Current Stories
Saturday 11th, May 2013
Category : Easy Access
What if ...
... your hand-eye coordination is not as good anymore (or not yet) and you need to know the time and date? The answer is simple, ask someone. But if you live alone, you are out of luck. You may get the time from a big wall clock, but the standard analog display may not always be as helpful as a digital display. So the answer is a clock with a big digital display. As simple as it sounds, that's where my problem starts.
There are not many options out there - but then it hit me, A Tablet. I'm lucky enough to own a BlackBerry PlayBook. So I'm spoiled. Before you say iPad or Android, let me explain why that is not a working solution according to my research.
Sound
The clearly understood is the first problem. Tablets have tiny little speakers at the back that are impossible to hear. Here goes my rant, iPad is possibly the worst of them all. I also looked at Android tablet without luck. BlackBerry PlayBook to the rescue, the tablet features two speakers facing the viewer with an outstanding audio quality.
Application
Androids time and date applications are mostly Widgets that are not designed to work in full screen mode. I didn't find one that is full screen and voice enabled yet. So anybody knows of an application that meets the requirements, please let know.
I did not really consider the iPad due to the poor audio quality and the unreasonable price. I did own an iPad 3 and the speaker was one of the main reasons I gave it away.
Hardware layout - Speakers
As I said before, the iPad is out. They have one design model, take it or leave it.
Andoroid comes in different shapes and sizes, but as of this writing, I didn't find any that feature a reasonable speaker. Still searching.
The Solution
The BlackBerry PlayBook has an outstanding speaker that is front facing. BlackBerry World has Bed-Buzz which meets the requirements and then some. Even so the app has more features they are not disrupting the simple time and date functions. Bedd-Buzz is also available on iPad.
The weekday and date could be bigger, but the voice will announce them clearly. So not a problem.
In my installation, the tablet will not be connected to the Internet, so no weather. Putting the tablet into Flight Mode disables the weather completly.
This app is nicely done, congratulations to the developer. There is a free version that works with all the basic functions. I purchased the full version that has alarms and options to customize.
... your hand-eye coordination is not as good anymore (or not yet) and you need to know the time and date? The answer is simple, ask someone. But if you live alone, you are out of luck. You may get the time from a big wall clock, but the standard analog display may not always be as helpful as a digital display. So the answer is a clock with a big digital display. As simple as it sounds, that's where my problem starts.
There are not many options out there - but then it hit me, A Tablet. I'm lucky enough to own a BlackBerry PlayBook. So I'm spoiled. Before you say iPad or Android, let me explain why that is not a working solution according to my research.
![]() |
I was looking for an app that shows the time and date. Lots of choices, actually too many. To limit the options, the app has to meet the following simple requirements:
|
Sound
The clearly understood is the first problem. Tablets have tiny little speakers at the back that are impossible to hear. Here goes my rant, iPad is possibly the worst of them all. I also looked at Android tablet without luck. BlackBerry PlayBook to the rescue, the tablet features two speakers facing the viewer with an outstanding audio quality.
Application
Androids time and date applications are mostly Widgets that are not designed to work in full screen mode. I didn't find one that is full screen and voice enabled yet. So anybody knows of an application that meets the requirements, please let know.
I did not really consider the iPad due to the poor audio quality and the unreasonable price. I did own an iPad 3 and the speaker was one of the main reasons I gave it away.
Hardware layout - Speakers
As I said before, the iPad is out. They have one design model, take it or leave it.
Andoroid comes in different shapes and sizes, but as of this writing, I didn't find any that feature a reasonable speaker. Still searching.
The Solution
The BlackBerry PlayBook has an outstanding speaker that is front facing. BlackBerry World has Bed-Buzz which meets the requirements and then some. Even so the app has more features they are not disrupting the simple time and date functions. Bedd-Buzz is also available on iPad.
The weekday and date could be bigger, but the voice will announce them clearly. So not a problem.
In my installation, the tablet will not be connected to the Internet, so no weather. Putting the tablet into Flight Mode disables the weather completly.
This app is nicely done, congratulations to the developer. There is a free version that works with all the basic functions. I purchased the full version that has alarms and options to customize.
Saturday 4th, May 2013
Category : Running

A picture perfect late afternoon. Race started at 6:30 and was well attended. I didn't train enough this year to run the Half Marathon tomorrow morning. If I can't finish the race and feel good at the end, I won't do it. So the 10K was just right and I also finished just below one hour. My time was 59:18 and as always, I had a great time.
