Friday, December 23, 2011

Firefox 9.0.1

The latest Firefox has been released. It was Firefox 9 before a day later they released a minor update of Firefox 9.0.1.

Anyway these are the 10 reasons why you should upgrade to this new version:
  1. It's free!
  2. It's easier than you might think.
  3. It's fast.
  4. It's more stable.
  5. It's more secure.
  6. You can keep all your bookmarks.
  7. Improved memory usage. (up to 50% improvement!)
  8. It's easy to search with Firefox.
  9. You'll join 100 MILLION people on the most modern version of Firefox.
  10. You'll be supporting the Mozilla mission.
For more detailed explanation you may visit blog.mozilla.com

You may get the download link from mozilla.com

:: aerobrainTech ::

Monday, September 26, 2011

Windows 8


Windows 8 has been released for download from MSDN website intended for developer to have a feel and develop applications to suit the new interface. You might be confuse because it won't appear as Windows 8 but as Windows Developer Preview. You may visit this url to download: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/home

I've installed the Windows Developer Preview on laptop as well as tablet. I found out that the minimum resolution needed for the 'Metro style apps' to work is 1024 x 768. However, if your laptop/netbook/tablet maximum resolution still can't reach this resolution, there is a work around which is hacking the registry as explained below:

  1. Run 'regedit'
  2. Search and modify all values “Display1_DownScalingSupported” from “0″ to “1″ 
  3. Restart the system 
  4. Enjoy the two new resolutions: 1024×768 px and 1152×864 px
Here are some interesting stuff I found it better that Windows 7:

Metro Style Apps - really nice especially for tablet/touch screen devices

Large button on screen keyboard - good for tablet/touch screen devices

There are more new features:
  • New login/logout style
  • Lock screen displays full screen picture that can act as a picture frame
  • New task manager interface

In terms of stability, there are few hiccups in this release whereby I realized that if the device were left for quite sometime (2-3 days), it system hangs/very slow after wake up from hybernating.

That's all for now. Stay tuned!

:: aerobrainTech ::

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Recommended Software (preliminary)

I've created a page to list down all software that I recommend for everyday use. This list will be updated from time to time if I found any new interesting software that can help productivity/security/fun in our everyday life in front of this machines (computer!).

Here is the link to the page: Recommended Software. Or you can just click "Recommended" on the tab above.

:: aerobrainTech ::

Monday, July 11, 2011

Firefox 6 Beta

Just after 2 weeks Mozilla launched Firefox 5, now Firefox 6 Beta has already been pushed out to users who sign up for Beta programs (me one of them!) .. So far, I did not notice anything major yet on this Beta version. Below are the official statement from Mozilla Release Notes:

What’s New in Firefox Beta

The latest version of Firefox Beta has the following changes:
  • The address bar now highlights the domain of the website you're visiting
  • Streamlined the look of the site identity block
  • Added support for the latest draft version of WebSockets with a prefixed API
  • Added support for EventSource / server-sent events
  • Added support for window.matchMedia
  • Added Scratchpad, an interactive JavaScript prototyping environment
  • Added a new Web Developer menu item and moved development-related items into it
  • Improved usability of the Web Console
  • Improved the discoverability of Firefox Sync
  • Reduced browser startup time when using Panorama

Stay tuned for more updates!

:: aerobrainTech ::

Friday, June 24, 2011

Firefox 5 Released

After nearly 4 months from the release of Firefox 4, Mozilla has released Firefox 5 and it can be downloaded at Mozilla Firefox Website.

From the layout, there are not much changes compared to Firefox 4, but in their website they summarize as below:
I'm using it right now! Try it!

:: aerobrainTech ::

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Batch Photos Editing using FastStone Image Viewer

In this digital photography era, I believe many of us want a quick solution to resize, put a watermark or text on every photos before uploading to Internet whether through Facebook, Blogs, Flickr or other sharing sites.

Uploading the original photos are not preferable due to the size of each photo is big. It gonna take hours if you want to upload many photos. In addition, some prefer to have watermark or text on the photos to show that it is belongs to somebody. Yes, you can do it in advance way by setting up batch program in Photoshop. But there is simpler and faster way by using FastStone Image Viewer.

