How to format HDD in MAC OS X

So, I've been having problems in transferring files from my home laptop (Mac) and work laptop (Windows).  Since these two systems are running in different OS, you will have problems in transferring files to and from different formats. 

The solution to the problem is to format your HDD in mac and download a MacDrive for your Windows laptop.  And here's how to format your HDD in Mac:

Step1

Open the system drive, usually titled "Macintosh HD." Open Applications, then Utilities and double click the "Disk Utility" program to open it. A window will open giving a list of all the drives currently mounted on thecomputer.

Step2

Select the disk that needs to be formatted on the left. It is not possible to format the startup disk unless the system has booted from the Install Disk. It is important to note that formatting the startup disk will permanently erase the data stored on the disk. If you are planning on erasing the startup disk, back up all important files and applications.

Step3

Click on the "Erase" tab to the right of the list of drives. The window will now display the options for erasing the hard drive and formatting it to work on the Macintosh computer.

Step4

Select the Volume Format from the pop-up list. In most cases it's best to leave it at "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" as this is the default. This setting is the best option for running Mac OS X. If there are other requirements for the disk, then select the format that best suits your needs. If you have questions about the formats, refer to the Apple user's manual.

Step5

Name the hard drive. Type a name for the disk in the field where it asks for the name. This name will always appear when the disk is mounted on a Macintosh computer.

Step6

Click the erase button. A window will open asking to verify the erase procedure. Click the erase button in this window to start the process of erasing the disk. Once the process is complete, the drive will appear with the name it was given on the left side of the window with the list of drives and on the desktop of the Macintosh computer.

Source:  http://www.ehow.com

MAC 101: Printscreen in Mac (Part 2)

Few months (or years...) ago, I posted a guide here which I made regarding on how to do printscreen using macbook.  And here's another set of procedures that I found out whenever you need to screenprint a *specific* area/section of your screen:

This is an excerpt from MAC Daily News:

From Mac Daily News...

With Mac OS X v10.2, you now have yet another option for capturing screenshots. This method is so often ignored that it may as well be a secret. We're here to let the secret out. The first two options were available in previous versions of Mac OS X (note: Command = Apple key):

1. Press Command-Shift-3 all at once to take a screenshot of your entire screen.
2. Press Command-Shift-4 all at once and Mac OS X presents you with crosshairs you can use to select whatever portion of your display you'd like to capture in a screenshot. Just select your desired area, let up on the mouse and whatever you've highlighted will be captured.

The new third option in Jag is very cool:
3. Type Command-Shift-4 and then press the spacebar once. The crosshairs will change into a camera icon. Hover the camera over any element on the screen you wish to capture, for example, the Dock, the menu bar, the desktop, or any open window. Then just click the mouse button to "snap" a screen shot. Or hit Command-. (Command-period) to cancel. With this option, you can entirely eliminate the desktop when you capture a screen shot of an individual window and get a clean outline without having to crop your screenshot in another application.

Enjoy your technology! :)

Publicized!

IMG_1571, originally uploaded by irobot773.

I realized that I haven't kept my promise (to those asking) to blog about this. The picture was posted in my flickr account last August 2008 and I got the advice from Schmap Chicago Guide 2 months ago (January 2009).

"Caption posted in Flickr in January 2009: This photo was published in the 6th Edition of Chicago Schmap Guide: www.schmap.com/guidewidgets/p=56406645N00/c=SJ20151692

www.schmap.com/chicago/events_outandabout/p=12386/i=12386...

www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=chicago&sid=events_outan...

I'm not really fond of sending photos as entry to any organization or any kind of publication...but suddenly I got a notice that my photo was seen and selected from Flickr 3 weeks ago (I read the email probably 2 weeks after it was sent :lol. Then I received the confirmation @ 3am today that my photo was selected to be published for the 6th Edition of Schmap Chicago Guide so....so !"

Laugh is contagious

_MG_4812_Randy and Lhey 3_584.jpg, originally uploaded by irobot773.

I was going down memory lane and I spotted this photo...
I couldn't help but smile...

Space warp

Space warp, originally uploaded by irobot773.

...when boredom strikes, crazy mind works.

This was just a wine glass placed on top of one of our place mats. Lens was put inside the glass, focused, and I pressed the shutter.

2009 Chicago Auto Show

Stingray, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Last February 21st, we went to the 2009 Chicago Auto Show held at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. There was too much crowd in the event that really...it was very hard to take a good shot. Without my wide-angle lens, I know, I will end up empty-handed... plus with my height, goodluck!

Rest of the photos can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/irobot773/sets/72157614919847786/

...and let there be light.

