Upgrade PowerBook G3

近期入手的 PowerBook G3 Pismo 出廠時是 6GB 硬盤，到我手時已經是 12GB，之前升級 Compaq Presario 時剩下的 40GB IDE 硬盤終於有著落喇。

PowerBook G3 原本的 12GB 是IBM DARA-21200 TravelStar，ATA66, 4200rpm, 512KB buffer（full spec）。升級後的 40GB 是 Seagate ST94019A，ATA100, 4200rpm, 2MB buffer（full spec）。Buffer 比以前大，理論上讀寫會快點順暢點，至於 ATA 的速度，保守估計底板是 ATA66，因為我見多數 Mac 用的 ATA 都不會比市場主流硬盤快。

想升級硬盤又不希望重新安裝的話，就要 clone hard disk。以下是 clone hard disk 的文章（by Macinstruct）：

How to Upgrade Your MacBook's Hard Drive
How to Clone and Backup Your Hard Drive

可幸我的 iMac (late 2006) 有 Firewire，MacBook Unibody (2009) 就沒有了。用 Firewire 可以讓一台 Mac（稱為 Target）的 Master Hard Drive 當成 External HDD 連去別的電腦（host），讓 host 去做維護工作。就這讓，我先把 12GB 的 files clone 去 40GB（via USB casing），之後再拆開 Pismo 換 HDD。不過，40GB boot 過 10.3 之後進入 OS 9 失敗，再也 boot 唔起。（後來才知道，40GB 沒有設成 Master，可能這個影響了 boot up 而出現嚴重問題）

Mac OS 9 是一個幾舊的系統，不過要找安裝碟也未算很困難，原來在 http://www.filecrop.com/search.php? 裡可能搵到很多有用的 download link。

Mac OS X 10.3 Panther

Mac OS X version 10.3 “Panther” is the fourth major release of Apple Computer’s Mac OS X operating system. It followed Mac OS X v10.2 “Jaguar” and preceded Mac OS X v10.4 “Tiger”. Apple released Panther on October 24, 2003. The cost from Apple was US$129 for a single-user license and US$199 for a Family Pack (5 user, 1 household) license.

Note: Many of the files are not downloadable from RapidShare.  Only Disc 4 is fully available.  It contains the Xcode.
http://rapidshare.com/files/98589409/Mac.OSX.V10.3.Phanter.Disc1.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98592375/Mac.OSX.V10.3.Phanter.Disc1.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98594855/Mac.OSX.V10.3.Phanter.Disc1.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98597414/Mac.OSX.V10.3.Phanter.Disc1.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98598671/Mac.OSX.V10.3.Phanter.Disc1.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98602068/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd2.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98603943/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd2.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98605821/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd2.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98607672/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd2.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98609517/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd2.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98600120/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd2.part6.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98624772/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd3.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98622689/Mac_Os_X_10.3_Panther_Cd3.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98612631/Mac_OS_X_10.3_Panther_CD4.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98614598/Mac_OS_X_10.3_Panther_CD4.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98616636/Mac_OS_X_10.3_Panther_CD4.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98618677/Mac_OS_X_10.3_Panther_CD4.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98620884/Mac_OS_X_10.3_Panther_CD4.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/98610807/Mac_OS_X_10.3_Panther_CD4.part6.rar

Mac OS 9

Mac OS 9 was the final major release of Apple's "Classic" Mac OS. Introduced on October 23, 1999, Apple positioned it as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever," highlighting Sherlock 2's Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as iTools, and improved Open Transport networking. (further reading)

There are several sources contain a downloadable Mac OS 9 Install Disc or Boot Disc (a.k.a. Toast version). Install Disc is a disk contains the installation tools. Unlike Windows, Mac OS 9 Install Disc is actually a Mac OS 9 with limited features and the installation app. Boot Disc or Toast Disc is a CD bootable Mac OS 9 in full version or installed version. After booting from it, users can copy the content of the disc to the hard disk. The target partition should have Apple OS 9 driver installed.