STEP 0
Download and Install the FastStone Image Viewer
Alternate Link: FastStone Image Viewer 4.5

STEP 1
Once installed properly, you can see "Browse with FastStone" when you right-click on any folder.


STEP 2
Select the folder/image that you want to convert.

STEP 3
Go to "Tools > Batch Convert Selected Images" or simply press "F3".

STEP 4
Ensure the desired images/folders are in the Input List. Also, ensure tick "Use Advance Options" and click "Advance Options" to customize.

STEP 5
You may try the customization as follows.


STEP 6
Click "OK" and Click ">Convert". The progress window will come out.

Below are comparison of before and after:

This is only a simple example. This software can do batch color adjustment and you can even design your own logo and put it in every photos as watermark in just few clicks.

This software also capable of doing various type of photos editing. Just hover your mouse at left side of the screen during full-screen view and this tools will pop-up:

I'll let you explore more of this wonderful software!

:: aerobrainTech ::

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

TrueCrypt: on the fly encryption


Nowadays, we can carry lots of information with us especially when digital storage device capacity has increased exponentially over the past few years. I remember buying my very first USB drive which capacity only 16MB (year 2001), at the same cost right now (year 2011) I could buy 250GB portable hard drive. With that amount of capacity you have, you could store lots of data be it photos, videos, documents, etc. Some are casual, sharable, some are confidential.

We would like to focus on the confidential data. Do you ever worried the confidential data in your storage devices fall into wrong hands and manipulate your data for their interest. Thus, here I would like to introduce a powerful encryption software but yet very easy to use.

Over the past years, I've tried a few encryption software (free ones). Of course, a famous one until today is GPG or GNU Privacy Guard. Although the encryption is great, out of the question, but the user interface really need improvement (you need programming basic).

TrueCrypt Concept
TrueCrypt is an open source software that allows you to encrypt file on the fly. You can either create an encrypted volume inside your storage device or you can even encrypt the whole partition/drive. The concept of creating an encrypted volume is like you have a drive inside a drive. Let say your USB drive capacity is 4GB, you may create an encrypted volume of 1GB. All you have to do is just to mount the 1GB volume as another drive whenever you want to access read/write/edit the file in the volume.
*Tips: TrueCrypt can run on its own (standalone mode). You can choose the standalone mode by selecting Extract instead of Install during installation. You can copy the executable file (~1.5MB) into your USB drive so that you can carry around together with the encrypted volume.

TrueCrypt Encryption Algorithm
TrueCrypt uses famous encryption algorithm and also able to combine them. During the volume/partition/drive encryption, you can run the benchmark test to see the speed of encryption and decryption for the different algorithm. Below are snapshot on my PC (different PC may have different speed due to vary in specifications):

TrueCrypt and Dropbox (File Sharing)
This encrypted volume, not only great for storing in local devices but also good to store over the Internet such as Dropbox. Although Dropbox already guaranteed AES encryption, but it is unlocked by using your user name and password which can be reset by admin. Thus, I would strongly recommend you encrypt your highly confidential files before placing over the Internet. Remember when you feel convenient that you can access your files from anywhere, anytime, others may do the same to your file.
*Tips: Keep the encrypted volume small just nice to fit all your confidential files (document, photo, etc). The smaller the file, the faster it sync through Internet. FYI, my encrypted volume is just 2 to 5MB and it sync seamlessly all the time.

Reminder
Due to its high security, the password cannot be reset or retrieved if you have forgotten the password. Thus, always use password that difficult to guess but easier to remember by you only. Alternatively, TrueCrypt allows you to use other files (any format) to use as a keyfile. But then, you must make sure you don't loose or corrupt the file, otherwise you can't open your encrypted volume.

Compatibility
I tested with Windows XP, Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit and 64-Bit without any issue.


Download TrueCrypt
Visit TrueCrypt Official Website to download and also read more details on this software. I would recommend this software for your to ensure your confidential data is secured at least when you are looking.

:: aerobrainTech ::

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Shutter Count using Opanda IExif

You can use Opanda IExif to find out what is the shutter count of your DSLR.
* Unfortunately this only works for Nikon and very few models of Canon (20D). If you have more info please comment.

