9 Hues

Quick Tip : How to remove items from MacOS menubar.

2011-12-04T10:32:00.001-08:00

Sometime your MacOS menu bar gets cluttered with several items and often distracts you; you can easily remove them by holding Command button and dragging those items out from the menu bar.

How to configure iCloud mail on Android or other devices

2011-11-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

After three days of initial outage, I finally got my iCloud mail id working. It was really strange the way iCloud smtp server behaved. But anyway, I think this problem is over. After configuring iCloud email on my mac and windows, I really needed it on my android phones so that I can check my mails on the go. Here is a step by step tutorial for configuring your email client on Android phones (the setting works almost on all the devices).

1. Go to the native email client application and go to new account setup.

2. Fill your email address “xxxx@me.com or xxxx@mac.com” and password and click on the Manual Setup.

3. Choose IMAP and fill “p07-imap.mail.me.com” (or p01-imap.mail.me.com etc..)port: 993 and Security type : SSL.

4. On the following screen configure smtp server by entering these values

SMTP Server: smtp.me.com

Port: 587

Security type: TLS

You need to check “Require Sign In” and provide your username and password. Keep in mind that your username should not be your full email id but just the part before @sign e.g enter sa123 for email id sa123@me.com.

5. Enter the values in option fields and enjoy your icloud mail on android.

Note: You need to check your imap server as iCloud has assigned the different servers (p01-imap to p09-imap) to different email ids so check which one of the these works for you. You can also see this in your iOS device mail setting, use the same imap server for android.

Update: Please do let me know if this setting work for you… I would like to know whether this is working universally or just for a few.

Update 2: Try changing your password of iCloud account if above settings are not working. For some servers this has solved the problem. Look at the comments sections, you can see what has worked for some other people.

The best indian e-book reader

2011-11-06T06:44:00.000-08:00

On my last trip to US, I wanted to buy a Kindle book reader, but the pain of ordering it online forced me to by Barnes and Nobles’ Nook. There is not much difference in Nook and Kindle if you consider the book reading experience but Nook does not have a physical keyboard as Kindle does. I looked at other options such as Sony Reader and Kobo. Nook is a great choice if you want to use this book reader in US as it offers some good freebies but if you want to use Nook in India and do not have a US credit card then it is a pain. Barnes and Nobles online bookshop does not allow you to buy books using Indian crdit cards! I bought it despite knowing this fact as I was not relying on doing a lot of online shopping from Barnes and Nobles. I just wanted to transfer my collection of ebooks which I can transfer to Nook and read.

Recently I got my hands on a friends’ Infibeam Pi2 and this seems to be the best ebook reader for Indian market. It has more features than Nook and uses the same e-ink technology; the best thing you can buy books from Infibeam bookstore at Indian bookprices (lower than what you pay at Amazon or B&N). The new version has touch screen, so for those pampered by the touch screens of their smartphones and iPads it does gives you a better experience than any Nook or Kindle.

How to restore Samsung Galaxy S to Official Firmware

2011-11-06T03:30:00.001-08:00

The one big advantage of Android phones that often turns out to be a big disadvantage for many android users is that these phones can be modified, tinkered, rooted, ‘rom’ed and what not.. While this feature of android phones gives unlimited freedom to enhance the capacity of these phones and sometime improve upon the official firmware, it has a big risk of bricking your phone or making your phone really shitty. The other major problems that arise after tinkering/modifying the official firmware is that the official software ‘Kies’ does not recognize your phone and does not provide official updates, and loss of warranty. So if you have played with your phone and now wants to restore to official firmware here is the step by step guide. This will help you in restoring your phone to Android 2.1 Eclairs and official firmware I9000DDJG4. After restoring your phone to this firmware you can use Kies to upgrade to Android 2.2 Froyo. (Though there is very rare chance of things getting wrong, but there is always a possibility so try at your own risk.)

But before you start the restoration process here are the the files /softwares you need to have (since you modified/flashed your phone, most of you would be having most of these.. or can download)

Odin Vs 1.03 Download (the software to flash your phone)

.Pit file Download pit .512 (required to map the partition in your phone)

I9000DDJG4 Firmware Download (the official firmware for Indian users, the ‘DD’ in I9000DDJG4 is indicate country code..if you are from other region you can choose appropriate firmware from samsung-firmwares.com .

The firmware file is password protected, Password is: samsung-firmwares.com.

Now if you want to back up your phone using Nindroid google it to get the details.

