If you’ve been living under a rock these past two weeks, stay there.

Two weeks ago, Rogers announced the data plans for the iPhone Canada. Being typical Rogers, these plans were outrageous and unfair. Canadians were going to be paying a minimum of $60 a month to get one third of what AT&T iPhone users get in the US.

Us Canadians have had to wait a year to get the iPhone, and when it finally came, we were shafted with unfair plans. In response, a petition was started. In less than two weeks, over 61,000 people have signed and have spoken their mind.

Rogers not only feeling the pressure of the petition, but also feeling the pressure from Apple, decided to grace us with a limited time offer of $30 for 6GBs of data a month. Although this isn’t unlimited, AT&T’s unlimited plans cap at 5GBs, so, it’s a pretty good deal. However, you have to act quick, because this offer only lasts until August 31st.

This brought my spirits up. I was looking forward to adding this $30 a month fee to my Rogers plan and then going in on Friday and being able to pick up a 16GB iPhone.

Turns out I’m wrong. Apparently, Rogers won’t be selling iPhones to anyone who isn’t eligible for a Hardware upgrade. I just signed a 3 year contract with Rogers in May, and they’re telling me that I won’t be allowed to purchase the iPhone until May of 2009. They also told me that iPhones will only be sold to people signing new 3-year contracts with Rogers or to people who haven’t had a phone upgrade in over a year.

What does this mean? It means that, by the time I’m granted the privilege of buying an iPhone (which will probably be around when a 3rd generation of iPhone will be out), the $30 for 6GBs of data will be over, thus forcing me to pay for their outrageous plans.

So, not only will I be iPhone-less on Friday, but I’ll have to wait until next May to get my iPhone, and onto of that, I’ll probably be forced to pay their ridiculous fees.

If you’re upset about this whole iPhone-Rogers situation, please help the cause and sign the online petition , give rogers a call and digg this. We shouldn’t have to take this from them.

*My facts are based on phone calls that I made to Apple and Rogers today.

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Posted in Technology ~ 3 Comments

Each week, I try to post a Hi-Res wallpaper (in both wide and full format) for you guys to use. All of the wallpapers are original images that I took and edited myself.

This weeks image is called “Pink Inspiration” and was taken of a flower from a bouquet that my parents received for their 25th anniversary.

To download it, click here.

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Posted in Photography, Wallpaper Wednesday ~ 2 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these. With the completion of my Personal Project and the fact that summer is on its way, I’ll try to post a weekly Wallpaper that was taken by me. It’ll come in Hi-Res formats for both Wide and Full sized screens. I hope you enjoy using theme as much I enjoy taking them.

This weeks image is called “Expressway Decarie” and was taken from my Personal Project. It’s a 30 second exposure of the Decarie expressway near Monkland.

To download it, click here.

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Posted in Photography, Wallpaper Wednesday ~ 2 Comments

Wow, it’s been over three months since my last post! Before I get into this short rant-of-a-post, let me just say that, I hope to now have some more free time, seeing as how I have only 2 days of school left, and my Personal Project is done! I have a lot of goals this summer, and one of them is to be a little more productive and to contribute more in the online community.

For those who use the Mac operating system, I’m sure you know by now, that Apple’s released a Leopard update; Mac OS X 10.5.3. The list of fixes and patches included in this update can be found here.

Since buying leopard, my computer’s run pretty smoothly, however, there are a few little issues that I’ve noticed as of recently. These issues however are not necessarily Leopard related, it’s just that, I’ve only really noticed them since I’ve had Leopard, which is between seven and eight months.

One thing, which is just nit-picky on my part, is that, the LED on my mag safe connector will sometimes just dim, to the point that I can’t tell what color it is. I’ll plug it in, and sometimes it’ll remain illuminated for a few hours, and other times, only a few minutes, which is just annoying, but nothing to really worry about, since it still works. Another mag safe issue, is the fact that, when I’m listening to Music or watching a video and I plug my computer into a power source, the song or video I’m watching will skip, repeatedly, for about 3 seconds.

Now, I don’t really believe those are really Leopard related issues, I just felt like getting those little annoying details off my chest. However, this next issue - that I’m almost certain is Leopard related, and has only begun since I updated to 10.5.3 last week - is a real pain in the ass.

