"This is why you should support Android (not Google, but Android), even if you prefer the iPhone. This is why you should support Linux, even if you use Windows. This is why you should support Apache, even if you run IIS. There's going to be a point where being Free/open is no longer a fun perk, but a necessity."

- quoted from Richard Stallman Was Right All Along

I agree and like to think that there is freedom in free software, and money in proprietary software and/or developing for someone else. So where does this put a PHP web developer, like me?

Honestly, even if I really love the idea that I can spend most of my waking days building free software and experiment with solar power, in reality I have bills to pay. So I have to balance this out and if I'm lucky I can build my own platform, with that being said, I need to learn a new programming language this year.

First, the updates and points of discussion:

1. Microsoft is suing companies left and right

2. Yes, they (might) own most of the copyrights/patents for the essential technologies in software development.

3. Microsoft has managed to overpower companies that invented or produced a technology that people use and really enjoy, but now has to stop its production because according to Microsoft the technology infringes the terms of intellectual property rights.

Lately, Microsoft is getting better in suing companies - better than improving their own technologies. I understand the scope of intellectual property rights, how it can protect a company and destroy an idea or invention. Let's say that Microsoft has won in most/every IPR case, can this company be able to deliver the technologies they kill?

If they can - good. I'll stop the hate.

If they can't, which apparently is the current situation, then Microsoft is just getting richer, while some of use are getting dumber.

Of course, Microsoft still dominates the PCs and/or servers with their system and application softwares. But if we're going to talk about the web and mobile arena, I think they have failed to evolve together with their target audiences.

Well, Microsoft hasn't really been known as a company of innovation, Apple takes on that job really well. It's like Microsoft is still in beta testing mode after a decade of web and mobile evolution. 

"I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A GREAT THING TO HAPPEN AND I'M STILL WAITING."

Have you used Microsoft's search engine - Bing!? You know the search engine that has a fancy page layout but fails to deliver the results that you really need? I check it from time to time to see if it's still alive. Honestly, I'd rather use Yahoo! than Bing. But, Microsoft was able to buy that system too, probably now they understand what went wrong while analyzing Yahoo!'s source codes and network infrastructures.

Come to think of it, Microsoft now owns two search engines, but most of us are still using Google. They have the money but it seems they don't have the right people to invent the things WE NEED.

Have you seen a Windows Phone powered smartphone yet? My sister bought this huge smartphone - HTC HD7 - and as usual the graphical user interface is great, I was blown away when I first saw it, but when we tried sending files via bluetooth it failed to detect my Android phone. Sure, games look better in Windows Phones but check out the battery life! If you want to last a day while executing multimedia apps I suggest you buy an extra battery or don't ever, ever forget to bring the charger.

How about the fees in Windows Phone development? $99. You'd demand that amount without any guarantee of returns in investment. AND, WORSE HAVE YOU CHECKED THE MARKET SHARE OF WINDOWS PHONES?

As a developer, would you be inspired to create apps because of 10% market share?

Oh, and don't forget the maps...ok, I'll be kind here...it's a work in progress too.

It appears that Microsoft is creating a huge hindrance in reaching the full potential of (technological) user experience, by slowly killing other technologies that they fail to invent or produce.

And that's what worries me, on a small scale. But if you really think about it and imagine the future, you might feel the urge to scream out of frustration.

NASA is on fire! In just about two weeks this month, NASA has launched its first two Android applications in the Android Market, namely, “NASA Spinoff” and “NASA 360”.

“NASA Spinoff” is NASA's first Android app and was released on January 18, 2011. The application allows you to explore NASA technologies developed in your own backyard. It contains a feed of NASA’s latest technology news, a searchable database of NASA-derived innovations, a map of spinoff locations, a historical timeline and a database of NASA’s available licensing opportunities to inspire the spinoffs of the future.

This may sound exciting, since it’s “NASA” and it has started to recognize Android, but feedbacks from people who downloaded the app tell otherwise. Although it gives users news about how NASA innovations are spreading around the world in everyday use and it has a superb timeline of NASA inventions, “NASA Spinoff” is like a school project because of its poorly designed interface and crashes on some Android phones.Space and Android geeks should not be discouraged though, because NASA’s second Android application – “NASA 360” – has received better reception from its users.

NASA 360 is an award-winning television program enjoyed by millions. Catch every episode, along with transcripts, interactive maps with more information on each filming location, cast and crew bios, and even a quiz to test your knowledge about the show via your Android phone. This application was released a week after Nasa Spinoff. Comments for this app tell how easy to use and well-structured the NASA 360 is.

