2008.09.08

The Power of Alt + Space

Every DOTA player in our office knows how powerful Alt + Tab is.  When they hear someone coming up the stairs while they are playing, they just press Alt + Tab and wallah, they can again pretend to work with the Visual Studio window open.  But DOTA-ignorant as I am, and add being an honest employee to that (8-}), I don’t have much use for the Alt + Tab key combination, except if I have to browse through the different windows running on my desktop all at the same time.  But I do use one Alt + combination often.  The Alt + Space combination. 

Now, for those of you who are fond of visiting GTD or lifehack websites (or for those who simply knows what I’m talking about), you must already have an idea of what I’m saying.  I’m talking about the keystroke combination for launching Launchy, a free and open source application launcher.  It’s so powerful that it can, uhm, launch applications!  (Another 8-}).

 

Launch Apps with a few keystrokes…

So what happens after you hit the Alt + Space combination?  The Launchy application appears, and from there on, you can launch about almost any application you want to use.  Just key-in a few letters on the Launchy user interface and the helper app will give you the application with the closest match to those letters that you keyed in.  So should you wish to open the Microsoft Word application, just key-in “wo” and the helper app would immediately present to you the application through its sleek UI.  Press the enter key from there and the application you selected opens.

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But what if the application you were looking for was not what Launchy gave you after a few keystrokes?  Well, give the helper app a few seconds and it will list down the other applications that matched your query.  Say you wanted to open Wordpad instead of Microsoft Word after you entered “wo”, just wait for a few seconds after keying in the letters and a list of other applications having “wo” in its name will be displayed, including Wordpad of course.  Using the up and down buttons on your keyboard, select the application that you want to open from the list, press enter and the application launches.

 

… And more

Launchy does not only launch applications, it can also open a lot of other things.  Your MyDocuments folder, a text file, an excel file—name it and if it is in your computer, Launchy can probably open it.  A little tweaking may be needed though to launch particular files and executables.  But most of the tinkering can be done easily through the application’s Option menu, which can be easily accessed by right-clicking on the application and clicking on the Option label from the popup submenu that appears.  From the Launchy options window, additional applications and files that you want Launchy to handle can be added by accessing the “Catalog” tab. 

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If you don’t like the appearance of the user interface, there are selectable skins that you can use to replace the default, all of which are accessible through the same Launchy options window by clicking on the “Skins” tab.  And to configure the primary appearance and settings of the helper application, just play with the options on the “General” child window.

Aside from opening files that resides on your hard disk, you can also use Launchy to automatically search for a keyword in Google.  Just key-in google, then press the tab button, enter your search keyword and press enter.  The helper app would then launch your default web browser and display the Google search result.  Aside from Google, you can also make keyword queries from other sites, including msn, wikipedia, yahoo, and others.

 

Clean Desktop

If there’s one more thing that I like about Launchy aside from launching programs and what-else-there-may-be lightning-fast, it’s how the application allows me to maintain a squeaky clean desktop.  On my work PC’s desktop, you can see nothing but my desktop wallpaper, a couple of reminders that I embedded on the desktop with the aid of Samurize, and a few links to work folders (which I still cannot configure to be launched by Launchy at post time) lined-up neatly on one side.  The desktop of my home laptop is nothing different, minus the reminders that I wouldn’t need while relaxing at home.

 

The Verdict

I love it!  With fewer mouse clicks and folder searches, it makes launching any PC application an ease to me.  And it keeps my desktop clean.  And one more thing… it makes anyone who goes near my PC give out a woaaahhh or an ehhhh whenever they see me launching an application.  Hehe. Nonsense!  Well, that’s all for now, unless you want to hear more nonsense from me. :p

And by the way, you can download the Launchy helper application here.

08:00 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this | Tags: launchy, web finds, gtd, lifehack, launcher app

2008.09.03

The Chrome -- Unmistakably Google

c576c5da3897014ff71c842988328ac7.jpgIt was probably the shortest announcement for a new web browser in recent years.  I heard about it from a Code Project newsletter last September 2, and just two days later, a beta version is already up for download!  And just in case you, my dear reader, are among those few who weren’t able to catch up with the latest internet news, I am talking here about the Google Chrome—the latest browser to hit the world wide web and join the web browser wars.

