Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Maps of United Kingdom, Italy, San Marino, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

We've added new coutry level maps to download section of our website:

  • United Kingdom
  • Italy, San Marino, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sunday, June 6, 2010

J2EE & XSLT links

The J2EE(TM) 1.4 Tutorial: The J2EE(TM) 1.4 Tutorial is a guide to developing enterprise applications for the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) version 1.4.

XSLT

XML.com: Math and XSLT: XSLT's full support of XPath's maths capabilities lets you do all the basic kinds of arithmetic and a little more.

Xalan: Extending XSLT with Java — Developer.com: This article is about how to use your own java methods inside XSLT for transformation.

XSLT Processing with Java: Chapter 5 from O'Reilly book Java and XSLT.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Country level maps has been added

Country level maps has been added to Map section of our web-site. Currently we have available for downloading:

  • Germany (Deutschland), Netherlands (Nederland), Belgium (Belgie), Luxembourg;
  • Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Andorra;
  • United States of America;

Please visit and download any of these maps and free trial of HotSpot Navigator at
www.hsnav.net

Thursday, April 22, 2010

New firmware update for Nokia 5800 v. 50.0.005

New firmware v.50.0.005 now available for installation.

What's new I've got with this update:
  • kinetic scrolling in main menu
  • performance optimization

I try to install this via Ovi Suite with phone connected by USB cable.
I've got following issues:
  1. Firmware update demands 1Gb of free space on my hard drive. For what?!! ok...
  2. Nokia Ovi Suite demands update

Friday, April 16, 2010

HotSpot Navigator 0.4.0 beta

New version of HotSpot Navigator has been released is 0.4.0 beta.

List of added features:
  • optimization for long track drawing
  • set as destination point any landmark
  • show ETA, direction and distance to destination point
  • installs and  update from main menu
  • visit our site from main menu
  • base map with zoom of 1-3 levels tiles of OpenStreetMap has been included and to jar and will install at first run
World map OSM tiles has been added for downloading
Now you can download and installs base word map via our website, instead of downloading it via phone or JTileDownloader. They all are ready for installation and use.
If you are interesting in some specific region are don't hesitate ask me, I will download and make them available for downloading.

Visit HotSpot Navigator official website.
Download new version directly to phone: http://www.hsnav.net/wap

Feel free to download latest version. It will works until 1-st of July 2010.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

File storage for large files

Today I've tried to store a few file-archives with OpenStreetMap tiles. It's a pre-downloaded map ready for installing in to phone. Now I've got only two files sizes 12Mb and 37Mb, so they are not huge.


Resource name and URL

Overall space

Size limit for one file

Resource bandwidth

Google sites

?

20Mb

+

Google groups

100Mb

<13Mb

+

Byethost

5Gb

10Mb

-

MegaShares

Unlimited

550Mb

Store 25 days, daily downloading limitations

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

English learning links

English learning links to tutorials, test, podcasts:

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Moon's photos


Factory Canon firmware JPG format

CHDK firmware RAW format

These both pictures has been taken by Canon SX100 IS camera. First picture has taken as usual camera photo in JPG format. Second has taken with helps of CHDK firmware in RAW (CRW) format.
As you can see it has a lot difference. Second is more detailed.

Now I'd like to talk about CHDK firmware. CHDK is a firmware extension for Canon Powershot / Digital IXUS cameras. It's internal camera software in addition to standard, it has a lot improvements and various settings, many of these very useful. More detailed descrition you can see there http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_firmware_usage/AllBest. Information about installation there http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_for_Dummies.
Latest version can be downloaded there http://mighty-hoernsche.de.


After shooting you should do something with your CRW image, it isn't easy because needs some knowledge in photographic area.  I've used RawTherapee software, it's under GPL, so is totally free now.



Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

Monday, March 29, 2010

HotSpot Navigator 0.3 beta

New version of HotSpot Navigator has been released is 0.3 beta.