You know when you have about 9 minutes left of battery, and you get a pop up window warning you that you’re running on reserve battery power, and unless you plug your laptop into a power source, it will shut off, and if you don’t end up plugging it in after 9 minutes, your computer will shut off, but once it’s plugged back into a power source, all of your data and open windows are still saved? Well, my computer isn’t capable of doing any of this anymore. Now, my computer will shut off randomly, without warning, even if my battery meter reads over 30 minutes. Then, once I plug it back into a power source, none of my data is saved, unlike what used to happen before I update.

Although I can’t be 100% sure whether or not this is 10.5.3 related, I am sure that it started to happen once I updated. So, it may very well be a coincidence, but whatever the case is, this problem is definitely an inconvenience and an annoyance.

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Posted in Apple, Technology ~ 2 Comments

A recent report posted in the LA Times, showed that 47% of teens in 2007 purchased no music CDs at all. The use of online downloads and illegal pirating proved to be among the top favorite methods of acquiring music.

Some people might argue that this decline in CD purchasing is hurting the music industry, but I beg to differ. Although there is a large number of teens who are using P2P or torrent programs to acquire their music, there are still a lot of loyal fans who either go out and buy their CDs or use online services such as Apples iTunes Music Store. The report shows that 47% of teens bought zero CDs. This means, that more than half of teens are still buying CDs, which in my mind, is still a large number, considering all of the alternatives there are to acquiring music.

The decline in physical CD purchasing is somewhat of a good thing. Each CD contains a paper booklet, a plastic case and a metal CD. By reducing the number of these we buy, we’re saving the environment. Now, surly one CD won’t do much to the environment, but when you look at it on a worldwide scale, the number of artists, album and fans, you’re looking at hundreds of thousands -if not millions - of CDs not being put into production, which in the long run, cuts down on pollution. Not only because of the physical material that makes up the CD and it’s package, but the transportation it takes creates air pollution, as well as the air pollution created when consumers take their cars or busses to go buy the CD. So, by purchasing your music online, you’re saving the environment and you can browse through the music in the comforts of your own home!

Music pirates are all around us, and for teenagers, it’s the most popular way of getting music. Pirating has become so popular, that it’s considered normal and okay. The record labels are hit the hardest when music is illegally downloaded. For the actual artists, the loss is a lot less severe because they don’t make all that much money from record sales. Most of their money is made on their live shows and merchandise sales. Which is why artists like Radiohead and Saul Williams were able to pretty much “give away” their albums in a “pay what you think it’s worth” campaign.

I feel that these recent reports of the decline of CD sales and the general feeling of the music industries down time doesn’t reflect or affect the music artists are creating. Whether 47% of teens don’t buy CDs or not, I feel that the musicians who truly care about the music they make and the fans they please, will still continue to do so, and those who are just in it for the fame and money, will slowly disappear.

So, if you’re truly a fan of music and want to support your favorite artist, buy their music, or at the very least, go to their live show and buy merchandise. Anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated, and will be given back to you in the form of new records and releases.

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Posted in Music ~ No Comments

Just around a week ago, Kanye Omari West annouced his “Glow in the Dark Tour“. Although no dates or cities have been posted yet, I can only imagine that he would touch up on some of the big areas. I’m personally hoping that he stops by in Montreal. I’ve been waiting for him to come here for over two years now, and this tour might just be one of the greatest hip-hop shows to hit Montreal for awhile.

He’s touring with Lupe Fiasco, N.E.R.D. and Rihanna. I’m definitely excited to see Lupe Fiasco. I like N.E.R.D., but their not a group that I’m dying to see. As for Rihanna, I’m somewhat speechless. I don’t know how someone like Kanye West can tour with Rihanna. I think they’re on the same record label, which might have been a factor in the decision, but honestly, it knocks off a few points off of the tour. It would have been great to see either Common, John Ledgend or Mos Def instead of Rihanna, but I guess you can’t win ‘em all.

I honestly can’t wait until the dates are posted. I’m hoping and praying he comes to Montreal, and if he comes to a city near you, I strongly suggest you go out and check him out. This tour won’t be a disappointment.