...and let there be light., originally uploaded by irobot773.

This was taken in December 2008 when we had our short visit to my uncle in LA. We went to LA Zoo. And since I'm not really fond of shooting animals ("in cages"...let me clear that), I ended up hunting for other scenes. And this was one of the few things I caught on camera!

"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light? "

2nd anniv gift

2nd anniv gift, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Just to somehow wake up my account from its hibernation, this is my post for today. I haven't answered my friends' questions re: hubby's gift on our 2nd anniv last Jan.20. This is it -- "Get positively beautiful by Carmindy"

I'm very fond of watching TLC's "What Not To Wear" ("very fond" means I watch it over and over again...even the reruns! Sometimes, I watch it from the moment I wake up up until night time, hihi!). And there's a portion in the show where the participant will have a style make over in terms of hair/make-up to be done by Nico Rojo (Hair) and Carmindy (Make-up). Over the months that I've been watching the show, I've been trying to gain tips from Carmindy with regard to choosing the best colors in terms of beautifying one's self (although, I cannot say that I've been successful, haha!). And I was surprised by husband that he went home one day holding this in front of my face. I was so delighted.

Disclaimer: Up to now, I haven't read the book fully. I've been pre-occupied with so many other stuff! But I try to peep through the pages once in a while. And the contents are sooooo useful, even if you read it "just when you need it". I recommend this book for all the ladies who want to look and feel gorgeous! :)

When I finally clicked "Submit order"

IMG_4841, originally uploaded by irobot773.

I bought my Canon 400D 2 years ago. I never planned on buying a new camera...not now since everyone's dreading about this recession thing. And that's until we (together with my husband) spotted this Canon 50D in Circuit City - Gurnee Mills. The moment I pressed the shutter, a sudden urge to buy the camera came upon me. I was so, so, so hesitant to buy the camera. But after I laid my hands on it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. And my husband supported my hunger.... I finally clicked "Submit order". And yes, I'm happy I did! :)

This camera comes with Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS Lens. Bought it from my suki - "Amazon.com". :)

As to what happened with my Canon 400D -- he's in good hands (with Metrobank???- Nope...with the "delighted" husband - no wonder he encouraged me to buy this 50D!)

Glory of Love

Glory of Love, originally uploaded by irobot773.

This is a late post for Hearts' Day.
I got this necklace from Banana Rep without any intention of wearing it on Valentine's day. But with the "knight" symbol on the heart, I think this suits the symbol of love between me and my husband. Our theme song is Glory of Love, by the way.

Tonight it's very clear
As we're both lying here
There's so many things I want to say
I will always love you
I would never leave you alone

Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying
I don't wanna lose you
I could never make it alone

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

You'll keep me standing tall
You'll help me through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you've been dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

Just like a knight in shining armor
From a long time ago
Just in time I will save the day
Take you to my castle far away

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We're gonna live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

We did it all for love
We did it all for love
We did it all for love
We did it all for love

Turning back in time

Turning back in time, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Frozen Michigan Lake

Frozen Michigan Lake, originally uploaded by irobot773.

2nd for the day

Las Vegas... only, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Mini-new york

Mini-new york, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Do you live or have lived in Chicago?

I just want to share an email forwarded by my previous client, Joe.

This made me laugh! All of them are true... :)

This is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Chicago...

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you live in Chicago.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Chicago.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Chicago .

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you live in Chicago.

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of I-80 for the
weekend, you live in Chicago.

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Chicago.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you live in Chicago.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Chicago.

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you live in Chicago.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a
snowsuit, you live in Chicago.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you live in Chicago.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are
filled with snow, you live in Chicago.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter
and road construction, you live in Chicago.

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in Chicago.

If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly', you live in Chicago.

If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your Chicago friends & others, you live, or have lived, in Chicago.

Prison break is ending? Oh no!

That's it. No more "Friday Movie Nights" for me and my husband. Prison break is moving its telecast on Fridays. Actually, despite that Friday is a movie night for me and my husband (and a friend), there are still some advantages:

(1) We can save money, of course! hahaha..."no more movie nights" only means $20-less expenses! (Oh, we can still watch movies on Saturdays, right?!? Oh well, let's just dump the idea!)

(2) Since my next project will just be 3-day out of state assignment (Tue-Thurs), I can watch PB with my husband which I really want to happen. Before, when it was still being shown on Monday nights, for every commercial, I need to call my husband and we discuss the happenings, exchange views, blah blah then hung up again once the show comes back.