List of added features:
  • travelled track will be saved then you closing HotSpot Navigator
  • shows distance between current GPS position and panned centre of map, like Google Maps
  • you able to load any of saved tracks that sorted by date of start recording
  • some track analisys tools: view distance from start to any point on a track, view speed, altitude, timestamp at any point on a recorded track
  • view overall distance from start of travelling route
  • view current altitude
  • save any point at map as landmark and show this one on map
  • working with landmark categories has been improved: set up visibility of categories
  • landmark management via main menu

Feel free to download latest version. It will works until 1-st of July 2010.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Nokia 5800 tricks and tips

There are a few tips and tricks with Nokia 5800 that unclear, not intuitive without advice or not documented.

Voice commands
For activating voice command do long press on green button.


Quick answer
After firmware v40.0.005 you can answer to incoming call by sliding your finger over the screen from left to right even phone is blocked, or unlock the phone by sliding from right to left and do something else like rejecting, send a message.
Red and green arrows appeared on the screen will helps you.


Alarm
After firmware v40.0.005 you can stops alarming by sliding your finger over the screen from left to right even phone is blocked, or be in snooze awhile by sliding from right to left.
Red and green arrows appeared on the screen will  helps you.



If something wrong
If one of application hangs your phone you can perform next steps sequentially:
  • Try a long pressing on white button, application manager will appear hold finger over buggy application. Small menu with "Open" and "Exit" items will appears. Choose "Exit". If this advice doesn't helps look farther ahead;
  • Try to switch off the whole phone by pressing on/off button upon the phone. Switch on phone again. If this advice doesn't helps look farther ahead;
  • Last chance for reboot is to remove the battery and plug it again then switch on phone with on/off button.

If you feel that your phone became a buggy try to do next steps:

Revert to factory settings (Soft reset)
The reset will restore all the phone’s settings to factory default without delete user info
Use the dialer to enter this code:
*#7780#
This is equally Menu > Tools > Settings > General > Factory settings

Hard Reset
If you feel that your phone became a buggy try to do hard reset.
Make a full backup before applying this type of reset, since it will restore the phone’s settings as well as erasing all the data in the phone memory (it will format drive C).
The reset will restore all the phone’s settings to factory default and delete all user info. You can use the dialer to enter this code.
*#7370#

If doesn't work do hard reset with buttons:
Switch off the phone.
Press GREEN + RED + CAMERA + ON simultaneously until you see the "Select Country" option.

Note:
The default password is 12345. You need to press and hold the key until the number appear.
Also you can format your flash memory card (drive E), but I didn't done that ever.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Podcasts


I like to listen podcasts while I've walking somewhere. It may be a radio show or a music and it's easy with my bluetooth headset Jabra BT8040. I've written there how to tune your Nokia 5800 for podcastings.
  1. Click "Music"->"Podcasting"->"Options"->"Connection", be sure that "Search service URL"& points to http://podcastdirectory.nokia.com/pc/ search/?appid=NokiaPodcastingApplication1& keywords=#&format=rss&sort=rel& searchsource=all
  2. Go back, and back again
  3. "Search"
  4. Type interesting topic in edit field, e.g. "English"
  5. Touch "OK"
  6. Select any podcast from the list to subscribe that
My favourite podcasts list for learning English, all of these are free:
  • English as Second Language Podcast
  • Fun English Lessons
  • Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
My favourite technological podcasts:
  • This Week in Google
  • The Java Pose
My favourite music podcasts:
  • Via The A-Hole | Punk Podcast
  • Rocket Fuel

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Links

I think it's nice place for collection of some useful links about my hobbies. I'd like teaching myself, so links go to pages with self-learning sites, instructions, articles, tips.
Let's start with java development:
  • www.flazx.com - IT learning center, free computer ebook/book reviews, a huge collection of books in .pdf and .chm formats,

One of the best book IMHO is "Effective Java" by Joshua Bloch;




I like to play tennis, there are some links to tennis-related sites with instructions - how to play, how to hit stokes and so on...
  • www.tennis.com - a large site with detailed instructions, articles, tips;
Another my hobby is snowboarding:


Snowboard DVD 29 -ground tricks-

Best Java developer tools

If you want start to develop application in java you need some tools.
Firstly is Java Development Kit (JDK) you can download it form http://java.sun.com.
Secondly you needs IDE. Most of popular is Eclipse and Netbeans.
After you can install some useful plugins.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bulgaria. Pictures from Bansko and Sofia.

