Laptop battery gives out

I got up this morning and tried to update this blog, before leaving on my trip. Night before I'd unplugged most everything in order to speed up our departure. So, I was on battery power. 25 minutes later, my battery gave out. I hate laptop batteries. I just want one that works, 5-6 hours long & doesn't give out after a year! So, guess I get to deal with Dell support.

5:36:26 AM     

categories: Expat Tech

Figuring out SMS lingo

SMS is huge in Asia. If you're having trouble understanding your messages, TransL8it might be able to help. It's fun to play around with and it helps you learn to speak SMS. Thanks for the link, Jenny. 

9:41:10 AM     

categories: Expat Tech, Indonesia

Key clicks

I updated my audio drivers the other day, along with other various Microsoft Update recommended updates. Afterwards, my keyboard had key clicks, small beeps every time you hit a key. Very annoying. I've searched for a way to turn it off, but no luck. Don't suggest "Accessibility Options" I've already tried there, but I could have missed something. Never mind, I'll accept any suggestions anyone has.

9:24:58 PM     

categories: Expat Tech

Six Degrees

I'm downloading the demo of Six Degrees. It sounds a lot like Enfish, but it is suppose to be cooler. We'll see. More later. (BTW, downloading 10meg files via 28.8, actually slower, dial-up lines sucks)

8:50:18 AM     

categories: Expat Tech

Email etiquette

Here's how to mind your email Ps & Qs. See the full site for the details and explanations. Most of these are good general email practices, but the list is oriented towards corporate/business users, so some of them don't apply to personal use. The ones I think are bogus have a ** next to them with my comments in italics. My favorites are in bold.

1. Be concise and to the point
2. Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions
3. Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation ** (make a good attempt, but don't sweat it too much. Clarity is the issue. At least this is true for personal emails.)
4. Make it personal
5. Use templates for frequently used responses
6. Answer swiftly
7. Do not attach unnecessary files ** (This is critical for those of us living overseas and using low-bandwidth connections)
8. Use proper structure & layout
9. Do not overuse the high priority option
10. Do not write in CAPITALS
11. Don't leave out the message thread
12. Add disclaimers to your emails
13. Read the email before you send it ** (You really look stupid when you reply and don't address the issue.)
14. Do not overuse Reply to All
15. Mailings > use the bcc: field or do a mail merge
16. Take care with abbreviations and emoticons
17. Be careful with formatting
18. Take care with rich text and HTML messages
19. Do not forward chain letters
20. Do not request delivery and read receipts
21. Do not ask to recall a message.
22. Do not copy a message or attachment without permission
23. Do not use email to discuss confidential information ** (unless you are using SSL mail or PGP or the like)
24. Use a meaningful subject ** (this isn't always easy to do)
25. Use active instead of passive
26. Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT
27. Avoid long sentences
28. Don't send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks
29. Don't forward virus hoaxes and chain letters
30. Keep your language gender neutral** (Oh, give me a break.)
31. Don't reply to spam
32. Use cc: field sparingly

11:01:11 AM     

categories: Expat Tech

Trillian

I wanted to chat with Scott "Mr. Fuzzy" Johnson when I saw on his weblog that he was .  Scott uses Yahoo's IM software and I already had a Yahoo account, because I use their email service, but I hadn't installed their instant messaging software. So, download, install, have problems, get it working, finally chat with Scott (very smart guy, really generous with his time.) What a hassle. I'm sick of installing so many IM bits on my computer. I don't want them all running all the time. Too much memory eaten up, too many bugs, too many crashes, etc. Then I saw someone (I forget who you are, sorry) post about a new version of Trillian that was just release. This is the instant messaging Swiss knife. It supports AOL's AIM and ICQ, Microsoft, Yahoo, and IRC. I'd used it before, but uninstalled it for some reason I don't remember. Well, it is running like a gem and I've chatted with a couple of folks that I'd lost contact with (via chat at least) since I'd stopped using ICQ and AIM. Cool. Now, MS Messenger is no longer running and Trillian is the only IM software for me!

7:35:30 AM     

categories: Expat Tech

Lightning and computers

Wow, just had one of the worst scares of this year. Lightning struck near our house yesterday. Big storm. My laptop and desktop were still plugged in to the electricity and phone. When the storm was over my laptop would startup. I thought the hard drive and many other components were trashed. Last backup was 3 months ago! I spent the past 24 hours in deep mourning. Long story short, only the mini-pci modem/ethernet cart was trashed. Once I pulled it out, everything else worked. The desktop modem was hosed too. A new desktop modem cost Rp. 130,000 (or about $14). Don't know whether Dell will replace the dead laptop modem/netcard.

7:13:53 PM     

categories: Expat Tech, Indonesia