The new version fixes a number of bugs:

• ScreenDimmer's new Preference ScreenApps with disabled idleTimer that are set in ScreenDimmer to be dimmed, will no longer lock 

• ScreenDimmer will no longer dim when the battery is fully charged and set not to dim when the iPhone is charging or on power

This update introduces a welcome, new feature; when ScreenDimmer is set to turn off the Back-Light, it will first wait for a second timer interval to pass before doing so. This allows the iPhone to have two levels of dimming if the user desires.

I find this very useful at night time, as I put my iPhone in a dock besides my bed. With this new setting I can leave the phone unlocked and have ScreenDimmer turn off the Back-light for me, so I can go to sleep without the iPhone's screen annoying me. In the morning when the alarms go off, I just touch the screen to so I can turn the alarms off. No more fumbling with the iPhone trying to unlock it while I am half asleep.

During the day the second timer interval allows me to keep the dimmed screen visible for a short time, so I can still see what is on the screen while using the iPhone and still have ScreenDimmer turn off the Back-light after a time for reduced power consumption.

The new version of ScreenDimmer is now available on Cydia and Rock so why not give it a go?

Safe Surfing!

ScreenDimmer has been updated to version 1.01,

ScreenDimmer Version 1.01 new PreferencesChanges are as follows:

1) New setting to allow ScreenDimmer to activates when the iPhone is charging

2) By default it will no longer dim Apps that keep the screen on by disabling the Idle Time

3) New setting to all it to dim selected Apps that disable the Idle Timer

The update is now available on Cydia. Rock users should see the update show up soon.

Safe Surfing!

Yet Another, Must Have App / Tweek for Your Jailbroken iPhone

Update (23/02/2010 15:00 + 8 UTC) - ScreenDimmer is now available via Rock your Phone.

ScreenDimmer in the iPhone's Preference AppScreenDimmer version 1.0 is available on Cydia (soon to be on Rock). It only costs US$0.99 but it's worth every one of those 99 cents.

You can choose how long ScreenDimmer takes to dim the screen after the it was last touched; if the iPhone's back-light should be left lit or turned off, and what Apps Screen Dimmer is to excluded from being dimmed.

ScreenDimmers Main Preferences PageThe main benefit of ScreenDimmer is that it allows you to increase you iPhone's Locking time-out to something more manageable, or even turn it off all together, and still save battery life by having the screen dim after a short period of time.

When ScreenDimmer activates it instantly reduces the screen brightness to its lowest possible value. It can also, optionally, turn off the screen's back-light at the same time. To bring the screen back to life all you have to do is tap the screen.

ScreenDImmer's Excluded Apps Preferences PageScreenDimmer is accessed via the iPhone's standard Preference App. From its preference page you can turn it on or off with the Enable switch; Set if it will turn off the back-light, via the Turn off Backlight switch; Set the time that it waits before activating, using Dim screen after drop-down control; and select which Apps it is to ignore, through the Excluded App page. 

I have been using Screen Dimmer through its beta period and have grown to rely on it so much I bought a copy as soon as it hit Cydia.

So what are you waiting for? This is one App / Tweak that is sure to save you frustration and battery life. And you can rely it to do this, that's a fact (Vroom, Vroom!).

Safe Surfing!

I wonder if you have heard of this problem and the controversy it has caused.

Be very careful though as the problem appears to be simple at first but there is camouflaged within a nasty logic trap which has caught many people over the years.

The Problem is as follows:

You are on a game show and have just been shown three closed doors. The game show host tells you that there is a car hidden behind one of the doors and if you choose that door, you will win the car. The host also tells you that behind the other doors there are hidden goats, one goat per door. He tells you to choose a door and once you have, he opens one of the other doors to reveal a goat. There are now only two doors left and the host asks if you want to switch your selection to the other door. After you decide what you will do, you get to open your chosen door and see if you are a winner (this is my version of the problem as I wish you to have a fresh understanding of it, especially if you have seen it before).

Note: The host will always open a door and will always reveal one of the two goats. This is because he knows what is behind all the doors.

