YugaTech | Philippines, Technology News & Reviews

Philippines, Technology News & Reviews


Archive for December, 2006

A look back at YugaTech in 2006

Published by: yuga under: Site Updates. 17 replies

posted: December 31st, 2006

I’m combing thru 798 posts on Yugatech for the year 2006 and here are some notable stuff I’d like to share.

2006: The Year of the Scandals?

I don’t know about you but some of the scandals that rocked the Philippine blogosphere may have been fueled by this blog. :D

And who could forget the first and only true rant I made this year: Some people just don’t get Problogging. It’s always the one where you least expected it.

The Year of the Blog Trainer

This is probably the most exciting part of my year. Aside from being a fulltime problogger and netrepreneur, I accidentally became a trainer (well, at least that what’s printed in my contracts). That, coupled with trips both local and abroad (from Legazpi, to Vigan all the way to Taiwan, Pakistan & Indonesia) really caught my fancy. I’m looking forward to more travels to many more places next year.

The Seven Figure Blogger

When I celebrated my 1st year into fulltime problogging last month, I didn’t realized how far I’ve move along. Although a lot of my fellow Filipino probloggers already knew about this, and I know Darren Rowse got tons of press for doing so, I couldn’t really spell it quite well. Yup, seven digits but only in Philippine peso. I’m still too far behind hitting that 6-figure dollar mark.

It’s been fulfilling and my original plan of just testing how fulltime problogging goes in the Philippine setting has been proven viable — the car, slr camera, laptops and all sorts of stuff are just icing on the cake. It’s all about doing what you love most and making a living out of it.

2006 is the Year of Blog Events

I almost forgot how many blogger events we did this year but the most notable ones are the Globe sponsored BlogCon back in September and the Christmas meetup we did this December.

We’re hoping for more meetups, summits, blogcons and beercons in 2007. Don’t worry as we’re cooking up a post New Year Party next month.

MSM gets Blogging in 2006

This is one of the more notable developments in the main stream media involving the blogosphere. More and more blogs are becoming a source for news and feature stories. ANC did a series of blogger interviews in their Mornings @ ANC while ABS CBN and GMA 7 have put up blogs, albeit haphazardly, for most of their popular TV shows. It’s a start though.

And if the number of citations in my press page is any indication that traditional media in the Philippines is closely monitoring the blogosphere, then we’re almost there.

Blog Marketing is Hot

Based on the number of direct advertisers, invitations, request for reviews, sponsorships and meetings we’ve had in the last 12 months, blog marketing is certainly in. Nothing beats targeted market and demographics couple with virtual word of mouth. “Today’s market niches are no longer geographic, but psychographic“, as Mike Abundo puts it.

Another year to look forward to…

We’re just getting started and we all have our own stories to tell on how blogging has affected us personally, professionally and psychologically.

So, what’s your blogging story for 2006?

What’s so wrong with Microsoft’s Acer Ferrari gift?

Published by: yuga under: Blogosphere. 11 replies

posted: December 30th, 2006

A lot of people are screaming bloody murder with that Acer Ferrari laptop loaded with Vista which Microsoft sent as gifts to top bloggers. What is so wrong about that?

A gift is a gift is a gift. If Google is sending their top Adwords customers and Adsense Publishers gifts every Christmas, and hardware companies sending tech forums (like AnandTech) regular review copies of new video cards or processors, how is that different from the one Microsoft did? Intel actually did a similar marketing earlier with their Intel Blogger Challenge — a free Core Duo or Core 2 Centrino laptop in exchange for blogging about their experience with it.

I didn’t hear any scandal over that one or did I just missed it?

I think it’s because this time, it was Microsoft that did the attempted bribing. Had it been Steve Jobs sending out Apple Macbook Pros to bloggers asking for a review in exchange of the free laptop, we’d been hearing cheers and jeers for a brilliant marketing ploy.

I guess it’s not always what you do but who you are that determines the ethics of the deed.