For those who would like to download any of these applications just search it on the Android Market through your phone to download and install it for free.

NASA has launched several popular applications for other platforms, mostly for the iPhone, iPod and iPad. Android users are hoping that NASA would also recreate these applications to be downloaded and installed on Android phones for free.

The USB tethering feature of Android Froyo allows you to share your phone's mobile network with a laptop or desktop computer, which is similar to the concept of using a usb modem (stick) or dongle.

The 3 major telcos in the Philippines today thar offer mobile broadband services are Globe, Smart and Sun cellular. In the image below, I have Globe Tattoo and Smart Bro USB modems, as you can see I don't have a Sun Cellular USB modem, however, what I do have is a Sun cellular prepaid sim card and an Android Froyo powered HTC Desire. I will use USB tethering to complement what I lack.

Below are the details on how to use this feature:

The essentials:

1. Configure the correct Access Point Name (APN) for your mobile phone. If you have no idea how to do this, contact your telco's customer service. (for prepaid Globe subscribers in the Philippines check my previous post about APN config)
2. Android version 2.2 (codename: Froyo) should be installed on your phone
3. HTC Micro USB data cable
4. Install HTC Sync on your computer.

HTC Sync

HTC Sync serves as a device content manager for your phone using a computer and also installs the required device drivers. By default, the file for this software is already on your phone's SD card, if ever you accidentally deleted this file on your phone, you can go to this link (HTC Sync for all HTC Android Phones) to download the file.

After dowloading and installing HTC Sync, connect your phone to the computer via the micro USB data cable then proceed to HTC Sync device setup. Make sure that 'HTC Sync' is selected in your 'Connect to PC' screen.

You don't really need to sync all of the contents of your phone to the PC at this time, we just have to make sure that HTC Sync can detect your phone and has a saved profile for it.

Just to make sure that everything is working, disconnect your phone from the PC, restart your computer, reconnect your phone to the PC (make sure that 'HTC Sync' is selected in your 'Connect to PC' screen); check if HTC Sync can already detect your phone automatically.

This is a one time setup, you don't need to open this software everytime you want to use USB tethering.

USB Tethering

1. Turn on 'Mobile Network'. There are 2 ways to do this:
   • Do a long press on the power button, on the "Phone options" screen, tap on "Mobile Network" to turn it on (or off).

     

   • Go to "Settings" > "Wireless & Networks" > Tap on the checkbox to turn it on
2. Connect your phone to the PC using the micro USB data cable
3. This time in the "Connect to PC" screen, select USB tethering

   

4. On the taskbar, click on the network connection icon, you would see that a new active network is added on the list. You might get a different name for the new connection. Select the new network and start browsing. Yippee!

   

Here's the the "Local Area Connection Properties" for the new network connection:

I guess this answers a friend's question, 'no? :)

This is a tutorial on how you can use your HTC Desire – Android Froyo as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot via a paid mobile internet.

On your Phone:

1. Make sure that you have configured the APN for your phone, otherwise call your network’s customer service to learn how. (for Globe prepaid subscribers check my previous post about APN config)

   

2. Configure the ‘Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings’.
   • Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Wi-fi and networks’ > tap on ‘Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings’
   • Fill out the following fields:
     1. Router name: <mine is ‘HTC Network’>
     2. Security: <mine is WPA (TKIP)>
     3. Password : <I recommend to use this feature to prevent strangers from connecting to your phone.>
     4. Press ‘menu’ button > Tap on ‘Advanced’
        • Wi-Fi Channel : <default is Auto>
        • LAN Settings : <leave as is if you don’t know what to put on these fields>
        • Power mode:  <tap to choose what would happen in case of prolonged inactivity>
     5. Tap on ‘Manage users’
        • Enable ‘Allowed users only’
        • Tap on ‘Max. connections’ to increase or decrease the number of allowed connections. Your options are from 2-8.
3. Turn on ‘Mobile Network’.

   There are 2 ways to do this:

   • By doing a long press on the power button and tap ‘Mobile Network’ to switch on or off
   • By going to Settings > Wireless and Networks > Tap on the checkbox for ‘Mobile Network’
4. Turn on hotspot. Go to ‘Settings’ > Wireless and Networks > Tap on the checkbox. The ‘Wi-Fi hotspot active’ icon shows up on the topmost left of the screen.

On your computer:

Check the wireless network connections available, you will now see the “HTC Network” as an option. Select this network and enter the password you have previously set.  Surf and enjoy.