Techtainment Bytes

Free online photo editors

2011-09-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

The terminology cloud computing has gaining a lot of traction these days that even applications such as photo editors are being shifted to the cloud as we speak. One of the most useful tools that I've encountered and have been using for multiple purposes is the availability of online photo editors that mimics the famous Adobe Photoshop. There are also simple photo editors that provides simple functionality such as effects, cropping, and adding text.

Click read more to find out the five online photo editors (that can also be integrated as Google Chrome app) I found very useful online.

1. Pixlr: http://pixlr.com/editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/icmaknaampgiegkcjlimdiidlhopknpk?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

I use this online application extensively, having no Adobe Photoshop installed on my laptop. Although it doesn't provide the full functionality of photo editing that we find in the Adobe software, this tool is useful enough for the simple to the moderately challenging.

Pixlr has layers, custom brushes, clone tool, wand tool, et cetera, although it has something that lacks: custom shapes, but we can live with that anyway. Go ahead and try it out. They also have Pixlr-o-matic, http://pixlr.com/o-matic/ which creates vintage effects to photos.

2. Aviary Image Editor: http://www.aviary.com/online/image-editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dafkakmjmhfnnfclmjdfpnbmdeddkoeo?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

Another Adobe Photoshop-like online editor is Aviary Image Editor, whose startup page suspiciously looks like the Adobe software. The navigation for this one is simpler compared to Pixlr and the interface cleaner. It also has layers and shapes, as well as magic wand and brushes, among others.

3. Aviary/Raven Vector Editor: http://www.aviary.com/online/vector-editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/coklmhenlflodohnnhmebjjoadimjmlm?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

This one is not necessarily for photo editing but this one is for creating vector graphics that can be used to create logos, t-shirt designs, among others. The Aviary Image Editor is strictly for editing photos and this one separates the vector functionality that can be seen in Adobe Photoshop.

Using this is pretty straightforward and those who have used Adobe Photoshop to create vector graphics won't have a hard time shifting to this. Best of all, it is free.

4. ImageBot: http://www.flamingtext.com/imagebot/editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gngdfkmfhlbimnaglgofeloikojnnaka?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

ImageBot is as simple as it looks, much like Microsoft Paint with Layers. Compared to the other editors above, this one has a gallery of shapes varying from the basic shapes, animal shapes, arrows, flowcharts, music, match, among others. It even has galleries of stickers and logos that you can choose from.

For image effects, you can import photos from Facebook. Instead of saving the image on your hard drive, you can instantly share it to Facebook, making this online editor a social cloud application that everyone can enjoy using.

5. iPiccy Picture Editor: http://ipiccy.com/editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/imokeandodnlammaoenbgcnbhigjbpjh?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

This online editor combines simplicity and advanced tools for a diverse audience. From integrating effects, adding text, or the more complicated painter function - you can find it all here. Creating vectors is no sweat using this program and even the non-techie can be guided easily with the editor tab. There are plenty of effects to choose from.

This is a much easier program to use for beginners and to those advanced users who want ease and functionality in an online photo editor.

PR: Beach and vacation-loving Filipino online searchers cite Coron as most popular destination in time for Summer 2011

2011-09-05T03:19:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

Source: TeamAsia

In our tropical country where vacations in beaches or resorts can be pursued all-year round and weekend trips to nearby pools or beaches is the local norm, the Philippines ranking first worldwide in terms of ‘resorts’ searches on Google perhaps does not come as a surprise at all.

Moreover, the Philippines ranks ninth in terms of ‘vacation’ searches; sixth in ‘summer’ searches; and fifth in ‘beach’ searches worldwide. With this much love for summer vacation in beaches and resorts, Google looks into the most popular local destinations for the first quarter of this year.

Coron is the fastest-rising local travel destination

Google this year reveals its Summer Zeitgeist, a list of the fastest-rising local travel destinations from January to March 2011, which provide unique insights on Philippine summer trends. The top destination for this summer is Coron, which started to gain popularity ever since Banyan Tree Holdings announced plans to develop Diwaran Island in Coron as the single largest integrated island resort in all Asia by 2012. The island paradise is popular for being a great shipwreck diving spot as well as for its therapeutic Maquinit Health Springs.