Due to the less-than-the-usual amount of fanfare that the release of Google Chrome Beta acquired, I almost forgot that the software is ready for download today.  Good thing, I am fond of reading YM status messages while “thinking”, allowing me to chance upon the status message of Roda announcing that Google Chrome is great.  (I don’t know if she was just being sarcastic or what?)  So I downloaded it at around 1 PM (RP Time).  And when the browser started running on my desktop, all I was able to say was that the thing is…


Unmistakably Google

Compare Google with other search sites, or Gmail with other web-based email applications, or even GTalk with other chat applications.  More often than not, the web apps created by Google turns out to have the simplest design, yet performs the best.  That’s also how I would describe Google Chrome’s position in the browser wars—it has the simplest design, yet… it’s just too early to say how it would perform against the others. :p  It looks like a bare-basic web browser, sans the browser tabs, but it does seem to offer more than that.  I can’t really say; after all, I have only been using the Chrome for around four hours, and I was just too busy this afternoon to navigate through all the features that the app has to offer.


Features

In the few hours that I was using the Chrome browser, and in the fewer minutes that I was able to surf through its functionalities, I was able to find these few features worth mentioning:
  • Weird tabs – instead of the usual downward position of tabs below the address bar, Google Chrome tabs are set upright on the topmost part of the browser, above the address bar.
  • Secret window – or what most of the IE8 testers refer to as “porn” mode browser.  Like the InPrivate feature available in IE8 beta, Chrome’s secret window allows you to browse in private—which means no browsing history, no search history, and no way for the next browser user to tell if you were watching porn or not!
  • Speed Dial (?) – or it may be another thing entirely different.  Either way, it looks very much like the speed dial available for Opera browsers, although I haven’t tried using the feature yet.
  • “Intelligent” address bar– which Google calls the “omnibox".  The feature is nothing new to Firefox 3.0 users, but it is still good to know that Google Chrome also shares the feature.

These are but a few of the features that the new Google Chrome Beta has to offer.  I wasn’t able tinker much with the app due to time constraints and language difficulties (translate: failure to read instructions in a Japanese OS).  For more of the new features available for the Google web browser, just visit the Google blog; or better yet, download a Google Chrome Beta copy of your own here.

22:12 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: web finds, google, chrome, browser

2008.08.17

Scheduling & Tracking with Google Calendar

To simplify and to organize—that is, according to Google, the very reason why we should use Google Calendar.  It’s schedule organization made easy, and I’m a believer!

I have been tinkering with Google Calendar for quite some time now, using it to remind me of project deadlines, appointments, birthdays and all.  And yes, it made scheduling quite easier and simpler for me.  Scheduling appointments at a mouse click—none could be easier.  Another plus is that the application is web-based.  So wherever I am, as long as I have a computer and an internet connection, I would be reminded that I have a JLPT internal exam this coming Thursday!  Now, that’s the bad part of it. Hehe.

But I have been using Google Calendar in more ways than the people behind the app must have planned me (and you) to use it.  Aside from using it to organize my schedule, I have also been using the web-app to track my schedule.  Here’s how I do it.

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I am actually using the Google Calendar to organize my project schedule.  So from our project’s WBS, I transfer the schedule of all the work assigned to me into the Google Calendar.  Specifically, I would input the work item for a particular day on one of the calendar’s “column headers”—the “All Day Event” section of the calendar app if viewed by week.  This part of the calendar would then remind me of everything that must be done for a particular day.

So what about those parts of the calendar (in Week view) that are subdivided in 30 minutes interval?  Do I do anything with them?

Of course!  Those will just be wasted space if I don’t use them.  I actually use those spaces for two things.  First, I use them for timed appointments—meetings, reviews, classes and all other items whose specific time of occurrence is already pre-determined.  Then for those spaces not yet occupied by these pre-determined and pre-timed activities, I use them to plot a work item’s implementation outlook. So if I have, say, testing and code revision as work items for the day, I may plot the outlook for testing from 8:00 in the morning until 12 noon, and code revision for the rest of the day.

Now, for the schedule tracking part, here’s how I do it.  At the end of the day, or as soon after a work item has been completed, I would re-plot the position and the span of the work item on the calendar.  This is made easy by Google, since you can re-position an item or lengthen its time span by a simple click and drag action.  And since I can’t explain it well in words, I’ll leave you to experiment with its implementation.  Hehe.  And should there be an additional activity that must be done aside from those listed on my work items, I can simply click on the specified time and input the name of the activity and its span of time.  So if I’ve decided that it’s important for me to go to the CR and stay in there for thirty minutes midway my 8 to 12 testing schedule, I can do so and just add that item on the calendar later. :D

Well, that’s about it for my personalized use of Google Calendar.  Using it for schedule organization helped me a lot in getting the important things done.  Using it for schedule tracking, on the other hand, helped me analyze my work productivity and made SQA reports on Mondays a lot easier to prepare. :D

How about you?  Got some planning and scheduling hack that you may want to share?  Again, the comments section is all yours.

