Discontinued Google Pinyin IME

Been using Google Pinyin IME in Windows for years. Love it or so use to its functionality (can type both simplified & traditional Chinese characters), compatibility (so far no system halt issue) and customisability (use your own established phases).

Thought it will be uneventful to install and set up Google Pinyin IME in my new Windows 7 x64 SP1, only to find out the same nagging "network error" message keep popping up whenever I try to logging with my Google account to retrieve my own established phrases data.

It seems Google has shut down or change the particular host for Pinyin IME synchronisation, as stated in Google Pinyin wiki under "synchronization failure". The official forum has been taken down, left the Chinese group staying stagnant.

Despite being unable to synchronise, the 64-bit version of the installation file is still available here (15.6MB). Well how I know? Guess it is provided even since the very beginning but the page has also been taken off.

New Year New System, Yet Another Success of Core2Duo E8400 in SR5222d

After I had been using Windows XP Pro x64 SP2 for more than a decade, I decided to sell my ten-year-old Compaq (does any new netizen never heard of this?) Presario together with the old OS. It took me a few weeks before "taming" down yet another Compaq Presario that was used by my brother. Speaking of this "taming down" process is clueless. In fact I thought it was either power supply unit, main board, CPU, even RAM to be blamed that causing the new system not being able to show POST screen after boot.

Note that I'm trying to fix an Intel Core2Duo E8400 into the old MSI main board in this SR5222d, which according to the official website is only support up to E7xxx. Even there are numbers of successful trials claimed by netizens.

The only medicine is, time. So I just got myself distracted by other things, and it just come back, getting steadier each boot.

Installing Zune in Windows XP Pro x64

Microsoft is ceasing despite its old glory.

I am rather busybody to offer my help to update the firmware & software of a Nokia Lumia 710.

Prior to this I though it would be as easy as connecting the Windows Phone to a PC to transfer files. No! My Windows XP Pro SP2 64-bit just not able to process this toy! Upon unsuccessful installation of USB driver I downloaded and installed Windows USB driver but in vain -- there is a proper icon showing a USB device is plugged in and how to safely remove, but it just failed to show itself in Windows Explorer.

So I thought it is time to install Zune Setup Package (101MB).

And of course another failure.
"The Zune Music + Video software won't work on versions of Windows earlier than Windows XP SP3, any 64-bit version of Windows XP, or any version of Windows Server." --Zune Support
Think I'm just too rigid in persisting in Windows XP 64-bit.

Inspired by a thread in ZuneBoards titled Install Zune 4.0 on Windows XP x64, as there'll be quite a journey to be fruitful, I modified the step-by-step guide as follow:
Note: I have Windows Media Player 11 installed much earlier so I skipped installing WMP11 of course.
1. Extract the only 2 folders from ZuneSetupPkg.exe, namely x64 & x86, using 7-zip or any compression software;
2. Install straight with x64\packages\zune-x64.msi;
3. Backup C:\Program Files\Zune\Drivers for later use;
4. Uninstall Zune x64 with x64\packages\zune-x64.msi;
1-4 is to get Zune x64 drivers because I could not get them by simply extract from the .msi file.
5. Use SuperOrca MSI Editor (mentioned in my earlier article iPhone with box of Windows XP x64) to edit x86\packages\zune-x86.msi:
 a. Select "InstallExecuteSequence" from the left pane, drop the rows with sequences 3487 to 3499 and 5885 to 5898.

 b. Select "LaunchCondition" from the left pane, drop the row with the Condition "Msix64".

6. Install with x86\packages\zune-x86.msi;
7. Overwrite the whole C:\Program Files (x86)\Zune\Drivers folder with the one backup in step 3;
8. Plug in Windows Phone and install driver from C:\Program Files (x86)\Zune\Drivers\Zune if being asked;

Then you'll see the window with black theme:

When I thought all's fine, I found out I could not update the firmware, but only to synchronise photos.
And this nag screen may come at times, just ignore it.

Chatting For Decades - Review My Instant Messaging Software Used

Two decades ago people thought personal computer (PC) is for fun, as Multimedia is just having its bloom, followed by Internet, that came with Instant Messaging (IM). ICQ was my first IM start-up, that I used to contact family members and friends far away. Still remember the tiny green bloom with little yellow dot at the centre?

Since then netizen spends hours using PC to communicate.

As the mainstream IM software is filled with contacts, I found it hard to concentrate on my chat with the special one. I found SIM a.k.a Secure IM from saturngirl.net more than a decade ago.

"A simple one-on-one chat that uses encryption to provide a more secure conversation. You can choose the font and color of the text, and a sound button is included for when you want to get the other users attention and they are not replying. With one person as the server and one as the client, using the same password of course, you'll be up and chatting in no time. For the client, the IP address of the server is also needed."

