Windows Apps Worth VM’ing For: Part II

Yeah, you know it was coming. Google Chrome is the app for part 2 of my “Windows Apps Worth VM’ing For” series.

If you’ve been following me in the socialMe scene, you’ve heard me praise Google Chrome once or twice. Truth is, I ran Windows Vista for a whole day to use Chrome. Oddly enough, I didn’t have problems with Vista on my mac; Vista runs faster on my mac than it does on my PC .

Truly the masters of Web 2.0 apps, Google has made a browser that takes full advantage of the web and the apps you use. Chrome is a very streamlined browser and very zippy to boot. Based off of the open source Webkit, Chrome takes a different perspective on the current idea of a web browser. Like most browsers of today, Chrome uses tabbed browsing, but with a curveball. Each tab works as a separate process; if you happen to crash one of the tabs, the rest of your browser doesn’t go along with it. So, for instance, in that intense game of Zuma you get a big Flash error and it asks to restart the whole browser, your spreadsheet you’re supposed to be working on in the other tab doesn’t crash with it. Keeping in the theme of doing things when you’re not supposed to, Chrome has a neat feature called “incognito.” This is basically a euphemism for “porn mode.” All traces of your internet activity is erased on the local drive after the tab or browser is closed.

Not too shabby.

There are other small things that really gives the browser an A+ experience. For example, instead of getting a window pausing the current page load to confirm if you want Chrome to save a password, you get an IE-style information bar while the page keeps loading. Also, if a page needs to ask you to resend form information while using the back button or refresh button, you get a page asking you to do so instead of a nag window. Although one of those “little things,” it keeps you from having to go to the nag window and click “yes.” Again, keeping everything steamlined.

Not only is everything under the hood appealing, but the UI is very visually pleasing. It removes all of the design elements that I consider extraneous. You really get full use and view of the page, rather than glancing at a menu bar that takes about 20% of real estate. Also, Chrome automatically hides the status bar on the bottom of the screen, giving you even more to view – yes, although it’s only about 5% of real estate, it’s still visually pleasing.

All-in-all I think Google has a great iteration of a Web 2.0 browser. It may not achieve 25% browser market share, but it will influence other browsers on how they should function and look. In fact, what I really see happening is Chrome keeping in the back of the room while other browsers use bits and pieces of it, as it is open source.

Sound off on what you think about on Chrome below!

Woot: The Object of My Affection

Okay, the truth is, I’ve known about woot! for a while. Really, EVERYONE, has known about woot! for a while. I would seldom check it to see what cool little deal there was for the day. I’d see a cool PC, bluetooth headset, or a remote control car. I just found out, though, that woot! doesn’t do the 1 item a day thing anymore. As soon as one woot! is done, there is another posted in about 5 minutes.

This blew my mind.

I’ve kept a window open in Safari so I can see what awesome deal they have posted for the moment. It’s insane how fast some of the woot’s go. I saw an HP PC sell in almost 7 minutes. Even though I probably won’t buy anything, it’s still fun to watch. Although, I am pretty upset I missed the opportunity to grab the 8GB Kingston Traveler USB drive for $19.99.

If you haven’t already, go check out woot! and watch the awesome deals go by!

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Bad Blogger!

I’ve realized I haven’t blogged about much in a LONG time! I’ve also been slacking on my Ustream show and Youtube videos. The fall semester definitely takes its toll and something called “free time.”

That being said, I guess and update is in order. My life has taken quite a dramatic change in course. I’m moving to Tallahassee, FL in a week or so in pursuit of attending the FSU College of Music. I feel this is the right course for me and hope that everything works out. I went from Business, Pre-Med, Computer Science, to Music. This better be the right choice. They do say that graduating from college in 4 years is like leaving the party at 10 PM. This major has always been in the back of my mind, every time I changed majors I always thought about music but always strayed away from it for one reason or another. I suppose the catalyst for this is my job with the Pride of Taylor Band. I love teaching the kids and advancing their musical abilities. I had the same job last year but didn’t really get into it as I have this year. I’m sure the knowledge that I was most likely going to pursue music really put me in gear.

That’s mainly what’s taking up most of the time in my life. I’m trying to get my lease transferred to another place in Tallahassee, in addition to writing music for the drumline and getting school stuff set in stone.

Seriously hectic.

I hope I haven’t bored my readers the last month or so, but I promise to get back in action ASAP.