The Controversy

This problem was based on a United States game show called Let's Make a Deal and is named after the show's host Monty Hall.

It gained noteriety in 1990 when Marilyn vos Savant published an article about it in her Ask Marilyn Column in Parade.

Almost immediately she was flooded with strongly worded responses vigorously objecting to her stated answer. Many of these claiming to be professional mathematicians, teachers and university graduates.

Marilyn reported that initially only eight percent of the responses where in her favour and by the time she decided to stop discussing the problem this had only risen to fifty eight percent among those readers who had not performed any form of experiment to test the problem.

By then Marilyn had tried to show why she was correct by providing three separate descriptions of the solution.

Marilyn said the following: "Yes; you should switch. The first door has a 1/3 chance of winning, but the second door has a 2/3 chance."

The majority of those unhappy readers where convinced that the probability of winning, after the door was opened to show a goat, was fifty percent, the same probability of getting a head, if you toss a coin once. So they said that Marilyn must be an idiot if she thought there was any advantage to switching doors.

At this point I wonder if you think much the same and that she must be wrong as well?

Many people I have explained this to have given me a hard time over it. And to be honest, until recently, I had trouble understanding it as well. Even Marilyn didn't explain it in any way that allowed me to see why she was correct. Since I first encounter this problem several years ago, I have seen a number of attempts by others, who also try to explain this problem, but none of them have succeeded in enlightening me.

Interestingly, of all the readers that had experimented to test the problem, ninety seven percent of them now agreed with Marilyn.

You can see Marilyn's article, including those nasty answers, on Marilyn's own website here: Game Show Problem

The Monty Hall Problem Explained

As I have shown above, I have been battling to understand the solution to the Monty Hall Problem for at least two years but after seeing the startling results for myself, via the iPhone App Monty Hall Paradox (MHP), I decided to try and solve it for myself, once and for all. Now I am going to share my insights with you.

Note: There are two Apps on the AppStore that will allow you to experiment with this problem. MHP is now ad supported and free but unfortunately it was just updated to version 1.1 and appears to be broken. I will post an article when it has been fixed, in the meantime I hope my explanation below puts your mind at ease. The other App is not free so I can not recommend it (unless you really want to try this for yourself, if so do a search in the AppStore for Monty Hall).

Anyway, I finally came up with a satisfactory explanation and a solution that I am happy to say, turns out to be logical, fairly simple and requires no special mathematically knowledge to understand. There is no magic here.

The Problem Again

I have rephrased the problem so that it is more formally stated:

• On a game show, a contestant is shown three doors and told that behind one of the doors there is a car and behind the other two doors there are goats
• He is told to win he must choose the door with the car
• He is now told to select a door, which he does and his selection is noted
• The host opens one of the two remaining doors and revels a goat
• The contestant is told he is must now open either one of the remaining doors to see if he has won

Question: Is there any advantage to switching and opening the door he did not first choose?

The Understandable Solution

First consider what happens when the initial selection is made by the contestant:

• The probability of the contestant selecting the door hiding the car is one out of three, or one third
• The probability of the contestant selecting a door hiding a goat is two out of three, or two thirds

Now consider what happens when the game show host opens one of the remaining doors that hides a goat:

• Two doors remain unopened
• One door hides the car
• One door hides a goat

Now consider what happens if the contestant remains with his first choice, that is declines to switch:

• If he has chosen the car, he wins, with a probability of one third
• If he has chosen a goat, he loses, with a probability two thirds

Now consider what happens if the contestant switches and chooses the other door:

• If he had chosen the car, probability one third, he will now get a goat and lose, with the same probability of one third
• If he had chosen a goat, probability two thirds, he will now get the car and win, with the same probability of two thirds

Note: It is important to understand that when the host opens the door with a goat, there is no change the original probability of selecting the car. There nothing special happening here, no magic.

QED (What does that mean anyway?)

Ok Why?

The key to understanding why this is the case, is to realise that switching does not cause the contestant to make a new random choice between two unopened doors (which would make the probability of winning the car one half, as many people believe) but it actually causes the contestant to, in effect, swap from one hidden object to the other.