Mac OS 9.2.1 Install CD:
http://www.mac-torrents.com/torrents.php?mode=download&id=c6fac687cf62819b8030756a4effca7fa5efd851

Mac OS 9.0.4 Install CD:
http://rapidshare.com/files/97399306/MOS9.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/97401013/MOS9.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/97401841/MOS9.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/97403349/MOS9.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/97404172/MOS9.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/97396705/MOS9.part6.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/97399225/MOS9.part7.rar

Mac OS 9 CD (I couldn't get it extracted...):
http://rapidshare.com/files/213243904/MOS9-CD.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213244879/MOS9-CD.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213503803/MOS9-CD.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213463772/MOS9-CD.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213600956/MOS9-CD.part05.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213474850/MOS9-CD.part06.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213604838/MOS9-CD.part07.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213618349/MOS9-CD.part08.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213618512/MOS9-CD.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213639320/MOS9-CD.part10.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213638333/MOS9-CD.part11.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213638326/MOS9-CD.part12.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213662062/MOS9-CD.part13.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213662026/MOS9-CD.part14.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/213662077/MOS9-CD.part15.rar

Mac OS 9 Classic Toast and update of 9.1, 9.2.1 and 9.2.2:
http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/3498222/MacOS_9_retail___updates.3498222.TPB.torrent

Mac OS 9.2.2 Classic Toast boot disc:
http://rapidshare.com/files/404322295/MacOS.9.2.2.Classic.toast.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/404322296/MacOS.9.2.2.Classic.toast.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/404322244/MacOS.9.2.2.Classic.toast.part3.rar
or
http://www.filesonic.com/file/16198249/MacOS.9.2.2.Classic.toast.part1.rar
http://www.filesonic.com/file/16057317/MacOS.9.2.2.Classic.toast.part2.rar
http://www.filesonic.com/file/16116793/MacOS.9.2.2.Classic.toast.part3.rar
Details: MacOS 9.2.2 is the last version of MacOS based on the original Macintosh operating system.
Please note: this isn't a install CD. This is custom bootable CD with fully working MacOS 9.2.2.
This disk contain two folders:
1) Applications (some original apps and Toast 5)
2) System Folder (system folder)
To install, drag and drop System Folder to hard disk. There should be Apple OS9 driver installed while partitioning the hard disk.
This disk is made specially for eMac G4 800 Mhz (Ati Graphics version) and 100% compatible. This model of eMac won't boot this CD if you change internal CD-ROM to custom DVD-ROM.

1TB on my iMac (late 2006)

原本打算買 WD Caviar Blue 1TB (WD10EALS)，可是灣仔電腦城和298電腦城都缺貨。友人（損友）就叫我去買 Caviar Black 2TB ($1400)，理由是我由 500GB 升級，容量只增加一倍太少，我又嫌 Caviar Green 太慢了。可是，一台 2TB 黑碟 的價錢太貴了（怎麼2003年時以$1200買120GB時又沒有嫌太貴呢？），$1200已經夠我買一台 1TB 藍碟日用加一台 2TB 綠碟作備份，何必要選黑碟呢？

灣仔電腦城找不著，自然去298再找，在 price.com.hk 看到有貨報價的樂天電腦正好在 298，報價才 $415，所以打算去找這店。可是 298 裡的情況也不見得樂觀，很多店鋪都沒有貨，大多都主力賣綠碟。有一間店的店長咬牙切齒地叫：“唔洗搵喇，成個場都無貨”。可是，樂天電腦就在旁邊，我到底要不要再多問一間呢？

正在我猶疑不決之時，自認好友的二人（好損的損友）已經撇我而去，找什麼 TV BOX 之類的東東。心有不甘，我折返再問，樂天電腦也是沒貨，沒有 WD10EALS，但有 WD10EALX，是 SATA-III 的版本，索價 $480，分毫不減。家裡的 iMac 已經拆了一半（我是確認可以拆開 iMac 的一體化外殼才毅然去買 hard disk 的），如果空手而回，我都不曉得要不要合上 iMac，所以貴一點也還是乖乖奉上一張大牛。

回家飯後馬上著手拆 iMac 的工序（之前只是拆了外殼）。拆 LCD 比我想像中難，包邊的包膜很難完整拆開，最後都是弄得一團糟。成功換了 hard disk 並清理了一些塵垢之後，就組合起來。說實在，我覺得 iMac 其實是一台 laptop，只是用了檯機的 LCD 和3.5" hard disk，沒有充電池，內置火牛。所以它賣得比其他 desktop 貴。

重灌系統的時間比我預計長，因為第二隻ＤＶＤ的碟面與包裝膠袋融合了，安裝就癱瘓了。第二隻ＤＶＤ裡是 iLife'06 和 iWork 2004 test drive，幸好我有 iLife'09 和 iWork'09，所以重新啟動安裝時不再選它們，就可以避過第二隻ＤＶＤ。我以後都會記得備份跟機的回復光碟，更重要是不要放碟在膠袋裡，即使是 Apple 原裝那個袋，Apple 裝酷可是卻苦了用家。

