Windows GodMode

Nope, this is no kind of geeky joke. There actually excists a GodMode in Windows Vista and Windows 7.
So, how can you access it? That's pretty easy. Just create a new folder and name it "GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}" (without the "").
And what does it do? It gives you a folder full of shortcuts for any kind of settings you might need.
As for me, that's pretty nifty and I think it is another example how Microsoft unfortunately leaves stuff that is more than helpful simply undocumented... :-(
Well, now you know ^^

The wave starts now

Today I got the invitation for Google's latest invention called Google Wave.
Let's hope I'll find some time to test around a bit. Let's wave ;-)

Traffic limit sucks

Argh, how happy did I feel when I saw the nice download speed (ranging from 20 to 70MBit/s) at my current flat just to realize that I am stuck with a traffic limit of just 6GB...

6 GB what's that in modern times? I mean everyone who downloaded an ISO file like Windows 7 or the latest Xcode version knows how quick you get something around 5 GB on a single day...

Of course you don't have such a big amount of data flying through your cables every day but come on, even without filesharing you exceed this limit usually within a week or two.
Unfortunately it seems like there's no other way for me than simply getting used to it.
Worst thing is in case you exceed your limit you simply have no internet access for the rest of the month. Argh, I wanna scream!!!

I feel like back in 1999... :-(

Apple - 'Let's Rock' event

Yesterday Apple showed its latest products on their "Let's Rock" event.
If you like you can now download yesterday's Apple event via their Keynote podcast feed.

Now you can watch Steve say, "BOOM!" without streaming interruptions. Be aware that this video is over 700 MB in size.

So what did they show?
They introduced new versions of the iPod touch, the nano and iTunes. Latter has reached now the version number 8 and features a music recommendation service whereas the iPod were slightly redesigned and got some minor updates like a speaker for the iPod touch and the return of the old form factor for the iPod nano.

Coming today: Microsoft LifeCam Video Messages Gadget

At videomessages.live.com Microsoft will start today their LifeCam gadget exclusively for Microsoft LifeCam users. You can use it if you’re running Windows Vista. The gadget allows you to record, send, forward, and watch Video Messages right from your desktop. So enjoy ^^

The story behind identifying an unknown song

I should start this with "Once upon a time..." but everyone knows the way I switch topics between conversations... OK, this time I try my best.

Today I was searching for some videos showing the lake Houhai (后海) in Beijing (北京) cause this is one of the spots you shouldn't miss in when you are going to Beijing. Last year I was at Houhai during Mid Autumn Festival (中秋节 / Zhong qiu jie) and with this year's Moon festival approaching on September 14, I remembered the beautiful scenery. So I searched at Youtube for some Houhai related videos but only found few results. One of these results was a video showing friends or a couple ice biking and heard a nice song. Unfortunately I didn't remember the Artist and the song title. But luckily for me I know a nice nifty tool called Tunatics which searches its online database for some beats and stuff like that.
Downloaded, installed, done. What an easy task ^^ This is one of the reasons why I like internet :-)

Oh by the way: The song was Island in the Sun by Weezer.


Download Tunatics

Google Browser Chrome says Hello

Yesterday Google unveiled its latest attempt to attack Microsoft. This time Google aims for the browser market where the competitors are big players like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and also Safari. Only time will show who will gain and lose some market shares.
As for me the new browser doesn't seem too different on the outside then my current Mozilla Firefox and in the end I think it will be the hardest part for Google to convince users their Google Chrome really is the next big thing...


Google Comic

Download Google Chrome

Boooooring

What if your girlfriend already sleeps. Hmm... you can post something on your blog ;-)

So I hereby introduce my new baby. The Dell Vostro 1310 ^^ I simply love it. BTW: Both display are set to its brightest level and you can see quite easily which screen is more shiny ;)


And beside surfing you can do some other work you couldn't finish in the office :)

How to change your cellphone's keyboard layout to German QWERTZ on Windows Mobile 6.1

Wow, what a headline... Anyway, I've upgraded my HTC S730 / Wings yesterday from Windows Mobile 6 to 6.1 and noticed the keyboard layout was set to QWERTY with no natural support for Umlauts :(
So I did some research and found a way to solve this problem.

