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Items by Matt Hartley

WeatherBug HD Cams - Seeing Is Believing

Posted: July 2nd, 2009, 7:33pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you might have noticed that we are smack dab in the middle of summer. And with the summer time sun, comes an opportunity to show off WeatherBug’s weather cams. In this post, I wanted to share some fantastic images from some of WeatherBug’s new HD weather cams. [...]

Is It Really Worth It To Belittle Windows?

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 11:27pm EDT by Matt Hartley

It something that most Linux users struggle with almost daily. To merely point out that you are not a Windows user and instead, use an alternative or instead point out why you dislike Windows. Which is the best approach? Obviously from the standpoint of decorum, one would suggest taking the high road as belittling the other guy’s OS does nothing for anyone.

Yet despite seeking to use commonsense, more often than not we fall victim to some loud mouth’s comments that make us want to lash out in frustration. This article here explores the problem at length and even points out some actual examples of this type of behavior.

Even though none of us pretend to be perfect, I am hopeful you will join me in turning over a new leaf rather than following suit with the mindset as seen in the linked image above. It may not be easy, but we will feel better about ourselves in the morning if we can collectively take the high road when dealing with those who have only half of the story.

NVIDIA Resolution Revolution

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 11:27pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Nothing more frustrating than installing a new OS, only to find that it is not working as expected. Hey, it happens. In a recent instance, a Lockergnome reader had installed Ubuntu onto his Acer Aspire 4520. As luck would have it, the default resolution is ridiculously at something like 640*480 - obviously not usable. He is shooting for a resolution of 1280*720. Clearly, he has a ways to go.

Now there are a number of ways of fixing this. Assuming the specs I found on the computer are right, that it is using an integrated NVIDIA video chipset, one could likely use the restricted driver manager to gain a driver that is going to provide *vastly* better resolution options than the default NV driver.

Being as I have never had anything but trouble with the restricted driver manager, I have always used the Envy tool on Ubuntu PCs…even before there was a restricted driver manager. While your mileage may vary, it has yet to fail me on roughly seven different NVIDIA cards.

Once you follow the instructions carefully, rebooted, etc, then you are ready to see if the resolution has corrected itself. Chances are pretty good that you will end up with something like 1280*XXX after your installation and reboot. If not, open a terminal, type in gksudo nvidia-settings and carefully correct the resolution.

What Is In A Sticker?

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 11:27pm EDT by Matt Hartley

More often than I might like to admit, I see people frustrated after an attempt to install Linux onto their designed for Windows notebook. And even though 98% of the time it will install fine, there is always that one single show stopping issue for the other 2% that is spoon fed to the media like a bowl full of sugar crack.

Let me save all of you a lot of time right now. If you own a computer designed for one OS (note the sticker), how can we possibly be shocked when their is in some instances a problem that requires a bit of investigation?

Example: I own an old notebook that uses a rather problematic version of the VIA video chipset. While Xorg has drivers for it, there is a 100% failure rate of getting X to configure right. Even after a reconfiguration, it is a massive task to get it working. Does this mean that Linux sucks? No, rather that the driver designed for the VIA chipset does, actually.

I say this as all of my ATI, NVIDIA and Intel video cards do just dandy. The issue is that I rolled the dice with a notebook displaying a Made For Windows sticker and lost. Luckily, there is a work-a-round though.

The point is if you are buying a new notebook and choose one designed for Windows in hopes of dual-booting, you are accepting the results are given. If it works, awesome for you. If does not and you’ve read this article, too bad. The smart money for notebooks is always to buy pre-installed (Dell, System76, ZaReason, etc) unless you are experienced enough to overcoming basic configuration issues. In short, there is a simple, brain dead option available to all those in the market for a new notebook purchase. Just something to consider when complaining about “compatibility” issues. You’re in the driver’s seat.

The Pirate Bay Goes Video

Posted: June 29th, 2009, 5:06pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Despite The Pirate Bay’s own legal “challenges”, it looks as if they are still poised to release a Hulu competing service known simply as The Video Bay. Assuming it is able to launch, it could indeed lower the bar for those interested in pirating copyright protected video content with tremendous ease.

But legal concerns aside, what I find most interesting is the support for video via HTML5. This of course for those who do not know, is a cutting edge way for web browsers to eliminate the need for video over Flash, codecs, media players and so on. In other words, it is simply designed to “work” with supported browsers.

This means waiting if you are using Firefox or Opera (or using beta versions). For those folks using Chrome or Safari however, you can try out HTML5 video today via DailyMotion.com. It may not be Hulu or The Video Bay, but it will allow you to see just what this HTML5 technology is all about.

Google Takes On SMS

Posted: June 29th, 2009, 5:05pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Let’s face it, not everyone in the world has access to the very latest in wifi, notebooks and iPhones. Some folks are frankly feeling pretty fortunate to have access to something as basic as SMS on their mobile phones.

I have been playing around with the SMS search service from this link. And considering what the limitations of SMS happen to be, I think that Google is offering a fairly decent solution for a rather heavy handed technology shortcoming.

The search functionality however, is very limited and not all that helpful when compared to what you can get from a traditional mobile browser. This being said, I did find the SMS Tips that Google offers, to be an outstanding option for those looking for health, medical or weather related tips.

Is Google Too Big For Its Britches?

Posted: June 29th, 2009, 5:05pm EDT by Matt Hartley

The idea that Google is somehow a monopoly is a bit of a stretch. After all, until the search engine comes bundled on PCs and mobile phones, I don’t see the point of view gaining a lot of traction. Popular, yes. But now with Bing, in addition to all of the human indexed options out there providing competition, I don’t think Google has much to worry about here.

But there is one other aspect to this that is worth noting. While it is true that Google is not really a “huge” company in the people sense, it does have a tremendous market share. So even though it does not employ half of a city, the traction it has been given with their market share clearly has regulators circling as they are in dire need of something to “regulate”. Job security and all.

At the end of the day, the search market is something that can be disrupted fairly easily with the right tools. So if a search engine comes along that clearly provides vastly better and more accurate results than Google, the monopoly idea quickly goes away. Some have said that Bing might be the one to do this. I tend to shake my head at this idea as Bing provides good results comparable to Google, but hardly would I define them as “more accurate” by any stretch.

Google Fails Yet Again With No Video Chat For Linux Users

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 11:09pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Let me perfectly honest here. Get over it. Google does a lot for open source, no question about that. And they even use a variation of Ubuntu on some of their machines. But they are not in any hurry to make software commitments with GTalk w/Video or Google Video Chat. Sorry to burst your bubble, not going to happen.

Yet if you are a regular Linux Fanatics reader, you already know that you are WAY better of with Skype in the first place on this platform. In other words, stop wasting you time and get to chatting! Most people I know have long since given up on this dream.

So hopefully I will not have to stumble upon any more blog posts about how mean Google is for not supporting this. Who cares? There are vastly more stable, usable options out there. Skype being the best among them if you are calling Windows and OS X users.

Open Source Coming To A Museum Near You

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 11:09pm EDT by Matt Hartley

As times go from challenging to difficult, organizations are suddenly finding that their “Meh, this is hard” attitudes are changing in a hurry due to a lack of funds to feed the proprietary hunger that is closed source software.

It may be “shiny”, but cost effective, keep dreaming. Even when you consider any potential learning curves or assistance needed maintaining the setup, going open source is looking to be more attractive all the time.

As we can see from this article here, there are a few open source solutions that are giving museums an open source edge with the kind of functionality that these organizations would not have had available previously without spending a fortune.

Software Installation So Simple Grandma Can Do It

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 11:09pm EDT by Matt Hartley

If you are finding that software installation with distributions such as Ubuntu is simply too complex, please stop what you are doing. Take the keys out of your pocket and throw them out the window. There, you just did society a favor as clearly, something as complex as a car is just too much. I mean, how user friendly is “driving”!

As you likely guessed from the bit above, I am being sarcastic. Why? Because if install software by going to Applications, Add/Remove Applications was any simpler, it would require you to re-evaluate your basic skills as a human.

The very idea that software is somehow, requiring the command line or other nonsense is total hogwash. Yes, we have that as an option. After all, copying and pasting some fast lines of text is no great feat by any stretch. But for the most part, everything most people need is available either from Add/Remove or if you want to be really cutting edge, from GetDeb.net.

If this is too much for ya, please step away from the computer and consider buying a WebTV.

Candy.com Sold For A Sweet Price

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 10:43pm EDT by Matt Hartley

It’s one of those things were we look back at the ’90s and wonder why we were not smart enough to invest in single word domain names! Ah, I remember… seems to me that they were priced a lot higher back then. Still, knowing what I know now, it would have made me a fortune.

Well speaking for fortunes, it appears that Candy.com was sold for a decent $3 Million recently and based on this article here from TechCrunch. Once you consider an average search volume of 800,000 queries per month, the price tag suddenly seems pretty reasonable.

The previous owner is no fool. Just last year he was the same guy that sold ireport.com to CNN for a cool $750,000! Clearly, this is a man who has a decent grasp of domain speculation it would seem.

From MS Office To Google In The Enterprise

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 10:27pm EDT by Matt Hartley

As shocking as this might seem, it appears that some of Microsoft’s worst nightmare is coming to life. While they maintain a strong hold on the Office suite market, it is difficult to argue with the pricing difference between what Google can offer and what Microsoft is selling.

No real surprise that Google has been able to make the switch a doable one for a number of enterprise situations based on the overall savings available to those who choose to make the change over.

It’s said that Google’s Enterprise offers could be anywhere from 5 to 20 times cheaper than what Microsoft is selling. Wow, those are staggering numbers and frankly, are difficult to ignore. So even though the volume of new enterprise users is not there yet, it does appear that Google is making tremendous progress nonetheless.

Bing Vs Yahoo

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 10:13pm EDT by Matt Hartley

There has been a bit of speculation that Microsoft Bing is actually beating out Yahoo. Frankly, I think it is a bit soon. First of all, it’s brand new to the market. So clearly, it is a little quick on the draw to start coming out with conclusions one way of the other.

Based on this, the most accurate run down I have seen thus far is coming from Search Engine Land in their analysis of what has taken place thus far. And based on that, just from a visitor standpoint, Bing is still very much a brand new thing. There is hardly any recordable traffic when compared to Yahoo.

So what happens when Bing starts tossing around some of those commercials they have produced? Will anyone care? Unless they re-shoot them with clear, specific reasons what Joe and Jane Average need to change search engines, Microsoft is going to be in for a big surprise. Not based on their product, rather the inability of their marketing dept yet again.

Ubunchu Chapter 02

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 9:49pm EDT by Matt Hartley

No, the title is not misspelled. That title describes the name of this comic book of sorts. And I can honestly say, despite the great artwork and effort put into it, my lack of anime understanding is preventing me from getting the purpose of this booklet?

Based on my limited understanding, I believe that Manga is basically a comic. And of course, the plot line is supposed to be a romantic comedy. Again, likely why I am missing the point.

The idea behind this, assuming I am right, appears to be an attempt to present education to those who enjoy Manga. In short, I am clearly not the target demographic as I both understand how to use the CLI as well as having zero interest in this kind of educational format. Clever, but is this really all that effective?

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How Ballmer’s Employment Choices Could Boost Desktop Linux

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 9:36pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Microsoft’s head made it clear in this piece that if the US government opts to raise its taxes, Microsoft will indeed be moving employment positions offshore. And while I agree with him that raising taxes in this economic downturn is pretty dangerous if you are hoping to keep others from not further off-shoring our jobs, I cannot help but wonder about another benefit.

It seems to me that in a round about sort of way, desktop Linux, would be a real position for growth here. Because MS is concerned about having to pay more of their share, companies looking to avoid what would likely be an even bigger increase in prices with software if MS was instead, to keep jobs here locally despite the tax rules being changed.

My take on the matter. Linux companies by nature, are more nimble and are not threatened by this proposed change. First of all, some of them are not even based here in the states. And those that are, have not made their concerns heard about this likely because they see a possible benefit yet to come about.

Linux Going To School In Cali

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 9:25pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Being able to see a school freeing their limited resources from the demends of unneeded licensing costs is one of the coolest things out there. One such school in Santa Rosa, CA has managed to make this work and do so without any real show-stoppers.

The reason I mention show-stoppers is there are times where taking a school or business and upgrading them can be a problematic situation. But thanks to so many LTSP server options and the wonders of server presented software that is considered to be web based, it seems like make the switch for larger groups like this is getting easier.

Does this mean that most schools can make this kind of switch? Despite some schools relying on software that again, seems like it presents a legacy software problem, the fact remains that there are often options such as iTalc or other server based apps that will allow for school administration with minimal learning curve.

Google Maps Meets Enemy Of The State

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 2:15am EDT by Matt Hartley

Despite being frustrated with Google on other projects, their Maps project continues to impress me day after day. Whether it’s me using it on my iPhone or even at the computer. No matter where it is used, it never ceases to provide me with the data I am looking for.

Blast forward to a new featured recently added to Google Maps where you can zoom in on practically anything. Seriously, this is really creepy. You can zoom in on some people’s homes with fairly decent accuracy.

Thankfully however, only some places zoom in with total accuracy. Because if every place did this, I can see lawsuits being filed even though they would likely fall over in court in most cases. Still, I can understand the uneasy feeling about it nonetheless.

All A Flutter Over Lives Changed By Twitter

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 2:03am EDT by Matt Hartley

Isa Twitter making us lazy? Better put, are we being encouraged and enabled to read/write less due to the success of this social platform? Some critics seem to be pushing in this direction it seems.

Others still, would point out that Twitter is merely a tool, which reflects where its users are at in life at any given moment. So if the tweets are mundane and silly, that is hardly something we can blame Twitter for now is it? Clearly, Twitter is a networking tool as well, but it allows us to communicate without as much unneeded small talk.

Speaking for myself, I find that I use Twitter both for work and play…often within seconds from one tweet to the next. In a big regard, I find it blurring the lines between work and play in my day. How about you? Is Twitter a boon to your world or a curse?

Go Home Chrome

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 1:53am EDT by Matt Hartley

Speaking for myself, as a Linux user and with my wife being the Mac user, Chrome can kiss off. Seriously, we are still waiting for something not based on WINE and frankly, it feels like Firefox will have two versions released before Chrome even goes into beta.

Even more comically, Google has decided that we need to simply avoid using the ever-buggy test releases available now as we might become frustrated due to it still be pretty much an alpha level product. Again, really? They are still unable to get the browser to a point to where it should not crash on other OS’?

One person in the comment thread for the article linked above had it right I think. Google is clearly, just trying to keep this tired effort in the news for as long as possible. As to why, I think most of us know that answer. It’s that new search engine in town getting all the press. Clearly someone does not like sharing.

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Let’s Hear It For The Linux Driver Project!

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 12:55am EDT by Matt Hartley

Most new users to the Linux platform have no idea just how much work is put into making sure Linux has the best hardware support possible. Not only is most of this support provided in the kernel with zero driver install efforts in addition to not streamlining the process for end users installing their own drivers, should the kernel not include them.

In addition to all of that, the Linux Driver Project team will also extend their services in writing a driver for any hardware manufacturer that requests help with such. Let me tell you, I have yet to see this kind of help for free on other platforms. Generally speaking in that sense, the hardware vendor would need to develop their own.

And finally, despite the ongoing criticism Novell receives, it is once again their dollars that allow at least one full time developer to work on the project, in conjunction with a few hundred volunteers.

Forty Years Of Unix

Posted: June 5th, 2009, 12:11am EDT by Matt Hartley

It’s difficult to believe that Unix is already hitting age forty! Has it really been that long already? Despite a rocky start in the early years, being able to run this OS on something not even close to a mainframe meant that Unix suddenly becomes a serious player in the budding young IT industry.

Even more interesting, is the fact that the Unix pipelining concept, was the same kind of software usage idea that would later be copied by Windows and DOS years ahead.

Despite it being forty years old, Unix is not likely to disappear anytime really soon. Many businesses are still heavily reliant on Unix. The only thing that might begin driving companies away from it would be server consolidation. And even with this, we are talking a few years anyway.

In Favor Of Linux

Posted: June 4th, 2009, 11:54pm EDT by Matt Hartley

While XP has been winning on netbooks as of late, something tells me that these numbers could begin to slowly even out a bit more in favor of Moblin, Android and other Linux distros over time.

As finding that perfect mix of usibility and function become something that the netbook market stills feels its way around, something tells me that we will begin seeing people using Linux powered netbooks more now that some of the rougher edges have been ironed out pretty early.

With Acer jumping onto the bandwagon along with Dell and other smaller OEMs, one can only wonder how long it will be until we starting seeing Linux commercials for Moblin and Ubuntu. It may sound unlikely, but with what has been invested thus far, it needs to happen.

Google I/O And WeatherBug

Posted: June 4th, 2009, 10:05pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Two of WeatherBug’s own participated at the May I/O Developer conference sponsored by Google. While at the event, conference attendees were given an opportunity to see WeatherBug Elite for Google Android. Considering the success of the previous WeatherBug app for the Android platform, it is expected that WeatherBug Elite will do well here too. What is [...]

Making History With Open Video

Posted: June 3rd, 2009, 9:56pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Is Dailymotion making history with their use of the latest Firefox Beta browser? If what I am reading is accurate, then I would suggest that Dailymotion is way ahead of the curve. And this includes Netflix, YouTube and Hulu.

The real key however, is whether or not others will be following along with what Dailymotion is trying to do. If other big name sites also tag along here, then this event suddenly becomes a whole heck of a lot more significant.

Open video standards are badly needed in a world filled with Flash and other proprietary formats. Hopefully what Dailymotion is trying to do turns into something viral.

So Long Openmoko

Posted: June 3rd, 2009, 9:00pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Okay, perhaps so long is a bit harsh. I mean, lots of companies have done layoffs recently, so it would make sense that Openmoko is among them. So what is happening to the Freerunner then? Well, that is up to, er, US! Yup, the phone is essentially being turned over to the community.

Realizing that the Freerunner is Android compatible, I can see hobbyists getting pretty excited about the prospect of having more power with themselves behind the product.

Yet with all of this said, 99.9 of the world still has zero idea of what Freerunner is or why Openmoko is selling it to consumers as none of the major carriers here in the States are offering it? Besides, at $400, I am failing to see the advantage outside of it benefiting the FoSS crowd.

