Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Globelines Broadband - How to configure your Linksys router to work with Aztech DSL605E modem
I just recently (like 8 hours ago from this writing) got connected to the Globelines broadband internet. Though I am still connected to Smart Bro, I will cut the connection next week. Before I explain the steps, I’d just would like to give a brief overview on my wireless setup at home.
I have a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and I used it with Smart Bro just by connecting the Smart Bro connections RJ45 cable to the LAN port of the router. This is the best thing and only perk Smart Bro has in my opinion. I use the wireless router to make my house a hotspot and to connect my laptop to the internet via Wifi. I also have an old desktop which is not Wifi-enabled and thus needs to be connected to the router via cable.
Now, the Globelines connection has a different setup. It uses a modem unlike Smart Bro. I am not that familiar with the different modems Globelines uses but the steps in configuring the router and the modem should be similar. Here goes:
1) Connect your laptop/PC to the linksys router via RJ45 cable.
2) Go to the router’s admin page via 192.168.1.1 and change the default IP to 192.168.1.2 (this is assuming that your Aztech modem’s gateway is 192.168.1.1 which is usually the case…).
3) Make sure that the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 and then disable DHCP. Save the settings.
4) Connect the modem to the router via one of the LAN ports and not thru the WAN port(internet port). This is important. This makes the modem and the router bridged and they are now in 1 subnet.
5) Reboot everything from PC to router to modem. The wireless router should now be connected to the modem.
The steps above would enable any Wifi-enabled devices to connect to the Internet thru via the router. However, if you need to connect a laptop or a PC via cable, you need to follow some similar steps as above. Just go the LAN’s settings, set the IP, subnet mask, gateway, DNS, etc… as above. This would make the router, modem and PC(connected via cable) in one subnet. Reboot everything and the cable-connected PC should now have internet access.
Tags: aztech, broadband, globelines, internet, linksys, modem, router
Google Chrome
I was supposed to blog about Google Chrome the day it was released but obviously I didn’t 
. It was officially released on the 2nd of September if I am not mistaken. I used it since the day it was released and am quite happy with its performance though it is far from perfect. Here is what I can say about Google’s new browser.
The Good:
- I normally transact online and access my bank’s website thru the internet. And good news for me, Metrobank works with Google Chrome unlike some other browsers.
- I love the bigger viewing space caused by removing the title bar and menu and moving the tabs on top. Great job on this.
- The idea of listing the most visited sites as homepage is a good one as this saves me “click” time typing the address of the site I am going to or looking for it in the bookmarks.
- This browser is also less prone to crashes (from my experience using it) because of its good memory management. You can read all about it here: http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/
- Simplistic but elegant design is also a blast and is a good partner with Vista’s Aero looks.
The Bad:
- I was accustomed to not just using the “Back” button but having a list of “Back” sites to go back to. Hopefully this gets added in future revisions.
- Since this browser is new, it is not a surprise that some sites do not support it. I believe this will be fixed in time.
- As Google said, it cannot test the browser (during its pre-release stage) on sites that needs logging in. And one of those is my company’s website and its layout is sort of messed up when you visit it.
But overall, I like this new browser and I would give it a 9 out of 10.
Tags: browser, chrome, google, Technology
Smart 3G phone is a smarter choice than Smart Bro Prepaid
Phaw recently just moved in into California Garden Square as a result of getting tired of going back and forth from Laguna to Boni and back. This prompted him to find a way to get an internet connection so that he could still continue being online to manage his online business and of course to blog =P.
He asked one of his housemates how he connects to the internet and he said that he uses his 3G phone as a modem to connect to the internet via the Smart network.
“That’s cool!” Phaw exclaims.
But there is also another Smart network service that is being advertised all over the country. This is the Smart Bro Prepaid. Here is a brief description of the service from Smart and Phaw quotes:
Smart BRO brings you another exciting product, Smart BRO Prepaid that allows you to surf the net anywhere there’s a PC! Absolutely no Monthly Service Fee since it’s prepaid!
With the Smart BRO USB Modem (a small, palm-sized device) that comes with every application, you get instant connection to the internet just by plugging it to your computer.
Phaw went to a Smart Wireless Center to inquire of this service and asked how he could get one. First, he asked for the initial cost to get connected. As stated by the customer service rep, you would need to pay Php4,500 as initial cost for the modem and this price would also include a Php30 free load. Next, Phaw inquired about the rates as shown below:
So, that is Php20 per hour. It’s like going to an internet cafe to surf the internet. The rep also mentioned it is best that you have a 3G signal at your area to enjoy the full benefits of the service.
