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Category Archives: English

Posts in english.

Not an iPhone, but works with gentle touches

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When I had Gentoo on my laptop (a long time ago), I had Synaptics installed. I though that it simply add to the touchpad the possibility of scrolling, but I usually had annoying problems (scrolling when I didn’t want, going back on the web browser…) and eventually I uninstalled it. These days I’m just using the touchpad instead of using a mini USB mouse, just because I use the laptop on the sofa or on the bed and apart from my belly there isn’t any surface smooth enough to use it :P. But the touchpad alone is crappy when you do an intensive use of the computer, so I gave another try to Synaptics, and I was gladly surprised!

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Go Shopping!

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I am so excited of my discovery, that I have to let more people know about it right now! We were talking on a forum about buying miniatures, merchandising, and other “not very common” things on eBay, when Owen told me about his good experiences with BigBadToyStore.com .

This online store is all a fan of comics, videogames, films, and any fantasy related product can dream. Lots and lots of merchandising and figures of lots and lots of themes can be found here. I looked for Halo 3, and I found not just figures, also replicas of the weapons, that use lasers and detectors to play with it! Looked for Soul Calibur: they had figures. Even old toys like the Masters of the Universe and G.I.Joe!

But there is some “but”s: Some items are not new, they all second hand. Fortunately, the status is fully detailed, and clearly identified. On the other hand, for the new items, you can choose to pay 2$ extra and have a product with a very good case, chosen carefully, so it can be exposed without even opening the box. Another problem is the sipping costs. These items are usually heavy, and it increases the price very fast, depending on the object. I tryed to make a order with two Halo figures, and the price was 50$, 25 for the figures and 25$ for shipping :S.

Apart from this, the store and its catalogue are amazing. It is running since 1997, and with the nice opinions I have heard, I trust them. I suspect I will not have any problem telling others what I want for Christmas this year…

The best picture with the best tool

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New GNU/Linux users usually get lost or confused when they need to edit/create pictures/graphics/photos. They only know the word “Photoshop”, and maybe Corel Draw, Distiller, and other commercial programs. But you can found very good open source programs for your amateur and professional graphics necessities. As my personal experience, I would recommend: Continue reading →

Free Software at Cub3.net

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A new section starts today at my web page. Currently, only a few programs related with my PhD research can be found, but I expect (hope) to implement more general purpose utilities. As always, time is what I need.

It is not limited to software developed by me. If you have something good to be known by the rest on the world, and you don’t know where to put it, I’ll be glad of having it on my server.

How to use a PDA (or Smartphone)

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A long time ago, I had access to a Pocket PC with mobile phone capabilities (a HP h6300 series) . Its was as big as a PDA, with a little antenna on the top. After a few days using it (maybe some weeks), I realized that I was not comfortable using it. It was extremely big compared to my previous mobile phone, and I was not using at all the task lists or the calendar. So I returned the PDA and continued using my “simple” phone.

But about 5 months ago, I recovered it and started to use it again. This time, I looked at it different. The WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, combined with a external 512 MB SD card, let me add a lot of functionalities. I was wrong using it as mobile phone with extras. It is, instead, a portable computer, with phone capabilities added. With this idea in mind, a Pocket PC based smartphone can be a good investment. See how I am using it, with the help of some applications (most of them free!):

  • Weather forecast. Information about today, and next days, of several cities (in my case, Manresa and Barcelona) using ADBWeather. It can be updated using and Internet connection.
  • Podcast player: Subscribe to, download, and listen podcasts with Lastpod (a.k.a. Audipod).
  • PDF reader: with the included software, or installing Acrobat Reader.
  • Power Point, Word and Excel (ouch x3) editor.
  • Txt editor. Even vim can be used :D.
  • IM Messenger: MSN, jabber, gtalk… using imov Messenger.
  • Image editor/viewer. Very useful combined with maps! It can substitute in some cases a GPS!
  • eBook reader.
  • VoIP terminal. Skype people has developed it.
  • Music Player, with GSPlayer. Not so cool as an Ipod, but works well enough :).
  • Video Player. TCPMP is very good doing this. Watch divx at anyplace, at anytime. Nice when travelling by bus or underground ;).
  • Flashlight / lantern. Yes, you read right. pLamp uses the PDA illuminated screen to accomplish it.
  • RSS reader. I love it as a substitute for the web navigator. I use pRSSreader.
  • The bluetooth connection can be used to connect to an external GPS receiver. There are several programs available, mos of them not free. A free (but simple) solution is RichesseGPS. I only recommend it for Geocaching application. It is more and intelligent compass that a mapping application.
  • The typical TODO list, calendar, contacts list…
  • And, of course, mobile phone (calling and SMS/MMS).
  • And games! :D

So, not bad for “big and not so cool design” mobile phone, duh? If you are propietary of a toy like this, I recommend you to take a look at PDA@jasnapaka.com. He developed some useful applications, such as an improved task manager, ruler (using the screen again!) or improved battery monitor.

I think that, on the future, everybody will carry a portable computer with himself, as today everybody is carrying a mobile phone. And Smartphones could be the first step.

CyberChimps