How to Extract, Edit & Upload Mii characters for Nintendo Wii

So you have just created a super Mii-likeness to yourself on your Nintendo Wii. But how do you flaunt your new Mini-Mii character around as your avatar on all your IMs and blogs if you can't get it out of your Wii?

Here's out... But I'm going to assume that you already have a modded Wii, with the Homebrew Channel on it. If your Wii isn't modded yet, I recommend that you read the WiiBrew FAQ to fully understand the implications before proceeding.

All modded and ready to go? Good!

First thing you'll need is to extract the Mii from your Wii. You can do that by using Waninkoko's Mii Extractor. This app will extract all the Miis (as .mii files) on your Wii to a MII folder on your SD Card.

Next, fire up your web browser and visit this website: http://www.myavatareditor.com/.



It's a really great online editor (offline too if you want to use it via Adobe Air) that allows you to load, modify and save your Mii avatars. It can also do 2 really nifty things that your normal Wii Mii Channel creator can't do:

1. Save your Mii as a JPG or PNG file so you can share it with the world!
2. Change your Mii's pants to a nice shiny Gold.

Now that you have edited your Mii more to your liking, you can now upload it back to your Wii.

You will first need to save it using MyAvatarEditor. Save the file as a .mii file extension to your SD card. Next, download and run Mii Installer on your Wii. This app will install Mii characters in the MII folder on the SD card to your Wii.

Now you can share your Mii with all your friends! Be prepared for smart remarks though... Someone already has told me that my Mii has got too much hair... =p

Steve Jobs & Bill Gates Small Talk

What do Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, two of the richest men in the world, talk about when they meet...

How to hold your Nokia

Taking cue from Steve Jobs after the supposed reception problem with the iPhone 4, Nokia advises on ways you can hold your Nokia to ensure you get full bar reception...

Very cheeky Nokia! Who says Scandinavians lack a sense of humour? =)

Source:
http://conversations.nokia.com/2010/06/28/how-do-you-hold-your-nokia/

Preview of Blackberry OS6

Wow! Apparently the new Blackberry OS6 is so good that it'll make you wanna Boom Boom Pow!



Ok, if you could focus on anything in that mess of moving screen shots and dancing you can make out that the GUI has been improved, especially for you Storm users since it seems more geared to make the touchscreen experience more "ahem" iPhone-like.

It's planned for a Q3 2010 release, so let's see how it turns out.

No Flash on iPhone & iPad

Ok, this is a joke post but I thought it was funny as heck and still techie-related, so I wanted to share it.



No DC comics for any of the iDevices I guess. =)

How to Install Blackberry App World In Any Country

RIM has just announced that Blackberry App World is now supported Malaysia, but it took a VEEEERY long time before that happened. So if you are anything like me (ie impatient) and living in an unsupported country, here are a couple of workarounds would be very useful to install App World:

WORKAROUND 1 - Installs App World 1.1.0.11
PRO: Newer version of App World
CON: A bit more work to install; limited apps available for download

1. Download the following .Zip File : appworld_1.1.zip
2. Open the file with your favourite zip program and navigate to the appworld_1.1 folder
3. Copy the files net_rim_bb_appworld.cod, net_rim_bb_appworld_resource_en.cod and JavaLoader.exe to the following folder depending on your Windows OS:
   
   In Windows Vista “C:\Users\(Your User)
   In Windows XP “C:\Documents and Settings\(Your User)
   
   
4. Start CMD (Windows Key + R and then type CMD)
5. Plug-in your BlackBerry
6. Type: javaloader -u load net_rim_bb_appworld_resource_en.cod
7. Type: javaloader -u load net_rim_bb_appworld.cod
8. Reboot your Blackberry to be on the safe side.
9. This would have installed Blackberry App World 1.1.0.11 on your Blackberry. It's not the latest but should be enough to tide you over until your country is supported by RIM.

I've tested this on my Bold 9000 and it works. Please comment if you have tried it on any other models.

WORKAROUND 2 - Installs 1.0.0.30
PRO: More apps available for download
CON: Some apps a bit unstable; Can't upgrade to latest version of App World

1. This workaround is much easier than option 1, especially if you are wondering what all this CMD this is about.
2. Launch the Browser on your Blackberry
3. Navigate to the following site (type it in full): http://mobileapps.blackberry.com/awclient/download.shtml?code=appworld&CPID=REFERFRIEND
4. This will install Blackberry App World 1.0.0.30. It's outdated but still works. Unfortunately, you won't be able to upgrade to the latest version using this workaround eventhough it prompts you when you launch the app.

Please visit this forum post for the lastest on this topic, including installing App World on the Bold 9700 (Bold2): Appworld on ANY Country!!

Also, thanks to Blogjer for mirroring the appworld_1.1 file above.

New Bejeweled Blitz for Facebook - Updated Tips!

Popcap recently updated the online version of it's popular Bejeweled Blitz game on Facebook. I had previously written a tips and tricks guide for the previous version of Bejeweled Blitz for Facebook and all the strategies are still valid with the updated version. However, with the new version, there also comes a couple of new tactics to help you increase your score.

If you haven't checked out my previous guide yet, please do so and also apply them with the tips below:

1. Blitzing Through

If there is one thing I can say about the new Bejeweled Blitz for Facebook is that it sure lives up to it's name - It's FAST!

You'll notice with the new Blitz is that the speed of the falling gems increase as you rack up the speed bonus. This makes it easier to get speed bonuses but the speed bonus bar also runs down pretty quick, so maximize it while you can. Oh, and the speed bump also makes for good chain bonuses!

2. Last Hurrah!

This isn't really so much of a new tip, but more of a new feature in the new Blitz. When time runs out, you are now given a bonus for each special gem (power gem, lightning, hypercubes, multipliers) that are still on the board. This really allows you to bump up your score before it's game over.

As time wears down, don't bother with that annoying lightning and power cube you can't seem to match. Instead focus on the multipliers and hypercubes (in that order) as the bonus you get in the last hurrah isn't as much as getting multiples for matchs or controlling which gem type to match for the hypercubes (assuming you have a hypercube with a plentiful gem type next to it of course).

And that's it! These two new tips alone is enough to increase most people's Bejeweled Blitz score!

In a way, Popcap have made it easier to attain higher scores. Which I think is why they have decided to retire the 25K badge (even though they credit it to our skill at breaking that bank) and introduced higher score badges. I even have a friend on my ladder who has gotten a ridiculous score of 339K! There isn't even a badge for that!

On a personal note, I have finally managed go break my 200K barrier, though that score doesn't even get me on the top 5 of my ladder anymore! Looks like I've still got some work to do...

Good luck!