All posts by The Artist

Computing & Internet

Face Recognition App

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A few days ago, I read with dismay that Google is developing a “face recognition app”. How can we risk having all our contact details and other information accessible with only a picture of our face taken?

However, today, Google denied that they are developing such an application, as was first reported by CNN. But even when Google is denying these plans because they claim to not have strong privacy protection in place yet, CNN is standing by their report, and they have an audio recording of the interview with a Google engineer.

Whether Google is coming out with such a facial recognition application or not, it’s scary, isn’t it, if it’s available? What do you think?

Technology

How To Sign Out Of iPhone Email

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I was asked this question by a fellow iPhone user. Although I have set up Gmail on my iPhone, I hardly use it but just now, I checked it to see if there really is no way to sign out iPhone email. True enough, there is no option to do so and I think this is rather risky if we do not lock our iPhone with a password, like myself.

To work around this, if we do not want to use email anymore, just go to SETTINGS –> Mail –> Accounts [Gmail or whatever your account is] –> Account –> and turn it OFF.

Once it is OFF, when you access your email via the Mail icon on your SpringBoard, you will see this on your screen.

Of course, if you would like to take extra precaution, after turning your email account OFF, delete the password from the Incoming Mail Server and Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) of your IMAP Account Information.

Remember to add in your password and turn it ON again when you want to use it. Yea, I know it’s a little tedious but then what to do when there is no direct option to keep the email logged in or out.

If you know of a better way, do share by leaving a comment. Thanks.

Technology

How To Disable Camera Prompt For Apple iPhone

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If you don’t use your iPhone camera regularly, I am sure you will feel that it is quite irritating to have the prompt pop-up asking you for an action when you dock your iPhone to your computer and to charge. It’s ANOTHER click of the mouse which I think is unnecessary.

If you want to disable that prompt, just connect your iPhone as usual, click Cancel when the prompt pops up. Then go to “My Computer” and you will see the ugly Apple iPhone icon. By the way, this icon only appears when the iPhone is connected. And this is also where you manage the photos that you have taken with your iPhone.

Anyway, right click on this icon and select “Properties”. A window will pop up so select “Events” tab. You will be able to see the four different actions you will like the iPhone to take once it is connected to the computer.

As you can see in the image here, “Take no action” is what I have selected. True enough, the prompt never pops up and annoys me anymore whenever I dock my iPhone!

General

Think Geek Promotion Codes

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With the recent launch of iPad 2, many of us are waiting to upgrade our tablets. I am thinking of passing my first generation iPad to my dad but I find that he has difficulty tapping on the screen. Naturally, he has larger fingers than I do and even I find it quite difficult to type long text or browse the web on the tablet.

A friend told me that I should get him a pogo stylus. I tried out his pogo stylus and I like the fact that it’s precise and won’t stain our screen like our fingers will so it’s a good accessory to have.

ThinkGeek is selling this Pogo Stylus at US$14.99 but being cheapskate, I am keeping an eye on an appropriate thinkgeek promo code that I could use on my purchase. Checking the many ThinkGeek coupons available on CouponUS, perhaps I would need to buy a couple of these Pogo Stylus to be able to enjoy the discount.

Prior to making any purchase online, I always check CouponUS to see if there is a coupon that I could make use of. Some friends say that I’m petty to want to save that bit of money but I am someone who will stretch my money every chance I have!

*** This post has been sponsored.

Technology

How To Use Celcom SIM Card with Apple iPhone

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This post is for my own reference. Although my primary mobile device is Motorola Defy because my iPhone is not able to support 3G network, I sometimes have to switch my SIM card over to the iPhone, especially when my 3G network is down which means that I would not be able to make or receive any calls or text messages.

1. Put AT&T SIM card or any working SIM card (other than Celcom) and power on. Wait for signal bar / no network display.

2. Go to Settings, then Carrier. It will search for Network. (if no Carrier is shown, go back to Home and wait a while). In Carrier, wait till all 3 networks are found. Tick “automatic”

3. Press power button (put iPhone on standby NOT OFF).

4. Replace SIM card with Celcom SIM card. (The message “no SIM” will pop up so just ignore it and just press the power button to put it on standby mode again).

5. Press power button then ‘slide to unlock’. You will see the network list. Choose Celcom and return to Home.

*This tip was taken from the forum of myPDAcafe.com

Computing & Internet

Online Classifieds Script

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A friend asked me if I would like to collaborate with him on a new online forum that he is building. While I am also looking for something else to do that could generate revenue online besides blogging, I am not keen on getting involved in a forum because it takes up too much time. I know, because I used to be a moderator for a few forums.

I am actually thinking of setting up an online classifieds website, maybe for cars or properties. I haven’t done any research yet on how to do this but I found this Classifieds Script that looks simple enough to use for me, a non-technical person.

This script is being offered at a limited time discount of US$99. Its usual price is US$199. Actually, I don’t mind paying for a script like this; a script that could work for me in an automated fashion. This will be good for my plan to generate passive online income, from getting paid from paid listings to AdWords and even sale of banner ad spots.

In addition, this classifieds script is very flexible and there are a few designs to choose from. In any case, there is a 30-day risk-free money back guarantee, which means that we have a full month to test out the script and only pay when we are fully satisfied with it.

*** This post has been sponsored.

Computing & Internet, WordPress Issues

How To Move WordPress Blog To Another Server And/Or Change Domain Name

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Log in to Old Server (Cpanel):
go to File Manager:
compress folder that you are moving (.zip)
download the compressed (.zip) file to computer
delete the compressed (.zip) file from this server

go to phpMyAdmin:
find the corresponding database (click on it on left sidebar)
click on Export tab
click “Select All” to export all files
make sure format is SQL
*leave other values as default
click on GO button
save file to computer

Exit Old Server

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Important: make a copy of both the compressed file and SQL file on your computer. Always work on copies only.
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Log in to New Server (Cpanel)
go to File Manager –> public_html
upload the compressed (.zip) file
extract the file (make sure all files and folders are in Web ROOT or an appropriate folder if moving to subdomain or directory)
delete the compressed (.zip) file

Go To Control Panel –> My SQL Databases
Create Database
Create User — make sure to copy down Password
Give all Privileges to User
Link User to Database

Go to File Manager
Edit wp_config.php

Edit:
New Database Name
Database User
Database Password

SAVE changes

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Edit the copy of SQL file saved to computer earlier.
Use a Text Editor to Search and Replace all paths then SAVE file.

*If changing domain names: Search and Replace old domain and change to new one.
*Do the same if changing email address.

*****************

Return to Cpanel of New Server:

Go to phpMyAdmin
Select the corresponding Database created earlier (click on the Database link on left sidebar)
Click Import tab
Upload the editted SQL file from computer
Make sure character set is the same (usually utf8)
Make sure format is SQL
Leave other values as default

Click GO button

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Once upload of SQL file is completed, check if your site is working by going to http://IP ADDRESS/~login ID/ on your browser

You should be able to see your site. Time to change Nameservers.

To check if your Nameservers have been changed successfully, use Command Prompt on your computer (the black box) and type:

ping (domain name)
example: ping journal.cyberpartygal.com

Note: Nameservers will need 24 to 48 hours to completely propagate.

After changing Nameservers, go to WordPress dashboard and reSAVE Permalinks structure.
If Permalinks still do not work, you may need to delete .htaccess from your server. Back up this file before deleting.
If further troubleshooting is required, delete your Plugins folder or go back to default theme.
Once everything looks fine, regenerate Sitemap.

Go to Google Webmaster Tools to resubmit Sitemap.

After a day or two, go to Webmaster Tools to check for crawl errors.