Hello Guys!

I just came across a new thing today. I found out that it is possible to install the new Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” Beta from within Windows. Yes, that’s true. No need to burn the downloaded ISOs onto Blank CDs and reboot the PC and make partitions and so on. So, I decided to give it a try. I fired up FlashGet and started to download the 32-bit ISO.

Everything was fairly except for a few hitches which are common to Linux OSes in general. I’ve also included the screenshot of the install process but, unfortunately that was only possible till everything was in Windows.

Step 1: I mounted the downloaded ISO using SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive and the autorun menu came up. I selected the option to run umenu.exe

Step 2: When you the a windows similar as the above screenshot, click on “Install inside Windows”.

Step 3: When you get to the above screen, select the drive in which you want to install Ubuntu. Select the Installation size, Language, username and password and then finally push the “Install” button.

Step 4: The Virtual Hard Disk image is then created and all content from the ISO is copied into it. This process is pretty quick.

Step 5: As soon as the extraction and initial setup is over you will be prompted to Reboot the PC. Select whichever option you want and hit the “Finish” button.

IMPORTANT TIP: When your PC reboots, go into the BIOS and make the following changes:

1. Plug ‘n’ Play OS: NO
2. APM APIC: Disabled (you’ll find this under Power Management)

Save the BIOS and proceed the regular boot process.

Step 6: When you come to Boot Menu you’ll see the Ubuntu option. Select it and press enter.

Step 7: Ubuntu then proceeds with the remaining part of the installation. Virtual Partitions are created within the Virtual HDD Image and so on.

IMPORTANT TIP: If you have an Always ON internet connection I suggest that you disconnect it because Ubuntu Setup attempts to scan the mirrors via the internet and it takes a lot time and you’ll feel as if the setup process is hung. I just un-plugged my cable when it came to that and voila immediately the setup process started proceeding further.

Step 8: When the setup process is complete you are asked to login which I am sure all of you know how to do.

Step 9: After logging Ubuntu prompted me to install Propriety Drivers for my nVidia Video card which I did. It was fairly simple. I just authorised it and Ubuntu straight away downloaded it and installed it for me. I was then asked to reboot which I did immediately.

The display clarity improved drastically when I installed that driver. Well, now everything is mostly done. You’ll be prompted to update software packages which you may do if you would like.

Tada – Ubuntu is completely live on your desktop.

I tried to roll this tutorial out very soon so there may be typos and other errors which I’ll be glad if you guys and gals would point out.

Let me have your views on this so that I can improve my next tutorials.

Cheers!

I just found this news on a technology blog I surf. It’s certainly an innovative product from Samsung.

This is really exciting. A mobile phone in which you can have both GSM and CDMA connections that too simultaneously. Wow! With this you surely can have maximum pan India network coverage as you have access to both GSM as well as CDMA networks. What’s more it supports the Value Added Services of both Reliance InfoComm as well as Tata Indicom. This also implies that it should be compatible with Virgin Mobile (as it is based on Tata Indicom).

I recently had enquired about Virgin Mobile but, was disappointed because I had to buy a new handset. I’ll definately want to get my hands on this but, I’d like some reviews before I do so.

In all the following are the features which it boasts:

• Two Sim Card Slots: GSM and CDMA
• Supports all Service Providers in India (including Reliance and TATA)
• 2.3″ Touch Screen
• 2 Megapixel Camera
• microSD Slot with support up to 1 GB
• MP3/AAC+ Player
• Hand writing Recognition
• File Viewer
• Sketch Memo
• India Specific Apps: Indian Calendar, Hinglish, Mobile Prayer and Panchang
• High Capacity 1200 mAh Battery
• 153 kbps Modem on CDMA Network

The price tage currently is Rs. 16,500/- and is said to be available nationwide.