SheevaPlug Takes Network Computing To A New Level

Posted: May 23rd, 2009, 2:44am EDT by Matt Hartley

It’s not likely going to replace your actual desktop anytime soon, but it might enhance it. The SheevaPlug is a tiny computer that allows its users to setup file servers, provide VPN access or even run a security camera with the right software in play.

Clearly the three most useful things that can be done with this device include being able to connect to a NAS, an external USB hard drive or the previously mentioned security camera.

This is great, but can one run Ubuntu on this? As a server, you bet! Although I would be quick to point out that on the server front, there are many options available from the Linux/BSD universe. One is hardly limited to Ubuntu alone here.

Too Much FAT - Time For A Diet

Posted: May 23rd, 2009, 2:00am EDT by Matt Hartley

As we all remember from the FAT vs TomTom debate, Microsoft’s strangle hold on FAT file systems has created some headaches for companies like TomTom, who have used it for their own embedded devices.

But the Linux Foundation is working to provide companies affected by Microsoft’s FAT patents with alternatives. Hopefully, this will be enough. Guess we’ll have to wait and see how it works out.

Hopefully at the end of the day, embedded devices still using FAT for their file system will be able to embrace a workable alternative before the next lawsuit comes about. If this does not happen, I can only see this issue becoming worse.

OpenSSH Encryption Flawed?

Posted: May 23rd, 2009, 1:48am EDT by Matt Hartley

Great, it looks like I am not able to have the same confidence in OpenSSH that I once had. Or perhaps, this is not that big of a deal after all? To be fair though, the odds are pretty low that I have anything to worry about so long as I take the usual precautions. Well that and the fact that even https access on websites, can be exploited to a degree with the right know-how.

But this kind of alert does pose the question: just how much concern should we have over these types of situations? Is SSH still safe for daily use? My thinking is a qualified yes, with the understanding that their are always exploits out there, in the wild or not, that can be used against us.

Yes, I still feel that OpenSSH is a worthwhile tool. Especially when accessing one’s desktop files via SFTP, for maximum ease. I am also a big fan of using remote desktop via ssh -x as it allows me that PCAnywhere type experience.

KDE Vs GNOME - Just Use What Works For You!

Posted: May 15th, 2009, 2:07am EDT by Matt Hartley

Bruce Byfield does a fine job at explaining his position regarding a recent switch from GNOME to KDE. Unfortunately I feel that his case for using KDE over GNOME is generally going to hit home mostly with advanced users. I myself, despite being an ex-KDE user, find that GNOME is simply less crap to deal with.

Bruce made it clear in his piece that we wanted to explore what KDE had to offer. Yet for most users, I cannot help but feel that KDE offers more ways to screw things up than the average user really wants. KDE, while powerful and “pretty”, is basically just another desktop alternative.

For myself personally, I am just more comfortable using GMOME as I know the application shortcuts without having to really think about it. Gedit vs Kate, Evolution vs Kontact, you get the general idea. At the end of the day though, it does seem like most ex-Windows users flock to KDE as it has a more polished feel to them despite also being a contributor to being overwhelmed with more options than they might really be ready for. But that is just my take on the two desktops, to each their own.

Is Alfresco A Usable Alternative To Sharepoint?

Posted: May 15th, 2009, 1:52am EDT by Matt Hartley

Microsoft Sharepoint is one of those proprietary products that you either love or hate. There just is not a lot of in between. Thankfully, I have been free of it for my time in the world and if all goes well, I will be continuing this trend.

But since this is the Linux section of Lockergnome, I must ask the question - what is the open source alternative? Well, that product is known simply as Alfresco. And based on what I have seen, it can do anything you would expect from proprietary alternatives and more.

What makes Alfresco different, is the fact that as we have seen with propriatary formats in the past, there is no vendor lock-in here. No metal box that prevents you from taking your data to another application or service. Alfresco allows you to stay in the driver seat.

Will it work for those already using Sharepoint? Maybe, assuming there is a way to export the data. Seriously, I have no idea. So I imagine if Microsoft allows for a full export or EVERYTHING, then maybe making such a switch is possible.

Must Have PS3 Apps With Ubuntu

Posted: May 15th, 2009, 1:34am EDT by Matt Hartley

So you have just installed Ubuntu onto your PS3, only now you are not sure which apps make the most sense to be used from such a big screen from across the living room? This Ten Awsome Apps article might be a good place to start off with.

Speaking for myself personally, I think of the following apps when computing from a console. Firefox, naturally as it allows me to browse the web. Thunderbird or Evolution for email checking. Adobe Air, for the various apps I can install for daily use.

I would also give serious consideration to adding ekiga to the mix, as it would provide me with a good SIP client as well as a way to make/receive phone calls. Thanks to services like Diamondcard, it is actually quite competitive with Skpye, to be honest.

Canonical Launching Ubuntu One Without A Spacesuit

Posted: May 14th, 2009, 3:09am EDT by Matt Hartley

Canonical pushing this new Ubuntu One service has me thinking - haven’t I seen this someplace already? As it turns out, mintUpload is more less FTP made easy where Ubuntu One is more like a GDrive using Amazon’s S3.

In the end, I see things going badly for Canonical with this project as it stands described today. First of all, the upload software will be closed source. And we all know know how well that is going to go over with the purists or those who simply are not down with Canonical choosing this kind of license.

Lastly, I have not been able to find out much in the way of details with regard to security? Are data transfers encrypted? What about the file storage, what kind of security can we expect there? Frankly, I am fine with using S3 via JungleDisk for data backups as it is cheap as can be. But for file storage over the Internet, give me something a bit more compelling than mere upload abilities. How about versioning?

Broadcast Advertising Over Wifi

Posted: May 14th, 2009, 2:53am EDT by Matt Hartley

Imagine a Linux powered device, using wifi and bluetooth, to deliver your marketing message to passersby? Sound a bit out there, well it’s not. One company called Libelium is now shipping special routers to businesses looking to broadcast their products or services to those who wish to receive them.

Now I am not sure I totally get the motivation to the end user to care per se. However the idea from the retailer perspective does have a certain logic to it. The router’s software, is used on an opt-in basis only as to not spam anyone. Yet there is still the ability to setup the frequency of campaign depending on what the business is looking for.

Will it see any success? I am a bit skeptical, however I guess it matters how it is being used and who is being targeted. Will we see any of these here in the states? Perhaps, although I doubt that I will be seeing any of these routers in use on a local level in my neck of the woods.

New Ways To Ubuntu

Posted: May 14th, 2009, 2:42am EDT by Matt Hartley

This is definitely one of the most interesting perspectives on gaining a larger market share that I have read recently. And for the most part, I think some great points were brought forth. Especially with regard to spending so much time quibbling over how big of a market share Linux actually has on the desktop.

To be honest, it should not make any difference. Using a computer is generally about accomplishing specific tasks. Sometimes this means using Windows, other times it can mean that Linux or OS X is a perfect fit. I believe that installed and supported, any OS can shine quite well. And I also happen to believe that Ubuntu has proven that despite a lot of issues in recent years with its own growing pains, desktop Linux is finally ready for those who choose to step up to the plate.

To get to the next level, we need to look at micro-niches of people rather than treating everyone like some blind statistic. Ubuntu users are unique in that they are seeing tremendous success with their localized efforts to get people to take a look at what this specific distro has to offer. The same can be said of any newbie friendly distro, but Ubuntu remains the leader in ease of “perceived” familiarity for the most part.

Twazzup In Twitter Land?

Posted: May 14th, 2009, 2:29am EDT by Matt Hartley

Is there really a workable means of making sense of the Twitter world? How about the content that comes from within it? Apparently, Twazzup is about the closest thing to usable Twitter search for the masses.

There is really no question that when it comes to keeping with the latest breaking news, developing trends and other related events, Twitter does yield the best information. But for really diving into specific research, Twitter’s basic search pretty much sucks.

I am hopeful that we will see further development of the relevant links section for Twazzup. Because it is here that we see the cleanest blending of search engine like function with Digg like popularity driven content. Perfect, it is not. But given enough time, it might become pretty close.

Spammers Harvesting Sorrow From Twitter

Posted: May 14th, 2009, 1:43am EDT by Matt Hartley

Clearly Twitter is the new in-spot for harvesting a fresh crop of email addresses. And based on some of my own testing, using Twitter to locate a fresh crop of addresses is but a query away.

ZDNet has a great article outlining just how big of a problem this is becoming. The proof of concept script shown in that article should really prove to be an eye opener if nothing else. But what can Twitter users expect from the social media service? Are they protected?

As it turns out, users are on their own as their TOS clearly indicates to all who bothered to read it before broadcasting their email addy. The way to avoid this problem is an easy one. you (at) host (dot) com. That is all you have to do to better protect your email when sharing it over twitter. It’s as simple as that.

Let Google Help Diagnose You

Posted: May 14th, 2009, 1:21am EDT by Matt Hartley

Google is more than welcome to help me locate stuff according to a given query. But this latest trend of Google seeming to want information regarding my health is giving me the creeps. Frankly, I have no interest in Google learning based on my searches as to what type of self-diagnosing I happen to do.

More than anything, I fear people putting too much trust into the almighty search query while not visiting a doctor when they need to instead. It’s simply not a good idea to make self-diagnosis even easier. Available, okay, but Google better start up with a bundled of fine print before getting too deep into this.

As the article linked above claims, Google is still not sure what it wants to do with this data. And as anyone who has ever reviewed one of those fancy free TOS docs knows, Google is likely to do anything they please with it. Clearly, convenience before privacy rules the day.

DoThisNow Version 1.1

Posted: May 2nd, 2009, 3:41am EDT by Matt Hartley

Dothisnow I have been using different methods of tackling schedule events in Linux for sometimes now. Most common among them, is using Cron. But “At” works well, too. Despite the power behind each method from the CLI, newbies are hopeful that there is an easier way, perhaps like what they used to use in the Windows world.

As it turns out, Bryan Lunduke has a solution this not only easy, but cheap as well. And if you are needing to have specific actions happen at set times of the day, then DoThisNow is one really great way to do with without a lot of extra configuration.

Is this going to be a replacement for the free methods previously mentioned? No, it is not ment to be. And yes, the work behind this software has a price tag. If it is something you need from it, I consider it to be quite reasonable.

Presto - There Is Your Linux

Posted: May 2nd, 2009, 2:47am EDT by Matt Hartley

Honestly, speaking as someone who uses Linux every day like many of you, why in the heck do I need to care about this Instant Internet stuff? Yes, if you are stuck with older releases of Windows, boot times will make you cry. But for those using Ubuntu, the boot times are speedy enough to translate into fast desktop experience. I mean, who really is unable to wait a few seconds?

Tie this in with the SSD drives, boot times become even faster! Back on the instant desktop front, I find myself feeling like we are looking at more of a novelty than something that is going to present any long term value.

Am I missing a bigger point in the value? Hey, if I am, feel free to hit the comments and set me straight on the matter. I mean who knows, perhaps this Presto desktop is something you use everyday and rely heavily on it?

Wireless Stupidity Rules The Day

Posted: May 2nd, 2009, 1:44am EDT by Matt Hartley

Sometimes I am amaze myself with blind trust. Stupidity, I opted to rely on the restricted drivers for one of those piece of crap Broadcom chipsets on an older notebook. In the past, these drivers have been known to really screw things up.

As if on queue, I rebooted only to find that the driver has apparently done something creative in which I have lost X completely. Repair, reconfigure, nadda. It’s hosed, trust me, I know all of the CLI tricks - VIA (OpenChrome) and Broadcom are like gasoline and matches with desktop Linux.

The lesson to learn here? Intel is your friend and for those who need USB wifi options, consider one of the following a gift in native/out of the box support.

ZyXEL G-220 (This is the best USB dongle I have ever used for wifi - ever)
Edimax 7318USG

Now there are others I have tested on no less than 8 distros, with releases dating back years…but needless to say that the two above will work on Ubuntu 7.10 to 9.04 - zero work - zero headache, WPA2/Personal friendly. Don’t by into the bull in the news, stick with natively supported chipsets.

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AP’s Chief Executive Is About To Be Taken To School

Posted: May 2nd, 2009, 1:32am EDT by Matt Hartley

Clearly, the folks over at AP have never seen this video called Epic. The premise is simple - Google owns you, period. And this is especially true of how we retrieve our news. Flash forward to now, Google has survived as newspapers all over the nation are being handed their walking papers. And despite this rather stark taste of reality, part of the old media STILL does not get it.

AP and others, still are unclear that just because a search engine uses your content to highlight the news of the day, does not mean your content is now suddenly worth less. Rather, it means you need to rethink your business model in order to keep up. Apparently this has been lost in the AP’s 163 year lifespan?

If the AP follows through on its threats to black out the news from Google, they will open a black hole of problems so vast, that it will bite them in places they have yet to even discover on themselves. In short, the AP would take a HUGE hit online overnight. They are already becoming irrelevant, yet they still puff up like anyone really cares what they think. It’s cute, really.

Faced Off By Facebook API Insanity

Posted: May 2nd, 2009, 1:20am EDT by Matt Hartley

As I have stated before, I think Facebook is on the wrong track with the right idea. Extending their functionality through new APIs is always cool, but I am definitely concerned about potential security problems down the line. Yes, I am being paranoid, etc, etc. We’ve already been down this road before. I mean, it’s not like Facebook has issues with phishing schemes or malware, right? Oh wait…

Frankly, I think Facebook, Twitter and the rest have a long way to go before they should be adding in extra application functionality. I mean, the problem of most users being too stupid not to post their life story for all to see is clearly not addressed. So now we are going to open up things even further? I don’t know about this.

I guess this just makes me old fashioned or boring. Despite using Twitter myself, I hardly touch my Facebook account. Once burned, twice shy? Call it what you like, but I just have no use for Facebook and their new APIs at this point. And even on the Twitter front, I am pretty careful about the applications I give my credentials to.

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Stumble Around StumbleUpon’s Value

Posted: May 2nd, 2009, 1:02am EDT by Matt Hartley

Valued at $29 Million, it is sort of sad to think that StumbleUpon had been purchased by the ever-foolish, eBay for something like $75 Million. StumbleUpon, while cool, could not have less to do with anything eBay does. I mean, it is more useless to them than Skype, which was also another idiotic purchase.

Clearly, if there is a company that needs to really re-think what it buys and how it is doing business, it would need to be eBay. As an auction site, they are the best. Bundle this up with the wise purchase of Paypal, which did make sense and eBay went from making wise decisions to becoming a very confusing destination.

For my own line of thinking, I believe that StumbleUpon would have done so much better as a Google purchase as at least they might have a clue as to what to have done with it. Even Yahoo, if it was in better shape, might have also made a better alternative.

Netbooks With Linux Could Learn From Apple

Posted: May 1st, 2009, 2:53am EDT by Matt Hartley

I am going to be flamed for this without a doubt, but for the life of me I am finding the idea of a Netbook remix edition to just be more fuel for the anti-Linux fires. Because keeping Ubuntu consistent from desktop to desktop might very well make sense, I am finding myself rolling my eyes at the idea of Ubuntu among other distros putting any value in these made for netbook releases.

It is no wonder that so many people are finding the netbook to be a confusing hassle, what with this need for a remixed release just to operate the darned thing. Not to be confused as a poke at Ubuntu or Linux really, rather the belief that we need a special, dumbed down version Ubuntu at all? The very idea is actually creating bad experiences as far as I am concerned.

In my mind, there is simply no value in offering up another version of the same distro to further confuse and complicate. Makes no sense, really. I mean, we as Linux users argue that providing 3-5 different versions of Windows is confusing, but are we not doing the same thing by providing a netbook installation that looks like what we might expect on any other desktop? Just saying…

Datamining With The Wolfram Alpha Search

Posted: May 1st, 2009, 2:51am EDT by Matt Hartley

Normally the idea of yet another search engine is something most people might find exciting at first, only to be let down later once they realize that it is not going to be the next Google. This said, the demo of the Wolfram Alpha is a completely different animal indeed.

Despite a fairly significant snafu with the video during the presentation itself, the benevolent media overlords managed to put together enough video footage whereas the masses were able to get an idea of what this search demo is all about.

Designed to provide the ultimate research tool for scientists and researchers, the Wolfram Alpha search engine proved to be very useful for things like searching for LDL 180 down to then displaying a graph to show how this affects the general population. Again, as a research tool, Wolfram’s search engine is amazing.

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Don’t Want Windows - Stop Buying It Then

Posted: May 1st, 2009, 2:50am EDT by Matt Hartley

Stories like this never cease to amaze me. In the effort that was spent in getting a refund for an OS that will not be used on the hardware purchased, a person could simply opt to spend a little more and support one of the vendors out there who selling Linux products only.

Yes, I realize this basically cuts out of the big box stores. However what you will get in return is first class service, knowledge that you are supporting efforts that reflect the same vision in software as you and best of all, no Windows tax. Now I realize that some of you will go back to where I stated that it might cost a little more. And that is fair to point to this.

Yet at the end of the day, using Linux is about more than getting the cheapest deal possible. It’s about not having to wonder what your software is actually doing behind the scenes and knowing that your chosen OS, is available to everyone regardless of income level.

Quick And Dirty Linux Facts

Posted: May 1st, 2009, 2:46am EDT by Matt Hartley

My wife is a hardcore Mac user. When I say hardcore, I mean that she does not participate in other operating systems as they do nothing short of irritate her. Despite her feelings however, I have found that is willing to use Linux over Windows only because of the fact that she has never had any negative experiences with it. Chalk one up for me, as I maintain the machines myself.

But what about all of those people who have tried Linux, really found that it was not meeting with their needs and now feels strongly that it is just a complete waste of time. Even worse, some of these folks take their 15 minutes of experience and attempt to paint a picture that desktop Linux is something that it is not? Answer, a lot.

Sadly, I have found that we still live in a world where the following beliefs remain common.

Software compiled - Complete and utter nonsense. Any distro worth using, has its own software package system. Debian based distros such as Ubuntu, allows their users to EASY install software simply by clicking it from sources like GetDeb.net or add/remove in the distro itself.
Lack of drivers for hardware - Again, not true. Actually, despite many people refusing to realize this, today’s desktop Linux distros using modern kernels have better hardware support than the “other guys” out of the box. This is not saying that it is going to run the latest gaming pad designed for Windows, rather that most peripherals will indeed, work just fine in Linux these days. I say this as I use a LOT of peripherals myself.
Linux is too hard for most people - I would counter that in saying without Windows IT help or Mac Geniuses, setting up any computer is too hard for most people. Managed right, Linux is actually painfully simple to use. The key, is the guy maintaining the distro for the end user….sort of like the PC repair guy.

