Ok now I’m testing Ecto to post once more. According to MovableType.org, the internal error problems have been resolved by their own developer working with the DBD::MYSQL author to resolve the problem.

Other topics in this post (for the heck of it)

• My powerbook warranty
• PhilMUG meeting
• LCD Calibration

Warranty

Another would be that Apple finally approved my request for a replacement . It was initially denied, then I got on their asses because similar cases have successfully claimed their warranty. Suffice to say that they realized that I’m not stupid, and are sending a replacement for the top case of my Powerbook. The “top case” is the entire surface where the trackpad and the keyboard are found (including those last mentioned)

PhilMUG

I’ve also attended my first PhilMUG meeting (Philippine Mac Users Group) Prizes were cool, everyone got one.

There was this guy who taught how to create widgets, which was kind of disappointing since he did an overly simple widget that anyone could’ve done. He basically just reiterated, through practical application, that widgets are basically HTML files that adhere to the rules of a language.

So basically, if you can make a webpage, you can make a widget. What was supposed to be cool is a quick rundown on how to interact with the system itself via the webkit included in Tiger. Unfortunately, this guy just stuck to the basics (which essentially was synonimous to how to rename an html to wdgt)

Aside from that, it was good to finally get to see the faces behind the handles/avatars.

LCD Calibration

Another cool thing that happened in the meeting was that Nono brought his LCD calibrator. So now my display has been… err… calibrated

For those who don’t quite grasp the full significance of having a real hardware calibration setup, here’s why it is extremely useful compared to your regular “color/gamma adjustment software”

Hardware calibrators make sure that what your eyes see in the display also how the software is “seeing” it. Your image may be a block of red, and the computer detects it as red, but how sure are you that your monitor settings are accurately representing that tint of red? Hence the calibration devices.

In all fairness, Apple’s built in colorsync software provides a way to also calibrate your monitor… assuming your eyesight is “netral” enough. I was surprised to see that the hardware calibrated settings were very close the personal settings I’ve calibrated using my own eyes. The only difference was I tended to prefer more green (or yellow I guess) in the display.

I’m working with my images now and I honestly don’t notice any change from when I was using my old settings. I did notice however, is that the name box in my Adium notifications are actually violet instead of blue (hence proving again my bias for yellow in my early settings), so I’m glad I got to calibrate this puppy.

EM3s

EM3s are sounding better and better! But the foam is really getting on my nerves, they’re noticably darker now (suggesting dust buildup). On the bright side, they seem to be comfortable now, I can even sleep with them on and not experience ear fatigue the next day. I can also sleep on my side with them on and not feel a difference, which makes me able to listen to podcasts as my bedtime “stories.”

But I’m decided on replacing the foam with custom ear molds. I’m currently looking for an audiologist that can do it. A friend with a hearing impaired sister suggested the Manila Hearing Aid Center, so I’ll have to swing by there one of these days and check if they can cater to my needs.