I'm going totally cloud Part 2, Documents
Google docs - Winner
I have been signed up and using Google Docs for awhile now in a small capacity. Google docs supports all files as basic storage. They also provide pretty robust editors for the common files, PowerPoint, docs, spreadsheets, forms, drawing, and table. Most of my documents are spreadsheets, docs and presentations. the other are pdfs. The editors with google are not as powerful as Microsoft Office but they are powerful for the 95% of tasks you ask of them. If you need a more powerful editor you can download your document, edit, then re upload.
When you get a gmail account you get a free 2gb storage with google docs. The added bonus is that any document you convert to a google doc format does not go against your total storage. I upload all of my document which is thousands and after converted I'm only using a scant 396mb. This provides plenty of storage for most of people's documents with a couple gigs for rare pdfs, zip files or other files you don't want to convert. When converting I found that most files don't present any problems, even converted from pdfs as well.
For doing the mass upload I simply selected upload folder and selected my documents folder on my computer. I also chose convert to google doc and convert pdfs. The folders I had created in my documents folder were conveniently translated to google collections. Collections is what google uses for folders and organizing. If your familiar with GMail labels it works the same way. Make sure you assign all of your documents to a collection or else it will be hard to manage after you have a few hundred documents in you repository. For commonly used documents I use the star feature that you can span across multiple labels. Kind of like a favorites folder. Likeyou would guess with google you can share these docs with certain permissions with other users across the net, all you need is an email address. I find this is awesome for tasks, party plans or shopping lists.
My only grips are that you cannot find all of the files that are currently shared. I wish I could search shared docs so I can make sure I'm updating my security. My other grip is that you can't search for documents that are not contained in a collection easily. You can, but you have to say that the document your looking for is NOT in every label. This is exactly how GMail works too, which is also a huge grip but that is a different article.
Some other alternatives to take a look are
ZOHO
Zoho is very feature rich and provides a huge swath of tools for all kinds of editing. It's free for personal use. The reason I did not go with it was that I use gmail and am not looking for a new mail program. Zoho offers a lot of tools which email is one. Because a lot links through your zoho account, having another email account was not an interest to me. Zoho only offers 1GB of free storage whereas Google docs offers 2GB
Feng office formally opengoo
Buzzword
I'm going totally cloud Part 1
So i've made a huge decision in my life "I'm going totally cloud." I have decided to stop having a huge cache of media sitting on the different computers. Having this information in the "cloud," will enable me to be reelived of more then a few things. Not be tied to a physical machine is a huge bonus. At this time a lot of the services available are available for free or at low cost. Having a machine with a large amount of space that is properly backed up, is annoying, having someone else manage this is a huge releaf. I'm also on the go and currently have a laptop, desktop, iphone, and a tablet, syncing data between these devices is exhausting.
Over the next few weeks I'll take one media problem at a time and tell you my decisions, trials, and problems. I will explain how I manage moving from the physcial, to the local to the global cloud.
Part1: Intro (your reading it)
Part2: Documents
Part3: Music
Part4: Photos
Part5: Video
Part6: Other files
Part7: programs and services
part8: conclusion and thoughts.
Free 5gb Dropbox space
I have been using dropbox for a few years now and use it for all of my "my documents." I am a pro member and use about 50gb to store and synch data across all of my devices. I just ran across a currently running promotion to gain an additional 5GB worth of free space with dropbox. You need to download and install there latest beta build. This will give you one key feature Dropbox Photo Importer. I have not seen any downside to this beta build, but it would be good to be cautious.
Steps to get your free 5gb
1. Download the latest beta from the dropbox forums here
2. Load 5GB of pics or video onto a portable device. I used a spare USB drive
3. Load My computer, right click on the device and select autoplay
4. From the list select dropbox
5. Let the magic happen and collect 5GB.
If you want, feel free to edit or delete the media this does not effect your free space.
I really want this shirt. The end of IE6 lets celebrate
2011/2012 E-Reader Buying Guide
Kindle
The amazon kindle comes in 4 different flavers. The cheap $79 kindle original the kindle touch, kindle keyboard, and the top of the line kindle DX. Here at CS we recommend going for the $79 original if you can't sepnd an additional money for the kindle touch 3g. At only $79 it does everything it needs to do. Allows you access to the amazon market and helps you read books. The Kindle touch 3g at 149 allows you to do everything the 79 kindle does except you now can read everywhere and it's interface is a lot nicer with the touch features. The 3g is not through a carrier like tablets but through Amazon and it's free.
