Cloud Storage My Way
I have been using cloud storage since 2009 with Microsoft’s SkyDrive. I did spend some time between then and now trying to create a desktop sync without an official app. I was very unsuccessful with getting SkyDrive to have that functionality. I did try to use it for a photo backup location in the past, but using the web interface to upload files is not easy especially when you can’t upload folders. Last week Microsoft brought their cloud solution inline with the rest of their competitors and finally offer a desktop syncing solution. Now I can have a folder that lives on my computer that is an exact mirror of the cloud drive. If I need anything from that drive anywhere then it is just a quick log in to the web service. Read more
The Netflix Split
This past week has been very interesting in digital media. The main topic is that Netflix is splitting off its DVD-by-mail service. The new service is called Qwikster. They have decided to go all in on the streaming media. This is can be both good and bad. With Netflix streaming only they will have a chance to expand their catalogue. The DVD section while not a black hole on the company will at some point become one in the future. The problem is though right now no one can predict what the future holds. Read more 
Netflix rising cost
This week we learned that Netflix will change its pricing structure. The DVD service is increasing its pricing by about $3 and then you will have to add in the streaming option. If you have the base DVD/Streaming option the price will go from $10 to $16 a month. While this is not a large jump in price it will make people who don’t use the DVD portion of the service to think about if the increase is enough to keep the dvd by mail service.
The price increase email
Many people who comment on this are threatening to cancel their Netflix subscription. To me this is a rash decision. I don’t mind paying for quality service and I find Netflix to be a quality service. My current plan with Netflix is the DVD/Streaming for $10 a month. I haven’t used the DVD portion in a while and mostly get DVDs from a local Redbox. I am probably going to drop to streaming only when I am forced to choose in september. I have a Netflix DVD sitting at home just collecting dust since sometime last year. In the end Netflix will still be receiving my money and I will be very happy with their service, plus they will save on the shipping costs. I do expect that the streaming cost for the consumer to increase in the next several years and I hope that Netflix will increase their streaming catalog aswell.
What do you do now?! -The Fake Anti-Virus Edition
I have seen a rash of fake Anti-Virus attacks over the past several months. They take the form of an official looking virus scanner window and security center alert. The main point is for them to “scan” your computer and “find” viruses. When you try to removed the found viruses they present you with a window to purchase the fake product. You should never give billing information to anyone, any application, any website, or any email you don’t know or trust. Read more
It’s not you it’s me
Dear Firefox,
I enjoyed you for well over 6 years. We’ve had a mostly good relationship. It had it‘s ups and downs. I just think it’s time we moved one on and saw other people. You were there to save me from Internet Explorer’s blandness. You provided with me with a new way to view the web, I loved that you had tabs when IE didn’t. It took me a while to get used to it, but that was so much more convenient. You keep yourself updated on a regular basis, staying on the cusp of new ideas.
Then in the last year of so you’ve started to let yourself go. At first it wasn’t noticeable, just a little more bloat here and there. Adding in extensions and personalization. Extensions were a cool new idea they are a good way to extend applications into the browser. It was a fun new way to bring in excitement and innovation. Personalization gave each browser a touch of coolness and an identity. Were you a fan of Star Trek? There was a personalization design for that. In fact most things you could think of had a personalization theme for Firefox.
Chrome appeared on the scene and I was like I like Firefox and I don’t plan to switch. It was the new kid on the block and generated some excitement. You really didn’t have any issues, yet. As time passed I started to get more interested in Chrome. Then finally I tried it out, things were going well I had both Firefox and Chrome working great and then I don’t know what happened. Maybe it was your jealousy of having another browser being used, but you started to lock up, hang, or crash just because.
I am tired of trying to figure out why you are slow, which plug in or extension is crashing you. I created a new profile and it is still not good enough for you. It’s not really you, it’s me. I want a browser that’s fast and isn’t crashing when two webpages with flash video load. I am not staying exclusive with Chrome either I am also going out with IE9 as well. I know shocking since I left IE to go to you, but it’s back and has interesting features.
I hope we can remain friends that check in every so often. I hope the best for you and Mozilla.
Sincerely,
Joseph
Ram Pig out–Firefox follow up
Earlier last month I wrote about Firefox’s plugin-container.exe*32 taking up over 1.3GB of ram. I also listed a couple of ways to fix the problems. I decide to start from scratch with a new profile. It would clear all out the settings back to zero and remove any extension bits left over from keeping my profile over the years. Hey I like to save my settings!
This actually helped out a lot. When trying to load flash video it wasn’t taking up all my available ram or locking up. It actually functions like a real browser again, for the most part. There are still some issues that still bug me, but nothing can be perfect.
The more I use Firefox 4 the more it seems to hang up on websites that Google Chrome doesn’t. I have decided to stop testing Firefox 4 and head back to 3.6.X for now. I am disappointed in how Firefox 4 handles my system. Hopefully going back to 3.6.X will return Firefox to the way I remember it, fast and not sluggish. If not well there is always IE9 Beta and Chrome to keep my company.
