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Monday, March 30, 2009

Rainy Weekend

Flooded River Walk
Flooded River Walk

Rainy Day
Dark, Rainy Day

(See more pictures at my photo blog)

It was a lazy weekend. Friday and Saturday were just terrible rainy and windy weather. The weather made me sleepy and lazy. I just got the chance to take these pictures when we drove around to buy something important. We had to stop by the river walk to see how high the water was. See the pictures above? The beautiful river walk was flooded because the river water was so high it overflowed. It was not so bad though, there was no accident or something like that. It was just rare to see the river that high.

Anyways, I didn't do much last weekend. I just watch several movies from Dad. He usually share a lot of movies to watch. We watched Cuba Gooding Jr's "Way of War". I didn't like it that much. Cuba Gooding Jr. is one of my favorite actors but the movie too much for me. It kept jumping into different time and it was a little confusing. Maybe i'm just not that smart for the movie. Hahaha! Another movie we watched was Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac's "Soul Men". Now, that movie was funny. I liked it. Lastnight, we were watching Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman movie entitled "Australia". It was a long movie but nice. I liked that one too. I don't see much of Hugh Jackman's movies or shows but seeing that movie Australia, I can pretty understand why he was named by People magazine in November 2008 as the "Sexiest Man Alive". I think that guy is hot with a capital H.

Well, I have to get back to work. Enjoy your day!

Bring Classic Style Menus and Toolbars back to Microsoft Word 2007

If you are new to Office 2007, and you're having a hard time working with it, here's the good news! You can Bring Classic Style Menus and Toolbars back to Microsoft Word 2007.

I work in Microsoft Office a lot. Right now, I am using Microsoft Office 2007. It has an impressive features, more updated look and other upgrades but I have a problem with the "ribbon". I am having a hard time with it. I must admit that it takes time learning the new interface because I am so used to the classic style menus. It's affecting my productivity. I must say that the job gets done faster and easier working with a more familiar tool. Believe me, I am not the only one that is having a little difficulty with it. Many people knew and have memorized the old Microsoft Office classic menu bar and toolbar. And I heard a lot of them have downgraded to Microsoft Office 2003 because of it.

Just recently, I was so delighted to know that I can download and install an awesome software to bring back the familiar menus and toolbars that I was so used to. I learned about the awesome free download and trial at addintools.com. I downloaded the said software and tried it. It's a small file size, only 3.7 MB. I have a 15-days free trial. It's really a great tool. I can quickly find and execute the command that I want. I can now work with Microsoft Office 2007 as if it were Office 2003. It's a plug-in that adds a new Menu entry to the Office 2007 ribbon that includes the more familiar classic menu for Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint 2007.

In case you wonder if you can have it too, the "Classic Menu for Office 2007 add-on” support for Windows Vista/2003/XP. It supports English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, and the other languages that are supported by Microsoft Office 2007.

You can purchase the software right away and pay via RegNow (A Digital River Company) or Paypal. It has a 60-day money back guarantee.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Update: How To Add Free Language Translation to Your Blog or Webpage

I added more language translation buttons (flags) in my blog. If you notice, there are more translation flags at the right side of this blog. I added Filipino Filipino Translation, Romanian Romanian Translation, Swedish Swedish Translation , Thai Thai Translation and Vietnamese Vietnamese translation flags.

In my previous post, how to add free language translation to your blog/website, I posted several translation codes you can install in your templates or paste in your blog widget.

If you want to have these additional language translation buttons, here's the updated code for the free google language translation. Remember that these flags are floating, and will appear side by side with each other to fill your allotted space.

Free Language Translation Flags Buttons

Copy the code below:


Should the photos or flags mess up and won't show up in your blog, because of bandwidth shortage, just upload new flag photos in any free photo host like Photobucket, Blogger, and Picasa and replace the photo URL located in the code. It should be at src="PASTE THE PHOTO URL OF YOUR FLAG" in the code.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

How To Add Free Language Translation to Your Blog or Webpage

I'm writing about free online translation services that you can use for your blogs or webpages because as I have mentioned in my previous post, I have seen some blogs in foreign languages and I'd like to understand what it is about but I can't find any translation buttons to click for instant translation. Even if your blog or website is in English language, you will have foreign visitors that might need language translation. It obviously becomes almost a necessity to make sure that your web site or blog can be read by other people speaking different languages around the world.

