Restore Deleted Photos

Just recently I accidentally deleted some of my photos in my hard disk.

What happens if the photos cannot be found in the recycle bin?

Can you still retrieve those precious baby photos? Can you restore deleted Photos?

Before you panic, there is good news for all you parents out there!

Pictures speak a thousand words, and I can’t imagine losing photos like these!

Please don’t fret, as anything is possible in this computer world.

Well, I went to download.com and I found this program called Pandora Recovery

This program is highly rated by the CNET editors as well as users alike (Gets a near 5 star rating)

Best of all, this program is TOTALLY FREE!

It can not only retrieve photos from your hard disk, but also from your SD/CF cards as well. Therefore, even if you overwrite your photos in your SD card, you can still retrieve them!

Just how powerful is this program?

Currently, I use a company notebook. When I took over the notebook a year ago, I deleted away the previous users photos.

Guess what?

After using the program, I saw the previous user’s photos and any photos before that as well.

What’s more – you don’t need to be a computer genius to use this program. The interface is simple and easy to use.

So no need to key in any codes, or interface with any funny and weird symbols :)

It is no wonder that the computer geeks can retrieve anything from your notebook.

Remember the series “Prison Break”, the FBI was still able to retrieve information from Scofield’s Hard Disk, despite the fact that he had thrown it in the river!

Well, the good side is that – don’t despair!

We may make mistakes, but the photos are still retrievable.

Technorati Tags: Restore deleted photos,Retrieve photos from SD card,Photo Recover,Retrieve Lost data

Blog Feature: Harvest Times

The kind people of “Harvest Times”, a Christian Publication has featured ED Unloaded in their current issue!

Harvest Times is a free online Christian Publication, so you can check out the magazine and it’s past issues on this link.

The 4 page feature (page 68-71) highlights past blog posts covered in the children’s lives and covers some of the best stories I blogged about in the last 2 years. (Yes! it has been about 2 years since the blog started…how time flies!)

Personally, I enjoyed reading the articles, as it was like a review of my life as a parent, and I have even forgotten about some of their adventures.

Being a Daddy Blogger, it has truly been a real blessing being part of the children’s lives, and having an opportunity to record their experiences.

I don’t really know how this Parenting Adventure will unravel itself, but I am pretty sure that I will enjoy every part of this Daddy Parenting Adventure.

Technorati Tags: Parenting Adventure,Daddy Blogger,Daddy Parenting,Blog Feature

Rewarding my Readers!

Many thanks once again to my readers for helping ED Unloaded win the Most Popular Award in the Canon Ixus Bloggers Competition.

As a token of my appreciation, a selected group of readers were chosen for a lucky draw to win the Canon Ixus 95 camera that I won!

These special people were highlighted, as they have contributed significantly to the development of the blog – & it was my way of appreciating them for their help!

It was therefore to No Surprise that Shing won the Camera, as she has helped me the most with the blog!

Even the editing of the banner for ED Unloaded was done with her help!

Here’s a picture of the lucky girl with the Camera:

Congratulations once again SHING!

Technorati Tags: Canon Ixus 95,Reader's Giveaway

Interesting Blog that I stumbled upon

One of the things that I enjoy about Blogging is that I get to record the milestones in my life, and also share my life with others.

The other perks about joining this community, is that I get to find out about the lives of other people and learn from them!

Recently, I stumbled onto this blog called Jew in the City. Through her writings, she hopes to change the public perception of Orthodox Jews and traditional Judaism.

As Christians, we share a common heritage with the Jews, and it is really interesting, to find out more things about their culture through a common layperson.

Some interesting topics covered are:

1. Is Kosher food (Special Dietary law) healthy or is it blessed by a Rabbi?

2. Do Orthodox Jews consider women dirty during their period?

Very Interesting Indeed. Her Videos are very well presented, and seasoned with a healthy dose of humor.

It is definitely enlightening when we in Asia, have very little contact with the Jewish Community.

Technorati Tags: Jewish culture,life of a Jew

Canon Ixus 95 & Canon Selphy 780

We were so EXCITED!!!

As one of the selected Bloggers in a promotion organised by Canon Singapore and OMY.sg, the whole family went on a trip to Jurong Bird Park.

This was the first time the kids were stepping into the Bird Park, and they were looking forward to the BIG DAY!

We assembled at the Bird Park at 2pm on a really bright and sunny day. Our spirits were not dampened by the heat, as the whole family was there in full force, with Grandma as well!

