Nabil Sama

Are You Fast Enough? –Free Internet Speed Test

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:35:00 +0000

When you first installing or troubleshooting your internet connection, you may want to know how fast your connection speed. Or perhaps a slow down connection happens. It is wise to test our internet connection speed. From the test we may know what causing the problem and hopefully solve it.
To do Internet speed, there are many website out there offering the service. But why don’t we looking for free one. Some of the website has free connection test. Such as:

Speedtest.net, Speedtest.net measures the performance of your broadband connection. At the end of each test, you are presented with the download (the speed of data from the server to your computer) and upload (the speed of sending data from your computer to the server) bandwidth speeds. Very interesting with flash interface. Nice one.
BroadbandReports.com, An old and huge site with community. Offering five option of test including flash based and java based
InternetFrog.com, Graphical based with other service such as VoIP test.
Speakeasy Speed Test, Simple yet easy and accurate. Using server in United States. Finish up with a sales pitch from Speakeasy.
CNET Bandwidth Meter, check the bandwidth of your Internet connection against top DSL, cable modem, and other broadband services.
Bandwidth Speed Test — Very simple. Basic

Now try test your connection!. Happy testing.

10 Best Free Office Software

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Office application is one of the most important applications nowadays. There are various softwares to choose. The most popular one is Microsoft Office suite. But you may want to take a look and try or move into some free office software out there. There are also various free office softwares with its function and abilities. Some of them have high quality and pretty useful. Here is the list of high rated free office software around you may want to try:

OpenOffice - office suite

PC Suite 602 - office suite

AbiWord - text editor

Atlantis Nova - text editor

Sunbird - calendar/organizer

Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer - power point viewer

Foxit PDF Reader - pdf reader

PDFCreator - create pdf documents

Doc Convertor - document convertor

ATnotes - create notes on the desktop

Typing Symbol Using Keyboard Alt

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:05:00 +0000

Do you know that you can type certain symbols by using your keyboard. You can use the Alt button and certain number (use numpad) to produce the symbol.
Below is the list of the symbols:
1. alt + 1 = ☺
2. alt + 2 = ☻
3. alt + 3 = ♥
4. alt + 4 = ♦
5. alt + 5 = ♣
6. alt + 6 = ♠
7. alt + 7 = •
8. alt + 8 = ◘
9. alt + 9 = ○
10. alt + 10 = ◙
11. alt + 11 = ♂
12. alt + 12 = ♀
13. alt + 13 = ♪
14. alt + 14 = ♫
15. alt + 15 = ☼
16. alt + 16 = ►
17. alt + 17 = ◄
18. alt + 18 = ↕
19. alt + 19 = ‼
20. alt + 20 = ¶
21. alt + 21 = §
22. alt + 22 = ▬
23. alt + 23 = ↨
24. alt + 24 = ↑
25. alt + 25 = ↓
26. alt + 26 = →
27. alt + 27 = ←
28. alt + 28 = ∟
29. alt + 29 = ↔
30. alt + 30 = ▲
31. alt + 31 = ▼
32. alt + 32 = “space”
33. alt + 33 = !
34. alt + 34 = “
35. alt + 35 = #
36. alt + 36 = $
37. alt + 37 = %
38. alt + 38 = &
39. alt + 39 = ‘
40. alt + 40 = (
41. alt + 41 = )
42. alt + 42 = *
43. alt + 43 = +
44. alt + 44 = ,
45. alt + 45 = -
46. alt + 46 = .
47. alt + 47 = /
48. alt + 48 = 0
49. alt + 49 = 1
50. alt + 50 = 2
51. alt + 51 = 3
52. alt + 52 = 4
53. alt + 53 = 5
54. alt + 54 = 6
55. alt + 55 = 7
56. alt + 56 = 8
57. alt + 57 = 9
58. alt + 58 = :
59. alt + 59 = ;
60. alt + 60 = <
61. alt + 61 = =
62. alt + 62 = >
63. alt + 63 = ?
64. alt + 64 = @
65. alt + 65 = A
66. alt + 66 = B
67. alt + 67 = C
68. alt + 68 = D
69. alt + 69 = E
70. alt + 70 = F
71. alt + 71 = G
72. alt + 72 = H
73. alt + 73 = I
74. alt + 74 = J
75. alt + 75 = K
76. alt + 76 = L
77. alt + 77 = M
78. alt + 78 = N
79. alt + 79 = O
80. alt + 80 = P
81. alt + 81 = Q
82. alt + 82 = R
83. alt + 83 = S
84. alt + 84 = T
85. alt + 85 = U
86. alt + 86 = V
87. alt + 87 = W
88. alt + 88 = X
89. alt + 89 = Y
90. alt + 90 = Z
91. alt + 91 = [
92. alt + 92 = \
93. alt + 93 = ]
94. alt + 94 = ^
95. alt + 95 = _
96. alt + 96 = `
97. alt + 97 = a
98. alt + 98 = b
99. alt + 99 = c
100. alt + 100 = d
101. alt + 101 = e
102. alt + 102 = f
103. alt + 103 = g
104. alt + 104 = h
105. alt + 105 = i
106. alt + 106 = j
107. alt + 107 = k
108. alt + 108 = l
109. alt + 109 = m
110. alt + 110 = n
111. alt + 111 = o
112. alt + 112 = p
113. alt + 113 = q
114. alt + 114 = r
115. alt + 115 = s
116. alt + 116 = t
117. alt + 117 = u
118. alt + 118 = v
119. alt + 119 = w
120. alt + 120 = x
121. alt + 121 = y
122. alt + 122 = z
123. alt + 123 = {
124. alt + 124 = |
125. alt + 125 = }
126. alt + 126 = ~
127. alt + 127 = ⌂
128. alt + 128 = Ç
129. alt + 129 = ü
130. alt + 130 = é
131. alt + 131 = â
132. alt + 132 = ä
133. alt + 133 = à
134. alt + 134 = å
135. alt + 135 = ç
136. alt + 136 = ê
137. alt + 137 = ë
138. alt + 138 = è
139. alt + 139 = ï
140. alt + 140 = î
141. alt + 141 = ì
142. alt + 142 = Ä
143. alt + 143 = Å
144. alt + 144 = É
145. alt + 145 = æ
146. alt + 146 = Æ
147. alt + 147 = ô
148. alt + 148 = ö
149. alt + 149 = ò
150. alt + 150 = û
151. alt + 151 = ù
152. alt + 152 = ÿ
153. alt + 153 = Ö
154. alt + 154 = Ü
155. alt + 155 = ¢
156. alt + 156 = £
157. alt + 157 = ¥
158. alt + 158 = ₧
159. alt + 159 = ƒ
160. alt + 160 = á
161. alt + 161 = í
162. alt + 162 = ó
163. alt + 163 = ú
164. alt + 164 = ñ
165. alt + 165 = Ñ
166. alt + 166 = ª
167. alt + 167 = º
168. alt + 168 = ¿
169. alt + 169 = ⌐
170. alt + 170 = ¬
171. alt + 171 = ½
172. alt + 172 = ¼
173. alt + 173 = ¡
174. alt + 174 = «
175. alt + 175 = »
176. alt + 176 = ░
177. alt + 177 = ▒
178. alt + 178 = ▓
179. alt + 179 = │
180. alt + 180 = ┤
181. alt + 181 = ╡
182. alt + 182 = ╢
183. alt + 183 = ╖
184. alt + 184 = ╕
185. alt + 185 = ╣
186. alt + 186 = ║
187. alt + 187 = ╗
188. alt + 188 = ╝
189. alt + 189 = ╜
190. alt + 190 = ╛
191. alt + 191 = ┐
192. alt + 192 = └
193. alt + 193 = ┴
194. alt + 194 = ┬
195. alt + 195 = ├
196. alt + 196 = ─
197. alt + 197 = ┼
198. alt + 198 = ╞
199. alt + 199 = ╟
200. alt + 200 = ╚
201. alt + 201 = ╔
202. alt + 202 = ╩
203. alt + 203 = ╦
204. alt + 204 = ╠
205. alt + 205 = ═
206. alt + 206 = ╬
207. alt + 207 = ╧
208. alt + 208 = ╨
209. alt + 209 = ╤
210. alt + 210 = ╥
211. alt + 211 = ╙
212. alt + 212 = ╘
213. alt + 213 = ╒
214. alt + 214 = ╓
215. alt + 215 = ╫
216. alt + 216 = ╪
217. alt + 217 = ┘
218. alt + 218 = ┌
219. alt + 219 = █
220. alt + 220 = ▄
221. alt + 221 = ▌
222. alt + 222 = ▐
223. alt + 223 = ▀
224. alt + 224 = α
225. alt + 225 = ß
226. alt + 226 = Γ
227. alt + 227 = π
228. alt + 228 = Σ
229. alt + 229 = σ
230. alt + 230 = µ
231. alt + 231 = τ
232. alt + 232 = Φ
233. alt + 233 = Θ
234. alt + 234 = Ω
235. alt + 235 = δ
236. alt + 236 = ∞
237. alt + 237 = φ
238. alt + 238 = ε
239. alt + 239 = ∩
240. alt + 240 = ≡
241. alt + 241 = ±
242. alt + 242 = ≥
243. alt + 243 = ≤
244. alt + 244 = ⌠
245. alt + 245 = ⌡
246. alt + 246 = ÷
247. alt + 247 = ≈
248. alt + 248 = °
249. alt + 249 = ∙
250. alt + 250 = ·
251. alt + 251 = √
252. alt + 252 = ⁿ
253. alt + 253 = ²
254. alt + 254 = ■
255. alt + 255 = “space”