1. Check the firmware by dialing *#1234#. Note down the current version of the firmware in case something goes wrong and you need to get help.

2. Install Odin on your windows machine.

3. Extract the firmware file in a folder and copy the pit file in the same folder.

4. Switch off your phone and power it on by pressing ‘Power Button’+Home+Volume Down button simultaneously. This will boot your phone in ‘downloading now’ mode.

5. Start odin and connect your phone in ‘downloading mode’ to your usb port. The software will detect the phone. Now, choose ‘repartition’, ‘reboot’ options. And select the downloaded pit file in odin. Now in PDA option choose the extracted firmware file with ‘.tar’ extension. There are two files in the extracted folder but you do not have to do anything with .dll file. Click on start and let the software do the rest. The phone will restart after installing the firmware.

If you phone hangs, just remove the battery and put it back and try again. It will work. Once you have restored the phone check the phone firmware by dialing *#1234#. It should reflect the new firmware ‘JG4′

Now you connect your phone to Kies, it will recognize your phone and you can officially upgrade to the 2.2 Froyo firmware supplied by Samsung. This will restore all your warranties as well.

Google Wave and Gmail/Gtalk Integration

2010-02-24T00:44:00.000-08:00

I joined Google Wave a few months back with a lot of expectations and awed by the features it promised, but unfortunately for many users Google Wave became only another service where they can log in once in a while. The reasons, many of us are yet to get used to collaboration features on Wave and most of the common users do not need much of the collaboration stuff as they are pretty happy with emails going back and forth. Though almost everyone loved its real time chatting experience and ability to insert pics, videos and different other applications in the 'waves' but by default we are normally on Gmail/Gtalk and not on Google Wave, yes you can blame it on Wave's learning curve and our gmail love. Many people are simply too lazy to switch between too many windows for similar kind of services, but if there is a better way to do something without much hassles they would lap it up. Google Buzz is a case in point.

Integrating Google Wave in Gmail or giving options to convert any ongoing conversation on gmail/gtalk into a 'wave' would surely be a great feature. I would love to share pics and documents in chats the way we can do it on wave, but it is too much pain to ask a person who is logged in or chatting on gmail/gtalk to log on to 'Wave' if he is not there. Are you guys at Google Wave listening?

9 hues : Back

2010-02-19T22:24:00.001-08:00

This blog is being revived, yes after a long long period of inactivity this blog is back. And, you can expect regular contributions on 'technology' and 'productivity'. I took me some time to figure out the productivity puzzle myself, but as i am experimenting with being more productive and uncluttered work and personal life, I would be sharing those things here on the blog as well.

I have been an avid follower of computing technology and technological solutions to meet different needs of an individual. I interest with computing technology mainly started late 90s when I started teaching computers and since then I have been continuously exploring this space, though later I decided to switch careers and professionally I work as consultant/research specializing in rural markets and inclusive growth strategies.

Some of the technology products I use regularly are

Windows 7 on a Dell machine
MacBook Unibody with Leopard 10.5.8
Android V. 1.6 based HTC Tattoo (do not frown, I wanted the cheapest Android set in market)
Ipod Touch

Word Web : An invaluable tool for students and writers

2009-05-26T09:39:00.001-07:00

Word Web is one fantastic peace of software for all using English language. Whenever I needed meaning of an obscure word while reading something (I do a lot of reading online and on my laptop) or I am looking for exact meaning of an oft reapeated word, Word Web has been a great help. Just select the word and press Alt+Ctr+W (you can use any other combination of keys) and boom.. the job is done.

Download it from here.. http://wordweb.info/free/ (Freeware, Windows)

Powered by Qumana

Give your resume, presentation a new look, use Google Docs

2008-07-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

The new templates being offered by Google Docs provide you great solutions for your resume and presentation design worries. I really like the resume/curriculum vitae templates. They are simple, yet professional looking cool templates.

You can also fine some cool excel sheet templates for managing your personal finance, calendars or calculating NPVs, IRRs or other financial calculations.

Technorati Tags: gmail,google,docs,templates,resume

How to download YouTube Videos?

2008-01-22T03:19:00.001-08:00

For those, who still do not know how to download YouTube Videos. Here are some ways to get it done easily.

If you are not very keen on installing a software and want to download YouTube Videos, follow this link. (Though you need to have .fla player of VLC Media Player installed on your computer.
Orbit Video Downloader: Install this software and you can download videos form YouTube and other similar sites. Click here for detailed tutorial and download link.

