Archive for category Just for Fun
Got a dud iPhone 4 or 4S home button? You can fix it yourself EASILY!
Posted by Cameron in Apple, iPhone, Just for Fun, Technology on April 12th, 2012
Isn’t this supposed to be the blog of a photographer? Well, I’m straying off topic a bit but gadgets are dear to the hearts of many snappers out there so knowing how to fix something on the fly is a handy trick to have in your bag!
Whist I’m a convert to Android both my daughters have iPhones – one has my old iPhone 4 and the other a new iPhone 4S. The old iPhone 4 (bought on launch day in Australia) has developed a very unresponsive home button which in turn has produced a quite unhappy daughter. So…. Dad to the rescue!
After trawling the web for a few hours researching ways to fix the problem I have finally found what I am 99.999999% sure is the answer to most everyone’s problems. Over time, oil and grime from your finger makes its way through the tiny gap between the body of your beloved iPhone and the home button causing a build-up on the contact under the button. This in turn makes the button unresponsive to presses and you have to mash it just to get it to respond.
So…. how do I fix it you ask?
Easy.
- Get some rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). I actually used an Aussie product called Isocol which worked like a charm. Little sachets containing a moist isopropyl alcohol soaked towel are also good. Aim for a 70% isopropyl alcohol if you can although straying either way a bit probably won’t hurt.
- Turn your phone completely off.
- Put a drop of the solution on your finger (if you use the moist towel you will have to squeeze a drop on your finger) and rub it quite firmly around the home button, making sure to press the button in and out as you go. You aim is to let the liquid seep into the gap and down to the contact under the button. The solution will clean the contact. I repeated it three times to really get it in there. Remember, unlike water, this solution will evaporate very quickly and not damage your phone. It is commonly used by electrical technicians to clean circuit boards etc.
- Turn your phone over after working in each drop well and tap the phone reasonably firmly on a padded surface. Something like a folded tea-towel on your benchtop will be just right (that’s what I did). I found that a little bit of gunk actually came out on the gap between to button and the phone.
- Give your phone a good wipe clean and fire it up.
- Test it out.
- See? Perfecto eh?
Awww, this cuddly wombat just wants a hug…
Posted by Cameron in Just for Fun, Newspaper, Photography on April 14th, 2011
Yesterday I was commissioned to photograph Tonka, the 2yr old wombat at Billabong Sanctuary who has been diagnosed with depression following the sanctuary’s closure after Cyclone Yasi. Seems Tonka has been missing all the cuddles and hugs he’s used to and has dropped 20% of his body weight. Well, a bit of shameless PR and the reopening of the park on Saturday should solve that issue – Tonka won’t know what hit him when the kids start arriving in droves at the weekend!

Hello everyone! - Billabong Sanctuary animal curator Vince Toohey with 2yr old wombat Tonka - Photo: Cameron Laird (Ph: 0418 238811)

Let's play! - Billabong Sanctuary animal curator Vince Toohey with 2yr old wombat Tonka - Photo: Cameron Laird (Ph: 0418 238811)

After a hards day's play nothing beats a nap - Billabong Sanctuary animal curator Vince Toohey with 2yr old wombat Tonka - Photo: Cameron Laird (Ph: 0418 238811)
How to upgrade to iOS 4.3 for early adopters
Posted by Cameron in Apple, iPad, iPhone, Just for Fun, Personal, Technology on March 9th, 2011
UPDATE: iOS 4.3 is now available as a general release. Plug your iOS device into iTunes and check for updates.
Apple has released the gold master of iOS 4.3 so it’s easy for anyone to upgrade now ahead of Apple’s official general public release. I’ve put together this easy guide below to help you out.
- Upgrade your iTunes to 10.2. It’s available now, just open iTunes and check for an update if you aren’t already on 10.2.
- Download the iOS 4.3 Gold Master for your device – iPhone 4 (link), iPhone 3GS (link), iPod Touch 4G (link), iPod Touch 3G (link), iPad 3G & WiFi (link)
- Connect and sync your iOS device via USB and make sure to do a backup
- In iTunes hold Alt (shift on PC) and click on the ‘Restore’ button then point it to one of the Gold Master files you’ve just downloaded.
- Wait 10-15 minutes while it restores to the new iOS 4.3
- iTunes will then recognise it as a new device. Restore from the backup you made at step 3 and you’ll be back in business just as before but now sporting a spanking new iOS 4.3!
- Show some love and retweet my tweet
365 Project – what a super idea!
Posted by Cameron in Apple, iPhone, Just for Fun, Personal, Photography, Technology on January 9th, 2011
I’ve thought about getting into this for a few years and finally thought I’d give it a try this year. There are a few different ’365/Pic a Day’ sites and they are all pretty good – it’s the idea and concept that really works. Many people try and take the time to shoot something really special each day for it but as a photographer that’s the last thing I want to do. I’d like to show you (and myself in a year) things that really catch my eye and mean something to me visually or emotionally. That’s why I’m shooting ALL my 365 photos on my iPhone 4. It’s always with me and puts me on a level playing field with all other iPhone 4 owners. It’s not too late for you to get started, doesn’t matter if you miss the first little bit. Head to the 365 Project site here and follow me, I’ll follow you in turn.
Cracker of a storm hits home
Posted by Cameron in Just for Fun, Personal on January 9th, 2011







Recent Comments