Release 10.5 (15 Jun 2008): * Update to CE 5.2.19588 (Build 19212). * Obtained Build 19212 via a direct port from Kaiser WM6.1 release. * Update Connection Wizard to v1.5.34057.2 * Removed SQM (Thanks no2chem!) * Fixed IPSec VPN connections * Fixed domain enrollment * Cleaned up Office 2007 install to remove some junk Instead of being a latest and greatest, this release is a test of stability for what will become stable build 9.3 if there are no major issues found. Build 19212 was ported freshly from Dopod (HTCs) WM6.1 WWE release for Kaiser. This means that it's been unaltered by anyone but me - meaning I truely have a stable build environment! Domain Enrollment and IPSec VPNs have been fixed for those in the corporate environment, and remote administration etc will work correctly when enrolled into a domain. As usual, all feedback is appreciated - as this is mainly a bugfix release and test before this becomes stable r9.3... Update: A few bugfixes later (Camera bug and missing IRDA stack) and Release 10.7 is out. You can grab it from the same page. Update again: Another minor cosmetic change later, and 10.8 is out on the same page :)

This is a great day for Australian Internet users. As previously reported on this site, eBay has been trying to force Australian users to use PayPal or Cash on Delevery (CoD) for all transactions completed on eBay. The ACCC has released a Draft Notice regarding eBays application for exemption of the Trade Practices Act. In a nutshell, the ACCC says "No. No excemption for you!". In the final findings, the ACCC says: For the reasons identified above the ACCC considers that the notified conduct has the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition and the benefits do not outweigh the detriments. Accordingly, the ACCC proposes to issue a notice to revoke notification N93365 lodged by eBay International A.G. on 11 April 2008. As this means it would be illegal to force users to use Paypal for all eBay transactions, it is safe to say that eBay will now be re-thinking it's position on this for the rest of the world. The following documents are available from the ACCC: Draft Notice Letter to eBay regarding decision

After doing my first trip (back seat as a passenger unfortunately) - but I made sure I grabbed my camera and took some lovely 1080p video of the flight. Sadly, I can't put the whole 40Gb of video online (even though it looks amazing!), but here's a greatly reduced quality version that I can share :)

Airservices have released the new set of DAPs for the current cycle. These are valid from 5-June-2008 until 27-August-2008. As always, these can be downloaded from the Xplane section of my site. The standard required legal warning applies that these are not to be used for real world aviation as they may be incomplete or and incorrect and you should always get real world information direct from the Airservices web site.

I've been meaning to write a page on the configuration of a Linksys SRW2024 switch for quite some time, but just never got around to it. If you've read any of my other posts on this switch, you'll find that I blast the user interface for configuring the device. The web interface only works in Internet Explorer, and the telnet/ssh/console configuration functions are completely useless. That is however until I discovered a way to get to the REAL command line interface for the device. This CLI is pretty much a customised Cisco IOS when it comes to command set - and for those of us like me with Cisco experience, a doddle to master. I've written up a complete page about it here for those who wish to unlock the awesomeness in the Linksys SRW2024.

It's been a couple of months since I've posted anything on my aviation progress. I'm reaching the first milestone of my flight training. The GFPT (General Flying Progress Test) is booked in for Tuesday (27/05) and I'm already getting a tad nervous about it :) This will mean I'll be able to fly the aircraft solo, and also carry passengers between our home airfield and the training area. I hope all ends up well! EDIT: As always with aviation, bad weather put a delay on my testing. I passed the verbal theory section of the test, now just to wait for the lovely Melbourne weather to clear up.

Hi all, This release is exciting. It's the ONLY ROM currently available from anyone (including HTC, I-Mate etc) that will measure battery levels in 1% increments. All stock ROMs measure battery levels in 10% increments - and because of this are REALLY annoying. The full changelog for this release is: Release 10.3 (16-May-2008): * Rebased to WM Build 19213 * Updated battery DLL to show battery usage in 1% increments (Thanks cmonex!) * Updated to Windows Live Messenger 10.6.34.0800. * Freed up an extra 600Kb over release 10.2. * Removed unneeded help files for applications not installed. Make sure you grab your copy

Release 10.2 of my Dopod Replacement ROM is now available. The changes are as follows:

Changelog: Release 10.2 (12-May-2008):

• Fix IrDA Support broken in Release 10.1
• Update to HTC Network Wizard to 1.0.31261.1
• We now start Network Wizard in auto mode on boot.
• Removed duplicate Network Wizard icon in Programs. It's where it should be under Settings -> Connections.
• Update to X-Button v2.1.33556.2

As always, if you rely 100% on your phone, please stick to the stable releases.

Update: The ACCC page on this can be found here. eBay has decided to only allow PayPal payments for any buyers or sellers conducting auctions on eBay from the 17th of May 2008. To me, this decision is against the spirit of Section 47 of the Trade Practices Act and forces eBay customers to lose more of their profit margin (if any) due to the increased fees associated with PayPal transactions. Under the current structure, sellers have had the option to offer alternate methods of payment. The buyer can then choose which method of payment is preferred. These include (but are not limited to):

• Direct Deposit
• Cash
• Cheque

These methods of payment do not incur any additional fees and are usually the preferred method of payment by most buyers and sellers due to the very low cost involved. This freedom is under threat by eBay's proposal to force all users to abandon the above methods of payment. Under the proposed structure by eBay, there will be the following mandatory fees involved with every auction.

• Insertation (Listing) fee
• Final Value Fee
• PayPal fee

The PayPal fees can range from 3.4% to 4.4% of the transaction cost (before taking into account the eBay fees). This does not include the fees involved with transferring money from a users PayPal account to their nominated bank account. As eBay owns PayPal outright, the new fee structure proposal forces users to hand over as much as 12% of the final value of their transaction to eBay International as fees. This effectively means that eBay International is abusing its monopoly to gouge an extra 3-5% from their customers for every transaction. I would like everyone who has dealt with eBay and agree with me to send a submission to the ACCC outlining why you believe this shouldn't be allowed to happen. Submissions close on May 2nd 2008, so be quick!

Release 10 of my Dopod 838 Pro replacement ROM has now been released to the mirrors. This release is based on Build 19209 of Windows Mobile 6.1. It also includes updates to the ArcSoft MMS client, and the HTC X Button application. You can get it here.