Aug 16, 2006 | blog
So my newly upgraded MDA seems to have different volume levels for different sounds. The phone has one level, media player another (both within my expectations) and a different one for reminder sounds.
Yikes!
When a reminder goes off, it seems like 3 times as loud as the ring tone. I’ve been through the sound & volume settings a dozen times, but can’t get a handle on what’s driving the higher reminder volumes.
I also run Pocket Informant and Pocket Breeze for PIM management and Today Screen display of information. Both of these applications don’t have settings for reminders or sounds.
Its baffling me, I’ve never run across this in 5 years of PPC ownership. Definitely the old ROMs for the MDA and other variants like the Qtek and iMate don’t exhibit this volume issue.
Anyone else see this?
Aug 16, 2006 | blog
So Skype seems to have released a new version of the Pocket PC interface to their service (though I believe its actually in beta yet). Though they have not worked on reducing the system requirements so all us HTC Wizard users can use the software, they have several new features.
Among the changes:
- feature: Multi-chat support
- feature: SkypeIn support
- feature: Voicemail support
- feature: Call forwarding support
- feature: Profile editing
- feature: Detailed search
- feature: Contact list information with avatar and mood messages support
- feature: Improved chat-more emoticons and ‘set topic’ ability
- feature: Animated emoticons
- feature: Skype Launcher
- feature: GSM and Skype callsmanagement
- feature: Larger Dial Pad and delete button in Dial Pad
- feature: Online help
- feature: One click access to Skype from the device home screen
- change: Contact list sorting
- bugfix: Saved SkypeOut contacts are shown without their name in the Log tab
- bugfix: VM sender Skype name is displayed instead of the real name
- bugfix: Chat partner username instead of the real name displayed in tab head
- bugfix: ‘Clear Log’ doesn’t work for unknown SI call
- bugfix: Call duration is only in minutes:seconds
- bugfix: Search enabled while offline
- bugfix: ‘Hold’ is enabled, when the call is already on hold
- bugfix: Call ‘hold’ is allowed before call is answered
- bugfix: ‘Hold’ reminds checked with new conference call
- bugfix: Possible to send just space in chat
- bugfix: Overlapped notifications on Start tab
- bugfix: Contact names are overlapped in Contact list
- bugfix: Allow calls and allow chats menus are empty while signed out
- bugfix: Scrollbar doesn’t reach the end in Call log
- bugfix: Selected privacy option not updated first time
- bugfix: Title bar notifications are not removed after signing out
- bugfix: Incoming chat will create notification when some dialog is open
- bugfix: Offline icon changes to pending for contact who hasn’t been online for a long time
- bugfix: Call duration is delayed for longer calls while browsing other programs at the same time
Link to CoolSmartPhone.com – New version of Skype for Pocket PC released
Aug 15, 2006 | blog
Is anyone else tired of listening to Gartner Study reports? Their ability to state the obvious is amazing, even to me.
Every time my employer starts looking at a new technology or a solution, the typical, tired, old Gartner report is trotted out to parade around in front of the execs to demonstrate how useful or cost-affective it is.
Doesn’t anyone else notice that the crap in these reports is not worth the TP its printed on? I mean, the amount of filler in these documents is silly, wasteful and still doesn’t present the reality of a given technology, solution or company.
And that last one really gets me – companies actually pay Gartner good money to present the (again) obvious information about them.
The only redeeming thing about a Gartner report is that unknowing nitwits in the EIEIO club think their getting valuable information that can’t be found anywhere else; especially from their lowly staff members who live and breath the knowledge supposedly represented in these reports.
If they only knew what these reports are not tell them.
Aug 14, 2006 | blog
Man has it been a crazy busy summer, with work draining most of my energy. So, I’ve not had a lot of time to devote to blogging, and its bothering me. For the past year or more, I’ve really enjoyed following my favorite technology topics, expanding my RSS list with new and interesting blogs on a varied range of topics.
But something happened in June/July – something I was trying not to let happen. Work took control; I’ve let my job get the better of me this summer, and its not fun. I mean, my family and I have not been able to get away, I’m on my computer every night, I feel like I’ll never catch up.
Yeah, sure I’ve taken on a lot of new tasks and responsibilities, but its starting to get a little long in the tooth. Where is the time for relaxation and family. The amount of new things I’ve learned and am learning is great, but now there is got to be time for other pursuits.
My family and I will be moving out of the city to a smaller town in September, and I hope to star taking advantage of living out a bit. The slower pace and simpler lifestyle will help to unplug. One of the reasons is to simply enjoy being out in the country again – both my wife and I grew up in small farm communities, and we’re looking forward to get back to that kind of atmosphere.
Sorry for the diary-style post, its been a frustrating summer, and it isn’t over yet. More later ~ Rick.
Aug 14, 2006 | blog
Hey! If you blog, I feel you need to try out Windows Live Writer.
Microsoft has IMO, a killer offline blogging tool. It does everything I wanted in an offline editor, and the tie-in to the Windows Live Toolbar is incredible.
WLW works with WordPress, Blogger, Moveable Type, and LiveJournal in addition to Windows Live Spaces. The functionality is at the right level, and allows you to preview, create drafts, store drafts online/offline, and work with pictures, maps, fonts, and colors right in the interface.
It also has my most desired feature – a spell checker built right in. While still in beta, it feels like a shipping product, and I’ve covered only a fraction of the features of this great freebie from MS.
For more information check out the links below.
Posted using Windows Live Writer!
Aug 14, 2006 | blog
FYI – I’ve had some thoughts floating around in my head for weeks and never posted on them. While they are not completed, I’ve decided to post away, just to get them out “there”. I may be back to update this over time.
Here are my ideas for Microsoft after Bill Gates is not in direct control – or even if he is in control. I think these are things that the company needs to either investigate or simply do.
- Support Linux
- Port the Office Family to Red Hat, Fedora, Mandrake, Suse, etc…
- License the Windows networking protocols under a free method to all comers
- Create bulk pricing for end-consumers for all products
- Create an inexpensive licensing program for consumers in the same light as corporate SA programs.
- Keep it cheap – initial license $100, each additional $25 or whatever
- Move all products to a subscription model, with quarterly builds that are available to all customers for no additional cost.
- Leverage the “Live” Internet properties to support the SAAS model as needed (already there in some areas)
- Spin the “controversial” software like IE and Media Player out as separate products that compete within the market place
- Deliver on promises you make – or if it is not technically possible (i.e. see WinFS), then talk about the issues in an open conversation with your customers Realize that you are increasingly not everything to everyone. You have tremendous resources – focus on the things you do best.
- You’re not hip – don’t try to be
- Learn better naming practices – (hmm, “Microsoft Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition” or “Palm Treo” or “BlackBerry”? – ’nuff said). There is/was nothing wrong with software versioning instead of “year” names – Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000? Give me the version info – and don’t try to say that the average consumer didn’t understand, that excuse was rubbish.
- Corporations depend on your systems – make them bulletproof
- Don’t rely on others to write stable code – pretend any code not written by MS is a virus, then you will be able to isolate and eliminate all potential problems that 3rd party software and drivers can cause to the OS. Of course this means that your code simply cannot fail – there is no other answer.
