Revival

Now that I have moved to the final stages of my Masters (last module D845 - Dissertation) I thought it was about time to revive this blog. I have decided to split my blogging with more technical IT stuff being posted on my Boatanchor blog and my studying work stuff being posted here.

University:

So, this is it. I am entering my final year with the OU and starting my last module D845. I haven't really got started with this yet as the course only began this week. However, as this is the dissertation module I have done quite a bit of preparatory work on my research proposal which, over the first two TMA's (Tutor Marked Assignments) will be more formalized.

As a basic outline the research I want to look at is an examination of gender differences in educational choice. More specifically to do with the choice of IT as a HE (Higher Education) topic. In the last 5 - 8 years the number of females entering HE has risen to such an extent that they now outnumber the males in almost all HE subjects, including previously male dominated subjects such as Maths and Science. However, IT subjects are still strongly male dominant (the ratio is about 3:1). WHY?

My primary data collection method will be a questionnaire designed to examine the motivations behind educational choice (the questionnaire is based on an examination of motivational measures). This will be used to compare the motivations of women who choose to enter IT related subjects compared to the motivations of those who opt for more traditionally female subjects (like the social sciences). There are lots of other avenues I could have looked at for this research (comparing the motivations of men and women who chose IT subjects for example) but given the limited time available to me I felt this was a limited but do-able project, bearing in mind this is a part time course, and I only have a year to do all the prep, data collection, analysis and writeup.

Why IT you may ask, well I have a particular interest in IT as I currently work in that field and I feel that IT is becoming increasingly relevant and important in our everyday lives. Technology is beginning to fundamentally change our social worlds, beginning with how we communicate (look at mobile phones, email, text messaging etc), right through to how we manage our social / work relationships (with sites like Facebook and Linkedin). I hope to expand my work into this area as I move on to (hopefully) do a Phd looking at how technology is not only changing how we outwardly interact with other but fundamentally changing how we think about  the social world we live in.

College:

Because working full time and studying for a Masters isn't enough work I am also nearly finishing my C&G (City and Guilds) Level 3 in C++ programming. Though this has no relation to my course, or my work it is yet another thing I have found very enjoyable and interesting, and that will hopefully be of use in the future.

Speaking of work,

Work:

I have recently resigned and will be starting a new job at the end of the month. This is to move to a much more IT focused role, hopefully this will be a good move, allowing me to extend my IT skills and obtain industry recognized qualifications in this area.

Of course this means that I have a month to put all my outstanding projects in order to handover or to finish. This means all those projects that where 'on the back burner' now need to be formalized, started and finished (or handed over) in 3 weeks, not challenging at all!

End note:

Oh, and if that wasn't enough, I'm getting married this year too!

Smoking Ban - Rant

So, the time has come. You will no longer be able to sit in your nice quiet local pub and enjoy a beer and a smoke. First smokers are forced into 'Smoking Areas' and tiny 'Smoking Rooms' in pubs of offices, now they have finally been pushed completely outside.

I can't remember the last time I was in a pub with less than 80% of those present smoking. It’s unbelievable. Of course people complain that they should not have to sit next to 'fowl smelling smokers' in pubs, my advice, get some other friends, or move to the clearly labelled 'No Smoking Area'.

The obvious objection being that smoking is addictive and dangerous, hmm, I wonder what else is addictive and dangerous, could it be alcohol? Ahh, that’s it. So, what's next, I know! Alcohol free pubs, places where you can go to be safe from the 'fowl smell' of real ale and enjoy a nice healthy fruit smoothy.

Just for the record I am an occasional smoker, maybe 3 /4 cigarettes a week, sometimes much less. I feel no desire to 'give up' as I probably get more harmful substances in my body breathing in the exhaust fumes from the bus that stops outside my house, plus I actually smoke because I enjoy it not because a need it.

Thursday - The Long Weekend

Here we are, at the beginning (well almost) of a nice long weekend!

