Saturday, October 29, 2011

Kindles For Christmas

Now that Amazon is ready to release the new line of Kindles including the tablet Kindle Fire, it's time to ask "which do I buy?".

The publicity is on the Fire, but is that the best choice? It depends what you are looking for. If you want a small, convenient tablet to watch movies & play games, yeah, probably. But note that it probably isn't as good as an iPad. If you want an e-reader, no it's the wrong choice.  All the other Kindle's use e-ink. This is a format that reads like regular books. It's easy on the eyes with little strain. The Fire uses IPS, which is a variation on the typical LCD screen your computer monitor has.

I regularly get severe eye strain if I am on my computer for as little as an hour. Note that Apple's all new iBook store has not beat out the Kindle store despite the iPads popularity. This means people are not using it as an e-reader. This means they discovered what I just said: hard on the eyes. Therefore Kindle Fire buyers will be using it like iPad users do. Movies, TV, music, games.

So if you want an e-reader you want the Kindle, the Kindle Touch or the keyboard model. Now do you want Wi-Fi or 3G? Well, do you have Wi-Fi at home? If not you have to go somewhere that does, like the mall, to download books. That means risking your account being hacked. Sorry, don't like that idea at all. What they really need to do is have a cable that connects to your computer so you can buy books from Amazon & then sync them to your Kindle like an iPod. Why they don't do this amazes me. Maybe this is to force you to buy the 3G version which is 50 bucks more. Gee, who would have thought of that?

So it's up to you. I'm debating. Of course I could just make an account with Audible, which allows you to buy audio books & put them on your iPod. Meaning you don't have to buy another piece of tech, or I assume just listen on your computer.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

10th Anniversary Of XP

Yes. Today is indeed the 10th anniversary of the release of Windows XP. The most stable, most popular version of Microsoft's OS. It's still the most used, especially in the corporate environment.

I work in high tech & my company uses a combination of XP & (don't laugh-well ok go ahead) 2000. Mainly because the programs needed to run the business were designed for one of those OS's. The cost to change would be prohibitive. That is why Vista was considered a failure, because most corporations couldn't install it without having to spend millions on upgraded software. This because the system requirements were too high for the current equipment.

Although Windows 7 had lower requirements, my home computer still couldn't run it. I eventually bought a new system with 7 preloaded. This computer does meet the requirements for 8 because they have lowered the specs.

So where does this put business? Eventually most businesses will have to update. I'm surprised mine hasn't had to, especially since it runs all computers 24/7. Then again we have a slew of maintenance people who always have something to do.

But XP was good for it's time. It lasted a long time because it was stable & simply (to use Mac & Linux fanboys overused phrase) worked. Think of it Apple is on the 7th iteration of OSX. When do they go to OSXI or will they create a desktop version of IOS?

Discovery Channel's Foulup

Last week I wrote a post about watching Mythbusters on YouTube since Discovery Channel doesn't host full episodes. Of course since last week those full episodes have been removed. So I ask Discovery again: Why don't you have full episodes of your series on your website? And why deny me the right to watch them online?

Here's the thing: Not all of us have big screen TV's or DVR's. Not all of us, heck not very many of us have access to on demand. All the networks have their shows online. I can watch any CBS show the next day. I watched the new episode of Hawaii 5-0 last night, just checked: yup it's on CBS' website in entirety. NBC, Fox & ABC shows are on Hulu within days. Cable seems to have an issue.

In fact HBO has a special website just for streaming. You just have to log in to your cable or satellite provider to prove you are a subscriber then you can watch online. I know because I have used it. But now the only way to watch Mythbusters or Dirty Jobs is to download it off of iTunes. That's $3 an episode, making supposedly free information shows pay-per-view. Really nice guys. Or of course waiting until next year & buying the DVD collection for what? $50?

This needs to change. I know Rupert Murdoch wants to charge, but this is the guy who was hacking politicians & crime victims phone calls. So who cares what he thinks?

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Another Result Of Rapid Release

As a regular viewer of TWIT podcasts I was quite unhappy last week when I discovered I could no longer view the videos using Firefox. Why would a tech site not allow Firefox? Answer: The continuing stupidity of rapid release.

What I mean is what everyone already knows. Websites can't keep updating their site everytime Mozilla changes the number of the Firefox release. We are now on Firefox 7 which should actually be 4.3. But hey! Let's pretend to be Chrome!

The result is the number of websites that are no longer usable on this browser. It gets bigger & bigger. And it's completely stupid. At some point this will harm Firefox to, the point that users will give up & go elsewhere. The reason I haven't is because of the extensions & my les than enthusiastic feelings towards Chrome. And to the geeks-Opera isn't even in the discussion because it doesn't support a lot of sites because of its low market share.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Upped Speed Not That Noticable

I finally decided to have my ISP raise me to the next level of service. it's double the speed but you can't tell that much. Yes, I checked with Speed Test. Instead of 1.5mbps (I was actually getting 1.25), I am now paying for 3mbps (And getting 2.5). So yes it's been doubled but a lot of sites it doesn't seem like it.

