I am trying to limit and possibly end my dependence on Google. Don’t get me wrong, I like A LOT of their services (I am writing a series on Google Reader 1 2 3), but they are going against their credo of ‘Do no evil’. I will give some examples of why they are going against their credo a little later.First, Google is becoming the Microsoft of the web. Yes, we all know that MS is not very good at anything web, Internet Explorer, MSN, Live, etc. Google is becoming too big to be the innovative one on the block. How many of their products, THAT THEY DEVELOPED, have been a success? Search has. Gmail has. Reader has in my eyes. But what else? They bought YouTube.
With that being said, Google is looking to find a way to grow. They are not that good at building products, aside from the few I wrote above. What they are doing is keeping as much information about everybody who uses any of their services to slap them with ads, or have someone else do it. I have a problem with this. I do not mind companies showing me ads to make money or provide me a service. I do not like how much detail they keep.
Popularity: 17% [?]
Tags: Gmail, Google, google health, google privacy, google reader, HIPAA, leave google, leaving google, live, microsoft, msn, privacy, rss
Microsoft is offering startups the oppurtinity to use thier software for 3 years FREE. The program is called BizSpark. There are a few rules to be able to use the software. The company has to be younger than 3 years old, have less than $1 million in revenue, and pay list price for the software after the free period is up. Here is a link to the program guide.
You might say that last item is the catch. It kind of is. The kind of piece being that you do not have to use only their software. You can use any bits or pieces you want and then use other companies software where you do not use Microsoft. You also will be in a start-up directory provided by Microsoft.
Microsoft may not have the best technology, but they sure do provide the most assistance to startup companies of any of the software giants out there (ie, google, Oracle, IBM)
Till next time
Sir Slur
Popularity: 9% [?]
Tags: free, free microsoft, free software, microsoft programs, startup, startup software
I was reading a post about ‘Battling for smartphone developers’ hearts and minds” and noticed that the author missed a large audience, Microsoft. He talked about Apple, Google and RIM, but never mentioned Microsoft. I am not saying that it is the best, most glamorous, or easiest to use, it is just the largest player out there. How to you write about comparing a software group and not mention the big boy. I read CNET every day and this disturbs me. They seem to be missing on many articles these days and this is the first one I have decided to write about. I hope to see more complete stories in the future.
Till next time,
Sir Slur
Popularity: 5% [?]
Tags: cnet, developers, smartphone, smartphone developers
Well, Apple did it. Google did it. Now, Microsoft is finally doing it.
They are holding a contest to see who can create the best application for an embedded device using the .NET Micro Framework. Yes, they are doing it a little differently than Apple and Google. They only wanted applications for their phones. Microsoft wants whatever you can dream of. There is the chance to win over $101,000 in this contest.
Here are some of the deadlines:
Popularity: 15% [?]
Tags: .net, .net framework, .net framework contest, .net micro framework, .net micro framework contest, embedded devices, embedded devices contest, microsoft, microsoft contest
Why is it taking Mozilla so long to come to market with a browser for cell phones? Opera is there. Safari is there. Internet Explorer is there. The issue is that I do not like any of the ones available. I want my FireFox.
I have found out that it is in Alpha right now. Fennec is the codename for the mobile version of FireFox. I have also found one of the developer’s blogs. Here is the link to Brad’s Blog.
I have not seen a time line on this yet but due to my reading it looks like they are still a good ways out. I hope they will have it ready by years end as I will be getting a new phone around that time and would like to know if FireFox will work with it.
Older version on an ereader.
Till next time,
Sir Slur
Popularity: 18% [?]
Tags: cell phone, cell phone browser, fennec, firefox, firefox cellphone, firefox fennec, firefox mobile, mobile browser, mozilla browser, mozilla mobile browser
I Have been looking at some IPhone applications. There are quite a few programs for it. Here is a set of good programs that I would use.
Local city real time traffic reports
“Traffic1.mobi provides real time traffic condition reports to all cities in the United States. Each report includes detailed information about the specific incident, severity, GPS location, map, the direction to the incident, reporting time.” quote from Apple
I would have this in a heartbeat if my commute wasn’t just 5 minutes. My biggest delay is walking to my truck in the parking lot. Although I sometimes need a GPS to find my truck.
Airport Flight Delays
“Use your iPhone to see a concise list of any current flight delays across many airports in the United States such as JFK, Atlanta, Newark, Philadelphia and many more. Data provided by flightstats.com and is perfectly formatted for your iPhone screen. Clicking on each entry takes you to the real-time delay information from each airport.” quote from Apple
This would have served me well when I was constantly traveling for work. Now I can use it to see which airports my friends are stuck.
WorldWatchr
“Now you can stay in touch with your home, famous places of the world, the current traffic conditions and much more by watching your favorite web cams on your iPhone. This WorldWatchr application makes it easy to monitor web images which are continuously updated (like web camera pictures). It can cycle through all your cameras and updates the images periodically.” quote from WorldWatchr
This is for the most dedicated perv. You can keep watch on your favorite cam even while getting the groceries.
Attendance Countdown
“An easy to use web app to keep track of your arrival and working time. You set the arrival time by either tapping on the current time or specifying it manually. After that you set the working time for today. Toggle between 12h (a.m./p.m.) and 24h displaying modes by tapping on “Now” or the quitting time. A countdown informs you of the left time you have to stay at work. If you prefer to see the elapsed time since your arrival tap on the left time to switch. All information is stored in cookies on your device so you can close the Safari tab while still preserving your data. You can also easily e-mail the current times to yourself or your boss for accounting, etc. ” quote from Apple
If using this for tracking work time, then you are trying to be a mortar. We already know who you are. We do not need you to send us your timesheet everyday.
I hope you enjoy these programs. They do look like they would serve a good purpose despite my jokes. They would be very helpful to many a consultant or road warrior.
Till next time,
Sir Slur
Popularity: 18% [?]
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