Getting rid of “There are unused icons on your desktop”

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:58:00 +0000

Have you ever got a pop up message from windows that say “There are unused icons on your desktop”. I’ve got often. And for some reason I feel that this message is annoying. Every time you start your windows you’ll got this message. It is okay to ignore but it still disturbing me So I want to rid of it. This is how..
Right-click on the desktop and choose Properties, and then the Desktop tab, and then the Customize Desktop icon.

Just simply uncheck the “Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 Days”

And those message won’t appear ever again.

How To Capture Entire Web Page

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:56:00 +0000

Some time I get frustrated when I’m trying to make a screenshot for entire web page. Using a usual screen capture is not helping. Even trying to use some tool/utilities software is not good enough. Somehow I still need to capture a couple of times to get the whole thing and then getting them into one image using image processor.
But I’ve got the solution now. Pretty easy actually. But you must use Firefox as your browser.
Here’s the way: First, Grab The Screengrab! Extension and install to your Firefox.
Next, right click on the screengrab icon

You’ll see some option there. If you want to save the screenshot or just copy it. You can save or copy complete page or the now visible region or selected region.
And select your save destination..

There you go…. A nice screenshot

Taiko Drum Master: 7 Islands' Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:30:00 +0000

This is a rhythmic game which gamer must use their stylus to touch the screen to follow the rhythm. A very addictive gameplay indeed. Unfortunately, this game which is called, 7-tsu no Shima no Daibouken is released in japan only, at least for now. The language is still Japanese too.
Taiko is a traditional big drum in Japan. People play taiko in a festival or special ceremony. It is very popular in Japan. Actually there are arcade games for this genre and it has many fans already.
But take a look at the screenshot, the graphic is colorful and fascinating. It looks funny though.
It offers seven of the island stage to conquer. You must play from one island to another. There is a training stage before you play the real thing. 50 songs are offered to be played. With this many songs it offers much and longer fun.
I am still waiting for the translation version for this game, or maybe an English game with this genre. But of course the song must be good too.
A great game for Nintendo DS definitely. If you are looking for good gameplay, addictive, not too much thinking (puzzling) then this is for you.