Fastest-rising local travel destinations from January to March 2011:

coron

sagada

laguna

pagudpud

boracay

bohol

puerto princesa

tagaytay

camsur

baguio

Compared with the 2010 Summer Zeitgeist, which was dominated by beaches, this year’s list shows Filipinos seeking destinations other than sand and sea. One example is Sagada, which is the second fastest-rising travel destination this quarter. There, tourists can take an historical trip by viewing the hanging coffins at the Sagada cliffs and reconnect with nature with the nearby rice terraces, caves and waterfalls. Another is Bohol, where visitors can interact with tarsiers, visit the Chocolate Hills and lay on its white sand beaches. Yet another is Puerto Princesa, Palawan, which boasts the UNESCO World Heritage site Subterranean River National Park.

Laguna is also proving to be an attractive travel destination for Filipinos this year. Aside from the natural hot springs that it offers in Pansol, Laguna is home to a number of waterfalls such as the Pagsanjan falls, Taytay falls in Majayjay, and Buruwisan falls in Siniloan.

The beaches of Pagudpud and Boracay remain popular among Pinoys, as well as the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC).

Filipinos are also preparing for the heat of summer with both Baguio and Tagaytay as fastest-rising local travel destinations yet again this year, making significant gains from last year.

Fewer Pinoys thinking of beaches and resorts this year

As more Filipinos are looking for destinations that offer more than beaches, there was a notable decrease in searches on ‘beach’ and ‘resorts’ during the first quarter of this year compared with last year.

This may be connected with the late onset of summer this year, and an increasing trend around visiting more historical, non-water-related sites. In 2010, the country experienced an unusually hot summer, with temperature hitting 39 degrees centigrade, prompting Pinoys to seek the water in unusually high numbers.

Travelers search more tours for Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan
Although backpacking become popular in the country, Filipinos with busy schedules tend to avail travel tours. Pinoy travelers looking for packaged trips are drawn to Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan.

Last Friends j-drama

2011-09-05T03:09:00.000-07:00

Last Friends

This Japanese drama puts focus on human issues that are rarely addressed or kept secret most of the time. Issues such as domesic violence, gender identity confusion, adultery, and sexual child abuse are tackled in this drama. These issues make this 11-episode show unique and really enjoyable to watch, especially when it weaves in a unique storyline that makes your emotions go haywire.

Summary: Michiru has been leading a pretty hard life which she thought would end when her boyfriend, Sousuke, invites her to live with him in his apartment. At the same time, Michiru and her junior high school best friend, Ruka, have reunited with her after four years of separation. These occurences have made her extremely happy, however, what she thought would be a happy life turned out to be something dreadful. Unable to cope with her problems, she runs into Ruka and from there, her life interweaves with Ruka and her housemates: Takeru, Ogura, and Eri.

Characters:

Aida Michiru acted by Nagasawa Masami. Even though she's pretty and well-dressed, I'm not really her fan since she's very annoying in this drama. Michiru is a very (extremely) sweet and weak person, sort of a damsel in distress character. Coming from a broken family and a father who beats her, she seeks love in the wrong places. She's the character who we can relate to our friends who won't even take our advice and go on their pathetic stupid lives led blindly with love. Bleh. Her character put color in this drama, though.

Kishimoto Ruka acted by Ueno Juri. I've liked her since Nodame Cantabile and she's even better here. Ruka is a lesbian who had hidden feelings for Michiru for a long time. In this series, Ruka is a motocross rider wanting to go professional, so she's striving hard to win competitions. She seeks respect from certain individuals - not respect that is given to a woman, but to an individual. As Michiru drowns in her problems, Ruka always comes to her rescue and constantly tries to protect her.

Mizushima Takeru acted by Eita. I love this character since it's so different from his acting in Nodame Cantabile. In this series, he's a professional hair and make-up stylist and a part-time bartender who is being mistaken as homosexual most of the time by his colleagues. This is because he frequently avoids contact with women and fears to be involved in a relationship with them. He has a troubled past which has affected his view on women and relationship in general.

Oikawa Sousuke acted by Nishikido Ryo. Probably the scariest character I've seen on Japanese dramas, despite his good looks and resemblance to Victor Basa. Sousuke is Michiru's boyfriend who works as a social worker. As Michiru starts to live with Sousuke, he becomes possessive of her, going into obsessive acts such as watching her while at work, controlling her life, and when disobeyed, he beats Michiru to a pulp. Brrrr, scary.

Takigawa Eri acted by Mizukawa Asami. She is Ruka's housemate who had issues with relationships for as long as she can remember. She works as a, stewardess, where she met a married man who she becomes involved with. Her character is very hyper and friendly and funny most of the time.

