iTunes: Thanks for the free stuff …

Hello.

I have said it before and I'll say it again. I am not crazy about iTunes. Its one of the most unresponsive piece of software I use on my Mac. Maybe, I'm not using it right, maybe I'm not using it enough, I don't know. But that doesn't mean I won't use iTunes, I will. Especially when they give me free music, videos, apps and more.

I don't exactly know when I started checking out the free stuff they offer on iTunes, but I'll tell you this; some of the songs and stuff iTunes offers for free are really good. Free is not always crappy.

Problem is, they keep the free stuff up for a limited time only. Mostly, a week or so. After that, you got to pay for it.

So its important that you check iTunes regularly for free stuff. Thats easier said than done. However, I did find some blogs that help you find free stuff on iTunes. They keep their blogs updated with all the latest offers in all iTunes markets. They all pretty much have the same information, so subscribing to one of them would probably get you all you need.

Here are the links to those blogs:
Free iTunes Donwnloads 
iT’S Free Downloads 
US iTunes Free Downloads 

Also, if you are in dire need to update your music collection, check out SPIN magazine. They come out with free playlists on iTunes about once a month, I think its called the LSTN series. Just head over to SPIN website and grab the code. Make sure you redeem it and download the playlist from iTunes before it expires at the end of each month.

If you know or use anything free like SPIN playlists to get your music, please do let me know in the comments. I would like to check them out. Free is always good!

Enjoy your music.

Laterx.

iTunes Plus: lets switch it on and see ...

Hello.

I may prefer using a Mac. I may love using Mac OS X. I may think Apple as a company has some good products out. Some of you may have even labeled me a Mac evangelist. Yet, they do have stuff I just don't enjoy using.

For one, I loathe iTunes!

I think iTunes is slow and bloated. And it updates with minimal changes the day Apple release any product or a product update. So, I try to stay away from iTunes as much as possible. However, thats not quite as easy if you are on a Mac.

I mainly use iTunes to play my music and catch podcasts. Even then, I have iTunes running minimized and in the background. I use the omnipresent menu bar controls to interface with iTunes and play my music. I like it that way. You never even have to see iTunes at all.

The last time I opened up iTunes, there was an link to iTunes Plus. I didn't know what it was so I clicked on it thinking it would tell me more. Well, it did, kind of. It showed me the above screen. I wish it did gave some kind of options whether I wanted it or not. It didn't, but I guess I do want my music to sound better. Here is what Apple says about iTunes Plus.

iTunes Plus is the new standard on iTunes. iTunes Plus downloads are songs and music videos available in our highest quality 256 kbps AAC audio encoding (twice the audio quality of protected music purchases), and without digital rights management (DRM). iTunes Plus music can be burned to CD as many times as you need, synced to any AAC-enabled device (such as iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV), and played on any Mac or Windows computers you own.

Apparently, iTunes is now re-downloading all my purchased songs in double the bit rate and all my music has apparently been upgraded to sound way better. I wouldn't know. Not with these cheap earbuds I use.

I used to have a good pair of Sennheiser earbuds. They were pretty awesome, until it literally started to come apart. I think now would be a good time for me to do a little bit of research and invest in a decent pair of headphones. What do you recommend?

Laterx.

Google Music Beta: Sign-up from outside US ...

Hello.

I just signed up for Google Music Beta and have been using it for a few days. Its awesome and works fine outside US. Its a neat idea to have all your music available to you where ever when ever you want to enjoy your music.

So what really is Google Music Beta? Well, in their own words:

Music Beta is a new service from Google that gives you instant access to your personal music collection without the hassle of wires or syncing. Add your music collection and listen on the web or any compatible Android device.

You can upload your own music collection, that is music you have on your computer to Google (up to 20,000 songs) and listen to your songs on any computer or Android device. Now you can take your music where ever you go! Sounds nice, right? Feel like checking it out? Thought so.

As with most new Google services, Music is in Beta testing, by invitation and available for US residents only. That's not good news for us living outside US. So, lets see how we can get around that for now.

There are few ways to dupe Google to think that you are in the US. You can us an American VPN like Hotspot Shield or a Free Web Proxy like Hide My Ass.

I used a different approach. I headed over to proxy list website to find an American Proxy and temporarily reconfigured my Firefox proxy settings. You  may have to try a few proxies out before you find a working American proxy which supports all HTTP standards.

