Mac Vodem Software on Vodafone NZ
By Loweded Wookie, in
Mac Stuff, posted: 28-Nov-2006 08:38
Vodafone NZ finally has the 2.06 software listed on their download site:
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/mobiles/vodem-support.jsp
This is not different, NZ specific software to the link I provided a couple of weeks ago as the software is country independant. It simply makes it easier for New Zealand Vodafone customers to find.
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/mobiles/vodem-support.jsp
This is not different, NZ specific software to the link I provided a couple of weeks ago as the software is country independant. It simply makes it easier for New Zealand Vodafone customers to find.
Vodafone Mobile Connect - How's it stack up?
By Loweded Wookie, in
Mac Stuff, posted: 21-Nov-2006 07:28
With the release of the VMC 2.06 software (still not up on Vodafone NZ's site) I was finally able to get my Vodem working on my Intel Mac Mini.
The software is installed using the Vise X software which I like on account of its uninstaller but I still prefer Apple's installer for simplicity and configuration. The install required a reboot (often the case with hardware and software that needs to install files in the System folder). Once rebooted I plugged in the Vodem and ran the software.
Device not found came up. Oh crap I thought until a quick last minute read of the readme file said I needed to wait until the two lights showed up on the Vodem. Sometimes it does pay to view the readme. By the time I had finished that the Vodem had booted up anyway.
Click image for fullsize.
Notice the bar for the signal strength. This will play a part in the upcoming images.
Clicking Activate sets up a connection in Internet Connect. I use the menu bar to connect to the Internet because it's easier than running another application. As such the screen I see is this:
Select the NZ Vodafone option and click Connect and you're up and running. Interestingly the VMC software will not work if you are connected. The connection is completely independant of the VMC software. All you see is the Device not connected error that I mentioned before. That being said though VMC does display the statistics once the connection has been closed down.
I ran some speed tests for Auckland, Adelaide, Los Angeles, and London. These are the results:
Auckland:
Adelaide:
Los Angeles:
London:
Before you have a go at me for speeds I remind you of the image above for the signal. These speeds are awesome considering the terrain I am in.
I live on the outskirts of Upper Hutt, which is in a valley, and my house is halfway down a hill. 6-800Kbps (sustained) is more than fine by me. What's even more fine by me is the 1-350Kbps upload speeds.
When Vodafone releases Home Phone next year I will now have absolutely NOTHING to do with Telecom, just like I currently am now. Sure I have to pay through the nose for it at the moment but this could end soon.
All in all Vodem rocks. It's portable, it's fast, and it looks so delicious I want to lick it. Better yet, it seems to match the style of Macs so you don't have a big ugly box hanging of your machine.
Thanks Vodafone for finally bringing out 2.06 of VMC (albeit only from the main Vodafone site).
The software is installed using the Vise X software which I like on account of its uninstaller but I still prefer Apple's installer for simplicity and configuration. The install required a reboot (often the case with hardware and software that needs to install files in the System folder). Once rebooted I plugged in the Vodem and ran the software.
Device not found came up. Oh crap I thought until a quick last minute read of the readme file said I needed to wait until the two lights showed up on the Vodem. Sometimes it does pay to view the readme. By the time I had finished that the Vodem had booted up anyway.
Click image for fullsize.
Notice the bar for the signal strength. This will play a part in the upcoming images.
Clicking Activate sets up a connection in Internet Connect. I use the menu bar to connect to the Internet because it's easier than running another application. As such the screen I see is this:
Select the NZ Vodafone option and click Connect and you're up and running. Interestingly the VMC software will not work if you are connected. The connection is completely independant of the VMC software. All you see is the Device not connected error that I mentioned before. That being said though VMC does display the statistics once the connection has been closed down.
I ran some speed tests for Auckland, Adelaide, Los Angeles, and London. These are the results:
Auckland:
Adelaide:
Los Angeles:
London:
Before you have a go at me for speeds I remind you of the image above for the signal. These speeds are awesome considering the terrain I am in.
