My First Coverpage at Seventeen

This is my very first coverpage! I was quite shy at first and hesitant to pose during the pictorials but as soon as I got the hang of it everything went as if I've been modeling for many years now...

Hahaha... if only the things I said were true. But you might have noticed by now that this magazine cover is a fake one. But it does have some appeal right?

I have always wondered how people made magazine covers with their pictures as it's coverpage. My wondering has finally been solved when I discovered
magmypic.com.

Just go to http://www.magmypic.com and then you can upload your photo and choose from several magazine covers. You can then easily post them to your blogger, myspace, or any other accounts with a click of a button.

What are you waiting for? Take your pictures now for your very own glamorous cover page!

Your Blog Is Dead

Ooh... I sure don't want my blog to die. I have two blogs right now, this one and http://mynursesnotes.blogspot.com. This blog is about my personal blog about my life and things I like about technology and the other one is for my life as a student nurse and my experiences in the clinical setting as well as nice-to-knows about health.

I sure don't want to abandon any single one of them because it took me a lot of effort and time to make them into what they are now. Plus I just love blogging... I'm a certified blogger addict! Hahaha!

So many thoughts so little time

Aah! i have so many ideas that I would like to blog right now but I really don't have the time to do so. I have so many projects and exams in queue and it's even more amazing that I'm not really in a state of panic like my other classmates are right now. I could really feel their tension and frustrations and I'm like "hey what's up dudes and dudettes?!".

Hahaha, shame on me... ok I have to go back to my studying right now. I'll update my blog soon enough when I can. Maybe this Saturday? hehehe...

Opportunity Lost

Aah! I am freaking pissed of today! I let a $50 opportunity to pass me by. That’s almost 2000 pesos! Like it was already just a click away and I could have been $50 dollar richer! $50!!! Ok cool down. I’ll just let this experience be a big slap on my face so that I’ll never repeat this humongous mistake ever happen to me.

Why didn’t I stick to my motto: Carpe Diem! Seize the Day! The opportunity was right there! Right there but I felt lazy and didn’t grab it when I still could thinking that I could still get it later… what a BIG mistake! Darn it!

Ok, I won’t prolong my agony, I have to do my requirements to get over this stupid action of mine… Anyway, my studies are my top priority right? Hmm… the things I say to get by my lost.

Library Hell

The online database of the university library is making me go berserk! First, it took me half an hour to gain access because of the "auto ip login" thing. I had to repair and acquire a new ip address over and over again. And to my dismay just when I finally got accessed to it, the damn online journal is down. Think of the irony! Not to mention agony!

Ok I have already ranted about my great dismay of the university library poor service, I might as well continue and pour out my sentiments (evil little me). Here are the list of things that makes me a grumpy little "library patron":

• The library actually has several computers but they are never turned on - I just wonder what these computers are for? We paid for these things but we never get to use them. Are these for display only? I've heard that the reason why they don't turn them on is it will cause a short-circuit in the electrical system or something... but my reply? Fix it then! We pay for your services people.
• Poor Internet Connection - The WiFi connection is really quite good and the internet speed is fast but there are times when there are fluctuations in the internet connection and I lose my internet connection. It's quite disappointing and irritating especially when you're already in the heat of the moment searching for stuff on the net.
• Books are not in order - Oh my... what is the use of the Dewey decimal system or the online book catalogue when the books are not in proper order. o books are even missing. The library does have good books but you never get to use them because you never find them. And don't bother asking the "student assistants" for help. They are a bunch of good for nothing leeches that gets paid for doing nothing... (I am so evil... but it's true).
• Broken Book Detector Thingy - I wonder when they will fix the book detector thingy (I don't know what it's called but it detects books that haven't been checked out or borrowed officially) at the library entrance? It has been months already and I don't think that they have plans of replacing or repairing it. Do you know how annoying it is when they stop you and manually check your bag? It's ok if they really check it but the thing is they just stare at the inside of the bag just for the sake of checking, they don't even check if the books in the bag are owned by the library. Do they have x-ray eyes or something?

Ok, you might think that I'm being over-reactive from the things that I have said above but wait until you hear the best part:

• You would notice that there are only a few students who dare to stay at the third floor of the library annex because of the certain librarian that I would like to call the "Librarian from Hell". He is the epitome of people who are so controlling and not to mention closed minded. The third floor library is like a different nation with it's own stupid little rules like no texting, no talking (even whispering), no using of mp3/media players (even if you use an earphone and with the volume way below comfort), and what else? No breathing, thinking, and no being alive in a free democratic world? If I know, if there would be a chance he would also ban the use of laptops. Like this librarian is what we call the modern day native who gets scared of innovations and improvements in technology... how sad...