Let me just repost my entry in Friendster bulletin:

Ri-freaking-diculous. First we get the announcement that Prison Break will be returning on April 17th, then we get the annoucement that it's moving to Fridays. Everyone will tell you that Friday nights are the kiss of death for TV shows, so I'm kind of pissed that Fox can't even let the show remain on Mondays for the remainder of its run.

Oh yeah, and we have received official confirmation that Prison Break is ending. Don't start crying. We all knew this day was coming. But it's hard.....I know..... Here's what Fox (who I'm not pleased with right now) has to say:

The greatest escape on television comes to an end after four suspenseful seasons when PRISON BREAK returns for the series' final episodes beginning Friday, April 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Following a series of double-crosses, the brothers now find themselves racing to retrieve SCYLLA, which unbeknownst to them has landed in the possession of their estranged mother and Company operative Christina (Kathleen Quinlan).

Source: Prisonbreak Fan Profile and FOX

And yes... have I mentioned that PB is soon to end?!? Nice.

Wake up!

My blog has been sleeping for a very long time. Pardon for the absences. There were so many things that have been running around my mind and I have been contemplating to blog about each of them.

What really has been keeping me busy? Well, "a lot of things" should keep the answer in its simplest term. What are these things?...a list would probably suffice:

(1) My project in Indiana has ended. Umm, my role in the project, that is...but not necessarily "the project". I stayed in that client for 10 months! (Even longer than my stay in my previous company.) So, when I packed up my things, cleared my desk -- a feeling of resignation dawned on me. Strange! Will I still go back to the client? That, I don't know as of now. But all I can say is I learned a lot of things during my stay in that client...and gained friendships too!

(2) We just stayed in our apartment on the night of Thanksgiving. Unlike last year, where we bravely faced the biting cold weather in the wee hours for our shopping trip, we just went to Kohl's and Chicago Premium Outlet in the morning after Thanksgiving. Of course, I lied when I said to myself that I won't be buying any stuff... that I will just content myself in checking out things. Of all the things I got, I soo love my Fifty Four Fossil Rachel '70s saddle bag (blue)! About the rest of the items I shopped, my voluntary promotion of human welfare has evolved -- "philanthropy" in other words. I did some last-minute gift shopping for friends in Pinas. (Did I mention that the husband, too, was a certified liar?)

(3) My balikbayan boxes have finally arrived in our house in Binan, Laguna. I have been checking the website of the cargo company for the past week, worrying that we wouldn't be able to receive the package just in time for Christmas. Since this was the first time that we shipped a package from US, I was worried that it would take a long time before the package reaches the Southern Luzon region. In Dubai, we trusted Makati Express in shipping our boxes -- no negative feedbacks. So, when we came here, after scouting for pinoy cargo companies, we settled in using "forex". And I made the right choice. They delivered the package in less than the estimated time of 35-40 days (32 days, to be exact). They also let you track the package using their website (just like UPS/Fedex). And once the package has been received by your recipient, they take a picture of the package together with your recipient...funny! But this is to prove that the package was in good state when it was received.

(4) We'll be flying to Manila on Wednesday. Unlike before, we can't feel the excitement this time. We have finished a fraction of the things we need to do before leaving. Our bags are half-packed... I hope, by tomorrow, I will start feeling the excitement.

(5) I have booked and paid the hotel where we will be staying in Baguio, together with the whole family. This will be my nth visit to Baguio, but will be my parents' 1st time. I just hope that everything will turn out great.

(6) I've been procrastinating again and haven't finished my *plan* -- that by the way, I promised to finish by the end of 2008 (if you try to back read to my 2008 new year entry)!

So, that's about it for the update!

Happy holidays, everyone!

Who, me?

It’s been a while…it’s been a while.

Busy? Nah. Other priorities? Yes.

But time has come for me to blog…rather, rant.

I’m still here with my old client. Poor me? Nah. I’m leaving this client in 2 weeks’ time and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for my next assignment. Oh well, that’s not something to worry about this time… I’m still about to go for vacation. (Yeah, baby!)

What happened today ruined my lunch and my whole afternoon. Hmm… let me rephrase that – What happened today made me feel so bad. Yes, that sounds more right.

At 11:53 AM, we (together with my colleagues), headed to Building 5 to have our lunch in the cafeteria, just like what we usually do. My client has this concessionaire rendering catering services. And I have this discount coupon wherein for every food exceeding $4.79 that I buy from them, I get one punch on the coupon. And my 11^th lunch/punch should be discounted by $4.79.