Of course, you can always follow my twitter or socialMe sites and get all of the iGerard-ness you need.

iPod Nano Review (Quick and Dirty)

I got an iPod Nano! I had a lot of Best Buy points and had a $50 dollar gift card to burn – iPod it is!

I’ve gotta say, it isn’t too shabby. It really feels great in your hand, if you can even notice that you’re holding anything. The interface is incredibly slick, moving between cover flow and the normal interface is seamless. Also, the shake to shuffle feature is pretty cool, although a little too showy for my taste (really, it’s easier to click the skip forward button). I love the curved metal design and think it’s a great refresh for the Nano line.

If you have the $149 to blow and need another iPod (or upgrade from the fatboy) def. pick this up.

Reaction and Summary to Apple’s “Let’s Rock” Event

Yesterday at Apple’s “Let’s Rock” event, most of the new products and features were, for the most part, true to what was being produced at the rumor mill. Among the new things unveiled at the event were the new iPod Nano and iPod Touch revisions and iTunes 8. All-in-all the event was mediocre at best, in my opinion. I wasn’t really “wowed” at the event as I usually am with Apple Keynotes. I guess I was expecting more mention of the iPhone and the new firmware; there was about 6 seconds of talk pertaining to the new firmware, that’s it. This really shocked me as I thought this was a very important part of the event, considering that many owners of the iPhone have complained about bugs and glitches more than the “demanded” volume control on an iPod Touch (If you sense a small hint of bitterness, you are correct).

First of all, I’m glad to hear NBC has come back to the mothership and are now offering their TV shows on iTunes. Not only are they in standard definition, but now they are in high definition! In addition, you can now watch the HD content on your computer – before you could only do so on the Apple TV. I really don’t have a problem paying $3 for HD Office and Heroes.

Apple also unveiled iTunes 8, the latest iteration of the #1 music seller in the US, surpassing Wal-Mart. THe most notable features of the new iTunes is the new Grid view and Genius. Borrowing the beloved tile view of iPhoto, you can now browse your media (music, podcasts, video, etc.) in a more efficient manner. Just like in iPhoto, you can skim the artwork to view all of the albums you have for each artist. Personally, I think the best way to browse is in the traditional list view. Next, a feature that was stressed highly by Steve is Genius. When it all boils down to it, Genius is basically Pandora for iTunes and your music library. By activating Genius, your library is anonymously pushed to Apple, analyzed, and iTunes is then set up to create on-demand Genius playlists. If you have ever used iTunes Store Recommendations, then you’re already quite familiar with Genius; the same criterion used for recommendations is the core of Genius. Now, it really is easier than ever to discover new music or even re-discover music. I’ve been ripping all of my old CD’s to my library just so I can use Genius to re-discover old songs. I tip my hat to Apple on this great feature in iTunes.

Adding on to the slew of new features and changes in Apple’s music department are the new iPod Classic, Nano, and Touch revisions.

The iPod Classic really saw, what I thought was the shaft in the new feature department next to the iPhone 3G. Apple has usually sold the iPod in two flavors, thin and thick and different sizes. Now, the classic is only sold in the thin form factor with 120GB of storage. If you don’t think Apple is going to axe the Classic or at least put it to the side yet, now is when you should getting that “light bulb” realization. I used to be the guy that had to have ALL of his music on his iPod. So, of course, I had to have the biggest iPod available to do so. Apple has done a great job changing my point of view. The newer iPod lines, with more bells, whistles, and (lets face it) sex appeal all came in smaller hard disk sizes. That’s when I came to realize that I didn’t need ALL of my music, all I needed were the ones I listened to now. So now I could feel comfortable with the newer models, yet with smaller hard disk space. Honestly, this is the way it should be, unless you’re a DJ and need your whole library to mix and scratch or a huge traveler and need weeks upon weeks of music. It’s because of this that the Classic really is taking a step aside in the iPod department, in my opinion.

