The Four-eyed Journal » Mac-OS-X

Apple strikes back: PCs give up Megan to a Mac

jhay — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:26:16 +0000

Those Microsoft ads about Megan opting for Windows-powered laptop instead of a Mac certainly brought the ad wars between Windows users and Mac fanboys to a new level.

Now, Apple hits back at the same ad using age-old criticisms about PCs and using Megan herself.

“I’m just not cool enough to be a Mac person“

The ad completely ignores the price difference argument which was one of the certain points of the earlier “Laptop hunters” ads by Microsoft. And now that Macs are becoming vulnerable to hacks, attacks, worms and viruses, people are starting to really question why Macs are priced so stiff as to compared to PCs.

Maybe Apple should start to do some serious soul-searching on this or perhaps Megan should try Ubuntu? ^_^

Combining Linux & Mac OS X – sort of

jhay — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:30:00 +0000

So I’ve finally taken the plunge. I gave in to the habit of tweaking the UI of Vista on my notebook so as to become more productive, suit my workflow and please my personal preferences.

No, I did not download one of those transformation packs to make Vista look and behave almost exactly like Mac OS X. I’ve grown tired of living in a dream and have decided that if I wanted to use something like Mac OS X, I’d get the real one. Albeit, someday, in the distant future. lol

What I did was simple. The Taskbar was moved on top of the screen, just like in OS X and Ubuntu. This way, I don’t have to strain my hand every time I scroll down when switching between running apps I’ve minimized and the same goes for my neck and eyes. I’ve only used OS X twice in my entire life, so it was in using Ubuntu Linux that I’ve come to appreciate the more natural look of the menus popping down from the top instead of from below.

Next, I’ve downloaded and installed ObjectDock. It’s a free and open-source application that works like the Dock in OS X. At present, it contains all the shortcuts to the applications that I use regularly. Firefox, WinAmp, FileZilla, NotePad++, Evernote, Photoshop and Flickr Uploader. Yes, since last week, Windows Live Writer is also included as well. What about Microsoft Word and Excel? Good question. I hardly use those nowadays that why I’ve become accustomed to launching them from the Start Menu or Vista’s nifty Search function.

As you can see from the screen-shot of my new desktop, which sports the WordCamp Philippines wallpaper, Vista’s Sidebar is missing. It’s because I’ve decided not to use it anymore. John Clyman from PC Magazine was right, using the Sidebar was really a personal preference and so I’ve decided that since I never really needed Sidebar, it’s much better to regain the screen space it once occupied.

The goodies

The immediate benefit is that I now have a much more organized, cleaner and less-cluttered desktop. Everything I need are just a few clicks away and I can keep an eye on the apps that I’m currently running. Plus, I get more eye-candy from ObjectDock instead of Vista’s Aero which is more demanding system resources.

Second, performance has increased significantly. Since Sidebar is no longer being used, my notebook’s startup time decreased dramatically. Plus, apps that I run are more responsive because they have more system RAM to work on. Proof of this is that I was able to run five Firefox windows each with not less than three active tabs, and close all of it after a whole day’s worth of web browsing without Firefox crashing. In between, Photoshop, EverNote and PowerPoint were ran at different times during the session.

Third, I was able to increase my output by some significant margin. Sidebar with its Notes, Calendar and Slideshow gadgets turned out to be more of a distraction that kept me from focusing on my work. Instead WinAmp has taken its place on the screen serving my daily dose of my favorite music from The Bee Gees, Bamboo and The Eraserheads. Tunes that help keep my creative mood and juices going and going and going.

Lastly, for now, I’ve learned to use keyboard shortcuts to get around the desktop instead of using the trackpad which gives my hand some extra strain. The only time I use the trackpad is when launching apps from ObjectDock, navigating in Windows Explorer and doing some quick editing in Photoshop. If ever there’s a need for an application from the Start menu, I just press the Start menu key, search for the app and hit Enter to launch it.

Too bad, I can’t get Lauchy to work on my notebook the first time I’ve installed it. Ah but that’s for another post. So far, I’m happy with the new setup. I’m not really after making Vista look and behave like Mac OS X just to get more eye-candy or impress my friends. All I wanted was to get things done, the way I wanted it done.

So did you changed Vista’s default UI too? Do share your stories, tips and tricks.

Quicklinks roundup: Virgina Tech, joint ventures, loosing jobs, summer rain and romance

jhay — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 11:51:34 +0000

It’s been a long long while since I last did a speedlinking post. Here’s the second one and it’s quite long but an interesting mix of reads from the blogs that I’ve subscribed to using Google Reader.

