Thursday, December 28, 2006

Lessons being lost over time

As I write this blog entry, Goodnight Mr Tom is being shown on the telly and my Gran is reminicing over how scary it was during World War II. People who lived through this war will remember the sheer terror that ruled back when. Surely lessons ought to be learned from this? Obviously not!! Why are we, a supposed civilized society making some of the same mistakes as were made back in the days of the World Wars? I mean as I'm only eighteen I do not know how it really was during the World Wars but still, I don't fancy living through a time where there is so much carnage, destruction and terror, not mention war.

I, like so many would like World Peace so let's stop fighting now and let's reach out to each other and become friends. Just remember that once up on a time, we were all one continent.
Just a random thought. Are you using Windows 95, either on a virtual PC, or installed on your PC? IF so are you still struggling to download firefox through Internet Explorer 3 or 4?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes' then here is a link to download Firefox using Windows 95 or IE 3 or 4.

Download Firefox 2.0.0.1

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Updating the Nokia N73's software

Phones these days are like computers, and like computers, they need an operating system to run. and like PC operating systems, bugs are found, in fact surprisingly often. An example of this is when the Nokia 6233 was released and it had so many bugs that a lot of people sent them back and opted to wait until Nokia had made a software update available.

Now once the software update is available for a particular handset, how do you install the software update on your phone? Not too long ago, you had to take the phone into a dealer who specializes in updating the software on phones. The process of updating or reinstalling a phone's software is known as 'flashing' a phone, and it involves rewriting the software program to a phone's ROM chip, and now if you are lucky enough to own a Nokia phone that has been released in the last year or so such as a Nokia 6131 or a 6233 or an N series phone, such as the N70, N73, N80 or N91, then when software updates become available for that particular handset, you can plug your phone in to your PC and download the software update to your phone.

I will detail how to update the Nokia N73's software, although the process should be similar for other models, in fact the Nokia Software Updater program should guide you through the complicated parts so do not worry.

Follow these instructions at your own risk. I cannot be held responsible for any loss of data and/or damage to equipment caused by following these instructions. Before continuing, please take a look at the relevant pages on Nokia's web-site before upgrading your phone's software.

To perform the software upgrade, you will need:

- A PC running Windows 2000 SP4 or Windows XP SP 1 (Service Pack 2 is highly recommended).
- A broadband internet connection (My download file was 65MB in size)
- A DKU-2 Data cable (This should come in the N73's box, but for other phones, you may have to purchase this seperately. You should be able to pick them up for around £10 from a local phone dealer. They are about £30 from the high street retailers such as The Carphone Warehouse or Phones 4U)
- A memory card (For the Nokia N73, you need a Mini-SD card. Check your phone's user manual for information on what memory to purchase. Aim for at least 128MB, although more is better).

Before starting with the upgrade, make sure that your phone is fully charged (so that the power doesn't go out while the upgrade is taking place) and that there is a SIM card in the phone (This is the little bit that tells your phone what network you are on, e.g. O2, Vodafone, etc.

Once that is done, click here to go to Nokia's UK Software Update page. You should see a list of phones. Select your phone and click Update Via PC. You should now be taken through a wizard explaining what to do. Download the file when instructed to do so, and run the installer. When you install Nokia Software Updater, make sure that your phone is disconnected from your PC as it has to install a cable connectivity driver.

Once the cable connectivity driver is installed, follow the on-screen instructions to install Nokia Software Updater. Once installed, launch it but just leave your PC for a couple of minutes.

On your phone press the menu key, then go to Tools, then Memory. The memory card screen will give you information about your memory card, for example how big it is, how much space has been used and how much is left. Press Options, then select Backup Phone Mem. The phone will back up your contacts and phone settings to the memory card.

Once your phone's data is backed up, it is time to start the software upgrade. Allow an hour to do this, and make sure you have no phone calls to make during this time as you will not be able to use your phone during this time, not even to make emergency phone calls, so it is also advisable to have a second phone handy, be it a landline or mobile.

Connect your phone to your PC And follow the instructions on-screen to start the software update. You will need to be connected to the internet to check for software upgrades, and if there is one available, to download the software update. I am using a Vodafone branded Nokia N73 and the software upgrade for my phone was 65.9MB in size, which is quite a lot, even on a 1Mbps broadband connection. The file will download and then the software upgrade will take place. during this time, your phone screen will go off. Be absolutely sure to not switch your phone off or remove the cable as this will interrupt the installation and it will severely damage your phone and it could stop it from working altogether. Not the best idea.

If you are using Windows XP, towards the end of the upgrade, you will find that your computer makes the hardware connect/disconnect noises a couple of times (The one you hear when you plug your phone into the computer) before the upgrade is complete. Do not be alarmed, this is perfectly normal. A dialog box should appear saying that the upgrade is complete and that you can start using the phone again.

Click OK and disconnect the phone. The phone will restart, and if you have set a PIN Code on the SIM card you will be asked to enter this as normal. Next you will be asked for the city where you are. If you live in the UK, select London, or type it in the search box. Click OK.

You will find that the phone has set the theme and the home screen image back to the factory defaults, i.e. back to what they were when you bought the phone. Don't worry because the theme settings will have been recorded to the memory card, so go to Menu > Tools > Memory and select Options > Restore Phone Mem. This will restore all the settings, your text messages and contacts list on your phone, after which it will restart. That's it, the upgrade is complete. Keep using the Nokia Software Updater to check for software upgrades. If you later have problems with your phone, you can reinstall the software using the Nokia Software Updater.
Take a look at this!! It's a video of the "best cellphone ever".  The Sumsing Turbo 3000 Xi Multitask seems to be able to do anything. Sort of makes my N73 look like a very basic phone that can do little more than calls and texts lol. Still would prefer Nokia to Sumsing.

Click here to be taken to YouTube to watch the clip (I would recommend a broadband connection to watch videos).

In other news I still haven't received my laptop although they said it would be coming today. It is now 1:44 on Tuesday, December 19th so there is still time for it to come..

Friday, December 15, 2006

I'm online!

Today I published my homepage to http://www.jaywakefield.co.uk, and got an e-mail address. It's been one of those days though. I hope tonight is going to be better. I'm going out to Asylum, the on-campus nightclub for the Flirt! Christmas party. We are having the Vengaboys. I thought that they had gone out years ago but oh well. A good night out is a good night out if it is a good night out, which I sincerely hope it is.


Am going back to Bradford on Sunday

Thursday, December 14, 2006

New Domain Name

As I write this blog post, 1 and 1 are currently processing my application to move this blog to www.jaywakefield.co.uk. This is my first proper post since August. Aboriginex Corporation, my small time business has gone more into coding software.

In September, I took up a place at The University of Hull to study BSc Computer Software Development (UCAS Code G600 for prospective students) and have since created a version of the Snake game that used to appear on the classic Nokia phones.

So, I seem to be the world's worst blogger as I am having to sort of crowbar three months worth of completely new (and in some cases, scary) experience into one post :-s.

Essentially, I am enjoying Uni, and Computer Software Development, although I don't see very well and can find it hard in some of the lectures. I have taking a liking to programming, not least the C# programming language, but I also liked the Computer Science Community.

Last week, the University got a Nintendo Wii as we were having an open day for 6th formers to have a go. Take a look at my lecturer, Rob Miles's blog entry on The Day of The Wii.

Anyway, I am writing this post on the eve of the last day of Semester 1 here at Hull. I am going back to Shipley, near Bradford in West Yorkshire to spend Christmas with my family. Also, I should be getting my new lappy (lappy = laptop) soon from my Disabled Students Allowance. I'm looking forward to it!!!!!