The new iPod Nano combines the form factor of the first and second generation Nanos with the high resolution screen of the third generation. The new Nano is the “thinnest iPod ever” evidently surpassing the iPod Touch in thinness. Following the tapered edge design of the MacBook Air and iPhone 3G, the Nano is an ovular shape, almost disappearing when looked at from the side. The outside has changed dramatically but you better bet that Apple added new things to the inside as well. The newest iteration of the Nano includes the accelerometer made famous by the iPhone and iPod Touch. You can now view in Cover Flow, look at landscape photos, and watch video by simply tilting the Nano to widescreen. Honestly though, I don’t think viewing videos and photos on the Nano is ideal but I won’t venture into that arena for this article. Sort of putting it all together is the new UI. With the new portrait orientation and screen that takes about 50% of the device, Apple has put the main menu on the first 3/4’s of the screen and a scrolling album art marquee on the last 1/4. Also, taking queues from the iPhone, the Now Playing screen shows full album art with vertically scrolling artist name/song title/album title and position/volume/rating scrubber at the bottom. Other new features of the iPod Nano include the voice recording app and the new “shake to shuffle” feature, which is quite self-explanitory.

Next, the iPod Touch has got a brand new bag. The iPod touch has followed suit (as most of Apple’s products have) by adopting the tapered edge look. For the most part, it looks like a very thin iPhone 3G. The UI has stayed the same, with only the exterior getting the facelift. There is now a volume rocker on the left side and also a built-in speaker that Steve stresses is for “casual listening.” It has the same screen as the previous generation, possibly going the same route that the new 3G screen has that Apple calls “warmer” (people have complained of a yellow-ish screen). An interesting addition is the built-in Nike+iPod receiver in the Touch. All you need is the transmitter for your shoe to enjoy the accessory, rather than have that dongle attached that you would always fear would break off. A good question came up by imfrog2002 on my live Apple Event Ustream broadcast. He asked if the older iPod Touches would be able to use the Nike+iPod app. The answer to that, as far as I know, is no. I wonder though if all they used to create that app was to utilize the accelerometer API. If this is the case, you can definitely use the app with previous generation iPod Touches and also the iPhone EDGE/3G. Also, genius is built-in although I didn’t hear anything on “shake to shuffle” which would be nice to have on the Touch and iPhone EDGE/3G. What Apple wants to do, it seems, is market this device as not only a music/video/breakfast maker (NOTE: link NSFW), but also a viable gaming device; this is very evident in their new ad, dubbing it the “Funnest iPod Ever” (someone needs to get ahold of Apple’s grammar department stat!). I’m not sure if it could be a viable competitor, but it is a great device albeit hard to control at times with the über sensitive accelerometer.

Moving on to what I thought was the crucial part of the keynote, iPhone/iPod 2.1 software. Here’s what was said, available free to current 2.0 iPod Touch owners, $20 for 1.x iPod Touch owners, fixes bugs, available Friday. That’s it… Ticked? You bet I am! Friday will tell if this 2.1 update is really a fixer. The past two updates have been horrendus, if anything making the device harder to use. I would address the new firmware as follows.

“Oh yeah! The new firmware for the iPhone 3G! New features include freezing your phone, dropping calls, keyboard lag, and even losing sounds most of the time! Not to mention you get a free headache!”

Yet, through it all, I still use the phone. As I’ve said before, this product just isn’t on par with what I consider Apple standards. I hope this update fixes most of the problems and gives me some piece. Better yet, I hope it fixes the basic function of the product, making calls. Like Chris Hardwick said, it’s like saying I have this brand new fridge that makes my dinner and holds a lot of stuff! Does it keep stuff cool? No…

And that’s the Apple event, in a nice little package just for you. What are your thoughts on the event? Throw your comments in and flame away.

Apple Let’s Rock Event: ETA 1h 43m

I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing about it, but yes, today is Apple’s “Let’s Rock” iPod event. Rumors have been flying every which way of what we can expect at this event. From elongated Nanos, to price slashes on the iPod Touch line, there’s sure to be some epic things to be said at the event. Also, the new iTunes 8 and iPhone 2.1 firmware with push notifications should be unveiled.

As far as iPhone goes, this event will either make or break Apple in my book. I’ve been plagued with many bugs on the iPhone, as you all may have read from my flood of tweets over the last few months. I’m just so disappointed because I love Apple so much. Their products are always top-notch and state-of-the-art. The iPhone though, in addition to my MobileMe mishaps, has sort of put taken off the shimmer that Apple used to have for me. I really hope the firmware update fixes at least the vast majority of my problems.

Don’t know what MY problems are? Let’s list them.

Poor Battery
Dropped Calls
Poor 3G reception
Extreme Typing Lag
Loss of SMS-In sounds
Loss of sounds period
Severe app crashing
iPhone freezing

That’s just a the ones I hope get fixed.