重灌是很悶的工作，不過比重灌 Windows 輕鬆得多，我可以大模廝樣地將 /Users/Pang/Library 回復，這裡頭全是應用程式的 data files，即是多了無用、無謂的 files 也不會拖慢系統，不像 Windows 的 registry 般要上ＲＡＭ。起碼，我可以選擇性地裝上我真的需要的程式，而裝回的程式也會沿用我的設定。這是 Windows 系統很難實現的（至少在ＸＰ和以前的系統）。

我知道拿 2009年的 Mac OS X 10.6 與 2001年的 Windows XP Pro 比較是不太公平，但，誰讓 Windows 系統升級那麼困難和破費呢？

除了回復之外，我也打算將之前兩台 Mac 的 data 統一在一起（MacBook 換了 SSD 之後已經淪為 Windows machine...）。其中一項工作是要將 Adium 裡的 chat log 融合。關於這一工作，可以參考這文章：On Merging Two OS X Installations

近年的 Adium 記錄 chat logs 是以個別對話（conversation）來分拆 files，並以時間作為 files 名字的，這個做法聰明得很，我可以很容易地匯合兩個 logs。注意，如果把第二台機的 folder 直接放到原位上，Mac OS 的做法是丟棄原有的 folder，換上新的 folder，是整個 folder replace。這做法在 Windows 上是融合，同名的才會被覆蓋 Overwrite，要小心 。

要匯合兩個 folder，按上面的文章教，用 rsync，可是他的方法在我的電腦上不太 work，我將兩個 logs 都放在一起：分別 /logs_imac/ 和 /logs_macbook/，然後在 Terminal 執行以下的 command:

$ rsync -r logs_macbook/* logs_imac

最後，所有的 logs 都在 logs_imac 裡頭了。

由於我有一台 LaCie hard disk，接頭 SATA + 1394 firewire，所以拆下來的舊 hard disk 就放到 LaCie 裡。跑 firewire 的外置真的又快又穩定，完全是物有所值。用過 Firewire 400 就以後都不想再用 USB 2.0。看看下圖，這是 copy 的讀寫速度和 CPU 使用率，而且在抄寫的 files 是大小不一，小至幾十ＫＢ，大至幾ＧＢ，速度卻是穩定的 40MB/s。火線外置是最好的！

Constant data transfer rate. With USB, the speed is unstable.

Low CPU consumption. With USB, the CPU usage is always high.

Western Digital Caviar for iMac (Late 2006)

My iMac (late 2006) came with a Hitachi 500GB SATA-II hard disk, which I paid extra to upgrade from 320GB. Its SATA controller can only run at speed 1.5Gbps (SATA-I), kind of wasting the hard disk's performance. Anyway, it has been running slow and getting full (with less than 10% space left... even it's still some 30-40GB of free space). So, I wish to upgrade it to 1000GB or so, as the price dropped so much all these years. A 1TB drive is only $400 (USD50), a 2TB is $640 (USD80).

So far, I'm not consider Hitachi because it is hot. I don't have good impression with Seagate even the one in my office is Seagate. So, I go for Western Digital. My friend told me about their Caviar series and said "Go for Blue, not for Green".

The max capacity of Western Digital Caviar Blue is 1TB. It is only a double of my current drive. I'm thinking to get more than just a double. But... following is their product chart (3.5", minimum 1TB, SATA interface)

WD Caviar Black
Model #	Interface	RPM	Capacity	Cache	price
WD2002FAEX	SATA 6 Gb/s	7200	2 TB	64 MB
WD1502FAEX	SATA 6 Gb/s	7200	1.5 TB	64 MB
WD1002FAEX	SATA 6 Gb/s	7200	1 TB	64 MB	$603
WD2001FASS	SATA 3 Gb/s	7200	2 TB	64 MB	$1260
WD1001FALS	SATA 3 Gb/s	7200	1 TB	32 MB	$652
WD Caviar Blue
Model #	Interface	RPM	Capacity	Cache	price
WD10EALX	SATA 6 Gb/s	7200	1 TB	32 MB
WD10EALS	SATA 3 Gb/s	7200	1 TB	32 MB	$415
WD Caviar Green
Model #	Interface	RPM	Capacity	Cache	price
WD30EZRSDTL	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	3 TB	64 MB	$1890
WD25EZRSDTL	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	2.5 TB	64 MB
WD20EARS	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	2 TB	64 MB	$662
WD15EARS	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	1.5 TB	64 MB
WD10EARS	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	1 TB	64 MB
WD20EADS	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	2 TB	32 MB
WD15EADS	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	1.5 TB	32 MB	$735
WD10EADS	SATA 3 Gb/s	IntelliPower	1 TB	32 MB	$420

