Running Android 1.6 on your PC (+video).

Android is the operating system for mobile devices which is getting more and more popularity everyday (about 60-100 000 devices with Android OS are activated every day, and it's coming fast behind iPhone OS). By knowing this fact, users of iPhone and Windows Mobile devices are trying to port Android to their devices. But what I am going to show is how you can get Android running on your PC. OK, not natively, but with the help of a virtual machine.

Note: this works on any platform (Windows, Linux, and Mac). None of your data from your computer is going to be affected.

What you have to is to download VirtualBox from here, and the Android 1.6 that will run on VirtualBox from here (scroll down to "StableRelease" and click "view" on the first file, named "android -x86-1.6-r2.iso" to start downloading). These two downloads are not large so the download should finish fast. Do not burn on CD Android OS after downloading, just let the image somewhere where you know about it. Then install VirtualBox like a normal application.

When you finish installing VirtualBox, do the following (if your know what VirtualBox is and how to configure it, all you must know is that Operating System and Version must be selected as "Other", and respectively as "Other/Unknown"; otherwise follow these steps):

• Select "New", give it a name, and at Operating System select "Other" and "Other/Unknown" at Version.
• Give it a quantity of RAM (doesn't matter how much, but make sure to have free on your system that amount you're giving to it).
• Let the settings like they are (Boot Hard Disk and Create new hard disk)
• Then, on the window that appears, click Next, then Next, and because 2.0 GBs are just enough, click again Next, then Finish and again Finish.
• Now, your new Guest OS appeared on the left column of VirtualBox, with the name you gave it. Click Start.
• On the window that appears, click Next.
• Now, where it says "Media Source", click on that folder sign on the right part of the window.
• Click Add, and browse to where the image it located and click Open. Make sure it is highlighted and then click Select.
• Click Next and then Finish

Congratulations. You have now successfully configured your Virtual Machine and Android 1.6 is being booted automatically. I haven't installed it, I only ran it like a "Live CD". If you want to install it, you can try, but I don't know if it is difficult or not. I recommend you selecting "Live CD" just to see how it's look like.

You can now try and explore the functionalities of Android 1.6 on your PC (except calling and SMS because there isn't any carrier available). Below is a video which demonstrates you that this really works (even if I tried it on Mac, it runs also on Windows or Linux hosts).

Any webcam driver for Mac.

As we all know, Mac OS X is a great operating system. It normally works with a large of devices connected via USB, with the exception of webcams. They require additional drivers. Here starts the headache...you need to search on manufacturers website for it, but since most of manufacturers are oriented on Windows only, you have low changes to find one (which works like it should). But wait, I recommend you something better.

A small application, called "macam", is a real help in such situations. It has included the USB drivers for almost any webcam, from almost any manufacturer. And, it is capable of taking pictures and recording, with many configurable settings. And it's really simple to use.

Download from here: http://www.4shared.com/file/235587242/5228325f/macam092.html.

To avoid problems of any kind (errors, conflicts, kernel panics, etc) and for a list of webcams which should work or which should not work, please visit the official site: http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/index.html

Download Colin McRae Rally for Mac (Demo).

Do you remember Colin McRae Rally for Windows? Did you spent hours for playing it? You can now play it on Mac. Mac OS X is a great OS (maybe even better than Windows), and this game shows you that when you think about computers, you shouldn't think only of Windows. There are many other better operating systems.

Unfortunately, it's only a demo version. It says that it's 70% of the final product, but I think that it's only about 35-40% of the final product. The game is very limited, only a few options being available. Anyway, the game moves perfectly of my MacBook White (2.0 GHz, 2GB of RAM and nVIDIA 9400M).

But, avoid playing continuously for hours. The game pushes the fan to high speeds from the first minutes of playing, so it will put a real stress on cooling system if you play it for hours.

More details and download here: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/games/demos_updates/colinmcraerallymac.html

Installing Ubuntu on MacBook (via VirtualBox).

Today I have installed Ubuntu (under VirtualBox) on my 13,3" MacBook White. Ahead, I'm going to describe everything you should know, in order to get Ubuntu and Mac OS X on the same MacBook. I want you to know clearly. Ubuntu will run inside Mac OS X, it won't be installed separately. In order to boot Ubuntu, Mac OS X needs to be already booted. They're going to run at the same time.

So, let's get started. First, you need to get VirtualBox from here, and a image of Ubuntu from here (please choose your country). Install VirtualBox like any other application for Mac OS X, and start it. Let the image of Ubuntu like it is.

