Piso Net - Talk 'N Text Promo!

Ever heard of the infamous Piso Net that circulates and nearly takes over the internet cafes in the Philippines? Well, even Talk 'N Text (under Smart Telecommunications) tries to reach their subscriber using the same tactic.

Introducing PisoNet!

A promo offered for Talk 'N Text subscribers! It looked like a test promo but still is worth the try especially to those who are indulged in the growing internet community. So what are the specified details of this promo? See our list below!

• Available for Php. 1.00
• 5 hours internet access
• 2 days duration
• 8.4 MB limit
• One-Time-Use

Promo is available until December 31, 2013! To try this promo, just key in SAMPLE and send it to 4545.

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Cheap Songs - A Gift from Smart Music

A few weeks earlier, Smart which is the leading wireless service provider in the Philippines has launched Smart Music in partnership with MCA Music. As the two big players in their own fields unite, this project has produced high hopes not only for the corporations itself but even for the OPM bands wherein part of the revenue will still be shared with the artists.

Most of us are guilty when it comes to piracy related topics specially when it comes to music, but as for our own experiences, the only reason you'd get a customer to buy the song is if they really support the band or just because of that Last Song Syndrome which forces them to do so.

As discussed from a previous post where MyMusicStore Philippines is in the spotlight comes a competitor (Smart Music). This time, Smart has made it a lot easier for subscribers to obtain that mind bugging songs you'd die for. Since Credit Cards are something that majority of the subscribers doesn't have, Smart made it possible to directly acquire the song by paying the bill through your regular load. Though the process is nearly the same with MyMusicStore, purchasing through the use of your mobile phone's load is a lot more convenient rather than looking for a Load Central retailer to buy a MyMusicStore Credit.

The free 5 songs upon registration is a good catch already but another good thing about this project is the cost for each song where new available songs has a price of Php. 20.00 and other songs will only cost Php. 15.00. A huge price difference with their competitor.

Smart Music will be available under the Smart Telecom Umbrella which includes Talk 'N Text and Sun Cellular subscribers.

So for a summary of this article, here is a detailed list why I would choose Smart Music

• Price difference
• Convinient way of payment
• Free 5 Songs when you register
• I'm under the Smart Umbrella =)

An existing Android App was also available for download at the Play Store though it seems just like a browser which directs you to the mobile view of the portal. (Not to mention a huge amount of negative feedback)

Though the project is still in its early stage, it seems very promising and has a lot of potential. I'm sure Smart will take immediate action with those feedback that they received from their subscribers.

For those under the Smart Telecom Umbrella, have you already tried this? Share your comments and ideas with us!

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Setting Up a Wordpress Blog Using Softaculous

As a blogger, I dreamed of using Wordpress as my CMS (Content Management System) for blogging, but the main reason why I wasn't able to get a hold of myself to that technology is the cost. There are some free hosting sites where you could setup your blog but at the moment, I can't seem to find a very reliable free hosting service that would keep my desired blog alive at 99.9% uptime just like what they promise.

So what is Softaculous? As I see it, Softaculous is a web application that helps the user to automatically install software and database to a server.

This guide is done using CPanel where Softaculous is present and is hosted in a free hosting site where I set my desired subdomain as "snake14".

1. Click the Softaculous Icon in your CPanel and select Wordpress once the page loaded.

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2. Select "Install" which is listed among other selections.

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3. Set up your Wordpress Blog and fill all the necessary fields. (Since I'm using a free hosting site, only a subdomain is given to me) Then hit "Install".

• InDirectory - Leave this blank if you wanted your blog to be in the main directory.
• This is how your URL look like if you leave that field blank. (myblog.com)
• This is how it would look like if you place something in the Directory. (myblog.com/directory)
• Admin Account - Make sure you remember this login credentials for you'll be using this to login your Wordpress blog.

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4. Wait for the installation to finish and you'll see a "Congratulatory Page"

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5. Visit your blog according to the URL you customized and start blogging!

  

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BB Q10 on Sun Cellular Postpaid Plan 1499

Ever wanted to get your hands on the BlackBerry Q10? For Sun Cellular subscribers, you might have received the same message which invites you to get the much anticipated SmartPhone on the BlackBerry Community!