There are free online language translation buttons that you can easily add. Your followers and new visitors can translate your webpage by clicking on their corresponding country flag to translate your websites into their native language.

Help your foreign visitors understand and easily translate your website by installing this codes of free language translation tools into your template. If you are using new blogger, you can just add a new widget and paste any of these HTML codes. You can use these free language translation in any blogging platform including Blogger, Typepad, Wordpress that provides access to your templates.

1. Google Translation Flags - these flags are floating and will show side by side with each other in your allotted space. It has no specific format. Here's how the flags will look like when place in a 160 px sidebar (see my translation buttons at the side bar of this blog).

Copy the code below:


I'll show you an example how this buttons work. If I have a foreign visitor, and he decides to click the flag of Japan to translate Bingkay.net into Japanese, here's how my site will look like.

Bingkay.net translated Japanese

Everything will be translated except those that stuffs that are controlled by third party codes, like google advertisements and other widget's content.

2. Babel Free TranslationAlta Vista Babel Fish Translation Box
Simply paste the following code into your blog or website. Alta Vista Babel Fish Translation service is powered by Yahoo. By the way, the picture on the left is the exact size of the translation box.



Here's how Bingkay.net looks like after clicking the Babel Translation's German flag for a German translation of the site.

German Translation

3. Google Translation GadgetGoogle Translate Gadget - This free google translation service does not take big space from your blog. It's a neat gadget that supports drop down list of 35 different languages . I am not sure if this gadget will work in other Blogging platform like Wordpress, Live Journal and the likes but it will work in both the old and new Blogger blogs.

Here are the steps to get this free translation service:
3.1 Visit the Google Translate Gadget page. (Click here) You will reach this page below.

Google translate Gadget1

3.2 Click the Add to Your Webpage button. After clicking, you will see this page.

Google Translate Gadget2

Customize the look of your google translation gadget. Set your display settings. You can increase the width or height and choose to have a colored border. Set your gadget settings by choosing the languages.

3.3 Click Preview Changes button to see your look of google translation gadget.

3.4 If you're satisfied with the look of your gadget, you can then click Get the Code button. The code will show below the buttons.

Google Translation Gadget3

3.5 Copy the code. Paste it somewhere in your blog template if you are using the Classic Blogger or the old Blogger. If you are using Blogger Beta or the New Blogger, you can simply add a HTML widget and paste the code there.


4. Translate Webpage/Blog to English

English FlagUS flag If you only need translation to English, you can use these flag buttons. You can either use the flag of the English people, United Kingdom or the flag of the Americans, United States of America. Please replace the text that says PASTE YOUR BLOG/WEBSITE URL HERE with your webpage or blog address and change the value of sl. Check the table below.

Language translation tools Google sl value

Example, if your blog is in Filipino, you need to replace the sl value in the code with tl. Example for this blog in the code: a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=tl&u=http://www.bingkay.net/&......

For the United Kingdom Flag , copy the code below:


For the USA flag , here's the code:



That's all for now. I hope you have fun.

Translate Please

I was visiting my friends' blogs earlier and was blog hopping to other web pages that I have not visited yet in the past. I found a lot of non-English blogs that seems very interesting. The thing is, I can only see the pictures in the posts and I'm just trying to figure out what the author is talking about because I can't understand his language. I usually use the google translation button that I installed in my toolbar, but sometimes, I get lazy. I can only translate few blogs. Hey, I can't do it all the time. It will be tiring (and time consuming) if I'd translate all non-english blogs that I encounter. C'mon people. It's worse when I use my other computer. I can't translate the page right away because I have not installed ant translator program. My point is, it would be nice (and easier) if the author will install web translation buttons. But then maybe he don't know how (yet) or maybe he's also looking for the information about free online translation services and install translation buttons. I know there are a couple of free translation services available online where anyone can easily install it on their web pages. I will post about that later, it might help others who haven't learn about it yet.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Neno's Award

My new blogger friend Meryl gave me this AWARD. I'm grateful for this sis. Thank you ♥

The aims of this award:

* As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
* To seek the reasons why we all love blogging!
* Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it
* Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
* Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
* Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
* Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

Now, it's my turn to share this award to the following:

1. A Woman's Journey - for being a great friend online and offline.

2. Heart Link - how could I not give this person an award? He's been a really good friend.

3. Arniev - A new blogger friend who's so kind to me.

4. Rica - She's nice. I learned the Polyvore fashion from her blog which I'm enjoying a lot.

5. Mommy's PlayPen - I enjoy reading her blog. She's a new blogger friend.

Thanks guys for a new and nice friendship. Now, it's your turn to pass it on. ♥♥♥♥

My Snapshots Blog Messed Up

I checked my photo blog today and noticed that the site was messed up due to file bandwidth shortage of the photos in my template. The template designer has all the photos saved at Photobucket, a free host for photos and videos.