Tuesday 30th, April 2013
Category : Technology
![]() | I had BlackBerry devices ever since the Stone Ages and I loved the keyboard. Now with the BlackBerry Q10 out for a couple of days, it seems that a lot of people were waiting for the keyboard model. One such report is BlackBerry Q10 off to absolutely phenomenal start. I have to say "Sorry", I couldn't wait and broke down when the BlackBerry Z10 arrived. |
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I had a struggle at the beginning but adapted. The keyboard on the screen is by no means an adequate replacement for the real BlackBerry keyboard. The only two reasons that I tolerate the on-screen keyboard are So, with the BlackBerrys going strong, it is time for me to report on some of the applications. |
Now to the ones I actually use regularly:
Maps, BlackBerry Travel, Docs To Go, Print To Go, Sports Tracker, CIBC Banking, Weather, Clock, BlackBerry Bridge, Air Canada, Cineplex, Globe News, CBCNews, Currency, CB 10, Ontario Hwy Traffic Info, Bus Arrivals for TTC, What's up, Gadget Box, Quick Wikipedia, Ringtone Creator. Not all of them are used daily but are very helpful when the occasion arises. The Air Canada and BlackBerry Travel are such examples.
Read More . . .
Friday 12th, April 2013
Setup IBM Notes Traveler R9 for BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry PlayBook, Android, iPhone and iPad04/12/2013Category : Technology
Upgraded my IBM Domino server to R9 last night and it went without a glitch.
If you are a web mail user, I strongly recommend to upgrade. Or if you are in need for a good mail system start reading here. I have a relatively simple environment, email, some applications and IBM Notes Traveler.
The server uses three IP addresses and there is a historic reason for that. Back when I was running more then one server. I kept the three URLs, one for web mail, one for SMTP mail routing and one for IBM Notes Traveler. IBM Domino runs with the 32bit version on a Windows Server 2008 R2. That was required for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, the version for devices prior to the new BlackBerry Z10.
Anyway, here is a quick checklist should you decide to upgarde:
1. Get the IBM Domino 9 and IBM Notes Traveler 9 installation source from the IBM Passport site.
2. Read the installation and upgrade instructions for Domino and Traveler here.
3. Shutdown Domino and change the NOTES.INI - remove Traveler from the ServerTasks. I don't have the HTTP task in there at all. When Traveler starts, it will also start HTTP. So now would be a good time to also remove the HTTP task from the line.
4. If you have multiple IP Addresses configured, add the following in the NOTES.INI
NTS_HOST_IP_ADDR=10.10.10.5 (or whatever the IP Address for Traveler is)
5. Install Domino R9 and start the service. Make sure all the migration tasks are finished.
6. Install Traveler R9 and start the Domino service. Test the Traveler URL with a browser. If you get the Traveler page, you are likely ok. If not, check the Web Configuration. My server is setup to use Website Documents. The Traveler install added some entries to these documents but picked the wrong website. I created the same rules for the correct website, the entries are:
Even so I removed the entries from the non-Traveler Website, the system put them back in again after restart. Fine with me, doesn't seem to conflict.
Now that the server is running, time to upgrade the Android devices with the new app. Keep in mind that the minimum Android release is 2.2
Samsung GT-P1000 with Android 2.3.6 worked ok
Samsung GT-I9100M with Android 4.0.3 worked ok (Bell Canada)
Samsung GT-P3113 with Android 4.1.1 worked ok, eventually. See note below.
Other devices are: BlackBerry Z10 with RIM-Z10-STL100-3/10.0.10.672 worked ok (Bell Canada)
BlackBerry PlayBook with RIM-PlayBook/2.1.0.1526 worked ok
Apple-iPhone3C1 with Apple-iPhone3C1/1002.144 (OS 6) worked ok (Bell Canada)
Apple-iPad2C2 with Apple-iPad2C2/1002.329 (OS 6) worked ok
There may be a problem with iPhones/iPads and large attachments. I tested large attachments and found no problems with the iPhone.
The old familiar yellow icons changed
If you don't succeed with the installation over https (secure with SSL), use the regular http for the installation. Then during the installation, you will be asked to accept the certificate. Now we are back in business. This is an old 'serious' shortcoming in Android, but with the workaround in place, I guess we can downgrade from serious to annoying.
Read more stories, click here, or my other BlackBerry Z10 related postings
BlackBerry Z10 connection to IBM Lotus Domino
BlackBerry Z10 first impressions
If you are a web mail user, I strongly recommend to upgrade. Or if you are in need for a good mail system start reading here. I have a relatively simple environment, email, some applications and IBM Notes Traveler.
The server uses three IP addresses and there is a historic reason for that. Back when I was running more then one server. I kept the three URLs, one for web mail, one for SMTP mail routing and one for IBM Notes Traveler. IBM Domino runs with the 32bit version on a Windows Server 2008 R2. That was required for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, the version for devices prior to the new BlackBerry Z10.