1. Download 'Koteshi's Windows Mobile 6.1 customizing pack' and unzip it.
2. Go to 'german keyboard layout' and copy the file 'eT9.Wings.0407.kmap.txt' to your cellphone's 'Windows' folder
3. Start your favorite registry editor for windows mobile devices. Mine is CeRegEditor which can be downloaded at ceregeditor.mdsoft.pl
4. Locate 'HKLM\Software\Tegic\eT9\IME\KeyboardLayouDlls'.
5. Change the value of '000007FF' to 'eT9.Wings.0407.kmap.txt'.
6. Reboot.
   

Done! ^^ Wasn't that hard, was it?

How to install German T9 on your Windows Mobile 6.1 cellphone

This also works on Windows Mobile 6. Here we go:

1. Download 'Koteshi's Windows Mobile 6.1 customizing pack' and unzip it.
   
2. Goto 'german T9' folder, copy the 'german.cab' file to your cellphone and start the installation from there.
3. After you rebooted you will be able to use German T9 :-)
   

How to install a Chinese font on your Windows Mobile 6.1 cellphone

First of all: This also works on Windows Mobile 6.
So, let's begin.

1. Download 'Koteshi's Windows Mobile 6.1 customizing pack' and unzip it.
   
2. Goto 'chinese font' folder, copy the 'wm6szh.cab' file to your cellphone and start the installation from there.
3. After you rebooted your cell, you are able to read chinese characters.
4. Remember you can only read them. If you want to write chinese you propably need 'CE-Star' or 'Monster Chinese' cause they provide an IME

Known issues with 6.1:

• Background of your homescreen looks plain green.

Solution:

• Switch your Home Screen at 'Start\Settubgs\Home Screen' to 'HTC', go to the homescreen and then switch it back to 'Sliding Panel Media'

That's it ;)

How to upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 on HTC s730 / Wings

I've created a little package which includes all the files needed for installing Windows Mobile 6.1 on your HTC S730 / Wings cellphone. Kudos to Alcaline over at xda developers who have cooked this wonderful rom.

REMEMBER: BACKUP YOUR FILES BEFORE YOU PROCEED CAUSE THEY WILL BE GONE AFTER THE UPDATE. USE AT OWN RISK!

Now let's have some fun:

1. First of all you need to install something on your cell called 'HardSPL'. This will allow us to install our flash rom.
2. Download windows-mobile-6.1-htc-s730-wings.rar so you'll have all the needed files and unzip it.
3. Remove all SIM and SD CARD!
4. Connect the USB cable.
5. Start the 'SDA_ApplicationUnlock.exe' file located in the unzipped HardSPL folder to unlock your cellphone.
6. Create a SPL backup by running 'spl-backup.bat' from SPL-backup-kit folder.
7. Copy 'sspl-0.91-wings.exe' to your cellphone and run it from there. Your cell will reboot and you get the 'dev mode color screen'. After some time USB will appear on the screen.
8. To make sure everything will work fine, unplug and replug the usb cable. Your PC might want to install the cellphone and if it asks for some driver, use the 'htcrt_devices.ini' file.
   
9. Now it is time to flash the 'hardspl-0.91-wings.nbh' by running 'CustomRUU.exe' from flash-hardspl-wings folder.
10. Cross fingers ;)
11. OK, if this worked we are now able to upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 :)
12. Run the before mentioned 'sspl-0.91-wings.exe' on your cell. Your mobile will once again reboot and you get the 'dev mode color screen' you already know. After some time USB will appear on the screen.
    
13. Now start 'ROMUpdateUtility.exe' which is located in the RUU_Wings_HTC_WWE_Alcaline_61 folder.
14. If everything goes well, your cellphone reboots and you have done it! Congrats ^^
    

PS: MAYBE your phone behaves a bit strange after the first start mine did so. Simply reboot again and everything is normal.

1337 yeah baby ;)

Wohoo, I finally did it. I've managed to install Windows Mobile 6.1 on my HTC s730 (or Wings how it is called in other countries). I don't wanna know how many nerves that costed me in the last few attempts but I really have to say: The phone feels totally different now. Maybe it is just a placebo effect but all the menus really feel a lot smoother now. Stay tuned for nice pictures and tutorials^^

The following link provide more than just big help:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=383617

Only thing I have to do now is:

- set the default keyboardmapping to QWERTZ - done!
- install German T9 support - done!
- install Chinese font support - done!