Launchy: Forget your start menu

2008-01-18T21:51:00.001-08:00

Recently I have been using this small but very effective utility for launching programs and opening/managing files. It makes my Start Menu redundant. No more clicking on the Start Menu and then searching for the particular program.

Install this software and you can do a lot of things with just pressing a couple of keys. Just Press Alt+Space and type the name of the program or folder you want to open, press enter and you are done. This is quite intuitive as well, so I need not write 'Word' for opening my word processor if I am using that more often. Just type 'W' and it will show all the options.

It also quite useful when it comes to do simple calculations, you can do simple calculations withouth launching your Calculator. There are a number of plugins available to make it more useful.

You can download it (Get more info) from http://launchy.net

My Rating: Must Have

Technorati Tags: launchy, utility, productivity

Cool- Hotmail

2007-10-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

MSN India has launched several cool and funky domains (Click Here to visit http://Coolhotmail.com )which you can use for your email e.g. xyz@techgeek.co.in, xyz@iamhot.in, xyz@iamsingle.com, xyz@clubrajni.com . There are a number for funky domains to choose from, whether you want to express who you are or want to feel proud about the place you live, just have a look there.

All emails on domains would be powered by Windows Live and hence would have all the features of Windows Live email with 5 GB mail box. The id would also be your Windows live id.

So if you have missed having yourname@somedomain.com id, grab your chance right now.

Technorati Tags: Windows Live, Cool Hotmail, Emails, MSN India

Pownce - Some Invites Available

2007-10-11T09:17:00.003-07:00

I have got some Pownce Invites available with me. Those who are interested in having a look at this much talked about this (oh.. yet another) social network which is meant for sharing files and events with friend, can get them.

The site has a nice look and if you are looking a tool through which you can send/share small files (upto 10 mb), pictures and bookmark to your friends, this can be useful for you.

Technorati Tags: pownce, beta, invites, filesharing, social network

Microsoft Live Folders

2007-06-28T21:04:00.001-07:00

Microsoft has taken plunge into online storage, though their offering is nothing great to talk about, except it is from Microsoft. Live Folders provide you 500 MB of storage space with options to share with firends, public or just keeping it to yourself.

It is still in Private Beta and you can login with your Microsoft Live Id. I tried and could not find anything great which gives me any thought of trying it instead of Google Docs (if I am storing MS Office docs) or Box.net for general storage.

Technorati Tags: online storage, Live Folders

Koolwire - End of your PDF conversion worries

2007-06-28T12:44:00.001-07:00

Converting your documents into PDF files can never be simpler and that too without any cost. Want to convert, pictures, office documents into PDF, attach them into your mail and send them to pdf@koolwire.com

and check your mail box for PDF version of your documents.

Though it is not supporting Office 2007 files yet, but it does support pictures and multiple attachments.

Technorati Tags: koolwire, pdf convertor, hacks, tips

Google Docs gets facelifts and new features

2007-06-27T10:11:00.001-07:00

What is New and Entirely new way to stay organized describe the new features for Google Docs. The feature which was much demanded is added, yes I am talking about 'Folders'. Google has been using tags for both its Gmail and Google Docs, now they have introduced Folders for Docs, without loosing the best feature of 'Tags'. You can have one document in more than one folder.

So Check the new look Google Docs

Technorati Tags: Google, google docs, updates

Use Gmail/Google Docs as PDF Convertor

2007-06-26T01:52:00.001-07:00

If you use PDF Convertors just to convert simple ms office documents into PDF, there is no need to buy Acrobat Professional or need to install any software on your computer.

To convert any document into PDF, upload that file to Google Doc and open it in Google Docs and save this file as PDF by going to

File >> Save As PDF (Go to File Menu being displayed in Google Doc browser body..)

This works fine for all kind of excel and word files..

If you Gmail as your main email client (Do you know that you can transfer all pop mails accounts to Gmail?), whenever you open an email with Word/Excel attachment, there is an option in Gmail "Open in Google Document", so just click that and open it in Google Docs, once it is open you can always save it as pdf or any format. This also provides a good option to have backup of your documents on Google Server.

Technorati Tags: productivity, google, docs, spreadsheet, tips, hacks

Get maximum from your online time

2007-06-03T00:09:00.001-07:00

Most of us spend a lot of time online doing stuff which can easily be done in a jiffy using some popular services and save you loads of time. Most of my friends think that I am using a lot of time doing blogging, social bookmarking, reading news on topic of my interest. In reality, I spend no more than one hour doing all this everyday. I just use the following regularly and get things done.