I just think a lot of sites need new or more servers. Sometimes, especially on aggregation sites like Digg & Redditt clicking a link still takes some time. I'm not ready to download anything yet because, well, I have nothing to download. I haven't bought any music in about two months & don't feel like it. I mean I've been off for 4 days & haven't even opened iTunes once. Really haven't for about two to three months. I listen to what's already on my iPod.

This is still an issue of the US being way behind the rest of the world. You know like South Korea where they get 85 mbps! Here you would have to pay hundreds of dollars to get that, but actually it's just not available for any price. I mean $40 for 3mbps? That's obscene. 10mbps should be the minimum, but the ptb are against that, but then again they want to charge for data use. If that happens usage will go way down & they will wonder what happened.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Gawker Screws Up Websites Again

What is it with this company? They must really hate their readers because they continue to mess with the UI of their various sites. I'm talking about Lifehacker & Gizmodo specifically. You used to be able to switch between Top Stories & Blog View. No longer. Blog View has been discontinued, therefore no way to easily read all the days posts.

Now why would this company continue to do this? I don't know. I like to read those two sites but it's becoming harder & harder every time they pull this garbage. it's like they don't want you to enjoy their site. That's OK. I'll just go elsewhere. I suspect others will do the same & when they suddenly notice their readership declining maybe they can explain to their bosses why they decided to ruin a perfectly good website.


Radio Host Having Fun With Siri

Listening to the Stephanie Miller show this week is amusing. the liberal host just got an iPhone so naturally there are a lot of requests to the new voice recognition software.

I don't have a smartphone & have no need for one. but I am getting a laugh with her attempts to give orders. You know like "fire Chris Lavoie (her producer & sidekick)". Of course the answer is "I don't understand". I really don't understand this stuff so I just get a kick out of the ways they use the thing. Supposedly it's good for when you're looking for a restaurant or say, a gas station.

But other than these examples what would you really use it for? Plus it apparently doesn't always understand the requests. It also doesn't work on the iPad. Leo LaPorte was trying to use it on TWIT this week. Same result. Not sure this will be a biggie. But OTOH everybody has to buy the new iPhone. Oh well.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Another Day Another Internet Scam

There's a reason I prefer Gmail to Yahoo Mail. It's the spam. Yahoo puts it in my inbox, Gmail, I never see it. Today it was a supposed overstock auction site called Sellmoo. Sellmoo? Really? How about a $600 iPad for $23.74? Or an Amazon Kindle Keyboard model for $8.76 instead of $139.99? Yeah, didn't think so.

This is total nonsense. The only legitimate auction site is Ebay, & even that site has known issues as does Craigslist. Now I would like to know how this site got my email address, but since it's Yahoo, the spammers friend, I would guess the lack of filters & the ability to get hold of addresses is a long held problem. It's the reason I switched to Gmail to begin with. I only use Yahoo for sites that want an email address but I don't want to fill up my regular one.

Funny thing is it sells at the bottom if you want to unsubscribe "click Here" & then gives a company address in Florida, but then the fine print has a different address in Las Vegas. Hey wait a minute, that's not in Florida! So be careful. Don't click the unsubscribe link, you know what will happen. More spam or worse malware.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Mythbusters On YouTube

For some unexplained reason Discovery Channel does not host full episodes of it's various series. I have had trouble catching Mythbusters this fall because the episodes are against Survivor.

But I just discovered (LOL) that they can be found on YouTube. Hmmm.And tonight I actually watched last weeks episode in it's entirety. Maybe it's because this is such a popular show.  Lot's of fun & information. I like to call Mythbusters the funniest educational show on television. Not all the time. Sometimes it's just interesting. but what's wrong with that? This is certainly a show that everyone can watch. OK. Maybe a little kid wouldn't understand some of the science, but hopefully the entertainment the show provides would make someone get interested & study science.

Still I wonder why Discovery doesn't put these on their website. I noticed that Dirty Jobs only has clips, not full episodes. Does that mean the show is not as popular as I assumed? I mean Mike Rowe does a lot of commercials-Ford trucks, Bounty paper towels. Haven't seen Adam & Jamie do commercials (that would be hilarious like their cameo on CSI a few years ago).

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Apple Releases iCloud

If you have iTunes 10.4 you will be asked to upgrade to 10.5. This includes the new iCloud, which puts your library in the cloud. This means you can re-download your songs, which you couldn't before. It's also supposed to be wireless, meaning you can download directly from say, an iPod Touch or obviously, an iPhone.

I have neither. I have an iPod nano. I also don't have WiFi in my home since I have a desktop computer & thus, don't need it. So this doesn't help me at all. I love how every technology company, not just Apple has decided that everyone has WiFi at home. Has a study ever been done that shows the percentage of computer users that do? I would be interested in the percentage. Because this also affects iPad users & Kindle users.

Should I switch? I don't see the reason why. I'm still debating over calling my ISP & increasing my package to one with faster download speeds.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Netflix Cancels Qwikster

In what may be one of the quickest (pun intended) turnarounds in corporate history, Netflix has dumped the controversial split website idea:Netflix for streaming, Qwikster for DVD's. Basically they went Emily Litella & said "never mind".