Source: techgadget.in

Pros: Low per print price, Good Quality Prints, Decent Delivery Times, Flickr and Picasa Integration, Telephone Support Available, Shipment Tracking

Cons: Not so user friendly order process, Payment Details page a bit confusing

Recommended: YES

I decided to ask a few pre-order questions. PicSquare responded to my emails and cleared all my queries. PicSqaure allows you to order prints as well as photo gifts. I’ve only tested the Prints that too the 4×6 ones.

You are allowed 10 Free trial prints and 10 prints for every friend who signs up with them using your reference.

The interface of the website is okay not that user friendly but, also not bad either.

UPLOADING

There are 3 ways in which you can upload photos to PicSquare:

• Single Upload: The usual way where you browse for the photos and then click Upload Photos. You can specify a maximum of 6 photos to be uploaded at once.

• Flash Multiple Uploader: Under multiple uploads you have the option to upload the photos via their Flash Upload Applet which shows you the progress of individual file unlike the Single Upload Method.

• Java Multiple Uploader: This is a Java Applet which you can use to upload photos to PicSquare. I don’t whether it was a problem with my browser (FireFox 2.0.0.9) but, after I allowed installation of the Java Applet, a blank grey Java Applet area would appear at the bottom right of the browser and it would cause FireFox to freeze. However, the Java Applet loads fine in Internet Explorer and it’s functionality is similar to the Flash File Uploader.

You require atleast Flash 8 to run the Flash Applet. However, no minimum Java JRE requirement is stated for the Java Applet to run. It ran on a 1.4 as well as 1.6 JRE version.

PicSquare has also another option to put in photos to yor PicSquare account. It is called Mail your CD. You can burn your photos on a Compact Disk and mail it to them. This is a good option for people who don’t have a good internet connection and this scenario is pretty common in India still.

EDITING

Unfortunately, editing/fixing of the photos is not yet possible after uploading the photos to PicSquare. You have to edit/fix them before uploading the photos.

SHARING

PicSquare allows you to share your photos with your friends and family. Though I’ve not tried that option so won’t be able to comment on the same.

IMPORTING

PicSquare allows you to import your already uploaded photos for Flickr and Picasa. Importing from Flickr was very easy. When you click on Print Photos from Flickr, it takes you to the Flickr login page and asks your Flickr credentials. After entering that Flickr asks your permission to give access to PicSquare to import the photos. After that, your photos get immediately imported into PicSquare. I don’t use Picasa so couldn’t test importing from it but, it must be working in a similar manner.

ORDER PROCESS

The order process is relative straight forward. You just have to select the photos and then select what type of product you want to order from the drop down box and click OK. In my case I ordered Digital Prints. After doing that the photo items get added to the Shopping Cart. You’ll find your Digital Prints under Photos in the Shopping Bag (as they call it). When you click on the Shopping Bag link they take you to the detailed order page where you select the type of Prints (Glossy/Matt) and the sizes of the prints. A sad smiley like is shown if the resolution of the uploaded file is not good enough for printing. It didn’t show any for my pics because all were 7.1 mega pixels snaps. When you continue it shows you the total payment you owe and has a discount column where it allows you to select the type of discount (Coupon/Credit). Here you have to manually apply the discount or you get charged for the whole amount.

You then have to add Shipping Details either new or existing from the Address Book.

When you click Pay Now you are taken to the CCAvenue Portal where you enter the Payment details. I found this interface a bit confusing but, it was still OK. You have to option to pay by Credit Cards, Internet Banking, Paymate (Mobile Payment) and ITZ Cash Cards. A good this is that they don’t store your CC information unlike SnapFish.

DELIVERY

OK – Let me admit. This review has come out a lot late that I had intended for various reasons – lack of time being the main. I had ordered the prints here immediately after SnapFish. However, I can assure you that I got the prints within 4 days from ordering. There was a Sunday and Public Holiday in between otherwise I would have received the same within 2 days.