SIM was as small as 80kb, customisable and secure, but needed some manual connecting tricks: server IP address & password. With the fixed IP addresses, we were chatting from dormitories in different universities. But chatting with SIM did not last longer than 3 years.

Then came MSN Messenger with even more functions and fun including inviting the other party to remote control and fix your PC. The significant charms featured imoticons and MSN games. However its fate was volatile, changing names and services from time to time.

Before MSN Messenger changed its name to Live Messenger, and died few years later, there was once I tried to use software legally by killing Microsoft (MS) Windows, installing and setting up free operating system Ubuntu:

I picked the cross-platform multi-protocol IM, Pidgin to continue chatting using MSN protocol, with some glitches as it was still in developmental stage.

And since MS Live refused to be installed into Windows XP x64 platform I quit using it. This marks an end to my PC chatting experience.

Since there was sensitive info sharing using IM, there were both sniffing and encrypting software in the market. These all were in my software collection.

Before majority IM goes mobile, Google introduced GTalk, which later on turned into a much comprehensive Hangouts. It did not draw my attention much as I am satisfied with LINE, then Whatsapp, then WeChat.

Chatting continues on mobile...

PWNED?!

Ever wonder what the heck is "pwned" or "pwnage"?

Answer revealed as the project of Troy Hunt, called ';-- Have I been pwned?

Simply check if your account is being compromised by typing your email.

Good news — no pwnage found!

Unbricked My Sony Ericsson W8

Was regretted and frustrated seeing my brother's left over SE W8 became bricked that showing no further with Sony Ericsson logo, after customisation / deleting system files.

Thanks to professional geek soleheen D, I manage to unbrick W8 using Sony Update Service.

Just keep in mind that this update service will check for the latest version and it will download and upgrade itself which takes up some time before you can really proceed. Also be reminded that you have to install the semc flash device driver (please Google it), disconnect your mobile phone, restart your Windows then only re-connect your mobile phone. Last but not the least, do as the update system tells, pressing on back button before connect your SE mobile.

Will be back for my next step to upgrade my SE W8.

Go Green By Trade-in Printers

Dell has a new series of printers.

I particularly like the Inkjets (all wifi enabled) because I learnt that Dell's having a "trade to save" scheme, and that my sister's having a dried (inks are dried up) HP all-in-one. So I bought V525W online for RM299.

After received the new all-in-one for a few days, today only I filled up the claim form online, yet to send the used HP to the designated factory via courier, before I can get my RM200 + RM50 cash back straight to my appointed bank account.

Just to share here for those short of cash to get ink cartridges replaced or simply wanna try how easy to print docs or photos from smartphones by using wifi enabled printer.

Free Up Some Space After Windows Update

Windows users used to be quite aware of hard disk space consumed, not after having increasing availability of half terabyte hard drives.

Here why I particularly mention Windows Update is because during & after updates Windows will store both the backups & updates files which in turn consume much disk space, making my used to be spacious 10GB system partition a short dull, sluggish with pop-up reminders of insufficient disk space.

Take a look or even analyse with software how your system partition C: is piled up with files and folders, you will find some blue highlight folders with $ prefix, full of unused junk which might cost gigabytes.

Found ways for this but personally prefer this:
Is it safe to delete the $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$ folders

...but still my pathetic 10GB C: is very low in free space, until I added another old 60GB Maxtor and move my entire system partition to 1st active partition of this oldie. Sadly to say then that to buy for more disk space is still the best hassle free way.

Trivia
Tried uninstalled Windows Security Essential, free up 300MB.

Google Drive

...what I initially thought was a Google Map thing to navigate while people's driving, ha, silly I should have learnt Dropbox or MS SkyDrive.



Google Drive is not ready for all but to apply so when the service is available for you Google will email you:

Upon entering, you will find it filled with your documents in Google Docs.
I'm not very keen in it yet for people claimed there is a line in T&C stated documents uploaded will be Google's as well. Wow, it should not happen.
Whatsoever it will ease our collaborative work etc.

Google Flights's Still Not Taken Off

...yet, not beyond Uncle Sam.

"Sorry, locations outside the U.S. are currently not supported."

So we Asians are looking for cheap flights with AirAsia.

Energy Drinks Taboo: Red Bulls Kill?

Rumor getting from my email has it that Red Bull can cause numerous neuronal diseases and multiple organs dysfunctions if mixed with alcohol.

I googled and found out this has been spread in internet for a few years with various versions, talking about fatality caused by mixture of energy drink with alcohol, large quantity use, scary effects never learnt before regarding their major component, Taurine, Caffeine, even more convincing and scientific Glucoronolactone.

Wikipedia helps in clarifying these chemicals but the article below is more integrated one:
Taurine + Energy Drinks: Meant to Be or Doomed

So the conclusion for energy drinks:
Never drink excessively, particularly more than 3-4 cans at one time.