Users are welcome to hate the themes, desktop environments and even the software. All of that is a legitimate complaint based on astectics or legacy needs. But the above is a fact. I live with all three items each and everyday. I see the proof of them all of the time.

Just Google Lobbying For Impact Results

Posted: May 1st, 2009, 2:40am EDT by Matt Hartley

Recession or not, clearly Google is interested in doing everything they can to remain top dog in Washington D.C. So with all of the cutbacks elsewhere, the search engine giant has still managed to spend $880,000 on lobbying within the first quarter alone. That is a lot of lobbying money, considering that this is merely a search engine company.

What is interesting is that no one seems to be all that up in arms over Google’s wish to have access to your medical records, behavioral advertising or other controversial issues that the search engine giant has its fingers in these days.

Not their lobbying is certainly not all doom and gloom by any means. Some positives include their lobbying on behalf of expanding access to high speed Internet and developing cleaner energies, in addition to Internet security.

Baidu VS Google - Final Smackdown

Posted: May 1st, 2009, 2:35am EDT by Matt Hartley

Can Google really, honestly see gains on the Baidu front? Apparently, Google seems to think so. A big part of the reason for this new found confidence centers around the fact that Google is going to be launching search products for music, mobile and maps this year alone.

So despite Baidu seeing strong first quarter earnings, the idea that they will be able to beat out Google in the end is seeming more unlikely by the day. The sad fact of the matter is Google rules the world of search. Not just here in the US, either, but all over the world. While Baidu has a firm grasp on its Chinese market, the fact of the matter is that Google is among the best at expanding into other technolgies.

Will Baidu be able to make it through Google’s advances? Yes, but I am doubtful they will have the same impact on the mobile and music front as Google. After all, one only need remember that Google has been at the search game with the cards stacked against them from day one. Yet they still manage to win regardless.

Matt Cutts Talks About Ubuntu 9.04 Speed And Bugs

Posted: April 23rd, 2009, 1:22am EDT by Matt Hartley

A faster Ubuntu is fine, but as I have highlighted in the past, I will be waiting a bit before upgrading myself. As Matt Cutts highlights here, the latest release is a-bug-a-plenty…especially being the release candidate and all. True, many people will have no problem at all. However if you install this on a production box over a working release, you are playing with fire.

Speaking as a guy who lives, works and uses Ubuntu 100% of the time for a LIVING, telling people to install 9.04 on release day for daily use is absolutely irresponsible. For playing around, a Day-One release is fine, I would then say go for it. But be warned, like any new release of Ubuntu, there are bugs out there that will be show-stoppers for some. Not FUD folks, FACT based on a lot of experience with Ubuntu releases.

Ubuntu is definitely ready for anyone who wants to learn to use it. Just understand that like any new OS release, it will have plenty of bugs that are not listed as they are yet to be uncovered. However upgrading just for the sake of being cutting edge, is not always the brightest move.

Slow down, test it out as a LiveCD, VM or on a test box…but for the love of Pete, do not be an idiot and go installing 9.04 on a production box without backing up first. If you do, then don’t bother asking me for help as I warned you to wait for a couple of months until AFTER its release. It’s what I do myself and I have never had the kinds of upgrade problems that fill up the Ubuntu forums.

Exactly WattOS Are You Speaking Of?

Posted: April 23rd, 2009, 1:01am EDT by Matt Hartley

As I may have mentioned previously, I happen to own a computer based on the same form factor used by Zonbu. Currently running Ubuntu on it, streaming live for the heck of it along with using it for a few other things as well, I am finding myself wondering if this Ubuntu derivative known as wattOS might be a better match for me?

Considering the SD memory used instead of a hard drive, lack of internal CD-ROM access, I would hope that wattOS has the same sort of hardware/peripheral detection as Ubuntu proper? Assuming it does, having a smaller desktop manager footprint would be something I would be greatly interested in for that little machine. It serves me well, but honestly it is not powerful enough to use GNOME or KDE along with any serious application. As a server on the other hand, it does a fair job. But adding something lightweight like wattOS might be just the ticket.

The goals of the project seem pretty cool. Keep it fast, clean and functional. But also making sure users are clear that there are other lighter distros out there should they find that wattOS is just not what they are looking for. If you enjoy Ubuntu, but want to try something a bit lighter, take a gander at what wattOS has to offer. Despite being in beta, it is coming along nicely.

Tomboy Vs Gnote Get Into A Fight

Posted: April 23rd, 2009, 12:27am EDT by Matt Hartley

For those of you who follow Linux news at all, you have have heard about the rivalry between GNote and Tomboy. At the core, the entire thing comes down to a migration of code from one source to another. GNote’s perspective is that not everyone wants to run Mono used for Tomboy apparently. Tomboy’s perspective, the code is not even new, it is copied line by line and gives zero value to the community.

What both parties are totally ignoring is how little most people honestly care. Seriously, it would be like like Novell going batcrap over me taking Evolution, stripping it down and redoing exactly the same with another name…but not using one core part of the part of it. Who cares - seriously, if the source code is available and the license is adhered to…get over it.

Am I taking sides? Nope, both apps do nothing for me and could vanish tomorrow without me batting an eye. But what I see happening is stupid bickering taking place that further perpetuates FUD that when you release source code, you create competition when in truth, when done right, nothing could be further from the truth. Personally, I would like to see both parties calm down and move on.

WeatherBug For The Nokia 5800 Is Out!

Posted: March 27th, 2009, 9:00pm EDT by Matt Hartley

As many folks may have heard recently, the Nokia 5800 now has WeatherBug showing up as an option fro installation from the 5800’s download folder. That’s right, now you can now have a WeatherBug application of your very own on the Nokia 5800 that rivals WeatherBug apps seen on the G1 and the iPhone. Like the [...]

New Features In Weatherbug Mobile

Posted: March 8th, 2009, 3:11am EDT by Matt Hartley

Over the past few years, WeatherBug has made considerable effort in making sure that their weather alerting technology is available to those who need it. Years ago, simply providing these features on a person’s PC was enough . Today, WeatherBug has sought to provide their proprietary weather data on as many devices as possible. This [...]

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Plasma Is Dead?"Lockergnome" via lockergnome in Google Reader

Fetched: February 18th, 2009, 12:31pm EST by Matt Hartley

Say what you will about it, for my money, Plasma was the way to go for my TV. Yes, there is no question that it uses a little more power than an LCD television. But the fact that I am finding it just “looks better” with the programming I enjoy, translates into real sadness when I heard that LCD has finally trumped Plasma in the marketplace.

Yup, LCD has gone out and pulled a “Blue-ray” format win on Plasma it seems. And as this article points out accurately from my own experience, those crappy cheaper LCD TVs everyone is spending money on do not even come close to providing the same kind of quality picture seen on a comparatively priced Plasma TV. Well that and Plasma was just cheaper, too. I own a Samsung 42″ that I purchased CHEAP and it has thus far, blown the doors off anything I have seen in the LCD fleet in the $1000-2000 range. My TV cost me less than $600, too. And before anyone even tries to mention burn-in with a straight face, consider than today’s Plasmas have a myriad of anti-burn-in options to choose from. I find that the provide screensaver has worked wonders for me. I have paused video content for hours, NEVER had one problem.

So again, we see yet another great technology being trumped over for a more expensive, to outrageously expensive alternative if you are hoping to gain comparable quality. It’s Blue-ray/HD-DVD all over again. Sure, if you want to spent $1800+, you can buy a LCD TV that does not present a picture that looks like crap in a TV size that does not defeat the purpose of upgrading in the first place. But for half that, you can buy the same size/brand TV and end up with a picture that is at least as good if not better in some cases.

The only thing I would even touch in the future myself, would likely be something DLP based. At least that can actually walk the walk with quality behind the cost involve. LCD TVs are highway robbery in my honest opinion. The picture-to-cost value is simply not there and no one has been able to show me otherwise thus far.

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Fresh Bias Against Microsoft Already?"Lockergnome" via lockergnome in Google Reader

Fetched: February 18th, 2009, 12:31pm EST by Matt Hartley

First off, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I am a DIE-HARD Linux user. It’s what I use exclusively except when I need to run a Windows program, which is done on my Ubuntu box with VirtualBox running XP in seamless mode. Needless to say, I am not a Microsoft fan per se.

With the above statement out of the way, what the heck is with the ongoing bias against Microsoft trying something new? Have we as geeks, become so disenfranchised with the Redmond software company that we believe anything they produce is something to be mocked regardless of any potential merit?

Look, as we have seen from the Windows 7 Beta, Microsoft is getting a clue. And I think this is awesome! Why? OS competition means we each end up with better products regardless of the OS we use. This goes for Windows, OS X and yes, to a slightly different degree, Linux users as well.

No, I do not see this as copying Apple as up until recently, Microsoft’s OEM deals were more than enough to eliminate any need for a brick and mortar store. This is a battle for mindshare, not sales.
Microsoft is clearly, trying to make sure that down the road, they can regain what have lost recently to Apple due to the fact that they have really not been able to provide a good software experience since XP. Hopefully, they will learn that their biggest enemy to date is not Apple, rather their profit base built on control of how people use their products.

While I do not pretend to have a silver bullet for them, one thing is for sure. DRM-slated mentality is dated and needs to be put out with the trash. If they can wrap their minds around this, Microsoft will do well with their consumer mindshare in the years to come.

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Tis The Season For Malware Attacks"Lockergnome" via lockergnome in Google Reader

Fetched: February 14th, 2009, 10:09am EST by Matt Hartley

As Valentine’s Day grows near, so do the ongoing email attacks that are coming into the inboxes of unexpected PC users everywhere. At my house however, this has not really been a problem. All of the POP mail here in my hole is combed heavily with the Bayesian filter known as POPFile, which runs on an old Zonbu Mini now powered by Ubuntu. My wife’s Mac however, relies on Gmail to do the work and overall has performed well to prevent this sort of stuff from getting through.

But what about all of those people out there still rocking along with their XP or older Windows installations, likely running something “super secure” like Outlook Express with all of the HTML readability enabled to ensure maximum damage can be done with ease. Who speaks for them? In truth, the end user is generally on their own and the sad fact of the matter is that with each holiday, we see people running into the same problems with malware year after year.

Years ago when I was getting ready to retire my own PC repair business, I made it a point to switch people over to OS X if at all possible, or at least lock down their existing XP systems as much as possible. I often found that simply creating a Limited User and designating them as the “Internet” user worked wonders for avoiding malware surprises.

Then again, I guess there is no perfect solution for all circumstances. With that said, what do you use to protect friends/family/clients from their own bad PC usage habits? Are you simply playing damage control as it happens? Or instead, perhaps you have a tidbit of wisdom to share with the community? Whatever it may be, hit the comments and tell us about how you keep those around you safe as malware comes “a knocking”.

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Skype Growth Continues To Surprise"Lockergnome" via lockergnome in Google Reader

Fetched: February 14th, 2009, 10:09am EST by Matt Hartley

Always had a difficult time with Skype. Sure, it is a fine service if you use it frequently. However I began losing interest as I kept forgetting my needed login information. See, if you purchase Skype-In minutes but then forget your Skype login info, you are out of luck. If you do not remember what you used for the username, there is no recovering your lost info. Very convenient - NOT.

Then there is the ease-dropping routine that took place with a company eBay (Skype’s parent company) has opted to do business with in China. The joint venture known as Tom-Skype, has a history of logging what the Chinese government might deem as “politically sensitive” natured communications. Speaking for myself, that alone, made me rethink my use of anything relating to Skype. It may not effect me here in the states, but to be totally honest, if eBay is feeling this fancy free with the privacy of their users, I will spend my time and money elsewhere.

So discovering today that Skype is seeing an increased usership did nothing to excite me personally. As a user of the open source program known as Ekiga, I have begun the switch to VoIP in a much safer way than trusting Skype is not going to bundle their services with something like they did in China. Considering I am not using the app to call other Ekiga users, it has been a good fit for me. As household that has not bothered with a landline in a very longtime, Ekiga is looking to be a great supplement to my ever-growing mobile phone plan. Not a replacement mind you, but a nice backup to be sure.

Truth be told, I do not think I could go back to a landline anytime soon. You simply because used to being tethered to your mobile to the point where trying to juggle yet another phone does not seem all that practical.

What say you? Are you a Skype user? if you are and have some thoughts on where you see Skype among other VoIP services as people continue to cut back, hit the comments and share your thoughts. Perhaps you believe they can even replace that trusty old landline?

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Thinkfree Needs To Pay Attention"Lockergnome" via lockergnome in Google Reader

Fetched: February 14th, 2009, 10:09am EST by Matt Hartley

I have been dumbfounded by this issue for a few weeks now. Roughly a month ago, I emailed ThinkFree to inquire why in the heck it would be foolish enough to ask people to purchase its office products on an UNSECURED page. That is right kids, the company has its customers entering in credit card information that is, from what I can tell, completely unsecured.

http://bill.thinkfree.com/tfusa/product_cardpay_pre.php

From what I can tell, there is no sign of SSL anywhere on this page above. Yes, you must enter in other data before being able to enter the page above, but if these folks are on crack enough to think that I am going to buy a product from a company that cannot even provide me with an SSL enabled checkout page, they must be living lush on the moon.

What pains me is that ThinkFree is, indeed, a better product than OpenOffice on a number of levels as it appears to provide better MS Office 2007 support in keeping formats true, editing documents made with MS Office 2007 and not hosing them, and so on. Yet at the same time, while I would sooner jump in front of a car than throw away money on Microsoft Office (lost keys, long story), I am really bothered by the fact that no one is calling this to the attention of the ThinkFree staff!

I will point out again, I did indeed try to contact them - they never responded.

ThinkFree, you need to respond to this. If the payment page is, indeed, magically secured without SSL, then you damned well better explain how because what you are doing is wrong. At first I thought this was a temporary oversight; now I realize you simply have chosen not to bother paying attention. Here’s to hoping it will change…

A Lesson In Common Sense

Posted: January 26th, 2009, 8:45pm EST by Matt Hartley

By now most of you have likely heard about a couple of nasty Trojans floating around that is targeting Mac users, at least from a headlines perspective anyway. And as Chris has pointed out, it would seem that those who have been hit with this are those who choose to pirate their software rather than paying for it or simply accept that it might be worth pursuing open source alternatives such as GIMPShop for OS X users. Clearly, this is a more logical means of avoiding being raped at the register for what I agree, is a steep cost for “meh” software.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the older stuff, but never found the latest versions of Photoshop to be worth the cost being required for purchase. While I realize that most people eat and breathe Photoshop these, I have made the switch to legally available free alternatives a few years ago. But what can I say, my own wife would slap me silly if I took away her copy of Photoshop, so I do understand the idea of being hooked on it.

So what do you think? Serves you users right getting infected with a Trojan? Or perhaps, you have a soft spot for these hapless individuals? Either way, I see it as a reminder that all operating systems at some level, can be exploited when piloted by careless users. That is just my take on it…

TechCrunch Tablet

Posted: January 21st, 2009, 2:22am EST by Matt Hartley

In a word, brilliant comes to mind. What TechCrunch has accomplished via crowdsourcing is nothing short of impressive. As Chris P. points out, not all crowdsourcing ideas do as well as the one seen with TechCrunch’s approach to an uber cheap touch screen web surfing device. But Chris also reminds us that battery life will be a factor in any future success with this low-cost mobile web surfing touch screen device.

In interest of helping TechCrunch branching out beyond the usual echo chamber, allow me to give them a fresh perspective. So long as the device is usable, can remain priced under $2oo USD and has at least two hours in it, there will be a demand for it. Period. The fact of the matter is NOT targeting the usual band of merry geeks will yield vastly more users should Tech Crunch opt to go forward. Keep the target market simple - a simple touch screen under $200 that can surf the web, check email, etc. Taking the “better specs” approach will make this device yet another geek toy, nothing more.

Think I am nuts? Believe there is no way in the world anyone outside of a few geeks might like such a device? You might be right, but I remember the same thing being said about the Kindle, the PDA and yes…even the notebook PC.

Belkin Has A PR Nightmare Happening

Posted: January 21st, 2009, 2:07am EST by Matt Hartley

True or not, the fact is this is not what any company wants to see. The accusation is that a Belkin rep allegedly solicited people to give good reviews for their products on a number of services ranging from Amazon to NewEgg that apparently received what are allegedly false positive reviews on select Belkin products.

Now, I do not need to point out just how bad this is both for the consumer and the company hosting alleged false positive reviews. In short, it totally kills any credibility for any future reviews on Belkin products…even if the accusations are false, the damage is already done.

So even though the Consumerist is confident that a statement will soon be released to “clear the air” on behalf of Belkin, the fact is this one individual who apparently does not understand just how dangerous it is to entice people to make misleading statements, may have very well cost Belkin its credibility with a number of potential customers.

Lesson to learn here - all companies need to consider a common sense approach to ethics training. Even just a contract outlining what is expected of its employees might have prevented this from happening. This is especially the case when sales are involved.

WeatherBug Total Lightning Network Is Live

Posted: January 17th, 2009, 12:45am EST by Matt Hartley

The idea of lightening detection has been tossed around for years. However now thanks to WeatherBug, IntraCloud and Cloud-to-Ground lightening detection provided in a real world network has become a reality.

Why lightening detection is important?

Outside of the obvious, why is there so much interest in being able to detect lightening as it is happening? One of the most critical reasons includes the ability to alert first responders. This is helpful as the lightening detection will also be instrumental in the following areas as well.

Advance forecasting of Tornadoes
Prediction of Cloud To Ground lightening which follows in-cloud lightening.
Enhancing other WeatherBug offerings to better protect WeatherBug users during lightening storms.

More on the technology behind the network.

The WeatherBug Total Lightning Network (WTLN) is effective and unique in itself as it provides the following levels functionality that set it apart from anything else out there.

• Adaptive digital filtering technology to reduce local noise.

• Unmatched network density and redundancy to provide higher
reliability and enhanced lightning detection efficiency and location
accuracy.

• Extensive data capture and delivery methods to provide an
unprecedented amount of data including waveforms for each flash.

• A state-of-the-art high performance network system to enable
scale and data flow efficiencies.

• Sophisticated sensor network administration tools, including
auto-upgradeable firmware, remote system and sensor diagnostics, and
automated monitoring, support and QC systems.

