What is an Apple Clone?

Good Question.
And it's tough to answer this one easily since it can fire up allot of debates from both sides of the fence.

"An Apple Clone would be a computer that was not manufactured by Apple, but designed to run Apples OS."

However, Apple Computers based on Intel Processors are almost entirely assembled using PC parts.

Do you remember the "Buck a Day" Commercial? "Why buy a clone when you can buy an IBM?"

What is an IBM, and what defines it as an IBM vs a clone?

It's simple.
It's defined as an IBM by the style and branding of the case, and perhipials like the keyboard and mouse.
IBM even had their own OS back in the day called IBM OS/2.

But what is an IBM really made from?
Aside from the case and perhipials the Internal components are actually nothing more the specifically selected
PC hardware. This was done to make supporting the system easier and ensure quality and compatibility between
the OS and the components.

What is a Clone?
A clone is nothing more then a computer that was not assembled by a major corporation like Seanix, IBM/Lenovo, HP, Dell, Acer etc..
Clones are built using the hardware you choose, and can be assembled by the end user using Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) or Retail parts.

I can't tell you how much I hated that buck a day commercial for making clones sound bad, when there in fact often much better. Nowadays companies like Dell and HP are releasing high end systems using parts that have always been available in
clones. Most manufactures have stopped making custom mainboards in favor of using the less expensive standard motherboards that have always been found in clones.

So this brings me to the Big Question and the one you have all been wondering and asking yourself, Did he forget about it?

What is an Apple Computer?

Well I did say this was a tricky one...

If it has a Intel Processor, it's a PC. It uses PC RAM (FB-DIMM) Intel Processors, PC Optical Drives, PC Hard Drives, PC Video Cards, etc etc etc..
If it's a G5, G4, G3 etc then it is an Apple computer because it uses custom mainboards and CPU's not found in PC's.

Apple Computers are really just like any other Major group like Dell, HP, Acer, Lenvo etc..
The only difference is there individual style, branding. And of course Apple still uses their Apple OS on their systems.

I hope I have got my views and points across clearly. I'm sure someone will try to argue something.

Lets just do a quick rundown....

Apple uses PC hardware.
Apple has a unique design like any major system assembler has. (Dell, HP, Lenovo etc..)
Apple allows Windows XP to be run on a Mac and created BootCamp for its computers but does not allow it's OS to be used on other non-Apple systems.

Ralink 2760 Drivers for OSX

I purchased a GXT Digital Pro Wireless N network card from FutureShop for $24.97 (Reg $29.99).
It uses the Ralink Chipsets 2760 + 2720.

I checked the chip on the card and mine is a 2760T.

After looking around I couldn't find any drivers for this series so I just grabbed the 28xx series mac drivers from Ralinks website.

PCI/mPCI/CB (RT2860)
Drivers Released: 12/04/2008
Chipset: RT28xx: 1.1.1.0
OSX Support: 10.3/10.4/10.5
Download Drivers

I installed them and rebooted, a configeration tool appeared and I was able to configure and successfully use the WiFi.
The only thing I noticed was quite a few CRC errors, but so far nothing seems to be affected.

I think it's best to purchase a card that uses the Broadcom chipset, they seem to work allot better.

Also the card does not show up as an AirPort and is listed under network as en1.

Ethernet:

Type: Ethernet
Hardware: Ethernet
BSD Device Name: en1
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
Proxies:
Exceptions List: *.local, ***.***.***.**
FTP Passive Mode: Yes
Ethernet:
MAC Address: 00:**:**:**:**:**
Media Options:
Media Subtype: Auto Select


More Info:
www.valgear.com
Model#: VGR12PCI
Part#: GXT-11N-PCI

Messenger Script

@ECHO OFF
TITLE Tests to see if the Windows Messenger Service is Running.
COLOR 07
ECHO Created April 4th, 2007
ECHO.
ECHO Tests to see if the Windows Messenger Service is Running.
ECHO.
ECHO If you get a warning message you need to kill the messenger
ECHO otherwise your fine!
ECHO.
ECHO When you are ready to start the program,
PAUSE
msg *.* Warning! Windows Messenger was found running, your system is at risk!
exit

You can modify and use this script to send messages along a private
network or Intranet.

Great for in the workplace because you don't have to install anything
the bat file can be launched from usb drive or flopy/cd etc.

Covert batch into executable file

Description:
Allows users to convert their batch files to executable files,
preventing others from seeing the source code of their
batch files and allow the files to run faster.

Notes:
Coverts *.bat to *.com
Some commands may not function,
this script is best used on larger batch files.