Recently I have been to Bulgaria and post there a several pictures taken from Bansko and Sofia.
 
 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Jabra BT8040 review


Recently I have a feel of necessary to use bluetooth headset for my Nokia 5800 XM. Because I like to listening podcasts and music while I'm travelling somewhere and I tired from wires. I have read many articles, reviews, blogs about headsets, and have chosen Jabra BT8040 because it have many positive review, it's small, lightweight, and it supports A2DP it's important if you like listen to music. One thing hinder me from purchasing - it was model of 2008 year and still not cheap. When I went around shops I saw several places where I can buy this.

Finally I've purchase this one for $60. Large yellow-grey package contains: headset, extra ear gels (2x small, 1x medium, 1 medium already fit on headset, mini CD with User manual, quick start guide, AC charger, short micro USB cable. Picture with extra ear-gels posted there. Device fits perfectly in any kind of ear. Also it has absolutely symmetric form and can be worn in the left or right ear or switched if one is tired.

That greats! I'm wondering about that! It was connected with phone without any issues. It's works perfectly.

BTW: Default factory password for bluetooth connection is four zeros: "0000", use it then you connect headset to mobile phone as paired device.

I want to put my phone to the backpack while I'm walking anywhere. So I start to tune phone for using voice commands - it works!
Now I able to know current time and make a call without phone, these function available on headset.

Nokia 5800 XM. Must have software list.

When we done hard reset on the phone we usually start to install several application that we use everyday. I collect there a links to these applications. All application are freeware therefore you shouldn't pay for it.

  1. WeFi- useful application for connecting to wi-fi automatically;
  2. Nimbuzz or Skype (may be fring, I didn't try it);
  3. AccuWeather - will shows you weather in your town;
  4. BrightLight - turn your phone in to pocket flashlight;
  5. MobilePaint ot Scribble - for making quick scratches;
  6. X-plore - is a file manager for symbian mobile phone;
If I forget something leave a comment.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Vacation. HotSpot Navigator became stronger.



Fist of all is a question: Why I use "HotSpot Navigator" on my mobile phone and don't want using Ovi Maps from Nokia.

Answer is simple: Of course Ovi Maps is great navigation application with vector maps, routing and navigation but coverage in my city (Izhevsk, Russia) is weak. I've posted two screenshots there to compare, all is several roads across the city although OpenStreetMap has a good and detailed coverage and it has a community support, it updates everyday.

Now I've got a lot of free time now. I'm should be focused on job-seeking, but focused on HotSpot Navigator development. Recently I added a new features like:
  • traveled track will be saved then you closing HotSpot Navigator
  • you able to load any on saved tracks that sorted by date of record starting
  • some track analisys tools: view distance from start to any point on a track, view speed, altitude, timestamp at any point on a recorded track
  • view overall distance from start of travelling route
  • view current altitude
  • save any point at map as landmark and show this one
Also I have found several tools for map creating (generating). We haven't own internal map format yet. So map it's just couple of files with tile-images placed in some folder hierarchy on flash-disk in handset. You can prepare map of travelling region by downloading necessary tiles from OpenStreetMap before your journey with helps of several applications called: OSMtiledownloader and JTileDownloader or just in HotSpot Navigator. After downloading selected region you should be just copied in to your phone in E:/hsnav/tiles/ folder. This action will be helpful then map scrolling in HotSpot Navigator around region of your travel for automatic downloading maybe hard. If you don't want to spend your money on GPRS/EDGE traffic while you not in coverage of WiFi-area then your should done one of these ways.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Discharge

At 18 of February I will be discharge on grounds of company liquidation. Therefore I looking for a new job. Back in a days I prepared my resume and I will post it as soon as posible. If someone finds me usable as Java developer then I will think about any job offers.

