Entries from August 2007 ↓

Since reading about emulating software and the power of Virtual PC 2007, I wanted to give it a try. It’d be useful to have an operating system that wasn’t at risk of being attacked, and that was (practically) guaranteed to be spyware-free. Problem was - what was free, and secure enough so that even I could install it?

Take a good look at the picture. Observe. And now, let me carry on with my story.

Enter Ubuntu. The first time I mentioned my idea to a friend, the reaction I got was more or less “Whoa, what kind of word is that?”.

Ubuntu is an African word meaning ‘Humanity to others’, or ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. The Ubuntu distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.

Source: http://www.ubuntu.com/products/WhatIsUbuntu

Yeah, it’s a distribution of the popular underground Operating System known as Linux. I always wanted to give Linux a try, but I never wanted to dual-boot it. With the relatively new virtual technology available free of charge, I figured why not give it a try?

So I did. Installing it was a breeze - I didn’t run into too many obstacles. I decided against installing drivers because I realized I had no clue how virtual computers work (and still don’t).

I had a bit of trouble configuring the internet to work on Ubuntu, but I’m proud to say I finally succeeded (it was a very weird method - kind of sketchy, but it worked nonetheless). Firefox worked pretty flawlessly - although it was a bit slow (could be the virtual machine).

I like Ubuntu so far. It’s a much different experience when compared to Vista, and it’s got a more simple - yet natural vibe to it. Of course, I’ll never actually choose to use it over Windows Vista, but I would consider it an alternative (not too powerful of one, but free).

Want to pay less for higher-quality? Sick of how iTunes is overcharging (what, we both know it)? If you haven’t heard of it already, Allofmp3.com is notorious for it’s services.

You might have established it by now - Allofmp3.com is a music store. It’s owned and operated in Russia, which explains why its prices are a fraction of North American ones. For example - right now you’re paying $0.99 to get Maroon 5’s new single. Oh, wait - why not surf over to Allofmp3.com and get it for $0.1 (or higher, depending on the quality)?

Allofmp3.com has been attacked with many a lawsuit from the RIAA (okay, so what else is new), but it’s actually survived. In fact, it’s planning to make it’s comeback very soon. See for yourself - surf over to Allofmp3.com right now!

So, do I use Allofmp3.com? In short answer, no. I do believe financially supporting my artists. And although Allofmp3.com claims to pay the recording labels (or actually, they have a sum of money waiting for them), the money doesn’t get accepted or just gets plain old ignored (same result, right?). Thus, the money still doesn’t get to the artists. I personally don’t think that’s right - so for the artists’ sake, I’m forced to use Spiral Frog (which has officially signed contracts with two major labels - something Allofmp3.com hasn’t accomplished) or buy off iTunes (signed contracts with all four major labels and a bunch of smaller ones).

What can I say - I believe in people getting recognized and rewarded for their hard work.

Why exactly would you need four desktops?

More screen real-estate (some of us just can’t squeeze enough pixels per inch on our monitors), more space for that clutter of windows, more processes to take up that extra RAM - the list goes on.

I alternate between my four desktops mainly when I am writing a blurb about a piece of software and feel like I need to create some screenshots. Of course I wouldn’t show you my dirty screen with all those Instant Messenger windows open. No, I like to inadvertantly brag about my cleanliness through the screenshots I take. And this is where Yet anOther (yes, anOther) Desktop Manager comes in handy.

A picture I used in the other review - I’ll explain why later. But you get the idea, right?

Okay, so I wrote about YODM3D (it uses pretty intense 3D graphics) before. But, it’s been updated! Let’s brief you on the basically what YODM3D does, first of all: it virtually adds three more desktops - operative word being virtually - and you sacrifice RAM and processing power for more virtual space. Press the combination hotkeys, and the respective arrow, and you will be able to arrive at another desktop while watching a fancy cube spinning technique. It’s actually pretty cool - if your computer can handle it.

Version 1.4 doesn’t differ too much from it’s mother, version 1.3, except that it introduces the ability to move windows from one virtual desktop to another. Sounds too good to be true? It works like a charm - after you get the hang of it.

I would like to post a few new screenshots, but the new YODM3D is not nearly as Print-Screen-friendly as its predecessor. Nonetheless, I still got a screenshot of how dragging a window to a different virtual desktop looks; it didn’t turn out too well, but you’ll certainly get the idea.

Uh, isn’t there supposed to be an equalizer on Windows Media Player?

YODM3D is a flashy desktop manager that works - if you’ve got the hardware equipped for it. My laptop barely manages to run this program with most features enabled. Think twice about it - you might actually want a desktop manager that does not eat that much computing power.

Alas, if you want YODM3D for free, you’re definitely going to be disappointed. Otaku software purchased YODM3D and slapped a price tag on it (along with some new features, undoubtedly). Still, it really blows for the rest of us consumers who don’t have the change to spend on this stuff.

The hiatus has ended, and I, Herbert Lui, am back.

After a couple of days of soul-searching, and a visit to Indigo (where I was inspired and challenged by a book I found - but didn’t buy, ha ha), I realized that I had been going about blogging all wrong.

So, after a few priority shifts, a bit more planning, and a new makeover (it took me a couple of days to find a theme that I liked and described CutEdge well), I’m back. I do hope to bring you more quality articles and news until at least the end of the year 2007. Then I can look back, make some resolutions, lick my wounds, and keep going.

I could use some moral support. So why not register now? Registering is quick, easy, and free. It makes you part of the CutEdge community (and just might get you an avatar). I’m still working things out, but I am looking for a few guest bloggers. So why not apply? Send me an e-mail at luiavenues[at]gmail.com.

So it arose (after a mere three days) with a new look. But that’s not going to be the only new thing around here.

Time to tell you loyal readers about the status of CutEdge.

As you might have noticed by now, the blog seems to be lacking a few updates.  Let me explain: during the past couple of weeks of volunteering at a day camp, I have hardly had the time to write in my blog.  I sincerely apologize for this - especially for you really dedicated followers of CutEdge.

I am currently considering going on a hiatus - both to continue my education and to pursue a few of my other interests.  However, this is just an idea; I love writing (it’s been a passion of mine), so I really hold my blog close to me.

This vibrant orange skin is also to be temporary; I miss the old Freshy theme I used, as it seemed to be an excellent blend of professionalism and technology, but unfortunately, I realize that many various other websites function on that template as well.  I do want CutEdge to be more unique.  I’ve had readers describe this orange skin as “spiffy”, but I myself am not too satisfied.

Rest assured, reader, because CutEdge will arise from the ashes once again (that is, if it falls).  If I can make it happen, it will arise with a new look and a few more columns and regular write-ups (hint: I’ve done a lot of tinkering around, and I’ve got plenty to write about - including fooling around with Ubuntu.  Look it up if you don’t know what it is!).

I’ve gotten a good concept of how to run the blog now.  So the next time I’m back, it will be for sure.  Later days.