• Storage and access to complete data archives for historical
situational analysis.

• Multiple data delivery options to meet customer needs.

• 24×7x365 network monitoring and support.

What does this mean in layman’s terms?

This translates into a detection model that is using thousands of lightning sensors throughout the existing US nationwide WeatherBug network. And once you understand that no one can match this, the obvious value becomes readily apparent. In short, one might compare this to the adoption of a little something that I like to call radar. Yeah, it’s THAT big of a deal!

DVD Playback On Ubuntu

Posted: January 14th, 2009, 10:26pm EST by Matt Hartley

Click to view LinDVD on desktop

One thing that I think many users of Windows and OS X take for granted is how easy DVD playback is. I know that back when I was using Windows full time, DVD playback was as easy as installing WinDVD that came with my DVD burner and boom, I was good to go.

In the Linux world however, nothing is as easy as it could be when it comes to mixing the proprietary with the non-proprietary. While a user can indeed install a variety of things to get their default video player to play most encrypted DVDs with legal concerns not taken into consideration, the fact remains that it was never really that great. The deal breaker for me came when I went to watch what was apparently a fairly beefy DVD and it kept skipping and freezing. Had I paid for this, I would have been pretty frustrated. Then I realized that I needed to stop skipping out and just pay for LinDVD (WinDVD’s sister application).

It’s true, I was crazy enough to fork over $50 for something that is bundled with DVD-Roms for free. But I was willing to do it as I had a suspicion that it was going to provide a vastly better experience than anything Totem or Xine was giving me. Turns out I was right times 10 over - wow, massively improved!

Now it has been a long time since I have used WinDVD, but I suspect the starting UI is roughly the same and LinDVD did provide all of the functionality I wanted. I could close the program, then restart it to have the DVD start up where it left off. Skip, fast-forward, same in reverse, all of the basics are covered. Now my screen capture did not catch the DVD controls, but it does give you an idea of how it presents a DVD menu.

Hellboy II on LinDVD

And as anyone would expect from a good video application, you can full screen your movie easily. Looks a little weird on dual-monitors, but setting my PC to a single monitor fixes that easily enough. Another thing to note is that you will be prompted (Ubuntu 8.10) as to which application to use to run the DVD when it is first installed. Just use the pull down menu to select “PCM” and then set it to do this from now on. That is all there is to it.

Now it should be said that while I found this to be very stable to use after testing this with a number of DVDs, there are some issues to be aware of. One, outside of Mandriva and Ubuntu, good luck finding LinDVD elsewhere. Apparently you must maintain cult status to reap the benefits of this software as it is not available for other distros to the best of my knowledge. If I am wrong, please send some links our way in the comments.

In addition to limited availability, there is the issue of price. Seriously, $50 is too much. $20, okay. But asking for the current asking price is going to turn off newbies and experienced users will likely revert back to using the age old methods for DVD watching that range from using VLC to installing various decoders via apt-get.

The final issue was the fact that I had to wander into the Canonical store to discover that someone finally was making LinDVD available again! How about a heads up to this fact? I realize that Ubuntu needs SERIOUS help with their marketing efforts to those that are not frequenting Linux user groups, but at least mention this option in the product tour. As fascinating as it is to see screen caps of old black and white movies, seeing a screen capture of a simple means of viewing DVDs that are from this century is a bit more compelling I am afraid.

Is this for you? Depends. If you are happy with however you are currently viewing DVDs, then no. But if you happen to use Ubuntu 8.04-8.10 32 bit (only) and are really ready to move beyond what Totem and VLC have to offer for something with a bit more polish to it, then yes, I highly recommend it.

Going Beyond TV

Posted: January 9th, 2009, 8:15pm EST by Matt Hartley

For the better part of the last two years, I have been looking for a viable alternative to continuing to pay out tremendous rates in the interest of enjoy some of my favorite TV programming. After looking into about a half dozen possibilities, I have lately found myself opting to connect my existing Ubuntu notebook into my TV via a VGA cable. Being it is a HI-Def TV, setting up Hulu.com to run full screen in Hi-Def mode does not look bad at all. I would say about DVD/S-Cable quality.

This is what led me to giving serious consideration to a little box called Popcorn Hour. The device comes in a multitude of models, ranging in price. And even can be bundled with a wireless N adapter as to make networking easier. Here is where it gets interesting. It turns out that a user can install something called PlayOn which is compatible with the Popcorn Hour. This apparently brings the user Netflix and Hulu functionality to the Popcorn Hour device itself.

Is it worth it? I think so, while I still not get my wife to part with our existing Satellite setup unfortunately. I believe being able to pay once for TV shows I enjoy using Hulu, bundled with the ability to use Netflix as well translates into a pretty good value. HDMI, nice picture, decent audio - yeah, I would rather take the monthly fees I am dumping on monthly TV service and apply it elsewhere myself.

Should everyone be willing to take this route over standard TV? Might be worth considering. Hit the comments and share your experiences using this product or Hulu on your Tv set.

Netbooks As A Notebook Alternative

Posted: January 9th, 2009, 5:37pm EST by Matt Hartley

As we continue into 2009, I see netbooks using both Windows and Linux taking center stage in a very big way with the budget conscious. All models of netbook fit well into the needs of those looking to buy something small, relatively cheap and yes, usable. However the choice of operating system with most people will likely remain Windows while those who are not so into using a dated version of the OS from 2001 will choose to install Linux ourselves. To each their own.

It is difficult to say which models will be the top sellers, yet it does not take a genius to determine that it will be the model of netbooks themselves with a keyboard people can actually type on that will be key. Seriously, those Eee’s are just too small to be functional for most people in my opinion. This being said, there is something to be said about the raw portability provided by today’s netbooks. Still, I believe that it will be difficult for the sellers to reach beyond the geek market when most users are likely going to opt for the low-spec Dell on sale from a recent mailing. Still, it seems that there are enough people that feel that these smaller notebooks are worthwhile.

Netbooks - are they doing anything for you? Hit the comments, share your thoughts on using these smaller notebooks over the larger and in some cases, more expensive full sized models.

Startup Repair In Windows 7

Posted: January 8th, 2009, 11:00pm EST by Matt Hartley

As Windows 7 comes closer to its release, we see evidence of some of the things learned from Vista. The only feature that really struck me as a move in what will potentially be the right direction is known as the Startup Repair for Windows 7.

Not to be confused with System Restore, the idea behind Startup Repair is that you can utilize it to recover from startup problems that might be cause from a driver update gone wrong, broken MBR or other non-malware startup issues. Sounds like a fantastic idea, right? Perhaps not so much for geeks…

According to this take on the repair tool, one user is finding it to be more of a hindrance than a help. Apparently knowing how to get to last known good configuration is not an option any longer? According to this user’s account, this would translate into going into a redudent process that essentially does nothing to help using the repair tool described above. In this guy’s instance, using System Restore got him out of the issue, but speaking as someone who always turned that tool off as a waste of resources, this does not strike me as a real solution.

What say you? Any experience with the Startup Repair Tool? Hit the comments; share your experiences on it.

Tweeteorology - Weather Event Reports For Twitter Users By Twitter Users

Posted: January 8th, 2009, 3:19pm EST by Matt Hartley

There have been a number of attempts to bring needed weather data to users over the Twitter social network. Most attempts have either been weak or just lacking any personal traction to provide any relevant value to the average Twitter user.

Today, I am proud to present a project put together by Tweeteorology. Using the WeatherBug API, Tweeteorology allows you to see how the weather is being received by others in your immediate location.

Why this matters

Right now, areas like Washington State are bordering a state of emergency as we see our main freeway (I-5) is completely shut down in flooded areas. Using Tweeteorology, I was able to see the following Tweet that affects me directly:

“Burlington, WA
Terpening (Dustin Terpening): We’re posting pics of mudslides, avalanches, floods, washouts - anything storm related - on our Flickr site - http://is.gd/eSsQ. #waflood“

Through the pictures linked above, I was also learning that based on reports from CNN - the only way into Western Washington at this point is through the airport - no one is driving in, folks. Relevant enough yet?

Now take the idea of Tweeteorology and consider the use of SMS enabled mobile phones, iPhones, BlackBerry phones amongst other smart phones currently in use these days. When extreme weather takes place, more people than ever are turning to Twitter to figure out which areas are worst hit and whether or not immediate decisions need to be made.

At the same time, Twitter users need live, accurate local weather from the largest weather station network in the free world. Not weather from an hour ago, not regurgitated data streamed and re-branded as being exclusive. In extreme weather conditions, Twitter users need to have it live and timely. Tweeteorology along with WeatherBug’s API translates into real time local conditions streamed with real time Twitter reports as to what is happening.

What did Tweeteorology think of using WeatherBug’s API?

Quote from the Tweeteorology developer:

“Your API was the easiest to use. Google and Twitter could learn from your documentation.”

There you have it. The API is both flexible, available and waiting for you to come up with the next killer weather application using WeatherBug streaming data. So what are you waiting for, sign up today and get to work!

Presto Mail Service

Posted: January 6th, 2009, 3:14am EST by Matt Hartley

Allow me to introduce you to something called Presto Mail Service. At its heart, it is a printer. But unlike other printer type devices, this one has nothing to do with a computer and is a standalone means of loved ones keeping in touch with nothing more than someone to administer their Presto account and a connection to a phone line.

The target market is clearly those who are not comfortable with technology, but are also frustrated convincing others in their family to pick up a pen and write to them the old fashion way. Is anyone enjoying this? Yes, my 90+ year old grandmother LOVES this device. For a variety of reasons, getting online with a computer or MSNTV was not going to happen, so this turned out to be a huge hit as my relatives opted to give this device a shot to see how my grandmother would respond to it.

It’s comical as my mom and I were skeptical as to the value of something that really seemed to be little more than a money burning machine what with the cost of ink and paper these days. But we both stand corrected as clearly, there are those out there who are finding the Presto Mail Service to be a fantastic way to stay in touch with loved ones. It’s one way communication simplicity is what appears to make it such a great fit. Definitely worth checking out for anyone in your family that is wanting to hear from loved ones more.

Getting Up To Date Ski Reports From WeatherBug

Posted: January 5th, 2009, 4:33pm EST by Matt Hartley

For many people throughout the US, the holidays are a great time to head out to the ski slopes to get a few runs in before heading back to work. For others still, interested in getting the best deal on a spur of the moment ski trip possible, waiting until after the holidays has its merits as well. Realizing the importance of up to date snow conditions to skiers goes beyond just being alerted to a new snowfall, WeatherBug is now offering up their own ski reports for users to benefit from.

How does it work?

Getting the information you need to decide whether or not you are heading out to the slopes means being able to do it quickly and easily. In the past, one would likely need to call the resort itself to get an idea of exactly what the ski conditions are like, thus wasting your time and the time of the resort staff as well. But combining WeatherBug’s proprietary weather station network along with “OnTheSnow’s” ski condition reporting translates into rapid ski trip planning with critical accuracy as your co-pilot.

All a user needs to do is head over to WeatherBug’s snow and ski report page. Choose the state they are interested in, then learn the following information to help them decide if a ski trip is in their future.

New snow and surface snow - how much of each is currently available?
Runs and number of lifts available/open - helpful when trying to decide how many runs you will be able to get into your own trip!
Open/Closed and hours of operation - While you will do best to call for hours of operation, you will be able to use WeatherBug’s ski report to determine if the resort will be open or closed based on available data.
Forecast - Weather remains a key factor when planning that next big ski trip! And so a forecast link is provided in the ski report to help you to plan your trip should it be in the near future.

BlackBerry Blunders

Posted: January 1st, 2009, 2:53am EST by Matt Hartley

Really ticked off regarding my BlackBerry’s sudden desire to prevent any calendar alerts from visually appearing any longer. I can see how many appear to have been missed when I lock the phone, as I am not presented with the visual option to simply snooze or dismiss them.

I have to tell you, I am totally stumped on this one. I have tried everything from adding/removing past appointments to resetting the BlackBerry via a battery pull. Nothing is helping. And no, this happened over the course of the past week, so it has had nothing to do with the new year or anything like that. Do not own a Zune, so I am safe from any firmware weirdness there.

It would be helpful to point out that I do connect to a BES, but do not use Outlook or Windows to add or change any apointments. I do use the OWA browser option though. If any of you BlackBerry gurus know what might be causing this, I would sure appreciate some help to fix this. Oh, and Happy New Year!

All Of Your IT Data In One Place

Posted: January 1st, 2009, 2:41am EST by Matt Hartley

Once you get past the unusual name, Splunk actually has a lot to offer considering the fact that IT pros can utilize this tool to report and alert you to any security issues that might arise. But Splunk is able to do so without the usual headaches that come about when dealing with a tremendous amount of data.

Another thing I like about Splunk is that all of your IT data, from the common devices used to the data center happenings themselves, are all readily accessible from this tool. This alone, not even considering the advantage of not fighting with using other less effective tools, make Splunk something to look at very seriously. You might think of it as a search engine of sorts for your IT data. But its indexing is done with highend security in mind the entire way.

Is Splunk for you? I think it might be; consider taking them up on their challenge and putting them through their paces. Based on what I have seen thus far, I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised.

Chumby For The Holidays

Posted: December 29th, 2008, 7:27pm EST by Matt Hartley

Overall, the Christmas holiday went over in a low-key sort of way. The biggest challenge has been the weather here in my neck of the woods. Over the past week and a half, we have been pounded with snow. I gave up digging my car out from under it all, despite the HOA’s best efforts to lend a hand. Surrounding areas are being hit pretty hard as well. But because we live so close to the mountains, I think we are getting the worst of it even while other areas like Seattle must seem like they are being hit pretty hard as well.

On a positive front, my wife purchased a Chumby for me this holiday season. Right from the beginning, it has been a blast to explore. Diffcult to explain, I would refer to it as a widget engine in a hardware form. Still working with it, even looking to seeing how difficult it might be to develop something for it, time allowing.

Do you Chumby? Chris does – do you?

SCaLE 7x Coming This February

Posted: December 29th, 2008, 7:12pm EST by Matt Hartley

Not all Linux geeks shelter themselves in for the long winter. Some of us actually venture out to Expo events such as SCaLE 7x coming to LA, California. Some things of note should you opt to attend include:

SoCal Linux Expo Reprises SCALE University
Special Events
SCALE University
(Ignore the certificate error if you get one on Firefox, appears to be an issue yet to be worked out)

You can also find their audio introduction here:audio introduction here

Come for free training, stay for the Exhibitors. If you plan on being in SoCal on February 20-22, it might be worth checking out for those of you interested in seeing about all of the fuss is about. For those of you already using Linux, you will want to attend as well for some good networking opportunities.

Again, even if you are not into Linux, you will likely find yourself being sucked into a world of technology that might just rekindle your love for computing. So I would suggest checking it out.

Chumby For The Holidays

Posted: December 26th, 2008, 7:27pm EST by Matt Hartley

On a positive front, my wife purchase a Chumby for me this holiday season. Right from the beginning, it has been a blast to explore. Diffcult to explain, I would refer to it as a widget engine in a hardware form. Still working with it, even looking to seeing how difficult it might be to develop something for it, time allowing.

Do you Chumby? Chris does - do you?

SCaLE 7x Coming This February

Posted: December 26th, 2008, 7:12pm EST by Matt Hartley

SoCal Linux Expo Reprises SCALE University
Special Events
SCALE University
(Ignore the certificate error if you get one on Firefox, appears to be an issue yet to be worked out)

You can also find their audio introduction here:audio introduction here

Again, even if you are not into Linux, you will likely find yourself being sucked into a world of technology that might just rekindle your love for computing. So I would suggest checking it out.

Mozilla And Google - Not So Cozy These Days

Posted: December 24th, 2008, 3:30pm EST by Matt Hartley

No matter how hard we might wish to deny it, the fact of the matter is that Mozilla’s relationship with Google is in big trouble. And while this might not mean the end of a browser, it will eventually mean that a new browser war is going to be starting soon.

Despite the instance that Google’s own browser should not really pose much of a threat to Mozilla, the fact of the matter is that it does put the browser company (sorry, I consider it a company these days) in a bit of a situation. Personally, I see the biggest mistake that Mozilla made was in putting so much of its revenue stream into Google hands. Easy, workable — sure. But one must ask how smart this is today?

After giving this much thought, I have come to only one conclusion: so long as Firefox is able to make a buck off of Google’s ad offerings, Mozilla really has nothing to lose in the short term. This being said, however, I would suggest that the browser group begin looking to other sources of financing as, clearly, Google could change its tune suddenly, leaving Mozilla little choice in the matter.

Do you think that Google is a threat to Mozilla’s bottom line? Hit the comments; share your thoughts on Mozilla future with Google ads.

Dangers Of A Default Browser

Posted: December 17th, 2008, 1:03am EST by Matt Hartley

Right off the bat, this is not a swipe at IE7. The browser does its own PR work without any help from me. But considering this latest flaw, I find myself wondering - should we honestly be so reliant on any one default browser with any one OS? I ask this of Firefox with Ubuntu, Safari with OS X and yes, IE7 with Windows.

I cannot help but wonder if we might be better of in some way by providing a current security report in layman’s terms when user first clicks onto an “Internet” icon from their newly installed desktop. Clearly, even if I knew nothing about Internet exploits, I would want to know more about the potencial risks are for the browser I am about to put blind trust into!

What might be interesting is watching as alternative browsers such as Opera suddenly begin to be the chosen alternative due to the fact that it seems like it is less often you hear about exploits from that side of the browser fence. And if you think about it, it would help to further secure websites being more standards conscious as well, I suspect.

Perhaps I am all wet on this one? Maybe we should expect complete newbies to computing to realize that there are alternatives out there to the big three browsers? Maybe choice is just overrated? Hit the comments, let me know what you think about the idea of implementing a semi-fluid means of browser selection as part of a first run wizard on different platforms.

Should Apple Be Concerned?

Posted: December 17th, 2008, 12:44am EST by Matt Hartley

Reading about Apple’s stagnating sales really has some people up in arms it seems. But to point out that PCs sales rose during this Mac slow down has one very serious flaw to it. PC is a platform, encompasses different companies with different target markets that do include SoHos and home users, but also indicate sales amongst the enterprise class as well. Generally speaking, most Mac sales are going to be with home users and SoHos - not the enterprise, be it there are exceptions.

