Last week after fighting with my newly installed Blackberry Server (Blackberry Professional Software) I discovered that it wasn’t a problem with the server config. It was a problem with my Telus rate plan. Apparently my rate plan ($15 unlimited data, yeah I know it’s good) can not interface with a Blackberry Server. I was pretty disappointed with Telus for putting this type of block and not telling me about it when I signed up. Now I have my e-mails downloaded from Outlook Web Access automatically with the Blackberry Internet Service. I am told by Telus that I would need to switch to a 4MB $25, 8MB $40, 30MB $60 or 1024MB $100 plan if I want to connect my blackberry to my server. With the type of data that I use I would most likely need the $100 plan. That’s a difference of $85 per month to sync contacts, calendar appointments, tasks and notes wirelessly. I think I will connect my blackberry to my computer to sync for now until I find a way around it, which I will soon.
The other thing that I found was that the screen scratches pretty easily especially if you don’t use the belt clip. I find the belt clip too geeky and bulky so I stick the phone in my pocket. Sometimes there happens to be keys in there but I’ve never had problems with scratches on previous phones.
Also, if you haven’t already done so you should download all of the Google apps for the blackberry. The apps include Gmail, Maps, Docs, Reader, Picasa, Search, Sync, and News.
If you are looking for a way to access MSN Messenger you might want to try BerryVine Messenger.
8830 World Edition, OWA, Technology, blackberry, telus
121, 124, 142, 147, 38, 39, 48, 51, 69, 81, 96, 99
That’s right the Macbook Air was released today at Macworld in San Francisco. This thing is awesome! Weighing in at a low 3lbs it’s also the lightest laptop that I know of. The thickest part of this laptop is only 0.76 inches thick. Instead of me re-listing all the features just click here to read all about it and see ton’s of pictures.
Apple, Technology, macbook air, macworld
150, 3, 85, 99
For those of us that have a fairly new Mac computer it probably feels like Christmas is coming. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for a new OS. Mind you I have always used a PC up until May of this year when I bought Jenn bought our Macbook.
In the Windows world, when a new OS comes out it’s a very scary thing. Myself, an IT guy, this is the kinda stuff that I do all day. Fix PC’s, install updates, clean spyware / viruses, and basically everything else that goes with it. When an new OS comes out there are usually a lot of bugs that tend to cause problems. Another huge issues is hardware and software compatibility. I usually wait a year before converting all my managed systems to the latest Windows OS. Actually, we just started ordering new systems with Vista at the office and we’ve had challenges with it.
With Mac OS X Leopard I am not worried about the upgrade and will definitely be ordering and install it as soon as it comes out on the 26th.
Most of the new features are outlined in this guided tour. I watched it about 30 minutes ago and am looking forward to have it installed on our Macbook.
Here are some of the best new features from the new Mac OS X Leopard…
- Time Machine - go back to any file that was on your mac
- Stacks - easier access to items on your dock
- Quick Look - view the content of the file without opening it
- Cover Flow - easily flip through your files with a live preview
- Spaces - organize your open windows
- iChat - ability to share your desktop, photo booth effects, record audio and voice chats
- Mail - RSS built in, to-do, notes, templates, data detected - recognizes addresses and phone numbers
- Boot Camp - for those of us that still need Windows
- Safari - the fastest web browser today
- Parental Control - content filtering, logging, set up time limits and bedtimes
If you haven’t already converted to a Mac, now is the time to ditch that PC!
Apple, Leopard, OSX, Technology, mac
VMware is a pretty hot topic in the technology world at the moment. If you’re into technology, I’m almost certain that you have an idea what VMware does and why they’re so great. Virtualization is the wave of the future, almost like the internet was in the 90’s. VMware is a huge player in the virtualization market.
Why is VMware so great? Well mostly because a lot of their products are free.
How can I use VMware to make my life easier?
- Well you can use it to backup your computer in case of a crash.
- You can use it to create a virtual image of your old computer when you replace it with a new one just in case you happen to forget to transfer something.
- You can use it to create virtual machines to test applications, operating systems, etc.