I think that this series, compared to other light j-dramas, has a slightly mature theme. Domestic violence in itself is scary enough and seeing it on action is even scarier. This drama shows how Sousuke beats Michiru, why he beats her, and what he does when he becomes suspicious of her. Sousuke is really, really scary. What makes it more annoying is that Michiru lets him does this because she knows there's a reason. Despite this reasoning being so stupid, I think that this is reality for most women who can't fight back to their partners for committing domestic violence.

Aside from domestic violence, the drama also gives light on real friendship. When Sousuke goes mad, Ruka and her friends are ready to protect Michiru from him.

In terms of storyline, I just realized that each episode seem to become repetitive. It deserves to be called j-drama, with all the dramatic speeches and each of the characters' issues that has no end. I didn't think that Japan is pretty closed minded with lesbians, too. Ruka had a hard time revealing her true gender identity, which shocked the shell out of most characters. It's really weird.

Despite the criticisms, this drama is a good watch. We've watched this in just one weekend since with the cliffhangers and preview of the next episode, we can't just stop watching. So, go watch now!

Episode list:

1: The troubles we keep to ourselves: DV, pregnancy, and forbidden love

2: A life-and-death secret

3: A love that eats away life

4: A bond torn apart

5: A night of shock

6: A desperate getaway

7: A harsh reality

8: Last Letter

9: Your life

10: Love and death

11: To the future

J-drama review: Nodame Cantabile

2011-09-05T03:08:00.000-07:00

Nodame Cantabile

I've been liking classical music for some time now especially the piano solos from Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert, and Chopin. But for the many times that I encountered this J-drama in drama wiki, I never wanted to watch it because it seemed boring and I thought it might be stiff. But when I finally tried it from downloading one episode, I was proven so wrong. XD

This is my favorite J-drama so far - I know I've been saying this with every review I've been making, but the combination of my interests, comedy, and a nice story really makes this one a top-notch drama comparable to the ever popular hana kimi. The only thing that separates Nodame Cantabile from the rest is its interpretation of something that is not seen in everyday life - well, classical music.

Main Characters

Ueno Juri as Noda Megumi or Nodame

Nodame is a really uber talented pianist who can play hard pieces by ear. She came to study piano in Momogaoka College of Music so she could attain her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher. She doesn't realize her full potential as a performer thus her attitude of being lazy at practicing, not caring about the score, and playing by impulse. Her habits are also terrible, such as not washing her hair for days, not taking a bath for an interval of time, and leaving garbages lying around her room.

Tamaki Hiroshi as Chiaki Shinichi

Chiaki is another talented and hardworking guy who enrolled in Momogaoka College of Music to study piano. He also plays the violin, however his ultimate dream is to become a conductor. He realizes his full potential and he uses it really well. He works hard to attain his dream, which is to conduct.

Summary/Plot

Becoming tired of a school where lousy students came to study, Chiaki is at his limit of appreciating his classmates. One day, he hears someone playing Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata in a lousy but correct manner. Surprised that he finally discovered someone probably as talented as he, he searched and met Nodame. What he found is a weirdo who instantly fell in love with Chiaki.

Through Nodame, Chiaki finds himself in a tangle of events that made him slowly attain his dreams. Well, of course this is not about Chiaki too. Nodame, the weird girl, has her own story in the drama as well, being the lousy player that Chiaki tries to encourage.

Where it all started XD YUMMY YAOI CHIAKI MAN!!!!!!!!

Chiaki in Nodame's room. The hell, it's really covered in garbage!

When I watched the first episode of Nodame Cantabile, I instantly noticed that the main characters really look good! Nodame is really cute and has a sophisticated face. She has a model-like figure and really cute hair. Meanwhile, Chiaki has a really manly face that shows great expressions, AWESOME hair, and YAOI-character like physique. WAHAHHA He's sexy! Plus what they wear are also awesome. Nodame's outfits seem to make a fashion statement throughout the show that I thought that wow, I want to wear those too! Hahaha XD

The musical part of the show is what I like best. Students in the school are shown playing mostly the violin and the piano. There are also plenty of episodes which featured orchestra playing - like what you see in orchestra concerts. Whaha, scary right? But the first episode that featured orchestra would really get you into it. When I finished watching it, I was reminded of our high school plays which I had the chance to watch so many times in practices but when I watched the final performance, I was really moved. XD wheeeeee

The classical music are well picked as well. You can really see that the creator really has a good grasp of classical music. Composers featured are Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Schubert, Debussy, and Stravinsky. I might've missed some, but those are well featured. It's really well presented in the drama that I listened for two weeks straight to Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto 2. It's the best. :D

About the love story, don't expect this drama to have cheesy scenes. When I watched that certain part, it seemed so perfect since it was still funny but romantic at the same time. The actors/actresses are great in the movie, especially Nodame who's great in comedy, drama, and err, shouting. Hehe.