A Hand Grip for PSP

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:45:00 +0000

Although PSP is pretty big for a portable device, there still people who having a hard time holding on it. People with big hand may feel that PSP is too small to hold and may drop the PSP often. It is annoying of course if you get your PSP slip out your hand.
This new accessories may help you to play PSP with more stable and good grip.

Flexible Hand Grip Pad Advance for PSP-2000, is an accessories designed to get a better hold of PSP

Well, this accessory makes you fell like holding a console controller. Just with a wider size. I myself don’t like this because it makes my PSP not too portable anymore. Anyway my hand isn’t that big.

Talk to My Hand

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Some of my friend when they involved in a boring chat, or not in a mood for a conversation say something like “ooh, just talk to my hand”. It is actually some kind of joke so we can change the topic of conversation.
But hey now you can really talk with your hand. Not really your hand actually but a glove in your hand. This very glove has another function as a phone. This new gadget called G-cell glove from Swany manufacturer can be used as a phone. It has a microphone and speaker integrated and some control button to make a call and also visual indication. It is using Bluetooth link so it may be used as a cellphone.
This is an innovative idea from the manufacturer. But the gloves look heavy and not so portable. It is designed as a ski gloves anyway.
Some technical data of this gadget is:

Bluetooth 2.0 complient

Voice Dialing compliant

Vibration and Visual Alarm

Standby around 240 hours

48 hours talk-time

Rechargeable Lithium Ion Polymer Battery

Waterproof electronic system

Imagine you are skiing and still receiving call without take out your gloves to grab your phones. This gadget design is pretty good also as a glove for skiing. We still don’t know how good the functionality or conformity on using this gadget is.
The price of this gadget is still unknown too, but we may expect this will cost much. But looking at this revolutionary idea, we may look onto something cool in the future

Wanna Know More About Someone?

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:52:00 +0000

You may know someone for an instant at meeting, party, or street when you walk around or somewhere else. But you didn’t know him/her except by the name. When you got home you realize that you want to know more about him/her. But you don’t know how to reach him/her because you only got the name. So what?
Well, why not using internet to do so? You can use something like people search service on the web.
If you tracking people on Europe, there is a new people search website you can use. It’s called 123People.123People crawls data on the web about someone and their status. You can search for information in social network, wikipedia, photos and video sharing site, blog, newsgroup, online directories and such.
There are already a couple of people search engine out there, but differ with the other 123People use a better algorithm and more focused on Europe area. It aggregate many data on people, even video about them. You may claim your profile if already profiled by 123People. It also tries to protect the privacy by tracking someone who look for another people profile. So, if there any misuse you may still find out who have been looking on your profile.

Free Online Journal

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:50:00 +0000

For student or scientist who don’t have access to journal or paper library this list is a must have. Student and scientist who want to do research and update their knowledge, they must read many journals as often as possible. But many of the journals are paid and not free. If you have to purchase every journal, it’ll take a lot of money. Well, except you are a rich one. Usually student or scientist got their journal from their university or organization which subscribe on the paid journal organization. But not every university or research organization subscribes any journal. So a free journal is something we looking for.
Many of the journal listed below is about computer science which is my interest. So you may not find every field of knowledge here.
Anyway here they are (also the paid one, if you have any interest to subscribe):

Paid

Free

Photo and Image Search

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:48:00 +0000

For everyday use, photo and images are essential. We can found many photos and image on the web. People may post their nice photo on the web or photo directory. By using common search engine we may got a low quality picture which is not desirable. Better if we search photos and images by using photo search engine. There are many website providing search for photo and image free for us to use. Here are some we can use:

Google Image Search. An almost default search engine for most people, Google, give us a special function for searching image and photos. Great for looking on various pictures. With the advanced image search we can get a better result.

Flickr. Flickr is a social networking site for photos and picture. People share and post their photo here. A very great site. Great amount of picture from people around the world.