On Windows you can change Firefox proxy setting by going to Tools > Options > Options > Options > Advanced > Network > Settings.

If you are using Firefox on a mac, go to Preferences > Advanced" > Network" > Configure how Firefox connects to the internet > Settings.

I used the above proxy to sign up to Google Music Beta.

It's a good idea to check if you have an American IP address before trying to request or sign up for Google Music Beta. You can check your IP address easily by visiting www.whatismyip.com.

Now, using the proxy server to pass off that you are in US, head over to music.google.com, sign in and request an invite.

It may take a few days, but when you do get the invitation email from Google (or if a friend invites you) make sure that you complete the sign-up process while masquerading that you are in US. If you don't, your sign up will fail.

When you are done with sign-up, you are set. You don't need the proxies anymore. You can utilize the service like any other regular web service.

I have 6 more invites left for Google Music Beta. Comment in your email address if you want an invite.

Enjoy Google Music Beta! It's free, for now.

Laterx.

Jog station: Tuning in slowly ...

Hello.

After months of procrastination, I have taken up going jogging again. Need to get back in shape and lose some weight.

The frequent coffees that we Maldivians keep having everyday is making us carry a few extra kilos. It kind of creeps up on you. So, the last few years, I have tried my best to do some form of exercise, be it jogging, swimming or going to the gym.

First, I tried the gym, but soon realized that it was not for me. I can not seem to stick to the schedule and I did not want to pay the monthly fees if I cannot make it to the gym on time for every session. I have heard that gyms give you huge discounts if you pay for 3 months or more, because statistically, you are not going to show up for all sessions, if at all!

Later, I tried swimming. I went to go to the track area behind STELCO. When I started, I was just clumsily dog paddling across the track. After a few months I learned how to streamline my body, how to keep my head just below the water level and breath by turning my head sideways. Managed to learn all this by watching Total Immersion videos on YouTube. However, I was not able to practice these techniques for long. The track area where everyone in the island goes swimming got so polluted that I started getting rashes. My doctor made me stop when I got my second ear infection. That track area is heavily overused and miserably under-maintained. Not to mentioned all sorts of oils they keep dumping around there.

My latest attempt at exercising is jogging. Actually, I used to go jogging quite regularly about two years ago. I stopped because people kept telling me that swimming would be twice as effective than jogging. Now that swimming is out, I am back jogging, and this time around, I plan to stick to it. One good thing about jogging is that I can listen my "motivational" music when jogging, it kind of gives me the extra boost I frequently seem need. It is nice.

I jog around the outdoor cricket pitch in front of the sports complex. Back in the day, I could easily do at least 11 laps. Nowadays, I can barely do 9, that is on a good day. I am trying to slowly increase my lap count to 13. May be add a lap every week or so. I have it on good authority that 13 laps around the pitch is equivalent to one round around the whole islands of Malé. That is around 5.2 Kilometers. The general idea here is that these runs should whip me back in to shape in no time. I am hopeful, but it is not going to be that easy or that soon. It never is.

I am also contemplating the purchase of some kind of monitoring device to keep track of my runs and workouts. I am researching Nike+iPod and Adidas MiCoach. I want to keep a record of my runs and analyze it in a visually appealing fashion. Those health websites have some good looking graphs showing all sorts of information which I probably will never need, but they sure look good.

Though I have to admit that swimming got me the best results, I am going to keep up jogging. It would be nice if anyone of you decides to takes up jogging, or any form of exercise. Our blogger friend and personal trainer is of the opinion that exercise is good for us. He is usually right about these things.

Laterx.

The speakers story ... what is good ???

Hello.

I have had this Yamaha TSS-10 5.1 Home Theater System for a few years now. It is a good system and I have enjoyed many movies and songs on it.

Here are the main features:
• Decoding of Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II (Movie/Music) for stereo sources to 5.1-channel sound
• 32-bit, high precision, high sound quality DSP LSI (YSS-938 Yamaha original LSI)
• SILENT CINEMA for headphone surround sound enjoyment
• Remote control unit
• High sound quality spruce cone driver for 5 satellite speakers
• Yamaha’s unique YST for powerful bass response (subwoofer)
• Angle adjustable satellite speakers for optimum positioning
• Two optical digital input and 2-channel analog terminals
• Magnetic shielding allows placement near a TV (all speakers)
• Slim, vertical standing amplifier.

