So, I decided to get some leather scraps or cut-offs and see what I could do.

The bigger piece from where this came costed around £3.

From a piece like the above one, I did this:

So completely not what I had envisioned...

Not pretty at all… but I still had lots of leather left overs, so what else could I do with it? Well, apparently, lots! Like, book markers!

Or even razor blade cleaners (idea from here and the good ol’ leather strop)!

Getting the leather ended up being quite easy, from here. But I think that in a big city it would be more difficult. I did find people selling it in on eBay, but it’s always better to sample the product before buying it. And so, I still have leather left overs… what else should I do with it? Or maybe I should start selling this…

Tirando falhas graves na usabilidade e tradução para português, o único problema que tive foi na configuração da ligação à Internet, neste caso, da Vodafone. Como era um telefone que só usava quando viajava, não tive grandes problemas por isso, mas, agora que o uso regularmente, resolvi investigar o problema e resolve-lo. Encontrei muito boa informação no fórum Zwame, mas tive que afinar alguns pormenores. Assim, para configurar a Internet neste telefone (chipset MT6227) devem fazer o seguinte:

1. Menu -> Services -> Data Account – >GPRS
2. Escolher um dos perfis e “Edit”
3. Escrever o seguinte nos respectivos campos:
4. Account Name: Vodafone GPRS (neste podem escrever o que quiserem)
5. APN: wap.vodafone.pt
6. Username: wap
7. Password: wap
8. Auth. Type: Normal
9. Gravar tudo e voltar para o menu de “Services”
10. Escolher WAP -> Settings -> Network Setup
11. Escolher um dos perfis e “Edit”
12. Escrever o seguinte nos respectivos campos:
13. Profile Name: Vodafone (neste podem escrever o que quiserem)
14. Homepage: http://live.vodafone.pt
15. Gateway: 172.016.019.050
16. Port: 8799
17. Data Account: Vodafone GPRS (ou seja, escolham a conta que configuraram no ponto 4).

E pronto, deverão conseguir ligar-se à net sem problemas. O único problema, no meu caso, é que o browser instalado é extremamente básico e nem consigo usar o GMail. Mas acho que dá para fazer tethering…

Se gostaram e acharam útil este pequeno guia, podem usar o botão Flattr já aqui em baixo!

Impressions so far:

• good for playing games
• good for email
• shit for watching videos (unless you convert them to some strange format only a few people use)
• good enough for watching videos if you convert them to some strange format only a few people use
• it has copy/paste!
• Wifi is nice!
• as phone, it’s just “OK”.

Let’s see if I can get used to this…

Este blogue usava um feed diferente para o planeta mas que agora deixará de existir. Assim, para o assinar, basta usar antes este: http://feeds.feedburner.com/zedascouves.

Ever since I got my first SonyEricsson mobile, I never gave Nokia a second look. The phones were ugly, with shity and slow software. SonyEricsson’s had (and still have) a great design, with a much more user friendly and intuitive software. Unfortunately, people where too hooked on Nokia (Microsoft style) to notice it, and never got to try it out.

Now… this is the first time I’m expecting something good out of Nokia, a mobile that actually fits all my demands (in no specific order):

• WLAN
• 5 Megapixel (the minimum to reach the old 35mm role’s quality) camera with video recording capability
• Bluetooth
• An OS that is a bit more open than most
• and of course, the killer contact list!

I’m sure that last feature will be copied and, hopefully, improved by others. Finally!

I don’t know the final price, but “they” are saying around $750. It is expensive but, after that, it can only come down…

The aim of a Maker Faire-like event is to create a space on the continent where Afrigadget-type innovations, inventions and initiatives can be sought, identified, brought to life, supported, amplified, propagated, etc. Maker Faire Africa asks the question, “What happens when you put the drivers of ingenious concepts from Mali with those from Ghana and Kenya, and add resources to the mix?”

Next time I’m in Kenya, I should definitely meet some of this people. Would it be interesting to make a podcast out of this possible encounter?

Enjoy!

P.S.: I’ve a bottle of  water made by the DI now.