In other words, if the car is behind the first door he selected, he will end up with a goat and lose, but if there was a goat behind that door he will win the car.

Put simpler, if he switches the doors, he switches the probability of selecting the car with that of selecting a goat (one third becomes two thirds).

So that is why the answer is yes and why there is an advantage to switching in this game.

I hope that this makes it clear for you. If you can understand this problem you can amaze and / or infuriate your family, friends and colleagues.

So Why is this So Hard to Get?

The following are just my assumptions but they are based my experience in both trying to understand this problem and from the reactions and arguments of others.

I believe that the paradox comes from a powerful misunderstanding that, once the door is opened, the solution is equal to that of tossing a coin and further, that this misunderstanding is combined with the intuitive and correct belief that opening the door can have no effect on the probability of the original selection. Though these two beliefs appear to back each other up, they are in fact mutually exclusive, as they contradict each other.

This misunderstanding also appears to be enhanced in people who are well versed in the principles of probability. I believe these people correctly see that there can be no real effect to the underlying probabilities, just because the door has been opened, but then find comfort in thinking that an even chance, of selecting the car, now that only two doors remain, demonstrates that there is no advantage to switching. If there was an advantage to switching, it follows that the probability must change and this is just not possible.

They just don't see they are stuck in a logic trap that will flip back and forth for ever. First they argue that probability does change, from one third to one half, when the door is opened, but then use that new probability to argue that the probability does not changed because the new one half probability demonstrates there is no advantage to switching.

All this reminds me of the logic trap that is suppose to be able to crash an intelligent computer: "If I am a lawyer and all lawyers are liars, am I telling the truth?".

I wonder what the intelligent computer would make of the Monty Hall Problem?

Safe Surfing!

As Usual Many New Features and Fixes

The are so many new features and fixes I won't try to list them here, if you are interested to check the list out I have linked the the developer's own page here: Twittelator changes for Version 3.7

If you haven't tried Twittelator yet, you should, as it is the best Twitter App for the iPhone available.

Safe Surfing!

Well that was quick, Firewall iP (FiP) is now at version 1.39

The developer has done a major rewrite of the App’s code which offers improved performance, reduced memory footprint and increased stability with other iPhone Apps. With this update FiP also has a new App icon.

The updates are now available on Cydia and RockApp so there is no reason not to grab them now.

If you are not yet an owner of FiP then I suggest you look at my review of the FiP here: Firewall iP Review - Security for Your Jailbroken iPhone

Also see information about FiP version 1.35 here: Firewall iP App - Updated FiP Hits Version 1.35


Safe Surfing!

Firewall iP (FiP) the only application firewall for jailbroken iPhones has just been updated to version 1.35.

With more Pop-up functions such as wild-cards and global settings along with the ability to restrict specific Apps to use Wi-Fi only, updating to this new version is a no brainer.

For more information on FiP see my review here: Firewall iP Review - Security for Your Jailbroken iPhone

Safe Surfing!

Oops! I got the App's name turned around it should be Firewall iP not IP Firewall! It is now fixed!

A Firewall on you iPhone?

As FiP has just been updated on Cydia to version 1.2-4, I feel it's high time I did a review.

FiP allows you to control which of your iPhone's Apps can access the Internet and how they can do it.

FiP is, in my opinion, the best iPhone security App available.

FiP Uses

It can be used to revel Apps that covertly access the Internet by showing and logging all of their Internet activity.

And it can be used to reduce your iPhone's Internet usage by blocking Apps from downloading unwanted Ads.

How it Works

When a communication attempt is detected, FiP checks its list of rules to determine if the App is authorised to make the connection (the rules tell FiP if it should allow or deny the communication).

If no rule is matched, FiP pops up the Alert Dialog and asks you to Allow or Deny the communication. You can tell FiP if it should remember your selection or tell it to apply your selection temporarily (if the selection is temporary, you can tell FiP to apply it once or until the App is closed). Alternately you can choose to Allow or Deny all communications by the App (this selection is always remembered).

When you tell FiP to remember a selection via the Alert Dialog, FiP will automatically create or update an App Rule in its rules list.