Download: bat2exe.zip

ASCII ART Examples

Rather then copying thousands of ASCII Arts from all over the net here,
I will just post a few good links to help you get started.

Check out the "How To Example" to see how to include ASCII ART in your batch script with ease.

Links:

Just one for now, more too come!

http://chris.com/ascii/

BATCH ASCII ART - How To Example

Please note the will look better when run in a command window or MSDOS.

ECHO      ..::''''::..
ECHO    .;''        ``;.
ECHO   ::    ::  ::    ::
ECHO  ::     ::  ::     ::
ECHO  :: .:' ::  :: `:. ::
ECHO  ::  :          :  ::
ECHO   :: `:.      .:' ::
ECHO    `;..``::::''..;'
ECHO      ``::,,,,::'' 

Tip: Copy & Paste your ascii art into a file art.txt (Do NOT include the ECHO!)
Then use the "type" command in your batch script to display it.

Example:

@ECHO OFF
TITLE ASCII ART
TYPE art.txt
ECHO DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY!
pause
exit

Supported Batch Colors

COLOR 0 = BLACK "will not work in the cmd window"
COLOR 1 = BLUE
COLOR 2 = GREEN
COLOR 3 = AQUA
COLOR 4 = RED
COLOR 5 = PURPLE
COLOR 6 = YELLOW
COLOR 7 = WHITE
COLOR 8 = GRAY
COLOR 9 = LIGHT BLUE
COLOR A = LIGHT GREEN
COLOR B = LIGHT AQUA
COLOR C = LIGHT RED
COLOR D = LIGHT PURPLE
COLOR E = LIGHT YELLOW
COLOR F = BRIGHT WHITE

Example:
COLOR F2
The first specifies the background color while the second the text.

How to Program Directly from the CMD or MSDOS Window!

Did you know you can write and run batch scripts directly from the MSDOS or CMD Window?

Have a look at this screenshot. (Click for full view)


At the command prompt just enter "(" to start scripting and ")" when your done!

It's that easy!

Just type everything out as if you were in Notepad.

Tip: To clear the source code from the screen before running the program use the "CLS" command.

My 1st iPhone Application!

This is an archive of the 1st iPhone Application I created.
It will only work on Early 1.1.x Firmwares.

vTap™ for iPhone

" About vTap
vTap ™ is a quick and easy web video service that
lets you search, browse and pinpoint the exact web
video you're looking for—from sources all over the
Internet—and play it on the iPhone and iPod touch. "
Read More...


You can watch Videos from sites like Google Videos,
YouTube, MetaCafe & KillSomeTime.com + more!

It has better features then the YouTube player
that comes on the iPhone. It's the YouTube Killer!

I use it so much I wanted it on my SpringBoard
And using Erica's Openurl I made it into a .app
and created the perfect icon for it in Photoshop.

Download vTap.app 37.9KB (*.zip) v0.2

Veveo and vTap are trademarks of Veveo, Inc. ©2007

CSS Java Free OnMouseOver

Thanks to some help from a friend Basik its complete!

Simple and NO JAVA!


Now I know it's not perfect but if you can't use java its better then nothing! Anyways you might be able to improve on it.





CSS


Code:

.MouseOvr {
width:75px;
height:32px;
background: url("");
display:block;
}
.MouseOvr :link,
.MouseOvr :visited {
width:75px;
height:32px;
background: url("");
display:block;
}
.MouseOvr a:hover {
width:75px;
height:32px;
background: url("http://www.google.ca/intl/en_ca/images/logo.gif");
display:block;
}

.MouseOvr a:hover span {
visibility: hidden;
}

HTML: Add this anywhere in your page you want the link.


Code:

< h1 class="MouseOvr">
< a href="http://google.ca">
Link
< /a>
< /h1>

(Remove spaces from tags.)
Enjoy!

Marquee w/onmouseover

Again another code that should work on sites like zanga etc..

< marquee behavior="scroll" direction="up" scrolldelay="500" scrollamount="25" onmouseover="this.stop()" onmouseout="this.start()" width="397" height="366">


[As always remove the spaces from the tags.]

Image Mouseover without java!

I used to use a website that prohibited the use of any kind of java as well as iframes. It also was very limited in terms of using css because you could not access any of the raw html files and everything input into the site passed through a filter to prevent abuse. All I wanted was to have mouseovers! well I found a way on my own after having no luck in any web help forums - yeah I was just as surprised!

