATES - REVIEWS

• Review: 13 Reasons iLike iPad - How About You?
• Review: I Am A Student - Is It Worth To Buy an iPad?
• Review: After 1 month using iPad
• Review: What is it like after 2 months owning an iPad?
• Review: iPad - After More than 100 Days
• Review: After 4 months - List of my 11 Pages of iPad Apps
• Review: STM Scout XS
• Review: Screen Privacy Filter
• Review: Yoobao iPad Case
• Review: Apple Wireless Keyboard

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

MyWi 3.x Crashed after iOS 4 Jailbreak

The main reason for my Jailbreak is to ensure I can get MyWi for my Internet Tethering needs.

However, after today's Jailbreak of the 3GS, I found out that my purchased/licensed MyWi is unable to be install properly.

I tried the other MyWi versions (No Rock) but keep getting the crash asked for a "Restart". Rebooting the iPhone doesn;t work since it still operate in "Safe Mode".

The only way to exit from the "Safe Mode" is to uninstall MyWi app.

Probably the current MyWi version is not compatible with iOS 4.0.

Just noticed this... Some of the apps are not compatible as yet..






Also, I happened to read this Forum post but its already too late... :-(

Click here --> iOS 4 and MyWi

From Rock Website: http://www.rockyourphone.com

Important Note: You need to have a jailbroken phone to install Rock Your Phone Applications. The information below will help guide you on getting Rock Your Phone onto your iPhone

---

Rock works best on the latest OS releases from Apple. If you have and iPhone or iPod Touch this means OS version 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 on the iPad the only OS is 3.2:

All users should use the newest jailbreak called Spirit which was released on May 2nd, 2010 to install RockApp on your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch.

Review - How to upgrade and Jailbreak a Blackra1n Jailbroken 3GS 3.1.2 to iOS 4.0

Finally, I have Jailbreak my iPhone 3.1.2 which was Jailbroken via Blackra1n to the latest Apple iOS 4.0 and Jailbreak with Pwnage Tool 4.0.1. You may click any of the articles below:

I followed closely this below articles:-

1 - How to Jailbreak Your iPhone 3GS Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.0]

2 - Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone 3gS to iOS4 (also downgrade to lower firmwares) on Mac

3 - iTunes: Backing up, updating, and restoring your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch software

4 - iOS4 jailbreak pwnagetool - cydia crash

I have to create the custom ipsw twice to get the Cydia working. The first one crashed because I have enabled and downloaded some sources during the Pwnage process.

(Note: Ensure to "uncheck" the "Activate iPhone" because mine is officially unlocked)

In preparation for an iOS 4 Upgrade - Things To Do

If you have the following:-

- iPhone 3GS (Model MC)

- FW 3.1.2 / Baseband: 05.11.07

- Jailbreak with Spirit

- Old Bootroom (S/N: XX932XXXXXX means Week 32 Year 2009) Note: Newer Bootroom is week 40 and above)

However, Dev Team, have commented in their Forum the following statement:-

"iPhone 3GS

Summary: Currently, PwnageTool only works on previously jailbroken 3GS devices with the old bootrom.

• If you have a Jailbroken iPhone 3GS with the OLD BOOTROM and you DID NOT use Spirit to jailbreak then you can create the ipsw with PwnageTool 4.0 and restore with your jailbroken recovery mode.
• If you have an iPhone 3GS with the NEW BOOTROM this is NOT supported by PwnageTool 4.0 PwnageTool 4.01"

Since you have Jailbreak using Spirit and since there is no Spirit Jailbreak for iOS 4 yet, you have to do the following:-

1 - Restore back to 3.1.2 (Ensure SHSH is backup via Cydia)

2 - Jailbreak using Redsn0w. See --> HERE

3 - Jailbreak using Pwnage 4.0.1. See --> HERE

Update:

However, today, I realized I have not Jailbreak using Spirit but using a method called Blackra1n. If this is the case, I might be able to Jailbreak my 3.1.2 iPhone 3GS to iOS 4.

Just in case you have problem ... see this article --> Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone 3gS to iOS4 (also downgrade to lower firmwares) on Mac

[HOW-TO]: Backup and Reinstall Cydia Packages

Someone commented in a Forum ..

"As with any upgrade to the iPhone Firmware, there has never been a way to upgrade any firmware with out losing your jailbreak. Here is my suggestion to you. I use a program called PKGBACKUP. You can buy it on cydia. this program creates a backup list of all your cydia installed packages. Once done you sync your iphone with itunes and that list gets backed up. Then you can re-jailbreak once the jailbreak for iOS 4 comes out. Reinstall PkgBackup. Restore your iphone's backup from itunes. Run PkgBackup and then you can reinstall all your cydia packages. I've used this in past in it has worked flawlessly.!!"