If you want a lot of comedy with romance (that actually brings out results XD) and classical music that will get you hooked, watch this. After watching the series, I decided to play more piano and improve my playing. :D My sister, who had no interest in classical music, is now hooked. Go go watch it! XD

J-drama review: nobuta wo produce

2011-09-05T03:00:00.000-07:00

Nobuta wo Produce/
Producing Nobuta

From the photo, you might say, 'what, another school drama again??' or 'what, a potential hana kimi sequel?' or 'YAMAPIIII' (hahah). Yes, this is a school drama like any other popular series such as Hana Kimi, Gokusen, GTO, or Hana Yori Dango. I thought of that first when I watched the first episode. I really thought it was crap at first but I continued to watch more and more until I finish. What separates this drama from others is the depth that it shows derived from a simple theme: friendship.

Summary: Kotani Nobuko is a new transfer student in a school where popular Kiritani Shuuji and weirdo Kusano Akira study. Nobuko's strange personality that depicts certain horror films such as The Ring or The Grudge made her an instant target of kebai bullies who made her life a living hell. From boredom or whatnot, Kusano Akira partnered with Kiritani Shuuji to 'produce' Nobuko as Nobuta - the popular girl. Through their efforts of making Nobuta popular, they formed an irreplaceable friendship and in the process, grew up.

Characters:

One of the unique things in this series is its great characterization that integrates great realism that makes the drama draw you in more. Even the other characters has their strong characterization that after only one episode of seeing them, it sticks into your mind.

Kiritani Shuuji acted by Kamenashi Kazuya: Yes, he's from Kat-tun, the yucky boyband. Anyway, as I've mentioned in the summary, he's the stereotypical popular guy who everybody loves - even the bullies obey since he's just that cool. He has a girlfriend who is another popular and cute girl. However, his being popular is just a front so that he would have a memorable high school life. Everything that he tells his friends and even his girlfriend are lies that he conveniently made. The series shows his thoughts which contradicts his actions and words.

When he is with Nobuta and Akira, he is more natural and just like a regular guy who likes fooling around. He gets annoyed by Akira; he gets angry with both of them, and laughs with them.

Personally, his acting is impressive. He's not the usual cool handsome guy posing as a mysterious guy who rarely talks and is always surrounded by fangirls HAHAHA. Nope. He's a cool guy who has cynical thoughts. His expressions tell a lot - even his poker face. When he laughs, I feel that he meant it. And when he feel so down that he feels like crying, the expression is too genuine that it gets into you.

Kusano Akira acted by Yamashita Tomohisa: Yesh, my favorite character. Most of the comedy in the drama is courtesy of this guy. He's the guy who likes to mind his own business, a loner, but a weird, crazy guy. He's an idiot as well, going around school telling expired stories that he thinks is still cool. He laughs with this annoying laugh with matching claps. He goes down the stairs while flapping his hands like a gay guy. He has these weird words and actions. He doesn't care about the world so he does what he likes to do. What the hell, this character is too outta this world but you could think that yes, there are people like this around. His character is still realistic.

However idiotic he is, he shows his mature personality and level-headedness. His words, when serious, are always rational and intelligent. He understands other people and sees through them. Ironically, he is one of the people in the series that shows real selflessness in friendship.

Kotani Nobuko acted by Horikita Maki: Probably we've all seen her act in Hana Kimi as the jolly boy-slash-girl but her character here is the entire opposite. She hangs her head down, slouched, while walking and she has slits for eyes. She has little confidence, low self-esteem, and she is used to being bullied. But then she finds Akira and Shuuji, who slowly transforms her. She is another character who comes out with unexpected tricks that will move and touch you. Her character changed Shuuji and Akira, but more on Shuuji.

I've always thought Maki is cute. Her acting in this series is great as well.

There are other characters such as The Truth Man who pesters you to tell him the truth. If you don't tell him the truth, then something bad will happen. LMAO. There's the crazy Vice Principal who says great things but she's crazy at the same time.