Bingkay Snapshot I'm just glad that I have the template saved in my computer and the template designer was kind enough to include all the other pictures in the zip file. I was able to re-upload the templates pictures in my own account at Photobucket and now, my snapshots blog is fixed and in better form again.

Lesson learned? If I use templates created by other people, I have to save pictures and other files associated with it in my own account. I won't have to share bandwidth with the other people using the same file and won't have to suffer any bandwidth shortages. I can always change template though, but I have to re-install other widgets. Takes a little longer.
Anyways, I have to get back to work. Till later! ♥♥♥

Uber Amazing Blog Award

Last year, I was not so active linking with my fellow bloggers. Now that I have a close friend who has started blogging, my interest in connecting with the rest of the blogging world has expanded and I'm enjoying this new journey. It's more enjoyable when you have somebody that shares the same interest. You know what I mean? I love meeting and new online friends and I'm also enjoying learning about their lives and the things that they're interested with. I will be into blog tagging now as well, so this is really a fun experience for me.

Anyways, I got a tag award, passed on by Arniev, a new blogger friend. It's so kind of her to remember me and include me in her tag list. Thanks for this UBER and Amazing blog award Arniev!

Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:

1. inspires you
2. makes you smile and laugh
3. or maybe gives amazing information
4. a great read
5. has an amazing design
6. and any other reasons you can think of that makes them
7. UBER amazing

Here's the rules of this award:

1. Copy the badge and put the logo on you blog sidebar or post.

2. Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!

3. Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.

4. the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

5. Come back and comment here so that your link could be added to the master list of awardees.

That's it. Now I would like to pass this award to:

1. WildCat's Tipsy Tricks
2. Amiable Amy
3. Livin da PinK life
4. Madz Life's Diary
5. MyMeryl.com

Thanks guys! Have fun blogging ♥☺

Thursday, March 19, 2009

How To Add Special Characters

Do you have an account in any social networking sites like Myspace and Friendster? I do and I used to wonder how other members came up with these special characters they use in or beside their user names or user ID's. I am referring to characters that you don't normally see in your computer keyboard like ♫ ♥☺ÓØ Ņ” Ó­ ٭ į““ ᵆ Ớ ♣ ☻ ⱥ and more. I noticed that these interesting characters add spice and a little twist, more fun and beauty.

Anyways, I asked my good friend how she done it for her Friendster profile and she's kind enough to tell me this quick trick (or should I say little secret?). I Incase you are wondering too and wanting to know how to add special characters, here's how you do it. You can do this not only for social networking sites but for any regular texting or document typing.

You can find these special character map in your computer. Simply click the start button icon in your screen.

1. Check your computer screen. I'll just show you my screenshot. I am using Windows Vista.

PC Screen Shot

2. Click on the start icon. It is usually found at the bottom of your screen, depending on your computer's setting.

PC Screen Shot Start Button

3. After Clicking the start icon, a small box will show up, click on All Programs.

All Programs Screen Shot PC

4. Find and Click on Accessories.

Accessories Screen Shot PC

5. Find and Click on System Tools.

System Tools Screen Shot PC

6. Click on Character Map.

Character Map Screen Shot PC

7. After Clicking Character Map, the Character Map Box will show.

Photobucket

8. You can find which character you want to use. There are a lot of them. Simply scroll up or down. You can also change font by clicking the arrow down and see more characters.

Character Map Screen Shot PC Font Select

9. When you find which character you want to use, you can just click it.

Select Character PC Screen Shot

10. Click the Select icon and the character you have chosen will be shown in the space beside it.

Selecting Character Screen Shot PC

11. Click the Copy icon. Your chosen character is now ready to be pasted wherever you want to paste it. You can paste it somewhere in any documents or in any space where you can normally type in text, even in social networking sites like Friendster. Just right-click your mouse, or touch pad and click paste.