Air Asia Turns 10 Offer

Yes 10-cent is just eyes-cream, but with as low as RM16++ from KL to PEN.
For PEN only to Langkawi for RM29 one-way.

Think it's not for me again as I used to work not a good holiday planner.

Google Health Is Ceasing, MS HealthVault Is Rising

Do you hesitate to store your personal health record online?

Been using Google Health as my online personal health record so I can access from anywhere via internet.
I have no disease that is shameful, plus this is not publicised, and I can get brief pharmacology information regarding my medicines, it was a good platform to manage my health condition.

More than a week ago I received notification by Google telling that Google Health is going to an end, and until lately I chose the option to send my data to Microsoft HealthVault to continue my online health record.

I signed in with my MS LiveID, and proceed till the end:

Hopefully this will be helpful as what they claimed: Prepare, Access, Monitor, Track & Control my health.

War Of eBook

Just found out my Shelfari Bookshelf staying over right bottom of my blog did not working, traced it then only know it has already been acquired by Amazon back in the end of 2008. Gosh! Why am I so left-behind?! But it was working well months ago.

(Hey, they use quite a good trick to hide their new logo with Amazon from showing the source URL, so I could not post as a link here. But immediately think of pressing the Prt Scr button to duplicate one.)

They must be using new algorithm for their widget so I gotta check on it to restore it on my blog. I take their ready made transformation, logging in with my Amazon account then linked with my previous Shelfari account, kinda say goodbye to the old school as I gotta use my Amazon UID to log in Shelfari from then onwards. There is an option to link with FB too.

After settling all the side dishes then only I found the way to restore my bookshelf:

It is not easy to find this only way though.

Okay, back to the war between Amazon Shelfari v.s. Google Books.

Both have ebook online:
Market: more than famous Amazon v.s. Google eBookstore
Listing: My Shelf v.s. My Library.

Yet I feel Google Books is the winner for so generous & advanced in providing much detail like (limited) Preview, Contents listing, Bibliographic info & QR code.
The only lame things for Google Books are the tasteless bookshelf and lack of support in providing widget for bloggers as compared to Amazon Shelfari.

Superuser@Foursquare

Just came across a Superusers section in Foursquare Support FAQ when I attempt to learn if they finally willing to clarify the users about their apps version by putting on version numbers.

I am so into it despite they disappoint me in this particular issue. So I'm in, no, just to apply and see, as I keep on updating details of venues and flagging mislocated or duplicate venues.

I really hope they care of Symbian users a bit more, or until I jump into Droid. See, so despair being a small user.

DiGi Got Me Zero!

Silly & poor me this time FB until zero credit :D

Being a loyal DiGi customer, I was happily using Zero FB until lately I found out my credit drops so fast, that I checked GPRS usage in itemised statement in OCS and wow, I spent average RM1/day with this!

Immediately I called and asked the service centre.
According to the customer service representative, Zero FB is only free when access with DiGi GPRS (WAP 2.0) and from 6AM to 6PM.

It might not an issue for many others but sometimes we just make silly mistakes and pay for it.

CloudFlare

Just learnt CloudFlare from Netcraft.


Us in 90 Seconds from CF Vimeo on Vimeo.

Think it'll help so just sign up for debtdash.info
After it scans your zone file consists of A, CNAME, MX etc., you gotta log into domain services account to alter DNS to point them to new ns.cloudflare.com

Below is my attempt in name.com

That's so simple.
I wonder how's the performance as I forward my domain to blogspot.
So far it's ok.
Upon finish the steps in CloudFlare you'll get the message:
Your site is active on CloudFlare making it Faster, Safer and Smarter.

Charlie Chaplin Google Doodle

I like to visit Google Search occasionally for doodles for special occasions.

Here's today's special:

Charlie Chaplin's 122nd Birthday



I am fancy with his primitive yet innocent way of acting, which is most of the time, however, leaving us with rather saddish endings.

Foursquare Rocks...My X6

Foursquare is a mainstream geo-social mobile apps for mobile users to get to know where are those hot spots around, along with users' feedback, tips & tricks.

Few months back I was using official Foursquare for Symbian 6 on my Nokia X6.
The version 1.0.6 kept crashing my X6 when it has difficulty with the WiFi connection.
I had to disconnect the battery to off and restart my X6.
The slowish executing and closing the app is annoying too.

I thought I would get a better experience with Sym4square, but ended up with its unfamiliar UI.

When I desperately removed Foursquare, and try to re-install from Ovi Store, I get an upgraded version: v1.0.8.

With its improved executing speed, less flaw, I finally enjoy the fun of exploring the world!

MPA Membership

4 months after the very short-notice compulsory membership registration which ended 31st Aug, I got official email notification of application approval.

Being categorised as a local ordinary member, I have my membership ID and login detail, with my email as username. Changing password is a common practice. There is no impressive spot after logging in. PDF files regarding code of ethnics etc. are seen before in PDF folder under root directory.