There are questions asking why choose the Caviar Green. Here is one of the reviews (in Chinese) : 給我一個選綠盤的理由?西數黑藍綠盤對決.

Looking at the review, Caviar Blue is great choice. However, they don't offer 2TB version (yet?). So, I may either go for Caviar Black or Caviar Green.

iMac (late 2006)
iMac5,1
Core2Duo 2.16GHz, 4MB L2 Cache
DDR2 667MHz 2GB + 1GB (non dual-channel)
SATA 1.5Gbps link

Considering my iMac is that old, there maybe no differences between Caviar Blue and Caviar Green. The bottleneck falls into the onboard SATA controller.

So, shall I go for Caviar Green because I can store more data on iMac, without connecting a lot external drive? Or, shall I get Caviar Blue so that the iMac run faster? I may also get another DDR2 2GB so that the computer runs dual channel, which should be 8-10% performance boost.

MacBook Unibody (early 2009) with OCZ Vertex SSD

My 13" MacBook Unibody (early 2009) comes with a SATA-1 250GB hard disk. The controller maybe capable of 3.0Gbps but it only runs at 1.5Gbps, probably due to the bottleneck at the hard disk. While everyone is crazy about SSD, I want to know if my 2 years old MacBook Unibody can boost up to next level speed.

Mine is a MacBook Unibody early 2009 model. It is not a MacBook Pro which has an SD card slot. So, it is not-so-common to find reviews of SSD upgrade. Most of reviews are made by MBP users. But here is a good one (since it is about OCZ on OCZ forum, I feel like reading a commercial ad):

OCZ Vertex: MacBook Unibody, BootCamp and Win7 - Benchmarks and impressions

I was reading this article while shopping in the mall. And so I went for the OCZ Vertex 60GB SSD. Prior to visit the mall, I also read another one, which indeed scared me a bit and being careful on the brand to choose. To my surprise, even an Intel SSD doesn't work on the MacBook Pro.

Installing a SSD in a Macbook Pro unibody

My 2 years MacBook Unibody took over 2 minutes to start up (count from the moment I press the power button). Clean installing Snow Leopard on SSD is really fast, about 15-20 minutes. It boots in 25 seconds. It takes 45-50 seconds to boot into Windows XP, however. It takes 20 seconds before the Windows XP loading screen appears. I guess the EFI is not as optimized as Asus eeePC S101. The netbook has a faster boot up speed, even it runs on Atom CPU, DDR-2 memory and SSD with max w/r 80MBps.

Here is a simple speed test. I timed the time required to load Symbian S60 3rd Edition FP1 emulator.

around 60s on P4 HT 3.0GHz, DDR-1 RAM, SATA-I hard disk
around 50s on Atom 1.6GHz, DDR-2 RAM, SATA SSD (MLC)
around 30s on C2D 3.0GHz, DDR-2 RAM, SATA-II hard disk
around 15s on C2D 2.4GHz, DDR-3 RAM, SATA-II OCZ SSD

Does it worth the money? I would say... if you are freely to spend.

(I will post photos here later).

Finding a multifunction printer

I have several printers and scanners at home (one with feeder at office). But still unable to perform a lot scan, print and fax features. Because every piece of them are not good enough or just too old. I'm looking for just one good printer which can do nearly everything, except flying itself up to the moon.

Here are some requirements:

1. Print, scan and fax.
2. Connect via USB, Ethernet (wired or wireless, doesn't matter), and RJ-9 phone jacket.
3. Must be a laser, color or mono doesn't matter. I just hate ink-jet.
4. Can manage scan and fax over the network (without using the USB).
5. Compact size (less than 45cm x 45cm x 45cm). Weight less than 15KG (not quite important)
6. Less than HK$2500 (mono laser) or HK$3500 (color laser)
7. Support both Windows XP/Vista/7 and Mac OS X.