Now as much as I might find Macs to be too rich for my blood, I know for a fact that as long as Apple continues to stay true to their current path of design, software offerings and mobile inovations, they will weather the recession just fine. The PC on the other hand, had really better hope that Windows 7 blows the dusty doors of of Vista. Not because Vista is all that bad in its current form. Rather due to the fact that it is without a doubt the most BORING release of Windows I have used since Windows Me.

I have used Vista Ultimate, it serves just fine as desktop OS. But at the same time, there is a market for a sexy operating system. This is someplace that Windows is not hitting and desktop Linux really should stop trying to hit as it needs to spend more time on collaboration between distribution efforts. Being pretty should come later on, once a stronger balance between Ubuntu’s cutting edge use of “unstable” code and Debian’s sense of only distributing a well tested product has been met. Meet this balance and then I will be all about desktop Linux going for the next best attractive OS appearance!

(Bear in mind that the last comment was said with much love as I type this on my Ubuntu desktop.)

Back to Apple: Despite their drop recently, I believe that slowly, reluctantly, Apple is making the move to branch out beyond the Mini for entry level computers for those who would rather not spend a grand plus for a pleasant OS X filled experience.

Despite my wife being a rabid Mac user herself, I would find myself a bit more excited about the prospect of spending money with the company if they begin to express a bit more of a realistic sense of what people are willing to pay for a computer during tougher economic times.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.hulu.com/embed/J7uaubSriMQU7zOf6HZjXg" width="412" height="196" wmode="transparent" /]

WeatherBug Brings Live Streaming Weather Data To Second Life

Posted: December 16th, 2008, 10:58pm EST by Matt Hartley

WeatherBug-Second-Life

First brought to public light during the WeatherBug API contest, Cranial Tap Inc. has officially released their latest concept into the wilds of the virtual world known as Second Life.

Enter the WeatherBug powered weather panel for Second Life!

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/0qDILwBc15U" width="320" height="240" wmode="transparent" /]

The motivation for Cranial Tap to develop a weather panel was pretty straight forward.

Stream accurate, real-world weather data into the Second Life virtual world in such a way that is both functional and fun for the typical Second Life user.

Using the WeatherBug API, Cranial Tap was able to create simple to use virtual weather panel for use in Second Life virtual home or business locations. The panel’s provided weather data includes the current temperature, high & low temp, a dynamic thermometer that adjusts with the changing temperature for any given user, in addition to an animated wind speed gauge.

The WeatherBug weather panel can be seen demonstrated above, in the YouTube video. However to truly understand just how powerful the driving technology is from both WeatherBug and Cranial Tap, one must actually stop by Cranial Tap’s virtual offices to give it a test drive for themselves. Those of you with Second Life already installed on their PC or Mac can simply “teleport” on over to Cranial Tap headquarters via this link provided.

And of course, if you have an application idea using just about any sort of popular programming language you can think of, consider taking a serious look at the WeatherBug API. You would be amazed at just how flexible it is to work with!

Clever Wifi Marketing Ideas

Posted: December 11th, 2008, 10:08pm EST by Matt Hartley

My family owns a small bookstore in the town they live in. It has free wireless for customers to use. Yet during these slow times, it still leaves all of us feeling like we might need to consider doing more to get the attention of those who are willing to use the free service, without thinking to contribute to it by purchasing coffee or books from the store. Now by no means is this an ultimate solution, but it is pretty clever. Changing the hotspot’s SSID to promote the “special of the day” is both effective and clever.

My personal favorite SSIDs in the list linked above include the following:

“ByAnotherCoffeeYouCheapSkate”
MmmmYummyMuffin
HaveYouTriedTheCarrotCake?

Again, I find this to be really clever. And this brings me to today’s question. Have you seen any hotspots in your locale trying this sort of technique? Despite the obvious conclusion most will have that some people will smile, then promptly ignoring the statements, the fact is that it does have a certain level of teeth to it. Am I wrong here?

Clever Wi-Fi Marketing Ideas

Posted: December 11th, 2008, 10:08pm EST by Matt Hartley

My family owns a small bookstore in the town where they live. It has free wireless for customers to use. Yet during these slow times, it still leaves all of us feeling like we might need to consider doing more to get the attention of those who are willing to use the free service, without thinking to contribute to it by purchasing coffee or books from the store. Now by no means is this an ultimate solution, but it is pretty clever. Changing the hotspot’s SSID to promote the “special of the day” is both effective and clever.

My personal favorite SSIDs in the list linked above include the following:

“ByAnotherCoffeeYouCheapSkate”
MmmmYummyMuffin
HaveYouTriedTheCarrotCake?

Botnets As WMDs?

Posted: December 11th, 2008, 9:52pm EST by Matt Hartley

Came across a fascinating written piece today that in the words of its author, outlines a strong argument as to why those pesky botnets that are generally responsible for much the worlds spam, should be considered weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Yeah, I know what you must be thinking. Clearly this guy is off his rocker, right? At first, that was my thinking as well. But after I gave it a bit more thought, while referring to this problem as a WMD might be over the top, clearly it is more than a nuisance.

I tend to agree that we collectively, are not taking a strong enough stance against ISPs that allow this type of behavior and the means for punishing those that participate in using botnets is apparently, not severe enough based on the sheer number of people using them.

Now this is not to say that crappy operating system design has not done its part to make this entirely too easy over the years, but the fact is that it is those who are basically being treated like this is some kind of civil offense might potentially be putting us all at risk.

As far as the author’s statements regarding national infrastructure being at risk, I am not qualified to make a comment here. My understanding is that it is both a threat and no so much a threat as a lot of stuff is pretty well isolated while other stuff (banking), is not.

While I am not saying I agree with everything said in this piece, this one statement made the article for me, personally.

Individuals and businesses. Everyone who uses the Internet needs to understand that they have a civic duty to take reasonable care that their computers are reasonably secure from attack and infection. Any computers that become infected should be promptly cleaned or disconnected. To the extent feasible, forensic evidence should be made available to law enforcement.

I could not agree with that statement more or loudly enough. It’s like handing someone any weopon or tool. The user and the user alone, must take some level of responsibility. Otherwise, why the heck are we even bothering with stuff like driver licenses or tax courses. Let’s just toss everyone out into the world and let them fumbled around to see how it ends up. Works well in the computer world, does it not? ;)

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Google’s Native Client - ActiveX All Over Again?

Posted: December 11th, 2008, 12:24am EST by Matt Hartley

After learning that Google is releasing what it believes to be a viable alternative to ActiveX, I find myself thinking that a serious false sense of security is being put forth here. ActiveX, Native Client - they are but containers. Regardless of what kind of container it happens to be, in the end some idiot is going to toss in some sloppy code and we will be back to square one all over again.

Trusted, untrusted, we’ve been there with ActiveX and looking at the lack of success seen in that instance, I simply cannot get my heart into this latest endeavor, despite my love of the BSD license or the fact that this is an open source alternative to ActiveX. At the end of the day, I am just not convinced that this is not going to turn into yet another Pandora’s Box of mistakes.

To be fair though, due to the fact that based on what I have read about Native Client, it is definitely giving the impression to me that it could be massively less of a risk that ActiveX ever was. In short, there is no trusting the user, instead, the technology provides trusted and untrusted threads that run independently of one another. So at the end of the day, there is a real shot here that Google might be onto something, assuming they go into this remembering that NOTHING is ever really 100% secure.

What do you think? Are we ready to experience what Native Client has to offer and do you believe that having an untrusted thread will be enough to protect the trusted threaded when using Native Client? Hit the comments, let’s hear your take on this.

Scratch Resistant WeatherBug For The BlackBerry Storm

Posted: December 10th, 2008, 9:36pm EST by Matt Hartley

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/AMSqGsIih3k" width="320" height="240" wmode="transparent" /]

As you can see from the video above, it is not only the BlackBerry Storm proving that it is scratch resistant, so is the application running on it! All kidding aside, it is great to see that the WeatherBug application for the BlackBerry Storm is being used so early on, despite it first making its appearance on the the CrackBerry forums BEFORE even went live officially in the BlackBerry Application Center.

So assuming you Storm users opt to get the application from the Application Center on the Storm itself, you will find the following release information of interest. Keep in mind that the initial release date was December 1st. So if you have not updated yet, a lot has changed.

0.1.0.210 BETA (12/10/2008) (Current as of today!!!)

- icon changes on home screen
- gps optimizations
- several small data fixes

0.1.0.185 BETA (12/9/2008)

- fix for compatibility with VZNavigator and Blackberry Maps
- fixed a rendering bug on the summary screen when flipping the phone

0.1.0.172 BETA (12/9/2008)

- fix for compatibility with word2go

0.1.0.164 BETA (12/8/2008)

- fixed version # in about screen
- temperature is no longer removed from home screen icon when an alert comes in
- added summary screen
- bug fix to update feature in about section
- added a new location, “My Location,” for the current GPS location
- map optimizations
- alert icon will no longer appear more than once for each alert
- map menu will no longer appear on touch, only on click
- general UI improvements

0.1.0.97 BETA (12/2/2008)

- closer integration between alert service and main app
- added Report Problems page
- forecast update for international locations
- hourly forecast crash for international locations fixed
- menu updates
- alert settings UI fix

0.1.0.81 BETA (12/1/2008)

- initial release

To stay up to date on all of the latest BlackBerry for WeatherBug releases, bookmark this forum page. You can also post any bugs you find here as well.

No storm?

For those of you that do not own a BB Storm, but are still rocking other BlackBerry models, no need to fear - WeatherBug has a BlackBerry application for you as well.

Verizon Has A Lot To Learn About CRM

Posted: December 10th, 2008, 12:11am EST by Matt Hartley

Today, for what I believe to now be the fifth time since moving here, I have received yet another priority mail package soliciting me to buy their FiOS service offered in my area. Now from a marketing perspective, it is clever to use USPS Priority mail to deliver this to me as clearly, I would be an idiot to simply discard this envelope without so much as opening it. After all, it must be important to arrive in this fashion, right? Perhaps, but there is one little problem that remains - I have been an existing FiOS customer for months now.

Yes, clearly Verizon has never heard of effective CRM software. CRM (customer relationship management) software can do mysterious things, like cross reference a person’s name/address to verify that the target recipient of a multi-million dollar mailing is not going to existing customers!

Apparently, this technology used by people on shoe string budgets is light years beyond comprehension here for Verizon? Look, I love the service - FiOS @ 20 down/ 20 up is AWESOME. Obviously there are no issues on the technology end of things. Despite this something is clearly broken somewhere in the marketing dept. Why not use something so simple to avoid a mistake that is so costly? Cannot speak for everyone, but the issue just escapes me personally. CRM software - it is a lot more than a glorified address book these days! Might I suggest that Verizon look into this solution ASAP?

Computer Upgrades On The Cheap

Posted: December 9th, 2008, 11:57pm EST by Matt Hartley

There is no question at all that when it comes to buying that next new PC, all of us really need to look at what our long term needs are. For some, this may be purchasing a PC now with specs so outrageous, that no matter what comes up with Windows 7 or on the Mac side, OS X, the hardware is going to keep trucking for years to come. Obviously this is not as big of an issue for Linux users, as the biggest upgrade I did recently was a new hard drive and some extra RAM on my older x64 AMD powered tower. Needless to say, it still runs like a champ.

But this argument of purchasing less and expecting more, might be a bit flawed. Yes, as the article points out, adding in your own upgrades can save you money. On things notebooks, this is a bit more difficult as you are generally limited to RAM upgrades. But the idea is sound nevertheless.

Now I do have some issue with the recommendation of going with Dell. Yes, going Dell business class is fine, but their consumer level stuff is junk, I am sorry. If you are going the Windows route, consider HP or pretty much anything other than Dell. Also consider spending for tomorrow as well as today. Skimp on the RAM and upgrade it yourself, sure. But also consider buying something with increased bus speeds and CPU performance now, even if it is overkill. This is going to add life and quality of life to your computing experience.

For users of the OS X variety, same applies - Macbook Pro vs Macbook is not even a conversation - get the Pro if you simply must go OS X. You will be happier with the performance. Now if you are not looking for power and just want portability, then by all means, get the Macbook standard. At the end of the day, I guess it simply comes down to recognizing not just what our needs will be today, but being wise enough to avoid the old “penny wise, pound foolish” mindset in the quest to be frugal.

Buy it with cash, save up for the model worth owning vs springing early for junk and enjoy the fruits using some common sense when computer shopping. Oh, and of course use the Internet to shop around. Buying PC components locally is almost always a waste of money, even considering shipping.

Facebook Virus And Avast Anti-Virus

Posted: December 6th, 2008, 2:14am EST by Matt Hartley

To say that I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook, would be a mild understatement. That being said, I have been watching in amazement as Facebook and MySpace both, allowed the malware issues to grow so out of hand, that both are literally having to sue their way out of the mess that I feel they created for themselves.

Then again, where does this leave us? If you are a Windows user (using Ubuntu here - so not a problem for me), chances are fair that you might become a target for the latest piece of nasty coming down the malware road known as “Koobface”. Apparently, Windows users can be targeted fairly easily and despite advanced users being able to see how obvious the exploit is as it happens, many others are simply not so lucky unfortunately.

Just when things were looking their most grim, I have been hearing rumors that Avast users remain largely unaffected as the anti-virus app blocks this type of attack out of the box. Not to say that other paid anti-viruses do not, but I would say Avast has a proven track record from what I understand. Others commenting on the link above appear to concur, which only leads me to believe there may be something to this rumor.

And so, this leads me to today’s big question: do you feel that your selected anti-virus (Windows users) is doing a decent enough job in protecting you from the latest malware threats? How about from web based threats coming from lax security on Facebook and MySpace? Hit the comments, share your perspective.

Canadian Farmers Enjoy Personal Weather Data On The Fly

Posted: December 4th, 2008, 11:31pm EST by Matt Hartley

WeatherBug-Pro

In Canada, weather accuracy is key as it is with farmers all over the world. This has lead one farmer in particular, to utilize tools such as a personal weather station and the weather network from WeatherBug to ensure he is in the know at all times - even when he is away from the farm.

Doyle Wiebe of Winnipeg, Canada is a man on a mission that is two fold. Continue to utilize WeatherBug provided tools to reap the benefits of having access to “on-farm” weather data for better farming. And he is also urging other farmers to get on board for the good of everyone as well. After all, taking on a grid approach would have its benefits, especially with farms that share close location with one another.

The WeatherBug enabled technology has not only amazed farmers in Canada, those in the governing body are also fast becoming fans. After all, it is a team effort with the Canadian Wheat Board taking place here. One of their representatives had this to say about the technology:

“These weather stations can identify micro-problems in small areas,” says Guy Ash, weather and crops analyst with the CWB. “They provide real-time observations that make the information truly a local result. We’re developing spray advisories and models on wheat midge, and continually producing tools to make it more useful.”

This data is available on everything from a BlackBerry (using Rogers in CA) to the weather display that is sitting on the table of the farmer’s own home. No matter where the interested party might be, this data is easily accessible - even when the person needing the latest weather data is not in the vicinity of the weather to be reported on.

WeatherBug and the Canadian Wheat Board have done wonders to empower the Canadian farmers to be one step ahead of suddenly changing weather. Despite WeatherBug being an American company, they are also in a strong position to benefit our neighbors in the north as well.

Tomorrow, I will highlight another area WeatherBug is making inroads with Canada. Without giving too much away, let’s just say that those of you who turn up tomorrow for the update will “learn” from the experience for sure.

Are We Ready For Opera 10?

Posted: December 4th, 2008, 10:55pm EST by Matt Hartley

By no means am I going to stand here and tell you because Firefox did lousy and IE7 straight up failed this instance of a recent Acid3 test, that you should immediately stop using those browsers and jump onto the Opera bandwagon. That would be stupid. Why? Because to this day, there are relatively important websites that will not work with Opera, barely work with Firefox and despite the fact that we no longer live in the 90’s, require IE as it is “easier” for the admins of these culprit websites.

That being said, unfortunately the problem is more of an issue with marketshare over what is actually making up a good browser. Internet Explorer is not and has never been a good standards friendly browser. It has market share, so all of the Frontpage designed crap out there is sure to look great through the browser’s beer goggles. Should we keep an open mind about Opera 10 despite this? Sure, assuming the same old problems do not keep cropping up again and again with regard to how a website looks or reacts to an otherwise good Opera browser option.

Your Own Free iPhone Via An iPod Touch?

Posted: December 4th, 2008, 9:19pm EST by Matt Hartley

Okay, while the concept of Truphone for the iPod touch is hardly going to replace my own mobile device for placing phone calls, the idea is not half bad. Apparently not all of the pieces of this puzzle are out yet, as Truphone is waiting to release the needed microphone before this becomes usable. That said, it does seem to have some obvious limitations.

First, while the user is able to skip out on mobile call charges or a need for a mobile phone at all, the thought of people congregating around a router is just stupid, especially if they are waiting for an incoming call. Secondly, it is not really all that free. Think of Skype’s business model, but with an iPod touch - essentially this is what Truphone is pulling off here.

Despite myself not really seeing any value here for me personally, I think there is certainly some cool novelty going on here for sure. So let me ask each of you - is this something that you find worthwhile? Does the idea of speaking into an iPod sound like a good way to cut down on some of those mobile phone bills? Hit the comments, would love to hear your take.

Water Cooled Macs?

Posted: December 3rd, 2008, 3:33pm EST by Matt Hartley

Sounds like something that is too good to be true, understanding the benefits of running a cooler system. Water chilled MacBooks would be a serious boon to the user, assuming it can be done effectively. I think that most people will agree that adding water to anything other than a tower PC is begging for trouble. In short, springing a leak in a notebook is very different than with a tower PC.

Can it work and just as important — does it make sense for Apple to pursue this? If Apple has taught us anything, it is that it is clever with its form factors and hardware work. So if anyone can make water cooling notebooks a reality, it will likely be Apple, I suppose.

Am I nuts in the belief that in the end, this idea, should it come to fruition, would be a huge mistake? Hit the comments; set me straight on this.

Songbird 1.0 Is A Go!

Posted: December 2nd, 2008, 11:28pm EST by Matt Hartley

I am actually listening to some tunes via the latest release as I type this. Thanks to me already having it downloaded, I was able to update it easily from the Help menu and the rest as they say, is history. Outside of some drastic speed improvements, the main thing I noticed was missing was the questionable MP3 search engine known as SkreemeR. What makes it different is that a user is able to type in a song or musician name into the search box. From there they are presented with a list of likely song titles, the option to buy them off of Amazon, listen to the song in a Flash player or just download it illegally from a site not affiliated with SkreemR. See, SkreemR is just linking to, not hosting the music.