P.S.
Likewise, do you ask your doctor which drug companies are sending him gifts before buying those prescriptions he wrote for you?

Again, if you’re too picky, treat it as advertising. Don’t tell me you’d send back a new Mazda 6 Lancer GT 2007 from Mitsubishi or a brand new house & lot at Valenza from Crown Asia if they send it to you as gifts in exchange for a review or endorsement.

TLA now available for Blogspot

Published by: yuga under: Problogging. 2 replies

posted: December 30th, 2006

Internet connection is still very slow and surfing is agonizingly frustrating. I think this situation will goes past the New Year. Anyway, news from the TLA blog says that Text Link Ads are now able to run on Blogger blogs:

We are excited to announce that Text Link Ads publishing program now is compatible with Blogger! If you have not yet upgraded to the newest version of Blogger, you will need to do so in order to use our publishing program.

Great news for people who are running network of blogs via Blogspot.

Will this development do the same thing like what Adsense did on Blogger?

Blogging via Sony PSP

Published by: yuga under: Tech Toys & Gadgets. 12 replies

posted: December 30th, 2006

Borrowed this Sony PSP from a cousin for a couple of days. While my brother was enjoying the only 2 games loaded in it, I checked out its wifi capability.

Sony PSP

I wondered how easy (or hard) it would be to surf or even blog with this gadget.

Sony Playstation

Surprisingly, surfing the web was a breeze. However, I had a hard time using it to blog. As a matter of fact, I wrote this entry using the PSP and this took me approximately 12 minutes to finish, excluding the picture upload.

PLDT adding charges for data transmission?

Published by: yuga under: Telecoms. 7 replies

posted: December 29th, 2006

Andre Cruz tipped me on this breaking news on Inquirer.net about “PLDT to charge for data transmission via its landlines“.

THE PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has said it will start charging fees for data transmission using its basic telephone landlines.

Through what it calls the alternate voice data line (AVD), subscribers who use the same basic telephone line for voice calls and data transmission will be required to connect a special data or voice access device to the basic telephone line.

PLDT said the service will provide a secure means to automatically process and authorize credit card transactions, real-time. One common use for AVD is credit card verification for business subscribers.

Full story here. AVD is a single transmission facility used for either voice or data.

The charges include Php300 a month for the basic AVD, VAT inclusive. An additional fee of P50 to P500 will be added to the charge for connecting an AVD device for residential use and P100 to P1,000 for business use. Other charges will be added for additional services that will use the same line.

I’m a little confused about this article and it’s not really clear if PLDT will start charging people who are using their phone lines for dial-up internet or DSL. I hope I am wrong in that assumption but if that’s how it will end, I don’t understand why would the NTC allow it when they claim that the new service is in line with the government’s thrust to encourage more customer-friendly and affordable telecom services in the country.

The story mentioned about more secure credit card processing and it reminded me of those swipe card machines found at the cashiers. Are those the ones they refer to that needs an AVD line? This needs to be clarified and I don;t want to see any additional charges on my next PLDT billing with the line that says AVD.

Searching Google News

Published by: yuga under: Gooooogle. 9 replies

posted: December 28th, 2006

I never realized that I’d get that much coverage after taking the helm at BlogHerald so imagine my surprise when I searched my name at Google News:

Google News

Looks like BH is listed in Google News as news source.

On the same page, I saw several mentions of me I didn’t know about (except for the interview with the New York Times I had yesterday):

The Day the Pixels Froze: When a Digital World Was Stopped by a Natural Disaster
The New York Times
December 28, 2006

Earthquake knocks Asia back to phone age, and beyond
International Herald Tribune
December 27, 2006

We are all Time’s POTY (and be a perfect SO)
Computerworld
December 18, 2006

A secret called Vieux Chalet
Manila Standard Today
November 29, 2006

If only I could have gotten a link or two from all those articles. :D

HSDPA laptops in 2007

Published by: yuga under: Telecoms. 3 replies

posted: December 28th, 2006

I mentioned this to the girls over at Globe the last time we had a thanksgiving dinner. Since Laptops with built-in HSDPA cards are starting to come out, would it not be a good marketing idea to bundle these rigs with SIM cards.