Yotophoto. Indexing a million of free to use photos. The source is coming from many other web such as flikr above, wikipedia, and many more

Fotosearch.Provide royalty free and rights managed stock photography, illustrations, maps, video, and audio. You can order the image to be yours.

Picasa. From Picasa, you can make your own gallery and search for other photos.

PicSearch. Got a unique search algorithm, a family friendly for children protection when searching photos, and simple.

Pixsy. A very nice photo search engine and directory. Unique photo collection and also have music and video for your blog.

Everystockphoto.A good one. Need to sign up. You can also see the forum and blog.

Istockphoto.Have exclusive collection. Download in many size and resolution.

Deep in Blue and Black DS

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:11:00 +0000

Are you feeling blue ? and want to grab a handheld ? try this new Nintendo DS with cobalt/black color. Announced by nintendo to be released on 11th february in US market.
The US market already got 6 color before, which is: Polar White, Coral Pink, Onyx, Crimson/Black, and limited edition Gold and Metallic Rose.

This new DS lite has a black base with cobalt for the clamshell. Bundled with Brain Age 2 game. DS already became one of the most wanted gaming system and leader in handheld market. Since launched on 2004, DS has sold more than 17,6 million in US only. With the unique game system and many tittles supporting it, DS still considered to be the best handheld ever.
This new color is not considered as the last color or design for DS release. In future, there may be many more color for DS. Nintendo planning to design some more color and a redesign for DS. But the new redesign may released in relatively long time,waiting the DS selling to decline. Well, still expecting another color, a green maybe ?

PSP vs. DS: Why DS is better

noreply@blogger.com (SS Nabil) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:41:00 +0000

Many people I know who start to look into having a portable video game or handheld usually have a doubt whether they should buy a PSP or purchase a Nintendo DS instead. It is rather difficult to choose if you know nothing about these two gadgets.
Confuse no more; DS is better than PSP in many ways. PSP is a great system and has their advantage over DS mostly in graphical and technical area. But actually there is a reason why DS is a better handheld than PSP.
People at Gizmodo already write their 8-reason why PSP can’t defeat DS. And I write my own, well not as much as 8 but I think these are the most important. Here they are:

Sales, everyone talk about sales. So here they are. DS sales are way greater than PSP. Take a look at the console hardware sales in US for 2007. DS is in the top position with 8,500,000 sales and PSP with just 3,820,000. People know which one is better console. Beside, there is much more DS player you can have multiplaying games with than PSP player out there.

Game software sales, another sales section, DS games sell way better. As in top 100 of all time, there are no PSP games in the top 100. DS got their games such as nintendogs in the chart. In future software developer may consider develop much more good games in DS and better support from many vendors. DS will have a great number of titles around.

The fun you had, yes this is the most important one from a game device. Gaming is about to have fun. With DS’s unique game style and unique tittles there you may have a great fun never been given before by anther game system. DS use a stylus, a dual screen and microphone for voice recognition or blowing game style. It offers a new experience in gaming. From the interview with Nintendo CEO we could say that the consideration of DS creation is how to deliver the fun of gaming even for someone who doesn’t know gaming at all. How DS game can easily introduced to someone and they already feel the fun. Even though Nintendo didn’t forget for the hardcore game fans by releasing great tittles for them. Many DS games is an exclusive one, you can’t find them in other game system.

The portability, hey it’s a portable device after all. DS dimension is smaller than PSP and the size is preferable to be carried around. DS is a clamshell device, so the risk of scratched screen is minimized. With PSP if you don’t get a screen protector, you may scratch your screen by accident. DS design is way too cool, Nintendo release various color for DS.

The price, yeah the price. For all the fun you had with DS you can get it cheaper than PSP. The software tittles also cheaper than PSP games.

So for all those reason I choose DS better than PSP. I’m not denying PSP superiority in graphical and technical areas than DS. For the people who loves graphic and technical things in PSP and doesn’t care much about gaming, you may go for PSP. Nintendo still develop DS so the other function such as WiFi and other thing can get better in future. For the sake of gaming experience with cheaper price, choose DS.