It’s been a while since I last used AOL Instant Messenger, but after downloading it today I was reminded of why I had stopped. The latest version of AIM, version 6.8, is more loaded with ads than the last version I regularly used: version 4.3 or so. Back then, when the only ad in the program was at the top of the buddy list, I could carry out my conversations with the least amount of unrelated, obtrusive advertising in my way.
Now, it seems like the folks in charge of AIM are too busy trying to support the immense number of people who have an ungodly amount of screennames to be able to have quality, usable software. Sure, it has a lot more features than previous versions (especially compared to the 4.0-days), but now I’m too busy avoiding the “tummy tuck” advertisements at the bottom of every window to even care what my buddy’s profile info is. If I was planning on using AIM more, I’d rather have an older version and lose all the fancy new features that the newer version sports. And luckily there are options like OldVersions.com, which hosts a whole collection of old versions of software like AIM.
There is a new version coming out that is supposed to be more “light weight” (version 6.9, currently in beta) and the screenshots look a little better than the current layout of the program (and, in fact, light-weight). I’ve yet to give the beta a try, but hopefully the changes made will redeem what used to be a very usable and not-so-annoying program.
Software
reviews, usability, Websites
I recently stumbled across the browser Flock. They call it the “social browser” and it really is. Built upon the Firefox framework, it integrates your entire social internet life right into your browser. Want to check up on your friends’ latest status updates from Facebook? Pull up the “People” sidebar and you will see the latest updates from not only Facebook but Myspace, Youtube, Twitter, and Flickr all as you browse the web. You can update your status and even drag-and-drop photos to upload to the web right from the sidebar.
If you’ve ever or still use Firefox 3, you’ll be right at home with the basic features such as one-click bookmarking and re-opening accidentally closed tabs (again, it was built on the Firefox framework). Most Firefox add-ons will even work with Flock. But most of all it is the new features that integrate your social life into the browser that really sets this browser apart.
It’s a great convenience. I don’t have to visit my regular sites like Facebook just to check if I have anything new or see what my friends are up to. I can see my email and even post to this blog straight from the browser. And even though it requires a bit of a learning curve because of the amount of new features, a good amount of button-clicking will help you solve most of that and figure out what all you can do.
Despite the new features Flock brings to the table, for me it couldn’t replace Firefox. This is solely because I use Firefox for a lot of development work and the lack of extra buttons and clean toolbar keeps my browsing simple and to the point. Instead I use the browsers together. I might chat with friends in Flock and play games on FlashStuf in Firefox. However, for anyone who is a regular Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, etc. user, Flock may be the only browser you’ll ever need.
Software
facebook, reviews
One piece of software I couldn’t see life without is Enso. I’ve been using it for some time, but basically it provides a quick, unintrusive way to launch programs, play music, or look up things on the internet.
It’s all done by pressing and holding the caps-lock key while you type the command. And you can add more commands by simply downloading them.
Oh– and my favorite, probably most useful command (or at least most nifty) is the calculate command. You simply type in an equation (like 2+2), highlight it, and press CAPS LOCK+c (it’s the first command). Release caps lock, and automagically 2+2 becomes 4.
Enso just recently became free to download and keep, so if you want to try it out you can download it here.
Software
I stumbled across this software that will make music simply from pictures. It uses the RGB values of each pixel to determine notes, and the brightness to determine each individual note’s length. The software is called RGB MusicLab, and is free. You can download it here.
I did some experimenting with it and as you might imagine, some pictures don’t make the best music. But I used a picture I had in black and white and it actually created a pretty interesting “song.” The original picture is below, followed by what it is converted to and read from to make the music by the program.
Software
Firefox 3 was released June 17th, and after getting the memo today I upgraded. There are a few major things I like about this update. For one, being a new Vista user, it has a Vista-native look– it looks like it would be a Vista program, and it even has a big logo now (unlike little ol’ iTunes). Of course, it’ll have the native look of any operating system you may be using.
On top of that, sites are more easy to bookmark now, and simply typing the title of a website you want to go to (that you already frequent) in the address bar will bring up a list of matches from you to choose from. Firefox even lists your most visited sites and most recent bookmarks.
The only possible gripes I could have about this version is the move from the Back and Forward buttons of old to the Internet Explorer 7-esque Back/Forward buttons. Sure, it has the same functionality as always, but I’ve never really been too fond of the way IE7 handles any back/forward navigation with only one drop-down. And, as I found out after some time using Firefox 3, they’ve removed the Go button. I’ve always been proud of the fact that I had a Go button in Firefox 2 when IE7 lacked it because of how easy it is to reload the page when I’d rather not simply refresh it.
But all in all, I’d have to say this is the best Firefox yet, and I’ve only scratched the surface of everything that’s new, and everything that it is, for anyone who’s never used it before. To see what it all really is you’ll have to see for yourself.
Software
reviews
So I’m trying this thing out. This Writer business. Pardon me, since I’m new to all this blogging business. But I’m just now beginning to see how far this has all gone, how it’s the big thing now. But I guess this little thing gives an extra fancy look to everything. And makes it easier to spice up the blog entries. Which would make this more into a real kind of website, now wouldn’t it? Ooh, it even spell checks (”website” -not a word?).
So anyone curious out there, I’d definitely recommend (thank you spell-check) this little piece of software for any bloggers, much like myself. Fancy.
Software
blogging
