2006 March 23

After posting my switch from NewsGator to FeedDemon (Outlook is running much faster now), I got a note from Pito Salas of BlogBridge. I had taken a look at their client a few months ago, but ultimately turned away from it due to its foundation in Java. I have nothing against Java itself, but its performance on Windows is worse that .NET – which is bad to begin with. Life is much better (read: faster) without .NET or Java apps on the desktop. However, that doesn't mean the apps (themselves) aren't without merit. As Pito pointed out with BlogBridge (points which I largely understand and/or agree with)

Read more on The BlogBridge, Crossing the NewsRiver?…

When Robert Scales, CEO of Raincity Studios, isn’t running the Vancouver, B.C. based design boutique, he’s out taking on the world. Armed with a camera and audio recording gear, Robert can be found filling his Flickr photo stream with images or doing what he calls gonzo audio recording. At SXSW, Ponzi talks with Robert about this gonzo audio recording, and his life enjoying the world following a youth spent in Montreal. You can keep up with Robert at Robert Scales dot org.

Read more on Robert Scales of Raincity Studios on World Travel…

There are many different aspects to Mozilla's Firefox, do you know about them all?
Firefox Facts is the definitive guide when it comes to using the world's most famous alternative browser. Inside the pages of this eBook you will get tips and tweaks to make your browsing experience better. You will also get reviews of some of the best known and the less known extensions as well. Download the PDF.

Read more on Free Firefox eBook…

Beverly Chapin RE: I Hate Wireless:
My wireless MS mouse is cosied up to the wired Microsoft model waiting to be sent to eBay, or maybe Salvation Army. I finally bought my first laptop (HP) even if I couldn't afford it, didn't need it, and confirmed I'm not a “Touchpad” type. Bought a Logitech wireless notebook mouse – LOVE IT! And I can switch it to the desktop in place of the clunky MS wireless by just moving the USB unit when I'm going to do serious mousing. Next sale I'm getting another LOGITECH notebook wireless for desktop – it also fits my short fingers better. The rest of the time I use my WACOM pen – another gem. But their mouse sucks – now there is s-l-o-w.
Logitech's wired models worked better also, I just wanted out of wires, like Ponzi. With the scanner, 2 printers, ext. DVD writer, 2 ext. HDDs, desktop/UPS, external desktop speakers, feed from stereo – I have to have 2nd UPS to run laptop on power already. Talk about wires and cables. I was an amateur but read the computer mags and made reasonably good choices on major items, like I'm on second Sony desktop (first one still runs fine). But Microsoft sells me no more peripherals. Obviously I've transferred to reading on-line computer info, especially since TechTV went down the tubes. Liked you there, appreciate your newsletters. But even you cannot sell me on anything Microsoft in future – junky hardware and bloated, faulty softwear. Borrow and try someone's Logitech wireless before you give up.

Read more on Wireless Mouse: Logitech vs. Microsoft…

Curtis Miller RE: Refurbished Laptops:
From my experience as a system administrator dealing with 200+ leased laptops that eventually enter the resale market every 3 years, I'd strongly recommend AGAINST buying a refurbished used laptop computer unless you're buying it from a close personal friend or favorite relative. Our computers (all Dell) are used for up to 8 hours a day as the working tool of our field employees, so after 3 years of this kind of use these machines are not only way behind techology-wise but they've been really USED.
There's no way for a refurbishing company to test the LCD screens to determine their remaining life, and if your refurbished laptop screen goes out 6 months into your 1 year warranty you can kiss off getting a replacement screen which means adios laptop. There's also no way for a refurbisher to gauge how the chronic overheating of the internal components will have shortened the ultimate life of the computer, so once again you might have a motherboard failure 3 months into your 1 year warranty, but that motherboard may not be readily available. If the computer is an older model when you get it, the supply of replacement parts will have dwindled to almost none. If you're buying a relatively new refurbished machine (like a returned computer, or floor model or someone else's lemon), then repairs can be more readily made.
Maybe you'll be lucky and get a decent machine that will last a long time, but why not just buy a new low end machine for almost the same price instead of taking on a headache?

Read more on Refurbished Laptops…

One of the more interesting search companies at SES New York was GenieKnows.com. The company is taking on the search space with their own search algorithms and a stable of companies licensing their search technology for paid search, while maintaining the intimacy of a more traditional family business. In talking with Barbara Manning, CEO of GenieKnows.com, the big push for their search engine in the coming months is to nail local search better than anyone else in the game. Based on any experience we’ve had with searching for local information, that’s certainly a field that remains wide open.

Read more on Barbara Manning of GenieKnows.com…

Back again for another live stream from Chez Pirillo. This time we’re joined in studio by Greg Linden of Findory, a service for customizing the way you consume news and information. The founders of HelpShare, an Question and Answer service connecting people with questions to qualified individuals capable of providing reliable answers for a small fee. And we’ll be talking with the filmmakers behind Hurricane Wilma – The Untold Story, a chronological documentation of the events surrounding disastrous flooding in the Florida Keys during the 2005 hurricane.

Read more on Finding Help and Hurricane Stories…

This could almost be classified as an episode of Ponzi and Pirillo, complete with special guests Nate and Elizabeth Grigg. The chat room invented a drinking game (soda, of course ;) requiring participants to drink anytime Chris said something that irritated Ponzi. You can play along at home with the downloadable version. We also hear from Elizabeth and Nate Grigg on a wide range of topics. Elizabeth is reverse-engineering happiness while Nate composes soundtracks for video games at their home studio. You may know his compositions from the game F.E.A.R which won Best Action Game at E3 in 2005. Nate provides background on how he got his start in music at an early age and Beth brings her perspective on software development.

Read more on Nate and Elizabeth Grigg Join Ponzi and Pirillo…