You can find more information here and here.

It is not top of the line, but good for a living room or a bedroom.

However, I've had it with 5.1 systems and wires running across and all over the room. I am now thinking of getting myself a good 2.1 system. Hence I have listed my Yamaha TSS-10 5.1 Home Theater System for sale in iBay.

Give me a call if you are interested in buying it.

Since, I am "downgrading" myself to a 2.1 system, I went to Bose show room at Reefside to have a look an available option. I was surprised (and a bit annoyed) that almost all sub-7,000 Rufiyaa Bose system suck really bad. I mean seriously, I am no sound engineer, but my years old Yamaha sounds pretty good compared to Bose systems in the range. I am not saying this just because I am selling my Yamaha, I just was bit let down by Bose. Maybe I was expectation for Bose was a bit high when I walked in to that shop.

I am going to go to Island Music and check out the JBL systems there. I am sure they will sound better than Bose. They have to.

If you have any suggestions or recommendation for a good 2.1 speaker system,  please let me know. Thank you.

Laterx.

Edit :: 27/12/2010 11:54
Yamaha TSS-10 5.1 Home Theater System has been sold out and marked same on iBay.com. Thank you.

Parade of the Athletes … enjoying good music …

Hello ...
Listening to Parade of the Athletes by DJ Tiësto ...
You know those times when something is really good ...
You feel an obligation to tell someone about it ...
Lets just say ... this is a something like that ... hehe ...
I've always liked house and trance music ...
With a bit of electronic thrown in kinda agrees with me ...
I like to hear vocal-less music when i work ...
I discovered DJ Tiësto few years back ...
But I discovered this album only a few weeks back ...
I know this album is old ... and I'm not up to date ...
But Parade of Athletes is good ... very good ...
Its probably the best album to date from DJ Tiësto ...
Parade of the Athletes was the soundtrack ...
To the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games ...
So need less to say ... its bound to be good ... right ???
I mean ... how many DJs get a chance to spin ...
At an worldwide event like that .... eh ???
I guess this album is gonna be on my iPod ...
For a very very long time ... hehe ... yeah i know ...
If u can download it ... have a listen to this album ...
It just might tickle your fancy ... hehe ...
If you know any other good music like this ...
Please let me know ... I'll check it out ...
Laterx ...

A thank you note to the gentleman who stole my iPod…

Hello …
I’ve bought a new iPod … but I still wanted to thank you …
You might not know me, but I’m the guy you stole from …
First of all, let me thank you for not stealing my entire bike …
That would’ve been the worst, so thank you very much for that.
As for stealing my iPod and stuff … I’ll take it as a lesson …
Thank you for reminding me that I’m an urbanite …
And I need to live and act like one …
And while living in the most densely populated city …
I should be more careful and more street smart …
As you’ve noticed by now, it’s an old iPod …
And it freezes when you connect it to a charger …
But I assume you wouldn’t have this problem …
As you only stole my iPod, not my charger …
I really hope you are enjoying my music collection …
Because, it took me years to build that collection …
I hope it reminds you of some good times in your life …
Which I assume are not that many, I’m sorry …
I also hope that you’d listen to some podcasts I’ve in it …
There are some tutorials about photography and MacOSX …
May be you can use them if you rip off another guy …
And steal a camera or a Macintosh computer …
There are some self help podcasts on it as well …
Maybe you need them more than I do … its very good …
I sincerely hope my iPod hasn’t become just a paper weight …
As for the raincoat you stole from me …
Its NOT really a rain coat …infact its a windbreaker …
Its not gonna help you stay dry … I’m sorry …
Before I end this note, I would like to thank you again …
For opening my eyes to the real world …
For making me more mature and more responsible …
I think I’ve become a better person after this lesson …
Thank you … laterx …

PS ::
I was just being sarcastic …
Because of you … I had to buy another iPod …
I hope you burn in hell for ever … you asshole …
You can’t steal other people’s iPod and stuff …
You hear me … you bastard … !!!

