Friday, October 20, 2006

Conversion Complete!............DOH!!!

I noticed a couple of weeks ago, while updating my blog(s), that the new Blogger 2.0 BETA was available for use. To use it, you would need to convert your profile and blogs over to the new version. The system does warn you that the conversion can take a while depending on the size of your blog(s), but considering my blogs were started earlier this year and I don't have a ton of entries to date, I figured the conversion would be rather quick.

I was right, in fact I was blogging with the new system withing a few minutes. The system looks pretty much the same, but there are additions and changes that Google/Blogger have made to the system, like the addition of tags for your postings.

I have been using the new version for about a week or so now and just today I decided to click on my profile and see if that is displayed any differently. Upone doing so I see the following: "Age: 250". I took a real double take because I knew this couldn't be right. So, I logged in and went to my profile setup only to find my date of birth, during the conversion, had been changed to 1756. ( wooo hooo, I wasn't aware that I had gone through the quickening, but i'll take it). See the screen shot below for my blogger2.0 determined age.



So, to all those would-be upgraders out there, when your upgrade is complete, go in and check your profile and make sure you didn't suddenly gain years before you are supposed to.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Organize......OrGaNiZe.........ORGANIZE!!

About a month ago I was reading the August issue of Linux Format ( UK version) (I am pretty sure that is the correct month) and in browsing the reviews of some new-on-the-scene software I noticed a program called Incollector. In reading the article, it was described as software for organizing bits of data. To me, that mean all the little tidbits that I had scribbled onto sticky notes or ripped off pieces of paper and had scattered everywhere.

So, after reading the article I decided to download the software and try it out. At first glance, it seemed interesting and it did not take long for me to get the idea of how to use it as it was and still is, quite user friendly. The version that I had first installed was version 0.1. I know, still early in its release, but I was willing to give it a shot if it did what it promised, and helped me organize my little bits.

After encountering a problem with the program (namely that whatever entries I made were gone after closing out and restarting the program), I decided to write to the developer. I was blown away to have an answer within a day. The developer had not only informed me that he knew of the issue(s) that I experienced, but also attached to the email the latest, current development version, promising that I would have a better experience.

He was right. in fact, I have been using the software ever since. Every time I find a bit of data ( ie: URL, a command for doing something, a bit of code), I open up Incollector and throw it in. I have pretty much started relying on it for my organization (granted, it is only one of several tools I use).

I know, I sound like an ad or a commercial for the product. Please know that a I am an end user of this product, just like you. The reason I am blogging about this is to not only share my experience with this software and spread the word of it, but to also thank the Developer (Marcin Krzywonos, "Thank You, Marcin!") who has been extremely kind in helping me whenever I have an issue with the program. His promptness and willingness to help me deserves this credit!,

Don't take my word for it, download it and see if you like it too. You never know, it may just turn out to be a regular part of you arsenal of tools.

For those who like screen shots, here are a few for you.

Here is the main window for Incollector.


Here is the window for adding a source code entry.


Here is the window for adding a serial number entry.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

And children will be....well.......children!!!

I make no point to hide the fact that I am a HUGE fan of Google. No flaming please, I believe in "to each his own". My wife really likes Yahoo News and I don't knock her for that, they have a nice page going there. I am just hooked on my Google News and cannot change that.

But, that is not what this is about. Back when I obtained my invitation to open a Gmail account the hype was just starting to build and Microsoft and Yahoo saw Google as a rather sever threat to their way of life. Why do I say this? Because, as everyone is aware, Micro$oft and Yahoo blocked ALL Gmail invites sent to users on their respective email services. Thus, where my point about being "childish" comes from!

Now, Google has beat them all to the punch and purchased youTube.com. In my opinion, this is only going to increasingly benefit the youTube.com site and allow it to grow, especially since Google has convince the likes of Sony and Warner to open up their music video's to youTube.com members, for Free (as in water(I say this as I don't drink beer)). Anywho, it was announced on slashdot today that Yahoo Messenger is now blocking the youTube.com URL.

Come on people, can't we all just get along? Face the facts that Google got to it before you could and that's that! Live with is. I severely dislike Microsoft because of their Evil, misleading ways and their crappy software. It makes me just as much dislike Yahoo to see these childish games being played as a virtual temper tantrum because they didn't get their way.

GROW UP YAHOO!!! And that goes for all the other's that would follow in the same path! Just......grow....UP!
 
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