QR codes

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A QR code (short for Quick Response) is a two-dimensional code originally designed in Japan and initially used in the auto industry. You can use them to encode and store textual information, link to a web site, a vCard, etc. For more information refer to Wikipedia

In order to be able to read QR codes with your smart phone you need to install a QR code reader. Here are some suggestions:

iPhone – Bakodo – Barcode Scanner and QR Bar Code Reader

Android – i-nigma Barcode Scanner

Windows Phone 7 – NeoReader

BlackBerry – ScanLife Barcode

There are many QR readers out there – it is up to you to choose the one you like the best.

So what about generating your own QR codes? You can do this as well. Go to http://goqr.me and start creating your own QR codes for free.

Here is some video on you tube about how to use QR code with vCard:

Google Music on Android Phone

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Google Music is a service that allows you to buy, organize and play music online. Among other things you are allowed to upload up to 20,000 songs from your personal music collection for free. The bad thing is that it is officially offered only in US. The good thing is that there is a work-around.

I cannot comment on whether it is illegal or not to use the work-around and I am just providing information that can be found elsewhere and I am not suggesting you should use it. If you do it is at your own risk.

Step 1) Sign up for Google Music and upload your music to the cloud (Google Music servers)

Google Music will check whether your computer’s IP address is an US one only the first time (when you register for the service). You need to get a temporary US IP address. One easy way is to download and install Hide My IP (http://www.hide-my-ip.com/). You can use it for free for 14 days – more than enough.

Run the program. Open it from the system tray, check the “Request US Based IP” check-box and press “Hide My IP” button. After few seconds you will be given a new US based IP address as shown below:

Now go to http://music.google.com
Accept the terms of service and click the “Download Music Manager” button:

Install the application on your computer, run it and tell it where you store your music collection – there are several choices (iTunes, Music folder, etc.). The application will start uploading your music to Google Music in the background (you need to be connected to internet). You are done with this step.

Now you can play your music from any computer connected to internet directly within your browser. Just go to music.google.com, log in and start streaming (you do not need US IP address to play or upload music – it was necessary just when you signed up).

Step 2) Install Google Music on your Android-based phone.

It is even better if you can play your music on your mobile phone – after all it is always with you. If your phone is not US based you will not be able to install Google Music app from Android Market. Again there is a work-around. Download the application package file (.apk) for Google Music from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1350348. Download it to your Android phone – it will be saved to the SD card.

Next install AppInstaller from https://market.android.com/details?id=com.funtrigger.appinstaller on your phone.

Run it and use it to install the .apk file you downloaded earlier. This will install Google Music app on your phone and you can listen to your music stored online.

Tip: To make songs available offline, click on the triangular menu button in the corner of the album or track title and check the “available offline” box.

That’s it.

Samsung CLX-3185FN

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Best Buy Canada had this all in one color laser printer/scanner/copier/fax on sale for Boxing day. The price was too good to ignore it. I bought it on-line and it should arrive soon.

I am posting some links below that will allow me to find the information easier later.

Features (samsung.com)

User Guide (online)

User Guide (PDF)

Quick Installation Guide (PDF)

Universal Print Driver

HTC Wildfire S

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Today I bought HTC Wildfire S – my first Android phone. It is just 149.99 CAD from Virgin Mobile with a pre-paid plan. I chose a smart phone plan for $40. I paid under 200 CAD for the phone, the plan and any taxes.

It is locked to Virgin Mobile network but you can unlock it and can use it with any provider. At first I tried htcsimunlock.com. I paid $13.49 USD. Shortly got an email telling me they could not find the unlock code for my phone and that they have to do a “Deep Search” asking for additional $14.99 USD. I did not like it and requested refund. Next I tried another site – htcimeiunlock.com. This time I paid $25 USD and 8 minutes later I got an email with the unlock code. It worked and now I have really nice compact android phone that works with all providers.

Find out more about the phone below:

HTC Wildfire S Specifications

Here is the user manual:

Wildfire S User Manual

Script to restore SQL Server database

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A lot of people know how to restore an SQL Server database using the SQL Server Management Studio. Sometime it will not work if the database is in use. You have to close all active connections or even to take database offline and then online again.

It is much easier to restore the database via the attached script. Just unzip the file to a folder called C:\RestoreDB and copy the backup file to the same folder. Then edit RestoreDB.bat file and update it with the appropriate information – server name, user name, password, backup name, etc.

The last step is to run RestoreDB.bat – you can double-click it in Windows explorer or can oped a DOS prompt change the folder to C:\RestoreDB and run the script by typing its name and pressing “Enter” key.

RestoreDB_Script

New Grill

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For few days now I am a proud owner of a new grill – Weber Genesis EP-310 Premium Edition.

Why it is so good? Because it is really well made and uses stainless still grates for starters. Took me 2-3 hours to assemble it at home and I could see at first hand it was a quality built product. Very solid. Here is a review about this same model:

Weber Genesis EP-310 Premium Edition – Gas Grill Review

More useful links:

There is a really nice article about grilling outdoors available here:

A Complete Guide to Outdoor Grilling: Set Up, Stay Safe, and Cook Great Food

How to install FreeNAS to USB stick

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Note: This post is more than an year old. You can still use it to install FreeNAS on USB but I strongly recommend you to read the new one first which is much simpler:

Installing FreeNAS to USB stick (new and simpler way)

FreeNAS is an Open Source Storage Platform based on FreeBSD and supports sharing across Windows, Apple, and UNIX-like systems. It comes with a lot of protocols and services

Search inside files under Windows

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Do you know how to search for a piece of text inside multiple files in Windows. I do not – not anymore. Earlier versions of Windows had this feature but I cannot figure out how to do it in Windows 7. It seems you have to index your files and folders and then maybe you can find what you are looking for. I do not want to do this.

In Unix and Linux you can use grep for this. Luckily there are some similar programs for Windows too. I found this one: AGREP

Go to Download page and get the stand-alone executable for Win95 and Win/NT (link)

Extract the archive – there is one file called agrep.exe. I copied it to C:\Windows\System32. This folder by default is in the PATH environment variable so you will be able to run the command from everywhere (no matter which is your current working folder).

Open the command prompt and try to search:

c:\> agrep -r word_to_search_for .

This will search all the files in the currect folder and all sub-folders for the word word_to_search_for

If you just type agrep it will show help and usage information.

Support Wikipedia

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I was looking for some information online today and ended up reading an article in Wikipedia about that matter. It is so nice to have a free encyclopedia where you can go and find the information you need. I made a small donation to keep it free and accessible for everyone. If you would like you can donate too. Just click on the image below:

Support Wikipedia