Here are some candidates:

1. Brother MFC 7840N ($2588), as low as $2400. Mono laser
2. Samsung CLX-3175FN ($3499), as low as $2688(?). Color laser
3. Samsung CLX-3185FN, as low as $3150. Color laser
4. Fuji Xerox Work Centre 3119/3210/3220
5. Fuji Xerox Phaser 3100MFP/3200MFP
6. Samsung SCX-4828FN
7. Samsung CLX-3175FW/3185FW (wireless version of #2 & #3 above)

Seems none of my friends know well in this aspect. Still in search of a good one with a good price.

Useful Mac App (not all are free, actually)

I was looking at Mac's memory problem - how to force it free up memory. And come across with this "100 Free Useful Mac Apps". Not all of them are free, actually. Some are sharewares and require purchase of some-sort-of-things in order to continue using them.

100 Free Useful Mac Applications (Part I)

100 Free Useful Mac Applications (Part II)

For those who like to learn about Mac's memory problem, check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_memory_management

Fixing my MacBook Unibody

The microphone on my MacBook Unibody (2009) stop working after I took it to fix a motherboard issue (which turned out to be memory module incompatible issue). Apple's HK service provider - C.A.S.E. - is doing a very very poor job. It is just as worst as with Acer in HK.

After I got my MacBook back, the microphone doesn't response at all. I tried everything, except taking the MacBook apart, and couldn't get it work. Using iPhone's handfree, the computer can get audio in. So, there is no problem with the motherboard or the OS whatsoever. I'm sure it's a problem in the microphone connection. So, I took everything out by following this guide. And I fixed the problem - unbelievable! (This is just crazy).

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Unibody-Model-A1278-Microphone/770/1

iPhoto can't sync after changing MobileMe password

更改了 MobileMe 帳戶的密碼之後，所有登入的地方都必需重新輸入密碼，可是，有一個是沒有直接的輸入方法的，那就是 iPhoto 了。不明白為何 Apple 會遺漏了這個地方，而且 MobileMe 是每年收費的，不是一般免費服務哦！

比較簡單又直接的修改方法，可以在以下 forum 找到：
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=689762

節錄出來方便大家，和我自己（註 MM = MobileMe）：

When you change your MM password, you need to enter the new password in MobileMe in System Preferences. When you select MobileMe in System Preferences, it will (correctly) say that your password has changed and ask for the new one.


It looks like the problem with iPhoto is that when you enter the new password in MobileMe preferences, the keychain entry for it isn't being updated. Look for publish.me.com in Keychain Access. It will probably have the old password. Changing it there and then signing out/in in MM System Preferences seems to fix the problem with iPhoto. If not, try deleting publish.me.com in Keychain Access and then sign out/in to MobileMe in System Preferences.

注：我刪走「signing out/in in MM System Preferences」因為我發現無需要這樣做。我只是把 iPhoto 關了，再進行以上的修改，之後打開 iPhoto，一直就正常了。

NTFS-3G for Mac OS X

如果需要在 Mac 機上寫入 NTFS 的 partition，你可能嘗試安裝 MacFUSE 並配合 NTFS-3G 或者 Tuxera NTFS for Mac。MacFUSE 和 NTFS-3G 都是免費的 open source project，而 Tuxera NTFS for Mac 則是收費版。

由於我還沒有用過它們，暫時沒有評論。詳情可以瀏覽它們的官網。

同場加映：FinderPop，它可以讓你在使用 Finder 時，pop up menu 裡追加一大堆功能，簡單又好用。詳情可以瀏覽它的官網。

Remove SDKs from Mac

I tried several mobile platform SDKs on my MacBook Unibody. These SDKs might get several updates within a year. During the update, there may be left over files which are no longer necessary. Here is a few steps I found online regarding how to remove these SDKs from Mac.

iPhone SDK (now iOS SDK)
1. Open a Terminal window.
2. Type the following command:
sudo /Developer/Library/uninstall-devtools --mode=all
3. Type your administrator password.
4. Wait.

"--mode=all" will remove all SDK and files related to Mac OS development (Note: iPhone OS is a subset of Mac OS). It will remove all install components inside the "Developer" folder.

Qt SDK
1. Open a Terminal window.
2. Type the following command:
sudo /usr/bin/pythonw /Developer/Tools/uninstall-qt.py
3. Type your administrator password.
4. Wait.

Qt Creator
1, Drag its icon to trash.