HP is coming out with one model, Compaq 6400, while Lenovo is partnering with Cingular to do the same. Dell signed a deal with Vodafone to offer the same 3G-ready laptops (Dell Latitude D420) and I think Acer has one too.

If them telcos can easily snag new customers by bundling cellphones with postpaid plans even at very expensive plans (Php5k a month and up), it’s also possible to bundle laptops with the same postpaid accounts. Globe tried it last month with a ThinkPad + HSDPA Card + Samsung Z560. I suggested they could do this on a permanent basis.

Telcos selling laptops aside from cellphones? Why not?

How’s your internet today?

Published by: yuga under: Telecoms. 32 replies

posted: December 28th, 2006

I did a quick post over at PTB about Taiwan Earthquake shakes Philippine ISPs. It was in the news all afternoon.

I was uploading hundreds of photos in the gallery and what used to take me less than an hour stretched to as long as 4 hours. I couldn’t connect to YM on both PLDT DSL and Smart Wifi. I tried using Smart 3G/GPRS and got the same results.

Google Code Search used to hack blogs/websites

Published by: yuga under: Gooooogle. 0 reply

posted: December 27th, 2006

There were a lot of buzz before about the Google Code Search among programmers and coders. There were also announcements from software vendors like vBulletin that copies of their software can be downloaded from sites of legitimate license holders. All you gotta do was do a search of the software and all vB copies uploaded somewhere on someone’s website can be viewed and even downloaded. This usually happens if people leaves a copy of the software on their site without password protecting the folders where they store it.

Now, the same code search by Google is used to find vulnerable scripts by hackers attempting to pawn your site or blog. Shoemoney has the story:

Now that I had figured out how the person was hacking into my box I was curious how in the hell the person found the file. It was in a subdirectory that I had not used in YEARS. There was no link to it from anywhere on my site. The directory structure it was in was like … html/oldforums/oldstuff/badfile.php . How in the hell did this person find this file? Well after going through the logs greping for the ip range that hacked my box I found that the person found my site from Google! Specifically using Google code search. Now while this was interesting it still did not explain how the page was even indexed…. ohh wait I use Google Sitemaps and I had it on to index everything (the default setting)…

{complete story: How Hackers Are Using Google To Pwn Your Site}

Pretty clever, IMO. The very same reason why I’m always on alert for such similar incidents on my servers. Once you’re being specifically targeted by a hacker and not just a random victim, they’ll always find a way in depending on how motivated or challenged they are.

Hopefully, these incidents will make us more aware and careful or the next time, it could be our site.

Samsung Synchmaster 940BW 19″ LCD

Published by: yuga under: Personal Computing. 51 replies

posted: December 27th, 2006

Was it Connie that once said she needs to buy the stuff herself before she can impartially review them? :D Well, good thing she’s into food and cooking so it’s not that expensive but if you’re into technology and gadget blogging, it could burn a huge hole in your pocket (as in huge!).

So, ok, I bought a 19-inch Samsung LCD screen not because I just want to review it but because I really wanted to have one. The last time I bought a monitor was 3 years ago, also a Samsung 17″ flat screen monitor. I just love Samsung monitors since then and if only I have the same amount of cold cash Marc has, I would have wanted that 32″ Samsung HDTV set he bought earlier.

Samsung LCD

So, I’ll settle with the Samsung Synchmaster 940BW 19″ LCD:

19-inch Wide TFT-LCD
1440 x 900 resolution
500:1 contrast ratio
16:10 aspect ratio
4ms response time
160 degree viewing angle
30-81kHz horizontal (scanning frequency)
56-75Hz vertical
HDTV Ready
DVI input
HDCP support

HDTV Samsung

I plugged this one into my Compaq Presario with an external mouse and an Okion mini-keyboard. About two or 3 years ago, the entry level LCD screens are 15-inchers and costs at least Php15k. Now, you can get a 19″ for that same price.