There Tracking System is somewhat lacking. I had to shoot a few emails to Support for that. All of my queries were however answered in reasonable time. The prints were delivered by DTDC Courier which I feel is quite known to all of us. The packing was neet in a Green envelope with the threads inside. I didn’t get the free album as I had ordered only 10 prints.

PRINT QUALITY

As informed by the Support the photos were printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper. The prints were very good indeed. They were vivid and crisp. I infact noticed that they were much better than the ones from SnapFish. I also feel that this paper is far more superior than the HP Paper used by SnapFish. All I can say about the quality was that PicSquare delivered what they promised.

CONCLUSION

Well we can say that PicSquare is definately a good photo printing website. Apart from a bit confusing ordering process I can say that they definately delivered what they promised. One thing I liked about them was that they didn’t save your CC information. There needs to be some sort of utility like SnapFish’s QuickUpload. Overall I had a good experience with them and would definately use them again.

Thanks. Do let me know your views as well via comments.

PROS: Low per print price, QuickUpload Utility, Good Quality prints and Decent delivery times

CONS: QuickUpload utility is buggy and freezes frequently, Customer Support is a bit slow to respond, No telephone support, they store your Credit Card information on their servers

RECOMMENDED: Yes

I’ve been owning a Digital Camera for more than a year now. I have the Canon Digital IXUS 750 – 7.1 MegaPixel Camera.

I need not say that I have taken a lot of snaps during this period. The Snaps were piling up in my Shared Pictures folder in Windows Vista. My Mom and Sis have been bugging me to get them printed as they don’t like to see photos on the PC/TV and are comfortable with hard prints.

Well, I am a bit lazy and also always short of time due to work pressure so, I could find time to get the photos printed locally. While surfing the NET I came across Online Photo Printing Services. To my surprise, I found many Online Photo Printing Services catering to the Indian Market – PicSqaure, Snapfish, ZoomIn just to name a few. Almost all of them offered free trial prints. I decided to try each of them out. I picked SnapFish India first. So, here is my experience with them:

The Signup process is pretty simple and straight forward. You get free 20 4×6 prints as a trial. They are credited to your account as soon as you upload a photo.

The interface is streamlined and simple to use. You can create albums and upload photos to them.

UPLOADING

There are various ways in which you can upload your snaps:

• QuickUpload Tool: It installs an ActiveX in Internet Explorer but, it gives you added functionality. QuickUpload opens a dialog similar to Open File and allows you to navigate your computer through it and shows you thumbnails of the photos. One neat feature is that it automatically resizes your snaps before uploading (if you’ll be printing regular sized prints) and thus, saves your time in uploading as the file size gets reduced due to the resizing done. You can also turn this off if you’ll be printing large sized prints. In that, the snaps get uploaded as they are without any resizing. One thing to note is that it is that this utility is buggy and crashes frequently.

• One by One Upload: This is the usual upload thing which all sites have. Select the browse button and click upload.

• Email Upload: Here you can upload photos by emailing them to a specified email address.

EDITING

You have the option to Edit photos online and you are presented with the following options:

• FIX – Rotate, Red Eye, Auto Correct and Fill Flash

• CROP – Orientation (Portrait/Landscape) and Shape (4×6, 5×7 and 8×10)

• BORDERS – 11 types of borders

• FUN – Here you can change the look of your photos by making them Black and White, Sepia or add tinges of Pink, Blue, Green and Red

After editing it also asks you whether you want to replace the original snap or save as a copy. You can undo made changes on the fly and at any time Revert to the original photo.

SHARING

You can also share whole Albums or Photos with your friends, families and other contacts. I tried using it but, could not get it to work. I always used to get an error when I clicked on Shared Link.

ORDER PROCESS

Now, lets go towards ordering. The Order process is straight forward and simple. SnapFish provides short cuts to order entire albums. The Free Credits are automatically adjusted against your order. At this moment you can only get Glossy Photo Prints from them. I fired a query to Support and they confirmed that at this point of time they only offer Glossy Prints. What I didn’t like about SnapFish is that they store your Credit Card information in their database. They save everything except the CVV code. This is the only thing am not comfortable with.