If Reed Hastings wasn't the founder & owner of Netflix, this would be grounds for firing him. One wonders if the board will still try to cut him down. This was an ill conceived idea from the start. Why break up your business into two separate websites thus making things more difficult for your customers?

This happened because the stock price dropped & customers were canceling their accounts & going elsewhere. It is thought that this decision would help Redbox , never mind that the amount of content in a Redbox kiosk is quite limited. It was also quite idiotic because Netflix's streaming selection is very limited. Mostly old movies & TV shows. In three years I've used it maybe 5 times.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Jobs Prepared for Future iProducts

According to the Daily Mail, a UK paper, Steve Jobs left plans for 4 generations of iPads, iPods, iPhones & MacBooks. That is 4 more years since that is the cycle. Clearly he wanted these devices to be designed with his ideas.

This means no radical redesigns from some future employee who thinks he knows better. Although I have to admit that I don't understand the downsizing of the iPod nano. If making it so small is to prepare for eliminating it (which is what I thought last year), then why have plans for 4 more years?

Today I added 2 more complete CD's to my iPod, which is now 3 generations old. But it is actually only 2 years old & works fine, so why replace it? Well, I'm not going to. It's never given me a problem & it was a refurbished one.

This is another example of how much he controlled things, usually to the benefit of the company & it's customers. I'm not a fanboy. I think most Apple products are way overpriced, but I do acknowledge the design sense, creativity & the reputation for products that "just work".

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Noia 4 A Beautiful Firefox Theme

One of the great things about Firefox is all the extensions you can add. Among these are the various themes that change the look of the browser. Instead of having to look at what they decide it should look like, you can add a theme that gives it a more personal look.

There are dark themes, really dark themes, themes designed to look like the OS, or a different OS, & several that change the color scheme dramatically.

In the past I have use themes that didn't change it much. I also used a theme called "Oskar", which was one of the most outrageous ones out there. It was animated. This meant that the arrows flashed, they were moving dots & other things. It was a really cool theme. Of course it isn't compatible with Firefox 7, or 6, or who knows what.

So I'm using a theme called "Noia 4". It's a light blue theme. These means the toolbars are in that color as are the arrows. Since I have an 18½" monitor, I have the bookmark sidebar opened for easy access. With this theme, that's also in light blue. It changes the look of Firefox for the better. It's not overdone, like the dark themes can be, & extensions on the status bar are visible, which isn't always the case. The home button is kind of cute. All & all, a nice little theme.

I thought of adding a persona. But the problem with those are that depending how many tabs are open, or even if you have the bookmark toolbar, that persona's theme is not visible. So I may do without. But themes are nice to have, it's one thing Firefox has over other browsers.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Apple Announces iPhone 4S Not 5

This is why I don't own one. Loads of nonsense & an update to an old phone not a brand new phone. Whoopee. Actually I don't need an overpriced cell phone no better than any other phone. As for iPods, rumor was the classic was toast. Of course, that's been the rumor for how many years? Instead they did nothing. I thought they might kill off the nano, because they made it unusable last year. Way too small & got rid of the video camera. Seemed like it was a first step to getting rid of it & making you buy a touch.

But that didn't happen. Instead they lowered the price of the 8GB nano & 8GB touch. But the other versions kept their price points. Unlike Amazon which lowered the price of EVERY Kindle. Why? Because they're Apple & they expect you to pay through the nose. Like a "cheaper" iPhone isn't because of the 2 year contract. Like don't expect the iPad 3 to compete price wise with the Kindle Fire. Not gonna happen.

Anyway, if they want to keep you interested, they should just bring out phones every month. The iPhone 1/2012, the iPhone 2/2012. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

ESPN Fails With Updated Video Site

I don't know why they feel the need to do this, but the leading sports network has screwed up their video site. They didn't just change the name from ESPN3 to Watch ESPN, they increased the system requirements. At least that same to be the case.

The last two years I have been watching college football online because I work on Saturdays. Before I had an older computer with limited RAM (768MB) & a medium speed processor (2GHZ). So the effect was blurring video, meaning I couldn't see the ball leave the quarterback's hands or the receiver catch it. I knew he had I just couldn't see it.

Then I got a new computer with a lot more RAM (4GB) & a faster processor (3.1 GHZ). This meant now every thing was clear. Until the folks in Bristol changed their site. Now it's worse than it was on my old computer! Thanks guys.

Mind you, there's nothing wrong with my machine. I regularly watch full episodes of TV shows on Hulu (Modern Family, Daily Show) & CBS' site (David Letterman, Craig Ferguson, NCIS,etc.) no problems. I've watched entire movies on Netflix. Same thing. It's just that the player ESPN uses sucks big time.

I mean why make it hard to view. Why continue to raise the system requirements so you can't use it? I have never understood this. NBC will be streaming lots of sports during the London Olympics & I can guarantee you the video will be fine because I have used it for the past two Olympics. So I am unclear as to why ESPN doesn't just use a worthwhile easy to use player that doesn't freeze up or be so blurry as to be unwatchable.