This being said, I think that Songbird has come a LONG way. Works well with all iPods (outside of the Touch), it does indeed feel a lot like a real iTunes competitor at the music level. Yes, I wish they would come up with a way to provide a much stronger Amazon MP3 store presence, but still, just as a jukebox, using cool plugins for an iTunes-like album art display feel like “Coverflow”, I see Songbird tearing things up.

Can I honestly say that this is something that is going to compete with iTunes on Windows and OS X? Not so much, but not because of the application itself. Personally, I really do not care for iTunes and their DRM headache inflicting, slow running application. The only thing iTunes has over Songbird in my honest opinion is the music store. Yes, there are movies too, but we are talking about Songbird, not Moviebird, right? At the purist level, strictly on a music front, I see Songbird in a very strong second position to iTunes. Find a way to get support for the iPhone, iPod Touch and amongst better support for MTP devices. Sorry, but considering all of the Jukebox applications I use on my Linux desktop support every MTP known to man, I see NO REASON whatsoever why it means Songbird needs Windows XP+ and WMP 11. The very idea, is simply stupid and clearly, easily avoidable. Guess this is the price we pay for mass market adoption at all costs. Screw the users that would use the application exclusively, let ‘em stick to iPods! Come on Songbird, let’s get the collective heads removed from the collective backsides on this.

All of this said, at the end of the day, I think Songbird is great. I own a Nano, so syncing is very simple to do - even by iTunes standards - it really syncs in much the same way. Despite my head shaking frustration at something as simple as better support for MTP devices, Songbird has come a really long way. Just need to get more consistent on support for those external devices!

Instant Operating Systems - Again?

Posted: December 2nd, 2008, 10:29pm EST by Matt Hartley

I really want to say that I am ready to be done with this concept, but maybe, just maybe, gOS can do something with the “instant on” operating system that others have not.

Not trying to be a downer here, but honestly it strikes me as total waste of time for gOS when this has already been done relatively well with Splashtop. Despite me not being a fan of the instant on desktop, I personally think that if this is something you are shooting for, Splashtop clearly comes out on top already.

So now please explain to me why I might want to consider using gOS’ own “Cloud” OS? Again, it is basically Splashtop! To make matters worse, it appears that they are just starting out, seeking partners from scratch. Now I want to go on record that if this is something that works out well for gOS - awesome, hope they see success from it. But speaking for myself personally, I am struggling to see the immediate value when Splashtop has again, already done this! Clearly, the marketing message was lost someplace. And this is a real shame if gOS is going to provide something that is frankly, substantially better or different to a degree that we should take notice. In short, not so much knocking the idea down as I am bothered by the appearance of a “me-too” approach to this!

WeatherBug Typhoon Updates For The Android G1!

Posted: December 2nd, 2008, 7:30pm EST by Matt Hartley

Things continue to roll forward with WeatherBug on the Android G1 phone for T-Mobile users. And today, we have a round up of a number of important updates and improvements that you as WeatherBug users, will want to be aware of. Here they are:

1.0.372 BETA (12/2/2008)

- search fix
- current conditions fix

1.0.367 BETA (12/1/2008) (Here you begin to see the beta develop further with feature and usability improvements)

- layout now changes for landscape orientation
- gps enable/disable preference added
- points of interest added
- full screen mode added
- bug fix for adding locations from contact list

1.0.315 BETA (11/11/2008)

- fixed a bug that prevented the data cache from being updated in certain situations
- now clearing existing data from the cache whenever Update is selected from the menu
- fix to prevent multiple My Locations

1.0.307 BETA (11/6/2008) (A few more bug fixes brought to our attention, thanks to users just like you)

- improvements to handling gps and network locating
- added data cache
- fixed minor data issues
- enhancements to image sharing
- added full-screen for video
- fixed some minor artifacts in the forecast elements

1.0.291 BETA (Updates with this release were designed to catch issues that came up after more testing and reports from users such as yourself, began to come into WeatherBug Headquarters)

- optimization to reduce battery use
- data fetching improvements
- memory leak plugged

1.0.282 BETA (First set of updates, almost immediately after the initial release)

- LBS fixes for notification service
- Dialog for failed location detection
- fixed a crash when rotating the screen
- minor fix for forecast touch event
- rephrased locating message

As you can see, a number of great improvements have been added and software glitches are being squashed left and right. At the end of the day, WeatherBug and their community of users just like you, have been instrumental in ensuring that the application continues to work its way out of Beta status.

Are you a G1 user who is interested in trying out the best weather application for the Google Android platform? Head on over to the Android Marketplace and try out the latest WeatherBug beta.

As you can see above, this is one Android application that is being developed by a company that is really listening to what the user wants. That and bugs are fixed quickly without a lot of excuses, too. Always a nice feature!

Want to contribute some feedback yourself? Hit the comments here or even better, head on over to their forums where you will actually have an opportunity to mind share with the developers themselves. The WeatherBug for Android application’s success is because of you - so get on over there and participate already!

Pownce Is Dead - Did We Learn Anything?

Posted: December 2nd, 2008, 2:35am EST by Matt Hartley

As the not all that shocking news of Pownce being put down to rest comes in, it is still comical to see posts like this making their way up to the surface. In reality, it is a good post. Nothing wrong with it at all. The only thing to consider is in the article, ideas like Tip’d are discussed and actually have a shot at longevity as they provide ongoing, longterm value to a fairly focused niche. In short, the site helps you to invest, spend or save money in one fashion or another.

Social CMS - who would have thought that someone could take the concept of Digg and blow it up, then shrink it back down to common sense with something like this. And while the UI is nothing to write home about, I find it is actually refreshing to be spared the Ajaxy crap for a really clean design, even if it is not “wowza” in its initial impression.

What do you think? Are there still ideas worth pursuing in the mediascape with social sites? Are Twitter and Friendfeed “it”?

Windows 7 Shows Off Better Battery Life

Posted: November 28th, 2008, 9:08pm EST by Matt Hartley

Vista has overall, been a mixed bag of learning experiences for Microsoft I think. Certainly a Windows release that I myself never wasted much time with, others have opted to remain with XP in hopes that Windows 7 will prove to be the OS that many had hoped to see from Vista.

While I am certainly not going to sit here and make claims that Windows 7 is going to be a saving grace for Microsoft’s tarnished image, the fact is even if Windows 7 also proves to have issues with it, Microsoft is diversified enough and frankly, embedded enough with businesses/home users that its “appeal” or lack thereof, is overridden with preconceived “need”.

All of this being said, there continues to be indications that Windows 7 will be different and to some degree, provide a clear reason why it is worth upgrading to. Keep in mind that I am a Linux user and my wife is a die-hard Mac owner - clearly, not pro-Windows here. Yet despite this, members of my family are quite happy with various Windows products. So I believe that there is value in the OS depending on the needs of the individual.

On the notebook front, Vista has been TERRIBLE on almost every level. From flaky wifi to poor battery life in the notebook realm. Recently however, most of the wireless issues have been addressed as this was a problem mostly from the hardware manufacturers - something we in the Linux world have dealt with for years. So I do not blame Microsoft for that, out of their control in my opinion.

Battery life however, is something of a team effort if the hardware vendors are claiming that they have done all they can, while the OS is not reflecting this. Fast forward to this latest news and by gosh, we might begin to see even more evidence that Windows 7 is deadly serious about not repeating mistakes seen with Vista. Regardless of who did what with the previous release, clearly Microsoft is looking to not duplicate poor mistakes with the Windows 7 release.

Will I be looking at Windows 7? Not for myself, no. But if these needed improvements are going to continue to be a theme for Microsoft, I might finally be able to begin recommending the OS to others. That will be a nice change, especially being the company’s dominance with software and all.

Chrome Is A Threat To Firefox?

Posted: November 28th, 2008, 4:07pm EST by Matt Hartley

One has to wonder - is Chrome really that big of a threat to the well entrenched Firefox browser? At this stage, perhaps not. But given the right kind of promotion for those who are more interested in speed over how many add-ons can be used with the browser, I see Chrome being in a position to gain a significant market share from Firefox.

Perhaps even more significantly, is if Chrome is being used with various web based applications that allow those applications to run smoother than they ever could with Firefox. Hardly a new concept, but I have yet to see Chrome pushed enough in this direction.

Will Chrome become a dominant browser in the browser wars? Not too likely, however this does not mean it cannot become a dominant tool in the push for more web based applications being used with the browser. So what do you think? Hit the comments, let us know what you think about Chrome.

Android Community Thoughts On WeatherBug For The G1

Posted: November 23rd, 2008, 1:10am EST by Matt Hartley

Overall, reactions to WeatherBug on the T-Mobile G1 have been really good. Since its inception, there have been a couple of application updates, performance improvements mostly, along with other small changes. So if you are still running the first version, you had better check for those updates so you can join the rest of us!

I have also enjoyed some great conversations back and forth over Twitter about the direction users are wanting to see WeatherBug head in with their software next release. In addition to Twitter, I also found myself in a position to discuss what the application has to offer with a number of people from other social networks as well. You have to love the social networking stuff these days, it is amazing who you end up having an opportunity to connect with when discussing a common interest.

Outside of a couple of feature requests that have been passed on to WeatherBug devs, I am really thrilled at how well the community reaction has gone over with the app. I guess when you provide a solid application on a new and upcoming platform, good feelings are to be felt by all. Does my heart good, that is for sure.

All of this said though, at the end of the day, the biggest thing to remember about the WeatherBug for the T-Mobile G1 is that each individual enjoying this software is also benefiting from the largest privately owned weather station network available. The competition is simply using airport data ONLY updated whenever - is that really very helpful when you live in an area where the nearest airport is twenty plus miles away? I should think not.

So continue enjoying the features given in the WeatherBug for Android application, but bear in mind that WeatherBug has other fantastic software for those “other” mobile platforms as well.

BlackBerry - Two applications available, I tend to lean with the WeatherBug Direct myself.
Windows Mobile - Again, two apps available, however as with BlackBerry, WeatherBug Direct also comes in a fantastic new Windows Mobile flavor as well.
iPhone - Sharing a lot of the same ideas behind the Android application, WeatherBug for the iPhone was recently updated with performance improvements and a number of new features as well.

Jerry Yang Has Moved On From Yahoo

Posted: November 19th, 2008, 1:10am EST by Matt Hartley

It is actually pretty weird for me to even think about, the idea of one of Yahoo’s founders stepping down. But to be completely honest, even before the changes in the economy, Yahoo’s financial performance has been pretty bad by anyone’s standards.

This blog posting today from Yang really must have been tough for him. Regardless of how we might have felt that he has handled things with the company, it is clear that he does love what he created. Will things be better now that he has moved on? Perhaps, it is still too early to say as he has technically not officially moved on until his replacement has been selected.

Who should Yahoo select? Clearly, fresh blood is in order as it seems that no one from within the company has managed to shout out any great ideas from the rooftops. Speaking for myself, I think Yahoo’s problems come down to identity. I mean, who is Yahoo these days? Clearly not a search engine as even MSN produces comparable results and neither are able to even begin to touch Google’s results. This and this alone, is where Yahoo needs to be focusing their attention. As to whether or not that will however, remains to be seen.

Comcast 24/7?

Posted: November 19th, 2008, 12:38am EST by Matt Hartley

Today, Amy asks:

Hey Matt I need help. Every time I put in any web address in to search for something it directs me to comcast.net. I have no idea why it started. It is on my laptop. I tried to do a DNS flush but it does not work. Please help me with this I am unable to get on the internet at all because it take me directly to comcast.net

Definitely strange. And while you might be tempted to think this is an issue with your HOSTS file, even though it really can’t be the issue. I say this as I bet many people might think it is related. But considering the hosts file would not be able to send you to Comcast.net for all urls, as wildcards are not allowed, it clearly must be one of the following.

Switch to OpenDNS immediately to see if this is infact, a DNS issue. It could be, but it is too early to tell at this point.
Dumb as this will sound, do you have access to a separate browser? If so, try it out. If the same issue persists, verify that this is just a problem with the notebook and not network wide.
Does this happen on other networks? For instance, at a coffee shop, is it Comcast.net yet again? If so, you may have some sort of a malware issue going on.

Being I noticed that you emailed me from a Verizon account, it is safe to assume that this is not a problem with your “Comcast” ISP. My guts says this is something relating to your PC and likely malware related. Whether trying the OpenDNS approach or not, it is a great time for a virus/malware scan…just to be safe. And of course, running with OpenDNS never hurts either.

What say you, Lockergnome community? I would like you to share your advice so that Amy might be able to get her notebook back up to snuff.

Do you have an IT-related question? Perhaps you are just burnt out on writing on the walls with crayons? Whatever the comments may be, drop me a line, and you too can “Just Ask Matt!” Please address comments to the comments section above, my email address is for questions - thanks!

IT And PC Repair In The New Economy

Posted: November 18th, 2008, 1:20am EST by Matt Hartley

Seems like everywhere we turn these days, people are being laid off or in some cases, even booted from their homes. Despite the fact that there are some things you can do after losing your job, the reality of just how tight things are bound to get in our fields is becoming painfully close to coming to head.

IT geeks, how are things in your neck of the woods? I have heard some people are seeing a spike of opportunities while others are being laid off by the truck load? I think that all of us out there in Lockergnome land would appreciate a heads up in what is taking place in your neck of the woods.

Computer repair men and women, I have been hearing of serious slow downs. With few exceptions, I have been hearing of consolidation amongst repair outfits all the way to individual techs resorting to taking on extra retail jobs such at Big Box stores just to make ends meet. How bad has it been for you personally? I really want to know.

Please hit the comments and let all of us know what is going on in your neck of the woods. From the sounds of things, it is going to keep getting tighter, so I think it might be best to hear from some of the worst hit areas first so all of us can better plan should things really hit the fan.

Spam Offers Up Striking Numbers

Posted: November 11th, 2008, 12:46am EST by Matt Hartley

For most of us, dealing with spam is a fact of life. But when you end up hearing about the response rate being something in the 0.00001% range, you begin to wonder where in the heck the profit actually is? Well it turns out that despite the terrible turnaround for spammers, they manage to make a fair income of something like 3.5 million a year thanks to the wonders of bot networks acting on the spammer’s chosen email campaign.

How do they manage to stay out of jail? Simple: base themselves outside of the reach of countries that might seek to prosecute them and then use those same countries as targets for their bot network exploits.

How can this kind of work possibly prove to be so profitable for spammers? I suspect it has to do with the fact that they have user PCs doing their dirty work for them all over the world. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So even with good spam filters in place, they still manage to make money off of those foolish enough to participate and seek out the offer sent to them via email.

I all honesty, I believe stronger, long term success is to be had providing useful information and using good SEO to drive the traffic. It may not be as easy, but at least you do not have to watch where you travel. Will spammers ever grow up and learn to take their creativity into other areas? Doubtful, but one can always hope.

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PC-BSD 7.0.1 - Let’s Try This Again

Posted: November 8th, 2008, 1:00am EST by Matt Hartley

For those hardcore about using real Unix instead of Linux, FreeBSD is where it is at for the workstation. Unfortunately, the belief that it is simple enough for Windows users to migrate to is a dream gone wrong. That is where the belief that something like PC-BSD might fit in for new *Nix users, designed to lessen the strain and amazing time investment in “unlearning” all things Windows.

Unfortunately, PC-BSD in the past has been a fun idea, but really buggy. I mean, it makes new Ubuntu installations look stable - it has been that bad. All of this being said, I have watched in complete amazement as Ubuntu continues to allow really obvious bugs into the mainstream release of each new “version” sent forward. Version 8.10 is without a doubt, pretty bad. I am using it right now to stream my webcam on Ustream. But even still, the fact is that I had to kill PulseAudio just to get the mic on the webcam working as it did in versions past. And now, as many of you may know, NVIDIA support for Ubuntu 8.10 is a mess, despite those few having luck with it.

But to be fair, despite the Ubuntu team failing to mention this, relying on anything other than LTS releases is rather foolish as you are simply serving to further beta test their distribution of Linux. Because if you stick to 6.06 and 8.04, you will find that like XP SP2, things run pretty well after they have had some time out of the proverbial oven. Speaking for myself, I generally only run LTS releases on my desktop.

This being said, I am taking yet another stab into the PC-BSD waters. BSD, unlike Linux, has a much quieter history. Let’s just say that OS X would be NOTHING without BSD contributions.

Today, I am installing the final patch to PC-BSD 7 known as 7.0.1. A lot of critical fixes have been offered, the most show stopping of them the inclusion of a Flash 9 solution. Unlike Windows, Linux and OS X, Adobe has not bothered to give FreeBSD (PC-BSD by default) a suitable Flash media option. Thankfully, I hear Flash 9 for Linux is now working on PC-BSD. Needless to say I am interested in where things have gone here.

Despite my past frustrations with PC-BSD, I am going to give it another shot. Afterall, had I been this impatient with Linux, I would still be fighting with my old Windows box full time. It’s fun to learn and grow.

Update: Just tried it on very compatible hardware - NVIDIA, etc….no boot loader found. Wow, even though BSD is great on the server front, I think users are best off with DesktopBSD or FreeBSD as clearly, REALLY Ubuntu bug fever is alive and well in the PC-BSD world…sigh.

Update 2: Ended up reinstalling, must have been something on my end. Unfortunately, one must setup the Internet connection themselves as my NIC was disabled by default, then one must apparently assign their own DNS settings as despite Windows and Linux being able to use those provided by my router without issue, PC-BSD has terrible load times when using my router’s settings. So I set them manually…too bad the DNS entry area reverts back to the router each time. Clearly, alpha quality release at best. Perhaps with more patches, eventually, we will see the stability I found with earlier releases of PC-BSD. Something tells me it will be awhile.

PC-BSD 7.0.1 - Let’s Try This Again

Posted: November 8th, 2008, 1:00am EST by Matt Hartley

This being said, I am taking yet another stab into the PC-BSD waters. BSD, unlike Linux, has a much quieter history. Let’s just say that OS X would be NOTHING without BSD contributions.

Simply The Best And Nothing Less

Posted: November 5th, 2008, 5:15pm EST by Matt Hartley

I have been generally happy with my Gamer’s Lounge from D-Link for a couple of years now. Unfortunately, I am running entirely too much off it these day and it appears that it is suffering from a real overload. I end up having to reboot it at least once a day. I know for a fact that it is not related to DHCP resets or anything of that sort. No, it seems to either be a NAT table overflow or simply too much going on for the router’s resources.

