technick | tips for the rest of us

Google Drive

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:55:00 +0000

Yes! This is a service that I have been anticipating for Google to come up with. It is a natural addition to the other products that Google already has on offer. Take GMail, for example. While the 10MB file limit is great - and more than sufficient - for a number of attachments, some specialised applications tend to generate file sizes greater than this, so moving it around can be a problem (unless you currently have Dropbox; don't have iCloud so can't comment on that).

This does come at an opportune time, because somebody approached me just last week asking how he can email his 12MB Illustrator file to himself from work. I had a fairly straightforward solution for him, because our internal system allows him to access his network drive from home. But Google Drive opens up more possibilities. And a free 4GB disk space isn't so bad either.

There are some concerns about intellectual rights though, so I'm still on the lookout for any developments on this before I try it out.

Read more: Google Blog

Dropbox: convenient storage in the Cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:04:00 +0000

Do you have a Dropbox account? You should, especially if you regularly share files or you need access to these wherever you are across a number of internet-aware gadgets.

But even if you do not need really need your own space in the Cloud, a place where you can store scanned important documents is a great idea.

Dropbox is essentially a file storage area in the Cloud. You might think that you already have a similar service. If you have iCloud, then you just might have.

Otherwise...
- Google Docs is different because Dropbox caters to a wider range of file formats
- Evernote is for collecting website addresses only
- Pinterest is also for collecting links online resources in a graphical format.

Dropbox goes a step further by creating a virtual drive on your computer which you can use like a regular folder but in the background, it syncs the content with the Cloud so you can access it via a browser interface or on another computer which has Dropbox in it (you need to download an app for this). Another strength of Dropbox is the ability to share files and folders, even with non-Dropbox users.

So create your Dropbox Account today! 2GB free space.

See what's new with Google+

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:11:00 +0000

A more intuitive display of who is else is online, integration with YouTube, better photo gallery display integration. I like what I'm seeing!

Would you donate your desktop to charity?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:02:00 +0000

New Zealand computer users are being asked to donate their desktops to raise money for charities including Oxfam and the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

Launching officially just after Easter, Donate Your Desktop asks users to download and install a desktop application that will update their desktop background with a new advertisement on a daily basis.

There’s no need to hand over credit card details, no-one else has access to the computer, and the ads are promised to be attractive, full-sized images, not ugly promotions.

75% of the revenue collected will go to Oxfam, the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, the Starship Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund. The rest of the money will go towards taking Donate Your Desktop global.

Users can register multiple desktops, for example both a home and a work desktop.

For advertisers, the service offers a long exposure per unit, as well as social media extension, with users able to tweet the images or ‘like’ them on Facebook.

Go here for more info.

news source: Techday

Xbox 360 Kinext Star Wars Limited Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:44:00 +0000

My son and I are Star Wars fans, that alone should be enough to make us buy this limited edition XBox 360... but there's the final 'hurdle'... I do not have control over the household budget. Must...use...the...Force...

Rockmelt social media browser

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:09:00 +0000

Have you tried the Rockmelt browser yet? I guess it's for people who are into social media for most of their waking life, or it's part of their job to be constantly in the pulse of trending topics.

I've just come across this one today, but I am still happy with logging in to the different services separately, and Chrome is doing a fine job with my Twitter notifications, so I will stick to mu current setup for now.

Game & Watch Galore

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:00:00 +0000

If you are from my generation, then you would surely know what a Game & Watch is. No? Well, long before the Sony PSP and the Nintendo GameBoy, we had the Game & Watch (also by Nintendo). The games themselves are quite repetitive and simplistic in nature, but that's the beauty of it. You do not need to memorize any fancy button combinations and such. It just repeats it cycle and it gets faster and faster until, well, you drop an egg or get caught by the octopus or drop the person you are rescuing from the fire. And when you're not playing the game (which is rare!), the console can double as a watch. Hence, Game & Watch!

In the mid-90s, I banded together with a colleague and fellow 80s enthusiast to search all over Metro Manila for stuff that we can buy from those glorious years. We were able to buy a number of die cast metal action figures from our favourite anime shows, and even a couple of VHS tapes. But not the elusive Game & Watch. Very rare.

Well, I found something in the internet that can just as well satisfy our yearning for reliving those good old days: Pica Pic's handheld electronic games! The website has a horde of these fantastic games which you can play! Yes! Play! And as a bonus, you get a really huge screen to play your games in! Good for these eyes which have seen a lot of gaming for many years.