Push Email

I currently have a Nokia E61 which has served me well and seams to do everything I need. However, I am getting itchy feet and looking at possible alternatives. My main issue is getting a 'Push' email device. This has lead me to look into the market and uncover a few interesting facts.
The first of which is the busting of the popular myth of the all powerful Blackberry as the best push email device in town. A friend of mine (who incidentally works for RIM) has convinced me what a great device they are, particularly the new 8800. However, if you are individual user (like me) you do not have the benefit of a BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) sitting there 'Pushing' out all your emails. Instead you have the BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) option. This POLLS you accounts (about every 15 min) to check for new email which it then sends out to your device. Correct me if I am wrong but this is NOT 'Push' email.

There is a lot of advice on sites like BlackberryForums.org to get round this problem but they are work arounds not solutions. Of course RIM are improving there services and now you can get true 'Push' on your Gmail or Yahoo accounts but again this is forcing me to use a particular service which doesn't suit my other needs (I currently have a Fusemail account which offers IMAP functionality and IMAP-Idle).

The second solution, gaining popularity, is a Windows Mobile Device. But again if you look at the small print you must have a Windows 2003 sever sitting there 'Pushing' the emails out to your device, making it useless to an individual user.

There are other solutions out there but these rely on the user having IMAP-Idle, a service not offered by may ISP's as standard (The only one I know who offers IMAP as standard is AOL, then you have to deal with their awful software!). My existing Nokia E61 is working well and, after two software updates, is maintaining a connection to my IMAP server properly.

The only other option I can find in to move over to a Palm Treo device. Having looked at a Treo 750 I can't see how I could actually type on it and would probably find myself using the stylus input which defeats the point of a device with a keyboard! However, when combined with the ChatterMail software offers Push email via IMAP-Idle. The only problem with anything other than a Blackberry if the potentially huge data costs of maintaining a open connection.

So, having reviewed my options, I think I am better off sticking with what I have got, until something new hits the market.

Apple

Being a avid followed of Mac related news I have been keeping my eye on the upcoming iPhone but have so far found no details about the standards it will be compatible with, eg will it be able to use my IMAP-Idle account to give me Push email? So, I will be reserving opinion until I get some more detailed specs.

I have been looking into the Apple TV and so far it all looks good to me. With sites like AppleTV Hacks it seems anything is possible!

Study

I am about to reach the halfway point of my latest module of my ongoing Masters course. Having gone through the 'am I waisting my time?' point I am now back to being positive about the course and am trying to take my ideas in new directions. I am currently looking into the area of Cyber-Psychology as a way to combine both my interests in Psychology and Computers. I also find the whole area of Artificial Intelligence, both exciting and worrying at the same time, visions of 2001: A Space Odyssey spring to mind.

Long Time No See.........

It has been quite a while since I have had the time to blog and there have been many exciting changes in the meantime. Fist off the reason behind this post... I have finally (I hope) found a tool with which I can blog without having to go through the hassle of login into the website. It is a Firefox plugin by Performancing from which this is my first post.



Being an Apple fan I have been watching the developments with Leopard which look exciting, particularly the 'Time Machine' backup option. Of course there is the announcement of the new iPhone, which I will reserve judgment on until someone does a proper review. The most exciting thing for me from that announcement was the AppleTV which will save me having to plug my MacBook into the TV every time I want to watch a film of TV show kept on my server.



The Server itself is showing signs of aging and has started to make a groaning noise which I hoping only points to a failing hard disk rather than anything more serious. Having said that both HD's SMART checks pass with no problems so will have to investigate further. I have however (finally) got round to sorting out a backup with a little (meaning allot) of help from this script. While that will help restore any lost settings it won't help with the content, this will require the purchase of a backup disk drive (which, currently I can't afford!).



Last week, while my server was having one of its fits, I decided to update my PortableApps. They now have a full suit of stuff for download which gives you everything in one shot. I however, prefer some customization so opted for the 'light 'version and added only the bits I need. While this gives me encrypted email (via Enigmail and Thunderbird) and encrypted IM (via GAIM and the OTR plugin) it did not offer a way of encrypting data on the USB key itself. I managed to find TrueCrypt which, once installed on a PC, gives you the option to create a 'Traveler' drive which allows you to install a cut down version of TrueCrypt and the volume creation wizard so you can 'roll-your-own' encrypted USB key, with the added bonus of Linux computability. On the computability note it is worth mentioning that non of the portable apps work on anything other than Windows (this is not a criticism, they aren't designed too!). With the addition of portaPuttY (which allows me to ssh into the server) I have a fully portable 'system' which can be used on any Windows PC.

