Bayanihan Linux 4.0

I have always wanted to try out Linux. I have always been intrigued on how a free Operating System would work.

 

Using a Mac with VMWare installed, I can now easily try out this Operating System since I an easily uninstall it just incase it doesn’t fit my needs.

 

Presently my Laptop runs on OSX and has Vista Home Premium in VMWare, Linux will be very seldom used.

 

I chose Bayanihan Linux to be my first Linux experience since it has always been presented as an alternative Operating System for Filipinos. In a country where anyone can easily access a boot leg version of the popular Windows, a free Operating System will certainly a very good alternative for all those running on a tight budget and wanted to use legit software. I also wanted to see what the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology has to offer.

 

Installing the Bayanihan Linux is a very easy task, it took a bit longer than the other Operating Systems (XP and Vista) I have installed but it turned out pretty well.

 

Upon installation, it will ask you for a user name and password, on my very first try, I decided to leave everything blank and this turned out to be a costly mistake. Be sure to put something as a user name and password or else you will never be able to log-in.

 

It will also ask you for the monitor you are using, but since this is quite an old OS (even if version 4 is the latest) I am definitely sure that your monitor model is not included in the list. Just declare your monitor as a generic LCD then configure your resolution.

 

First thing I have noticed with Bayanihan is that in using VMWare, you will not be able to re-size the window while its running. Bayanihan, will only go full screen.

 

Even if I tried to set the LCD setting during installation when Bayanihan was actually working the screen was configured at 640×480 only and I honestly cannot change it.

 

The desktop has “My Home” which is equivalent to “My Documents”. “Bayanihan Manual” which is also available for download on their website. My Network, Trash and Floppy Device (DOST should really update this Operating System).

 

Clicking “Menu” will give you a list of all the applications installed.

 

Here’s a couple…

 

Edutainment – is a folder for apps installed which are supposed to be fun and educational.

 

Games – we all know what this is.

 

Graphics – for all your photo editing and viewing needs

 

Internet

 

Multimedia

 

Office – Open Office is pre-installed

 

The only thing I cannot understand with this Operating System is that it has two (2) web browsers, Firefox and Konqueror. Three (3) image viewers and two (2) media players. It even has two (2) pdf viewers!

 

Presently I configured my Mac to run with the following for this OS. 256mb RAM, 1 processor 2ghz, 8gigs hard disk.

 

Start up is around two (2) minutes.

 

You can view this video I have taken from my mobile phone. Please note that I only took a video of Bayanihan starting up just to see how long it will take to boot.

 

From the menu, you will see the programs installed and if your eyes are clear enough, you will notice the 2 web browsers, 2 PDF viewers and 3 image viewers

 

 

The end of the video was not how I wanted it to be. Bayanihan crashed!

 

I have now un-installed this Bayanihan and I will be trying another Linux distro soon. But for now, I’m sticking with my Leopard and Vista.

 

Bayanihan Website:

http://www.bayanihan.gov.ph/

Bayanihan Download Center:

http://www.bayanihan.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=181&Itemid=42

Bayanihan Manual:

http://www.bayanihan.gov.ph/downloads/BL4.Manual.Color.pdf

 

 

 

The Volvo Ocean Race

 

As yesterday (Jan 10, 2009) was a good day under the clouds, I have decided to go to Sentosa and see the Volvo Ocean Race more details here. 

 

 

There were the normal festivities, everything was free except for the food.

 

 

The only thing sad about it was that the yachts came in after 7pm making it very hard for me to take pictures of them.

 

To those who arrived earlier (they came back in reverse so the race winner will be the last to enter the Sentosa Cove) here are some pictures.

 

 

 

 

Here is where they’re parking for the night.

 

Gadget Review: myphone B22

 Here’s a review of something I am actually personally using. I have been playing with this phone for more than a week now and before anything else. I would want to explain why I decided to buy this phone.

 

I normally have three (3) SIM Cards with three (3) separate phones. This set up is very good but very annoying if I just want to walk around on a weekend with no bags. Having one dual SIM phone is really handy since I will only have to carry two (2) mobile phones.