When I told people I wanted to have mouseovers with no css or java script they told me it wasn't possible, well here is the code I made that worked :)

< IMG SRC="images/image_1.gif" ALT="Text Description" WIDTH=88 HEIGHT=42 border="0" id="msg"
onmouseover="document.getElementById('msg').src='rollovers/image_2.gif'" ALT="Text Description" WIDTH=88 HEIGHT=42 border="0"
onmouseout="document.getElementById('msg').src='images/image_1.gif'" ALT="Text Description" WIDTH=88 HEIGHT=42 border="0" >

[As always remove the spaces from the tags.]

Travian - Free Online RTS!

If you're not already signed up for this amazingly addictive game you should sign up now!
The server just started a new game.

Check it out Here

The game is somewhat reminiscent of The Settlers of Catan Board Game.

Intel D945GCLF2 Atom Board and OSX

If you are a happy owner of a Intel D945GCLF2 Mainboard running the Intel Atom 330 Dual Core 1.6GHz Processor you might be even more happy to know it's one of the best boards to use for a Hackint0sh (Mac Clone). It makes a nice choice for a Mac Mini Clone!

PROS:

I think we already know the pros of this board but I'll list off a few anyways.

• Dual Core CPU
  
• Mini-ITX Form Factor
  
• Gigabit Lan
• CHEAP! (I paid $89)

CONS: 

• The board already has the Intel Atom 330 Dual Core Processor Integrated so upgrading of the CPU is not possible unless you have some really pricy equipment.

• The Maximum ram limit is 2GB and the board only has 1 memory slot.

• Expansion is limited to a single standard PCI slot.

My Results:

Vanilla 9.5.0/QE/CI/Sleep/Shutdown/Restart/Dual Boot XP & OSX working only problem with this board is so far I haven't been able to get the Microphone working under OSX, this is pretty common with most boards. You will need a usb mic for skype etc.

This guide is only for the Intel D945GCLF2 with the Intel Atom 330 Processor. (Yes it's a Dual Core)

Proceed at your own risk! And always make backups if you want anything saved!

Grab the Pre Update and Post Update Patches;
Open Google and search for "Combo_Update_Patches.1.2.0.zip" (Do Not include the quotes)
It should be the 1st link. Download it and extract it to your desktop.
You will only need the Pink & Blue Package, you can delete the Green one.

1. Run the Pre Update Patch. (DO NOT RESTART!)
2. Run the Official Apple Combo Update (DO NOT RESTART!)
3. Run the Post Update Patch. On the 2nd Screen Click "CUSTOMIZE" in the bottom left.
(If you don't see the Customize option, you will have to reboot using -v till you get a clean boot and start over
and do steps 1 & 2 again. If the system won't boot shutdown and restart again using -v otherwise re-install)

YOU MUST CUSTOMIZE!
SELECT ONLY THE FOLLOWING, NOTHING ELSE! 

IF YOU CHOOSE TO SELECT ANYTHING NOT LISTED DON'T
COME CRYING TO ME IF IT DOES NOT WORK!

KERNEL - 9.5.0 Vanilla
CHIPSET - Intel ICH AHCI
VIDEO - Intel 900 Series
AUDIO - Just select the restore option if working or if your audio is not working use the "Azalia" driver.
NETWORK - Just Restore
SYSTEM FUNCTIONS - SMBIOS (Select Mac Pro)
DSMOS FIX - DSMOS Script Fix

Make sure to uncheck anything not listed above! SERIOUSLY!

Once the install has completed successfully you can reboot again using -v when the system boots up until you
have successfully booted into osx.

Please have patience and let all processes complete.
Do not worry if the system reboots, or if you have a black screen for a min or two.
Make sure when you boot your using -v when booting!!!

The CPU will show as 1.6GHz Unknown, it's really easy to fix this!

See this thread to download the patch.

You can find drivers and other related software to this board including dual boot files and a retail install guide (Credit goes to iSynapse of insanelymac.com) here: Media Fire Hosted Folder

About this blog.

First of all welcome to my blog, I know it's nothing much to look at right now, but given time it may just become a site you will find yourself frequenting often.

The little black notebook is a place for me to store and share all that I know.

This will include subjects such as the following (But not limited to).

• Computer Hardware - PC, Hackint0sh
• Computer Software - *nix, OSX, Windows
• Computer Security - WiFi Hacking, Port Scanning, Telnet, IIS flaws etc
• Programing - Batch, Basic, XSS, CSS, PHP, JAVA
• Game Consoles - Dreamcast, XBOX, PSP, PS3, Wii & More
• Cellular Unlocking - iPhone, Motorola, Nokia
• Phreaking - OKI 900/1135, Tone Dialers etc
• & much, much more!