http://www.ibece.org Life. Medicine. Technology. Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:23:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The negative publicity around Windows Vista has been relentless since its debut in November 2006. It’s been called slow, incompatible, a resource hog, and most recently featured in CNet’s “Top ten terrible tech products” of all time. So much has it been maligned, that even I, a self-professed technophile ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/12/30-windows-vista-on-an-old-notebook As we put the finishing touches to our home for the upcoming Christmas celebrations, I can't help notice the overflowing stack of gifts bulging from under the tree. What's more, these are just from my immediate family - three of us. The other seven family members who will be joining ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/12/24-karma-currency Long-term stability on the Balkan peninsula is still attainable, however some difficult decisions, and changes in entrenched views, are what is required. Part one of this series gave insight into the grievances and ambitions of the nationalities living in the region. With the recent end of negotiations over Kosovo’s future ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/12/16-the-balkan-cauldron-part-2-solutions The Balkans are undoubtedly one of Europe's most tumultuous regions. Partly due to centuries of friction between great empires, and partly because of the unusual heterogeneity of its ethic composition, it is often compared to a "powder keg" for good reason. The coming months will witness a time of even ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/12/04-the-balkan-cauldron-part-1-problems "Gold Coast doctor questioned by federal police over possible link to British bomb plots says he just wants to sleep (The Age)." It seems more of my colleagues from around the world are being rounded up each day after the failed bombings in the UK. Drs Mohammed Haneef and Mohamed ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/07/04-doctors-without-borders Since buying a Nokia 6300 and signing up to a mobile data plan with Optus, I have embraced mobile internet in a BIG way. Despite long dismissing it as little more than a gimmick, the combination of Opera Mini, a phone with a decent-sized screen, and affordable data rates has ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/07/01-top-5-reasons-to-use-mobile-internet In the beginning, there was the VCR. People would often use it to record their favourite shows to watch again (and again), and some more-technically inclined even mastered its ability to timer record shows when they weren't around. The picture was wobbly, the tapes quickly piled up, but it was ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/04/18-connecting-foxtel-iq-to-a-dvd-recorder I've been very vocal for a long time about the lack of slim and sexy mobiles. It seemed that for years manufacturers were obsessed with features and devices got progressively fatter and heavier. Nokia, the original champion of sleek (beginning with the 8210), became the worst offender. Even when Samsung ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/04/01-nokia-6300-a-long-time-coming My Palm PDA has been a great asset during the last year, both on and off the wards. Thanks to an abundance of free or trial software, I've had a chance to try out a large range of reference tools and trim down my list of favourites based on my ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/02/13-top-5-pda-tools-for-young-doctors When I installed Opera Mini on my ageing (but still very stylish) Nokia 6100, I couldn't wait to express my joy to the world. You see, I'd been reluctantly looking around for a replacement phone for some time, mainly in order to do something which was easy a few years ... http://www.ibece.org/archives/2007/01/17-opera-mini-saved-my-nokia