Happy Sysadmin Day

I know it is a bit late but better late then never. On July 25 (every year's last Friday of July) was Sysadmin Day so if you can read this, thank the sysadmin!

For more information take a look on the Sysadmin website.

How to change the RDP listening port on a server

Maybe you just set up a Windows Server. And maybe you want to change the Terminal Services listening port. But how?
Well, it is easier than you might think:

1.	Run Regedt32 and go to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.
2.	Find the "PortNumber" subkey and notice the value of 00000D3D, hex for (3389). Modify the port number in Hex and save the new value. To change the port for a specific connection on the Terminal Server: • Run Regedt32 and go to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\connection NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.
3.	Find the "PortNumber" subkey and notice the value of 00000D3D, hex for (3389). Modify the port number in Hex and save the new value.

Don't forget that you now have

So many ideas... but just not enough time :(

About 3 or 4 months ago I introduced an idea for an (in my opinion) incredible webapplication. Some kind of online shopping list which could be used on a mobile phone. I know, I know the idea sounds lame but hey this would be something I could really need. So what did I see when I was surfing through the iNet these days? Oh someone made a nifty little program called "Onetrip"for the all so shiny iPhone by Apple...
I guess shit happens... :(



But to be honest, I don't think my program would have looked so cool like this one.


Beside this, I have plenty other cool ideas but this time I won't tell ANYBODY :-P
If only a take would have 30 hours instead of 24... This way I would be able to have a long sleep AND have enough time to make my "cool" projects come true ;o)

PS: Right Patti? ;)

Extract MP3 from Youtube videos

Maybe you've had a situation when you saw a nice video on YouTube but didn't know the name of the background song, you watched a music video or there was a cool remix you never heard before. A few months ago I found this useful tool called "Freeware Youtube to MP3 converter". How it works and what it does? You type in the YouTube link and after some minutes you get the audio file of it. Of course the audio quality is not that good but for some playing around it should work fine.

And here you get it.

:-(

What's an IT admin without a PC? Exactly: a cripple. Wow, this might be offensive in some ways but I guess you get the idea. Well for some days now my Notebook is acting crazy, my cellphone doesn't work flawless and I feel like I am back in the stoneage. Anyone wanting to give me a new Macbook Pro and an iPhone 3G? ;)
By the way: The upcoming new iPhone finally has all the features I expect when I hear the word smartphone. 3G support is nothing too special anymore in Germany where many people I know use UMTS/HSDPA for 2 years or more but GPS support could be a nice new feature. Especially if Google Maps works with the new iPhone. But unfortunately it still doesn't support Java :-(
Nevertheless I am already counting the days until my current cellphone provider contract will end beginning next year.

Visio online for free: GLIFFY

During some research for a project I wanted to create a simple grafical overview of an office network but unfortunately I had no nifty Microsoft Visio installed on my PC. So I searched the web for a shiny AJAX version and finally I found Gliffy.
If you just need it for 1 or 2 graphics then it does an excellent job and best of all: It is free for private use :)
CNET featured it about 2 years ago and since then the program has improved to a level that doesn't look very beta-like anymore. I am really impressed what two guys with some time on their fingers did here...
But enough chit chat, here's the link:

gliffy.com

The IT Crowd

You like IT? Or you work in IT? Hmm, of maybe you even LIVE in IT?
Well even if you can deny all these questions there is a funny British comedy show you might like called 'IT Crowd' on Channel 4 in UK. You have no British television? No problem, you know where you can find TV shows and stuff like that ;)
Here comes a little glimpse:







And don't forget the new emergency number:
Here's a little hint 0118 999 881 999 119 7253 ^^

IT IT IT

See the headline? That's what today will all about.
I hereby declare today for my "I post everything that might be interesting for tech fans or IT admins"-day ^^
Hope I can help you folks a bit with some solutions for everyday problems from the IT world.

What's wrong with Asian Webdevelopers?!?!

OK first thing first: I am extremely angry right now, so my anti-Asian IT feelings might last only for some hours ;-) Please don't feel offended if you are Asian or a web developer.