Nicole made the best of the heat, with the help of Grandma’s brolly..

There were many NEW things to explore at the park, but there was one gadget that really IMPRESSED both Daddy and Nicole!

Our kind friends from Canon Singapore has kindly given us the chance to try out the latest Canon Ixus 95. (In fact, all the photos taken here, are from the Canon Ixus 95) I was really thrilled to be given this opportunity, as I also currently own a Canon Ixus 65. I was definitely looking forward to trying out the latest little gizmo that Canon was offering. I heard that it was the most INTELLIGENT camera around!

Nicole loved playing with the camera. It was in Bright Pink, handy sized and really light! It was a hit with the kids and with Daddy, as it fitted snugly into my front jeans pocket! :)

Nicole had no problems using it. The camera has a large 2.5 inch High Resolution LCD monitor which makes the camera so simple to use…Just Press and Shoot!

For me, I felt the best thing about the Canon Ixus 95 is its Smart Auto Mode.

Smart Auto Mode uses Canon’s latest Scene Detection Technology to determine the subject’s brightness, contrast and distance. I don’t have to select a Day or Night mode as the camera detects this automatically. (All the photos below show how INTELLIGENT the Canon Ixus 95 is!)

With a family of hyper-energetic kids, I could take excellent shots of them. The in-built Face Detection technology ensures that every face is in perfect focus, every time! Thumbs Up Canon!

Look at how the Canon Ixus 95 capture outdoor shots!

See my hand? I took these shots myself! With the Canon Ixus 95’s 3x Zoom and Image Stabilizer, I managed to get closer to the birds than ever possible! (All these with ONE hand!)

 

And of course, we took pictures with Pinky the Penguin. Many of us were thrilled to come up close and personal with Pinky. In fact, this was the first time that Daddy gets to stand so close to a Penguin.

Without changing the AUTO setting, I took these shots in the dimly lit enclosure. Not bad, eh? Very good for parents who just want to POINT & SHOOT!

What is the perfect companion to the Canon Ixus 95?

Many times after a great outing, i leave the photos in my hard disk with the rest of my memories. Can you believe it? No hard copy photos of my family!

This is because I find it too much a hassle to send the pictures to a photo shop for printing.

However, Canon has come up with a great way to solve this problem.

One clever Canon invention that I got to try is the portable printer—Canon Selphy 780. This is definitely  a place where style meets substance!

The Canon Selphy 780 makes the Canon Ixus 95 complete. What’s more, it comes in Bright Pink as well! :D

With printing cost as low as 30 cents a photo, I can print out my favourite photos in the comfort of my home. It even has the ability to print without a PC!

All I need to do is to insert my SD card, and use the inbuilt monitor to facilitate my printing!

Wait! There is more!!!

With its super friendly interface, I can modify my pictures by adding in picture frames…

and colourful captions to my photos as well!

And at the press of a button… the photos are printed!

This is truly what every family needs!

Well, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Bird Park, and we made many new friends as well.

Presenting to you…the six lucky Bloggers and their family members with the truly user-friendly Canon Ixus 95!

You guys really made our day!

Technorati Tags: Canon ixus 95,Canon Selphy CP780,Jurong Bird Park,OMYsg

Win a Free Canon Ixus 95 Camera

I am so excited!!!

Just came back from a workshop at the Canon Head Office in Harbor Front, and I have been given a chance to try out the latest Canon Camera and Photo Printer!

Besides coming in Cool “Shocking Pink”, the Canon Ixus 95 and the Canon Selphy CP 780, is proving to be potent combination for any Parent!

How good are they?

Stay tuned, as I will be blogging about them this weekend, as I will using the camera & printer, on my excursion at the Jurong Bird Park!

Meanwhile, I will also need your help, as there will be voting phase to this competition…and the Great News is that they will pick:

1 lucky Voter…

To win the Camera and Printer too!

So…Stay tuned!

Btw, Many thanks to OMYsg, for giving me a chance to participate in this competition! :) Tks Alvin

Technorati Tags: Canon Ixus 95,Canon Selphy CP780

Canon Selphy Contest

Received a phone call from OMYsg today…

I have been selected to represent Canon in this contest!

Will find out more later in the week….I am excited!

Wonder if i will get to WIN!…I don’t mind the free Canon Ixus Camera and Selphy printer!

Technorati Tags: Canon Selphy,Canon Ixus 95

Community Channel - Natalie

Just recently, I stumbled onto this video as I was surfing the web…

I thought it was really quite hilarious… as It was about this Aussie girl who does Vblogging. She’s a real natural and she just vblogs about her daily life!