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Posted in Music ~ 1 Comment

Being the year 2008, more and more people are creating their own blogs. May they be photo blogs, personal blogs, tech blogs or art blogs, they’re still blogs non-the less.

I’ve been blogging for about 8 months now, and i’ve learnt a thing or two in the process, that I feel are worth sharing.

Write about something things you’re passionate about.
It’s important that you write about something you not only enjoy, but something you’re knowledgeable in. Don’t write about a topic because it has a big fan-base. Not only will readers become bored of your blog, but you will as well. So, keep the topics to things that you like, and things that you’re motivated to write about.

Post regularly.
I can’t say that I follow this rule religiously, as I sometimes post every 2 days and at other times, I post ever 2 weeks. However, it’s important that you keep a regular posting schedule, especially when you first start out. If your posts are very sparse and unpredictable, your readers will eventually fade away, as they won’t know when they should expect a new post. When you first start your blog, try and post something new two or three times a week. Once you get a loyal fan-base, you can post a little less often, but still keep constant.

Quality, not quantity.
I see more and more blogs that contain over 5 to 10 posts a day, but each of the posts are just links to other peoples blogs or pictures or things of that sort. These blogs rarely have original material, which can become boring. Make sure the work you post is well thought out and is original material. People will come back to your blog if you write informative and descriptive posts. If you can write 5 to 10 posts a day, that are informative, descriptive and original, then hey, more power to ya’.

Pick a good looking theme.
It’s important that you pick a clean, modern, easy-to-use theme. Your readers won’t come back if you’re site looks bad or unprofessional. Also, be sure to make it easy to navigate. The worst thing you can do is have a site that people can’t find their way around in. Lastly, don’t fill your site with ads. You can have a few here and there (as I do), but don’t put ads after each post, and have 10 different ad companies plastered on the side of your home page. This just makes you look like you’re blogging for the wrong reasons.

Get involved in the community.
It’s important that you contribute to other blogs and online communities. This will allow you to meet new people and make online friend. Some of my most loyal readers, are those that i’ve meet online through various sites such as Flickr, DeviantART and Twitter. By commenting on other peoples work, you make yourself a little more known, and eventually, the people you comment on will take an interest in what you have to offer.

Be patient.
When first starting out, you’ll get very little to almost no views on your site. The key is to be patient. Once you’ve posted some quality work, established a regular schedule and become involved in various online communities, you’ll start to get some hits. After a short while, you’ll gain loyal readers that will subscribe to your site or visit regularly and they will tend to leave comments on a majority of the stuff you post. So, like anything, if you give it time, you’ll be sure to see results.

Those are the most useful tips I have to offer. I know a lot of them have been posted by others before, but I figured I would re-post them in my own words, as they are things I have followed for the most part and i’ve seen work first hand. So, if you’re new to the blogging world, welcome, and if follow these tips, you’ll slowly get regular and loyal readers.

Hope that helped!

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Posted in Blogging ~ 2 Comments

Last year, I posted wallpapers from sites like DeviantART, Flickr, ect. This year, to improve my Photography, I’m going to try my best to provide you guys with wallpapers I personally made. I will rarely have the time to make wallpapers in Photoshop, but taking photos and posting them shouldn’t be too hard.

This week’s photo is of a bunch of bushes near my house. Being winter, these bushes lack leaves.

Download it here.

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Posted in Photography, Wallpaper Wednesday ~ No Comments

The Keynote came and went, and let me start off by saying; I was disappointed.

The Keynote took off with the introduction of “Time Capsule.” Time Capsule is Apples version of an external Hard Drive, only wireless. I think having wireless backup is a great idea. I personally have both of my external hard drive hidden away under my desk. Thankfully, I was able to wire everything fine, but this might not be the case for some people. With Time Capsule, you can backup multiple computers in the house, all wirelessly.

I think it’s a great idea by Apple, but I really wish they would have come up with a more original design for it. It’s pretty much an Airport Extreme, only thiner, wider and with a silver Apple on the top. The 500GB goes for $299.00 USD, and the 1,000GB goes for $499.00 USD. A little pricey in my eyes, but then again, it’s wireless.

For now, I’ll stick with my LaCie Porsche Hard Drives, thank you very much.

iPhone and iPod Touch updates came next. Overall, these updates were just small little software updates and additions.