1. Google Reader and Bloglines - I have been into blogging since 2004 and keep a track of a number of blogs using Google Reader. This saves me from visiting all the blogs (and also from missing some of irregular bloggers who post once in a while), whenever a blog is updated I can see it in Google Reader and depending upon the topic and my interest I go through them. Though if a topic (sometime blogger as well) compels me to post comment I have to visit the blog. Once can easily categorize the blogs in Google Reader for ease of use. I categorize blogs on two basis, key words, and theme. Google Reader being from Google stable provides you with 'labels' so you can categorize (label) a blog into more than one category. I used to be on Bloglines, but Google Reader is far better option considering ease of use and other features.

2. Firefox and its extensions: Browsing with Firefox is a more productive and provides you loads of options compared to IE. This enables me to post bookmarks with just a click to Del.icio.us, Ma.Gnolia, BlueDot and discover some really great and useful sites using StumpleUpon. You can also install GreaseMonkey which gives you options to run third party scripts on a particular webpage in the browser. There are some very cool productive scripts using Gmail and GCalender. Though a word of cautions here, there are a number of extensions which provide no productivity and are more of a nuisance. They also make Firefox slow and unsteady so install extensions carefully. Google Toolbar is one extension you must have.

3. Remember the milk and Google Calender: The key to productivity is having a good habit of creating To Do Lists. Remember the milk and Google Calender give you this facility and loads of feature. Every weekend I spend sometime to create a ToDo List using Remember the milk / Google Calender. My Google Calender is configured to send me an sms (free of any cost and it works on most of Indian Cellphone networks) at specified time to remind me of a particular task . Remember the milk is a very good service and it can be integrated with Google Calender, though you can manage your Todo list using only Google Calender

4. iGoogle, Pageflakes, Netvibes: Startpages are very good tool to start your online journey daily. They gather all the things to one place and you can have a look at most of the things without hoping from one site to another. My iGoogle has Gmail Preview of mails, Wordsmith word of the day, news feed on particular tags, headlines from NYT, CNN, daily jokes, sports tid bits, remember the milk module, google notepad.. you name it and i have it there. So once I open my browser within 10 minutes I am updated.

5. Gmail and Labels: Gmail is one application capable of enhancing your productivity many time, if you can use it properly and know all its features and tweaks. I routed all my emails to Gmail only (including professional ids) and have applied a number of filters and labels. This saves me from checking my mails on different sites. Since I use Outlook for offline email reading, I keep one copy on gmail server, so even if I am traveling or do not have access to my laptop I can check them from any comp. It is also a cushion in case something goes wrong. You need to be a bit thoughtful while choosing Labels, normally I have some labels like M_I_T (Most Important Task), Rpl_Ltr (Reply Later), Useful_Info and so on. Once I read an email, I apply one or another label to it and that helps me in keeping track of these emails and necessary actions.

6. Windows Live Writer: Writing a blog online is real pain. So I use WLW (Window Live Writer) to write my blogs offline. I have configured all my blogs (I mirror post on all) so with one click I can check the spelling, adjust pictures, ping the blogservers... Though there are other offline blogeditors/writers but this comes with unicode support (to type in languages like Hindi, Marathi, Gujarat etc.), this feature is lacking in most of other options (Qumaana my earlier favorite was handicapped on this front). Technorati tags (now an inevitable part of a blog) can easily be added using this. So no need to remember <html> tags or ask you geek friend how to do this and that. It does everything. Though It doesn't support Yahoo 360 Bloggers.. :((. So to overcome this, I type everything in WLW and see it in WebPreview mode and then copy and paste it into Yahoo 360 compose box. It works fine.

7. Google News and Google Blogsearch: Open Google News and you will have access to all the major headlines so you need not go from one online news site to another. And if you are interested in particular topic, you just need to search google news with that keyword. Also if you are regularly searching news on a particular thing, its better to subscribe to customized search RSS feed in your Google Reader (will write about it later as this post is already getting too long..). Most of my friends are surprised when the start blogging and invariably I happen to be the first one to comment.. You just need to search on Google Blogsearch for a particular word (in my case I have four five key words which links all my friends... and whenever they are going online.. a mention to them is inevitable.. guess them..). For example, I keep track on if somebody is writing on Rural Finance, whoever there is an update I get it in my Google Reader. Though I have put some well thought filters to restrict spam or not so useful content.

Technorati tags: Productivity, Google Reader, Rememberthemilk, Windows Live Writer, Gmail, Pageflakes, blogsearch, techtalk