For some years now I have noticed that most Asian websites really suck. Either if it is sohu.com with its horrible user center or Sina.com.
They all have one thing in common: They suck when it comes to multi browser support and to the use of modern techniques in an appropriate way.

Another example is the Konami ID website. What a pain in the ass...
But there is also a really good competitor called netease (www.163.com). They seem to know how things should work in the net.

PS: After a day long downtime Konami ID finally works fine so my anger has gone to nowhere ;)

new Google favicon

Yeah there might be bigger news but it is summer and "real" IT news have become rare these days. So, you probably noticed these days, that Google changed their favicon from
to
Wow, really completely different and amazing, NOT ;)

Automatic Login on Windows Vista

Maybe you have a Media Center PC in your living room or simply use your Windows Vista computer just for you alone. If so, you might have wondered, how to avoid this annoying "inputting your password" procedure.
Well there's hope ;)
Simply follow these upcoming steps:

1. Click on Start, type netplwiz into the search field and press Enter.
2. Now there should appear the User Account Control window.
3. Mark now the user you want to log in automatically.
4. Clear the Users must enter a username and password to use this computer option and click OK.
5. Provide the password for your user account when prompted and restart your computer.
6. From now on Vista will automatically log on with your user account.
   

Et voila, next time you start your Media Center relax and enjoy ^^

German Wikipedia's 10 millionth article

Hooray ^^ About 4 years ago a lot of people in my area didn't know about that website where you could read so many interesting articles. You guessed right, it is the Wikipedia. I remember most people thought, according to its name, it would be something like a dictionary for a Scandinavian language or maybe an web project about vikings.
But I don't think anyone has forseen such an enormous success. Well today was yet another milestone for the German Wikipedia project: The 10.000.000th article written in German.
So, congrats :)

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 download - FINALLY

Yesterday I had the chance to download the new and shiny Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista which had been released as a RTM (Release to Manufacturing) version a few days ago.
The download package is about 1.3 GB big in case you download the version that includes the x64 and the x86 Service Pack.
The x86 version just alone, is about 600 MB big and the installation on my laptop took about 30 minutes.
Well so far I haven't noticed many differences but two.
First, the file transfer rate really has increased :)
Second, the remote desktop client now offers the option not to see the "the client you are connecting to doesn't use Windows Vista" anytime you take control of an remote PC or Server.
All in all I am happy about these changes, but I really hope there's more than just these few features...
By the way: The official release date for this major update is March 2008.
In case you already want to receive it via Windows Update here's a nifty little trick, but be warned before because you have to restart your system about 4 times:

• First of all check your version of Windows Vista. An easy way for that is to input "winver" into your startmenu. If you already installed a Release Candidate before, it is now time to uninstall it. After the uninstall don't forget to restart your PC.
  
• Now check your current installed updates. KB935509 must be installed so far, because it reconfigures the bootloader. Without that, installation of the Service Pack 1 is impossible.
• Install all the "important" and "recommended" marked updates. KB935509 can be one of them.
• Download the Vista Registry Hack here. This .cmd file's code isn't really complicated. It simply deletes two keys in the registry that prevent your PC from downloading the update automatically, and starts the 'wuapp.exe'.
• Right-click the just downloaded 'vista-reg-hack.cmd' and select 'run as admin'
• The command prompt should open now, Windows Update should give a life sign and asks you to restart your system. Listen to your PC ;-)
• After the restart, start 'Windows Update' and install the newly appeared 'KB938371'. Again you have to restart your PC.
  
• Another new update appears now: 'KB937287'. Simply install that aswell.
  
• What comes now? You guessed right: RESTART.
• After four restarts, it is now time to start 'Windows Update' one last time. Oh look what's there: 'KB936330' aka Windows Vista Service Pack 1 :)
• In case the Service Pack does not appear at the first try, simply click on 'search for updates' for several times. The download size can vary between 60-600 MB.
  
• All you have to do now is to follow the instruction that will appear on your screen.
• Et voila, that's it.

Have fun :o)

Bill Gates' last day at Microsoft + Download

If you like to download this video, just click here
Have fun :)

127.0.0.1 for IT-Pros

Microsoft has just opened a new community for IT professionals.
Its called Aggreg8 and there you can find lots of info recarding Microsoft product. All you need is a PassPort account and you're ready to go.