There is an article from Apple website on how to backup, update and restore your iPod and iPhone --> HERE


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Getting Back To It: Sometime...

Somehow I have not been able to get back into the swing of things too fast now that we are home from a week at the beach in North Carolina (Ocean Isle Beach - very nice!!!).

Orders are getting organized into Quickbooks, pieces being pulled, silks being pulled, pieces getting made and glazed, kilns to be fired... But it is taking me so long to do everything!

I would like to still be at the beach, getting up early and taking walks with Riley (and Chloe if she were a morning person... but she likes her sleep too much, like her dad).

But then who wouldn't... I'm happy to say that the beach vacation was an actual vacation. Dave and I are both parentally exhausted as normal, but our work and worries went away for just a little while...

So I think tomorrow will be my actual big studio day. For the making and glazing of the pieces anyway. I have some special request pieces from before I left that are glazed, but not fired - so a few more pieces for new orders can get glazed then they can all go into the kiln together - maybe even tomorrow night if I'm really good at it!

I don't even want to tell you what a mess my garden is - SO many weeds grew in just a week. Time to call in the neighborhood kids (they seem to want to hang out and help weed the garden and play with Chloe and Riley)... I think we might be the "cool house" - at least just a little...

Getting Back To It: Sometime...

Somehow I have not been able to get back into the swing of things too fast now that we are home from a week at the beach in North Carolina (Ocean Isle Beach - very nice!!!).

Orders are getting organized into Quickbooks, pieces being pulled, silks being pulled, pieces getting made and glazed, kilns to be fired... But it is taking me so long to do everything!

I would like to still be at the beach, getting up early and taking walks with Riley (and Chloe if she were a morning person... but she likes her sleep too much, like her dad).

But then who wouldn't... I'm happy to say that the beach vacation was an actual vacation. Dave and I are both parentally exhausted as normal, but our work and worries went away for just a little while...

So I think tomorrow will be my actual big studio day. For the making and glazing of the pieces anyway. I have some special request pieces from before I left that are glazed, but not fired - so a few more pieces for new orders can get glazed then they can all go into the kiln together - maybe even tomorrow night if I'm really good at it!

I don't even want to tell you what a mess my garden is - SO many weeds grew in just a week. Time to call in the neighborhood kids (they seem to want to hang out and help weed the garden and play with Chloe and Riley)... I think we might be the "cool house" - at least just a little...

How To Check Which Telco Support Unlock iPhone and Internet Tethering?

This is a good article from Apple that showed which telcos supports the "Official Unlock" and also that supports "Internet Tethering". Click HERE.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Where is the ipsw file located after downloaded via iTunes?

Mac OS X

For iPhone: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

For iPod touch: ~/Library/iTunes/iPod Software Updates

(The tilde "~" represents your Home directory.)

Windows XP

For iPhone: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

For iPod touch: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPod Software Updates

Windows Vista

For iPhone: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

For iPod touch: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPod Software Updates

iOS 4 ipsw Download Links

iOS 4 external download links

iPhone 4

iPhone 3GS

iPhone 3G

iPod Touch 3rd Gen

iPod Touch 2nd Gen

The update/installation guide can be found here.

Update 1: Ultrasn0w 0.93 has been released, which brings unlock for iOS 4 and all other basebands since iPhone 3.0. Details here.

Review: What is it like after 2 months owning an iPad?

Since its official release date on April 3, 2010 (WiFi version), the iPad had received numerous reviews - both good and bad. Many Forums received repeated questions such as should I buy the iPad or not, Macbook Air or iPad, iPad 3G or WiFi, etc.

Many early adopters just cannot wait to own an iPad because Apple release the official iPad only in certain selected countries. Singapore will get their sometime in July 2010 but nowhere in the time frame mentioned about Malaysia.

Personally, I managed to purchase the iPad when I was in Taiwan and ggot it after 2 weeks of its official release. Malaysians also can buy their iPad at some shops especially at Low Yat Plaza or even in some of the Net Forums like Low Yat Net. But the cost is still way too high as compared to the price which was released in USA. Its the price that early adopters need to pay - premium. The advantage is that these users have early experience of using an iPad. It certainly attracts other users in envy.

In my earlier posts (After 1 month), I have indicated how I am going to use the iPad in my daily life. That was quite sometime ago. Okay - what is like after 2 months of using that "awesome" device?

Honestly, not all the things which I wished earlier became true in my daily usage. It needs discipline to make the iPad as your daily companion. So - what are my common applications which I used daily? They are:-

1 - Safari Browser - I used this quite a lot to browse the Net for more information. The ease of browsing is the key factor and I used this almost 80% of my usage time.
2 - Facebook client - Although iPad doesn't have a native application yet, it is still my favorite social networking client. Since I have Jailbreak the iPad, I can "force" the FB client to be like a "native iPad" app (unlike the 2x feature).
3 - Twitter Client - another past time of mine.
4 - ToDo - This app helps to manage my daily Things To Do. Excellent utility to remind me of TTD.
5 - BlogPress - excellent way to update my Blog.

