Disc Stakka software and drivers for Microsoft Windows Vista are out
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Windows, posted: 27-May-2007 09:27
More and more drivers for Microsoft Windows Vista are coming out. If you have an imation Disc Stakka you can now download the official driver and application from Opdicom.
I need to purchase a second unit, since my first one is already up to the 100 CDs/DVDs limit.
I need to purchase a second unit, since my first one is already up to the 100 CDs/DVDs limit.
Permalink to Disc Stakka software and drivers for Microsoft Windows Vista are out
| Add a comment
| Main Index
Unpack your vodem (take II)
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 26-May-2007 11:31
Vodafone has released a vodem update that allows the device (a Vodafone-branded Huawei 220) to work with Microsoft Windows Vista.
The problem is that this update only runs on Windows XP, so if you are like myself and don't have a Windows XP machine anymore your option is to take the vodem to a Vodafone store and ask them to do the update there.
Lucky someone at Huawei leaked a vodem driver update that runs on Windows Vista. I have just finished installing it now, and it's in much better shape than before - the official Vodafone update didn't do much, but the update through Windows Vista worked really well...
The problem is that this update only runs on Windows XP, so if you are like myself and don't have a Windows XP machine anymore your option is to take the vodem to a Vodafone store and ask them to do the update there.
Lucky someone at Huawei leaked a vodem driver update that runs on Windows Vista. I have just finished installing it now, and it's in much better shape than before - the official Vodafone update didn't do much, but the update through Windows Vista worked really well...
Sony special screws for you
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 26-May-2007 09:11
As consumers we are always interested to know how some companies get to establish prices for their services or parts. I mean, if you check the price charged for a automobile part when you take your car in for a service it makes you wonder how much cars would cost if those prices were applied.
Enters the Sony Special Screw (if they take link is down, you can see the screenshot below):
Yes, this is $38.40 for a single screw. Note this is the distribution price. And I am glad the store is certified "hacker safe". Can you imagine how much the screw would cost if hackers had their way with it?
Add the services provider margin on this, and you end up with a EUR 61.31 (US$ 82.50) Sony Special Screw:
That's right: US$82.50 for a single screw used in a Sony 13cm speaker. How is this for making huge money and literally screwing the customer?
You can find the original image and discussion here. Found this through Consumerist.
Enters the Sony Special Screw (if they take link is down, you can see the screenshot below):
Yes, this is $38.40 for a single screw. Note this is the distribution price. And I am glad the store is certified "hacker safe". Can you imagine how much the screw would cost if hackers had their way with it?
Add the services provider margin on this, and you end up with a EUR 61.31 (US$ 82.50) Sony Special Screw:
That's right: US$82.50 for a single screw used in a Sony 13cm speaker. How is this for making huge money and literally screwing the customer?
You can find the original image and discussion here. Found this through Consumerist.
Mainframes back then and now
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 25-May-2007 14:15
One of the comments on the story about Unisys launching a new series of Intel-based mainframes came from Juha, who asked "Intel-based?".
Yes, microprocessor based mainframes. This is what is all about now. The old CMOS-based technology has been out of production for years, if you don't know. Unisys has been using Intel-based mainframes, or "enterprise servers" for a generation.
Those mainframes, are still alive and kicking, with both Unisys and IBM competing in the market for large processing - and many companies are still running on them.
As an example, Telecom New Zealand's current voice mail platform runs on a resilient, four-mainframe, fully failover capable system from Unisys (I am aware this system is being replaced in 2007 though).
To have an idea of numbers, I've contacted Telecom New Zealand and asked how many voice mail calls are processed by this platform (for other intelligent features run on this installation) and I was told that about 5.5 million calls to Telecom mobiles go through to the voice mail daily. This is for mobile phones only, not counting the fixed line voice mail which is processed in the same platform.
So what a modern mainframe looks like? Just check the picture of this new Unisys Dorado 400 Clearpath series:
Pretty much like any other rack, right? Now compare it with an old Burroughs B5900 about 30 years old), including (from left to right) line printer, tape unit, CPU, consoles, removable disc units:
Yes, microprocessor based mainframes. This is what is all about now. The old CMOS-based technology has been out of production for years, if you don't know. Unisys has been using Intel-based mainframes, or "enterprise servers" for a generation.
Those mainframes, are still alive and kicking, with both Unisys and IBM competing in the market for large processing - and many companies are still running on them.
As an example, Telecom New Zealand's current voice mail platform runs on a resilient, four-mainframe, fully failover capable system from Unisys (I am aware this system is being replaced in 2007 though).
To have an idea of numbers, I've contacted Telecom New Zealand and asked how many voice mail calls are processed by this platform (for other intelligent features run on this installation) and I was told that about 5.5 million calls to Telecom mobiles go through to the voice mail daily. This is for mobile phones only, not counting the fixed line voice mail which is processed in the same platform.