So, this noon, I brought my coupon and my credit card to the pay station with my tray of food. Upon receiving my credit card and coupon, the cashier immediately swiped my card to the register (I have to add, without even an opportunity for me to talk). As she was about to punch my coupon, I told her that it’s full already…that I should have a discounted lunch. So, she called her colleague (I think, the Supervisor) and asked the other person to reverse the previous *swipe*. As they were waiting for the register to do its thing, I kept on hearing her saying to the Supervisor that “Usually, they tell me beforehand that the coupon is full…blah…blah…blah”. At this moment, I was about to explode but due to the number of people waiting in line, I just decided to hold my temper. As I headed out of the pay station, I was shaking my head while looking at her.

What made me feel so bad is why did she need to blame me for her own fault? I really don’t like people who try to escape from their fault by making excuses and putting the blame on other people! Why can’t you be responsible for your actions? Your procedure should be to look first at the coupon card before swiping the credit card! And if I tell you that the coupon card is *full*, when it’s not, are you not going to verify it? So, next time, I can just probably tell the cashier that it’s full already, so I can get a discounted lunch – even though my card is short of 3 punches to get a discounted lunch!

I was so disappointed and felt so bad at that moment that as soon as I laid down my tray on our table, I couldn’t help but kept on jabbering with my colleagues! (Pasalamat at hindi pa ako sa Tagalog tumatalak nyan…kundi, maririndi ang buong cafeteria!).

She’s actually a nice cashier until this afternoon. From now on, I will no longer use that coupon card. What’s the big deal…I still get my meals reimbursed. I was just trying to claim what I’m entitled to and somehow give my client some savings.

I was about to write a letter to Eurest Dining Services to complain about this but up to now, I’m still thinking about it. (As a background, one Mexican resto around here fired one of their guys recently. And my colleagues think that that was because I complained about that specific guy not so long ago.). I don’t want to make a big deal out of it especially in these times of economic breakdown. I’m just disappointed. That’s all.

Feel Good (and smell good) Tip for the day: "Zinc"

"Make sure you are getting the USDA recommended daily allowance (RDA) of zinc. Yup, that's right, a zinc deficiency can lead to foot odor, as well as general body odor AND bad breath! So, make sure zinc is included in your multi vitamin, or get a seperate zinc supplement."

Me and my technology

Admittedly, I can proclaim myself as a technology slave. Is there something bad about it? Perhaps, yes. But with the different breakthroughs nowadays, one can never have too many gadgets or devices to make their lives easier. But as much as I heavily depend on technology, there are still little things that I prefer to do the ‘manual’ way:

(1) I don’t use dishwasher. In our apartment, we have this big dishwasher that I never use. I even don’t allow my husband to use it. Why? Because after my husband used it one time, I still could see the food leftovers on the floor of the washer, even how small they are. I figured afterwards that the washer needs to be cleaned right after using it to avoid the bad smell of the leftovers. My argument: What’s the point of using the washer for cleaning dishes when afterwards; I also need to clean the washer? I suppose, cleaning the dishes is very much easier than cleaning a stinky dishwasher.

(2) I prefer “tangible” books than e-books. When I read books, I want to hold the book and not strain my eye with too much light from the celphone or computer screen. Plus, I can manually write/comment on the good phrases in the book.

(3) I would choose “fan (pamaypay)” over electric fan/airconditioning machine. I easily get cold. And I would prefer natural air rather than the air produced from these machines.

(4) Even though my celphone has this capability to record our grocery needs, I still use my white board/black marker on our fridge door to note down the things we need to buy for our next grocery.

(5) I still use diaries to record my meetings. I just love my handwriting, I guess, hahaha... :)

And I do believe that no matter how ‘high tech’ we become, we should somehow still know how to survive in cases of technology breakdowns (but don’t ever ask me to drive manually, because I can’t and I don’t plan to learn about it).

Related to this, for the past weeks, I’ve been experiencing some trouble with my celphone. While browsing, it would sometimes just freeze and would not respond to any key strokes. There was even a time that I think my phone just experienced a blackout. The whole screen was completely black. I tried calling my number from the landline and my phone was ringing (and vibrating) but I couldn’t see the screen.

After I was able to retrieve my screen back, what I did was I checked the number of my apps in my screen (by counting the number of non-default icons), and I realized that I already have 30 add-ons!!! Wow! I didn’t imagine that I have this much…and I don’t use most of these apps. Well, I better start deleting some of these apps to somehow disburden my phone.

As I plan to do this, I received an email from Apple announcing the software update to 2.1. Well, I hope this, too would help in reducing my technology breakdowns! Added features for this software update is indicated in this flyer:

What I like most:

..the added option of wiping out data in the phone after 10 unsuccessful passcode attempts.