Script, filming, soundtrack, and EVERYTHING ELSE

I honestly thought that the scriptwriters are geniuses. Every episode has a theme and every character in the series builds up this theme by the events that happen around them and how they respond to it. The scriptwriters turned around the cliche of friendship and made it into something unique and more meaningful. It seemed to revolve around the cliche 'friends will always understand youuuuuu' or 'friends will always believe youuuu', which I don't always see in any school drama. Normally, betrayed friends would ignore their friends for some time, but in this drama, friends will try to understand each other as much as they can. It's very touching.

The soundtrack is another thing. It's awesome that even my mum who overheard the background music started humming it. HAHAHAHA!! Yep, Yoshihiro Ike is a great composer. You could download the OST here: http://www.4shared.com/file/43895891/9a135c5b/Nobuta_wo_Produce_Ost.html

In terms of filming, the director of photography is another genius. Like this scene from episode 4:

The series plays with yellow light, sunset, and uses it as natural lighting. There's another trick that tones down the light in the classroom and focuses the spotlight on certain characters.

Conclusion

Now I feel like I'm writing a Literature report. lol This J-drama is really good hence why I wrote such a long review about it. Please, please watch it. I would gladly burn you a data CD with all 10 episodes so you could just watch it. It's really worth my time. There are no SAPPY scenes that would make you scream 'GAAAAHD SO CORNY!!!', but you could cry from happiness. Compared to other school dramas that made you cry, this one would make you cry from your spirit being lifted. You might find yourself thinking 'I want friends like that' after watching some episodes. It would've been perfect if they removed the supernatural things that made me scratch my head.

I rate this 10 out of 10. Yeaaaaabaaaa. ^____^ Go watch.

J-Drama: Mukodono 2003

2011-09-05T02:54:00.001-07:00

Yahoo, am here again to bring you some juicy review from the newest J-drama I'm currently watching: Mukodono 2003.

This series caught my interest in crunchyroll.com one boring afternoon when I was in search of a funny series to watch. (Which was the same thing that happened when I found Hana Kimi) Actually I thought that the guy in the thumbnail looks cute. XD

The series didn't fail me - the guy was cute, he's cool, and surely enough, it's funny. ^___^

Summary: Meet Yuichiro Sakuraba, an uber popular singer/songwriter who cause millions of fangirls to worship everything about him - even his billboards. The first episode opens up showing his uber popularity with the girls screaming at his newly put up billboard as well as his new commercial that's even shown in theaters. Japanese dramas always put the catch amid the mainstream facade. Get this: Behind the cool personality is a complete geek who acts like a 10-year old. (see photo below)

The story doesn't focus on that twist alone, it even explored him juggling between his married life and his stardom. It's really funny to see him acting really cool to the public then throwing a tantrum later in his branded suit and star quality appearance.

This J-Drama puts drama in its series as well. I'm only in the second episode but I've seen a lot of comedy, drama, and a whole pack of silliness. The drama is not cheesy as it is related to married or professional life.

Episodes: 11 (Completed)

This is actually quite an old drama. There was a first season, Mukodono, but I haven't seen that yet. From what I'm seeing in this series, I'll be finishing it until episode 11 then move on to the first series. Weird, I know. Haha ^^;;;

Only downside I see is that the opening is really boring. The opening song SUUUUCKS. XD

I don't get tired of these cartoons

2011-09-05T02:32:00.000-07:00

I don't really believe that all cartoons are just for kids. That goes for anime too, but that's another matter.
I've four favorite cartoons that I don't regularly watch but love watching everytime I get the chance. It always makes me laugh everytime I watch it. The silliness is awesome. Total stress reliever. Here are my favorite cartoons:

Phineas and Ferb

Just updated - and I think this is my most favorite cartoon ever! The humor makes kids and adults alike laugh like hyenas. Mr. Doofenshmirtz never fail to amuse me. I also just watched its movie, "Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension" and it's PURE GOLD! Nifty script as well, the dialogues are not just for kids. It's a great, great, cartoon by Disney.