Nook
There is only one version of the nook avalable and it's on par with the kindle touch. $99 and 7.48 it's very respectable. if your not an amazon fan this item will perform just as well if not better then the kindle touch. it offers a large line of books and you won't be dissapointed. Although because of the flexibilty of the products and market behind it CS recommends the Kindle line.
Sony E-reader is outdated and absolutly not recommended. There are some other E-reader type of devices out on the market, but we consider those tablets, kindle fire, nook color etc. If it has a color screen and comes with apps it's not a E-reader period.
Ccleaner - best tool to Clean your registry and temp files
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
This tool cleans temporary files from windows as well as most common programs. This is including your Internet browser which can amass a lot of junk
This tool will also clean your registry with any cobwebs from old programs you un-installed long ago. Speaking of that this program will also do a better job of un-installing programs then windows does.
Cost, Nothing
Open source to boot
Best Free antivirus - Security Essentials
Windows Security Essentials
What more can i say it's free, it works well, and it's easy. If your looking for a free antivirus software stop here and collect $50 (avg cost of subscribtion AV software)
2011/2012 Computer and Laptop Buying Guide
Manufacturer
Processor
The processor is what does the real work, but it also relis on a lot of other compoenents. The core 2 stuff was product end in 2010 and the product line has been around since 2006. I would stick with anything from the Intel core i line of things. This is a much better product, built off of new platforms. The core I3 is for the regular everyday PC user, email and Internet. Core i5 is for the novice power user, hi def movies and power user of email and Internet. Core i7 is for the hard core user, video editing, graphic design, power email and Internet user. Core i3 and core i5 is where most people are going to end up
2011/2012 Tablet Buying Guide
Tablets are all the rage right now and with due respect. They are great devices that provide a lot of technoluge in a confortable small package. The problem with such a small UI focused device is getting it right. Even a crappy mobile phone can still make phone calls, if your tablet is crappy it's just a really expensive thin brick. Really right now there are only a few options for decent tables. If your not looking at this small list don't bother. They are ridden with bugs, hardware problems and general overall crappiness.
Amazon Fire $199
Amazon has expanded there kiddle E-Reader line with a full blown tablet. Amazon also is a power hosue of digital media to pack into any device they offer. The kindle fire boasts access to that powerhouse with video player as well as browsing the web with it's new silk reader. Amazon's Android app store is growing and becoming a real player. It is still missing the girth of google or apple but it's respectrable. All of the goto apps are there, facebook, netflix, email, etc. The best thing about the fire is it's price point $199. While there are other options that pack more features and are alittle more ironed out, at the price you might be able to live with some of the rough edges. The main compaint about the fire is the software is a littel buggy and the speed is not on par with it's name. Amazon is declaring that most of this can be fixed with a software update but we will wati and see. Personally, I'm doing just that it's real tempting but I'm going to wait until software update number 2 or 3. If they can fix it great otherwise we might see a fire2 that is smooth and everything we have hoped for. The downsides that also see are no expandable media and no 3g. Amazon's kidles come with free 3g, it would be awesome if that was included here. Although amazon offeres 5GB of free cloud space it's not weaved well into the fire. I wish it has a sd reader that I could prvoide myself like most smart phones do.
Ipad2
The ipad2 is the cream of the crop with tablets. It's the pioneer of the current tablet craze and rightly so. It's a great feature packed device that provides a lot fucntionality into a small package and it does it with less learning curve or complicated then other products. it also is at a price point that explains why it's so good. it's
Galaxy tab is an option while not as refined as the ipad or the firesale price of the fire it offeres a solid set of features at a comparable price.
Motorola Xoom, Xyboard = terrible
Rando andoird tablets = even worse.
CarrierIQ scandal: Is everyone spying on your phone usage?
You may have heard in the news of a dangerous virus that is installed on every mobile device and could be stealing everything about you. It might even be in your microwave steeling your food and in your car driving it when your not watching. The news agencies are hyping this one to be the unblinking eye of Mordor. All kidding aside, it's definitely a little scary, but I woudn't start freaking out. I wouldn't stop using your mobile phone any time soon, but read this article and make sure you're aware of the information. The problem with this story is not that companies are tracking your phone usage, it's the fact they are doing it without your explicit knowledge. Almost all companies track their products to know metrics of how to make it better, cell phone manufacturer and data providers are no different. The GPS on your phone is available to EMS and google maps, but at least you know that fact, when you install the application. The type of information tracked and what is done with that information should be made aware to the customer up front. The user should have the ability to opt out or control that information.