Nokia Qt SDK
1. Use SDKMaintenanceTool

SecondBar put the OS X menubar on both of your Mac's dual monitors

SecondBar put the OS X menubar on both of your Mac's dual monitors

尋袋日記

自從開始用手提電腦之後，我便越來越注意背囊的質素，畢竟出門時要帶的東西都往背包裡塞，而途人也往往衝著你的背包撞過來，所以背囊的容量、方便程度、舒適程度、耐用性、保護性能、外型等，都要講究。

當 ThinkPad T42 來了...

05年買了 ThinkPad T42，配它的背包是印著 IBM 和 ThinkPad 字樣的 Targus 背囊，適合 15" 4:3 屏幕的。左右可以插支水，是個書包型。

當 MacBook Unibody 來了...

08年的背包是 Targus 的 Dash Backpack，適合 13" 闊屏幕的 laptop（剛好放我的 MacBook Unibody），體積比之前的背囊細一點。

當 D90 來了...

當裡頭有部 S101，將 D90 連鏡放入 Dash Backpack，顯得有點擠擁。如果 MacBook 進駐時，D90 必須解體，左鏡右機才放得入。沒有間隔、沒有保護、受不起外來衝擊（參閱第一段）、害怕袋裡互相碰撞，基本上袋裡不能放下其他東西，最多可以勉強放一兩個小東西，還要小心翼翼不能搖晃。

選擇相機袋，主流有 Lowepro，也有 Kata，還有 National Geographic。我最先留意的是 Kata 3N1-20，很強大的袋，一機三鏡一閃，會背它的人，一定是個很強的人（MS-15 GANN），強大臂力、高階相機、超強鏡頭、強大陣容以及極強的後盾（銀包）。

有朋友建議了 Lowepro Fastpack 250，一機三鏡一閃連 15" laptop，大得可以放「小黑」，但外型真是有點大、有點薯。在 Lowepro 的網站怎樣也找不著合適的，於是再次回到 Kata 網站。

驀然回首...

Kata 網很慢，我估是設計問題吧，不過找袋的方法好一點，只要click "DSLR Content"便會出現一個 list，看圖識字，格納庫一目了然。

DR-466 令人眼前一亮，能收納一機兩鏡一閃一 laptop（闊屏幕），DR-466i 更可以縛腳架（DR-466只可以縛行山棍之類較輕巧的物品）。原來有朋友用 DR-467（laptop 4:3 屏幕），也很滿意，有用家保薦信心大增。雖然 DR-466i 比 Fastpack 250 容量小，放不入小黑，最大外尺寸分別不大，但外型討好不老土，從上方收納laptop，掛得腳架又包雨褸，必要時還可以改裝成普通背囊，而包相機的部份可以用在 Dash Backpack 裡，所以它應該是今次的購買目標。

直到我借到小黑的日子，再考慮更大的背囊吧。

註：銅鑼灣皇室堡 DC Fever：Kata DR-466i 特價 $690。

後記：星期五跟女朋友提起這個 DR-466i，但我無法說明這個背囊有多大時，立時有個男人在身旁經過，孭著 DR-466 或 DR-467。我指著那個走遠了的男人，大叫「呀！就是這個、就是這個！」。（中完相機毒，再中背囊毒？）

Soundflower - Mac's virtual audio

在 Windows XP 或以前的年代，我可以在 Audio options 裡選擇 record 返 Sound Card 的 Mixer，這樣，Recorder 就可以錄返電腦播出的聲音，例如，可以錄到遊戲的聲音。這個在 Windows 7 裡我未能做到。而在 Mac OS 上，就一直都無法做到，除非用一條 audio 線、將 Audio Out 駁返入去 Audio In。不過新版的 MacBook Pro 只有一個混合的 Audio 頭……

原來輞上還有一個很好用又免費的工具：Soundflower。頓時，在 Mac 上要錄音之類的工作，就易如反掌了。

官方網頁：http://cycling74.com/products/soundflower/

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Upper Case

有朋友的 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody 被撥了紅酒，她已經很聰明地讓電腦完全風乾才開機。部 MacBook Pro 雖然能夠正常開機，但打字都變成了怪碼，minimize window 的 effect 很慢。她拿去香港的 C.A.S.E.，對方居然 quote 維修費用 $9800，這與買台新機 $10800 有啥分別？C.A.S.E. 真的很搵笨，希望 Apple 盡早放棄這等無良奸商（上次維理我的 MacBook，換了 logic board，如今 Microphone 沒有反應）。