To use VMware products to backup your workstation:
All you need to do is download the free VMware Converter. Once you have it installed simply import your physical computer and it will be converted into a virtual machine. The best part is you don’t need to reboot your computer. I use my USB hard drive to store the virtual images.
In the event of a crash you can simply walk over to another computer with your USB hard drive (that has your virtual machine) and install another free product called VMware Player. You can open your virtual machine with the VMware Player and access all of your software, data, etc.
Another way to run your virtual machine is with the VMware Server. VMware Server is very similar to VMware Workstation but it’s free and VMware Workstation is close to $200. The VMware Server acts like the VMware Player but with more options.
My favorite VMware Server feature is that you can automatically start your virtual machine when you start up the computer that has VMware Server. VMware Server starts as a service so you don’t need to login to the machine. With VMware Server you can create your own virtual machine. You can also run multiple virtual machines in the VMware Server console. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely worth the try. It’s free!
If you’re an IT person then you’ll definitely want to check out their enterprise suite which installs directly as an operating system.
Free, Technology, VMWare, Virtualization
That’s right Microsoft will attempt to compete with Apple’s iPod. It’s hard to believe that Microsoft is tying to make a portable music device that will be cooler than the iPod.
To giver you an idea of how well Apple is doing with the iPod…..Since Apple has released the iPod in October of 2001 they’ve sold more than 50.8 million players. In the US that’s about 77% of the market share. Also, that Apple music store is used for 72% of music downloads.
According to the Taipei Times the digital player will have a wireless Internet connection, enabling users to download music without being linked to a computer, a feature the iPod doesn’t offer, according to people briefed on Microsoft’s plans.
I’m anxious to see what Microsoft will come up with? Hopefully their MP3 or should I say WMA player won’t be susceptible to viruses, spyware and blue screens of death like many of their other products. That’s one more thing that I don’t want to have to worry about, what service pack my portable media player is at.
Apple, Gadgets, Technology, Useless
Once again Dell is having their 7 Days of Deals The Deals start today and by the looks of it, they aren’t too bad. The best deals today are a 2GB SD Card for $69, Linksys Wireless router for $39 and a Dell Laser Printer for $99.
Check it out daily to get some good deals.
Geek, Technology, Web
Like Google Earth wasn’t enough already, they decided to come out with Google Mars (http://mars.google.com). The only thing missing is the driving directions feature? Need I say more?
News, Technology, Useless
Well it might happen sooner than you thing. Google is talking about releasing yet another service for web users. This time it would allow users to store infinite amounts of data on Googles servers. Google is calling it GDrive. When will we see it? Who knows? I’m sure they are trying to find ways around slow internet speed first. Imagine trying to watch a DVD movie stored on your GDrive?
Geek, Technology, Web
Apple is in the news again. Today Apple released the mini with an Intel chip. The base model which houses a 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor starts at $699 CAN. If you want something that will be a little faster then you are looking at the 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo model that starts at $949 CAN. The Duo also comes with a 80GB hard drive (instead of 60GB) and a SuperDrive (instead of a Combo drive). If I was buying one I would definately want the Duo with the SuperDrive. On the other hand, the Mac mini doesn’t come with a monitor, keyboard or mouse (BYODKM - 
bring your own display, keyboard and mouse) which makes will add roughly another $450. Once your all said and done, it’s probably better to just buy an iMac because it has a bigger processor, bigger hard drive and a better video card and it’s only $1499 CAN.
Either way, I would probably wait on this a little bit since they are very new. Let Apple iron out the bugs and then get a new Intel Mac.
There are talks of a possible VoIP iPod…
Apple, Technology
If you’re lucky enough to own a Mac, welcome to the world of worms and viruses. A few viruses and worms have recently been discovered for the Mac platform.
Last week OSX/Leap-A was discovered. The virus attemps to spread itself through Apple’s iChat instant messaging program which is also compatible with AOL’s popular AIM instant messaging program.
This week a new worm was discovered. Symantec is calling it OSX.Inqtana.A. It spreads through a vulnerability in OSX’s bluetooth wireless connections.
So if you have a Mac and don’t have an antivirus program installed on it yet, now is probably a good time to do it. Now the Mac users will know what Windows users need to deal with everyday, the bottleneck of an antivirus program.
Apple, Geek, Technology
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