Now, how is having a 3G phone used as a modem better than getting this service that comes with a dedicated modem? Basically the only difference between the two ways of connecting to the internet is the modem used. The rates are the same(Php20/hour) but the Smart Bro prepaid modem uses 3G signal to get data(as mentioned by the rep). That means if you do not have a 3G signal in your area then getting a Smart Bro prepaid kit is a definite NO because you won’t have any internet connection.
However, if you buy a 3G-enabled phone, it is way more worth it for your money because when you are not using the phone as a modem, you can use it as a normal cellphone! Additionally, if you don’t have 3G signal in your area, it would use GPRS to transfer data(though at a slower rate). Can the smartbro prepaid modem do that? Phaw doesn’t think so.
If you already have a 3G phone, then you needn’t cash-out Php4,500 just to get the kit. All you need to do is buy a Smart sim card to avail of the 3G services they offer.
Thus, getting a Smart 3G phone and using it as a modem to connect to the internet is better because:
- It is a better value for your money
- It can connect to the internet even without a 3G signal
Tags: 3G, modem, phone, Smart, Smart Bro Prepaid
Phaw’s Review on Iron Man
Once you finish watching the movie, you would want to be Iron Man. As crazy as that sounds, it is true. Some of you would think that it is an okay movie but really you are wrong. It is a great movie. Now why is that you may ask. Though there are not much oh-so-breathtaking graphics in the movie, the combination of it’s plot and twists, and its above average quality graphics result in a movie that would leave you asking for more or wanting to watch it again. You haven’t heard of a bad review about Iron Man have you? At least Phaw hasn’t.
Iron Man a.k.a Tony Stark is a wealthy industrialist and genius inventor who was kidnapped after his weapons demonstration in Afghanistan, the “Jericho” weapon(did I get that right?). During this attack, Tony was injured by a shrapnel that almost pierces his heart were he not saved by another captive, a physicist, Ho Yinesen. Ho creates a magnetic chest plate that keeps the shrapnel from reaching Tony’s heart thus keeping him alive.
Their captors, after seeing how powerful “Jericho” was asks Tony to create the same weapon for them. Instead, Tony creates a suit using the materials he was supposed to use to make Jericho, that would eventually be his escape tool from the captors’ cave. That was the start of Tony’s being Iron Man.
Now I can go on and on with the story but that would only spoil your appetite away. So if Phaw were you, I’d stop reading this review and go straight to the cinema and watch Iron Man.
Phaw gives this movie a two thumbs up with 5 stars.
Battle of the Mini Laptops
Last night, Phaw went to Park Sqaure Makati to check out 4 different mini laptops that have hit the Philippine market both officially and unofficially. Here are the 4 mini-laptops he checked out:
- Asus EEE PC
- Neo Explore X1
- Astone UMPC
- Deep Blue H1
Here is a 4-way spec comparison of the 4:
| Product | Asus EEE PC | Neo Explore X1 | Astone UMPC | Deep Blue H1 |
| Price | P19800 | P16999 | P19500 | P16900 |
| RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| CPU | Celeron 900 Mhz | Celeron 900 Mhz | 1.2GHz Via | 1.0 GHz |
| Storage | 4 GB | 512 MB | 30 GB | 40 GB |
| Battery | 4-cell 5200mAh | 3-4 hrs | 4-cell 2200mAh | 4.5 hours |
| OS | Xandros | Windows XP Starter | Linpus | |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Card Reader | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display | 7″ (800×480) | 7″ (800×480) | 7″ (800×400) | 7″ (800×480) |
| LAN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Webcam | 0.3 MP | No | 0.3 MP | 0.3 MP |
| Weight | 0.89 kg | 1.4 kg | 0.97 kg | 1.2 kg |
Looking at the specs above, Deep Blue H1 is the clear winner. However, Phaw was able to try it and was mightily dissatisfied. Why? Because everything went slow, from opening a spreadsheet to browsing the internet to playing a game! Phaw asked the salesman why it was slow and he mentioned it might be because of the OS being Linpus. Phaw is not so sure about that but as of now, he won’t recommend it to anyone. It even looked fragile and was not at all attractive to the eye.
Right now, if Phaw were to buy a mini-laptop, he would buy the Asus EEE PC because of its durability and professional looks.
Tags: laptop