Well I guess that's it. But I am glad that this would be the last that I would get to see and experience of being in the library... why? Well I'll just post about it later, maybe in may? I'll just keep it a secret for now.

Where's My Laptop?

Who would expect that I could be so super absent minded... Like I am so frustrated at myself. I was fixing my stuff: my papers, ballpens, etc and then I went outside the library to take my lunch with a friend. As I was going outside the library entrance I suddenly wondered why my bag was so light. It then struck me that I left my laptop in the library!

I then hurried back to the library thanking again all the heaven and saints that it was right where I stupidly left it...

Moral Lesson: Always look out for your belongings... especially your laptop... grrr...

DownloadHelper

There might be a gazillion reasons why Mozilla Firefox is the best web browser and one of these reasons is that it is the only web browser that you can fully personalize. Anyway, this post is not about Mozilla Firefox but rather about it's media download extension that is very helpful and easy to use (not to mention supports a lot of sites): DownloadHelper.

You can download download helper here.

That is of course you are a Mozilla Firefox user, if not you better replace your old slow and not very innovative web browser. Just search for my download Firefox button at the side to start experiencing the web in a new and much more exciting way.

Gosh I sound like a product spokesperson! Anyway, I used this Firefox extension to download anime videos from www.crunchyroll.com and boy was I satisfied! The Wi-Fi internet connection at the XU library sometimes turns off so my video streaming also gets cut off.

Besides, it's faster to download a flash movie than wait for it to load. And if you want faster downloads use DAP as your download accelerator. You can click here to download DAP.

Windows XP vs Windows Vista

Actually, my laptop is a Vista capable computer and that it's supposed to have a Windows Vista as an OS. But I was given a choice to either have the Vista or a Windows XP. I didn't have any second thoughts and I quickly decided to have a Windows XP as my operating system. Here are the reasons why I chose an old W XP to the new Windows Vista:

1. Windows Vista is a memory-hungry OS, it will only slow my laptop.
2. Most programs that I plan to install aren't Vista capable yet.
3. The only difference that I see in Vista is the design and maybe some tools and programs that I'm never really going to use.

If you would see my desktop above, you would first think that it's a Vista because of the sidebar. Well you're definitely wrong! This is actually a Windows XP desktop with the tool Google Desktop which you could download for free at http://desktop.google.com

Google desktop offers the same quick search capability of Windows Vista and you can download several gadgets and widgets that will suite not only your style but will also be very useful like my system monitor (which is just like the one Vista has).

In short, since I don't have enough memory and computing power I won't go for Vista. Besides I'm very happy with Windows XP and my laptop's current speed.

Back To My Personal Life

Oh my God! I can't believe what's happening to my blog! It's slowly turning into an advertising pot hole! Ok, time to refresh my self why I wanted to blog in the first place. I wanted to blog to express my self, to share my ideas, and to develop my creativity and stuff but all I'm doing now is wanting to earn more money! So this is what you call "Compulsive Blog Addiction" huh? Like it's already 2:23 AM and I am still up blogging... Actually I was still searching the net for more pay for blogging sites when I suddenly realized that I should just stop and focus on writing posts rather than searching for more ads to place on my blog because this is a personal site after all... but still, earning money while doing what you like is very tempting. Ok, the rooster just crowed meaning it's already morning and I have to sleep... hmm... so good night, or rather good morning world! I'm off to bed!

My New Acer Aspire 4310 Laptop!

For many days, or rather weeks, I have been going on and on about laptops and I have been obsessed with laptops to the point that I couldn't concentrate on studying.

But after several weeks and with one swipe of a Citibank Credit Card, presto! My new Acer Aspire 4310 Laptop:


Picture Credits goes to: http://komku.blogspot.com/2007/10/acer-aspire-4310-and-3dmark03.html as I am very lazy to take a picture and upload photos of my laptop anyway, they look the same.

