We stumbled on a great Linux version today that was new to us: Linux Mint 9. It's based of Ubuntu 10.04 but uses a desktop more like WinXx. We've tested it a bit today and it's very cool (not just because of the cool, minty background!).
Check it out at www.linuxmint.com.
Of course, the price is $0.00, as in FREE.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
OK, I admit it: I'm addicted to Facebook. I'm discovered more old friends and keep in touch with family members who are far away and I enjoy it.
Today Facebook started rolling out improved security features and that is good. I hope their new policies solve all of the problems users have encountered in the past.
Today Facebook started rolling out improved security features and that is good. I hope their new policies solve all of the problems users have encountered in the past.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
MSFT shakeup
Steve Ballmer of MSFT sent an email today to the tech press outlining the latest re-org of the company. There were a LOT of personnel changes and a new web based organization created.
I've predicted for a long time now that MSFT is going to shift their emphasis to web based products and I think this re-org is part of the change.
I've predicted for a long time now that MSFT is going to shift their emphasis to web based products and I think this re-org is part of the change.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Money matters
After some bad publicity Apple has decided to change its debit or credit only policy for purchasing an iPad.
Apple had instituted the policy to enforce the two iPad limit per customer, but it had some unintended consequences – in the form of bad press – when a California woman, Diane Campbell, was denied the ability to purchase one with cash she had carefully been saving.
Someone at Apple HQ had the good sense to change that no-cash-for-iPads policy. Now, you're free to buy an iPad with cash, as long as you set up a free Apple account at the store. Apple's PR department sent a pair of Apple staffers to Campbell's house with a free iPad.
In other news, Owning an iPhone ain’t cheap. As it turns out, getting rid of one isn’t either.
You got your initial upfront cost starting around $200. You’ll need a case some film to protect the screen, so figure on that. And then you got your monthly charges; I believe mine are right around $70-75 a month -- and you don’t get the cut-rate price withAT&T’s iPhone service that many service providers offer when you add a second device to the plan.
For me, although I am very financially conservative, and many other users, the cost is well worth it.
Those that don’t dig the iPhone, get frustrated with the AT&T service that supports it, or just decide they no longer want the service for whatever reason, however, should get themselves ready for another financial hit. AT&T is raising the fee for iPhone – or any smartphone - users who prematurely pull the plug on their two-year service contracts.
That’s the word from a recent report on the matter, which says that starting next month, those folks will have to shell out $325 for the honor of cutting the virtual cord. That’s $150 more than the $175 punishment AT&T currently metes out to discourage an early exit.
Apple had instituted the policy to enforce the two iPad limit per customer, but it had some unintended consequences – in the form of bad press – when a California woman, Diane Campbell, was denied the ability to purchase one with cash she had carefully been saving.
Someone at Apple HQ had the good sense to change that no-cash-for-iPads policy. Now, you're free to buy an iPad with cash, as long as you set up a free Apple account at the store. Apple's PR department sent a pair of Apple staffers to Campbell's house with a free iPad.
In other news, Owning an iPhone ain’t cheap. As it turns out, getting rid of one isn’t either.
You got your initial upfront cost starting around $200. You’ll need a case some film to protect the screen, so figure on that. And then you got your monthly charges; I believe mine are right around $70-75 a month -- and you don’t get the cut-rate price withAT&T’s iPhone service that many service providers offer when you add a second device to the plan.
For me, although I am very financially conservative, and many other users, the cost is well worth it.
Those that don’t dig the iPhone, get frustrated with the AT&T service that supports it, or just decide they no longer want the service for whatever reason, however, should get themselves ready for another financial hit. AT&T is raising the fee for iPhone – or any smartphone - users who prematurely pull the plug on their two-year service contracts.
That’s the word from a recent report on the matter, which says that starting next month, those folks will have to shell out $325 for the honor of cutting the virtual cord. That’s $150 more than the $175 punishment AT&T currently metes out to discourage an early exit.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
HyperOffice Releases New Version of Cloud-Computing Collaboration Software Suite for SMBs
A press release came out today announcing the latest update to the HyperOffice cloud-computing suite. You can read the entire release agt the link below.
HyperOffice Releases New Version of Cloud-Computing Collaboration Software Suite for SMBs
HyperOffice Releases New Version of Cloud-Computing Collaboration Software Suite for SMBs
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Netbook Linux
I've been using both Ubuntu and Kubuntu 10.04 Netbook versions for the last 24 hours and have some thoughts. I loaded the software onto bootable flash drives and have tested them on multiple Netbooks from Lenovo, ASUS, Dell and Gateway.
The biggest surprise I've had so far is the desktop used by the Kubuntu version. Kubuntu Netbook Edition uses the Plasma Netbook shell. This features two desktop activities, one for launching applications and one for using Plasma Widgets. There is a retracting panel at the top for the system tray. Switching applications is done with a, currently incomplete, widget in the top left corner.
It's VERY different and will take some getting used to.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Ubuntu 10.04
Ubuntu 10.04, the Lucid Lynx version, is now available for download at www.ubuntu.com. We have downloaded the 10.04 files for Ubuntu, Kubuntu and UNE- the Ubuntu Netbook Edition (the OS formerly known as ReMix).
Once we've had a chance to test the software we'll have a full review in the newsletter. As we test each version we'll be sure to post updates on this blog so everyone will know how we're doing.
By the way, the price for all versions of the software remains the same. They are all free.
Once we've had a chance to test the software we'll have a full review in the newsletter. As we test each version we'll be sure to post updates on this blog so everyone will know how we're doing.
By the way, the price for all versions of the software remains the same. They are all free.
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