Tuesday, August 28, 2007

PDF Split-Merge v2.2

My collection of simple, single function PDF software utilities continues to grow. We use Cute PDF Writer to print PDF documents. We needed to then join several different PDF outputs into a single file. For instance - out time sheets and expense reports are generated from one program, our invoices from another program. Via a web search, I found this nifty gem of a program whose only purpose in life is to split and merge PDF documents.
The price is terrific, only $29.90 (I like the new car pricing model - don't charge $30.00, instead charge $29.90).

The question is by the time I acquire all the utilities I need to provide what Adobe Acrobat Professional provides - will I have saved money? I think I will save money, but Adobe seems to be responding to market pressures as Professional is now available around $149.00 USD. Adobe Acrobat Professional allows conversion of PDF back to Microsoft Word, combining PDF documents, creation of PDF documents, and some very slick review comment features for collaborative work.

If you only need to extract pages from PDFs or combine several PDF documents into one - I highly recommend PDF Split-Merge v2.2. Not very pretty in terms of the user interface - but it does its job very well.

Labels: , ,

Monday, August 27, 2007

E-books move a step toward mainstream

The New York Times contained a reasonable survey article on the alternatives available for electronic books.

I have been using Microsoft Reader for more than a year now.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

New PDA - the ASUS MyPal 626

I have been looking for something to replace my HP iPAQ hw6515 Personal Digital Aggravator (PDA). The old iPAQ is a bit underpowered, and HP was kind enough to orphan it at Mobile 2003 - backing away from their written commitment to provide an upgrade to Mobile 5.0.
I was looking around and wanted to see what Dell had available. Turns out Dell is selling ASUS PDAs (no cell phone). Interesting is that Dell wasn't distributing these under the Dell logo - they were selling the ASUS product via their website.
The reviews looked real good. I especially liked that the website and the advertisement said you were buying a Mobile 5.0 device with 128MB RAM. But, instead what they ship with Mobile 6.0 and 256MB RAM.
Why buy a PDA without a cell phone?
For me, to date, the integrated cell phone / PDAs were a compromise - the cell phone wasn't the quality of a nonPDA cell phone and you also the PDA seemed to lose some qualities in terms of usability.
Why not buy an iPhone?
I have seen an Apple iPhone and just like the MacBook Pros and the other MacOSX based computers that seem to be made on a different planet - or manufactured ten years from now and brought back via some Cupertino based time travel or time tunnel. Not sure why I don't move over to Apple, I guess like the Wendy's Restaurant TV commercials from 15 years ago - they would present the delicious Wendy's hamburger as choice A and a very plain burger was choice B, people in the commercial would for humorous effect select choice B. I seem to be stuck in choice B mode with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Mobile :)
Connectivity
The ASUS a626 does come with WiFi for communications and they even throw in a version of Skype, bluetooth, and infrared. I haven't fired up the WiFi yet.
Fit and Finish
I have to say - the device looked good in the web advertisement, but the ads didn't do justice to the device, the stainless steel case, the large display - running Mobile in the default landscape direction really is sharp. The design, style, materials, and manufacture come close to the Apple iPhone and put the HP iPAQs to shame.
External Media Cards
Another nice feature is that the memory expansion slot supports SD/SDIO and MMC cards. A nice touch. I had an extra MMC 1GB card laying around unused from a failed Nokia 3650 that went awry. I dropped it in and was able to browse it. Despite the 256MB RAM (finally) installed in the ASUS a626, I still like to install the majority of application software onto the external memory card.
Install Applications
The Microsoft ActiveSync upgrade (version 4.5) that came with the ASUS was smart enough to recognize my HP iPAQ as well as the new device. I was able to install applications that I had procured for the iPAQ onto the ASUS.
Microsoft Reader (need to write an entry about moving to eBooks)
Tube 2 - a great subway and city street map application recommended to me by Scott Atwell.
Ilium ListPro - a great list management and todo list product - just made much better with an upgrade - problem is still no transaction level synchronization.
PocketLingo - a dictionary
Lygea HP-12C calculator emulator - what a great piece of software
Wordbook - another dictionary
Ilium eWallet - keeps important information secure

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Quest to repair a Sony w810i cell phone

