Year: 2007

Categories
Mostly Everything

On giving up certain “rights” as a writer

I was flipping through a popular technology magazine with local content recently and I couldn’t believe my eyes as I almost skipped through one of the gadget review pages. I had to double check the product review written by “writer x” because from what I know about this person’s professional background, he (or she) is currently affiliated with the same company that produces that particular device. The person in question also happens to be a writer as I’ve seen the name frequent technology publications.

But a line has to be drawn somewhere – and this is what you get when the editorial staff of the said publication is not very critical about who writes the review. The review was fair – but I do have to admit, would you, as an editor allow a product manager (or someone in a similar status) write a product review of devices manufactured by the company he or she works for?

The answer is obviously … Nope. This is a sad day in the local tech media.

I’m not sure if the editorial staff knows about this current affiliation. I obviously withheld names out of prudence to this particular magazine, the writer and staff because I don’t want this to become a huge controversy. It’s just … sad.

I don’t have a problem with the writer contributing for a technology magazine. I take issue on the position this person is in to write such a review. There are just certain rights you have to give up. Be careful next time 🙂

Categories
Mostly Everything

Cookies on the 21st, Taste Asia on the 23rd

There are two big blogger events coming up on the third week of August. The first is the “formal” launch of Blog and Soul which is sponsored by Mrs. Fields. There are going to be several things in store for bloggers. Mentalist Marcelle volunteered to do some magic tricks and Nikki Dy Liacco will also be there to talk about her book (and maybe even raffle off some copies!!). There will be a lot of other small tidbits to make this evening a memorable event. Best of all, don’t forget the cookies! If you still want to join, come and sign up.

The second blogger event is the Taste Asia Contest parteh happening two days later at Taste Asia, SM Hypermarket Mall of Asia. This blog will serve as one of the sign up hubs for an aspiring 500 guests. Will we be able to pull off 500 guests in the span of 12 days? You can check here for sign up status. All you need to do is leave a comment and include your guest’s name if you have one. The rule is one guest per blogger, but I think the overriding rule would be come one come all. 🙂

End of the World: Movie Skeds Gone Wrong!!!

So has anyone been experiencing anomalies with ClickTheCity’s movie schedules? Twice already I missed out a movie at the Alabang Town Center because the online database was not in sync with the actual movie schedule. And not only was the time messed up, the actual movie list in one particular cinema was different too.

Now this could be an isolated case as it could only be affecting the Alabang Town Center, but as I’ve always relied on ClickTheCity for the daily movie schedules, it can be really … surprising to be toting a huge bag of popcorn and an extra large drink only to find that the movie isn’t on till the next hour — not that it’s CTC’s fault for this. The source of the problem could have come from Ayala’s side also. I hope they get it fixed soon, as a discombobulating movie schedule can really mess up one’s schedule and definitely ruin a date.

Categories
Mostly Everything

Apple Product Unveiling Next Week

apple_iphone_in_my_hands.JPG

Nope this isn’t a Steve Jobs keynote. This is a local product launch and its venue is still yet to be known. The first suspicion would be the launch of the iPhone in the Philippines but that is just too good to be true. I have a feeling that the launch, which will be from 11AM to 3PM some time next week, will unveil the following:

  • announcement of the new wicked Apple iMac
  • announcement of iWork ’08

The new iMacs scrapped the sub-20 inch displays and are now thinner and made of one slab of anodized aluminum. It also now has a black border and the keyboard itself has been redesigned to take up less space. The new iMacs come in two sizes: the 20-inch and 24-inch models, both with a small variant in tech specs.

2007_imac.jpg

The high end 24-inch model has these specs:

Intel 2.4GHz Processor
1GB PC2-5300 667MHz DDR2 RAM (occupies one SO-DIMM slot with max of 2 slots for 4GB max RAM)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics processor
256MB of GDDR3 memory
750GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive
Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
24-inch model: 1920 by 1200 pixels
Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
802.11n AirPort Extreme
One FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port; 7 watts each
Total of five USB 2.0 ports: three ports on computer, two ports on keyboard

More specs at the Apple iMac home page.

Categories
Mostly Everything

Use a Wiimote to control your computer

sync_wiimote.JPG
syncing the Wiimote requires you to press buttons 1 and 2 together for discovery mode

Say you lost your Apple remote control. Or you were in the market for a cheap wireless presenter tool for your computer. My suggestion would be to buy a Wiimote instead (SRP P1,800 in Greenhills) and download an appropriate Bluetooth sync application for your computer. Darwiinremote for Mac OS X and WiinRemote for Windows allow you to do precisely this – sync your Wiimote with your computer and use it to control the mouse and other applications.

I’d love to whip out a Wiimote while doing a presentation one day. It’s one of those attention grabbers any presenter would love to do at the beginning of their talk.

Thanks Jerome for this tip. You can read a detailed FAQ on how to do this at hackazine.

It’s not the Wii that’s a work of wonder – it’s the Wiimote!