I live on the outskirts of Upper Hutt, which is in a valley, and my house is halfway down a hill. 6-800Kbps (sustained) is more than fine by me. What's even more fine by me is the 1-350Kbps upload speeds.
When Vodafone releases Home Phone next year I will now have absolutely NOTHING to do with Telecom, just like I currently am now. Sure I have to pay through the nose for it at the moment but this could end soon.
All in all Vodem rocks. It's portable, it's fast, and it looks so delicious I want to lick it. Better yet, it seems to match the style of Macs so you don't have a big ugly box hanging of your machine.
Thanks Vodafone for finally bringing out 2.06 of VMC (albeit only from the main Vodafone site).
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It's here it's here it's here (giggles like a little school girl)
By Loweded Wookie, in
Mac Stuff, posted: 20-Nov-2006 11:02
Finally all you Intel Mac users with Vodems can connect your Vodems.
2.06 of Vodafone Mobile Connect software has been released.
Linky here:
VMC 2.06
2.06 of Vodafone Mobile Connect software has been released.
Linky here:
VMC 2.06
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Why I'm an Apple fan
By Loweded Wookie, in
Mac Stuff, posted: 19-Nov-2006 17:19
Mac FanBoy, Jobs Lover, you name it we've been called it. While many think that we Mac lovers are condescending pratts the truth is that we are somewhat overzealous perpetrators of technology that is better built than the stuff out there.
I have had my Intel Mac Mini for a few months now and the more I go to work and use my HP DC7100 the more I can't help but ask, why isn't there anything like my Mini on the market? More and more I find myself asking "Why do Windows based machines get heavier the smaller they get?". I work in IT and I have to lug these things around all the time. Compared to the Mac Mini all PCs are monsters. Even the iMac weighs less and that has a builtin monitor.
I think that's one reason I love Macs so much. There's a lot of thought gone into everything that Apple does and that sort of thing doesn't go unnoticed by me.
Take the Mac Mini. Small, light, Dual Core. The iMac, PC built into the screen. The iPod, small, simple to use, and amazing as a hard drive.
Mac OS X. There's a rumour that Leopard is going to have fast user switching for Windows. Instead of rebooting into Windows you simply log out of Mac OS X and into Windows. Personally I'd prefer a Wine style approach but this approach still works well. That's well thought out as well.
iLife has been well thought out as well and is simple, yet powerful. Sit down with GarageBand and you'll see what I mean.
The simplicity of Apple's software while at the same time still retaining their power is something short of brilliant and something sadly lacking in much of the PC world. Trying doing what iLife does for its price on Windows. Simply can't be done.
But I've just recently taken up MacOS X programming using XCode and this is where Apple shines. Forget about universal binaries for a second. Apple's frameworks are nothing short of brilliant. I can literally create a functioning but basic web browser using Apple's frameworks in less than 10 minutes while writing a grand total of 0, that's right zero, lines of code all using Interface Builder. That's well thought out development.
To me it's the little things that count and Apple's attention to minute detail is what puts it ahead in this world of boring PCs. A lick of paint makes no difference. It's still a boring Windows based PC and if they stick Linux on it then it's still a boring Linux based PC. A look at the box of a Mac gives you that feeling that you are going to have an experience as opposed to a bland cardboard box experience. Some may think paying $99(US)/year for .Mac is a waste of money but they haven't used it to the fullest. While iTMS is not yet available to NZ those overseas that use it can't help but enjoy the experience.
Apple doesn't sell machines, it sells an experience like nothing that is in the market today. The machines may be expensive, the services may be the most expensive but the truth is that the experience is worth all of it.
Buying a PC makes me feel like nothing more than a money tree or a dupe and that doesn't compell me to buy their products. I work with them all day all week except weekends and weeknights and I bore of them too quickly. I'd rather have a pitchfork driven into my brain than put up with the complete lack of attention to detail and development that goes into a whitebox PC. It is that attention to detail that is why i love Macs.