So without further delays here are the latest posts from The Four-eyed Journal Blog Roll.

Seung Cho is a paranoid schizophrenic writes the Empress of Drac. She basically dissects the profile of the now infamous Korean student who went on a massive shooting spree at the Virgina Tech University last April 16, 2007. Our prayers goes out to the victims and their families.

From Big Mango: A wish to change the World which could become possible by joining TED. A community about ideas and sharing. They give prize money to make that wish or idea a reality. Clinton has joined, so as Cocoy. If you would join, what would be your wish?

Bikoy continues to chronicle his internship at Living Asia Channel and has just conducted an experiment involving jeepneys, MRT and traffic at Quezon City just to break the Office Routine. Too bad the experiment got spoiled, oh well. There’s always the next time.

Chris Garrett critiques another blog, this time it’s OPENXTRA Blog. This is the latest installment of his series where he marks, criticizes, ranks or scores your blog, upon request of course, and then gives his impressions and advices. Bloggers could learn a lot from this project of Chris.

Click Mo Mukha Mo! has gotten into beta testing of Joost. It is the latest project of the founders of Skype and Kazaa. Itâ€™s a peer-to-peer TV sharing platform. Itâ€™s not like Youtube or the other video-sharing site in that Joost is backed by the content developers (ie networks) like MTV, BET, Paramount Pictures and Warner Music. If you’re interested in beta testing as well, contact him quick because the invites are only for the first three persons to request for one.

Filipina Soul has a poll, asking for what is your favorite mall in Manila. Go and visit to vote for your favorite mall. I’m having a hard time choosing between Mega Mall or the Mall of Asia.

Half Sigma writes something that could give some geeks some relief; Dell brings back XP. Micro$oft is dreaming if it thinks that consumers would readily swallow Vista after all the bungles, confusion and bugs they have shown.

Jaypee has something on the delay of the WordPress 2.2′s release. Tagging support has been pushed back to WP 2.3 and they focus now on ironing out the bugs for core support for widgets instead.

JD has a podcast that helps us choose between a Sole proprietorship or a Partnership. The shownotes give a preview of what’s in store in the podcast. An interesting one indeed.

Darwin of Juicelog says it’s hotness all over as he is driven nuts by the soaring temperatures in Manila today. He hoped the magic of the rain maker would bring some cool relief and he did got it. It rained at around 12 noon where he’s located.

Gail dela Cruz-Villanueva pens an interesting post about the fear of the unknown after seeing a documentary on TV about sharks how people have always misunderstood those beautiful creatures of the sea. She reflects on taking risks, planning for the future and about your business ventures. A nice companion to JD’s podcast mentioned earlier.

Madhur Kapoor has a neat post on how to create a BootLogo for Vista. Would love to try it out myself but I am happy with my Ubuntu right now.

Nalen of Manilenya answers the question “Bakit ako nagbabblog?” (Why do I blog?) Her answers are profound and a must read for those who’d like to know more about blogging and why one should start one.

Misteryosa.com has a very interesting formula: Blogging Vacation + Inuman (drinking). Something I haven’t had in a long while. So anyone up to joining Shari?

Nostalgia Manila has something special in the offering. The second part of an exclusive interview with Roger Rigor of VST and Company. Ah yes, good times, good music.

Philiblogs has a post that I agree with 1001%: Raul Gonzales is obnoxious. Why? He blames US Peace Corps’ Julie Campbell’s death on Julie Campbell herself. Now why can’t just the secretary of InJustice just di….oh nevermind.

Sonnie starts a series that’s a must read for all those how have a job right now: How to loose your job. In the following days he’ll dig in the issues of the little things an employee could do to get terminated, acts that can cause job termination and to salvage what is left, the legal options available to both employee and employer.

TechSpot.net spills the beans on the latest Mac OS X major security updates from Apple. If you’re on a Mac I’d say give it a read and get those updates.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Epstein on hair transplant as he is one of only 30 doctors worldwide accepted in the IAHRS, plus 60% of Dr. Epstein’s hair transplant patients travel to his Miami and New York City clinic for their hair restoration procedure.

Lastly, Touched by an Angel brings love and cuteness earlier than the Valentine season in her aptly named post; The Couple that blogs together, stays together. Talk about summer romance right?

There you have it, the latest and juiciest blog posts from the Four-eyed Journal BlogRoll. A varied and rich list worthy of a good bloghopping session for this weekend.

Catch you all again next time around.