Browser Wars 1

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to exclusively run some of the biggest browsers available for Windows starting with what I'm using now. I've always switched around depending on updates and features and I'm even going to try a new browser for the first time, Opera. So each week, I will run one browser and share my feelings.

My only disclaimer. Browsing can be dangerous, each browser has its own security standards to complement protection taken on each user's local level. Make sure you know the basics about security, secure browsing, and I always suggest taking a very cautious level of trust with any site on any browser.

To review or discuss Chrome, let me explain how and why this has become my browser of choice. I've always used Chrome as a secondary browser to Firefox. I always was and will always be a big proponent of Firefox and they're a big reason these alternate browsers exist outside of the world of Internet Explorer and Safari. So what made me switch? Here's my list:

• Extensions - When Chrome opened up their platform to allow extensions, I was instantly hooked. Being integrated into so many Google services such as Blogger, Voice, GMail, Tasks, and Reader, having these extensions gave me a feeling of control similar to a dashboard.
• Speed - It seems with time and updates the browser only gets faster. This includes loading time for the browser itself as well as loading pages, playing Flash, or tabbed browsing. 
• Search - This will always be Google's biggest asset, and I know that searching in their omni bar is no longer unique, but the feel of search seems smarter on Chrome than with other browsers that have this feature.
• Tabs - I like the ability to create multiple windows from each tab, the ability to save tabs on my desktop if needed, and new tab page which features quick history, recently closed tabs, and locked favorites for easy access.

In summary, this browser works best for me in combination with my Google apps and phone, the extensions are simple and simply work, the interface is smooth and fast, tabbed browsing works great, and it feels like my browser. 

Next week, I revisit an old friend and you'll be left scratching your head as I declare it the best and my most highly recommended browser of them all.

October's App List

This month started with great news about my phone (MyTouch 3G) getting it's stock upgrade finally to Froyo. So I've spent for the first time in 13 months time on my phone in stock 1.6 instead of a 2.x ROM. The downgrade can be excruciating, but here's what has kept me sane these past few days:

TweetDeck for Android on AppBrain

Tweetdeck for Android has come out of beta and is suprisingly available for me in my downgraded state. I've often used the desktop version of Tweetdeck, so moving to the phone app was simple. All I had to do really was sign into my Tweetdeck and viola, my columns carried from the desktop and all of my accounts. Unlike most Twitter apps, I can post and read my Facebook, Foursquare, and Google Buzz accounts all within the same application. There's enough good customization to start, with room for improvements over time, but this is highly recommended and only rivals Twidroyd for the most use on my phone.

SSI gTasks ToDo for Android on AppBrain

SSI gTasks syncs up my Google Tasks from my desktop to my phone. There really isn't much else to this application, but it's served as a lifesaver on many occasions because I use Tasks as my grocery list. So I make a list either on my phone or at my desk and everything syncs up instantly. There are some great grocery applications on the market, but I really just like having a simple list, check an item off, and I'm done.

Adobe Photoshop Express for Android on AppBrain

When the Photoshop application came out at first on Android, I was thrilled then disgusted. The original application paled so badly in comparison so the iPhone app, which is brilliant, that I immediately uninstalled it. Now the application has a few more effects and has a nicer interface, so it's back on my phone. I'm far from an expert on using photo editing software, but this helps me when I take a quick picture for my photo blog.

The picture shown is one that I took and edited with the app. It's not my best work, but I wanted to quickly crop out the lamp which was blinding the shot and give it a spooky, warm effect. And I wanted to show off Janine's awesome mantle.

I look forward to my phone receiving the stock upgrade, I plan on sharing my joy when the upgrade does finally come and I'll share next time some great 2.2 applications!

Who Am I?

I ask myself this question from time to time. Obviously far less than most people, but I always thought if I did too many inner inspections, I would develop some kind of crisis of identify. I know I'm simple, I was raised simple, what I demand in life are no where near complex.

Who am I now then? I'm engaged, I'm a boyfriend,  I'm a son, I'm a brother, I'm an uncle, I'm a case manager, I'm apparently easily approachable to some but utterly avoidable to others, I'm nice. I'm also uneducated...

Schooling never was my forte. Testing is the bane of my existence. For me learning something takes time, failure, repetition, and mastering. I cannot let this fear of failure though continue to dominate my decisions. I am doing back to school. Janine who is my guiding light has consistently insisted that I look into going back into school to better myself.

Yesterday, I heard her.

Don't expect me to become ivy school educated, I doubt I'll do anything outside of community college, but my goal is to focus on the wheelhouse of my knowledge which is obviously, computing, tech, and teaching. I know I can do this, in fact, with any effort, it should have been done years ago. But I'm not going to beat myself up over what I failed to do, I'm going to push forward, and with some time, luck, patience, and a lot of hard work, I can make this happen. I hear it's not too late constantly.

Yesterday I really heard it.

Why am I posting this inner monologue? For encouragement. Don't let this horse stop, if he needs a push, by all means, push, dangle carrots, coax.

It's True...

via TCN

SMARTPHONES: "

SMARTPHONES

Picard uses Android

"