當個鍵盤的鍵 jam 了，駁個 USB keyboard 就可以 "Override" 它。之後到 System Preferences > Language & Text 裡，勾選 Keyboard Viewer。完成後，在 Menu bar 上按 language icon > Show Keyboard Viewer，再在 jammed keyboard 上隨意按一個鍵。這時就可以看到 Keyboard Jam 的情況：

所有怪獸字、怪碼，原來都是因為 Option + Shift 鍵 jam 了。然後，嘗試拆掉兩個 option 鍵看看，果然有酒漬。

如果是一台 ThinkPad，那麼，我應該很容易就能抽出 Keyboard、拆鍵、洗鍵，然後各安天命；大不了就花 $780 換一個新的。但原來 MacBook Pro Unibody 的 Keyboard 是和 Upper Case 同化了（Unify），看看 I Fix It 的說明，它們也沒有提供「拆 Keyboard」的方法：

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Pro-13-Inch-Unibody-Upper-Case/1366/1

即是說要修理就只有整個 Upper Case 換。看來該 MacBook Pro 主人都難免破財了。

早前在購物節裡，我買了兩塊鋪 Keyboard 的膠，廿五蚊一塊，有朋友還笑說我總是買這些怪東西亂花錢。但如果用一塊 Keyboard 膠就能挽救一個「撥水」危機，那麼，市場上一塊「貼身設計 for MacBook」賣 $100 都不算貴了。如果你預知明天你的 notebook 會有無可避免的「水劫」時，你肯花 $100 買一塊膠來擋災嗎？

意外收鑊是，從 I Fix It 看到接駁 Microphone 的方法，我懷疑上次 C.A.S.E. 換我的 LCD screen 或 logic board 時，沒有好好的駁回 Microphone。

More Mac mini Server

更多關於使用 Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server 的 post：

How to install Mac OS Server as RAID-1 on Mac mini:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2213470&tstart=30
Out of the box the mini comes without Raid. You have two identical HDs of 500Gb.

I have just set it up as Raid1. You can't do this when you use the startup disk from the mini. And as you don't have a Superdrive ... you need to be creative. You need another Mac with Firewire.

Step 1: Start the Mini in Target Mode. Press the T during start. In a few seconds the firewire logo will appear on your screen.
Step 2: Go to your second Mac. Connect the firewire cable between second Mac and Mini.
Step 3: On the second Mac start the disc utility. The two identical drives on your mini will show. Create a new Raid set (mirrored = Raid 1). Include both drives. Confirm the warning that all data on the mini will be lost.
Step 4: Make sure your second Mac has CD/ DVD sharing option installed. This is tou use the superdrive to install OS X Server on the mini.
Step 5: Shutdown both Macs
Step 6: Start your second Mac in target mode. Make sure the firewire cable is still connected.
Step 7: Start the Mini with the option key pressed.
Step 8: Insert the OS X Server install disc in your second Mac.
Step 9: wait till the drive logo apears om the Mini. Continue the install. Will take about an hour.


How to enable RAID 1 without reinstall or using the DVD at all:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=809077

... I did have a spare USB hard drive... I used SuperDuper (great app, used it, and paid for the registered version! to clone the Server HD to the external USB.

My external drive is 300GB, ... it doesn't have to be identical to the internal 500GB drive(s), ... you might even be able to do this with an 8 or 16GB USB drive...

So, using SuperDuper, I cloned the disk AND MADE THE EXTERNAL DRIVE BOOTABLE ('Set as Startup Disk'). Booted from the external drive, then used Disk Utility (RAID Utility is in the Operating System / Applications folder but does NOT work) to turn the internal disks (Server HD and Macintosh HD) into a new RAID Mirrored Pair. Note that this wipes the original drives.

Then, I used SuperDuper again, to clone my EXTERNAL USB DRIVE back onto the new RAID Mirrored Pair. I made the RAID pair bootable ('Set as startup disk') ...

... back into SuperDuper [and]... used the SmartUpdate feature (which requires a paid/registered version of SuperDuper).

That did the trick. Upon reboot, I am running off the internal, RAID Mirrored drives (I'm typing this from the Mac Mini Server), plus I have a bonus backup on my external USB drive!

