Transition Issues Log - Bootcamp Win XP installation

Recreating Windows Partitions
When trying to modify the windows partition size, DO NOT do it using disk utility.
Go to BootCamp Assistant > Create or remove a Windows partition > Restore (this will delete the entire Windows partition, and all data will be lost)
Continue using BootCamp assistant to create a new partition.

FAT32 vs NTFS
Though NTFS is more secure than FAT, you won't be able to write or save files to the Windows volume from Mac OS X.
FAT32 partitions also cannot be more than 32GB.

BootCamp win XP Installation Process
Google for instructions. (here is one link) But the most important point to note, most general instructions are meant for a FAT32 format. most will warn of this common mistake:
After initiating the BootCamp > Start windows installation, you will be booted to a DOS prompt.
(if using FAT32 format) DO NOT select Leave The Current File System Intact—make sure you format the partition to NTFS or FAT using.
*But this 2nd problem is rarely mentioned* (If using the NTFS format) DO NOT go ahead with above step. You will probably get the hal.dll error (see below) Follow the instructions given below...

hal.dll errors
If it was NTFS then you may have the hal.dll (Hardware Abstraction Layer) missing error.
After the initial dos based copy phase of the Windows install, I'm getting the following error on a black screen:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

Solution
Many suggestions can be found online, but So far, only this worked. (specification: my system is partitioned as OS X> 24GB ; WinXP > 120 GB NTFS)
A match made in hell: Windows XP, Boot Camp 2.0, and NTFS
After the computer has rebooted and it’s booted from the CD, type “R” to go to the console. You should be dumped to the C:\ prompt.

We’re going to reformat the drive as NTFS ourselves instead of letting the Windows installer do it. Type the following and hit Return:
format c: /q /fs:ntfs

Then type this to reboot the computer:
exit

Hold Option after it restarts, then boot to the Windows installation CD again (I believe it boots to the CD by default at this point, but this is just to be sure).

Install to C: (be careful not to select your OS X volume!), but—and this is important—choose NOT to reformat. Leave the file system as is.

Continue the installation process as you would normally.
If things went well, the 256-color Windows logo should load

Parking Rates in Town

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20080528-67378.html
LOWEST TO HIGHEST RATES FOR PARKING LOTS IN GSS ZONE:

Centrepoint
Everyday (including public holidays): $1 first hour; $1.20 per subsequent 1/2 hour

Far East Plaza
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $1.94 first hour; $0.97 per subsequent 1/2 hour.
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3 per entry

Lucky Plaza
Weekdays before 5pm: $1.61 first hour; $1.28 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays after 5pm: $3.21 per entry
Weekend charges same as weekdays
Public holidays: $3.75 per entry

Ngee Ann City
Weekdays before 6pm: $1.56 per hour
Weekdays after 6pm: $4.28 per entry
Weekends and public holidays 8am?6pm: $2.57 per entry; $1.61 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekends and public holidays after 6pm: $4.28 per entry

The Heeren
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2 first hour; $1.30 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays 5-11pm: $3 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3 per first three hours; $1.30 per subsequent 1/2 hour

Orchard Towers
Every day 8am-6pm: $3.50 per First two hours; $6.80 maximum charge
Every day 6pm-2am: $3.80 per entry
Every day 2-7am: $2.20 per entry

Shaw Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $1.07 per 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $2.14 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $2.14 per entry

International Building (next to Shaw House)
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.14 first hour; $1.07 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $2.14 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $2.14 per entry

Tanglin Shopping Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 6pm: $2.14 first hour; $1.23 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $2.45 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $2.45 per entry

Far East Shopping Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.14 first hour; $1.07 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3.21 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.21 per entry

Paragon Shopping Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.25 first hour; $1.34 per subsequent 1/2 hour (additional $1 between 12-2.30pm)
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3.37 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.37 per first two hours; $0.70 per subsequent 15 minutes (additional $1 between 12-2.30pm)

Wisma Atria
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.30 first hour; $1.10 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3.50 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.50 per first two hours; $0.80 per subsequent 1/2 hour

Forum The Shopping Mall
Weekdays 6am-5pm: $2.40 per first hour; $1.20 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays 5pm-6am: $3.20 per entry
Saturdays: $2.60 per first hour; $1.40 per subsequent 1/2 hour; after 5pm $3.20 per entry
Sundays and public holidays between 6am to 6am the next day: $3.20 per entry

Pacific Plaza
Weekdays before 5pm: $1.50 per 1/2 hour
Weekdays after 5pm: $3.50 per entry
Saturdays before 6pm: $1.50 per 1/2 hour; after 6pm $3.50 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.50 per entry

