A developer's history lesson in technology
- Details
- Category: Opinion
- Published on Sunday, 30 June 2013 02:23
- Written by Christian Dunn
It is very easy in this modern world to forget just home far technology has come, and how fast, and it appears in many cases this is lost on the people implementing this technology. 1990 doesn't seem like a long time ago, in fact it was only 23 years but anyone over 30 watching the video below will begin reminiscing the early days of computing technology.
See this great walk through on How Computers Work from 1990...
This was a time when ipads and tablet computers didn't exist and the only place you would hear the word 'cloud' was in a weather report.
Anyone over 30 will remember how state of the art this was. I remember being the only one who could fix the classroom computer in my year 6 class in this year. From recollection this was an Intel AT 286. 6 years later I got my first mobile phone which was the size of a 1L milk bottle and weighed about the same. We all expect technology will change, in fact we are all salivating over the next edition of Android or iOS but technology is not timeless and I am pretty sure my 10 month old son will never want to inherit my LP record collection.
Google Glass-ed
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- Category: Opinion
- Published on Thursday, 30 May 2013 23:56
- Written by Christian Dunn
Like most of us in the technology game I have been watching the development of Google Glass with eager interest.
Unlike Tim Cook [Source:The Australian] I believe Google Glass does have the potential to be a mass market item. I think this is even more the case with the announcement of the first facial recognition application [Source: India Times] this week.
Like most new and controversial technologies there has been plenty of heated debate mainly in regards to privacy concerns. Google has done it's best to defeat these by ensuring that an indicator light is on whenever photos are taken or video is recorded and restricting facial recognition technology.
Personally I think they may have taken slightly the wrong approach here. I am not interested in taking point of view pictures all day, or recording every second of my life on a micro-blog (although others may feel differently). Instead I see Google Glass as providing enabling technology to many everyday applications.
Getting Started with Android
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- Category: Opinion
- Published on Monday, 20 May 2013 22:46
- Written by Christian Dunn
As the Samsung juggernaut continues to grow, I have been fielding an ever growing number of questions from former Apple addicts trying to understand Android. Since the launch of the iPhone and iPod Apple has become the king of evolution, while Samsung and Android have now taken the title of innovation.
While the form and function may be different Android has everything the Apple ecosystem offers and more.
This is my quick guide to getting know Google Android.
Joomla 2.5 Responsive Templates
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- Category: Opinion
- Published on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 22:48
- Written by Christian Dunn
I have been testing a wide range of responsive Joomla Templates as part of plans for the next upgrade of my site.
Responsive templates are those which automatically resize based on the screen size of the device viewing the site making them ideal for use on computers, tablets and mobile devices without requiring special mobile sites or multiple templates.
These are my favourites. One of these may become the base for the next version of www.chrisdunn.name.
Vmware ESXi Snapshots Best Practice
- Details
- Category: Opinion
- Published on Monday, 11 February 2013 02:06
- Written by Christian Dunn
This is probably not the first or last time I will see this but I had the misfortune of discovering the use of VmWare ESXi snapshots as a disaster recovery method recently. From experience I can warn you that while this might seem like a good idea at the time it can cost you a lot of time, money and most importantly unhappy customers in the long term. If you are using snapshots in your production environment you might want to read on.
Welcome to 2013
- Details
- Category: Opinion
- Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 01:00
- Written by Christian Dunn
Welcome back to www.chrisdunn.name in 2013.
I apologies the last month I have been slow on the news front here. I have been kept busy over the festive season enjoying my first christmas with my son, Thomas, catching up on renovation projects around the home and watching grass grow (literally). That doesn't mean I haven't been planning, designing or developing software and scripts over the break and you will see more updates coming shortly.
I hope you continue to enjoy using and reading my site and if you have any questions or suggestions contact me.
Configure a new Windows 8 machine
- Details
- Category: Opinion
- Published on Sunday, 25 November 2012 23:30
- Written by Christian Dunn
Moving to Windows 8 from Windows 7 can be difficult and confusing.
There are a few simple steps you can take when setting up your new machine to make this simpler, installing everything you need and an old fashioned start menu to help you transition.
I am already starting to see computers crossing my floor that require configuration to make them more user friendly after being sent back by frustrated users.
I am going to show you how in an hour you can install all the essential programs you need, setup a classic start menu, cleanup the start screen and update windows.
After setting up multiple Windows 8 machines I have found this to be my trusted solution.
Don't fully turn off the start screen and make sure you customise it as it will become more of a part of future operating systems. As new applications become available in the Windows Store you will find you need this screen back to make the most of them. It will also show more information as you begin using your computer. If you use hotmail or msn it is definitely worth using your microsoft account as this will update data for the start screen.
Follow these steps...
When life gets a software upgrade
- Details
- Category: Opinion
- Published on Friday, 16 November 2012 00:33
- Written by Christian Dunn
Many years ago at university I wrote a paper on the 'black box' that was becoming a part of our technology, such as our cars, leaving a knowledge gap between users and specialists. At that time I had owned a Toyota Corona, a VH Commodore and a Datsun 120Y. One thing about those cars is that if they broke, I could fix it, with a screwdriver, a pair of stockings and some duct tape. My concern at the time was the impact that cars and other technologies would have in our life from becoming a hidden black box of circuitry or computer technology that we couldn't fix and tinker with ourselves but required a team of expensive engineers to keep operating.
Well the time has come and passed and it hasn't been that scary. This week I was reminded of that paper when I upgraded the operating system on my bmw 3 series onboard computer. So this is the new tinkering?
This made me think about how the growth of technology and the 'update' capability of electronics has really changed my life.
Build a home theatre for under $1500
- Details
- Category: Opinion
- Published on Monday, 27 August 2012 02:51
- Written by Christian Dunn
Do you have an office or spare room you dream of turning into a home theatre?
Would you love a big screen and a surround sound system to watch the football, do yoga, entertain the kids, having an adults night at the movies and lock the kids out?
Want to surf the web and watch you tube videos on the big screen?
This is what I believe you need....
- Surround Sound
- Digital Projector
- HDMI
- Media Center PC or device
- Cables and fixtures
You can do it all and affordably, for under $1500.
Here is my guide to getting the best bang for your buck...
The kids love it too! A great games room for them to surf the web or play playstation. I have 4 nephews who will testify to that. :)
Getting smaller and cheaper with the MK802
- Details
- Category: Opinion
- Published on Tuesday, 12 June 2012 01:30
- Written by Christian Dunn
As we move to a more cloud-centric world the power of our individual computers becomes irrelevant in the scheme of things.
Consider how much work you do each day on your smartphone. Do you use Citrix or Terminal Services?
Investigating options for my clients I have entered the world of cheap computers and they may surprise you.
Most of my clients are now running Citrix, 2X or Terminal Services providing them with a remote desktop for their operating system. This provides them with a combination of mobility and accessibility with all desktop applications now available to mobile users and a consistent desktop provided to users throughout the organisation.
This means that in order to connect to the system they only need a device running Terminal Services or Citrix. This now covers everything from an iPhone to Android, Mac, Windows and more.
Many years ago thin clients were all the rage and provided access to a virtual desktop (albeit an ordinary one) to provide your computing processes. Well thin clients are back. Now all of your mobile devices are effectively thin clients that allow you to connect to your network. This makes the end devices less and less important. A thin client doesn't really need to be able to do much apart from providing a connection and a platform to run it on. If a mobile phone can do it, surely we can make a computer even smaller?
So, how small can we go? If we wanted to make the smallest, simplest and most cost effected thin client for our network what would we choose?