IPF Rules

Global Rules apply to all Apps where App Rules only applies to their associated App.

Global Ruless are checked first by FiP then if unmatched FiP checks for the App Rule the matches the App trying to communicate.

If no App Rule exists FiP displays the Alert Dialog and asks you what to do next.

Note: FiP blocks the App from making any communication until either a pre existing rule is matched or you make a selection from the Alert dialog.

Defining Global Rules

Note: The Global Allow Rule is checked first before the Global Deny Rule is checked.

For the Global Rules to function, you must manually add URL's to their lists via the FiP App.

Note: Global Rules should be used with care but are the best place to manage access to Aggregation Sites or well known Ad Repositories.

Defining App Rules

Unlike Global Rules, that always exist and can only be edited, App Rules can be manually created by adding them to FiP 's rules list.

This is be done from the Main Screen by tapping the Edit Button and then the '+' Button.

From the Main Screen, existing App Rules can be viewed, edited and / or deleted through the usual methods that are common to most iPhone Apps.

Unlike Global Rules, which are simple lists of URL's, the App Rules are more detailed.

First an App Rule has a main switch that controls if FiP is active for that rule's related App (it is useful to deactivate FiP for a specific App when it is determined that the App is not compatible with FiP).

Next there are two switches that can be turned On or Off to allow or deny all communications with the Internet made by the App. These are the Allow All Connections and Deny All Connections switches (only one of these can be On at a time, turning one On turns the other Off).

The App Rule also contains two URL lists. These are the Allow Defined and Deny Defined lists. They control the URL's that the rule's App can access.

Finally there is the Still Apply Detailed switch that is only available when either Allow All Connections or Deny All Connections switches are turned On. Once it is turned On, it causes the App Rule's relevant URL list to override the All Connections setting (I'll explain how and why you might use this later).

FiP Settings

The Information Screen allows you to turn the FiP On or Off for all Apps; set the colour of the Alert Dialog to either Red or Blue; turn on the Global Activity Log (best used if you need to debug a problem with an App as it will get very large very quickly. If in doubt leave it off); check out more information about the App and its developer; and block all Internet access unless it is made via Wi-Fi (new to this version, 1.2-4 and be careful with this setting).

Tips

To edit an existing URL's just tap on its text.

URL's can use a '*' character as a wild card as in "*.securityundertow.net".

If you want to allow an App to communicate with everything except a defined set of URL's, then set both Allow All Connection and Still Apply Detailed to On and add the URL's to the Always Deny list (this can be reversed to block all communications except for the defined set of URL's).

Conclusion

This App is worth the price AU$2.49 on Cydia.

If you value your privacy and the security of your iPhone you should purchase this App immediately.

If you want to trial the App, you can do so via the Rock Your Phone App (RockApp) it will give you ten days to try the App.

Note: if you purchase it on Cydia you need to use Cydia to update it. If you purchase it via RockApp you need to update it via RockApp. The only problem with RockApp is it can take a number of days for new updates to show up, so for this one App I would suggest trying it via RockApp and buying it via Cydia, but it's your choice really).

Safe Surfing!

Twittelator and Twittelator Pro, are, in my opinion, the best Twitter Apps available for the iPhone by far, and they have just been updated to version 3.6.

There are some major new features and bug fixes in this version. If you are using Twittelator don't hesitate to update. And if you are yet to try Twittelator I suggest now would be a great time to do it.

Given the number of changes, I feel it best to director you to the official change log, rather than repeat them all here (see: Twittelator Help and Change Log scroll down till you find the changes for 3.6).

Some of the stand out changes are: built in Web Browser, ability to save video taken in the App, no time-outs when downloading media and a setting to limit Twitter searches to your native language.

As Twittelator is free and Pro is a paid App, give the free version a test run first (note: getting used to all the 150 odd features takes time and can put you off at first, don't give up). You can upgrade in-app at any time, if you find you want the extra features that Pro provides.

Pro has around 45 more features than the free version (for a total of around 200) and costs AU$5.99. As the list of those features is large, I'll refer you to the official one (see: Twittelator vs Twittelator Pro).