01:00 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: google, calendar, schedule, organization, tracking, wbs

2008.08.02

What Amiel Means

Ever wondered if your name has a hidden meaning in it?  Well, one site claims that all of our names has and allows you to learn about yours by simply submitting your name to their website.  Out of my curiosity, I submitted my name, and written below are what the site claims to be me… together with some of my violent reactions, of course. :D
 
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.
 
Hardly.  I do strive for perfection, but I hardly ever come near it. 

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!
 
I think I’ve already read this on my officemate’s weblog (wahehe).  And while these lines describe her quite well, I don’t think the same characteristics fit me.  I’m rather the opposite—the person who easily gets intimidated and backs out when adversities faces him.  That’s probably why I tend to plan a lot, with some half of those plans not materializing at all.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.
 
Now I’ve read something that I can agree with.  Yatto!  Hehe.  New things indeed excite me, but I have a difficulty keeping that excitement for a long time.  I lose interest on things quite fast.  Need a proof?  I was all too excited when I was writing about my goals for the year in this site, but I can’t see any one of those resolutions coming to fulfillment.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.
 
There it is—some quite positive characteristics that I can now agree with.  I am a people-pleaser, and seeing another person smile or hearing a group of people’s laughter really matters to me.  That’s probably why I joke a lot, but at the same time making sure my jokes are “safe” so as not to hurt the feelings of other.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.
 
Ate Inee, a friend and owner of the canteen where we would usually eat breakfast, lunch and all at my previous company, used to call me “happy face”.  Why?  According to her, it’s because I always wear a smile, even during those times when half of my companions can talk about nothing but their grievances   against my former employer.  Well, I love to smile.  And I love to be happy.  Not so much because I don’t have any problems—people who know me can tell you how untrue this is.  It’s just that allowing myself to smile and allowing myself to be happy keeps me quite sane and intact in this world full of problems.

Notes:  I would be the third person to write about what his name means on his blogsite.  Or at least the third from those listed on my blogroll.  My roommate has already written about what his name means on his own blog.  And since hindi nya binigay yung link kung saan nya kinuha yung meaning ng pangalan nya, inabot ng ganito katagal bago ko magaya yung ginawa nya! Hehe!  My officemate, one aspiring Anne Hathaway (ahehe, just can’t help it… gomen ne ;), has also written about her name’s meaning on her site, and thanks to her link, I was able to create mine too.

22:05 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this | Tags: web finds, name, meaning

2007.10.09

AWS Blog, Now on Beta!

AWS!!! (read as: A~WS!!!)

According to Sir Maui, this is the reaction he usually gets when he tells his friends that ADTX has already changed its name, proving that the company is indeed famous because everybody already knows what the new name is.

It definitely is an old joke, because it has been over a year since the company adopted AWS as its name. And it is a joke that only an AWS employee can concoct and probably understand. Lastly, it is a joke that would require participation... I mean, you'll have to force yourself to give out a laugh to please the joker(hehe).

While the joke is old, the reaction may not be. If you're an AWS employee, the title of this post might have elicited the same reaction or one of the many variations of it like OOOWWS, WEEEH, WIIII, MOOOO, etc.

But it's no joke. AWS indeed has a blog! It was launched last October 1 (although you'll find articles written prior to the date). According to its creator/administrator, it is "a blog site for AWS people to share and discuss ideas, projects, photos and create a virtual community focusing on topics and trends pertaining to the I.T. professional.   It encourages change and improvements and would welcome feedbacks to enhance it."

So, are you interested on what the AWS Blog has? Then visit it and leave a few comments if you care. The name of the blog is Dinozilla (click on the link to visit the blog). It is being hosted by Wordpress on its beta version and just a few days after its launch, it has but a few posts (it has only three as of this time). But if you are an AWS employee, maybe you can help by contributing some articles. I think the blog is open for it, just don't ask me how because I don't know as well.

The previous company I worked with also had a blog. I was even a contributor when I was still there. Now, however, the blog is no longer being updated. I do hope that the AWS blog wouldn't share the same fate.

