Different (browsers, reasons, preferences)

After complaining nonstop about the internet access my school has about blocking almost all forms of entertainment decent entertainment from the net, I decided it was time to stop complaining and do something. In fact, it seems like I already had everything I needed (almost) to make it happen.

Yes, people, my schools internet service provider is such a killjoy. While unable to provide quality access to internet services consistently, it never fails to surprise me at how their efforts to increase their QoS end up in not doing much except bring the students closer to the pit of despair boredom.


Back to the quest, I wasn't expecting much. Maybe, just to return my ability to blog away my free time, to distract me from the ever present perils of schoolwork. It probably isn't much, seeing as the WiFi access here isn't that good (except maybe for a few spots I now frequent). But still, for all of you who are interested, here is some of the stuff that I came across with on my search.

Internet Explorer 7 - The flag only ship of Microsoft when it comes to browsing, the pros are definitely outweighed by the cons when it comes to ease of use. Probably the only thing I use this for is the quick view option which I hope becomes a feature in the other browsers I use.

Seriously though, it takes quite a few mouse clicks to change proxy settings, its slow, it doesn't offer easy management of downloads and is subject to the onslaught of virii out there (or is viruses the term used for computer virus (pl.)?).

Unfortunately, in some cases, you really can't let this go. Aside from the fact that it comes pre-installed with Windows, as long as you do use windows, proxy-based ISPs require IE to grant you access. How the heck can I access Yahoo! Messenger or Google Earth in school after all. Still, even with these to consider, it is still very difficult to re-embrace IE after trying some of the other flavors of the browsing sundae. Speaking of sundaes, maybe IE is the plain vanilla.

Opera 9.1 - hailed by most as the best browser available, used in desktops, notebooks, mobile phones and gaming systems alike, Opera does have what it takes to be one of the best. In fact, in certain aspects, it is. Excellent download manager, widget support, out-of-the-box RSS functionality, and easy customization, well, what's not to like? Considering that proxy enabling/disabling is only a few keypresses away. But its not fast enough. Nor is it completely compatible with this blasted network. Still, it can save your open tabs if something goes wrong and allows you several startup methods so its something to keep in mind. Personally, for other networks (especially airborne access), I do prefer this.

Firefox 2.0.0.2 - take note of the version number though. The previous ones don't work as well as where I am now. Its not as good at downloading as with opera. But its a lot faster in my case and it is well supported. I can blog again! After thinking that it won't work (after all how much change would you expect in a version only 0.0.0.1 higher than the last?) but I was wrong. In that 0.0.0.1 increase, Mozilla added RSS support (or I just didnt notice from last time?). But maybe what solved my problem was the add-in installation. Well, whatever it may be. Other noteworthy things about firefox is the roughly 5-click proxy switch so I guess its not so bad. It also securely saves my passwords which saves a lot of time.

Overall, as I noted before, Opera is the best at times. Downloading to be specific. But for browsing in extremely strict networks, especially when accessing multimedia content, Firefox takes the cake.

Read More......

TechEscape

Last friday was the Get Together Party of the ECES. Held at Escape in Libis, almost adjacent of Eastwood. Naturally, I still had classes till 6pm. Fortunately, we were dismissed a few minutes earlier. My dad drove us to the place and we ended up taking a different route than most others who went there. I was told that the Buendia route was faster but hey, let's leave the route to the one who's gonna drive. We were supposed to have a convoy so we could get there a lot more easily

but then again, why bother? Each had at least one person who knew the way over anyway. So the ones with me were Bra, Oche, Chorva, Tin and Rox. We ended up getting there even before the registration started. After that, Bra and Rox went to KFC to eat. I waited for Coco's group to arrive. We went to Eastwood to eat and Nikki's parents found her at McDonalds.

Dinner was uneventful for the most part. I was somehow annoyed with my cam since it can't produce decent shots of nighttime cityscapes. Seriously, Eastwood is one of the few places I haven't taken any decent shots of yet. Photos aside, big brother older brother and crew ate at KFC. If you were wondering, no, they didn't meet up with Bra 'n Rox. Apparently, there were two branches of KFC in the vicinity. We didn't bother meeting up with them since they ate on the second floor. After around a half hour or so, we went back and that was the time the party started. (actually around 15 mins earlier)

the venue

There were bands, games (beer games and bring-me for the curious), and of course, dancing and drinks. Not just beer mind you. This is a bar after all. I didn't drink a single drop of beer that night (promise!) not that I didn't drink any alcohol. Only that it was in the form of vodka. Also had a sip off a margarita that Philip spilled on the floor (no i didn't sip the drink on the floor). And the BJ I had (the shooter. not the other meaning for those dirty minds out there). The BJ was a bittersweet experience. It was great for waking me up (no surprise there, coffee makes me sleepy most of the time) but I accidentally spilled some vodka on my hand. Creepy the way blue flames crept up my hand. Creepier is the part where I just looked at the flame creeping up my hand.

We also had some photo ops with the profs. Some dancing, more drinking, cameras blazing all the way. At around 11:30, it started to slow down and some people went home. We left around 12mn. Philip texted me that they were gonna go to Serendra but we were already past Market Market
so we didn't follow them there. Besides. I already had a wanted person to take home.

It was an aptly named event (and venue) after all.

Read More......