 Today I was presented with the challenge of CR2 files.. I must admit, when I was first asked - I didn't even know what a CR2 file was, apparently it's a RAW file format used by some of Canon's digital camera range. For some reason, the file format is not automatically accessible using some of the off shelf photo editing packages. Including photoshop would you believe.
My first plan of attack was to find out if my MacBook could open the files, so I tested it and sure enough they opened straight away in the OS X preview app. (I love Mac's :-) ) I did consider transferring all of the files over to my Mac, to then use an applescript batch convert and then send them back.
However, as these pictures where from Kat, who's doing a university course the resolution was immense, leaving a file size to match.. So this soon became a non runner. Each file was taking upwards of 10 minutes to transfer and there was well over 300 of them!
I went on to try and hunt down an application to do the batch convert on Windows, even trying Canon's own app - all of which failed. We then decided on a RAW file image viewer, then at least we only needed to transfer the files Kat wanted to keep. Again this turned out to be a complete failure..
As luck would have it, I stumbled across a forum post claiming Windows Photo Gallery could actually open the files. So we gave it ago, and sure enough as soon as we added the folder to the gallery away it went and generate thumbnails for each picture. It was even kind enough to offer to download the latest RAW file codec from Canon's site!
So if you have RAW CR2 files you need to open, try Microsoft Photo Gallery before scouring the web for RAW file convertors! Or buy a MacBook of course :-)
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 One thing I love about the Mac is the on screen displays for things like the volume, brightness and backlight controls. Then when switching back to the windows boxes I also miss the visibility of the volume control. Obviously there's the small volume control in the system tray. but as a neat freak, I don't like any icons which are static in the tray.
This therefore is the perfect answer to that little problem, 3RVX is an on screen volume indicator which looks very much similar to the one on a Mac. With low 'overheads' and custom hotkeys this app is brilliant for it.
It's also has a large collection of skins already available on the site, which changes the overall look and feel of the OSD in a matter of seconds.
Matthew Malensek (the developer) is already working hard on the next version of 3RVX, with an even bigger list of features. Something I will certainly be keeping an eye out for!
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 Well I must admit, this is a first for me.. Blogging from the bar of a Premier Inn. Those of you who know me, will know all about the help desk system I have been developing. Well the project is rapidly approaching it's go-live date so it's time to deliver the training. So here I am, booked into a 'swanky' hotel in preparation for the delivery in the morning.
The drive down was interesting, in a loan car. Vauxhall Insignia, which was also a first... Not only the first time I had seen one in the flesh but of course the first time I have driven one. The car is smooth enough, very quiet considering it's a coal burner! I don't think I would buy one, but overall it seems a good motor.
I am quite lucky in the fact I have been graced with a ground floor room, which is a bonus considering the amount of kit I am hauling around with me. So here I am, sat relaxing before the 'big day' in the bar. The music is just at the right level to hear the chink of the glasses behind the bar, and the light patter as my fingers run across the keys of my MacBook.
Im liking the fact the place is almost deserted, if not just for the fact I am getting the special table side service from the waitresses :-)
Right.. I better get back to setting up the permissions for Monday!
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 If you have managed to misplace your Admin\Root account password for you Mac OS X machine, then all you have to do is follow these simple steps to reset it. Yes.... It really is this easy! So remember this when your away from your desk thinking your data is secure!
- Get your self a copy of a Mac OS X install disc, if you can't find your original - hunt around eBay for one. Failing that speak to your local Apple Store.
- Pop the disc in your Mac's drive and wait for it to load up.
- You should eventually seen a nice big window, with a reset button on it. Hit the reset button..
- Your Mac will then start going through the install procedure. (Don't panic, if your careful you wont loose anything!)
- Follow the instructions on screen, clicking Next when prompted.
- Eventually you will get to a stage where one of the menu options says utilities.
- You should find the option to reset the password under that menu.
- Now you will be prompted to set the password for the Root user.
Once you have set something you think you might be able to remember, quit the setup remove the media and reboot..
You should find the password has now been reset!
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 Here's one for all you hardcore terminal fans.. TouchTerm SSH gives you simple, straight forward SSH access to your devices\servers. Unlike may other SSH iPhone apps, touch term gives you a single input and output screen. Making those more complex tasks even easier to operate remotely.
TouchTerm also enables the secure saving of connection passwords, using an overall 'master password', which takes the fear away from loosing your beloved device. For those of you who have even stricter connection standards, it also supports RSA/DSA Key-based authentication!
TouchTerm supports both WiFi and 3G connections to your SSH servers, and if you purchase the 'Pro' version, you can also save and execute 'macros' to speed up those mundane tasks.
There are many SSH terminal apps on the App Store, some even cheaper then TouchTerm, however - in my opinion I don't think any of them are worth it apart from TouchTerm. I love the interface, and the choice of 'semi-transparent' keyboard.
As only a light SSH user, I have not gone for the 'Pro' version. Which is available for £5.49, whereas the light version is £2.49. As you can see from the reviews in the App Store TouchTerm has many happy users.
For a list of commands you can use with TouchTerm (and OS X's terminal window) check out this link.
If you are wondering what SSH is, it stands for Secure Shell, and it's basically a network protocol enabling the secure passage of commands from device to device over the internet\network etc. SSH was 'invented' in 1995 by a researcher at Helsinki University of Technology called Tatu Yjonen. You can read more about SSH over at Wikipedia.
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