But for those who are on the other side, then this is news for you!

BlackBerry Q10 Plan 1499 comes with the following:

• Unlimited Data
• 300 Texts to ALL networks
• 5 Minutes Sun Calls

Might as well view the message sent by SunCell...

For those interested, just visit the nearest SunCellular Shop and apply for the plan!

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The Jing Experience - Review

Formerly known as the "Jing Project", Jing is an easy way to share and create not only images but video tutorials and was created by TechSmith. To give you a few background, Jing is a screencast computer program which enables you to choose if you would save your created file in your desktop or in the web. All it takes is a single click!

As soon as you're done capturing your desired shot, Jing will allow you to add text, arrows, and frames to easily pinpoint to your audience the climax in that shot. When you've decided to put it in the web, after a single click, it will automatically upload that image/video to screencast.com (which is another product of TechSmith) and immediately saves the link in your clipboard for easy pasting of the generated link for sharing.

For those interested, when you register to Jing, you'll also be entitled with 2GB storage and 2GB monthly bandwidth in screencast. Being a non-video tutorial fan I just mainly use Jing as a way to capture screenshots and point out the thought/idea or the process in a certain image which makes 2GB a lot of space for future use. Besides that, you could also login to screencast and be able to delete any unwanted files you've uploaded or track which is which when it comes to bandwidth consumption.

Oh by the way.. Aside from the regular setup for you Desktop/Laptops, you'll also be needing a .NET 4.0 Framework (or higher)..

How about you? Have you tried Jing as your screencasting partner or a Snipping Tool alternative?

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Instagram introduces Video Sharing Feature

Two years after the initial release, Instagram is now the most renowned photo-sharing and social networking service when it comes to that niche and yesterday (June 20, 2013), Instagram 4.0.0 is released!

With their new Video Sharing capability, users are now able to share their stories through a fifteen second video using Instagram Camera. In addition to that, Instagram also added thirteen filters specifically for those incoming short clips.

Though I can't imagine what would this new feature of Instagram could urge or keep the users from doing, this is definitely something worth a try specially that "world-class" image stabilization for decent clips even when walking!

To access that Video Sharing capability, just go to your Instagram App and you'll find a movie camera icon. Just hit it and you'll enter video mode. For those interested, get your smartphones and update your Instagram App now!

Instagram version 4.0 is now available in iOS' Apple's App Store and Google Play for Android users.

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Facebook New Emoticons - Quick Access

Aside from the new status updates presented by Facebook recently, we probably knew that you also noticed the new emoticons that roam the news feeds of all of us saying you should copy this, or join this and you'll be able to use the following emoticons. Fortunately, someone made a script to help users who enjoy the said emoticons. You just have to download some add-ons and install the plugin to use the emoticons quickly.

To give you a glimpse of what we we're talking about. See this screenshot below.

The new Facebook Comment and Chat Emoticons 2013 is now available after a few modifications in your browser. The good thing about this is after you install the necessary requirements, you only need to click an icon and select from the list and it will automatically appear whether in your Status, Comments or Chat box. You're the one to choose!

Base on the Credits presented, it was made by "Rendi Okriza Putra" and you could download the script here. http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/171181.

There are different requriements when installing it on FireFox or in Chrome so we will have to dissect the steps. We'll start off with the leading Chrome.

How to Install the Script in Chrome

1. Install Tampermonkey

2. Install the script found in http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/171181

3. After installing, restart Chrome

4. Login your Facebook Account

5. Click the "like" symbol found beside your name

6. Start posting, chatting or commenting and click an icon you desire.

7. Submit your content and see how it works!

How to Install the Script in FireFox

1. Install GreaseMonkey (Be sure that you're NOT using the latest FireFox browser.)

2. Install the script found in http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/171181

3. After installing, restart Chrome

4. Login your Facebook Account

5. Click the "like" symbol found beside your name

6. Start posting, chatting or commenting and click an icon you desire.

7. Submit your content and see how it works!

NOTE: There's seems to be a bit of side-effect caused by installing the script. Random post will appear in your news feed and a repetitive request to subscribe to a page/person. Please consider before you install the script

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KAT.PH Blocked by Philippine Government

Days after the government placed a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order), the infamous torrent site that holds ".ph" TLD, kat.ph or most widely known as "Kick Ass Torrent" is now alive and back on business. Despite the restless effort that the Philippine Government put to keep piracy involvement in the Philippines be minimized KAT had already made backups which is pretty much normal for a well maintained website.