Anyway, here is a quick checklist should you decide to upgarde:
1. Get the IBM Domino 9 and IBM Notes Traveler 9 installation source from the IBM Passport site.
2. Read the installation and upgrade instructions for Domino and Traveler here.
3. Shutdown Domino and change the NOTES.INI - remove Traveler from the ServerTasks. I don't have the HTTP task in there at all. When Traveler starts, it will also start HTTP. So now would be a good time to also remove the HTTP task from the line.
4. If you have multiple IP Addresses configured, add the following in the NOTES.INI
NTS_HOST_IP_ADDR=10.10.10.5 (or whatever the IP Address for Traveler is)
5. Install Domino R9 and start the service. Make sure all the migration tasks are finished.
6. Install Traveler R9 and start the Domino service. Test the Traveler URL with a browser. If you get the Traveler page, you are likely ok. If not, check the Web Configuration. My server is setup to use Website Documents. The Traveler install added some entries to these documents but picked the wrong website. I created the same rules for the correct website, the entries are:
| Web Site: mobile (mobile.stdi.com; 10.10.10.4) Rule (Override Session authentication): /traveler* Rule (substitution): /Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync* --> /traveler/M Rule (substitution): /servlet/traveler* --> /traveler* |
Now that the server is running, time to upgrade the Android devices with the new app. Keep in mind that the minimum Android release is 2.2
Other devices are:
There may be a problem with iPhones/iPads and large attachments. I tested large attachments and found no problems with the iPhone.
The old familiar yellow icons changed
![]() | On the Android screen you will notice that the icons changed, the yellow icons are replaced with blue icons. You will also find the change on the IBM Domino server, IBM Notes client. Android upgrade issues: It starts with the lack of being able to install your own Root Certificate. If you don't know what that means, just ignore this and uninstall Traveler, then Install again. |
Read more stories, click here, or my other BlackBerry Z10 related postings
BlackBerry Z10 connection to IBM Lotus Domino
BlackBerry Z10 first impressions
Friday 15th, February 2013
Category : Technology
BlackBerry Z10 screen shot![]() |
Picked up my BlackBerry Z10 today after negotiating a new contract with Bell Customer Support. They offered me a new plan which is about $30 less per month and includes Canada wide free calling and 5GB of data. Since my data usage was always around 160MB, I'm not worried that I'll exceed the 5GB anytime soon. I was really impressed with their service. I worked with the BlackBerry Dev Alpha device for some time and got to know many of the features. Now that I actually have to respond to emails, make phone calls and do all the other things for which I have my smartphone, these are some issues I encountered during the first 2 days of operation. |
Other features are NFC, Mobile Hotspot, Internet Tethering, VPN and of course the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. I had to reinstall BlackBerry Bridge to link with the PlayBook. Sharing files between the devices and the Remote Control are the two features of the new Bridge.
The next step will be BlackBerryLink which replaces the BlackBerry Desktop. The plan is to synchronize photos and videos.
I'm finding new applications every time I spend half an hour with the BB10. I don't do games, usually. That's where my PlayBooks comes in. But I'm sure I'll find many more interesting applications that I can use on a daily basis.
If you are not a button pusher and accept the fact that BlackBerry Z10 and the PlayBook have no buttons, you will love the devices. They are 100% touch screen and as secure as all previous devices. I just read this moring that the German Government adopted the BlackBerry Z10 for its security features.
Moving up to the BlackBerry Z10 was a good decision.
Saturday 1st, September 2012
Category : Running
Been there, done that. Great race as usual and didn't take any pictures this time. The lake was a bit low after the dry summer but it worked out ok. My time was 2:21:08.
I really enjoy the Guelph Lake setting and the Subaru Triathlon races. Thinking about adding another race in 2013, maybe the Milton Triathlon.
I really enjoy the Guelph Lake setting and the Subaru Triathlon races. Thinking about adding another race in 2013, maybe the Milton Triathlon.
Saturday 16th, June 2012
Category : Running
The event was great as usual and I like my finish. My time was 1:44:25. Not the best time, but with the lack of training caused by a fracture in my left fibula, I'm not complaining. The new bike worked out very well. Not much else to say except "Looking forward to Guelph Lake 2".
Thursday 3rd, May 2012
Category : Technology
![]() | Today at 4:26pm I listend to 680News to catch up on the stock market. The markets went down between one and two percent and RIM dropped to an all time low. The guy who reads the market numbers was asked if he would buy RIM, now that the price is so low. He said "No" with the argument that RIM is "Lightyears Behind" the iPhone. No further details, no clarification, no facts. |
So back to the "Lightyears Behind" guy to which I will refer as "Buzz" from here on. Does Buzz refer to the iPhone 4S that doesn't have 4G yet? Or the half a million apps that are available for the iPhone? Or the just released iPad with the new Retina Display? Or the "security" that comes with the iPhone or iPad?
Read More . . .