Sadly, I’ll be in class during the event but I’ll be sure to have the important tweets pushed to my iPhone. Let’s hope that Apple certainly “rocks” the event.

Personally, I’ll be keeping it tuned here…

Windows Apps Worth VM’ing for: Part I

This is a series I wanted to start on the blog, something for all the people out there that say I hate Windows. Yes, I have a fervent undying love for Apple and their products, but most of us started somewhere – somewhere being a PC running MIcrosoft Windows. Ninety percent of the time I am running OS X Leopard, but there are a few times where I run Windows. For example, the Office for Mac suite is in no way comprable to the Microsoft Office 2007 suite for Windows. Not to mention there’s NO Access for Mac. So here we go, first app for the series!

This part of the series is featuring… a screen saver. I know what you’re thinking. You were expecting a huge powerhouse app that was going to rock the very foundation you stand on. Well, not every app is groundbreaking and fantabulous. The screensaver is called twitsaver.

This isn’t your ordinary screensaver, packed with copious amounts of spyware/malware. Instead, it’s a screensaver showing what pictures that Twitter users are sharing in real time. Definitely a cool way to find new twitter-folk. Yes, you may get an occasional picture of a random guy eating a cheesburger or a crazy lolcat, but it’s definitely fun to watch. Give it a try, you’ll like it.

I’ve passed a few hours at work just watching the screensaver. Good times.

If you have any Windows apps you think are worth checking out, send me an email over at igerard8@gmail.com.

Getting Back In The Groove

I’m sure most of you will agree with me, it’s very hard getting back into a routine when you just came from an incredibly lax summer. I really enjoyed just having time off of school, working, and blogging. Honestly, bloggins is a great hobby and I enjoy every second of it. Now, I have to add back school and jobs into the mix. Blogging really has taken a step aside for the most part. So, really, I’m trying to get back into the groove what I was already doing.

Kind of a weird way of putting it huh?

Right now I’m tackling a quite easy school schedule, although taxing, I’m currently taking 4 gen eds toward my AA. Oh yeah, by the way, I changed my major for the second time – this time for the better. I’m curently an instrumental music educaiton major and planning on transferring to Florida State University’s College of Music. Even though I’ve changed majors, I still love computers and socialMe to the core. If you don’t already know, I’m currently teaching the Pride of Taylor Marching Band’s drumline. I taught the same drumline last year, helping take the band to the FMBC State Championships. I love teaching music and we really have a good group of kids this year. (You can follow my ventures through Youtube and the Stickam page on the band’s website) So, if all goes to plan, I’ll be at Florida State this summer.

I’m always a Gator though.

I have to apply to FSU first, then send my application to the FSU College of Music. Auditions start in December so I have ample time to perfect my performance pieces. I have to perform 4 solos: snare drum, 4-mallet marimba, timpani, and drum set. I’m very confident in my skils on the snare drum, timpani, and drum set. Four-mallet marimba not so much. I’m going to take private lessons with an old instructor at FSU; he’s actually working towards his masters at the College of Music in Percussion so I think I’m good shape instructor-wise.

A few caveats that come with this major change (no pun intended) is my current living situation. Ideally, I’d like to move to Tallahassee ASAP but I’ve already signed a year lease with my current complex. Hopefully I can find someone that wants to sublease (if you know someone in the Gainesville area, have them contact me ASAP!!!) the apartment. Also, I’d have to move all of my stuff… again, then secure a residence in Tallahassee. Much easier said than done.

Moving right along. I’ve become the computer/network admin over at the a Gainesville Allstate Insurance. We’re in the process of changing over to a T1 line, VoIP phones, and a complete system overhaul. This is a big step for the office as we (unbeknownst to me) were sharing a standard 386kbps DSL line. Scary huh? It’s a great change of direction and I can’t wait to start getting my hands dirty, or at least get very, very sweaty.

So this really wasn’t a tech entry, but it was an entry I felt that was needed.

The WB Makes a Return

Except not on TV. Warner Brothers have brought back their WB (now CW on cable networks) channel on the internet. You can head over to thewb.com where you will get access to hit WB shows such as The Gilmore Girls and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Keep in mind that the site is still in beta and will be adding more episodes and series as time progresses. This is a great move for Warner Bros. and will hopefully later on prove as a great Hulu competitor. Personally, I’m stoked about The O.C. episdoes they have up. They only have Season 1 right now but will eventually put the whole series on, I hope.

Point your browsers to the link below to check out thewb.com’s beta site.

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