iOS 4.3: to update or not to update?

With the approaching release of iOS 4.3 for our iDevices, the inevitable is going to happen - unjailbreaking (at least on my part). As per the review of TUAW, there isn't much to see and crave for on this latest iOS update esp for the iPhone. In fact,  the update has been confined to iPhone 3GS onwards, excluding the recently released CDMA iPhone for Verizon. On the brighter side, it will provide a plethora of enhancements for the iPad. (Awesomeness for those who own an iPad).

These are the significant changes that we are about to experience on the new iOS:

- improved web browsing perfomance via Mobile Safari's injection of Nitro Java Script engine

- enhanced Airplay features

- iPad screenlock preferences

- iTunes Home Sharing

- Personal Hotspot (the iPhone4 only)

I've been posting iOS releases since i got a hand with my iDevice, The most dramatic and yet useful change so far that i've experienced was when Apple released the iOS 4.1. The update has simply metamorphosized my view and perception with iOS into a great i couldn't-ask-for-more  feeling.

I will definitely try this new update come March 11. Make sure you have dLed the latest iTunes already. :)

-posted by mac

The scare of having a fat stomach crushed by enthusiasm

There is an eloquence in true enthusiasm, let me credit that quote from my best-loved macabre author, Edgar Allan Poe. But how'd you quantify a true enthusiasm? It's more of like a subjective thought, yet, goin down to the bottom of it, this feeling of exuberance produces an effect of energetic easiness in getting things done.

It's the 1st of March, almost a quarter of the year is over again. I'm reflecting on myself what have i achieved so far this year... This could branch-out into a lot of aspects defined by the human intellect.

I could say with conviction that i'm succumbing into being a minimalist.

On the con side, it seems that there is no turning back in including rice on my food regimen again. I got so used to not having rice already for 3 months. i'd jive into it only during Fridays, or the times when my friends have to eat out for dinner - but these occasions are truly minimal. In effect, i achieved what i wanted on my stomach - a real flat one, without abs but the trimmed and toned one.

It's been always a gross thought of me having a protruding stomach (which is the norm nowadays) - /forgive me people :) . But really! i couldn't and wouldn't want a fat-belly.

But due to unavoidable circumstances, i've no choice but to eat rice everyday starting March 1st. My brain  suddenly signaled a red light! Thoughts inside me, imagining having a bulging belly immediately creeps in vividly. But Pysche is quick in thinking - it's time again to pump muscles and begin walking.  This will then lead to a more productive exercise back-to-back work out. Without this, there'd be no way to counter the scary balooning belly brought forth by eating rice.

Back to enthusiasm, i realized that this can be triggered by negative thoughts and emotions - It could make you feel alive and excited to realize a goal, or to sustain a goal you achieved by thinking about consequences. Consequence could lead to realization, but prior to consequence, the brain and our positive thinking, already channeled ways on how not to fall into a bad consequence, that's where enthusiasm comes in, to execute those ways into a good consequence. Until then, realization seeps in that you've achieve the goal without even noticing it.

It's your choice to make, how to activate your enthusiasm, that could lead to attain your wildest or maybe your simplest of dreams.

posted by mac

How to access your favorite websites in 1-click?

Have you ever wish to just click a Facebook icon on your taskbar and presto! Facebook loads up instantly? Or how about setting-up your frequented websites visible on your taskbar - so that you could always click on 'em in a flash?

You must have heard the rumor that Google is about to kill the address bar in Google Chrome browser, i was in introspect upon reading that news, how would a user then type the url or website address just in case the address bar will be gone?

Thankfully, the chrome browser innovated another useful era of smart bookmarking (i called it bookmarking as for my personal tag), officially the process is called Creation of Application Shortcut.


To illustrate this process, let's take my case as an example. Normally, when i launch my Chrome browser, it fires up three tabs:

Google Reader

Blogger

Facebook

Then as my surfing to the net wallows over time, more and more tabs are opened, in which, as soon as i minimize the chrome browser, i couldn't see anymore of those websites that i opened, unless i have to restore the browser back to the main screen.