Took a 24 hour break and played WC3 with my brother for some online Christmas partying. *heh* I also thought that instead of getting that new rig I mentioned in my other post, I’d go for a Mac mini hooked into this one. I’m still undecided so I’ll take it one purchase at a time.

The Big Guns are out this Christmas!

Published by: yuga under: Tech Toys & Gadgets. 9 replies

posted: December 26th, 2006

I grew up with the country-side tradition of having a bamboo bazooka to celebrate with every Christmas and New Year. This year, I’m seeing more and more high-tech boom bazookas out in the streets — and very creative ones if I might add.

Boom Bazooka

Air Bazooka

Materials: PVC pipes, screw cap, toy gun, stove lighter, spray paint, glue gun, electric wires, shoulder strap

For charging: kerosene or denatured alcohol + spray bottle (avoid gasoline!)

This baby packs a bang as loud as any commercial firecrackers you can buy around. The stove lighter is cut off and fitted inside the toy guy which serves as a trigger.

Just unscrew the cap at the base, spray in 2 to 3 squirts of kerosene or alcohol, screw back the cap, swirl for a couple of seconds and hit the trigger.

The Blog Mob: written by fools, read by imbeciles?

Published by: yuga under: Blogosphere. 7 replies

posted: December 26th, 2006

Eric Salas emailed me a link about this article from the Wall Street Journal Editorial Page written by Joseph Rago:

The blogs are not as significant as their self-endeared curators would like to think. Journalism requires journalists, who are at least fitfully confronting the digital age. The bloggers, for their part, produce minimal reportage. Instead, they ride along with the MSM like remora fish on the bellies of sharks, picking at the scraps.

Of course, once a technosocial force like the blog is loosed on the world, it does not go away because some find it undesirable. So grieving over the lost establishment is pointless, and kind of sad. But democracy does not work well, so to speak, without checks and balances. And in acceding so easily to the imperatives of the Internet, we’ve allowed decay to pass for progress.

Read the complete article here.

If this guy didn’t have a spot on the WSJ (or any MSM page for that matter), he would be blogging and on our side by now. Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. Rago.

A very Merry Christmas to all!

Published by: yuga under: Events. 10 replies

posted: December 24th, 2006

I’m calling out an early greeting of Merry Christmas to all!

Maligayang Pasko

Malipayon nga Paskwa

Maupay nga Pasko

Maogmang Pasko

Maayong Pasko

Naragsak a Paskua

And to my friends from around the world:

Selamat Natal

نايا سال مبارک هو

聖誕快樂 新年快樂 [圣诞快乐 新年快乐]

Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr

ന വവത്സര ആശംസ

اجمل التهاني بمناسبة الميلاد و حلول السنة الجديدة (Ajmel altehani bemonasebt almīlad wa helol alseneh aljedīdah)

Bon Nadal

Joyeux Noël

Mele Kalikimaka

Buon Natale

С Рождеством Христовым

Help Save 3G!

Published by: yuga under: Telecoms. 6 replies

posted: December 24th, 2006

This is totally ridiculous. All four 3G licenses granted to Smart, Globe, Sun Cellular and CURE is threatened to be revoked by a new bill passed in the House of Representatives. William Yu has the scoop:

“House Resolution 190 and kindred resolutions are just what we need to scare and drive away investors. House Resolution 190 is a prescription for disaster, just what the Philippines needs like a bullet hole in the head,” Globe declared in its position paper.

Aside from 190, two other resolutions on the awarding process of 3G franchises have been filed in Congress.

There was House Resolution 1108 filed by Rep. Danilo E. Suarez which urged the NTC to nullify contracts awarded to 3G networks and instead conduct an open bidding.

A second proposal, HR 01105, was filed by Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. In it, he called for an investigation on the losses the government might have incurred through the 3G license awarding process.