The iPhone received web clips, maps with locations, SMS with multiple people, customizable home screen, chapters and iPhone SDK is expected in February of this year. These software updates will be available as of today, for free.

When the iPod Touch was announced in September, talk of future updates that would include Mail, Weather, ect was circulating. Because the iPod Touch has Wi-Fi, people were scratching their heads as to why Apple didn’t include these features out-of-the-box. Well, today, these applications have been released. Like the iPhone, the iPod Touch can now have Mail, Weather, Notes, Stocks and Maps. Although a cool and useful update, it doesn’t come free. In order to get these extra little bells and whistles, you’ll have to cough up $20.00.

This next announcement, has been flying around the Internet for months now, and it’s finally here. iTunes Movie Rentals. Launching today (in the US only), the rental store will feature 1000 movies and movies will become available 30 days after their DVD release. The rentals can be watched on Macs, PCs, iPods and iPhone and once rented, you’re given 30 days to start the movie, and 24 hours to complete it. Each rental will cost $2.99, 3.99 for new releases and $4.99 for HD movies (only 100 titles available right now). This will make movie rentals easy! *iTunes Movie Rentals will be available to more countries later this year.

Apple TV Update came next. There isn’t to much new about the Apple TV. The only real new feature is that, you no longer need a computer. You can still sync stuff with your Mac or PC, but now you can buy music, download podcasts and view photos from Flickr or .Mac all from your Apple TV, no computer necessary. The price also went from $299.00 to $249.00.

Lastly, MacBook Air. The rumors proved to be right on this one. Apple releases an ultra-portable, ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight notebook today, by the name of “MacBook Air”.

The notebook is 0.76″ at its thickets part and 0.16″ at its thinest part. It features a full-sized, MacBook-like ambient light sensor keyboard, a 13.3″ LED backlit widescreen and a multi-touch trackpad, allowing you to zoom in and out of things just by moving your fingers. All packaged into a 3 pound machine.

Being ultra-portable comes with some downsides. A huge one for a lot of people, is the lack of an optical drive. For $99.00, an external one can be bought from Apple, but that just adds clutter to your desk, however, there is apparently software that’s in the works, which will allow you to “borrow” the optical drive from another Mac or PC. The machine comes with only 1 USB 2.0 port, and no Firewire ports. It also doesn’t come with an Apple remote.

Now to move onto the negatives of the notebooks specs. Being ultra-thin, makes it hard to hold a lot of power, which I feel is a major downfall in this product. Running a 1.6GHz or optional 1.8GHz with a standard 2GBs of RAM across the board and a 80GB hard drive or an optional 64GB SSD hard drive, doesn’t allow for that much performance. Although I understand it’s not a pro line notebook and it’s meant for easy and simple portability, I feel that, with the lack of an optical drive, USB ports and only sporting a small 80GB hard drive (which for todays standards, is quite small), the average consumer is getting ripped off. Of course, if priced a around $1,000.00, this notebook would be a pretty great option for many people, however, this isn’t the case. The bottom line MacBook Air has a tag of $1,799.00 and for the SSD hard drive with the extra 200MHz boost, you’re looking at over $3,000.00! That’s insane! For the same price, you can get an amazing MacBook Pro. Sorry Apple, but that’s way over priced.

Overall, I think the MacBook Air looks nice, but lack performance and is insanely priced. You’d have to be mad to actually buy one of these.

I have to say, this years MacWorld has been a disappointment to me. How do you guys feel about what was announced and released today?

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Posted in Apple, Technology ~ 3 Comments

Last year, I posted wallpapers from sites like DeviantART, Flickr, ect. This year, to improve my Photography, I’m going to try my best to provide you guys with wallpapers I personally made. I will rarely have the time to make wallpapers in Photoshop, but taking photos and posting them shouldn’t be too hard.

This weeks photo was taken on the corner of my street. These last few days it’s been pretty warm and it’s been raining a lot, so the majority of the snow has melted, making the streets and sidewalks filthy with garbage and stuff. This is a 13 second exposure.

Download it here.

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Posted in Photography, Wallpaper Wednesday ~ 1 Comment