You might be wondering why I didn't get the Acer Aspire 4315 or the Asus X51R... anyway the Acer Aspire 4315 is actually phased-out in the Philippines and the 4310 is way better as it has a built in web camera and microphone perfect for web video conferencing! Here are the specs:

Operating System - Linux (but mine is windows XP)

Processor - Intel Celeron® M Processor

Processor Type - Celeron M 530 (1.73Ghz, 1MB, 533 FSB)

Chipset - Mobile Intel® 943GML Express Chipset

Memory - 512 MB DDR2 ( Upgradeable up to 2 GB )

Display Screen - 14.1" WXGA TFT Crystalbrite LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution

Video Type - Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950

Video Memory - 224 Shared Memory

Hard Disk - 80 GB SATA HDD

Optical Drive - Built-in Super Multi Double Layer Drive

Weight - 2.6 kg

Dimension - 344 (W) x 246 (D) x 37/42 (H) mm

Network Interface - Built in 56K Modem, Built in 10/100/1000 Gigabit LAN

Wireless LAN - Built-in Acer Invilink Wireless LAN ( 802.11b/g)

Card Reader - Built in 5 in 1 Card Reader

Battery Type - 6 Cell Battery, 44.4W Li-ion battery pack

Battery Life - 2.5 hour Battery Life
Actual battery life may vary, depending on usage and configuration.

Although the Asus X51R is better than the Acer Aspire 4310 (here is my post about the Asus X51R laptop: http://vincentbautista.blogspot.com/2008/02/asus-x51r-series.html) my mom got me an Acer because of it's great promo: 0% Interest!

Anyway I am very happy with my laptop and despite it's humble Intel Celeron 1.73Ghz speed, it's still fast enough to meet up with my multitasking and stuff, so in short I love my laptop! ^_^

It is fast enough to play some games like SIMS 2 and Red Alert 2 so I have no problem, non at all. The battery life is actually good. The speaker is not that good but I won't be using my laptop for playing music at parties so it's ok.

Over all, I give it an 8 out of 10 because it's functionality and ease of use (lots of quick access buttons, I love it!) plus it's very affordable price of Php 30,000 makes it an ideal laptop for students like me. I can really use this laptop as a student nurse for my research and case presentations. This laptop is actually very good for presentations with LCD projectors because it's compatible with any LCD projector, I actually have used this laptop for 2 presentations.

This laptop is a great buy people!

Vanilla Sky - Umbrella

The first time that I've watched this music video I went ballistic it was so cool! At first I thought it was down right hilarious but when I started listening to the song, I liked their version better than Rihanna's.

So who are these guys? What is Vanilla Sky? Vanilla Sky is an Italian pop punk group formed in 2002. Their first album, Play It If You Can't Say It, was released November 6, 2002. To date they have released 3 albums, and are most well known in mainland Europe.

Members

• Vincenzo Mario Cristi – Vocals, guitars
• Luca Alessandrelli – Drums
• Francesco Sarsano – Bass
• Daniele Brian Autore – Vocals, guitar

MyPhone: iPhone Imitation or the Next Best Thing

I was quite amazed when I first heard of MyPhone. I was sitting in my classroom waiting for my class to start when my seatmate borrowed my classmates phone. At first I thought, "Wow, what a nice Nokia phone." And then I realized something peculiar, it also looked like an iPhone because it also had a touch screen and what amazed me more was the TV tuner. My curiosity got the best of me and I already started fiddling with the gadget and checking out it's features and mind you I was blown away. But you know what really made me drop my jaw in disbelief? It's ultimate low price of Php 6,000! Like what? I thought that my friend was lying but guess he wasn't.

This was the phone that I was talking about:

T11 Multimedia Phone

Specifications:

Network: GPRS/GSM 900/1800
Camera: 1.3 Megapixels CMOS
Display: 240 x 320 pixels, 2.8", 262K colors TFT
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, USB
Feature: Webcam function
Memory: 1MB Built-in User Memory
Expansion: Micro SD/T-flash memory card slot up to 2GB
Device Control: Touch screen and Alphanumeric keypad
MEssaging: SMS, EMS, MMS
GPRS: Class 10, WAP 2.0 browser
Sound: 2 stereo speakers, 3D-surround effect
Multimedia: MP3/MP4 player/Video Recorder
Battery: 950 mAh
Dimension: 109.3 x 57.6 x 14.58 mm
Weight: 95g

Standby time: 50 - 150 hrs.
Talk time: 120 - 180 mins

This is actually very amazing. But what makes things even better is that the company that produces these products, Solid Group, Inc., is a Filipino owned company geared towards providing Filipinos affordable yet of good quality and technologically advanced phones.