Now, on VirtualBox, do the following:

• click "New"
• click "Next"
• give it a name and at operating system select "Linux", and at version select "Ubuntu"
• select an amount of memory to allocate to Ubuntu (do not give it more than your current free RAM memory; 512 MB are really enough if you don't have more) and click "Next"
• be sure that "Create new hard disk" is selected, and click "Next"
• click "Next"
• check "Dynamically expended storage" and click "Next"
• here just select the size for Ubuntu, and click "Next"
• now click "Finish"

As you can see, on the left column of VirtualBox, your new Ubuntu appeared. Now do these:

• click "Start"
• select "OK"
• when the window appears, click "Next"
• now, at the Media Type select "CD/DVD-ROM Device", and at Media Source click on the folder from the right, click "Add", and select the recently downloaded image of Ubuntu. Select it and click "Select"
• click "Next"
• click "Finish"

Now the image of Ubuntu is going to be booted automatically. Install it like usually. Don't worry about the partitions, let it install itself on the entire hard drive, because it's a virtual one, made by VirtualBox. None of you data will be affected.

After the installation of Ubuntu is completed, give it the requested reboot. Don't worry if Ubuntu moves hard, it is normal at this moment. Now, on the window of Ubuntu, click on "Devices" (the button is up, on the silver bar), and select "Install Guest Additions". On the window that appeared, select just to open the folder. Now, drag the file named "VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run" on the desktop of Ubuntu. Continue by doing the following:

• on Ubuntu, go to "Applications" --> "Accessories" --> "Terminal"
• here, on Terminal type: "cd Desktop" (without quotes)
• type in Terminal: "sudo sh VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run"
• now you have to enter your password (that one you have entered when you installed Ubuntu; type it, and even you don't see anything, it is there; tap enter when done, or if you haven't entered a password, just tap enter)
• wait for a few minutes
• when installation is completed (last line is like the line you saw at the start), close the Terminal

If any reboot is requested, accept it. When you are ready, open the Terminal again and:

• type "sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf"
• enter again the password you have entered during installation, and tap enter
• on the window that has appeared, modify where it says "Modes" with the resolution of your monitor (on my MacBook White 13,3" it is 1280x800)
• save that file and close it
• restart the operating system

After restart, Ubuntu should already be running on the selected resolution, on full screen.

Now you can change many settings in VirtualBox (while Ubuntu is shut down), as the video memory allocated to Ubuntu. Be sure not to give it too much, as the operating systems are sharing their resources. For Desktop Effects, 3D acceleration should be enabled, but on my Ubuntu (10.04 Alpha 3), the mouse disappears when the 3D acceleration is on.

So, that's all. Congratulations if you succeed. Your new Ubuntu installation is completed. Enjoy!

P.S: This works also for the installation of Ubuntu under Windows, because all you need to to is 100% the same.

Opera 10.50 Alpha for Mac is here.

The Alpha version of Opera 10.50 is available for Mac, and Opera promised that they're working for the Beta version (which is already available for Windows). Their motto for 10.50, "The fastest browser on Earth", seems to be completely real. I've downloaded the Alpha version for my Mac, and it loads any webpage definitely faster than any other browser (Chrome 5.0.322.2, Firefox 3.6 and Safari 4.0.4).

Being a Alpha version, it is nothing special about the large number of bugs present. So, some of the known bugs are here:

• No video support (?! I don't know what is Opera referring at by this)
• Impossible to post on Blogspot (not found, error 404 - this is weird)
• No SilverLight plugins
• No printing of forms and frames
• No Java
• Incorrect window behavior for some pop-ups
• Flash is incorrect displayed (videos are still playing)
• HTML 5 (from YouTube) loads forever (can't be started)

But that's not all. It might have many other (severe) bugs, which even may cause crashes or data loss.Consider using Opera 10.50 Alpha at your own risk.

More details here: http://my.opera.com/desktopteam/blog/2010/02/11/windows-beta-released-and-more

Download link:

http://www.4shared.com/file/224744894/f322843f/Opera_1050_8249_Intel.html

How many do you know about your battery ? (Mac only)

The batteries found on the MacBook computers are extremely good, I would say that are the best batteries for laptops. But Mac OS X won't tell many things about it. Here you can use a little application, called coconutBattery, which will tell you the current battery charge, maximum battery charge, its current and original capacities, and other informations.

