I’m pretty knowledgeable in setting up a computer from scratch – from the assembly to the partition, OS installation and software customization; plus network connection. In fact, I used to be the unofficial IT when we were just around 15 in the company. However, when it comes to laptop computers, I’m quite hesitant in tampering with it, especially if it’s my own netbook with my personal files. I’m afraid I might do something wrong and end up losing all those precious files. Yes, I know, I should have a back up hard disk to avoid utter lamenting on misfortunes such as a laptop crash. But due to budget constraints, I never get to buying one, until yesterday that is.

Over the weekend, I finally had it with the smart failure screen on my netbook’s startup which has been there for months now. So, using my credit card, I asked my friend’s help in upgrading my hard disk to 320 gig and finally starting from a clean slate - a fresh install of Windows 7. He also suggested I use my old hard disk as an external one for file backups. Having an ECE computer-fanatic friend really does come in handy in times like these. ^_^

He just skyped me informing me that I can get my upgraded netbook later after work. I can’t wait to customize it! 0:D

Sometimes the old fashioned ways are still more effective than the new. This is quite true with our newly installed fingerprint scanner.

Last month, a the HR department implemented a new timekeeping system that is supposed to increase the efficiency of our accounting process. Instead of flashing our ID to the barcode scanner, we just have to press our thumbs onto the fingerprint scanner. The machine was supposed to create a log of all the employees coming in and out of the office, but this later on proved to be very faulty.

It turns out that fingerprints are unique only if they are analyzed as a whole. Meaning, fingerprints also have similarities. The fingerprint scanner only scans fingerprints in a way that it has the tendency to miss any of the unique features - resulting to mis-identification of users with similar fingerprints.

This is what happened. After the payroll cut, the consolidated data turned out to be erroneous and the accounting needed to refer to written logs. We reverted back to the old system using the barcode scanners while the technicians are finding a way on how to resolve their problem.

If you’re a fan of DSLR’s, and if you’ve got one, you probably have tons of digital pictures by now just like me. Since I bought my Nikon D80 last year, I could not stop taking pictures of anything and everything. I’m not a pro yet, but I think the photos I took were great. And so I ended up filling my hard drive with lots and lots of pictures.

The problem is, I only use the hard drive as storage. Whenever I want to view the pictures, I need to plug in my hard drive to the USB port. That’s okay but what if I wanted to share the pictures to my friends abroad? There’s no way I’m sending my portable drives abroad. I have already tried flicker, photobucket, and similar photo server sites but they don’t seem to support large files especially those in RAW format.

So I have decided to try out online backup services. This way, I have a large storage space that I can access wherever whenever, and won’t have to worry about my files accidentally being deleted. It’s hassle free too for my friends abroad. All they need is an internet connection! Ingenious! hahaha.

I’m having some doubts about buying a digital camera. I mean, why buy a digital camera when you can get a digital camcorder with just a not-so-substantial amount?

Anyhow, I had these second thoughts when I saw my friend Twyla using a Sony Handycam to document my god daughter Ayesha’s birthday (Hmmm… I just remembered that Twyla’s been losing weight lately. I hope she’s not into one of those fat burners like Phenphedrine). She used the HDR-HC7 Mini DV Digital Camcorder. It has a 10x optical/20x digital zoom and can actually capture a 4.6 megapixel still image simultaneously while recording video. I also like the fact that it has the Touch Panel SwivelScreen feature allows you to swivel from just about any shooting angle.

Still, I like taking shots during the night. So I guess I’ll buy Sony’s DCR-HC90 Mini DV digital camcorder. Its intelligent accessory shoe, Super NightShot, and built-in flash makes it possible for you to capture videos intensely even when taken in low light.

Wait a minute?! What am I talking about? I want a DSLR! @_@