Although I have purchased apps like Goodreader, DocsToGo, iAnnotate PDF, My Library etc. I still don't find the time to use them to the fullest.

The question remained - Are you a Consumer or Creator of contents? For most people, iPad are meant for people who consumed information a LOT more than creating contents. A laptop/notebook/desktop like the Macbook are great in creating contents e.g. word processing, powerpoint, spreadsheet, photo or movie editing etc.

Looking at the usage above, I am still a "Consumer" of information... :-)

UPDATES:

Other Reviews:

• Review: After 1 month using iPad
• Review: What is it like after 2 months owning an iPad?
• Review: iPad - After More than 100 Days
• Review: 13 Reasons iLike iPad - How About You?
• Review: I Am A Student - Is It Worth To Buy an iPad?

 - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Yoobao iPad Case V 2.0 - Brown

Just bought an iPad case from eBay.

I have been reading too much on the Net just to get a suitable iPad case which have safety flap that secures the iPad from slipping out. Send an email to the seller (ebesthoo168) at eBay enquiring few things.

Got the below answer from him (ebesthoo168):-

we confirm that:
1. the brown case with that big glap, not the 2 straps!!

2. the color is light is b rown ,not BLACK!

3. if ship by Registered Air Mail(by fault,we only select it),it will take 10-21 days to reach you! total psyment(include the ship fee) is $49.98!

4. if you need very fast, please select fastpost(EMS/DHL),but its ship fee is very expensive,please contact us before you bid upon!!

Update (June 18, 2010): Item shipped on June 17, 2010.
Update (July 23, 2010): It was tested till today regarding the effects of Magnetic Flaps and it was found "None". Everything is okay.

UPDATES - REVIEWS

• Review: 13 Reasons iLike iPad - How About You?
• Review: I Am A Student - Is It Worth To Buy an iPad?
• Review: After 1 month using iPad
• Review: What is it like after 2 months owning an iPad?
• Review: iPad - After More than 100 Days
• Review: After 4 months - List of my 11 Pages of iPad Apps
• Review: STM Scout XS
• Review: Screen Privacy Filter
• Review: Yoobao iPad Case
• Review: Apple Wireless Keyboard

Board Examination, Revisited

For past few weeks, I’ve been reading in the Times of India news items on Examination results and College entrance. The keywords like – Top scores, Cut off marks, First list, preferred courses, college preference, etc all reminds me of that time in my life I wish I could forget :)

I’ve done most of my schooling and college in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. As Bryan Adams crooned “Those were the best days of my life…” but it had some days that is best forgotten

One thing I must mention is that during my studying years most of my thickest friends from my class have been the brightest students. As any bright students, they were the source of admiration of other students. And I thought, me in their company would get a share of the admiration (or that is what my developing mental faculty at that time used to think). But during the examination period and the results thereof they became my source of depression and dejection.

The 10th Board Exams:

In the great Indian Education Challenge, the 10th board exam is the first and important hurdle that students need to cross. Teachers, at the start of the year, put the fear of the exams in you by saying that all that your life depends on the performance of this crucial exam. According to them, all the exams so far has been club cricket, the real game is the board exams. The competition was not between the 60 odd students in the class, it was between lakhs of students, school Vs. school, ‘I’m the best’ of one school with ‘I’m the best’ of another school

I was confident about my performance before the start of the 10th exams. It was a known fact that our internal exams are so tough that sailing through the board exams would be a breeze

The first seed of doubt was sown by my Hindi teacher. As any South Indian student, Hindi as a subject had been my closest experience to physical and mental torture. While leaving the exam centre after giving my Hindi Exam, I bumped into my Hindi teacher who said “I’m not sure of you passing this subject”. That statement made hell out of the exam holidays…till the results came out.

Having resigned to hear my disastrous performance in the examination….it was an agonizing wait. To be on the safe side, I had to hide my hall ticket number. In the days before Internet, it was the newspaper office where the exam result news would first appear and be displayed…. On the day of the results, I too joined the sea of students to check out my results. Low on expectation and high on clearing my doubt… I checked for my roll number.. Nothing in third division, not there in second division….I thought all was lost. Finally, I decided that a hopeless glance in the first division list would complete my ordeal…and surprise, Surprise…. There was my roll number… That moment of euphoria.. I had only one desire, to get my hands on my Hindi teacher.

My teachers said that the 10th exams were the most important exam in a student’s life… But today I realize that every day in life is an important exam.

My teachers lied.

Santosh