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

My most favorite cartoon, I think. The silliness and comedy factor reach the highest level. The cartoon is basically about a grim reaper, a stupid boy named Billy, and Mandy, who's an evil girl. The cartoon presents an irony of a grim reaper being under the control of two kids who lords over him. I never get tired of watching this cartoon, even if I watch replays. So frigging funny.
Like the episode I watched earlier: Billy suspected that Mandy ate his family. When Billy and Grimm were stalking Mandy, Billy found some bones in the trash can. Billy immediately suspected that the bones are his family's bones. lol
Grimm: No, Billy, those are chicken bones! Trust me, I know bones!
Ahahaha lol Sometimes the episodes are entirely senseless but they're funny nonetheless.

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

Another one of my uber favorites. I believe that the graphics are the only thing that makes this cartoon - the story can't really cater to kids. lol The story has no moral lessons whatsoever (although I admit sometimes it hints some lessons but not really obvious) and sometimes the story even goes cynical.

Bloo and Matt are the main characters plus the rest of the imaginary friends. Each character are unique and really thought of, like Eduardo the big violet imaginary friend. He's a scaredy cat despite looking like a huge brute guy. Hehe

One of my favorite episodes is the one with Bloo and Berry in it. Berry became in love with Bloo and she wanted to steal Bloo from Matt. The entire episode, Bloo kept calling Berry wrong names, even guy names. lmao In the end he didn't even say the correct name XD So hilarious.

Courage the Cowardly Dog

This one is pretty funny too. It's about a couple who lives in the middle of nowhere with a cowardly dog named Courage. Nyahha, the irony. The episodes are 'scary' where monsters and other horrible creatures always target the old woman. Courage always tries to rescue her, going through a lot of obstacles and finally being successful.

I like the show because of the reactions and the story itself. Plus the addition of the noisy old man makes the cartoon awesome. The phrase 'stupid dog!' said by the old man never gets tiresome.

Spongebob Squarepants

Ok, you're weird if you don't know this cartoon. The famous Ba-a-a-a-a-a laugh of Spongebob is an entertainment itself. The cartoon is senseless to the point that you can't even try to explain the story. The silly reactions and funny situations make the cartoon so hilarious.

The stories come from something really simple like Spongebob not knowing how to tie his shoelaces. After consulting all the people he knew without results, he finally tied his shoelaces with the help of Gary, his pet snail which meows. Nyahaha

Anyway that's it. If you want to take a breather or just relieve stress, these are the cartoons that I guarantee will give you all the happiness in the world. >____<

Globe Tattoo on Eee PC 701 4G

2011-09-05T02:11:00.000-07:00

Microsoft Windows doesn't have to rule your life – even when the OS requirement of a certain gadget doesn't state Linux, don't believe it.

Globe Tattoo, the rebranded version of Globe Visibility, is offered to Mac OS and Microsoft Windows. But netbook users using Linux Xandros won't have to worry anymore – it's just a matter of updating your Xandros' system in order to use Globe Tattoo. No need to install Microsoft Windows.

The kit contains a USB extension cord, the USB modem, and the prepaid sim.

Globe Tattoo uses Huawei E160. It has been established that Huawei E220 works on Xandros. Huawei E160 needs an updated version of your system for it to work. For those Eee PC 701 users who haven't updated anything in their netbook, now is a good time to update your system's BIOS.

Eee PC's creators haven't provided an update to its software or its BIOS for a long time, so installing it would give support to various gadgets such, as, of course, the USB Modem Huawei E160.

Using Easy Mode:

Go to the Settings tab, then click on the Add/Remove Software icon.

In the window, go to the Settings tab again and look for the Bios entry. Click update. Make sure you are connected to the Internet.

If you don't see the Bios entry, it means that your system is updated to the lated Bios settings.

It only takes that for the USB modem to be recognized in your Linux Xandros. However, when you plug the Globe Tattoo in your netbook, don't expect it to pop out instantly. To ensure that the modem is really connected, go to control panel and go to hardware information, and pick hardware detection. Go to modem and you'll see two entries:

Hua wei E160 1

Hua wei E160 2

They're the same, and you know now that Xandros detects your USB modem.

Next step is to create a new connection in your network connections window.

Pick GSM/3G (UMTS) / HSDPA

Select any of the two Hua wei entries and click next.

You'll then pick your service provider, which you'll choose, of course, Globe.

For the address, if you purchased prepaid, type in http.globe.com.ph instead of the typed entry: internet.globe.com.ph.

Pick Globe WEB, not WAP.

I normally turn off the wireless detection device when I'm connecting to Globe. As you plug in your Globe Tattoo, wait for a few moments and connect to the network connection you configured.

And voila, you're ready to surf the net!