 

Although there is a Dual SIM phone from Samsung the myphone B22 I purchased is 1/3^rd the price of the Samsung D880 making the decision a very easy one.

 

For the longest time, I have been thinking of getting those China-made phones with Dual SIM and a built in TV. The only thing that stopped me from getting one is that I find it too bulky. I am already using an ASUS P525 as my office phone and another bulky phone will really not help.

 

Now, enough of the reasons why I bought this phone, to all of you wondering what “myphone” is, here’s their press release from their website and here is myphone’s official home page. 

 

The B22 has the following features.

 

Network: Triband GSM 900/1800/1900

Camera: VGA (0.3 Megapixels)

Display: 176 x 220 pixels, 2.0″, 64K colors TFT

Connectivity: Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP, USB

Memory: 1000 entries Phonebook Memory

Expansion: Micro SD/T-flash memory card slot up to 1 GB

Device control: Alphanumeric keypad

Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, E-mail

GPRS: Class 12, WAP 2.0 browser

Sound: stereo speaker

Multimedia: MP3 / MP4 player / Video Recorder / FM Radio

Battery: 1000 mAh

Dimensions: 110 x 46 x 16.6 mm

Weight: 92 g

Standby time: 150 – 200 hours

Talk time: 120 mins.

 

Now camera is VGA, I was not very interested with the camera feature of this phone since I am also not a fan of camera phones. I only use it in the very seldom times I carry my bulky dSLR.

 

Here are sample shots I have taken inside our office.

 

 

Taking those sample shots were actually the first time for me to use this phone’s cam.

 

The Bluetooth with A2DP was a bonus for me since I have a lot of spare Bluetooth headsets. For its price, I was honestly not expecting this feature. It uses a MicroSD card (which is not included in the package) with a maximum of 1gig only.

 

The B22 is very well built, holding it doesn’t make you feel cheap but the keypad looks like a typical Chinese phone with the “0”, “#” and “*” keys on the right side.

 

 

All the other controls are the same. It has a bright LCD which is also a finger print magnet. The back of the B22 is so plain that they even didn’t make holes for its speaker.

 

 

Using it for more than a week, I just have three (3) complains about this phone and to my personal surprise, I am not complaining about the keypad!

 

1. The Microphone is located at the phone’s side. I have talked to a lot of people already and all of them tell me that my voice is clearer when the phone is on my left ear. Specially when using the phone in noisy places like malls.

 

2. It uses a special “myphone” cable. To some, this may not be a big deal but for people like me who do not want to carry additional cables around. It would have been very helpful to consumers if they just used a regular mini USB cable which is also used by most Pocket PC’s and Motorola Phones.

 

 3. User cannot customize the “silent” profile. Switching this phone to “silent” means that you will also turn its vibrator off. If you want the phone to have no sound but still vibrates for notification, the right profile is “meeting”.

 

I’m not sure if I will still find things to turn me against the B22 but for normal everyday use, it has done its job pretty well.

 

Here are some features which I think are cool:

 

1. You can receive a message in SIM 1 and reply using SIM 2.
2. It has two (2) call buttons giving you that option to choose which SIM you want to use when calling.
3. It will only use SIM 1 for GPRS so no need to keep on tinkering with the settings.
4. Both SIM Cards are active at the same time. You will have two (2) signal symbols working. It would have honestly helped if they can allow user to rename SIM cards, but after using if for a week. I got used to it.

 

Although a lot of people question my new purchase. This new phone definitely made my life easier as it means one (1) less gadget on my bag. It may not be for all people thanks to its SMALL fonts but somehow, I have not encountered any problem with it.

 

I cannot say it’s a good buy since myphone had cheaper models available which maybe better but for now I have no regrets using this phone.

 

Here are more photos of my new myphone B22.

 

Happy New Year!

This December has been a very busy day for me since I had a three (3) week vacation, making me unable to post even a single article.

 

Anyway, it’s back to work for me this January and a lot more things to expect this year.

 

Thank you again for taking time visiting my blog.