I liked this particular episode best, as it has happened to me numerous times…Basically,  I am just left hanging on the other line…talking to a blank screen!…

Hmm…is this the result of per second billing!?!

 

Technorati Tags: Community Channel,natalie

Ps. Kong Hee has a Blog!

One of the blogs that I always look forward to, is Ps. Kong Hee’s!

That’s right! Our very own Ps. Kong has started a blog and you can find it here! 

I think Ps. always amazes me in that, he is always willing to try out “New things!”

In the last month, he was one of the 1st ministers I know that is on Twitter!

Next, he was on Facebook…

And now, we get to read his weekly blog entries on the Internet!

If you are looking for a Pastor’s view on the current economic situation. Check out what a pastor of a 26,000 Congregation has got to say about it!

Technorati Tags: Kong Hee,City Harvest Church

Got Paid by Nuffnang

I just got my 2nd Cheque from Nuffnang!

I got my 1st Cheque in July 2008, and so I am elated about the continuing cheques from this advertiser.

As compared to other advertising firms in the market, my personal opinion is that…

Nuffnang really pays!

Even when I shifted house and I was wondering whether my cheque was lost…the staff at Nuffnang have been prompt in their response and answering my queries.

A big thumbs up to them!

In contrast, I did not have such a pleasant experience with another local advertising company.

I was asked to write an advertorial for them last year, and after informing them about my contributions, I received ZERO responses to my 2 emails.

In other words, I think they act blur…

As a result, I lost patience with the company and removed their ads from my blog. Sigh…

If you are looking for a local company to make some money out of your hobby…

I would suggest Nuffnang!

Technorati Tags: Nuffnang,paid for blogging

Latest craze - Twitter

Get Twitter - the latest social networking application.

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

In other words – It is like a SMS of 140 words, that you can send out to all your friends at just the click of a button.

The Straits Times just reported about it last week, and this form of micro-blogging is the latest rage on the internet.

A lot of my colleagues are on it, so it is a great fuss-free way to catch up with each other’s lives.

U can also get updates from me by following me (ED UNLOADED) by clicking here!

For those of you who want to access twitter just like MSN from your desktop – download this application.

If you have a blackberry like myself, you can download this application called Twitterberry from your BB.

Visit http://orangatame.com/ota/twitterberry/ on your BlackBerry

Follow the instructions provided, and you are ready to send and receive updates via your blackberry.

In the United States, updates can be sent via SMS. However, this service is currently not available in Singapore yet.

So, What are you waiting for?

Come and join the revolution and start FOLLOWING ME!!!

Technorati Tags: twitter,micro blogging

Food Blogs - Good places to eat in Singapore

We decided to go out and eat tonight and my wife asked me to look for a good place to eat.

That used to be a real problem, as we are usually quite adventurous and always looking for somewhere new to eat. The good news is that with the Internet, there is always good resource close by!

If you are looking for somewhere cheap to eat, where quality is guaranteed, these are some good food blogs to check out.

1. Hungry Go Where

This is a good site, where it allows you to search for places to eat via location.

You can search via budget, via credit card promotions and via cuisine

A Plus - the interface allows you to search for a place to eat via recommendation. For example, You can search under Supper, Girl's nite out, Family dining or Romantic First Date (Quite a useful function)

A Minus - The food recommended from this site may not always be fantastic - this is because it is dependent on reviews from consumers. There may be a few overly enthusiastic store owners selling their food behind the scenes.

But if you are really looking for quality, check out this food blog:

2. I Eat, I Shoot, I post!

Started and maintained by a medical doctor, this blogger has a real fondness for good food and photography.

Expect great shots of local favorites like Char Keow Teow, Wan Ton Mee and great recommendations for where to find them as well.

You will find a large selection of western and eastern cuisines in this blog, and this is the food bible that my wife and I depend on most of the time.

A Plus - This guy is a real food connoisseur, and he has been to almost every coffee shop and restaurant in Singapore, so expect great food from this guy!

A Minus - The interface is not as friendly, and you don't get a map to tell you how to get to the place.

Overall View - If you use these 2 blogs, you can never go wrong in looking for a bargain and quality food in Singapore.

Technorati Tags: food blogs,ieatishootipost,hungry go where

Parenting Blogs

As a "new" parent (this term is relative), we always find solace and comfort with our friends.