Testing Testing........

Follow my search for a useful tool from which I can edit and post to
this blog, without having to write it as a text file and then re do
all the formating when positing it through the website, I found a
useful tool on the Apple downloads Productivity Tools section.
Journler seems to fit the bill. I haven't had time to explore all it
has to offer (yes I am almost finished with my second course
assignment) but will be testing these out over the coming days.

Follow my search for a useful tool from which I can edit and post to this blog, without having to write it as a text file and then re do all the formating when positing it through the website, I found a useful tool on the Apple downloads Productivity Tools section. Journler seems to fit the bill. I haven't had time to explore all it has to offer (yes I am almost finished with my second course assignment) but will be testing these out over the coming days.

Nokia E61 Great Features

Having had a few problems with my E61 I became a bit disheartened with the whole thing. The main reason that I got this phone was the IMAP-Idle functionality it offered and as yet I still do not have this working to my satisfaction. However this may not be solely the handsets fault as neither Vodafone (my wireless provider) or Fusemail (my IMAP provider) seem to understand what I am trying to do, or fully support it.

This issue aside I have found a number of features which make me think that this is if not the ultimate all in one device then it is the closest thing so far. These are, in no particular order:

1) IMAP (-idle pending!), POP, Exchange, Blackberry and a number of other email standards are catered for.

Ok, so I don't have IMAP-Idle working perfectly but can still use the device to read my IMAP emails, just not on a 'push' basis.

2) GPRS, 3G and wifi support.

This is fantastic, at wireless hotspots and in my own home (or someone else's with wifi) I can save a fortune on data costs by using my / their wifi.

3) syncML support

Recently discovered ability so sync OTA (Over The Air) with my Fusemail address book and calendar as well as with iSync on my Mac.

Note: I have yet to successfully test the OTA sync but will report any problems.

4) PDA / PIM functionality (address book, contacts)

The inclusion of decent PIM applications have consigned my Axim to the bin (or ebay!), now I can manage my whole life on one device.

5) Notes

My desk and home would be covered in half written post it notes if it wasn't for this great feature. The only thing missing is the ability to index and search my notes as there are now so many of then.

6) the ability to open / edit word, excel and powerpoint documents

Although I do not personally use this I am sure and 'Enterprise' user would find this a major help.

7) the media player

Again I have as yet to use this fully but following the instructions on e-series I have managed to sync part of my iTunes library (not all as it is over 16 GB) to the memory card in my E61. It is no iPod but it all adds to the fact that this is one convergence device that seems to do lots of things and do them well, unlike previous attempts which do a bit of each thing badly.

Beyond the built in capabilities:

8) GPS

While it does not have built in GPS capability, with the addition of a bluetooth GPS the phone has the software (and the screen) for decent GPS navigation. With the addition of MG-Maps you will have full map / direction capability.

9) SSH client

With a simple download (PuTTY for Series60) I have been able to set up and manage my (Linux) home server from my E61 using SSH.

Just a couple of things which sprang to mind while I was thinking of throwing the phone out of the window after yet another failed attempt at sorting IMAP-Idle out.

Macbook software

Well after many waisted hours looking at sights like wfreeware and opensource mac I have finished (for now) getting all the software I need (a relative term!) for now. This includes:

AbiWord - open source word processor.
Adium - multi client instant messenger.
Celestia - a tool for exploring the universe from the desktop
ClamXav - anti-virus
Colloquy - IRC client
Cyberduck - FTP client
DivX Player - video player
Firefox - open source browser
Google Earth - a fantastic GPS tool and map
Hardware monitor - a temperature monitor for the macbook
iSync upgrade - for Nokia E61 compatibility
Mplayer - video player for everything VLC or DivX can't cope with
Quicksilver - after reading the raves about this I thought I would try it out but haven't had the time
RSS Owl - RSS reader
SyncTunes - to sync iTunes with my Nokia E61's memory card
Thunderbird - my girlfriend uses this for her email
VLC - yet another video player
StuffIt - zip utility

So, not an exhaustive list and by no means the best examples of what is available, just my personal favorites.

I am slowly catching up with the reading. I have to, my next lecture is on Saturday!