For example, I've got a 13.3 inch MacBook (white). It's the old model, so it has a battery that keeps about 4 hours and a half. coconutBattery says the following for my battery:

• Current Battery Charge: 5137 mAh
• Maximum Battery Charge: 5137 mAh
• Current Battery Capacity: 5137 mAh
• Original Battery Capacity 5020 mAh (it results that my battery is 100% health)

Additionally, it will tell how many battery-loadcycles your battery has, age of your Mac (since it was made, not purchased), if the charger is connected, and if the battery is currently charging.

Newer models of MacBook White have better batteries, which keep up to 7 hours, and support up to 1000 charges.

And, if the Current Battery Charge is lower than Maximum Battery Charge and your Mac says that battery is charged, do NOT panic! It is something normal. Current battery charge usually fluctuates between 100% and maximum 92% of its current capacity. It is something known.

Download coconutBattery from here: http://www.4shared.com/file/217080977/1d9ac5ac/coconutBattery_265.html

Chrome 4.0 dev version for Mac.

Chrome 4.0 version for Windows has been recently launched, but there is no 4.0 version for Mac yet (officially). But I have Googled a little, and I found a dev version of 4.0 for Mac, which is very close to the official version. I've installed it, and the main changes are that it supports extensions (finally!!), and the webpages are loading promptly than before (before meaning 4.0 beta).

Screenshot:

Download link: http://www.4shared.com/file/208169285/4bdf0597/GoogleChrome.html

Do you know how to take screenshots on Mac OS X ?

Mac OS X is for sure, if not the best, the most complex OS ever developed. I'm talking now especially about its shortcuts, which are very various and not guessable in any case. For example, do you know how to take a screenshot into a Mac OS X based computer? All you have to do is to press at the same time the following buttons: "Shift", "cmd" (Apple key), and number "3". A screenshot will be instantly sent to you desktop. This is really simple. Give it a try! :)

Windows 7 shortcuts are... gone !

I opened my laptop a few hours ago, because I had to do a project for school, and after Windows 7 booted completely, I found a desktop without any shortcuts. I saw only the bar from the bottom and the widgets. I tough that there was a boot failure... so I gave it a reboot, hoping it will help. But, surprising, the were still no icons after reboot. So I've started Google-ing for any problems about that, but with no result so far. I don't know what happened.

I've been using Windows 7 Enterprise (its the free trial) for about 25 days and I have experienced multiple problems using it, so I'm not satisfied by it. I think I'll turn to Ubuntu on my laptop. The experience between Ubuntu and Windows 7 is comparable, and I would say that Ubuntu is better (my opinion). And the difference between Mac (which I'm using right now) and Windows is enormous, Mac being definitely better.

If you know how to fix the problem with shortcuts, or if you have the same problems, please leave a comment.

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Opera 10.05 pre-alpha is available for download.

Opera 10.05 pre-alpha is now available. The new version has a nicer changed interface, and moves faster than the previous one. It seems that opera is again the leader when we are talking about the load time of the webpages, but I personally couldn't prove that. I will soon make some tests on the latest versions of browsers, and then I will tell you this version of Opera is the fastest browser available. As it is a pre-alpha, it is still recommended for testing purposes only. It might have problems displaying some websites, as it's not the final version. I can't actually post from it to my blog, because when I'm trying to do that, it gives me a 404 error and says that the page is not found (that's a strange error, Opera!). But I like it so far, so I think that the final version will be a real success.

Download link (Windows): http://www.4shared.com/file/186494407/f3251093/Opera_1050_3172_en.html

Download link (Mac): http://www.4shared.com/file/186516659/3b4b4d50/Opera_1050_8166_Intel.html

TweetDeck. The popular Twitter client.

TweetDeck is one of the world's most popular Twitter clients. His popularity comes from its efficiency and ease of use. It is for me the best Twitter client I have ever used. It comes with a dark interface, just perfect for the eyes. You can add many columns, started from your timeline, replies, dm's, public timeline and even columns with searches (you can view constantly what people from all over the world are saying about something).


I'm using it almost everywhere. On my computer (Linux), on my Windows-based Laptop, on my MacBook, and even on my iPhone !! Its installation will also install Adobe AIR, which will practically manage TweetDeck. But when you're using TweetDeck, do not use any other Twitter client at the same time. Both clients might search periodically for updates, and the requests limit per hour will be passed, so you will have to wait for them to reset in order to receive new tweets. And it can connect even to your Facebook, MySpace, or/and LinkedIn simultaneously, and get updates from this networks.


Just try it, I'm sure you'll like it: http://www.tweetdeck.com/.