Sony VAIO expo. A compact Z series driving 3 1080p monitors.

BSNL 3G review and speed Test

I have been using BSNL 3G for two weeks now and I must admit that I have become a fan of this service.

Speed:

The upload and download speeds were acceptable compared to the advertised speeds. The speed of the connection highly depends on the network strength, simultaneous number of users connected and any interferences.

While indoor the speeds were around the 1.5 Mbps mark. The video below was recorded on my terrace around 8 PM in the night.

As can be seen the speed is pretty impressive.

Coverage:
The network coverage also is pretty good. I was able to get strong signals even in the outskirts of pondicherry. On the entire stretch from Pondicherry to Chennai there were only a few places without 3G signals. Still you will have the 2.5G EDGE network to fall back in these situations.

BSNL 3G configuration

After you activate your service either by getting a new 3G SIM or upgrade your old 2G SIM, follow the steps below to set yourself up for 3G.

First confirm your handset is 3G capable.

Automatic configuration:

Send a SMS to 58355 in the following format:
MAKE MODEL

eg: For my N900 the message to be sent will be :

NOKIA N900

You should receive a series of Configuration SMS messages . Accept them with PIN 1111

Now you must be all set to use the 3G network. When you are connected to the network your signal level indicator should be ideally showing 3.5 G indicating you are connected at 3G speeds.

If not cross check whether your network mode under Settings->Network is set to 3G or DUAL or something similar.

Manual Configuration (Which worked for me).

Create a New Access point with access point name as : bsnlnet

All other configuration details can be left blank.

This worked like a charm for me.

For Data vouchers and online recharge coupons go here

BSNL 2g to 3g migration - Official Document

BSNL 3G can be activated as per the link given below. I really find it amusing that a detailed document on how to activate 3G is not posted right on the homepage of the 3G home page of BSNL.

I had to dig in a lot to get this and though of posting this here so that others may not go thru the hassles i went thru.

http://www.chennai.bsnl.co.in/News/2gto3g.pdf

Free VOIP calls to US land lines and Mobile phones

Recently stumbled upon this service that offers free VOIP calls to US telephone numbers. Please note that this would still cost you in the form of tariff levied by your broadband provider. No worries for those who have an unlimted Plan.

Download iCall from the Link below
Install it
Register with a UserName and Password.
Now you are all set to call your near and dear ones in the US absolutely free.
I tried calling a friend of mine and the voice quality was comparable if not better than a normal telephone line.

http://www.icall.com/download.php

The down side is every call is limited to 5Min.

Connecting to the internet using Motorola phones as a USB modem

This is a step by step procedure for getting your motorola phone installed as a USB modem and connect to the internet from your PC

Configuring the Modem::

1.Connect your phone to the PC using the USB cable.
2.The new device found wizard starts and Use the drivers from here. http://developer.motorola.com/docstools/USB_Drivers/Handset_USB_Driver/ (if this doesnt work for you, let me know and i will send you the driver which i have)
The phone gets detected as a modem.
3.Now goto control panel => Phones and Modems => Modems Tab => properties => Diagnostic tab
4.Click on Query Modem to check if your modem is properly working.
5.Go to Advanced tab and in the Extra Initilization command text box type at+cgdcont=1,"ip","gprssouth.cellone.in" . Do replace gprssouth.cellone.in with your access point name. gprssouth.cellone.in is specific for south zone BSNL subscribers.

Creating The Dial up Netwotking (DUN) connection for your internet connection::

Control Panel => Network Connections => Create a New Connection => click Next => select Connect to the Internet => click Next=> Select 'Setup Connection Manually' => click Next => select Connect using a dial-up Modem => click Next => Give some ISP Name => click Next => Typy Phone mumber to dial as *99# => click Next => Give your username and password (for BSNL it is usally 91 for both username and password) => click Next => select add a Shortcut to your Desktop check Box => click finsh.

Thats it. You are done. Now locate the short cut in your desktop and run it. Click dial in the window to connect.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

Finally -- Got my Digital Camera, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50. This camera can be classified as a bridge camera, meaning its a bridge between the simple point and shoots and the Digital Single lens-reflex cameras (DSLRs). It exactly looks like a dSLR and for the matter even feels like a dSLR and makes you feel like a professional.


What mdae me go fot it?

• Impressive Leica lens. You would have to spend a couple of thousand dollars to get a lens of such quality otherwise.
• Manual zoom and focus rings.
• Excellent build quality.
• Easy handling
• Hot shoe
• Swivel LCD
• Good movie mode

You can have a look at the complete review of the camera here.

Official web-page here.


Haven't had much exposure with this cam. I will write more about this camera some time later after doing a test run of her.

தமிழில் எழுதுவது எப்படி?

However good your command over English you always have that crave in you to write your heart out in Tamil. Here is how you can do it:

தமிழில் எழுதுவது எப்படி?

தமிழில் எழுத கீழ்கண்ட இனயதளத்தை கிளிக் செய்யவும்.

http://www.google.com/transliterate/

Choose tamil as the language from the drop down.

So all the best guyz/galz for happy blogging in Tamil.

College Garden

This is one of my best photos or may be the one i like most. Taken with my phone camera(nokia 3230).I got a little impatient when waiting for my friends pre placement talk by IXIA . juz clicked this photo from the first floor window before the assembly hall.The construction work going on is for a fountain.