This application shortcut feature of Chrome, now allows me to pin those favorite sites onto my taskbar, so that they are always visible (just as long as you don't set auto-hide taskbar) to me while juggling thru multiple applications on my screen.

To set-up your favorite sites for the first time,
1. Open up your google chrome browser
2. Goto your favorite website (ie) facebook.com
3. Click on the Wrench icon > Tools > Create Application Shortcut

4. A pop-up message appears. Customize it to you taste. But make sure to leave a check on "Pin to Taskbar"

5. Ta Da!!!! you should now see your Facebook app icon on your taskbar.

Repeat steps 1 to 5 for all your other favorite websites that you want to pin to your taskbar. If you're addicted to Youtube, then go ahead and create an app shortcut.

Well, other geeks may know this trick already but let me emphasize the points why this is so cool:
1. Accessibility wise, you can always view, open and click instantly your frequented sites without having to open a browser.
2. Neatness plus full screen mode, yep! when you open the app from your taskbar, you're actually getting a full screen mode of the website, sparing the clutter of a browser's address bar, toolbars and other bars of epithet.

3. And lastly, the app icons on the taskbar are beautiful, personally, i love aesthetics, but thinking without bias, the effect is awesome.

PS: i tried this via Google Chrome browser only, i haven't downloaded the latest RC version of Internet Explorer so i couldn't confirm if this feature is also available. With Firefox, i'm sorry but i'm no fan of it.


In the comments below, tell me if you like it or post if you have other suggestions on how to surf the web easily.


macdosage@gmail.com

Con Se Quence

"But time growing old teaches all things."
Aeschylus

the thought of it is like meeting Captain Ahab

the unsureness is like sailing in the vast open sea

to know beyond is like entrusting to Othello

while revenge is as bitter as that of Iago

the love is as true as that of Juliet

and the unfaithfulness is as deep as Delilah

but the story as meaningful as the Alchemist

in the end so inspiring without twist

the journey no matter how long

it will come to end, might be right or wrong

the choice is yours to pick

will your heart's desire be there to speak?

 macdosage@gmail.com

3 must-haves when dealing with customers so they won't intimidate you

Customer service is very subjective. You thought you've given your best, but it wasn't actually enough from the perception of the customer. You thought you've given your best shot for Customer Satisfaction but it wasn't at all appreciated by the customer.

In times like these, you can't help but feel dejected despite your efforts. As if, the big things and small things done were dumped to the recycle bin, if not, the trash. Dealing with this common reaction of emotion is hard, yet, with the right mindset, you could overcome it.

Here are three attitudes to muster when faced with customer service struggles and difficulties:

1. Confidence
It becomes noticeable when you're well-versed with your product. Knowledge-wise and experience-wise, these are the major players to reap the success in executing the ooze and vigor when discussing, presenting, explaining, and most of all, convincing someone to jump into your side of thoughts and ideas regarding your product. May it be a technical issue or simply a merchandise.

2. Composure under Pressure
You will never be spared by customers who are attacking below the belt, trying to push your buttons and all. The pressure increases when things go wrong, not to mention the silent stare of your boss - which means a whole lot of different signals giving a multi-tasking rigor in your mind.
Keeping your composure is the key, never underestimate the power of mindhack by psyching yourself to emerge as the driver, not the passenger.

3. Assertiveness
Without hurting directly the feelings of the customers, and yet you were able to emphasize and "connect" the message to them, with the aftermath of a positive reaction - that is, favorable on your side, then that's what you call being assertive. Getting what you want without letting the other person feel bad about it.


Each of us are customers in our own way. If you're given the task to decide what's best for the customer in a first hand basis, without sacrificing the tenets of the company, put yourself in the customer's shoes. Feel and balance the results, then trust your guts what's best.







macdosage@gmail.com