Set up CVS on Mac OS X:
http://developer.apple.com/internet/opensource/cvsoverview.html
http://www.novajo.ca/cvs.html

為何當初不買Mac

公司要「企業化」，就需要一台「Server」來做 CVS 等服務（其實又只是做數據備份用途），上頭明明是好Mac之人，平日高呼討厭 Windows 之聲比在下更甚，卻無啦啦買了一台 Dell T100。據說這一台 T100 約六千餘元，所以我上了 Dell 網站，看看一台 PowerEdge(TM) T100 賣多少錢、什麼性能：


Dell PowerEdge(TM) T100
CPU: Intel® Pentium® Dual Core E5400, 2.7GHz/3MB, 1066MHz FSB
OS : None
RAM: 2GB DDR-2 800MHz
DVD: DVD writer
HDD: RAID-1 SATA-II x2
跑 RAID-1 750GB 就要 HK$7027，跑 250GB 就 HK$5509，公司買的應該是 500GB，所以介乎這兩個價錢之間，吻合。

可是，買回來卻又安裝不了 Windows 2000 Pro，最後還得再花四千餘元買 Microsoft® Windows® Server 2008。安裝 2K8 個多小時（為什麼這麼「慢」？），最後說沒有 4GB RAM 安裝失敗，真是Ｏ晒咀、無言！

一台 Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server明明就比這樣更明智，又安全，Mac OS X可是 Unix 底，比任何 Windows OS 更安全（它不是100%安全但至少比 Windows 好十倍）。


CPU: Intel® Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz/3MB, 1066MHz FSB
OS : Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Server
RAM: 4GB DDR-3 1066MHz (2GB x 2)
DVD: none
HDD: Dual 500GB SATA
HKD 7988

性價比、安全性、穩定性、重量、體積等等，Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server 都比選 Dell 好，看看 Snow Leopard Server 可以為你做什麼？iCal Server 2 WOW! Wiki Server 2 WOW! Address Book Server WOW Mobile Access Server WOW!

我知道可以在 Windows 上裝返相同的東西，但如果系統本身已經自帶這些，不是更好嗎？而且，更平宜呢。


本週金句：「上頭買Dell不買Mac，送到公司無ＯＳ，裝個視窗多麻煩，為何當初不買Mac。」

Windows 7 反盜版技術

微軟推出新版視窗操作系統 Windows 7，今日在香港正式發售，微軟香港公司今日在銅鑼灣時代廣場舉行產品發佈會，並以超級優惠價 377元（原價 2,699元）限量發售 400套旗艦版，數百名「微軟迷」早於昨晨已經聞風而至通宵等候購買。

微軟公司香港區市場經理指，互聯網上部份流傳的 Windows 7，含有電腦病毒或木馬程式，用戶一旦安裝後，可能導致電腦故障，甚至令電腦內的資料損毀或喪失，呼籲市民不要下載來歷不明的 Windows 7。

微軟的亞太區總裁楊思毅指，內地盜版猖厥，始終對軟件銷售產生負面影響，但無論反盜版技術如何進步，都會有破解方法，公司寄望透過教育，令年輕人學懂尊重知識版權。

只要微軟設立一個極快的 BT server，把有毒的盜版 Windows 7 ISO 以極高的下載速度散播出去，讓這個種蓋過所有人設立的種，然後在同一天讓所有中了毒的 Windows 同歸於盡，那麼，以後就沒有人再用盜版的 Windows 了。

又或者，散播附有木馬程式的盜版 Windows 7，再盜取用戶的信用卡資料，然後收費或罰款，那麼，就沒有人再敢用盜版的 Windows 了。

再如是者，散播附有木馬的程式，把用戶的新聞照片、新聞對話等，公佈在各大論壇上，從此以後，再沒有人會盜微軟的版。大家都轉投 Ubuntu、Mac OS 等系統，或者直到一日，Symbian OS 會在 NetBook 上跑時……

之後，微軟就會知道，盜版為他們帶來多少生意額了。


可惜丫，IBM 唔搞 Mac OS 的機，如果一搞，可能係世界上最好的軟硬組合。


Apple 的 CS 真的很爛，尤其是那個外判的維修公司：C.A.S.E.。

新的 Mac OS X 10.6 會鏟走您的文件

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard bug deletes all user data
Users report massive data loss after upgrading when they access a 'Guest' account

Apple working on fix for Snow Leopard bug
Flaw can lead to the loss of all of a user's personal data when they log in with a guest account.

幸好我從來都是 disable 了 Guest account 的。但想起來真是恐怖，沒想到 Mac OS X 的 programming 差了很多，是人的問題吧。