One of our cell phones - the w810i went through the washing machine. It did stop working. Now the quest is to try and repair it. Fortunately we are not the only ones that send their cell phones through the wash.
I was pleasantly surprised that there is good coverage on the 'net on how to disassemble the cell phone. There are also plenty of sources for replacement parts.
A little background, we extended our Cingular cell phone service and upgraded to the Sony w810i. This is a great phone. 2.0 megapixel camera, Walkman MP3 player, FM radio receiver, the memory stick provides up to 4GB extra memory to store music and pictures. Sony Ericsson's implementation of Symbian OS interface seems easier to use than comparable Nokia telephones.
Excessive Off Network Usage
Immediately after we upgraded, AT&T announced that they acquired Cingular Wireless. A month later we started seeing a message on our telephones "Off Network". We were soon contacted by the Excessive Off Network (EON) department at the now AT&T. They told us do to our using too many minutes off of their network that they were canceling our service in 30 days. They would waive all early termination fees and provide us unlock codes and unlock instructions for all of our telephones. We were very cooperative with EON and they in turn were very helpful. I got the sense on the telephone that these folks weren't used to speaking to people that were very cooperative about having their service terminated based upon some fine print in a contract, which by the way I could not find in my contract summary. The EON clause must be in the contract form I signed, not on the one that comes with the service.
Fair is Fair
Even though I have had my Cingular account for about ten years (including the years when I was with AT&T Wireless - which was purchased by Cingular several years ago), the service was based in Chicago and I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (UP), which is not covered by AT&T. Also my son and daughter-in-law recently moved from a Cingular coverage area in Southeast Wisconsin to the UP. So our off network minutes did increase. Even though we never heard of EON, we did not live and were working primarily in an area not covered by AT&T. Also, as we had just renewed, we were able to do what many folks would love to do - leave their cell provider, taking their telephone with them unlocked and not having to pay any early termination penalties.
But Wait - Cingular expands to the UP...
Cingular (AT&T) operates a GSM network. Roaming in the UP on GSM is provided by CellularOne (Dobson Communications. Not long after we started our discussions with the AT&T EON department, a press release announcing AT&T acquisition of Dobson Communication hit the wires. I immediately contacted the AT&T EON department to determine if their acquisition would change our status. I was told that our service was still being terminated as it would be some time before the acquisition of Dobson (CellularOne) would be complete.
EON can be cooperative
I was able to appeal (their term) to keep my AT&T data card for my notebook since I primarily used it in Chicago and New York and to keep my dad's telephone. Within a day I heard back that the appeal was approved. A few weeks later, I decided what the heck, why not appeal one of my cell numbers. That appeal was approved as well. Primarily because I committed to holding down the excessive minutes and the Dobson (CellularOne) acquisition was going forward. The EON department was also very prompt in providing us unlock instructions for our telephones.
So what does this have to do with the telephone going through the washing machine?
Nothing, but I felt it was a worthwhile digression.
First steps in trying to resurrect our now clean but nonfunctional cell phone.
A web search found a site that discussed how to repair electronics after water damage. The actual post itself was useful, but as is often the case, the responses to the post contained additional approaches and recommendations on repairing water damaged electronics.
GRYNX ยป Salvage your device after liquid spill
Based upon the posts it looked like there was a remote possibility our damaged w810i could be repaired. So the next step was to learn how to disassemble the telephone. While looking for sites on the Sony w810i - I found a site that has a water damage repair service. CellularDr.com http://www.attcellphonerepair.com/Cellphone-Water-Damage-Repair-Service.htm provides a service to repair water damaged cell phones. They mention specifically cell phones going through the wash.
Why not try the repair myself?
There are plenty of good answers to this, however I have decided to proceed with the repair anyway.
A web search uncovered a couple of excellent resources on disassembling the w810i. Pictorially you can't beat http://www.excelldirect.com/images/sonyericssonw810gallery/myalbum.html
There are written directions from people that have modified the w810i http://blogs.tech-recipes.com/seamonkey420/category/sony-ericsson/
and http://picasaweb.google.com/seamonkey420/BlogPics/photo#5089420603114301074
You need a T6 (Torx screwdriver)
I had to stop my disassembly due to lack of a T6 (Torx) Screwdriver. There are two T6 screws that holds the internals to the top part of the housing. So I need to wait until Radio Shack opens to look for a Torx screwdriver.
But Shirley, I Digress...
Since I was stopped - I did some searching for spare parts. The good news is that spare parts, including housings, keyboards, and LCD screens are readily available on eBay and from several cellphone repair shops.
For $10.00 USD I ordered a replacement housing - that is reported to include a T6 screwdriver, a plastic pry tool, and even a new keyboard. Well, for $10.00 I took a chance and placed an order.

The views expressed here are my own - unless otherwise stated very loudly in the post - I am not affiliated with any of the products mentioned on the site - use the information at your own risk.


View My Stats