Paste Character Screen Shot PC

If you want to post such special characters in your user Id's or names in any social networking sites such as Myspace or Friendster or online forums, you can just go to your account setting or profile setting page. In my case, I visited my Friendster account setting page and pasted the character I selected. You can use and add as many characters as you like. I just added one.

Special Charcter in Friendster

and when I was done, my Friendster profile look like this. Notice the special character (heart) beside my name, in the profile proper and above the page URL.

Bingkay Friendster Profile

My Friendster profile was set Private. That's why I just posted a fourth of the my profile page here. Anyways I hope you enjoy this short tutorial. Have fun .

Thursday, March 12, 2009

How To Add Website Favicon

FaviconNoticed the red icon the top of this page? If you're always browsing the internet, you must have noticed that some websites or web pages have a tiny icon associated with their website, and is located on top before their URL. See my website address above, you'll find a tiny red icon, just like the picture on the left side of this post. The tiny icon is called as favicon (short for favorites icon). Favicon is also known as a website icon, shortcut icon, URL icon, or bookmark icon. It's a small icon, a 16x16 pixel square use to associate with the website or webpage. It's an awesome branding tool.

If you have a Blogger blog and interested in adding a favicon for your site, upload a 16x16 size, png file, picture or icon of your choice to any free hosts. You can upload a png file to Blogger, Photobucket and other photo host and get the direct link (http://....) of the icon.

Here's a code you can use.

Copy this HTML code and paste inside the HEAD section of your blog template.



Have fun!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

I Thought of Kinilaw

Kinilaw na Isda (Raw Grouper) in hot coconut milkWe were buying some groceries yesterday. When were at the food section, I noticed the fresh fish of different kinds, and I thought of buying some to make a Kinilaw dish for me to eat.

I was craving for Kinilaw for a long time already. Yay! But I did not get some fresh Tuna fish yet because I can't figure out what I'll use for the sauce. Kinilaw is the Filipino Version of the Latin American's Ceviche. In the Philippines, we're using a different spice (we call it tabon-tabon, if i remember right). I was browsing the web this morning checking out the ingredients and I think I can make a Kinilaw dish using vinegar. I swear I'll purchase the ingredients next grocery time and try to make this dish.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

My Snapshots

Finally! I finished setting up my photo blog. I'm not a very good photographer whatsoever, but I love taking pictures because it's really fun. I have several folders, full of pictures, in both my laptop and desktop computers and I started moving them in disk. Then I decided to create a new photo blog so that I can share some of my photos with my friends. That's how Bingkay's Snapshots started. I have one old photo blog but it was not updated for a long time already and I don't think I'll update it again. I'll probably move more pictures to the new photo blog. By the way, you are all welcome to check it out .

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Trixie's Birthday

More than two years ago, my husband and I were mourning for losing our Syberian Husky who died during his operation in the vet office. Kodi had a tumor on his belly and he didn't make it. It was a horrible news and we thought we will never get over with the pain and thought that we'd never get a dog again. Every time we remember Kodi, we cry. Whether we're watching a dog movie, or see another adorable dog, we just missed him and feel so sorry for him. But he lived a happy and wonderful 10 years with us, and that's what we we're holding on...up to now.

Later comes Trixie. Because we were always sad, and I was always crying for missing Kodi, my husband ask me if I'd like to get another dog. I said yes but it was actually a gamble for us because we didn't know if us getting another dog would help us move on or would make us more sad for missing Kodi. Then one day, he came home with this little dog who was shaking and sneezing. He adopted Trixie from PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society). She has all her shots and paper works complete. Trixie also has a chip in her body, so we can track her if we ever lose her. The first time I saw her, I was surprised because I thought that hubby will get us another big dog, a Golden retriever. But the dog he brought was a Pekingese, so adorable even though her hair was a little greasy. She was shaking and was so scared. But since that day, she's been our baby. Trixie is a sweet little dog, who thinks she's human . She sleeps with us. She loves laying on top of a pillow or at the side of daddy's tummy. Sometimes she likes laying on the edge. She's a daddy girl. She's a blessing to us, our joy. She added more love in our lives. She did not replace Kodi in our hearts. There's no comparison between our two babies because we equally love them both.

Pekingese
Does she look like a cat?
She's my baby. A Pekingese.


We'll, I'm just happy that it's our Pekingese' 4th birthday. You know time fly so fast. Sometimes you just wonder where all the years go, so we treasure those that makes us happy and those that we care the most.
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