If the sources claims were true, it only took less than 12 hours before regular users regain access to the site which is now redirected to "kickass.to"

Same speed, same resources and same audience. It did hold a ".ph" TLD but that doesn't literally mean that the one behind the schemes are Filipinos. (It hasn't been proven yet.)

KAT was blocked according to Interaksyon News because it serves as a source to download OPM songs. Some may have downloaded OPM from that site, but most of the users definitely use it for different interests.

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Block Application Invite in Facebook

It's been a long time but still, it seems that a lot of people are annoyed by continuous application requests sent by their friends specifically in Facebook. So if this is still a thing that you haven't learned, then you're in the right place my friend. For today, that's the thing that I would like to discuss with you after seeing another annoyed status regarding application invites.

There are two possible options when it comes to blocking an invitation. It's either you block the person who invites you or block the application itself.

First, you need to go to your Privacy or Account Settings.
Just hit the gear symbol on the upper right corner of your Facebook Account.

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Second navigate to Facebook's left side and click "Blocking"

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Last, just go to Block App Invites or Block Apps and type the desired name or application that you want to block.

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After that you can finaly expect less application invites specially when those you block were friends of yours instead of the application alone.

'Til the next time!

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WeChat Mobile App Review

After a week of being aired in commercials, WeChat has now has now caught the attention of the netizens making them one of the primary subjects being passed on news feeds of Social Networking sites as of the moment.

Aside from its current contender who's also aired in televisions, individuals still enjoy placing their IGNs as their status or as for WeChat, QR Codes have become another thing to pass on.

To tell you honestly, WeChat still resides as another platform to connect with your peers through the use of our all time favorite internet regardless of the fact that all the platforms that share-alike is trying to pull...

A Social Media / SMS / Photo Sharing and Wall where you and your friends could interact.

The only thing that caught our attention is the consideration of the company to include even Symbian users. As we all know, Symbian phones are slowly becoming a thing in the past which makes other companies focus on the larger scope of marketing namely, iOS, Android and Windows Operating Systems...

... and for that move, a salute for WeChat!

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"Most Stupid Country" Article from TIME Magazine

For those who are pissed off by the viral post circulating Social Networking Sites about Philippines being the "Most Stupid Country", well don't make such a fuzz about it. The article is fake.

Circulating the web is an article suspected to originate from "So What's News?" and for those who didn't even took the time reading something about them, here is a little detail hanging from the sidelines of the blog.

So, What’s News? is a SATIRICAL & FICTIONAL news website. Our aim is to inject humor into everyday news to provide respite to readers who have grown weary with mainstream news organization’s partisan, biased and depressing way of presenting the news.

While the rage of comments continue to flow in the blog, citizens seems to have took the bait causing a flow of anger to news feeds of social networking sites.

For those who believed the story, please take the time to read. You're depending on the internet where everyone's a self-proclaimed writer.

To view the article, go to... So What's News

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ASANA on Android

For those who're already hooked by this task management web application, you probably received a newsletter regarding this update under ASANA. Last March 1, 2013, Asana is now up on Google Play Store.

To discuss with you again, what is Asana?

Asana is a collaboration tool that centers your team's communication around Projects & Tasks, keeping your team organized and in sync at all times. Best of all, it's FREE for up to 30 teammates.
The Asana Android app takes the power of Asana and puts it right in your pocket.
Key FeaturesAsana Mobile makes it easy and fast to manage your team's tasks, organize its projects and stay connected to your teammates – from wherever you are.

The Asana Android App lets you do whatever you're capable of doing when in Asana.com though there's something very odd. Well, it's just that, it looks nearly/exactly the same when browsing your Asana account on your mobile phone.

There were in fact a lot of feedback since the release and to present  the downside, it is currently rated with 3.1 stars according to 186 respondents and received a lot of negative feedback including crashes while in use and a slow response from the app.

Do you have this longing to try this app?
Just download it at Google Play Store

For those who downloaded the app, why not share your experiences here!?