I have compiled a guide to CarrierIQ. You can read more in depth but hopefully this will give you the intel to find out how you can be affected and to possibly prevent any future privacy concerns.
What is CarrierIQ?
Taken from their website:
Carrier IQ is the leading provider of Mobile Service Intelligence Solutions to the Wireless Industry. As the only embedded analytics company to support millions of devices simultaneously, we give Wireless Carriers and Handset Manufacturers unprecedented insight into their customers' mobile experience.
Carrier IQs statement on their security models
In providing our products and services, Carrier IQ enables our customers to gather information on Mobile User Experiences. Carrier IQ's products were developed from inception to respect and protect user privacy and security. We have established "Best Practices" approach to privacy and security. Our products are designed and configured to work within the privacy policies of our end customers and include functions such as anonymization and encryption. When Carrier IQ's products are deployed, data gathering is done in a way where the end user is informed or involved.
Carrier IQ software, which consists of embedded software on mobile devices and server-side analytics applications, enables mobile operators and device OEMs to understand in detail a wide range of performance and usage characteristics of mobile services and devices. These include both network-facing services such as core voice and data offerings, as well as non-network-facing capabilities such as music players, cameras and other side loaded media, in order to assist with product and service development and roll-out. (From http://www.carrieriq.com/company/PR.CIQ-SeriesC.2009-01-27.pdf )
In a nutshell CarrierIQ's software enables phone providers to gather any information they want, it's then up to the developer to secure that data and use that data responsibly. CarrierIQ provides an ability for them to facilitate security and responsibility, but we will learn that companies may not be using it. User traking software is usually not a problem and are in 99% of all software out there. The problem here is the fact that phone manufacturers or carriers do not provide a great way for you to opt out, or tell you where your information is going. They are either taking the provided feature out of CarrierIQ or CarrierIQ is not including it. Now this isn't the case in ALL instances, but more on that later.
If you want to get technical, check out more at Android security test
Awesome shipment tracking app, Slice
I have always wanted a way to track all of my shipments online. With an array of different shipment options it's difficult to have all your current online purchased tracked in 1 easy way. Now it's a really simple and you don't even have to do anything.
Slice is currently in beta but it's a free web application that works really well. If you have a yahoo or gmail email account, it will scan your emails for recent purchases. It then will enter them into your slice account, tracking cost, shipment, and delivery. For icing on the cake it will also detect price reductions for companies that give rebates on that kind of stuff. Other features include alerts and total price calculator. I have quite the love/hate relationship with that last feature. I spent that much in the last x months!.
I have been using it for a month and while it does have a few kinks, it's exactly what I have been looking for. In 1 website or iPhone app I can get 1 stratified view of all my purchases and shipments. I buy everything online except for fresh groceries and some apparel. I usually have at least 1 package on it's way at all times. The website layout is easy to navigate and customizable. You can hide companies you don't want to show, like perhaps your itunes purchases and such. The iphone app is layed out very well too, providing quick access to the information I want. It quickly answers the question; Where is my stuff right now? They don't have an android app at this moment, but i wouldn't expect it to be long before that come along.
There are a few kinks mostly around parsing the emails for correct information. Sometimes the picture or tracking number might be off, but for the most part you can update them once they get into your slice account. 90% of the time they are close enough for the app to do it's thing. If slice doesn't pick up an email that was sent to you, you can also send it to your account with a provided email. It will detect your send from email and apply the changes to your list. It also hooks up with Google maps and provided a view of where your shipment was last updated. There are a lot of ways to send feedback to them on how they did parsing or tracking your shipment. Please do, this will help them imporve there email parsing program so you will have to do less.
It's definitly ready to check out and start using, just expect a few rough edges. I expect this application to be well used and be more refined over time. The parsing of emails will take time and a lot of trial and error.
Overall I give this application 4 stars and highly recommend it for people who buy a lot of things online Expect it to be a 5 star app when it comes out of beta.
If your on android and feel left out check out Parcels via Gizmodo best package app for android