Micks' Musings

I was trying to get the display resolution for a Linux Virtual Machine to a reasonable value - the host has an old PCI video card and can only do 1024 by 768 so the VM has been restricted to less than that even when using VNC (ie Remote Desktop for non-Windows machines). I was experimenting with the various modes that Virtual Box allows when I realised that after setting the Virtual Machine to Scaled Mode I was able to choose a resolution that was higher than the resoltuion of the host. It did look pretty odd on the Host but when using VNC it is fine! I can now control the Virtual Machine and see much more in the window! 24 May: After updating the network router I found my Linux Virtual machine would now lock up. So I created a new one using Fedora Core 20. However I was not able to get anything greater then 1012 by 664 (the host is stuck at 1024 x 768!). So after some digging I found the following in the Virtual Box help. VBoxManage setextradata global GUI/MaxGuestResolutio...

The Australian opposition launched its Broadband policy today. Inferior in every way to the current National Broadband Network and no cheaper in the long run due to the cost of maintaining the old copper network.  Is the cost of electing the LNP having inferior infrastructure, more expensive health care and poorer education? Do the opposition plan to charge all the people who are already connected to the NBN the $5000 they will make me pay to get FTTP once they get elected? My house is over 3.5KM from the exchange and I get 3M over ADSL2. You have got to question the motives of the opposition - are they protecting their biggest donors? They will be winning the next election regardless of what they say or do between now and September so there is no reason not to allow the NBN to proceed except for vested self-interest. One thing is for sure - if they ruin the NBN I will be cancelling my Foxtel subscription and will never buy anything associated with the backers of the LNP. I...

I have an iPad 2, Nexus 7, Kindle Touch, Smartq 7 and an ePad 10inch tablet. The SmartQ and ePad have been consigned to the back of a shelf out in the shed and I am actively using the iPad and Nexus 7. I use the iPad a lot - it has a decent sized screen so is comfortable for web browsing. I prefer its screen ratio to that chosen by the Android tablets. The Nexus 7 was bought to replace the Kindle (actually I used Frequent Flyer points that were about to expire so it was not a hard decision as it didn't seem to cost anything). The problem with the Kindle Touch is the difficulty reading it when the light is fairly poor. There is no problem reading the Nexus 7 and its screen is nice and sharp (1280 by 800 resolution for a 7 inch tablet is very nice). The only thing that might make me upgrade my iPad is the screen on the new models or when it breaks! Do I like iOS or Android more? I don't think there is a lot of difference - both are good at what they do - running apps! I find ...