April 2009 Archives

I'd like to introduce a new software, which is used for iPod.
iPodRobot iPod to Computer Transfer can do what iTunes can not do.

Let's go through the features of it.
* Protect your iPod against unwanted iTunes synchronizations.
It is helpful. Sometimes you don't want to do synchronize, but it start automatically.

* Easily get all the music, videos, and photos off your iPod and transfer them to your computer folder or iTunes.
I treat it as a kind of backup. Good for recovery from disaster.

* Easily transfer your playlist with its folder structure back to iTunes, and rebuild your iTunes library.
When reinstall the iTunes with new box, it is a handy tool.

* All song ratings, comments, play counts, the songs' order, and even volume adjustments will be preserved.
Look, I call it backup or snapshot for your iTune.

* Keep your output folder organized.
Good to hear that.

* Auto-reject duplicate files when importing music into your iTunes library.
It is a very important feature to save time and disk space.

* Only read data from your iPod. It's totally safe, and risk-free to try.

* Extremely easy to use, skinable user interface.

* Supports all iPod models, even the newest iPod Touch and the iPhone.

* Lifetime upgrades are free.
Lifetime, how long about the life? It must be longer than your iPod. :)

* No Adware/Spyware/Virus, guaranteed.

Ubuntu has a branch version, Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR). For Ubuntu 9.04, UNR is released at the same time.

It is designed based on regular Ubuntu, but remixed for Netbook.

For users:
* New Interface - built for accessing your favourite on and off-line applications rapidly and optimised for the restricted screen size this is radically different
* No viruses - Ubuntu is a smooth, safe computing and browsing experience
* Optimised for netbook components - built from the ground up to take advantage of speed and power capabilities of the chip set
* Large developer community - gain the benefits of innovation from some of the world's leading free and open source developers

I am planning to install coming Ubuntu 9.04 on my Netbook, Acer one.

You know, Acer One netbook does not have CD-Rom. I don't have USB CD-Rom either. So I have to use an USB disk to do this job.

First of all, I need to know the requirement of installation.
1) Can I boot from USB?
The answer is YES. I have an USB disk with bootable Ubuntu 6.10.

2) Have a harddrive.
Yes. Netbook has a SSD drive, 8 G.
I think it is big enough to install it along.
No dual-boot needed.

3) Can I rollback to Windows?
It is also very important for me.
I will do some research later.

Ubuntu will release 9.04 in three days. I will upgrade my Ubuntu box when it is really released.
Now I would like to go through the ne features of Ubuntu 9.04

Ubuntu 9.04 includes the latest GNOME 2.26 desktop environment.
brasero
All in one CD-burning application. It is default.

gnome-display-properties has new features to support multi-monitors.

X.Org server 1.6
It has better 2D 3D support on ATI video card. Intel card is also supported well.

Boot performance
This is very important when competed with Windows Vista or XP, or even Windows 7.

Ext4 filesystem support
Ext4 is an option on Ubuntu 9.04. Ext3 is still default file system, but Ext 4 may be the default in the next version.

I just installed a mailing list software on one of my forum.
Because mass email function of phpBB 3 does not work, I have to pick phplist, one of best free mail list software.

I introduced this software before. Now it is v 2.10.9 which released on 29 January 2009.

I have some tips need to be recorded for future reference.

1) User list is exported from phpBB database through phpmyadmin.

2) Gmail/Google Apps setting for bounce email on phplist configuration file.

$bounce_mailbox_host = 'pop.gmail.com';
$bounce_mailbox_user = 'username@gmail.com';
$bounce_mailbox_password = '********';
$bounce_mailbox_port = "995/pop3/ssl/novalidate-cert" ;

3) User list file is cvs format.
Please be remember to use tab delimiter, do not use common as delimiter.

I installed a Ubuntu 8.10 last Friday for Grace. Actually it is Edubuntu. That means install Ubuntu 8.10 desktop version on PC first. Than install Edubuntu addon on it.

There are a lot of software free. Free to install, free to use. For kids learning.

What about Ubuntu 9.04

I went to Costco store yesterday. Just a quick look at the PC department. I decided to buy a new monitor for me and my old one will be my wife's. Then my wife's 17" LCD will be used by Grace.

It is Acer X223WBD, 22" wide screen monitor.

Specification:
Pixel pitch: .282mm
Brightness: 300cd/m2
Contrast: 2500:1(ACM)
Viewable angle: 170 degree
Response time: 5ms
Max resolution: 1680X1050 @60Hz
Input Connector: D-Sub, DVI-D 24pin

It is failed when I try to include one file of other domain. We call it remote file.

The script looks like

include("http://www.YourUrl.com/includes/header.php");

Always give me error.

How to include remote file in php?
That's the question. Answer is here below.