My iPod’s so kewl … it freezes …

Hello …
I’ve been an apple fan for some time now …
Hence, I’ve had a couple of iPods …
My current iPod is an iPod nano … 4GB …
It’s a kewl gadget … an awesome piece of hardware …
I’ve had some good times with it … hehe …
Wouldn’t travel without it …
But unlike the previous iPods I’ve had …
This nano is giving me some trouble …
Say, I’m listening to music and the battery runs low …
I plug it in to my wall socket … and that’s it …
The Nano Freezes … just wouldn’t respond to anything at all …
This happens only if I plug it in while playing music …
I dunno if I’m doing anything wrong here …
And the only solution I’ve found to this is …
To restart the iPod as mentioned here …
If anyone of you has a better solution …
Please let me know … thanks …
May be i should sell Nano and buy a 2nd gen, eh ... ?
As much as I may wanna be …
I’m not a member of the iPod cult …
Not yet anyway … hehe …
Laterx …

Hudhuparee … a local original …

Hello ...
Just hit town ... after a short break ...
Got this kewl song my buddy thathy mailed me ...
Its called Hudhuparee ... by Naanu ...
I'm told its an original ...
And that there is a lot more where that came from ...
So, get the song here … give it a whirl …
Be one of the first to hear it … enjoy it …
Let me know how it goes and what you think of it …
Laterx …

Edit: Shared in the song in DropbBox ...

Bolo Na by Sona … I like it …

Hello ...
I don't think I've ever blogged about the music I like ...
So here goes ...
MTV and Channel V kept playing this tune ... over and over ...
So I guess ... it kinda grew on me ...
Its a song called "Bolo Na" by "Sona Mohapatra" ...
Its a Hindi song ... but its kinda has a Spanish feel to it ...
I don't think its from any movie ...
Its a very refreshing song ... very catchy ...
And its really easy to hum along to ... more than I can admit ...
You can watch it on YouTube here ...
Hope u guys like it ... I like it very much ... hehe ...
Enjoy the song ...
Laterx ...

Ringback tone, MyTone, whatever the tone …

Hello ...
Just a quick note here ...
About the latest fad in Maldives ...
That everyone seems be getting in to ...
Its called ring back tones ...
And i tell you ... its annoying ...
A ring back tone is a personalized ring tone ...
That can be set by subscribers through the network ...
Instead of the usual ringing tone ...
Subscribers can choose to play back ...
The music of choice to callers ...
This is a value added service ...
And i tell you ... it is VERY annoying ...
First of all they cant even settle on a name for this ...
In malaysia ... its caller tone ...
In philippines ... caller ring tone ...
In the west ... ring back tone ...
In Maldives ... my tone ...
I call it annoying a tone ...
When using the desk phone at work ...
I have a habit of putting the phone on speaker ...
While i dial ... and until the call is answered ...
Now ... when i dial ... some stupid music play ...
Annoying everyone near me with embarrassing music ...
And i've this to say ...
If they want me to listen to some hip hop tunes ...
Through my phone's tinny speakers ...
Then they seriosuly don't know me ...
If i wanna lsiten to msuic ...
I'll play it ... not call people ...
I'm not against new things ...
I'm not against technology ...
But this just feels wrong ...
I say traditional "ring .. ring" tone ...
Is better, more functional, more practical ...
Guess this is enough bitching ...
About something i can't change ... hehe ...
Laterx ...

Gonna get myself a MacBook Pro …

Hello ...
Introducing Apple MacBook Pro …
This is one sexy machine … I tell u …
I'm seriously contemplating …
About getting myself one of these …
I'm sure this would raise …
A lot of eyebrows but …
I kinda like this …
I've heard a lot about switchers …
I've heard a lot about windows …
Read a lot about Mac OS X tiger …
Done a lot of googling … and reading …
And i dunno why …
But I still have hots for these …
I mean … it can't be that bad …
And now that it supports windows XP …
With bootcamp …
I think this can be a kinda …
And OK investment …
Now that I've decided on this …
I can stop humming this song…
Something ain’t right …
I’m gonna get myself …
I'm gonna get myself …
Gonna get myself connected …
I ain’t gonna go blind …
For the light which is reflected …
I see thru you, I see thru you …
I see thru you, I see thru you …
Ok …
Its a song from the movie Hackers …
Stereo MC’s - Connected…
It's a kewl song …
Laterx ...