Jun 29
Apple Computer Form Factor Evolution
這裡有關於蘋果電腦硬體的進化，有從1976到2007得每個模型。我以前不知道蘋果有那麼多電腦。我第ㄧ次用Mac是Mac Mini G4所以我是新Mac用戶（雖然我在高學的時候用過OS8/9)。
Oct 20
Photo Tour of the Kaohsiung computer district, Taiwan
The Jianguo Road area in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan is full of computer and technology related stores. I recently ordered a 120GB SATA drive for my Macbook and used the trip to collect it as an excuse to snap a few shots of the area and any interesting things that caught my eye.
You can see all of the photos in this Zooomr Photo Set (My free Flickr account is maxed so I’m testing out Zooomr), and I’ve featured some of the more interesting photos below-
This tablet PC is an 8.9inch Fujitsu Lifebook P1510. the screen swivels so it can be used in both laptop or tablet mode. With a 1.2Ghz Pentium M it’s not the most powerful system, but it just feels so damn good to use it. i can’t remember what the resolution was but I can remember thinking it was fairly decent for a machine of it’s size. Comes with a 60GB HD, USB2.0, Bluetooth, Modem, LAN, WiFi and finger print sensor but only 512MB of memory.
A shot from the balcony of what seems to be the biggest gaming store in the area. This store is absolutely crammed with games for all platforms, consoles, DVDs, figurines, Web Cams and other hardware. It makes me wish I could read Chinese or Japanese so I could play some of these games.
No this isn’t a Wii, it’s a Core Duo based small form factor system that are quite common, although not as common as the millions of variations of mini MP4 players. At $29,990 it works out at about £480 or $900US, which seems a bit expensive to me, I’d be more tempted to buy an Intel Mac Mini - although, all prices are negotiable here 
I know there’s places in Taipei and Japan that are bigger and better, but this is still a long way away from anything you’d find in the UK etc, I could hang out there all day
Oct 10
YouTube and Internet Protocol T-Shirts
I’ve just been to the local Carrefour supermarket, next to Love River in Kaohsiung City Taiwan, and saw these internet protocol t-shirts. They were on sale at $199NT (about £3.20 or $5 US). It wouldn’t usually be noteworthy but it just surprised me to see them in such a mainstream store, what is essentially the Taiwanese Tesco or Walmart.
I bought a HTTP, FTP and Avatar shirt, although it was the YouTube one that caught my eye when walking by.
Sep 23
Geek Pillows Cases
Last week when our pillows cases weren’t dry following a wash, I did was any self respecting geek would have done, and used a pair of tech related t-shirts 
Sep 17
New MacBook
A follow up to my post on Apple Support in Taiwan - the New MacBook arrived on thursday in a swap-out for the first one. So far everything is fine, I can’t fault it (hopefully I didn’t just jinx myself). This thing has to be one of the best purchases i’ve made, after putting 2gigs of RAM in here it is so fast. I just have to get a 2.5″ 120GB SATA HD now, which is proving hard for some reason. If you have an Intel based Mac don’t forget to check out Parallels. Now I just hope Apple doesn’t release a Core 2 Duo based MacBook so soon
Sep 16
XBox 360 owns Taiwan
I’m not sure about the rest of Asia, but in Taiwan XBox 360 seems to be everywhere. I’d always thought that the XBox didn’t do so well outside of North America and Europe. That probably explains why there’s a such a push for it here.
Some of the larger chain stores seem to only stock 360s and not PS2s or Gamecubes. Could be an exclusivity deal, or just that the other consoles aren’t profitable here anymore. Either way, there’s no mistaking that Microsoft wants it’s console to be popular over here.
This is one of the things I like most about Taiwan (and probably one of the things the locals hate the most), that you can see giant posters for games consoles and computer components on the street. I couldn’t imagine being on a UK high street and seeing a huge Seagate Momentus poster, or 3 storey XBox 360 ad.
Sep 11
TWiT Hoodies now available!
The TWiT hoodies are finally available, but now - after I have moved to Taiwan and warm clothing is the last thing I need Oh well, when I get back to the UK or some other (cooler) climate i’ll order one.
Just in case you didn’t know - TWiT (This Week in Tech) is a weekly technology podcast.
Sep 10
The Best Tech (audio and video) Podcasts
So here’s my list of the best technology related audio and video podcasts. They have been chosen based on how frequently I listen/watch and the quality of the content - that’s informational/analytical and of course how enternaining they are, but not neccesarilly audio quality. Besides, all podcasts have thier bad days of audio quality now and again. So, quick and to the point (and in no particular order)…
Audio
Buzz Out Loud - One of the only podcasts here to be hosted in part by women (which makes a refreshing change), Buzz Out Loud is a lively (daily) podcast that features news, user calls (which are always entertaining) and emails. I first heard about this podcast when one of the hosts, Molly Wood, was a guest host on This Week In Tech (below).
The Linux Linc Tech Show - When the sound quality is good this is an amazing podcast. Featuring guests from Linux distributions and open source software projects it is always an informative show.
The Wizards of Technology - A weekly breakdown of technology news, although recently the weekly shows have been missed and a twice weekly (but shorter) show has been posted.
This Week in Tech (TWiT) - Surely needing no introduction? Started by ex-TechTV hosts and managed by Leo Laporte TWiT is a weekly analysis of tech news and trends. A definate heavy-weight in podcasting.
KFI Tech Guy - Leo Laporte’s weekly call-in radio show broadcast in Los Angeles. Due to this show being on the radio the content is not as in-depth as the others. Although, it is worth it for Leo’s news section at the start and there are some interesting calls.
Security Now - Hosted by Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson this podcast explores all areas of computer and network security. Every fourth show is dedicated to answering user questions. This is a really in-depth podcast with some subjects spanning multiple shows.
The Linux Action Show - Hosted by two guys who migrated from OS X to Ubuntu Linux this show doesn’t take itself too seriously, although it’s always very informative. The show consists of a news section, user emails, and features such as software comparisons and analysis of the various Linux distributions.
Video
CommandN - Released every Monday this video podcast is hosted by Amber MacArthur (who recently left TechTV Canada’s Call For Help) and Mike Laz. Tech news is covered, along with interesting web sites/services.
Diggnation - Covering the most interesting/highly dugg stories from Digg.com, Diggnation consists of beer and tech, the perfect combination.
Cranky Geeks - A weekly half hour rant about the latest tech news hosted by Head Crank John C. Dvorak. The show sometimes has show-length special features such as the MySpace/Blogging special.
DL.tv - Another show hosted by ex-TechTV presenters, DL.tv is a longer show focusing on all forms of consumer technology. Featuring news, reviews, interviews and viewer questions.
Hak.5 - One of the best independent video podcasts, Hak.5 features technology/hardware/programming guides and tutorials, basically anything geek.
Sep 01
Apple Support in Taiwan
A bit of advice for anyone needing after-sales suport for a web-ordered Apple product in Taiwan - Don’t call the number listed on their site, call 02-273-83242 ext. 419. This is supposedly their head office in Taipei. After calling the contact phone number listed on www.apple.com.tw/store I was bounced around a few reps in China and received little help before being given this number.
It seems as if there is one person responsible for web orders for the whole of Taiwan, maybe something to do with the recent job cuts. I got decent service from the Taipei office and arranged a swap out for my new MacBook (which should arrive very soon - update to follow).
Update - The new Macbook has arrived and so far everything is all good.