I need a real router, one that can take a “digital spanking” - no kidding. It needs to be able to hand all that a solid 20/20 FiOS connection can throw at it. I need to easily be able to rock out with one home-plug enabled DVR, two wireless notebooks, a Wi-Fi connected Intel Mac, a dedicated home server running all of the time, another smaller PC dedicated to streaming Ustream and my main desktop machine running most of the day all day with a heavy network load.

Here is a basic break down:

3 wireless devices - one or two on simultaneous, moderate network load.
1 “Home-Plugged” (I set it up) HD-DVR from Directv.
3 CAT5/6′ed PCs, two of them serving as servers.

So where does this leave me? Honestly I do not think it will take more more than a good SoHo router/Wi-Fi access point to do the job. I have had this needing to restart the router issue for awhile now, long before I daisy-chained my FiOS Actiontec piece of junk to my existing router. Yes, the FiOS modem/router is acting exclusively as a Fiber modem at this time. It’s got a nasty problem with its NAT capabilities, so I was actually seeing better performance by simply using my older D-Link.

Routers I am considering?

Netopia 3387WG (VGx or ENT) - Not for the kiddies, this router is pretty heavy duty. Telnet exclusively for the ENT version, but overall it rates really hight for SoHo use.
DrayTek Vigor2910G (DrayTek 2820n) - Loving this router. Looks like just the ticket, again being highly rated with features on its features. Also has everything I am looking for, including support for up to75 LAN clients (via other means of connectivity, of course)

My gut is telling me to go with the Draytek, but really want to make sure I have simple, no nonsense access to LAN DHCP IP reservations within the router’s configuration. Yeah, this may seem lazy to those of you big into heavy networking, but for a variety of reasons I do not want static IPs with my router’s DHCP turned off.

What I will no longer purchase is residential crap from Linksys, Netgear or even D-Link. I want the router equivalent of a HungryMan dinner, but for heavily networked geeks. No more Lean Cuisine nonsense for this guy.

So which is it? Any experience with the two routers above? Any idea about doing LAN IP reservations as described previously with either? Have a better alternative that is not me building my own or buying more consumer junk? Please, hit the comments and share your experiences.

Broken Android Applications

Posted: October 31st, 2008, 2:36am EDT by Matt Hartley

I believe that collectively, we all need to be realistic here. The fact is that the Android has just made its way onto a mainstream mobile device. So to find ourselves becoming shocked due to a few brand new applications designed for the platform that are not running up to snuff is rather silly.

In short, I think it will behoove all of us to realize that this is new territory for Google and to some extent, for those developing new applications for the phone while for many of the developers, the phone was not even out yet. That means developing on a emulator – definitely not the same thing.

As the article above points out, things are expected to improve. The trick is realizing that we all may need to be patient here as this new community continues their journey into undiscovered country.

VPN Maddness

Posted: October 31st, 2008, 1:32am EDT by Matt Hartley

I have to admit, this latest question that ended up on my desk through the grape vine honestly has me completely stumped. I do not know what to think about it? Here is what was asked initially.

My friends and I are using vpn programs to connect a virtual LAN over the internet. The current one I run is VPN-X server/client. It works for both mac and windows.

The problem is we connect, and can see each other, ping each other,
and view shared files. The problem I am having is if I or another
Mac hosts the game, warcraft 3, I can’t see the game or visa-versa. If
an XP hosts the game, all can see it. And we had problems with vista
hosting it, but i think we have nipped that in the butt. So the problem
is running mac osx and hosting the game, i can’t have another mac
“see” the game. If i am hosting the game, and an XP signs on, they
see it. Vista sees it. So i know i have the right ports open, i
just think there is something the mac does not want to do to “see” the
game when connected via vpn.

Side note for clarification. If i am on an actual LAN, and host a
game, any and all computers can see it. Macs included. Please help
if you can. Short of jumping over to the bootcamp, which does “solve”
the problem, its not a solution i prefer as i do not like having to
shut down all that i am multitasking just to play one game.

If you do read this and want to answer it, can you respond with a “i
will talk about it this day or under this title.” or simply just
respond here is best, unless you want to do it on the cam. thank you
for your time if you can help me. –Troubled VPN user

So here is a basic breakdown;

* VPN programs being used to connect to a virtial LAN.
* Each VPN participant can view and ping one another.
* Mac hosting WoW translates into visibility issues when connecting to the game.

This is where I am going to tap each of you, the Lockergnome collective. While I may not play WoW myself, I can understand how frustrating this situation must be for the person that wrote in above. Hopefully one of you out there, have some ideas you can share in the comments area to get the individual above back on the right track.

Microsoft Web Apps

Posted: October 29th, 2008, 2:17am EDT by Matt Hartley

There is no question that using Google Apps is an acquired taste. The same might be said for using OpenOffice. But overall, people are finding that MS Office remains the standard as it is what people know. This being said, I am still not totally clear where Microsoft is headed in its new Office as a service idea?

Collaboration — sure, however others already do this and do it for free. So does Microsoft, with the understanding that the user is still using a paid local app on their desktop. And there is the rub — based on my understanding, in order to gain the full benefit, Microsoft is still pushing the local applications which believe cost entirely too much… still.

But never mind that, I am still working to find out why I am going to use MS Office products in the Web space as well as in the local space? Oh yeah, because it integrates nicely with the familiar. I can see value there.

So what do you think? Does Microsoft have a real shot at success with their online office concept? Hit the comments.

Microsoft Web Apps

Posted: October 29th, 2008, 2:17am EDT by Matt Hartley

So what do you think? Does Microsoft have a real shot at success with their online office concept? Hit the comments.

WeatherBug On Your TV

Posted: October 28th, 2008, 5:30pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Did you know that WeatherBug provides weather to more than just Windows users? Outside of the various mobile efforts, WeatherBug also has a strong partnership broadcasters throughout the US. Popular networks such as NBC, CBS, FOX among others all have affiliate stations that have signed up to provide their viewers with the most accurate weather coverage possible.

Thanks to WeatherBug’s growing network of privately maintained weather stations throughout the States, TV stations that work in partnership with WeatherBug provide their following with immediate weather conditions up to the minute, often right their in their own neighborhoods - not relying exclusively on less timely data from the nearest airport for the locale.

Are there any local networks you may have heard of offering WeatherBug data? One network I know most of you have at least heard of, if not actually viewed at one time would be WGN in Chicago. And for those of you living in Washington State, Seattle’s own KING 5 is also providing you their local “SchoolNet” weather via WeatherBug’s physical weather station network.

So who is broadcasting in your area with WeatherBug’s neighborhood networked weather stations? Chances are, if you go through this list, you might just be surprised to see a local network affialiate in your area providing you with the most local, up to the minute live weather data available. Take a gander and see who is local for you!

Does Microsoft Surface Know When To Cut You Off?

Posted: October 23rd, 2008, 11:54pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Seems clever enough, using the new Microsoft Surface tables to enable bartenders to keep the spirits flowing. But one must ask if the table will be programmed to also take into account when the receipient of the refreshment might need to be cut off due to enjoying happy hour just a bit too much?

Think about it. Is the bar tender alerted as to how many drinks the patron has had after Surface alerts the waitress that another round is clearly in order or instead, do we leave this up to technology entirely?

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/DG3_2lvoL8A" width="350" height="288" wmode="transparent" /]

As far as I am concerned, I think the video pretty much says it all. The technology, while amazing, should be coupled by intelligent individuals to ensure that if Surface is one day used for such a thing, is backed up by people who will make sure no one is getting heavily intoxicated thanks in part to an interactive table.

Managed Services - Which Is Best

Posted: October 23rd, 2008, 11:38pm EDT by Matt Hartley

I have been doing some recent research on different sources for managed services and basically, what I find most IT personnel are looking for is:

Software Deployment and System Management
Help Desk and Ticketing system
Network monitoring with real time alerts
Various forms of asset innovatory, etc

Clearly, there are no shortage of options in this field. Great choices from both the expensive to the cheap are available with relatively little research needed. However I do believe that overall, doing some research can save you a LOT of money. Case in point, Spiceworks.

Unlike Kasesya, HoundDog among others, Spiceworks appears to offer most if not all of the same services for get this - free. Yes, it is completely free and Spiceworks has even taken it upon themselves to refer to their efforts as the ‘iTunes’ of IT applications. Not sure about that, but I do think that they have a solid business model as they are using Google’s ad model to support their efforts. It’s actually pretty clever, really.

Wait, so am I saying that Spiceworks is adware? If your definition of adware is a program, such as AIM or other advertising supported software that generates revenue from ads with the software operator’s permission, then yes, that is what Spiceworks actually is. This being said, like many other advertising supported products, you have an ad-free choice - pony up the cash for a GREAT product. But this again, brings up an interesting perception on freely available software. People actually work to disable the ads for programs such as Spiceworks despite the fact that they are totally up front about the fact that this is how they generate revenue. Does this seem fair to you? Did it seem fair when users used to do the same thing with AIM and other ad supported programs in the past? And when is something going from ad supported to adware? Malware, spyware, sure - obvious enough. But to label something as adware to me, in my mind, would indicate that I was somehow mislead about the revenue generation of the said app. What do you think? Are we looking at double standards here? If not, why not then?

Everything Comes Back Full Circle

Posted: October 22nd, 2008, 5:23am EDT by Matt Hartley

It is truly crazy, but it seems like there is no limit to how easily things can come back full circle. Backup solutions are a great example. I have explored yet again, a wide variety of options available to me and no matter how hard I might try, I keep coming back to CrashPlan. There is just no escaping it. From the fact that it eliminates viruses from being bundled into the backup itself to the fact that the data is encrypted BEFORE it is sent over the pipes for a remote backup, all of the bases are covered.

I am running a backup right now to another PC on-site and will also be having it perform an off-site backup here shortly. You have to love that it can backup the data to an off site location automatically! And of course, the backups are setup to be incremental & differential, which is a real time saver.

Throttle the CPU usage, setup the program to either keep things backed up all the time or just warn you when you are due. The choice depends on the price point you are comfortable with. Oh, it does have a fee involved. And the fee schedule everything considering is actually quite reasonable considering it is one time for the ability to backup or monthly for off-site backup hosting through CrashPlan itself. I myself use the one time fee and that allows me to do off site with friends and on-site with my own network. Overall, I do not think I will be using other open source alternatives as they to date have failed badly with giving me restored data that is as intact as it should be. It’s my data, I do not need surprises. And being cross platform is a real bonus as well…especially backing up all three platforms.

Rocking A New Spam Filtering Server

Posted: October 22nd, 2008, 12:15am EDT by Matt Hartley

If there is one thing I hate, it is spam. New laws and random enforcement is fine, for all of ten nano-seconds, while stronger control over what ends up in my inbox lasts for ever. This is largely what drove me away from the flailing mess known as Spam Assassin. While it might make a good tool for some, I simply can not take the missed email anymore. In short, it sucks and even with the Bayesian training addition, it still fails to do anything right.

This brought me back to POPFile. However unlike last time where I found myself being frustrated with trying to train and maintain multiple installations on multiple machines, I instead opted to do this right. Seeing as I already have a dedicated Linux server for video streaming and other non-mission critical stuff, I decided to put POPFile to work on it, rather than limiting myself with multiple POPFile installations yet again.

Another thing I was bent on was making sure I would be able to tap the POPFile server, even when I am away from home. This was key for me. But I also needed to protect my POP mail password by using the existing SSL provided by my email provider. I may not feel the need to protect the contents of my email messages, but I will be darned if I am going to broadcast my POP mail password with each mail check!

Setup my POPFile server. I keep two networks here at the house. One that is completely cut off from the Internet and another that is not. I used a dedicated server (code for really old PC with Ubuntu on it). I installed POPFile which was as easy as I remembered. I then rebooted the server box and made sure that 127.0.0.1:7070 was coming up in my browser (Windows users might find the needed port as :8080, but I forget).
Open up some ports on the server. In my case, using Gufw makes this a snap. I simply made sure I had opened up 7070, 7070 and 995. Obviously this is not needed for a local POPFile install, but it is to use POPFile as a server with a firewall (IPTables in my case).
Static local IPs or reserving them, router magic. Some will argue that this is unneeded, but I find it makes life massively easier. Thankfully my router is not all that bad with regard to features, so I was able to reserve the IP address currently used for my POPFile server. From here, I head over over to my router’s virtual server settings. I then create a setting called POPFile, set it to use the local IP I reserved currently assigned by DHCP from my router and set it to watch for port 7070 on both public and private, for TCP. And yes, based on the fact that I keep my other machines well insulated, I set it to “allow all” on that machine only.
DynDNS - it is a wonderful thing. I head on over to DynDNS.com and created a free account. I setup a host by choosing to Add a host service. Get something like jimbob.dyndns.net or whatever, then I am ready to rock. (Note - it seems that I am not needing to install any client solutions for this service as DynDNS appears to keep an eye on my everchanging external IP address for me.)
Checking things out. Before even bothering to set anything up, it is time to check a few things: first, goto the http://the-internal-ip-address-for-your-server-pc:7070 - you should be able to connect -and see the web admin interface? Great, now goto http://your-new-dyndns-url:7071 . On Ubuntu based servers, you should see something like:

+OK POP3 POPFile (v1.0.0) server ready
-ERR unknown command or bad syntax
-ERR unknown command or bad syntax
-ERR unknown command or bad syntax
-ERR unknown command or bad syntax
-ERR unknown command or bad syntax
-ERR unknown command or bad syntax
-ERR no response from mail server

Email client setup. Due to the fact that there are countless email clients, I am only giving the info on what to enter. Where to enter that info is up to you. Here is how I did it:

Server - your-new-dyndns-url:7071 (note the lack of http here)

Username - (non SSL) mail.whatever.com:me@whatever.com.com (note the : and note that the username is now the ISP mail server followed by the user name of that account)

Username - (w/SSL) mail.whatever.com:995:me@whatever.com.com:ssl (in the mail client, the SSL setting provided as a pull down MUST BE off or the “:ssl” setting will not work)

Windows server users: read up here as there are differences in the server settings. Never tested this with a Windows box, so other than the web admin interface using port 8080 instead of 7070, I am not sure how your username is to be setup for SSL on a Windows server box.

Here is why this rocks. First, I can now use this server on a Windows, Mac or Linux client - it really should not matter. Overall, the basic mail client settings should remain true. I do not believe there will be any differences in setting up the server and username settings as outlined above as the ports and server address remains a constant on all client platforms since the server platform is Linux.

You will want to train POPFile first, before taking it out on the road. Why? Because I purposely never setup a DynDNS link for the web admin - it is not encrypted and frankly, the password protection is simply too weak to use outside of a firewalled LAN. Do the bulk of your POPFile server training before taking the laptop on the road. It learns very quickly if you stick to minimal buckets. What is a bucket? learn more about the app here.

The second reason this rocks is that I no longer need to worry about keeping my spam filtering in sync in between PCs - yes, it can mix email client accounts just fine. Yeah, I could use someone else’s server solution, but what fun would that be?

Instant Windows? Immediate On Switch? Huh?

Posted: October 17th, 2008, 1:11am EDT by Matt Hartley

I feel like I have seen this idea of Windows providing certain functionality before actually booting someplace before…SplashTop, perhaps? Maybe I am missing the bigger picture here, but I was not that impressed with it in a open source form. So who is going to care to see it bundled with Windows 7?

This is not a bash on Windows, as at least Microsoft has enough sense to check out the interest before trying to pass this one off on its users. Look, minimal access to web browsing, music and other items outside of needing to completely boot into an OS is fun, however I fail to see the end benefit.

Still, as the link above points out, Microsoft is clearly looking to ensure that their boot times are significantly quicker than those had with Windows Vista. Will it matter? Do Windows users actually need an instant on fix for their PCs as they are in such a rush that current Windows startup times are simply too much to deal with? Interested in what you think - should Windows users ask for such a thing?

Web Apps Vs Installed Apps

Posted: October 16th, 2008, 11:24pm EDT by Matt Hartley

I have heard the reports over and over. And today, it seems that these reports I kept hearing about are becoming more substantial. As this article explains, city employees in Washington D.C. apparently will be using the business class version of Google apps. Makes sense from an economic perspective and to be frank, drives home my suspicion that what users might want vs what a budget dictates are two very different things.

For some reason, completely beyond me, people like the UI to the latest version of MS Office. I prefer the older UI versions myself, which explains why I do well with Open Office I suppose. But I think that most of us can agree that Google apps definitely are simple enough that anyone can use them. I would even go so far as to say I am beginning to find them easier to navigate than Open Office or MS Office at this point, with extra emphasis against Open Office Calc.

This being said, I still believe the notion that using Google Gears with its its 32 bit only support and dependence on javascript…sucks, for lack of a better word.

Think I am wrong, maybe I am. Hit the comments and set me straight on this.

What Is A Non-Precipitation Warning?

Posted: October 14th, 2008, 11:20pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Those of you using various WeatherBug applications on your desktop or more recently, on your mobile devices, might be wondering what in the heck a Non-Precipitation Warning actually means? When WeatherBug issues one of these warnings over their iPhone WeatherBug application for example, this means that NOAA has issued a Non-Precipitation alert.

As you can see here, it basically means that a large area is affected by high wind, frost, heat, wind chill, and yes in some areas, even dense fog. While it might not seem like a big deal because it is not storm related, the truth is in some cases, it IS storm related. It could mean you are being lead into weather that may later on, be deemed as more severe.

So the next time of these crazy events come across your WeatherBug application, consider heeding the alert as an opportunity to keep the device set to alert you to severe weather handy. You never know when severe weather might strike!

The Internet Increases Brain Activity?

Posted: October 14th, 2008, 10:41pm EDT by Matt Hartley

I have to say, I am not all that shocked that using our favorite search engine is doing something positive for our brain activity. With all of the reading and thinking going into what you are searching for, anything less than a sign of life in the brain would be a real surprise, truth be told. What I do not see happening however, is the Internet, in any capacity, making us smarter. Seriously, you know you spend too much time in front of a computer when you setup your online bank’s bill payer to submit a payment for a bill to your own home address. I felt really weird walking to my mailbox to discover that apparently the city was cutting me a check for the exact same amount I had just watched being paid just a few days ago! Shocking…

Moral of the story is too much of anything, even using something helpful like the Internet can send your brain into a bit of a tizzy!