Shutter count is referring to how many times the mirror moves up and down during taking pictures. Thus, this number correspond to the life of the main component of a DSLR which is the mirror assembly. It is crucial to look at this number if you want to decide whether to send to service or you want to but an used DSLR camera body.

This is how to check the shutter count of your DSLR Camera:

Garmin MapSource Installation


Garmin devices have been leading the GPS market since the popularity of GPS navigation has increased from time to time. But, Garmin also has a very useful offline map software (similar to Google Maps online) which called MapSource.

MapSource is shipped together with mapping capable GPS devices such as eTrex. I used MapSource even before the boom of Google Maps happen in 2005. I get the very first copy of MapSource when I bought my Garmin eTrex Vista Cx. Here I will share how to download and install MapSource together with Malaysia & Singapore Map. The best thing about this is its FREE!

STEP 1
Download MapSource Installer (ver 6.16.3) 
* On slower PC you might want to install the older version 6.13.7

STEP 2
Download Malaysia & Singapore Map
* Maps provided by malsingmaps.com. You can check update there.

STEP 3
Do not double-click on the Installer. Instead you need to extract the installer file similar how do you extract zip file. In this case I recommend use 7zip. Download 7zip here or here.
* By using 7zip, you can 'right click' on the Installer file, as shown below:

 

STEP 4
Open the folder, do not run the 'Setup.exe'. Instead look for 'MSmain.msi'. Double-click 'MSmain.msi'. ('MAIN.msi' for ver 6.13.7)
Follow thru the normal installation. Once it is done, it won't give any notification, but you can verify thru Start Menu. If 'Garmin > MapSource' exist then it is installed.
* You'll receive error or empty page if you run MapSource at this point because no map installed yet.

 

STEP 5
Run the Map Installer. Follow thru the installation using default setting.
 
STEP 6
Open MapSource thru Start Menu. The map should appear. If it does not appear. Go to 'View > Switch to Product >'


 
EXTRA STEP
* Find nearest place
Navigate (Zoom & Pan) the map until state level, ie. Kuala Lumpur.
Go to 'Find > Find Nearest Places...'
 

* Create Route
Point to any point on the map, 'right click > Begin Route'.
Point to the destination, 'right click > Add to Route'.
Click on the Routes tab on the right pane, and you'll see it calculates the distance.
Double-click the route to open 'Route Properties' where you can see the detail even the directions. You may edit the route by adding other points as well.

MapSource vs Google Maps

Advantages
Works offline even you don't have internet connection
Easier to find nearest location
Transfer point of interest (POI) to Garmin GPS devices

Disadvantages
Map does not auto-update


:: aerobrainTech ::

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

For Sale: WD My Book Live - Home Network Storage

Western Digital (WD) My Book Live 1TB/2TB/3TB NEW!!

Main Features
* Attached to Wifi-Router through Ethernet LAN (1Gb/s)
* Share files, videos, pictures between computers seamlessly
* Access files remotely through Internet from anywhere
* Compatible with Apple Time Machine

Compatibility
* Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
* Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard
* DLNA/UPnP enabled devices

Interface
* Ethernet (1Gb/s max)

Package Includes
* Home network drive
* Ethernet cable
* AC power adapter
* Installation and software CD
* Quick Install Guide


Warranty
* 3 years

Documentation
* Product Overview (PDF)

Price
* 1TB - RM479 | SGD | USD | EUR
* 2TB - RM649 | SGD | USD | EUR
* 3TB - RM849 | SGD | USD | EUR

ORDER NOW!!

:: aerobrainTech ::

Thursday, March 31, 2011

For Sale: WD Elements External Hard Disk 2.5"

New Western Digital (WD) Elements 320GB/500GB/1TB
(2.5" portable hard disk)

System Requirements
* Available USB port
* Windows® 7/Vista®/XP
* Mac® OS X Tiger® or Leopard®

Package Contents
* USB 2.0 portable hard drive
* USB cable
* Quick Install Guide


Documentation/Detail Specification
* Product Overview (PDF) - English

Price (Click on currency to convert)
* 320GB - RM149 | SGD | USD | EUR
* 500GB - RM179 | SGD | USD | EUR
* 1TB - RM334 | SGD | USD | EUR

ORDER NOW!