Sadly, Fire and Parachute is not in the range of games available, but the collection more than makes up for it.
Well, there's Octopus! And there's also a Russian version of Mickey Mouse Factory, which I'm sure works the same way as the one I am familiar with.

I can't wait to play... but hang on, it's nearly midnight so it's way past my bedtime. Should've found this last weekend! Oh well, I'll surely be back tomorrow.

I hope it records scores...

Visit the Pica Pic website to play!

What's new in Ubuntu 12.04 Beta 1

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:35:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:17:00 +0000

Pinterest is essentially a virtual pinboard, where you can organize stuff you find in the internet in pin it on virtual boards. Looking at the core functionality, it is an information gathering tool and if you are like me you would most likely have an account with such a service. But while others whisk your information away into your personal storage, this one gives you a graphical display which you can also share with others.

To learn more about Pinterest, visit their website. I have just registered a couple of days ago and was accepted only a few minutes ago. I am excited to try this out, as I do prefer having a graphical view of things I collect from the net.

So you need a typeface

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:51:00 +0000

(Click on the image to get the bigger picture)

by Graphic Designer Julian Hansen:
"It's an alternative way to choose fonts (or just be inspired) for a specific project, not just by browsing through the pages of FontBook. The list is (very loosely) based on top 50 of Die 100 Besten Schriften by Font Shop

How do Glow Sticks work? Now you'll know

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Magic 89.9: pushing the envelope in broadcasting

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:29:00 +0000

Just thought I'd share this fascination I have with my favourite Philippine radio station, Magic 89.9. The content for one is really great, but in this case I am amazed with how they are using technology to make radio relevant in this internet age. I am talking in particular with the 6-9AM radio show, Good Times with Mo. One of the show hosts Mo Twister, needs to be in the US and so they are now using the current advancements in connectivity, with the DJs in Manila and Mo Twister in LA running the show.

Couple this with a live video feed of the show and you have something radically more than your usual radio show.

The podcasts are also an added bonus which is really great to have in your portable device to listen to whenever, wherever.

Good Times' format involves taking calls and interacting with various topics, which is hugely successful. Very interesting how discussions can turn to unpredictable results.

Coupled with this is the use of social media which expands the presence of the radio show. Give Magic 89.9 a try, if you are not a fan yet. I love Magic Madness on Fridays too!

What's that font?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:10:00 +0000

I was helping out with a website project of some friends and wanted to re-do the logo. Unfortunately nobody has a PSD or AI file to work with and I was not sure what font was used. A friend suggested using the What the Font service of the website myfonts.com. All you need to do is basically upload an image of the font in question and the system will try to identify it for you.

Was it able to identify the font I needed?

It was a bit close, but there were some unique traits to the font that the suggested alternatives did not quite possess.

Undaunted, I tried to check whether the system is indeed capable of making an accurate identification. I created an image file, which can be seen below.

I used Times New Roman, bold, for this test. The height is 109px (the system recommends 100px).

I uploaded this file, and the system asked me to help identify some of the letters

I could only properly identify 3 and t at the bottom row so I indicated those in the boxes provided for an clicked Continue.

I was then given some suggestions on the font to use

'Times New Roman' was not on the list, however. The suggested fonts list point to resources where you can purchase the font suggested. I wonder though if the system is programmed to exclude fonts that come with operating systems?

I have not yet come across any similar service as this. Any suggestion?

YouTube Rewind 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:38:00 +0000

I am only a very recent YouTube viewer so - surprise! - the top 2011 videos listed here do not ring a bell. Except for the number 1 spot: Friday music video by Rebecca. This made its way into mainsteam radio and that's where I learned of its existence.

But here's a good one for us Filipinos: Maria Aragon made it to the list!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Vangie, the Pinoy Siri

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 01:47:00 +0000

Hilarious!

YouTube for Schools

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:50:00 +0000

In retrospect, the Philippines did have a TV program that can be shown in the classroom in the mornings. It was called Sineskwela which is a contraction of two Filipino words: Sine (movie) and Eskwela (school). An internet-hosted equivalent makes sense because it can be viewed on demand and there are more avenues for interaction. The hardware and internet connection requirement might be a hindrance to some areas though...

A Personalized Video from Santa, courtesy of Google

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:18:00 +0000

Spread holiday cheer to friends and loved ones with a personalized video or phone call from Santa. Create your own at http://sendacallfromsanta.com.