Better Wi-Fi Or Thinking Outside Of The Box?

Posted: October 14th, 2008, 10:11pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Over the years, I have watched as wireless Internet access became the norm. In homes, schools and the workplace, I was shocked to find that even the local car repair place offered their patrons free wireless Internet.

Yet in light of the slight reality check reminding us that wireless Internet is not always choice for all circumstances, I have to wonder — is HomePlug a more secure solution? After testing out the Netgear Wall-Plugged Ethernet Extender Kit XE102G for a couple of weeks now, my answer is a yes. Not only more secure as someone would need to wait until the data was released onto the Internet itself rather than your LAN, but it can also be more convenient in some circumstances.

Now I am first to admit that there is no way using Internet over power lines is going to be a fast as what you might have in a typical CAT5/6 setup right out of the router. Yet despite this, Netgear can get you up to 85 Mbps, which is not too shabby in the grand scheme of things.

So what do you think? Are you totally sold on using wireless, even on a desktop where running cable is not practical? Hit the comments, let’s get a discussion going on this whole “HomePlug” thing.

NVIDIA Cards Used For WPA Hacking?

Posted: October 10th, 2008, 5:44pm EDT by Matt Hartley

I have to admit, I was wondering when WPA was going to be seen as useless. This seems to confirm it for me, except that most people do not even know how to hack into a WEP network. So in reference to this article, yes, wifi is inherently insecure. Oh and a news flash - it has never been secure! Seriously, your data is readily available when not behind a VPN anyway. So really the down side here is that someone can get onto your network.

Now in situations where security for the user and the company they are working for is a factor, wireless is never really the best plan. Yet for most people, WPA remains plenty as most people are not going to run into a problem here. If there is a concern, use a VPN and stay wired - it is really simple.

What do you think, are we in real trouble here as NVIDIA cards can apparently be used for nefarious deeds? Hit the comments, share your thoughts.

Daisy Chains And FiOS

Posted: October 10th, 2008, 12:53am EDT by Matt Hartley

It took some RAM testing, the old fashion way to get my PC back up and running. Even before I approved the comments making the RAM check suggestion as seen in this post, I opted to pull a stick that I had some suspicions on. Sure enough, that did the trick, problems solved…including random cursor freezes when I finally got things working otherwise. So that is behind me.

On another front, I decided to go ahead and tackle the next upcoming issue. Those of you with FiOS who like me, were foolish enough to go with the Coax vs the CAT5 option now stuck with the Actiontec router, likely find that when things get to really moving on the box, you end up with NAT errors. Basically, FiOS may be fast, but the Verizon router obviously needs to be re-thought out.

So doing what any geek would do, I decided to go ahead and daisy chain my Actiontec into my much better D-Link Gamer’s Lounge router. The Gamer’s Lounge may be dated, but it remains the strongest performing router to date. And as luck would have it, the instructions on getting the daisy chain setup with the Actiontec into bridge mode is fairly straight forward.

Any latency or speed loss? Nope, things are doing really well. The last speed test gave me readings of 21 Mbps down and 18 Mbps up. Works for me as the pings look good as well. Why the crazy upload speed? Simple, when I am doing any video work or FTP stuff, having access to 20-ish speeds mean I get things done MUCH faster.

Am I sorry I did not switch out the routers sooner? Definitely, I am actually noticing better performance since setting up the daisy chain. If you are on FiOS and are sick of NAT going nose up on you when you are simply trying to enjoy the speed you are paying for, use the previously linked tutorial…but follow it VERY closely as you can screw things up pretty easily.

Reality Checks, Grooving With A Recoup

Posted: October 7th, 2008, 1:45am EDT by Matt Hartley

I never thought it would happen - getting my office set back up to what it once was. Even though my office remains a disaster zone due to my recent move, at least I am not having to work off of the notebook any longer. That alone, is fantastic as I am back in the zone with dual-monitors again. There is nothing like working off a “real” keyboard with full sized monitors.

But after I first booted the tower, I realized how much faster my notebook was. It is running with an Intel Dual-Core 2.20ghz with 2 gigs of RAM. My desktop on the other hand, was lacking with an AMD 64 3700+ with only a single gig of RAM. Clearly, I needed to remedy this. Off to the local big box store I go to pick-up a couple of sticks of RAM for my aging PC.

As luck would have it, I ended up with the wrong stuff once I got back home. Seriously, how did I miss this? I used to build these things? Apparently, I just overlooked what I picked up.

Finally after returning the old sticks, I ended up with the right stuff and sure enough, nothing better for a PC than a RAM upgrade. Currently rocking 2 gigs on my AMD box, which helps better match what I was enjoying on my notebook.

So what about you? Considering the times are getting a little leaner, are you rethinking that next big PC upgrade and instead, find yourself looking at upgrading what you already have? I did, thus far I could not be happier.

UnChrome Your Browser

Posted: September 26th, 2008, 12:54am EDT by Matt Hartley

Google Chrome has certainly wowed more people than I can count. Yet despite this, there remains a constant privacy concern with the browser. Yeah, I know. We should not worry so much about this sort of thing if we have nothing to hide, right? Wrong. No one wants a browser with that kind of power.

Thankfully there are ways to take the teeth out of the browser should you wish to. Here are two of the most common ways.

Iron: Based on Chrome, but lacking the tracking features. It’s an interesting idea, however being the development project is not in English, this can be a real barrier.

UnChrome: A smarter solution for those of us not fluent in other languages. The idea behind this is simple enough - take an existing Chrome installation and “fix it” with null values as to no longer be able to identify you individually.

Is this enough to get you to switch to Chrome? Hit the comments, share your thoughts on making such a switch.

Does Vista Need To Go Back To School?

Posted: September 25th, 2008, 8:48pm EDT by Matt Hartley

Found out something interesting from my wife. Apparently in each college she has recently attended, it has been recommended that students avoid using Vista. Not just with select applications - I am talking completely. Yet with further research, I found that many schools are fine with it, just as long as students understand that support is only one page. Here is one such example.

The above linked page appears to be dated as of 2007, yet I know for a fact that most schools are wary of Vista due to its ongoing headaches with BlackBoard. Other universities still, are more patient and have provided a quick fix to the BlackBoard problem when using Vista - use FireFox. Yes, you could use IE, however as you can see here with the two possible solutions, installing the browser looks to be much less of a pain than following the myriad of instructions when a simpler alternative is available.

So what is the state of software compatibility on Vista now? Can’t really speak to that myself, however I do know that if you want to use BlackBoard, you might be better off thinking of using an alternative browser.

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Linux Gaming 2.0: Why More Linux Users Aren’t Gamers

Posted: March 27th, 2008, 5:39am EDT by Matt Hartley

What would it take to get more Linux users playing video games? A better selection of native games for the Linux platform? It has been tried over and again with very limited results. But perhaps it’s worth trying again, this time with real, obtainable tools and help? Enter Garage Games.

Real Games: A Real Profitable Platform. Understanding these games remain few in number, the results are the same — they are cross platform and include Linux users. No using silly emulators, these indie developers have made sure that Linux users are included in the gaming fun. Now, the really important question — why hasn’t anyone heard of any of this? Largely due to the fact that these games are considered “independent,” the exposure these studios have received is otherwise limited.

And perhaps the one thing that is on all of your minds is how come all of these games are closed source? Simple, while they include Linux as a supported OS, it’s not their primary focus. Therefore, don’t expect these developers to giveaway something that likely took them years to make. There are some fantastic Open Source games, but unlike software, video games don’t make great Open Source business models as a rule.

Holding Onto Ideals Or Bringing Gaming Into a Cross-Platform Realm? As far as I’m concerned, it all comes down to a choice. Expect the gaming industry to follow the Linux doctrine or instead, build up a viable, cross platform gaming market that includes us, the Linux users. It ought to be set up as follows — if you don’t like the idea, don’t participate. But try not to put down the idea.

If we can get more companies like Garage Games on board with the idea of making games available to everyone, we could begin to see a slow influx of new and exciting games developed with the Torque gaming engine.

Build Your Own. Another approach altogether is to simply build your own games — within Linux, for Linux. What’s so cool about many of the development tools is that most of them allow for full, and if need be, simple development in Linux.

With the right amount of time invested, the ability to choose whether or not to give away the games or sell them, you could become part of the solution for getting Linux gaming into a stronger position.

Back to Windows-Only Gaming. What about Cedega , you say? It’s an admirable effort and does work well enough for World of Warcraft, along with other games. But forget about having anything short of a hair pulling experience with anything from EA. The Battlefield series speaks for itself in the forums. It’s less than the game itself and more of the informal use of Punk Buster, also referred to “Skunk Butter” throughout certain gaming circles, mainly because it’s such a hassle for Linux users. So yes, what TransGaming attempts with Cedega is neat, but it’s largely a 50/50 proposition.

Regardless, while it may not be fully Open Source, it’s a cross platform solution at least.

This article has been republished with the kind permission of our friends at Mad Penguin. For more news about the Open Source community, go give ‘em a look or Subscribe to Mad Penguin’s RSS Feed!

Why Microsoft’s Facebook Bet Won’t Work

Posted: March 26th, 2008, 5:31am EDT by Matt Hartley

Microsoft made a mistake with its investment in Facebook. Just because Google has made a business out of Internet advertising doesn’t mean that a traditional software company is going to do well here, too.

Facebook is likely to be seen as Microsoft’s ace in the Web 2.0 Wars. Google gave birth to the “online OS” by providing many of the applications you might expect to find in installable form. Today, others, such as Facebook, are growing exponentially because they offer much more than just “another social medium.” Yet as great as the little widget-like applications that everyone is going nuts over at Facebook are, at its core, Facebook can and will become yesterday’s news someday. Here’s why:

Pull the plug. Seriously, just pull the plug on the connectivity to that platform and watch all of that Web 2.0 nonsense deflate right before your eyes. Whether it be a localized issue with being able to connect to any specific portal/service/ or worse, an international hiccup in the world’s ability to connect to the Web 2.0 company. It could happen…
Besides eyeballs, what is the real value that Facebook is providing? Exactly, it’s a roundabout way to reach ad dollars. At the end of the day, Facebook joining Microsoft’s own portfolio will be great for Facebook but it’ll do very little for a company like Microsoft. Why? Microsoft is the new IBM as Facebook is the new Yahoo! (1990s era). Microsoft knows enterprise, but it has seriously lost its traction with most home users in almost every sense of the word. This is just a fact; people have been burned badly with high MS Office prices and Vista incompatibilities. Microsoft needs to focus on one business at a time as far as I’m concerned.
Microsoft needs to understand that the way it develops software is dying. This doesn’t mean Microsoft will cease to exist in the near future, but the closed source mindset with mobile OS is taking its last breath. Same goes with Facebook. As a trend, sure, it’s cool. Yet to dump millions into it is just plain reaching for the stars and proof of a stale Redmond development scene.

This article has been republished with the kind permission of our friends at OSWeekly.com. For more computer news, go give ‘em a look or Subscribe to OSWeekly.com’s RSS Feed!

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Permalink for 'Lockergnome_s_Tech_News_Watch/2008/01/31/Why_You_Shouldn%e2%80%99t_Upgrade_Your_OS'

Why You Shouldn’t Upgrade Your OS

Posted: January 31st, 2008, 12:01pm EST by Matt Hartley

I don’t care whether or not you are thinking of using Vista, OS X or Linux. As a personal rule, I rarely upgrade until any release has been out for at least six months. Why is this? Flash back to the two issues (not patched, I believe) with OS X Leopard, the vast issues with Vista (mostly patched, again) and of course, distributions like Ubuntu that almost always have a laundry list of bugs until the next LTS (Long-Term Support) release comes out.

With this in mind, allow me to pass on some tips that have kept my household OS frustration-free for years.

Major Patches On Any System: Some Things to Consider. While this is not really as much an issue with OS X and Linux as it is with Windows, I want to be clear, there still are issues that pop up every once in awhile. In Ubuntu, for instance, kernel updates are notoriously confusing to beginners when they restart the computer only to see X crashing. All Ubuntu would need to do is issue a firm, noticeable warning that required an OK before installing the update. Asking for a sudo password is about as much of a disclaimer as Windows’ UAC, in case anyone was thinking of stating otherwise.

Let’s take a random service pack (SP) for Windows as one example. Yes, there is a lot of beta testing that goes into it before its release, but anyone with a semi-decent memory remembers how many past Windows service packs have caused issues in the past. To me, they are no different than a completely new release of the OS and I generally treat them as such. Unlike a full release, however, I will generally only wait a couple of months before upgrading; whereas, with an OS upgrade, I prefer to wait a lot longer.

By waiting with SPs and full OS upgrades, I ensure that any issues that are public and well known mare taken care of, rather than me being one of the lucky few who get to try them out for myself.

What Are You Really Losing? What are you really losing by waiting a little longer before upgrading? If you are a Windows user, upgrading from XP to Vista, security is a serious consideration for most people. However, with OS X and various Linux distributions, it’s more or less going to be features, and in some cases, hardware support improvements that might have otherwise been missed out on.

Can you get by without it and even more so, should you? I’d say yes to both. Unless there’s a driving cause for you to upgrade right away, I have always been a strong proponent of waiting.

What You Gain Far Outweighs Anything Else. Running a stable PC, Mac, whatever is what it’s all about. If XP or Tiger is working for you and there are no complaints, why rush to upgrading now? Give it some time and while others become Beta testers for big software, you enjoy an opportunity to allow it all to sail by. Remember, I’m not saying that you ought to continue running an OS until support for it completely runs out. But this knee-jerk upgrading because the latest release of [insert OS here] has hit the shelves is senseless.

If your computing appliance is key to your work life, give upgrading a backseat. You may find that you will be happier for it.

This article has been republished with the kind permission of our friends at OSWeekly.com. For more computer news, go give ‘em a look or Subscribe to OSWeekly.com’s RSS Feed!

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Why New Linux Users Are Frustrated

Posted: January 30th, 2008, 12:02pm EST by Matt Hartley

Users by the truckload fill various user forums with problem topics in Linux despite widely available support documents available online. Today, I will talk about a few key areas that would solve a number of problems if they were to be addressed in the open.

Stop Pretending, It’s Time to Accept What Works With Wireless. One of the immature things I have seen on an ongoing basis is those distributions that dilute themselves into offering imaginary support for wireless drivers with terrible luck. Broadcom and Ubuntu are the two biggest offenders. If a simple warning popped on a LiveCD, after detecting the presence of a Broadcom chipset, stating that you are going to be getting geeky in a 50/50 effort to get that card working, you could save a lot of wasted time with NDISWrapper.

When a User Visits a Forum for Help, Leave the Attitude At Home. One thing that I see in some Linux forums is a real attitude like the beginner ought to know they are going to need to find the answer themselves. Again, this is a lot less of an occurrence these days, but this elitist nonsense still exists.

There’s nothing more disheartening than seeing new users coming into a messageboard with a relatively common question, only to be answered by some jerk who’s only comment is to tell them to use their brains and search the archives for the answer. It’s tired, unneeded and tends to drive people away.

As true as the original point may be, being a decent person and elaborating to the new user might be in order. Because the chances are good this person who just received the cold shoulder will not be coming back to that messageboard for help. And perhaps even worse, they will eventually give up on Linux altogether.

Last But Not Least, Choices vs. Consistency. The biggest area that the Linux desktop still needs to overcome is settle on a means of providing choice, yet also considering the adoption value of a consistent desktop as well. On top of this, users in the US find themselves at odds with the legalities behind what is known as “restricted codecs.”

If we can find some common ground between GNOME and KDE, in addition to more promotion for free codecs, things will become a lot less convoluted for users trying to use Linux full time.

This article has been republished with the kind permission of our friends at OSWeekly.com. For more computer news, go give ‘em a look or Subscribe to OSWeekly.com’s RSS Feed!

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The State Of Google’s Everex Linux PCs

Posted: January 29th, 2008, 8:00am EST by Matt Hartley

It was only a short time ago I wrote a piece detailing my initial thoughts on the little Everex boxes running a Google branded OS (Linux) that magically had no actual Google fingerprints anywhere on it at all. Today, I learned that their main distributor, Wal-Mart, has completely sold out of them [Editor’s Note: At the writing of this article.]. I have to admit, I’m speechless.

A Computer for Non-Geeks? As much as I’m shocked to say this, the gOS-powered machines may have hit on a market that even other, better-known distros have yet to approach on. I will continue in my belief that the gOS has only scraped the surface. But could it be that their marketing ploy is paying off where other distributions like Linspire and Xandros have failed in the same position — at Wal-Mart? What is the difference and why is one succeeding where others have failed? Does this mean instant success? It’s a start, but not without some hard lessons.

How Many of These Boxes Are Being Returned? The big question that needs to be asked is how many of these PCs are being returned? Not because of any confusion over Linux vs. Windows per se, rather as one sharp commenter pointed out — the lack of dial-up modems.

With many brands of modems readily working with Linux, it would have been smart for the folks at Everex to have thought far enough ahead to have bother including this as an option. If it was a matter of price, I could have shown them where to get one for roughly $7.00 USD, you can easily buy working dial-up modems via an online retailer. Seriously, this is pretty obvious. Not everyone has access to broadband, you know.

And then there is the X factor. Those who thought they were ready to kick the Windows habit only to discover this is not in the cards. How is Wal-Mart reporting these returns and are people truly feeling good about these PCs over what they would be getting from other Linux vendors?

Box Size Remains a Consistent Issue. It seems like the actual form factor of the PC itself remains an issue with many of the otherwise advocates of this gOS-powered box. Personally, as a do-it-yourself-type, I prefer the larger size should I wish to replace something, swap out some RAM and so on.

Others still may find that the power consumption is spot-on with their needs and best of all, they feel good about the money that was spent on this product.

Will This gOS Box Do As Well Outside of Wal-Mart? Frankly, I think it could do quite well based on the purchasing frenzy of late. Last time I was a bit skeptical; however, this time I feel fairly confident that Everex may have a hit on their hands. Let’s just hope that both groups remember to give back to the developers who helped make all of this possible for them. Because without all of the fantastic Linux developers working crazy hours to meet impossible deadlines, none of this would be where it is today. Congrats to both Everex and to the gOS team! I’m impressed.

This article has been republished with the kind permission of our friends at OSWeekly.com. For more computer news, go give ‘em a look or Subscribe to OSWeekly.com’s RSS Feed!

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