So what a modern mainframe looks like? Just check the picture of this new Unisys Dorado 400 Clearpath series:
Pretty much like any other rack, right? Now compare it with an old Burroughs B5900 about 30 years old), including (from left to right) line printer, tape unit, CPU, consoles, removable disc units:
Google Calendar moves to mobile
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 25-May-2007 10:51
Companies are realising that more mobile phones are in use today than computers. And we see many mobile handsets will full Internet access capabilities being underutilised. How many people you know are aware that it is possible to install a new application on their Symbian or Windows Mobile smartphone? Believe me, some people never knew it was possible.
The natural step is for companies to provide mobile services - and this is what Google is doing with its Google Calendar. If you are using Google Calendar simply point your mobile browser to www.google.com/calendar (or www.google.com/calendar/m if your device doesn't redirect automatically) and it will show something like this now:
Google has already "mobilised" its web-based e-mail service and now it's the time for the calendar to follow.
One thing though: developers need to be very creative because natural device restrictions (screen size, keypad) and software restrictions (limited javascript and plugin support) require lots of different solutions.
The natural step is for companies to provide mobile services - and this is what Google is doing with its Google Calendar. If you are using Google Calendar simply point your mobile browser to www.google.com/calendar (or www.google.com/calendar/m if your device doesn't redirect automatically) and it will show something like this now:
Google has already "mobilised" its web-based e-mail service and now it's the time for the calendar to follow.
One thing though: developers need to be very creative because natural device restrictions (screen size, keypad) and software restrictions (limited javascript and plugin support) require lots of different solutions.
Music downloads make the New Zealand charts
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 23-May-2007 09:15
Just got the news that New Zealand’s RIANZ will start (from 29 May) to represent the full spectrum of New Zealand music sales, including digital downloads from New Zealand’s legal, digital music retailers.
According to the press release, until now, The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) has compiled The Charts each week on the basis of physical music sales and radio play.
Next week’s Chart will be the first to reflect legal digital music downloads with digital sales being counted from Monday May 21.
Why is this important? Because we will have visibility of total music sales. When associations come out saying "CD sales have been impacted by piracy", we will be able to see also how much of CD sales have been impaced by legal soft sales.
This article on NZ Herald says:
Well, let's see if "legal" music downloads can also be blamed for declining CD sales.
RIANZ President Adam Holt says there was a sharp increase in the sales of digital tracks and singles over the past 12 months, therefore "Changes in the album chart will be less obvious as the physical album is the dominant format in New Zealand.”
According to the press release, until now, The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) has compiled The Charts each week on the basis of physical music sales and radio play.
Next week’s Chart will be the first to reflect legal digital music downloads with digital sales being counted from Monday May 21.
Why is this important? Because we will have visibility of total music sales. When associations come out saying "CD sales have been impacted by piracy", we will be able to see also how much of CD sales have been impaced by legal soft sales.
This article on NZ Herald says:
Campbell Smith, who is also the Recording Industry Association chief executive, told Parliament's commerce select committee yesterday that the decline in CD sales had led many musicians to abandon the industry as a full-time career.[Sony BMG managing director Micheal Bradshaw ] said CD sales in New Zealand dropped 35 per cent in the past two years, offset slightly by growth in the legal digital market.
Well, let's see if "legal" music downloads can also be blamed for declining CD sales.
RIANZ President Adam Holt says there was a sharp increase in the sales of digital tracks and singles over the past 12 months, therefore "Changes in the album chart will be less obvious as the physical album is the dominant format in New Zealand.”
Who are the market players in New Zealand? Now that Coketunes is out, we have Amplifier, RipIt and digiRAMA, and according to the RIANZ a strong music presence on the Telecom and Vodafone mobile platforms, plys the recent launch of iTunes New Zealand store.
Want to know if this can impact the numbers? According to the RIANZ more than 40,000 tracks are downloaded each week, while digital album sales are still in their infancy.
The only problem is that there will be no separate charts for physical and soft sales. This will make it harder for people to use it as an argument against the "piracy is killing the CD" cause...
What would you do with $80,000 of IT gear and services?
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 22-May-2007 14:36
I just noticed (well, got an e-mail from IBM) that there's a competition going on now (until 30 Aug 2007) called "The IBM/Intel IT Makeover Challenge", with a $80,000 prize.
Basically you have to enter the competition by filling an on-line form, and explaining in 500 words (100 is ok, less is bad, more than 500 seems to be too much detail) how an IT makeover would help your company achieve its business objectives, overcome IT challenges, etc, etc.
Then sit back and wait for the results. But it seems this is open to Australian and New Zealand businesses, so it's a bigger competition...
Basically you have to enter the competition by filling an on-line form, and explaining in 500 words (100 is ok, less is bad, more than 500 seems to be too much detail) how an IT makeover would help your company achieve its business objectives, overcome IT challenges, etc, etc.
Then sit back and wait for the results. But it seems this is open to Australian and New Zealand businesses, so it's a bigger competition...