Grand Hyatt Singapore
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $3 first hour; $1.00 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $5 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $5 per entry

Royal Plaza on Scotts
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $3 first hour; $1 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $4 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $4 per entry

Wheelock Place
Weekdays and Saturdays before 6pm: $3 first hour; $1.50 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $4 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $4 per entry

Tangs Plaza
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $0.05 per minute
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $4.50 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $4.50 per entry

Meritus Mandarin Singapore
Weekdays before 6pm: $4.50 first hour; $1.30 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays after 6pm: $6 per entry
Weekends and public holidays: $6 per entry

Hilton Singapore
Weekdays and Saturdays before 6pm: $7 first hour; $3.50 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $7 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $7 per entry

URA CARPARKS

Grange Road
Weekdays and Saturdays 8.30am-5pm: $1 per 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays between 5-10pm: $0.50 per 1/2 hour

Angullia Park
Everyday 8.30am-10pm: $0.50 per 1/2 hour

How to set thunderbird to correctly attach files

Text files (with Content-Disposition: attachment instead of inline)
Thunderbird has to set "Content-Disposition: inline" by default. It means when you attach a text file to an outgoing e-mail, the contents would be display as part of the email.

"Edit" -> "Preferences" -> "Advanced" -> "Config Editor".
(Using the windows version it's probably "Tools" -> "Options" -> etc.)

set mail.content_disposition_type to 1 (default is 0)

Transition Issues Log - Short Cuts

- Select Operating Systems During Boot Up
At startup, hold down the option key (alt) to choose between Mac OS X and Windows.

- Secret Screen Capture Shortcut
http://www.apple.com/pro/tips/secretcapture.html
Shift-3
Shortcut for taking a screen capture of your entire screen.

Command-Shift-4
Crosshair cursor to crop an area of the screen to capture.

Control-Command-Shift-3 (or 4)
Captures into Clipboard memory, to paste it elsewhere (without creating a file on your desktop).

- Force eject disc
During bootup, press and hold touchpad key.

Transition Issues Log - 1st stage

A list of system problems that a new Mac convert may face.

- Unnatural Mouse Tracking in OS X
http://db.tidbits.com/article/8893
Description:
(For many users), moving the mouse feels unnatural because of the way Mac OS X translates mouse motion into pointer movement (the "mouse acceleration curve"). This website describes the problem in detail and reviews and provides links to some recommended fixes.

NOTE: I used "USB Overdrive" with the settings >> Speed=80 dpi (fastest); Acceleration=20%

- Make Airport Express Stream Audio From Any App
Description:
By default Apple's Airport Express will only channel audio from itunes.
Rogue Amoeba Software has released Airfoil, which enables users to send audio from any application (instead of just iTunes) directly to an Air Port Express base station.

Note:
Live audio streaming has some lag time, causing video and sound to go off-sync.
The VLC player workaround seems to be to check the Advanced box at the bottom of Preferences, and under Audio set a manual “audio deynchronization compensation value.” With a little trial and error, you should get the sound in sync.

Currently no workaround for online videos

- Transferring and synchronizing bookmarks across multiple machines
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2410
"Foxmarks" a free Firefox browser plugin which backups and synchronizes bookmarks using an online server.

- Migrating/backing up old emails
Switch to Mozilla's free email client "Thunderbird" which will be able to import all emails from MS outlook and save as a set of local mail files.
Instructions: Copy files/folder and then Paste To
hope79/library/thunderbird/profiles/ID.default/mail/local folders/

Note: This only works for MS Outlook to Thunderbird migration. Still have not found a way to import from OS X mail program.

- Free Antivirus for MAC
www.clamxav.com/
Tho it is not necessary since there are no known viruses for MAC.

- Instant chat
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-alternative-chat-applications-for-msn-on-mac-os-x/
Description:
The Mac version of MSN is one generation behind, lacking many useful features which windows users are used to. Furthermore, Voice chats, video calls/conferencing will not work.
This website makes a list of five alternative chat MSN applications for Mac OS X that allows customization, and better functionality.

NOTE: I used Adium

Transition Issues Log - Bootcamp

- 'Disk error' during WinXP installation

http://forums.macnn.com/104/alternative-operating-systems/375413/macbook-pro-disk-error-press-any/

VERY IMPORTANT
1. When you first start installing XP, it asks you which partition to install onto. You select "BOOTCAMP" (if you didn't select the right partition, the Windows installer is stupid enough to try to install onto the Mac partition, which hoses the Mac OS).

2. Then, you must tell XP to FORMAT the partition (even though it supposedly already is). Quick format is enough. If I don't do that, I invariably get the "Media error. Press any key" message.

- Installing Drivers for XP
Bootcamp Intallation Guide
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/