On my way home I stopped by the Singapore Blogathon, sponsored by Intel & Lenovo .
A few of my colleagues coordinated the event at TANGS, a popular department store on busy Orchard Road. They arranged for 10 bloggers to do their thing for 24 hours… all while parking themselves in the store display windows for the passers-by to watch. And, the top two bloggers will win a new IdeaPad.
While I watched everyone typing away through the window, a familiar jingle (set to different lyrics) jumped into my head:
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
The one with the ultra-thin PC.
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
I do hope that they tweet me.
I must take a visit to their website,
And leave my favorite blogger a note.
If their reply’s really entertaining,
I think they’ll win a new Netbook.
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
The one with the really tired face.
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
I do hope they stay awake.
Anyway, it was a fun time. What an innovative idea that generated a bunch of interest!
APAC PC events always seem to include "extra staff"
The Loft - One of five window displays
Sheryo - One of the bloggers (my favorite)
Elvin Ong, Intel PR - Blogathon brainchild
After nearly six months of waiting, my Slingbox is back up and running. All it took was my visit to Portland, a quick run to Fred Meyer for a splitter and cables, and a hosting location (thanks, Derek). I’m so excited to stream cable TV from the US, real time in Asia.
Essentially, a Slingbox connects a TV source to an existing internet connection. The video source can originate from the regular coaxial cable, or for a more sophisticated installation it can connect to a DVR or cable/satellite set top box. With either source, there is a customized remote control to operate the respective device. I really appreciate that the virtual remote control looks exactly like the actual one… no need to learn a new device.
Plus, I’m impressed with the new SlingPlayer 2.0 software. The programming guide represents a big improvement over the last version where all the channels needed to be inserted manually. And there just was not an actual guide available. Also, the video buffering capabilities drastically improved with the ability to pause, rewind and fast-forward up to 60 minutes of video.
Screen capture while streaming Slingbox video
I’ve already saved several hundred dollars on phone calls from Singapore to the US, with Skype. The video conferencing capabilities are great! And, the call quality is excellent… often even better than regular phones. Tonight, I got to talk to my nephews… Dylan just wanted to wave, but Ethan put on the headset and talked for a while. We made farting noises back and forth. And called each other gross names. I’ll take what conversation I can get with a five year old!
Today I went to the 2005 MacExpo at Olympia’s National Hall in Kensington, London. Overall, the conference and expo were much better than i was anticipating. Apple’s booth had lots of hand-on activities, along with a “classroom” showing-off thier newest products.
Mac Expo, UK
Tonight, I checked out our local Mac Users Group meeting downtown at the Ecotrust Center. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting… especially all the grandpa’s and grandma’s who are super technology geeks. I hope that is me when I’m old, rather than being distrusting of it. Anyway, the guest speaker from LaCie showed off some new storage products. My favorite was an external hard drive with biometric security (fingerprint).
Portland Mac Users Group