I just made a video for my son. I thought this will feature a text recognition system which can read any name. Unfortunately it is not so. You have to choose from a limited number of names that closely matches yours. So my name (Nick) became Nicholas and my son Jo-Lo became Joel! It a nice feature nonetheless. Hope you can get a better name match.

What Facebook knows about you

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:39:00 +0000

A wake-up call to those who like placing loads and loads of personal information and spends loads and loads of time on Facebook.

Connect Blogger to Google+

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:57:00 +0000

The above popup which appeared when I logged in to blogger.com was a welcome sight. I had been wondering when Google will start integrating its other services to Google+, and Blogger is an obvious choice to be among the first in line.

There are two major reasons why you will want to connect your Blogger account with Google+:

Consistent Profile. You will now have just one profile for these two services. The Blogger profile will have to be discarded though, so if you love what you have in there, make sure you save your profile photo and blurb first before making the switch. You will have about a month to revert to your Blogger profile though, but what's the fun in that?

Post your blog post in Google +. Yay! Although you can actually do this already by copy-pasting the url, but this integration keeps mouseclicks to a bare minimum. The system will now ask you if you want to display your article on Google+ after you hit the Publish button. You can also change the sharing settings before committing to it. Or you can decline sharing if you want to. But what's the fun in that?

To connect: the notice should show up on your dashboard when you log-in to Blogger. Just follow the easy steps and you'll be done before you know it.

Android-powered Ukulele Chords

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:53:00 +0000

I installed a couple of apps on my Android phone to help me with checking out ukulele tabs without having to scan through the books. This one's the best so far because of the straightforward interface and chord illustration. It is intended for ukuleles prepped on the G-C-E-A tuning.

There are a couple of setbacks though. First, the sliding bar at the left and top do not react as smoothly as expected when a sliding gesture is made. Secondly, the illustration does not point out which finger goes to where. Good thing I have learned how the chords are played from the books so I am familiar with how the chords are played from the photos, but it may confuse others.

For A Major (above photo) for example, the first (pointing) finger rests on the third string of the first fret, and the second (middle) finger rests on the fourth string of the second fret. The other two strings are left as is. Without having prior knowledge of the chords, the above illustration can be a puzzle.

Nonetheless, I find this Android app very useful.

Get your free copy of Ukulele Chords (LE) from the Android Market
(photo credit: from the same site)

Learn a new language for free

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:04:00 +0000

With Duolingo you learn a language for free, and simultaneously translate the Web.

This is in connection with the video in my previous post regarding Captcha.

This site has not yet been launched though, but it's good to have a headstart. Register for Spanish or German, with French, Italian, and Chinese in the works. Sign up at the Duolingo website.

There's more to Captcha than meets the eye

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:38:00 +0000

Chromatic Tuner app for Android

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:26:00 +0000

I shared a website resource some time back to help tune your ukulele. But wouldn't it be nifty if you can have a device you can carry around with you to help with the same task, short of buying a chromatic tuner? I wondered if there is such an app for the Android, and a quick search revealed there is quite a number.

But the best one I have found so far is DaTuner. Using it is really easy. Activate DaTuner, place your mobile device near your ukulele (or guitar for that matter), then strum the desired string (repeatedly if needed, such as in the case of the ukulele where the sound does not get sustained as long as a guitar's). DaTuner will pick the note and display it. Adjust your string tension accordingly. Now I don't have to worry about my son messing up the tuning of the ukulele!

The Free version works perfectly, but you can also get the Pro version worth only NZ$3.02.

Get DaTuner from the Android Market

Google Music

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:44:00 +0000

There's another way to buy, share and listen to music. Try it now at http://music.google.com (currently available only in the United States. bummer)

Online Chromatic Tuner

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Ballesteros) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:12:00 +0000

I've just bought a ukulele last week because I got this sudden urge to learn to play an instrument. I thought guitars were to complicated for me because there's too many strings, and pianos have too many keys. But that's just me. So I opted for a ukulele because it is associated with 'fun' and Hawaii, which I think is a really nice place (even though I've never been there) and it has 4 strings!

My son has started becoming interested with it as well. And now my dilemma is he might start fiddling around with the pegs and I might lose the perfect tuning the shopkeeper made for the ukulele! Therefore I need to have a tuner handy. Research had lead me to the term "chromatic tuner" but before I went off to buy one, I thought I'd search for a software equivalent.

And there is! Presenting, the Chromatic Tuner from SeventhString.com. Quite handy for tuning your ukulele to G-C-E-A harmony.