Again if you haven't tried Twittelator now is the time to do it. And if you have tried it before but did not like it, give it another go, you might just change your mind. If you have an iPhone and are an advanced Twitter user, you will not be disappointed.

Safe Surfing!

Well nothing much to report just some bug fixes related to the new Syncing feature.

Version 3.1.1 now on out. What are you waiting for? Go get it!

Safe Surfing!

The iPhone Facebook App has just been updated to version 3.1 and is now available on the AppStore.

The new release provides native Push and a new Sync between iPhone Contacts and Facebook Friends.

The first time you start the new Facebook App you will be asked if you wish to Sync you Contacts with your Friends. If you follow the prompts you will see two options: the first option is Syncing which requires you to agree to a privacy waver; the second, less invasive option, allows the App to update the local contact photos of Friends to match their Facebook photos.

The new Push settings are managed via the standard iPhone Settings App. Scroll down until you find Facebook in the list. You can control what activities get pushed to the phone via these settings.

If you have an iPhone and a Facebook account then you should check this App out, especially if you haven't done so already. It's free and is very simple to use. And It makes accessing Facebook, while on the go, a real joy, especially now it has Push built in.

Safe Surfing!

Just a quick update to let you know that I have reviewed the 1.0.7 version of the Squarespace iPhone App.

There are no new features since 1.0.6 but the bug fixes make updating a definite no brainer.

The problem of text ghosting when vertically scrolling an entry under Statistics has been fixed.

The problems of Draft Posts not being removed when they have been Published appears to remain, though this may be due to working with Posts being crested in 1.0.6 as the latest Post has Published successfully.

The problem of new Posts that have been Saved to the iPhone not showing in the Blog listing until the App is restarted has not been fixes either.

The App feels slightly faster during editing and when working with the existing Blog listing.

On the whole this App now allows the creation of basic Posts via the iPhone but requires many more advanced features before it will replace managing the site via a fully fledged Web Browser.

Safe Surfing!

I just love it when I find evidence that an automated device, especially one that handles money, is using a Microsoft OS under the hood.

I never did work out how to press the OK button and consequently never got any cash from that machine.

I hope Westpac and NCR have kept those ATM's patched!

Safe Surfing!

This post is mostly a test of the updated App. I hope to find that the major bugs have been fixed and that the App's stability has improved.

So far the App is much quicker and I have yet to have a crash. I have found some cosmetic issued with scrolling Statistics in portrait mode (new to this version all screen can now be viewed in landscape) where the text ghosts as it is scrolled.

There is a new Save To iPhone function that allows Posts to be saved locally but I found when I tried to use it on a new Post it didn't show up in the list afterwards (though after editing an existing post the did workSave To iPhone and after saving this post to the Site, the first post that I had saved to the iPhone showed up in the list).

There is still no way to manage Comments via the App and there are no new text formatting functions in the Text editor, so mark-up must still be added manually.

A default image size can now be set for each Squarespace account via the Account settings, though there is still no way to position uploaded images in the Post. There is also no function to access the Site's File Store, so images stored on the Site can not be used.

There has been no new functions added to the basic Post settings so a Post will need to be cleaned up later outside of the iPhone if you wish to set the Post's Summary and adding Tags is still a chore as there is no pop-up lists, as there is with Categories, this you must know what the spelling and format of existing Tags or your they will quickly become a mess.

If you have an iPhone and a Squarespace account then I recommend you get this App and don't forget you can try Squarespace for free and if you listen to John C. Dvorak's Tech 5 Podcast you can get a code for a lifetime 12% discount, which is better than every other discount by 2% (See Tech 5).

Safe Surfing!

Controlling Crashes

I resolved this (I believe) by changing my Squarespace manager account password. I removed spaces and reduce the password from 14 characters to 9 and the Statistics screen now displays without the crash.

If your having this problem please leave a comment and let me know if this tip worked for you.

Adding Mark-up

I speed things up a little by type "", selecting it then cutting it. Now I can paste it at the beginning of the text to mark up, deleting the '/', adding the tag's text and then pasting it at the end of the text and typing the closing tag's text.

Safe Surfing!