Could Coketunes be an example why DRM is bad?
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 21-May-2007 21:39
I don't think coketunes will get Juha's money - not back when they launched in August 2005, not now when they have announced the end of their music service:
Coketunes is a Coca-Cola branded digital music service for the New Zealand market, but it was also available in other countries.
I am currently looking for comments on this from anyone using coketunes. Their FAQ says the music download service offers "Windows Media Audio file (WMA) [is the format available in this shop]. Our tracks are encoded at 128kbps and are protected by Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management."
So what does it mean? Are people who purchased their music through this service protected and will be able to play their DRM-protected tracks after the company closes the service? Or will the songs expire after a certain time, bringing more rage against services who chose to use DRM technologies to protect content?
Of course this does not happen if you buy a CD and rip it to have an easy to carry version on your poertable media player or laptop. But with DRM this is always a risk - buy a music today, it's gone tomorrow.
I have contacted coketunes for a comment on what happens now with content bought through the store, but I have not received a reply yet, even though their contact form says "an answer reply will be sent in 24 hours or by Monday if the query is submitted on a weekend".
Looking through the Coca-Cola website wasn't very helpful either. Their last press release is from 2004, three years ago and there's no contact information anywhere to be found.
Perhaps they have closed support already?
After almost two years of providing New Zealanders with access to a huge range of local and international digital downloads, CokeTunes.co.nz is closing.
CokeTunes customers have three months (until 10 August 07) to use their existing credit. It's been a great couple of years, with profits going to the NZ local music industry through CokeTunes Music Fund grants. Recipients included Ladi6, who received $15,000 to help produce her debut album, My Life Story who opened the EdgeFest tour, and The Madison Press who took away $12,000 worth of gear from the Rock Shop.
Coca-Cola is changing its approach to supporting New Zealand music with a brand new project which will bring local music directly from the street to the Kiwi music lover.
Coketunes is a Coca-Cola branded digital music service for the New Zealand market, but it was also available in other countries.
I am currently looking for comments on this from anyone using coketunes. Their FAQ says the music download service offers "Windows Media Audio file (WMA) [is the format available in this shop]. Our tracks are encoded at 128kbps and are protected by Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management."
So what does it mean? Are people who purchased their music through this service protected and will be able to play their DRM-protected tracks after the company closes the service? Or will the songs expire after a certain time, bringing more rage against services who chose to use DRM technologies to protect content?
Of course this does not happen if you buy a CD and rip it to have an easy to carry version on your poertable media player or laptop. But with DRM this is always a risk - buy a music today, it's gone tomorrow.
I have contacted coketunes for a comment on what happens now with content bought through the store, but I have not received a reply yet, even though their contact form says "an answer reply will be sent in 24 hours or by Monday if the query is submitted on a weekend".
Looking through the Coca-Cola website wasn't very helpful either. Their last press release is from 2004, three years ago and there's no contact information anywhere to be found.
Perhaps they have closed support already?
Kiwi Made Windows Vista Sidebar Gadget list updated
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Windows, posted: 21-May-2007 20:02
I've just noticed that Microsoft New Zealand has updated their web page with "Kiwi Made" Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets, including our very own Geekzone Gadget for Windows Vista Sidebar.
The list now includes the following Gadgets:
- Trade Me
- Television New Zealand
- New Zealand Herald
- Geekzone
- ASB
- DigiRAMA
- TrafficWatch
- PowerShell Gadget
They also have links to gadgets for Air New Zealand flight special, New Zealand radios and New Zealand weather.
- Trade Me
- Television New Zealand
- New Zealand Herald
- Geekzone
- ASB
- DigiRAMA
- TrafficWatch
- PowerShell Gadget
They also have links to gadgets for Air New Zealand flight special, New Zealand radios and New Zealand weather.
Seybold's tell it like it is
By Mauricio Freitas, in
Technology, posted: 20-May-2007 21:08
Andrew Seybold blog's tagline is "Tell it like it is", and this is what he's to say about his recent trip to New Zealand, when I had the opportunity to chat with him about some of the local capabilities:
How true...
There are two wireless operators in New Zealand: New Zealand Telecom and Vodafone NZ. Telecom runs a CDMA network with EV-DO Rev A, and Vodafone runs a GSM/UMTS network. The government is thinking about taking some of their spectrum away and re-auctioning it to encourage more competition, but I’m not sure that a country with a population of 4 million can sustain more wide-area voice and data networks. It is also getting ready to auction spectrum in the 2.3-GHz band, and while that spectrum is not being tied to a specific technology, the interest, as you might surmise, is mainly from companies that would like to roll out WiMAX. The usual misleading information about the capabilities of WiMAX preceded me to New Zealand and, of course, I had a few words to say about its true capabilities.As I mentioned, the big discussion is how to get broadband to everyone in New Zealand, no small feat. They understand that simply building a network or combination of networks is not enough and that they have to educate the population about broadband access and why it is important to all of them
How true...