Very well, good luck to the AWS blog and to its bloggers! Hope to read more articles in the coming days, weeks and months!

13:35 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: AWS, Dinozilla, blog

2007.08.04

Don't Touch Yourself

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Just something that I found from Atomic Girl's blog that made me laugh.  Hehe, ang kulit!!! I hope I can read the Chinese characters so that I can understand what it really says. Check out her site for more links to these funny pics.

19:40 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this | Tags: Atomic Girl, Chinese, funny pictures

2006.12.20

top ten worst domain names

No, this is not a list I created. Sadly, I don't have enough talent or luck to find the ten websites listed here.  I found this article in clipmarks and it was written by a certain Simon. I just found it funny and worth-sharing.

 

Well, so much for my part in this post. If you want a little laugh, just read on.

 

Top Ten Worst Domain Names

Author: Simon

 

1. A site called ‘Who Represents‘ where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name… wait for it… is
www.whorepresents.com

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at
www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at
www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at
www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then of course, there’s the Italian Power Generator company… www.powergenitalia.com

6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
www.molestationnursery.com

7. If you’re looking for computer software, there’s always
www.ipanywhere.com

8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church . Their website is
www.cummingfirst.com

9. Then, of course, there’s these brainless art designers, and their whacky website:
www.speedofart.com

10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe ? Try their brochure website at
www.gotahoe.com

12:38 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this

2006.10.29

who do i look like?

Here is the picture that I submitted on the website: 
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And here are some of the results:

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Do I really look like them?  Well, be the judge.  If I would be asked (brace yourselves), I would surely say I look a lot better than those three (gusot na ba buhok mo? :)). But who are those three, anyway?  The first is Jeff Gordon, a NASCAR driver.  The second is Stephen Chow, a Chinese actor, star of Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer.  And the third is Takenouchi Yutaka, a Japanese actor who, according to WikiDrama, is “regarded as one of the most handsome celebrities” in Japan.  Hmmm… that speaks well of me again (talaga bang di pa rin gusot ang buhok mo?).

Well, if you’re bored and have nothing to do—just as I am at this moment—why not surprise yourself by visiting this face recognition website (click here).  Who knows, you may discover that you look as handsome as I am? (kung di ka pa nga matumba sa sobrang hangin, ewan ko na :p)

13:05 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this

2006.10.24

just checking

I discovered this (sort of) personality test from Dex's and Raziel's blogs and I said, why not give it a try?  Well, after answering the questions, here's the result:

 

Big Five Test Results
Extroversion (42%) moderately low which suggests you are reclusive, quiet, unassertive, and private.
Accommodation (62%) moderately high which suggests you are, at times, overly kind natured, trusting, and helpful at the expense of your own individual development (martyr complex).
Orderliness (48%) medium which suggests you are moderately organized, structured, and self controlled while still remaining flexible, varied, and fun.
Emotional Stability (34%) moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Inquisitiveness (44%) moderately low which suggests you are, at times, overly small minded, traditional, and conventional at the expense of intellectual curiousity, possibility, and progress.
Well, I have a disagreement as to some of the results (and many of those who know me would probably react negatively to some).  But it does say some true things about me(or probably a lot of true things that I just can't accept).  Maybe I'll just have to accept what it says.
How about you?  Would you also want to know more about yourself?  Give the test a try here.

21:00 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this

2006.05.26

Receiving HIS message in the cyberworld

medium_dsrm.jpgThere are only two things that I’ll miss from my former company: (1) my officemates (read … on leaving for details) and (2) the unlimited time for non-work related internet activities.  Well, those activities are not really allowed during working hours, but we do them anyway.

So, what websites do I visit during these working hours?  Various sites actually, and I visit them whenever I get bored at what I’m doing.  But there’s this one website that I would visit even if I’m not bored; and I would visit it first hour in the morning: the Daily Scripture Readings and Meditation.

As the website’s name implies, it is about Bible readings.  It is a Catholic (most probably) website that contains daily Gospel readings as well as meditation or reflection guides for the readings.  Visiting the site daily has become a habit for me when I was still with my former company.

Working in Manila without the same luxury of visiting different websites daily, I can no longer visit the site as much as I want to.  Through this blog, though, I want to share to all of you the site that helped me live a great life for more than a year.  The website helped me in more ways than one, and I’m sure that it can also be a great help to all of you.

To visit the Daily Scriptures Readings & Meditations website, just click through this link: http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/index.html

21:51 Posted in Web Finds | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this