// post · 681

Macbook Pro

I upgraded from my white macbook the other day (10 days ago :p) to a MacBook Pro 15" (base spec: 2.4GHz, 2gb Ram, 250gb HDD, Geforce 9600 256mb).

I picked it up from the online apple store for $AU2699 (refurbished model, but in perfect condition) and it is great. The screen is much better than the old macbook and it can play some games too.

I'm currently dual booting Mac OS and Windows 7 Beta.

Photo

// post · 680

PowerBook G4

I just picked myself up an old PowerBook Ti off ebay (yes I like collecting random old stuff), and I was surprised how fast it was.

Specs:

  • G4 800MHz
  • 512mb PC133
  • Radeon 7500 32mb

I installed Leopard on it via Firewire (off my iBook G4) and it works really well. The screen is great and it is more than fast enough to browse the internet on with multiple tabs.

// post · 676

Why blackberries suck

So I've had the pleasure of looking after some Blackberries and I just don't understand why anyone would purchase one over say a Windows Mobile device or an iPhone.

So here is my list of why Blackberries suck:

  • The user interface on the phone feels like a palm from the 90s. The screen on the newer phones is better, but the interface is still really nasty, I hate that crappy ball thing they use.
  • It doesn't sync correctly/at all. Do a quick google search to see for yourself. They just don't work correctly. Half the time the contacts don't sync wirelessly, the email reconciliation doesn't work (you know, when you delete an email off the phone it should also delete from exchange) and they don't activate quickly.
  • Blackberry Enterprise Server is shit. There are so many hooks it requires into Exchange that it just isn't funny. Do an update on Exchange and you'll be spending the rest of the day trying to fix the BES user permissions.
  • With an ActiveSync device (WinMo, iPhone etc) you don't need any extra server software as long as you're running Outlook Web Access, unlike Blackberry that requires the BES server.
  • Security. If you're using a Blackberry your data must flow through the RIM Server Relay Protocol (SRP) system. Where as Exchange can talk directly to the Phone via SSL. So there are less security issues and you don't need to worry if the SRP goes offline (which has happened before).
  • BES puts a lot of extra load on the Exchange Information Store as it polls for incoming messages.

I can't really think of much else. But yeah I really don't like looking after Blackberries and have no problems recommending the iPhone over it for business users.

If you think the only way of getting push email on your phone is via a Blackberry you are very wrong.

// post · 675

Moving Again?

Looks like the owner of our current place in Annandale is selling. So we might need to start looking for another house....again! So sick of this!

We moved into this place in June 2007.

// post · 674

Bluetrait Board Dev Update

I've had a chance to work on Bluetrait Board today. I'm hoping to have the next version out in a few weeks.

Version 0.6 should include the following updates:

  • All new interface (thanks to Matthew)
  • Full login system
  • Pie chart break down for money spent
  • Full Installer (I hope)

Yah should be cool. The program has been really useful in tracking what we spend. Maybe I should setup a full hosted version that people can sign up and use...I do have some spare web hosting.

// post · 673

Cleaning the Spam

Well I finally got around to removing all the spam off my old websites, and I've disabled all the commenting. Awesome.

I also had some old contact forms that I was getting spam from too. These now have links to my main contact form.

My contact form also got a bit of an update, it now has akismet support.

// post · 672

Spring 2008 Timetable

Spring 2008 Timetable
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8am BlueArc Bluearc
9am SBX SBX
10am
11am
12pm
1pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
5pm
6pm UTS: Extreme Programming

CB10.02.340
UTS: Innovations for Global Relationship Management

CB04.02.38 then CB10.02.240
7pm
8pm
9pm