VirtualBox “Failed to load..”

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Brendan

Lately I’ve been using the wonderful VirtualBox software to run my Windows virtual machines (Internet Explorer testing etc). It’s just about as good as Parallels or Fusion, but its completely free and open source. What’s not to love?

But once and a while I run into strange errors when trying to boot my VM’s. Errors like “VERR_SUPLIB_WORLD_WRITABLE”, which basically mean the file permissions on some component of VirtualBox are too general.

You can fix most of these errors by opening up Disk Utility (Spotlight search or Applications > Utilities). From there select your system hard drive (likely Macintosh HD) and click Repair Disk Permissions. This process may take a few minutes. When its done restart your computer, open up VirtualBox and you should be good to go!

If you still have trouble, open up the Applications folder and find the VirtualBox app. Right click and open the Get Info screen. At the bottom in the permissions section, make sure “Everyone” only has read access.

Header screenshot by Rafa Espada.

Realize Theme Update

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Brendan

Here’s an update for Realize (1.6.3). It fixes a problem with the login popup and includes some multiquote support. If you want to fix the the login popup bug, but don’t care about multiquote you can make this change:

  • Open Realize’s global.css in the ACP
  • Select the Advanced Editor tab
  • Search and replace all mention of #quick_login with #ql_condense

Edit: There’s also a small update for Dark Intentions which fixes the white header image problem in 1.6.3.

  Realize (1.6.3a) (152.3 KiB, 1,470 hits)

  Dark Intentions (1.6.3a) (293.7 KiB, 992 hits)

WINDspeed Data Stick

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Brendan

WIND has had some deals on for their data stick recently, so I thought I’d try one out. I’m impressed so far. Data service is reasonably quick and reliable, and the device and hardware are both easy to use.

My experience is based in the Greater Vancouver Area, so yours may vary based on where you’re located. So far I’ve found that: Continue reading →

New Carriers + UMA

Posted on April 2, 2011 by Brendan

New Canadian wireless providers WIND and Mobilcity have a lot going for them. Unbelievable rates, a decent handset selection and improving coverage. I’ve been testing Mobilicity, and I would definitely recommend them to someone who doesn’t stray outside the GVA too often. The fact remains, though, that coverage is a few steps behind that of the established carriers.

If you’re in a coverage zone it usually works well. But outside the coverage area, in some basements, or in the odd dead-zone you will be kicked onto the roaming network (Rogers). And even at $0.20/min, $0.10/text or $0.10/25kb, that can quickly become an expensive proposition.

Roaming occurs most often deep indoors, at places like home, work or school where you are probably already connected to WIFI. And I have to admit its a little sad to know that answering a call or replying to / receiving a text will cost extra when you have a perfectly good Internet connection available. So I believe that one of the most customer friendly actions the new carriers could take is to enable UMA service for all clients with compatible handsets. Continue reading →