I will consider any kinds of distant working, full and part-time working.
I have been post my CV / resume.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Nokia 5800 XM. Firmware update to v 40.0.005

I have got a Nokia 5800 Xpress Music. I try to update its firmware at yesterday, and I was wondering. After several month of keeping silence Nokia have been produced a new version of firmware. As I heard it will contain kinetic-scrolling, I didn't knew what is it, but sounds cool. ;)
So let's get start.

Hot to update firmware

I've got wi-fi access point at home. Updating process via Applications->Settings->Phone->"Phone mgmt."->"Device updates" via Wi-Fi has done without any issues. 
If you feel some issues with update process please visit:
http://www.nokia.co.uk/support/download-software/device-software-update/how-to-update there are describes two ways for device updating.
Secondly, I have start updating of other software on the phone via Applcations->"SW update" (now, I don't remeber old path for run). It update 5-6 applications, e.g. "Adobe flash", "E-mail client" (have a lot of changes), new version "Ovi Maps", installs python translator, installs "Scribble" (new application for drawing written in python) and spend about 30 minutes.

So let's look What was changed?
pros:
  • 5800 works really faster and smoother, I seemed this on my long-list of subscribed podcasts.
  • improvements on "Home screen" in contact mode. Contacts are scrollable now and program shortcuts can be visible in this mode at the bottom of screen. Music (Podcast) Player has got a new control panel in this mode too. It is better I mean.
  • smartphone lives second-day without hard-reset after firmware updating. It wasn't happened with previsions firmwares.
  • kinetic scrolling. It's not so cool as I mean ;) but useful I hope.
  • Alarm rang exactly at 6.40 as I set.
cons:

  • Alarm and answer keys has a new design but.... it isn't work! Hard keys at bottom of phone do something, but not screen-keys. PS: After some weeks I have found how to switch-off alarm, even if phone blocked. You should touch on screen red-button in two pionts simultaneously. Also you can slide your finger over screen from left to right for answer or from right to left for reject call, that works nice.
  • After rebooting answer keys was changed back to old-style, but as I remember there are four keys, now only two. :( Other function available via menu, but that's not so effective. Alarm key wasn't changed back, so they lists still are useless.
  • After each restart Nokia 5800 XM try to launch new bulky e-mail client application. I was woundring because old way to receive e-mail remain in the same place. So phone have two e-mail clients now from the pack.

Hot to fix stylus holder on Nokia 5800?


My stylus isn't fit firmly because its clips holder at back panel was broken. I glue thin line of adhesive tape along the gutter at back panel and on other side on phone under the stylus place. Now it fits much stronger. Look at the pictures.

Firewall

I have been used Comodo Firewall for a long time. But it haven't any questions to me, so I don't know What is it doing? Is it works? Sometimes spyware attack my laptop so I feel a right time to change firewall. I like Agnitum Outpost Free edition. BTW official Agnitum site don't allow download me free version because my country is not permitted for trial pay system, as I know Agnitum is Russian company. Finally I downloaded it from www.download.com. It suggest a bunch of free firewalls I don't know which one is better? Just try to use pair for them for several month.

PS: Agnitum Outpost has some strange behavior, it's just didn't pass packets after some part of time. It needs reconnection. Reconnection it's just plug-off my RJ-45 socket, wait a while about 1 min. and plug it again that helps, but I don't want to do that hanreds times per a day. So I uncheck Outpost from my "Connections" tab.

HotSpot Navigator support

I cannot get good address for my blog, therefore I used one of my project url. It's HotSpot Navigator software project. Official site is a http://www.hsnav.net.

Recently I created Google Group (http://groups.google.com/group/hotspot-navigator-group) for our project, because I can't found easy to use forum on cpanel of my host provider (www.byethost.com). All of them looks (vBulleten, phpBB) heavy for my purposes, I want only two or three forum thread with bugs, issues and news information.

new blog

I don't know exactly why I'am started this blog. May be I would like to share my experience with other ppl. I try to tell about my issues with some kind of hardware and software. To tell about hardware and software which I'm using, about projects where I take apart. About interesting places where I have been.