15 Useful Tips on Extending a Laptop’s Battery Life

I’ve previously blogged about having a brand new shiny Acer Aspire 4740G laptop which I use for working outdoors. Whether I’m working on a coffee shop, a restaurant or drive myself to one of the few scenic places up here in Baguio, my laptop is such an indispensable tool whenever I just need to boost my creativity on a different environment. My laptop had also served many times as my backup computer.

I’m not carrying a light netbook: my notebook weighs more than two kilos which is suitable for Photoshop work, web design and some blogging activities. When I purchased it, I chose performance over battery life. I noticed that my notebook’s battery charge lasts for about three hours with normal use.

image credit to Lauri Rantala

I am sharing these tips on how to extend your laptop’s battery life. I am a 100% Windows user so I have written these tips using the Windows operating system in mind. Read more

NTC to Cap our Broadband Internet Connections?

NTC had already discontinued their proposal due to strong opposition from the public and will focus on ensuring that local ISPs would deliver quality services to their customers.

Before the year 2010 ended, I encountered an article at Manila Times about NTC allowing their broadband service providers to put a maximum limit to the number of data that is available to each subscriber. According to the NTC, the broadband cap is needed to address the persistent complaints from many broadband subscribers: internet is a lot slower than the subscribed speed.

According to the revised draft Memorandum Order released by the NTC, internet broadband service providers should “specify the minimum broadband connection speed and service reliability, as well as the service rates in their advertisements, flyers, brochures and service and legal agreements.” The service reliability should be 80 percent at the minimum.

With a capped internet connection, a subscriber is permitted to get a maximum amount of data within a specified amount of time. For example, a subscriber with 1 Mbps connection maybe allowed to get only 25 GB of data each month from its service provider.

Image credit to Dylan

How to Receive Money via Western Union in the Philippines

The procedure also applies to those who wish to receive their Google Adsense payouts.

If you are looking for information on how to send money via Western Union, then check out this post from an OFW: How to send Money via Western Union

Long ago, I decided not to blog about my experience in getting my Google Adsense paycheck via Western Union. However, I decided to write this post because I had this one rare chance of receiving money from a friend who is working overseas.

I live in Baguio – a city that’s around five to eight hours away from the Manila, Philippines – but there are plenty of Western Union branches available to claim money. However, most of these branches close as early as 6 PM. It’s always good to make a call to your preferred branch before the closing time. Not all branches are the same.

IECEP: There’s More to Electronics Engineering than What Meets the Eye

I know, this post is long overdue. The seminar happened a few months ago. Also, I did not my own camera – so I got the pictures here from the photographers who took shots of the seminar. The RA9292 PDF is located within this post.

Last April 24, 2010, I was able to attend one of IECEP’s seminars, which was held here in Baguio City. IECEP stands for Institute of Electronic Engineers in the Philippines, an institution where one of its main goals is to keep registered electronics engineers in the Philipines keep abreast with the latest technological advancements in the field.

What is a lady programmer like me doing with these group of engineers?