“If an auction had pushed through, supposing already that applicants were willing to bet on an already exorbitant and unrealistic tripling of the minimum bid at P1.2 million for each band, then total proceeds could only run to P6.5 billion. Then the P15 to P25 billion windfall suggested by some members of Congress in several fora and memoranda is purely speculative and without solid substantiation,” the company said.

Congress came out with this resolution to recover P15 billion-P25 billion it says the government lost when the NTC awarded the 3G licenses instead of bidding them out.

When 3G went out and was offered to us, it was so cheap I thought we’re so lucky to have it here in the Philippines. Now, them tongressmans want to squeeze in some more milk out of it. It will practically come from the consumers’ own pockets.

The longest blogger EB ever!

Published by: yuga under: Events. 26 replies

posted: December 23rd, 2006

We started at 7pm and went home at 4:30am. I’ll allow the pictures to speak for themselves.

Special thanks to Marc and Gail for the goodie bags, Noemi for her cookies and chocolate giveaways, Ajay for the boxes of Casino Filipino playing cards (and what’s the name of those buns again?) , Jomar for the publication, and Aldrin for the Accenture trinkets. Same goes to Jayvee for sponsoring some dinner food.

We also raffled off plogHost polo shirts, mugs and Indonesian ref magnets as well as lifetime hosting from PinoyWebHosting.net and domain registrations. Thanks to Gail for also awarding a fully customized Wordpress theme design.

Xmas

Follow the roll call:

Thank you to the volunteers of the steering committee on next year’s post New Year Party. Tentative date is Jan. 26, 2007.

What to do when losing Google traffic?

Published by: yuga under: SEO. 8 replies

posted: December 22nd, 2006

A regular reader came to me asking for help a few days ago. Apparently, she lost a lot of traffic from Google. I checked the site and it’s not banned. All pages are still being indexed and it’s an old domain with a fair amount of backlinks.

Continue reading ‘What to do when losing Google traffic?’

Is the VHS dead?

Published by: yuga under: Tech Toys & Gadgets. 11 replies

posted: December 22nd, 2006

Just wondering.VHS

With the prolifiration of VCDs and DVDs at your suking bangketa, is the reign of the VHS long gone? Are they totally gone off the shelves?

I never bought a VHS player ever. Got a Super VCD before as well as a DVD player somewhere in Makati Cinema Square. My JVC player is too picky so you have to have a backup player.

The last time I watched a movie on VHS was way back in 2000. I think this generation has practically forgotten about the VHS.

How fast does my site load?

Published by: yuga under: Sponsored Post. 3 replies

posted: December 21st, 2006

I first got wind of Rate my Web Hosting Speed thru ReviewMe the other day and though it was a paid offer to review the widget, I thought I’d skip it. So, I forgot about it until a friend pop up on my Yahoo Messenger asking me to try out this new tool they helped created.

Continue reading ‘How fast does my site load?’

Jaime is in the house!

Published by: yuga under: Animal Kingdom. 11 replies

posted: December 21st, 2006

Yup, we just got a pet puppy. And his name is Jaime.

Jaime

Thanks to newly weds Gail & Marc for the wonderful gift. Promise, once my lost luggage from Lahore arrives, you’ll be the first one to get that wedding gift I bought from Pakistan. :)

Jaime is a boy (mixed breed) and I named him after that Brit chef Jaime Oliver from the Travel & Living Channel.

Would you buy an Apple iPhone if it looks like this?

Published by: yuga under: Apples and iPods. 12 replies

posted: December 21st, 2006

From LoopRumors, a screenshot of a leaked Apple iPhone:

Apple iPhone

And no, not this iPhone.

Would you buy a phone with a touch pad instead of the regular keypad? Now, that would set us all back to 25 characters per minute from 120 characters per minute typing speed.

[tags]iphone sales, iphone activation, iphone reviews, iphone sold out, iphone lines, iphone news, [/tags]

Page 1 of 41234»
hit counter