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Townsmen - Android Review

From the previous versions Townsmen 1 - 6, of course we expect better graphics now that it was in Android and HandyGames never failed there. From the previous games that I tried, Townsmen did  in fact leave a mark on my consciousness not just because of the graphics but for the game play itself. I as a strategic game enthusiast (but never get the hang of strategizing things) love this game personally. Though there were a lot of changes, it is still the game we adore.

So let me give you a brief insights for the game.

Here are the most noticeable changes I've seen so far:

• Screenshot capability
• More Buildings to construct
• Decorations and Roads
• Winter Season
• Town Renaming

Another thing that is definitely most noticeable was a bit huge ad which covers the top left corner of your screen and can only be removed through IAPs and as you get to go for different situations that HandyGames prepared for their us, there is just this great longing I've been searching ever since I get to play this new version for Android and it's the battles. Battles that I experienced during my Townsmen 6 days where you create soldiers or revolutionaries to defeat the enemies that arrives by surprise and conquering their territories together with the awesomeness of upgrading your structures.

All in all, this still is the Townsmen that we adore though the features that I once cherished vanish in this version. So for my rating from 1 - 10...

I'd say, it's 8.5

Download your own Townsmen for Android at Google Play Store and share your experiences with us!

Till the next post!

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Dapat Tama - GMA Network Advocacy

The upcoming election urges one of the giant network in the Philippines GMA-7 to release an advocacy for an informed election this 2013.

Being known as listed in the corrupt countries in the world, Filipinos desired for change not only from the words that candidates proudly brag over the years but from the actions they make. From short-term to long-term goals, people desired for change all over the world and what better way to get those corrupt officials and candidates but through the internet.

As this advocacy reaches its popularity, you could reach the people behind this by placing the information you think was linked to corruption and things that doesn't comply with the set of rules presented by those who are in charge to their Facebook Page, or you could also use the famous hashtag from twitter and link it to them through the use of "#dapattama".

Included with this advocacy is the new music video of Philippine's very own Gloc-9 together with his protege Denise. You could search the video in YouTube entitled "Dapat Tama".

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You vs Yourself - Safeguard Challenge

As marathons and other physical activities takes the Philippines by storm, the most known brand of hygiene and health concern soap challenges you together with yourself as the competitor!

Safeguard announces the YouVSYourself Challenge which encourages not only those veteran athletes but even those couch potatoes to live life as healthy as possible. From the freakish increase of death toll in crime, health related diseases caused also the death of many citizens not only in the country but also affects the whole world and it was continuously increasing every single day!

So what are you waiting for!?

Why not join the YouVsYourself challenge presented by Safeguard and give yourself a chance to a training session with your selected coach and sport, a GoPro camera, sports gear and gadgets worth Php.10,000, a Safeguard Active gift pack, and Php.15,000 cash would complete that inner athlete in you!

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Choose Your Own Number - Sun Cellular Philippines

As the build up of consumers and entrepreneur takes the country by storm together with the said growth of the Philippine Economy, it's really important that your consumers and contacts easily figure where to get easy access to your side. With this growth comes a first from Sun Cellular Philippines. The "Choose your Mobile Number" was officially announced a few days ago and has already aired in some commercials.

For only Php 59.00 you can have your own personal number with the following format:

0942.1.RFREAK

This first from sun is not only limited to that. Together with your SUN Name UR NUMBER sim are the following:

• Sun Call and Text Combo P50  Promo:
• 200 SMS texts to other NETWORK
• 200 SUN Texts
• 70 minutes (1hr and 10mins) to SUN number

All valid for 5 days!

For more information, you could visit their website.

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New SmartPhones - BlackBerry Z10 and Q10

BlackBerry announced their new platform, the BlackBerry 10 featuring two new devices!
The Full-touch Z10 and the keyboard-equipped Q10.

According to their chief executive Thorsten Heins, The new BlackBerry "will transform mobile communications into true mobile computing." after the announcement that RIM is now officially BlackBerry.

After being a dominant smartphone before Apple and and Google Android operating system, they now hold less than five percent of the global market according to surveys which makes it nearly a life-death situation for the company if they will still standout or be forever be a thing in the past.

