TommyNation

EZUNIX.org has provided a nice guide for those of us that would like to use the Thunderbird mail client with the notoriously incompatible Exchange 2007 Server.

The guide is even available as a downloadable PDF document.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that Thunderbird 3 now comes with calendar support!

Is Google changing the meaning of the term “waving” with their upcoming collaborative service, Google Wave? A lot of buzz has been generated about this upcoming service, currently in a limited test phase of development.

Currently a lof of features are still on the design board, and more soon to be implemented. Meanwhile, Google is steadily sending out more invites to people who signed up to test the service while in development. I have just received access myself, and invited some friends to join me.

Here’s an official video that attempts to explain more about waving and what this service will attempt to accomplish for people:

In MS SQL 2000 Management Studio it was possible to directly edit data when performing a query by using the “Open Table -> Query” menu option on a table. Microsoft changed things around for SQL 2005/2008, so that menu option is gone, but it can still be done. Here’s how to do it:

An effective way to do this is to first create an empty table AnEmptyTable that is easy to find at the top in Object Explorer.

Right-click your newly created table and click “Open Table”. As it is empty, this is much faster than opening any other table. At the top is a little button in the upper left which says “SQL” and a tooltip that says “Show SQL Pane”. Enable them both and voila! You can now run queries at the top and edit the results below.

Know a better way? Post comment please.

This keyboard really caught my eye because of it’s sci-fi-esque design features. A compact “laptop” gaming keyboard, the Arvo has had its arrow keys removed to make it more compact. The numerical keypad area has been adapted for gaming use in lieu of the arrow keys, by switching into “gaming mode”. With an added five function keys, three of them being the “thumbster” keys in the middle front, these are all intelligently placed to be easily put to good use in most games.

PC Games Hardware gave the keyboard a promising review as far as stability and slip resistance goes, attributing this to a built-in metal plate that Roccat added for sturdyness. After a short hands-on test they also concluded that “the keystroke and pressure point of the Arvo were quite good and left a positive mark”.

Hoping to see a Nordic or Norwegian edition of this keyboard soon!

Microsoft has released a free e-book entitled “Deploying Windows 7 – Essential Guidance from the Windows 7 Resource Kit and Technet Magazine”.

Written for IT professionals looking to learn more about the most common pitfalls and problems before starting out on the always intriguing task of upgrading the OS of all their corporate systems, or those who are just starting considering the matter, this should be a most handy resource. Grab your free copy of “Deploying Windows 7″ now.

The Sony Ericsson “Rachael” is an upcoming Android-based smartphone from Sony Ericsson rumoured to feature a Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, which has awesome performance at clock speeds of 1-1.5 GHz depending on how they implement it. I bet it will be running at 1 GHz though.

The built-in camera sports an 8.1 MP sensor with auto-focus, while 3D-acceleration support boosts the usability of its many promising widgets.

For your mobile YouTube or TommyNation video streaming needs, 3.5G support is of course included with a 7.2Mbps HSDPA radio unit. Now if that doesn’t earn me some commissions…

With PlayStation 3 Remote Play abilities and mostly all else one can ask for… I just fell in love with this one!

Microsoft has released a downloadable version of the good old Windows Help reader for those times when you need to go old school in Windows 7.

You can fetch WinHlp32.exe for Windows 7 by visiting the download page on Microsoft Download Center.

Category 6 patch cable and plugs differ from Category 5/5e. Cat-6 Plugs are modular and of higher quality to be able to support the required 300 MHz signal rate according to specs and easily handles 1 Gbit/s transfers. Category 5e cable also supports Gigabit Ethernet, but a maximum 100 MHz signal rate.

1. Cut the needed cable length. If using boots for the plugs (the rubber thingies that usually feature a protective cap), slide them on now.
2. Trim the outer cable about 3-4 cm / 1.2-1.5″ down. Untwist the cable pairs – use the outer insulation piece to do this faster.
3. Cat-6 cable has a plastic spine that needs to be cut away before crimping the plug onto the cable. Fold the cable pairs out and pull on the spine while cutting it as far in as you’re able to do.
4. Straighten the cable pairs well using your fingers and gather them next to each other in the correct order according to one of  the below diagrams. Hold them tightly together and cut them as straightly as possible. (If using a load-bar, cut them at a sharp angle for easier insertion. Recheck the sequence and insert them thru the load-bar one at a time.)
   
5. Recheck the sequence of the wires, then insert them into the plug with the brown wires to the right side.
6. Crimp the cable by inserting and aligning the plug into your preferred RJ-45 crimping tool. Make sure that all wires go all the way to the end of the plug.
7. If using a boot for the plug, push it all the way down over the plug.
8. Repeat for the other end. If making a crossover cable, refer to the other diagram for the second plug (568-A on one end and 568-B on the other).
9. If you have a cable tester, this would be a good time to test that all the four pairs are working correctly. (See your device instructions).
10. FINAL NOTE:
    There being two types of network cable – solid and stranded core, make sure you either know exactly which type of cable you have before buying the correct plugs, or buy plugs that support both types. Make sure, if using cable with an AWG (guage) of 22, that the cable and plugs are genuine AWG 22 Cat-6 (8P8C) – not just Cat-5/5e sold as Cat-6. If they’re actually guage 24, they may not make proper connection. Many asian manufacturers do not make the cables and plugs according to the quality requirements of Cat-6 specification (copper clad instead of 100% copper). True CAT6 plugs are modular and should have polished contacts. Some Cat-6 cables are too large and may be difficult to attach to 8P8C connectors without a special modular piece and are technically not standard compliant.