Multi-tasker 7

Hey guys! I am finally back in action after a long break. Here is my mock-up of an ideal multi-tasker. This multi-tasker categorizes all running applications and other related applications are placed on shelves beside it to allow for easy access. With my focus still on customisability, I have yet again added an options bar with quick access to task manager, program settings and the color scheme of multi-tasker 7. Ideally, it will be called up by a key board short cut and overlay all running applications. As you might have noticed, I am trying to break away from my black program bases with this mock-up. Hope you enjoy it!

Of course, Robocup RE is up and going! Although I am not very sure about the amount we are going to get, I have submitted an audacious request for SGD3,500 for equipment. That is excluding the flight tickets, competition entry fee and misc. costs. We'll see how it goes and I'll update the progress here as soon as I get the finalized details.

Of course, I am happy to see that the hits are steadily increasing although at a slow pace. It has just crossed the 20 mark so to all who visit my blog, a big thank you! Wow, the internet is amazing. Talk about globalization. Somehow, this blog has made its way to the states, Malaysia, Russia, Germany and the UK!

*Page view update: 210

Blog Revival

Hey people! Really sorry for the inactivity. I will try to do something over the weekends and post it up since I am slightly busy on school days. Thanks for visiting my blog none the less and I promise an update soon!

Thank You

A few posts later comes another thank you note. This blog has finally surpassed the 150 count after being revived today. With the internet connection more stable now, I hope to breathe more technology into your life. So once again, Thank You for visiting my site!

FLL Run 2

Hey people, I wonder if I will be able to post this before keeping my computer because it is significantly larger in terms of file size as compared to the previous one. Maybe I should compress the videos before uploading it since the blogger video rendering engine is going to compress it in the end. I have to say that my Nikon S1000PJ is doing really well from photos to videos. I am particularly impressed by its ability to correct shaky photos. Back to the video. It shows the robot on its second run (Aligning the bone, inserting the stent, activating the arm, activating the ball-kicking mechanism). The initial plan was to do the bone cast as well as the cardiac patch/pacemaker combination. However, the robot was unable to cope with the added weight at the front so that plan had to be scrapped. Currently, the video is only 45% done so I will leave this here to upload while I work on other stuff. Also, I will be dropping by at the lab again tomorrow so do expect another video if my progress is as planned and my internet connection works fine. Thank you!

FLL Run 1

Hey guys, first time uploading a videos so I have no idea how this is going to turn out. Nothing much in this video though, Just shows my FLL robot completing the first run (inserting the bone bridge). I hope that I will be uploading the second video soon because the second one is way bigger. Did I mention that the base design has yet again been changed? After all the builds with the NXT wheels, I have officially decided that tracks will do a way better job in terms of accuracy so I went with the tracks. The results have been positive so far, with the accuracy being extremely good until some heavy weight goes on it. That means more runs and more videos to upload. The upload is done already so this is going onto the blog first. Thanks

OSelector

Hey guys! haven't managed to post any photoshop works lately because of my awesome internet connection. Anyways, have a look at my OSelector mockup. Wouldn't it be so much better if everything had a GUI? Just my opinion. This would be by dream UI though, with easy access to all OSes, one click updates to replace Windows Update as well as individual Linux updates and of course, the all new Chrome OS has been included. Some information included would be the version of the OS (e.g. Windows 7, Vista, XP), the last modified date as well as the user who accessed it last. The OS is selected by clicking its icon on the dock which can be customized under settings. Please comment. Thanks!

Whoops! I realized that there is a typographical error in this mock-up. This will be corrected tomorrow.

ASUS bloatware

Hi guys, as some of you might already have known, ASUS ships with some pretty interesting bloatware which has discouraged me from fresh-installing an OS over the default one but rather, run a dual-boot. So Today, I shall cover all the bloatware which can be found under the ASUS utility on the start menu.

1. AI recovery burner

This would probably be one of the first sights that greet a new ASUS user. Running on every boot by default, this program allows you to create a recovery disk like its name suggests. For those who do not know what a recovery disk is, you can read up more by searching 'recovery disc' on Wikipedia. But in short, it is a disk that allows you to restore the factory state of your program and in this case, the default ASUS customized Windows. This utility is rather useful as most users would not already have a Windows installation disk when they buy a new PC or laptop, causing inconvenience when recovery is needed. Although a third party disk can be created (such as the one from EasyBCD), it would be great to be able to restore to the original version to avoid a void of warranty or any such servicing problems.

2. Virtual Camera

There is really nothing under this program. However, if I am not mistaken, it installs the drivers for the ASUS default web-cam found on your laptop so if you happen to have problems accessing the ASUS webcam, trying downloading this program and tell me if it helps. One thing I have to say though, the ASUS built in web-cam is very sluggish and does not have a particularly high FPS count so taking videos with it is virtually impossible.

3. Control Deck

This is pure eye candy. So you thought the Mac dock looked cool? You haven't seen the ASUS control deck. Think 6 docks lined upwards from the bottom to the top of the screen that allows you to change options from battery mode to brightness to volume to screen resolution to boot options to ASUS applications. Essentially, these collection of docks give you access to every possible setting you would want to change. This eye-candy, as with all eye-candy comes with a price though, lagged response. You would have to wait several seconds, even on the X42JR, before the docks will unveil in an overlay on your screen. However, I wouldn't mind a little lag for something this nice. So good job, ASUS, for the awesome graphics.

I have just realised that none of my posts are getting posted because of the extremely bad internet connection here so I will post them bit by bit and hope that works.

to be continued...