Though tech analyst Jeff Kagan said that he was impressed in the lofty number of applications and the overall impression of the device, he added that it was too soon to say if BlackBerry 10 will emerge as a major competitor to Apple and Google.

For the features noticeable in these new smartphones are the capacity for users to share in real-time screens and complex data from two different locales on a messaging system, a single character flick that can generate an entire word and a sophisticated camera for the photo enthusiasts.

Well, while some consumers prefer to use their phones for applications most of the time, there is no need to worry since the new devices also starts with some 70,000 applications including prominent offerings like Amazon's Kindle and LinkedIn.

For those BlackBerry Fans out there, it's time to get your pockets and purses ready as their new devices invades the market!

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Release of Apple's update - iOS 6.1

Apple issues their first major update on Monday (January 28, 2013) to iOS 6 after being announced last September of 2012. After running through five beta test updates, iOS6.1 now includes 4G LTE support for 36 additional iPhone carriers and 23 more for iPad.

Apple has also added a way to reset your Advertising Identifier, which acts as a control room for informing advertisers about your web activity.

Sad thing about it was that, only U.S. users can purchase movie tickets through Fandango via Apple's ever popular assistant Siri while iTunes Match subscribers can download songs individually to iOS devices from iCloud.

To download the app, visit Settings on your mobile device and then select General. The update will be available via the Software Update section within that screen. However, users should not at least 1GB of storage is needed to download iOS 6.1, so you may have to clean up some space on your device beforehand.

With the forecast of Apple's senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing as iOS6 as the most popular new version of an OS in history with nearly 300 million users, do you still prefer iOS or Androids? Share with us your opinion...

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ASANA - Task Management Review

Today I would like to discuss with you this task management web and mobile application that we've been using for some months now. This is the Asana Application. As I've experienced from our previous task management scenarios, most files and reports gets duplicated and not in its proper order. So fortunately, we manage to get along well with Asana. Not that we already tried working with other online task management application so far but we experienced some smooth sailing with this one.

Asana was developed by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and engineer Justin Rosenstein and was officially launched its beta last 2011. Asana is a collaborative task management application. The product has many features, including Workspaces, Projects, Personal Projects, Tasks, Tags, Notes, Comments and an Inbox  that organizes and updates information in real-time.[1]

As for the environment, it's pretty much User Friendly and there were some guides throughout the interface where you could get an idea on what or how to do things. More of a drag-and-drop functionality but of course you should set some sections on where should you place the proper task like this one.

The set up I did was to have a "Task" section, "Bugs" and "To Check" section. So when one of our members were through with what was assigned to him/her, he would just simply move it to the proper section and if our Test Engineer approves it, then it automatically hits the top shelf addressed as done.

If you ever try to create a project? Do you feel that this would deem necessary?
or for those who have tried it? What are your opinions regarding this topic?

References:
[1] Wikipedia - Asana (web application)

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Class Suspension on Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013

As the Feast of the Black Nazarene approaches, schools and universities around Metro Manila announced its suspension of classes during the feast. The Black Nazarene is known to devotes in Spanish as Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.

The history behind its dark complexion was said to be because it survived a burning ship on its arrival from Mexico. The feast is held annually during the 9th of January and during Good Friday.

Class Suspended for the following Schools:

A. Mabini Elementary School
Geronimo Santiago Elementary School
 Ramon Avancena High School
Manila High School
V. Mapa High School
Araullo High School
City College of Manila
 Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and
Manila Science High School

Class Suspended for the following Universities: 

University of the East (UE) Manila
San Beda College
Centro Escolar University (CEU)
Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila)
Far Eastern University
University of Sto. Tomas
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
San Sebastian College-Recoletos
Adamson University

Route of the Procession:

From Quirino Grandstand (Luneta), right Katigbak Drive thru P. Burgos,left Taft Ave.(P.Burgos) thru McArthur Bridge,right Palanca,thru under Quezon Bridge,left Quezon Blvd.,right Fraternal,right Vergara,left Duque de Alba,left Castillejos,left farnecio,right Arlegui,left Nepomuceno,left Aguila,right Carcer,right Hidalgo thru Plaza Del Carmen,left Bilibid Viejo thru Puyat,left Guzman,right Hidalgo,left Barbosa,right Globo de Oro thru under Quezon Bridge,right Palanca,right Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.

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