Firefox 3.5

Firefox 3.5 came out of beta and release candidates today.  First thing this morning i did my due and downloaded it.  Don’t have it yet?  Get it now.  My computer now has Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari.  Nobody really needs all the different browsers.  I keep Safari around for one site only.  Since that site is job related i can’t quite replace that site with something better.  The site does not work well in Firefox 3.0.  Elements don’t load in the correct spots.  I think it is the collection of GreaseMonkey scripts and Adblock Plus filters that mess the site up. 

Perhaps 3.5 will let me rid myself of Safari.  Safari is such a resource hog that i have to close everything just to use it.  Even IE does not bring my system to a halt like Safari does.  I need more memory but until then Safari is near unusable.  So how does Firefox stack up to Internet Explorer and Chrome?  IE uses more memory and makes my system noticeably slower.  I don’t have to close everything else to use it.  Firefox with IE Tab seems to be more responsive.

This leaves Chrome.  Chrome is still improving.  User script is nice.  But Chrome does not seem grown up to me yet.  Firefox took time to replace Netscape as my browser of choice.  Chrome is on its way but it is missing some quality add-ons that i won’t live without.  When X-Marks and Adblock Plus work on Chrome….

Windows 7 Beta –> RC1

Yesterday i reinstalled Windows.  I beta test software and so i reinstall Windows 2-5 times a year.  This reinstall was to replace Windows 7 Beta with Windows 7 Release Candidate.  Since i do this consistently i am pretty quick when it comes to backing up my system and reinstalling Windows.  In the past i used to make Windows Slipstream discs.  This let me install Windows by inserting the disc and walking away.  With the amount of customization i do i’d spend more time prepping a disc than i’d save.  Now the process is relatively simple.

The process is rather simplified with Windows 7.  Fewer inputs during the install leaves the system waiting for me less.  Most settings were left at default anyway.  With each install i get faster at backing up the system.  The biggest time saver is keeping my documents stored on an external hard drive.  Once the system is up i point the My Documents folder at my docs folder. 

Also on this drive i have a folder with the installs for all my standard software.  This folder has FireFox, Office 2007, OpenOffice, Acrobat, 7-zip, K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, iTunes, Songbird, AVG, other apps, and the most recent service packs for the OS and each application.  I may not reinstall everything on each of my computers every time.  Having these packages saves the download time.  It does add an extra step of replacing install packages when i upgrade software.  Overall still a time saver.

These time savers let me repartition the hard drive with each install.  The mental peace of mind of having a fresh install is like putting on fresh underwear right out of the dryer.  With some small planning i can complete the entire process in under 3 hours.  Time spent this time, between 80-120 minutes; I was done before i finished the laundry.

Why you should not buy a Kindle DX

The Amazon Kindle DX was announced to press with big fanfare on 06 May.  This new device is a small upgrade over the Kindle 2.  Sure is has a bigger screen, more storage space, better battery and pdf support.  It also has a bigger price tag.  This device is being targeted to college students and as a newspaper savior.  Many analysts don’t think this device will advance the ebook reader further into the mainstream.  One only thinks the DX will survive due to piracy.  I don’t feel the upgrades are worth the upgraded price.

The biggest features that people are clamoring for are color and a touch screen.  When you add color and a touch screen you will be adding $100 - $150 to the cost of the DX.  Now you are looking at a $550 device.  The first of the netbook tablets (Asus T91) comes to market this summer and has a price point of $525.  It has the touch screen, color, pdf support, storage space.  It beats the Kindle DX in every aspect except the battery life and the e-ink display.  The argument of e-ink vs the LCD for reading seems to stem around the length of time you will spend reading on the screen at one time.  So last is battery length.  Will the T91 last long enough for you?  The T91 also has GPS and TV Tuner built in.

If you are buying or looking to buy I recommend the T91 over the DX.  First is the added computing power.  You can do more than just read books with the T91.  Most everyone is looking for more than just the book functionality.  If you are looking for reducing bulk for textbooks i recommend the T91.  The better highlighting capability of Acrobat or any other PDF reader on the computer beats the DX and the T91 battery should last through a couple classes.  If you are looking for a text-to-voice reader i recommend the DX.  Amazon has done a better job on this than any PDF reader on the computer.  So unless your only desire is text-to-speach get a T91.  And by the time you are actually looking for one other tablet netbooks might just be on the market giving you more options.

Technology to fit your budget

A recent study shows credit card debt on the rise. I support living debt free. My 2nd rule of technology is a viable solution. Get by on the bare minimum until you can afford the best. There are more reasons to get by on the bare minimum that meets your needs than just your finances. Cash flow is a big reason and the one most likely to resonate. If you have plans to replace the minimum with top of the line, the cheaper cost of the minimum will get you to your replacement faster.

Starting with the minimum gives you a chance to reassess your needs and wants in an item. When i got my PocketPC i had decided Bluetooth was not important. I did not see transferring data between my phone and PPC. Nor did i see getting Bluetooth devices such as a keyboard for the PPC. Since my main computer now has Bluetooth i would be able to sync via Bluetooth. With the time i have had with this device i have seen a use for a feature that i would have otherwise not have used. This time can also give you a chance to see a feature is not needed or will not be used.

Starting with the minimum helps teach you to sacrifice. My PPC died but i could not afford the top of the line in my replacement. By this time i knew Bluetooth would make using the device easier. Since the device had the same cable to charge as sync i would be plugging into the cable every other day. Learning to sacrifice helps differentiate between needs and wants. When you see that something is not a need it makes it easier to not worry about "Keeping up with the Jones'".

Technology belongs to those smart enough to use it

Technology belongs to those smart enough to use it. Many different people try to use technology that is beyond them. If you don't have the mental capacity to use a certain technology don't use it. I am not likely to help you use it. I'll help you learn (Let Me Google That For You) to use it but will not help you use it. If you can't, or worse, won't use a technology properly i don't feel you should have it. I'm not saying only Mensa members should have technology. I feel you should find the technology that is right for your level. Don't ask me to program macros for your remotes - get a Harmony remote.

Many people feel they deserve technology. You need to find the technology that fits you. So how do you find the technology you want that you can handle. There are 3 ways to ways to find appropriate technology; advice from someone in the know, or trial and error, or enough research to know. Advise from someone in the know is often subjected to that individuals preferences. If your tastes are similar than this might be perfect. Learning enough to make a decision through research can be tedious as those who don't know often don't know what they need to know.

If you are down to trial and error don't give up. Find a store that will let you compare products first hand. Find people that have some of the devices in question to try. I wish there were other things i could say about trial and error. It comes down to you have to get your hands on some devices to try them out. Don't settle and get something you can't figure out how to use. If you do, don't be surprised if your technolegit friends and family won't help you out. Technology belongs to those smarty enough to use it.