:: aerobrainTech ::

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Firefox 4.0 Alternative Download Link


Firefox 4.0 Final Release is out! So far the download stats as shown above. Its about 2000-3000 downloads per minute. Here is the alternative download link if you are having difficulties/slow with the main download server: Firefox 4 Alternative Download link.

:: aerobrainTech ::

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Rainlendar

This is another software that I use everyday without realizing it. Since I was in graduate school, I've used Rainlendar to mark important days and keep to-do list so that I won't miss the important dates and tasks. Also, every beginning of the year, I'll create a separate calendar file to mark the public holidays (in Malaysia of course). You may download Malaysia Public Holidays for year 2011 here: Malaysia Public Holidays 2011 (.ics).

After you installed Rainlendar, go to Options --> Calendars --> Add.. --> Select the file you've downloaded above. Take note that, if you don't want this file to be accidentally changed, you can click on "Read Only" as shown below:

Key features that I like with Rainlendar are:
  • Light software
  • Free (for Lite version)
  • Able to highlight upcoming events (7 or 14 days before/after depending on your setting)
  • Read/display multiple calendar files
  • Sync calendar with other PC/Laptops using Dropbox

Of course, you can buy the Pro version (9.95 EUR) which enables you to:
  • Synchronize with Outlook
  • Synchronize with Google Calendar
  • Synchronize with colleagues over network connections

For me, the free version is enough since I'm using Dropbox to synchronize the calendar between my PC/Laptop. And believe it or not, I already using this software for 5 years (fuh, time really flies, huh?). Try it now, and you can write your comment here about this software.

:: aerobrainTech ::

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Dropbox - Sharing & Sync Seamlessly

Dropbox is a free online service that enable you to carry files seamlessly. Without realizing it or not, I'm using Dropbox everyday. I update files on my PC at home and when I open my laptop at the office, its already there and up-to-date. Of course you need internet connection to do this seamlessly.

Here are the steps towards the seamless synchronization:
  • Register Dropbox online here: www.dropbox.com
  • Download and install the desktop application on every PC/Laptops
  • Start using Dropbox by dragging your files into the designated Dropbox folder on your PC/Laptop
DropBox application is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android and Blackberry.

Here how it works. Files that you put inside the designated Dropbox folder on your PC will be uploaded into DropBox server (online). Once you turn on another PC/Laptop, Dropbox will download the file from the Dropbox server into your machine. Similarly if you delete or rename the files.

In addition to that, Dropbox also allow you to share your files with your family, friends & colleagues. All you have to do is just right click on the folder, select "DropBox --> Share This Folder.." All files that you have in that folder will be available on the other party's PC as soon as they accept the sharing request (of course please allow some time to download).

In terms of security, although Dropbox team ensure you that the files will be secured, if you ask me, we should not trust anybody when it comes to our personal/private information. Thus, if you really need to store private information, I would recommend you encrypt first before you upload to Dropbox. In the later post, I'll discuss about a wonderful Open Source encryption software than can help you to secure your private data, seamlessly called TrueCrypt.

Till then. Don't forget to try out the Dropbox. Its free for the first 2GB!

:: aerobrainTech ::

Monday, March 21, 2011

Firefox 4 RC 2

Just after 10 days Mozilla released the Firefox RC 1 (Release Candidate 1), this morning, Firefox RC 2 has been released. For a normal user like me, it does not have any significant difference compared to the RC 1. Although I have to emphasize again that Mozilla team has been doing great job in improving speed since Firefox 3.6. Personally, Firefox RC 1 (and 2) is significantly faster than Firefox 4 Beta 12.

Try the Firefox RC 2 now! http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/RC/

As a normal practice (for some reason), new version of Firefox will automatically disabled your favorite add-on if it is not certified or tested yet. But there is a workaround for you if you still would like to continue using your favorite add-on:
  1. Download the Compatibility Reporter add-on
  2. Install and restart Firefox

If the Compatibility Reporter add-on installed, you can contribute to Mozilla team whether your favorite add-on is still working perfectly fine with the new version of Firefox. Anyway, this is why Firefox is given free, because everybody is a contributor and a user at the same time!

:: aerobrainTech ::