My iBook Gives Me the Creeps

It suddenly won't turn on. I know it's a dinosaur but I need it and it has all my files!

I was getting nervous every second. The battery was fully charged and it was even plugged in to the wall when it shutdown on me without warning. I switched it on but it won't power up. I removed the battery pack and put it back in, pressed the power button and was relieved when it started up. However, after a minute or so it went off again. I did the same steps and this time it was on for 30 minutes.

I went to the all mighty Google to search for an answer fast. I luckily found an article that has the same dilemma and it prompted me to reset the Power Management Unit (PMU). It sounds technical but really all you need to do is shut it down, hold Shift+Ctrl+Option and the power button simultaneously for 5 seconds and then power it up. It worked! Hallelujah.

For a minute there I thought my iBook was dying. I hope I have it completely fixed. If not, I wish it's not a logic board failure or else I'm dead. I heard it's frighfully expensive to have it fixed. Looks like I have to be extra careful with Dino from now on. Oh and yeah backup all the files every chance I get. Whew.

An iPod That Talks

Image from Apple

Presenting the new iPod Shuffle. Remarkably smaller than an AA battery and can actually store up to 1,000 songs! How can a small thing like this holds a thousand songs? Beats me. Well, they wouldn't call it "the world's smallest music player" for nothing.

All of the controls is on the earphone cord making it easier to navigate. You can now switch playlists with it compared to the old Shuffle who randomly pick songs for you and its VoiceOver feature lets you HEAR the name of the song and artist playing. It can speak 14 languages: English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. Cool.

The new Shuffle has stainless steel clip that can be securely attached anywhere and can have it engraved, too. It also comes with an aluminum case in silver or black. Double cool.

Nice! I would not mind getting this for $79 but with gazillion things inside my bag and its teeny-weeny size not to mention my short memory make it impossible not to lose it or break it. Hell it might get thrown along with the trash. Yikes! Scary thought. I'm still happy with my dilapidated but reliable iPod "lolo" Video, thank you very much.

Farewell FM

Baby Grasshoppers by Francis Magalona

"Mga Kababayan" was the first cassette tape I bought and it was also the last. I remember I had my Uncle buy it for me since I was only 7 years old then. I had to save half of my allowance just to buy myself a copy and be part of the cool craze. Yes, I was a big fan back then. Come to think of it, I never stop being a fan. I still love his music.

Did you know he's also into photography? And man, he's one good shooter. He bagged two trophies for the Camera Club of the Philippines 2008 Annual Awards and the photo above was one of the winning shots.

Just like everybody else, I was completely shocked hearing about his death. I didn't know he was under a very critical condition. Did some research and turned out the overall cure rate for patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is likely lower about 20-45% survival rate.* According to news, he got the worst of its kind.

Reading his blog where he chronicled his battle with cancer was heart-rending. I admire his courage and determination. Despite all the pain he went through, he didn't lose hope and stayed positive all the way. He did fight a good battle.

Francis Magalona will surely be missed but he will always be remembered as his music and legacy lives on. I'm happy that he won't be in any more pain and suffering now that he's at home with his Master.

We offer our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Magalona family. May you rest in peace FM.

http://francismagalona.multiply.com/
http://happybattle.multiply.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/francism/

*Source: Wikipedia