While ordering prints SnapFish recommends that you print these snaps as 4×5.3 prints instead of 4×6 in order to avoid cropping of the photo. I had not opted for this recommendation so I won’t be able to comment on it. However, I’ve ordered fresh prints at this new size (4×5.3) and update you on this.

DELIVERY

I had ordered the photo prints on 1-11-2007 at around 1.30 AM (however, SnapFish recorded the order date as 31-10-2007). This may be due to time difference of their servers. They deliver to Metros with 3-4 days. I received the prints on 5-11-2007 at around 4 PM. So, they took full 5 days to deliver the photos to me i.e., ONE extra day which I feel is OK. My photo packet was shipped from Goa. When I contacted support they apologised for the delay and said that they are trying to improve upon the turn around time and requested me to give them another try. Well, I will coz I liked the print quality and the ordering process.

PRINT QUALITY

I wanted to know on what type of paper to they print photos on. Customer Support stated that they print on HP Photo Paper which was confirmed when I received the actual prints. The prints were of good quality and they also had sent me a free photo album to keep the photos in. Despite being glossy I noticed that finger prints are not easily attracted on the paper which is very good. I used to get Matt prints all these years to avoid this problem but, it seems the glossy paper has improved over the years.

CONCLUSION

OK, now to sum it all up. I feel SnapFish has delivered what it had promised me. The quality of the prints are good and customer support responds (although a bit slowly). They have a good concept of that QuickUpload utility but, need to iron out the bugs as it crashes frequently. But, this utility is definitely a must for us Indian users where our Internet Speed and Bandwidth both are limited.

Happy Printing!

Feel free to give me your feedback on my review.

I just received a notification from Paypal yesterday that they are now allowing withdrawals to Indian Banks via Direct Bank Transfer and not the Paper cheques which they were earlier allowing.

There are many many Indians who have been using Paypal to receive money from abroad for quite sometime now. However, all of them faced the problem of withdrawal of funds. Then many people resorted to using Xoom.com and other similar services.

Recently a few weeks back Paypal started allowing of withdrawal of funds to Debit and Credit Cards in 26 countries, one of which was India. However, AFAIK no Debit cards in India (except I guess Citibank’s that too with limitations) can be used to transacting online. Hence, everyone in India had to use their Credit Cards. Still it was better than Paper cheques.

However, this recent announcement is like a Diwali Gift from Paypal to it’s Indian users.

Well here is the Details of the lastest feature from Paypal:

• Withdrawals over and above Rs. 7,000 is Free of Cost while anything below that amount will be charged a fee of Rs. 50 (which I think is pretty fair). However, I feel the Free Limit should have been above Rs. 5,000 but, that’s just my feeling.
• The transfer should take between 5 – 7 working days (business days).
• Banks supported are: State Bank of India, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, ING Vysya Bank, Axis Bank (formerly UTI Bank), Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC Bank and CitiBank (which Paypal will be using to transfer the funds).

What you need to Withdraw the funds to your Indian Bank Account:

• Paypal Account (LOL, was supposed to be a joke)
• Bank Account with any of the above mentioned Banks
• Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) – please don’t confuse it for MICR code or SWIFT code. Now, where to find it well, if you have a new cheque book it should most probably be printed on the face of your cheque leaf. If you don’t you have to contact your local branch for the number. For you convenience here is the link to all IFSC Codes
• Your Bank Account Number (the full number most probably a 12 digit one)

I myself have not tried the withdrawal for mainly because I have no funds in my Paypal account. Well, since withdrawal to India was a tedious earlier I wasn’t using my Paypal Account much. I guess I’ll use it more now.

P.S.: It is being said that IDBI Bank will be added to the list soon.