Imagine, where can you find a Windows Mobile Pocket PC that retails for only Php 20,000? And what's even more innovative about these products is the ability to use two active sim cards (even of different networks) at the same exact moment without the need to switch between the two sim cards!

But the question now is if these products could really stand the test of time and most importantly is if the keys are durable enough to withstand constant button pushing of the texting-addicted Filipinos? The product may be quite innovative and all but I wouldn't really rush to buy one. I may have to listen to the testimonies of present owners of the phone to know if the phone has defects or down sides.

I don't want to be like those Filipinos who went crazy over a cheap Filipino laptop brand - Neo, only to find that it isn't very durable because it's only made of cheap materials. And what's worst if the materials are made from China. I would rather buy a more expensive phone than risk having the phone blow up in front of my face.

If you really want to know more about these products then please visit the company's official website: http://www.myphone.com.ph

Laptop Reformat Blooper

I did quite something stupid last Wednesday, January 30, 2008. I reformatted my friends laptop and I forgot to bring the Windows XP serial number! So while I was in the middle of reformatting the laptop at the library I encountered the serial number prompt and I really panicked. "Oh oh..." I said to myself. I had to search for a computer in the library that had a CD-ROM reader quick so that I could read the serial number found in the CD, well I hoped that the serial number was in the CD-ROM. Unfortunately the only computer with the CD-ROM was being used. So I had to walk down from the fifth floor of the library to a near internet cafe. Fortunately, the person at the internet cafe was very kind and allowed me to peek at my CD with no charge at all. But unfortunately... guess what, there was no serial key in the CD.

So what did I do? I went online using the library computer and searched for Windows XP serial numbers (I know that this was wrong, but it happened to be an emergency). I found none of course, instead I found a software that allows you to see your serial number in your computer. So I used it to peek at the library computer's serial number and I used that number to reformat my friend's laptop.

Problem solved! The only problem now is that if the Genuine Validation Program is ran on her laptop then she would most probably need to get her self a genuine personal copy. In my opinion having the Genuine copy is the best and only option so don't ever try what I did guys!

Asus X51R Series

Oh my it has been a month and several days since I first posted about my mom getting me a laptop but I still didn't get one yet and so as I keep on posting every week, IT"S SO FRUSTRATING!!!

Although I know that you just don't get money anywhere, it is so stressful to have to wait and expect because my mom sets dates that she says she'll get me the laptop but she keeps on moving them on and on and on. Honestly, I think that she's just testing my sanity to see how long I would remain sane. In fact there are times that I feel so drained already and that evil thoughts come in to my mind like robbing a computer store or something! Grr!!!

But today my mom told me that instead of the Acer Aspire 4315, that I have always envisioned in my mind that I'll get it, she'll get me an Asus X51R series. Actually this laptop is more expensive than the Acer Aspire 4315 and it's better in some aspects. It also has it's downsides of course.

But before that here are the technical specifications:

:: Processor - Intel Celeron M 520 1.6 GHz 1MB L2 Cache, 533 MHz FSB

:: Mainboard - ATI RS400/RC400/RC410

:: Memory - 512 MB, DDR2 PC5300 SDRAM, max. 2048MB, 1x512MB

:: Graphics adapter - ATI XPress 1100 - 0 MB Chip/Clock rate: 329/333MHz

:: Display - 15.4 Zoll 16:10, 1280x800 pixel, WXGA Color-Shine Glare Type TFT Display, glossy: yes

:: Harddisk - 80GB 5400rpm Hitachi HTS 541680J9SA00

:: Soundcard - Realtek HD Audio

:: Connections - PCCard, Microphone, Headphones, 4x USB 2.0, VGA-Out, Kensington Lock, LAN, Modem

:: Networking - 802.11b/g Wireless Lan, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K Modem

:: Optical drive - DVD +/-R (DL) Matshita UJ-850S

:: Size - height x width x depth (in mm): 36x365x264

:: Weight - 2.74 kg

:: Battery - 4400 mAh lithium ions battery

:: Others: 4 in 1 Card Reader

So the good thing about the Asus X51r is that it's a dual core. The downside is that it only has a 512 MB memory as compared to the Acer Aspire 4315 which has a 1 GB memory and is already packaged with a Genuine Microsoft Windows XP.

But I can always upgrade it to a 1GB RAM right so it's quite ok.

Here is the link to my Acer aspire post if you would like to review it:

http://vincentbautista.blogspot.com/2008/01/asus-eee-vs-acer-aspire-4315.html