Due to my interest in Blogging, there are certain parent blogs that I frequent. In fact, most of them belong to my colleagues at work.

I think it's actually kind of weird that we hardly talk about our kids in person, but we catch up with the kids on each other's blog - such is the contradiction of technology.

But....

If you are wondering what blogs I read, here are my picks:

Klessis' Blog - This was the very 1st parenting blog I visited. I was so inspired by her, that I decided to do my own (Hee...Hee! Bet she didn't know that!). Anyway this busy mother does not just have 1 blog, but she maintains 3 Blogs. She also makes lunch for little Joey with really cool Bento Sets. 

Sandra's Blog - Our history in City Harvest Church goes way back - We used to be CG members, when she was still in NTU. She is now a mother with an adorable son, and also a heavy blogger like myself. 

and my last colleague is:

Dawn's Blog - Little Denise happens to be Nicole's good friend. As they are school mates in school, Denise is the older sister that Nicole never had. They both have similar eating habits as well. Both of them love DONUTS!!!

and not forgetting ...there is one foreign parenting blog that I always follow.

Karen Cheng - This mother is based in Perth, Australia. She is really quite BIG in the blogsphere, and even had a party for all her fans when she came down to Singapore this year. Fans of Karen take pictures of themselves in front of the mirror, and call it "Doing the Karen Cheng". A interesting read!

Technorati Tags: Parenting Blogs,Parenting

Blogging - When Videos need to be rotated

With everyone carrying a camera phone coupled with video capabilities, it is not uncommon for one to take out the phone when something exciting happens!

A problem arises when the video is taken with the wrong orientation.

The Nokia default Video program has a rotate button for images, but no such rotation button for videos.

It is a real problem as some of my videos have been posted the wrong way up. Click here

After some research on the Internet, I finally found a FREE program that can solve all my problems.

The problem is aptly called "Video Flip and Rotate" which can be found at www.download.com

With a simple interface, it is easy to use even for tech dummies

...and best of all...IT'S FREE!

Check out the video, after it has been converted! No more watching videos sideways on your screen!

Technorati Tags: blogging,rotate video

Nuffnang - I got paid for Blogging!

Guess what!

Ever since I started blogging in Nov 2007, and getting an advertising company--Nuffnang, to put ads in my blog in Dec 2007, I received a letter from them today!

It was my long awaited cheque from the company!

A cheque of $54.45!

Yipee! PTL!

It may not be much for a working adult - well not enough to quit my day job and become like XiaXue and blog full-time! But it's a start for a 30-something who just started to blog last year!

If you have not tried out any of these online advertising companies, do give Nuffnang a try! - I see it as a good way of getting back some cash for something you would probably do for free anyway.

Best of all, it's not based on the number of clicks per ad, but you get paid basically for the traffic you already have (when an ad campaign is placed on your blog)

I reckon that they are worth a shot! - considering I got nothing from Goggle Adsense or the other companies yet! :)

Technorati Tags: paid for blogging

Bloggy Award

Technorati Tags: bloggy awards

Hurray!!!....I just got featured on another Bloggy Award Website.

Bloggy Award is another American website that features about blogs on the blogsphere.

The writers not just feature your site, but they also give some useful comments about your site. Read the article here!

Please leave your comments on their site after reading the article. As I am aiming for the Gold or Silver Bloggy Award, which they award at the end of the each month as well.

Thanks for all your help and support!

Nuffnang Competition - Family Day out!

Believe that most of you guys have heard of Nuffnang. They are having this competition where you need to blog about your favorite family routine or just a day out with your family.

Below is my entry. Hope you guys like it!

It was truly an exciting family outing!

As my wife just gave birth to the new baby, this was the 1^st time, the kids were going to see the new addition to the family. My eldest daughter was truly excited, and kept on asking, “When are we going to see baby Nadine?”

Upon reaching the hospital, we were greeted by many of our friends and relatives. It was fun as, it was a good time for us to catch up and just spend time with each other as well.

The whole extended family was also elated to see the new addition to the family.

Nicole (my eldest daughter) remarked how small Nadine was, as she peered at her through the plastic baby cot.

She was even more surprised when she saw other plastic baby cots around, with small little babies in each of them.

As she saw the daddy from the next bed, pushing 1 plastic cot away, she immediately looked at me and remarked, “Daddy, where is he taking Nadine?”

She was even more surprised when she saw the nursery! “Why so many Nadines?”

Looks like our family outings will never be the same again!