Blog
Thoughts and things I care to shareSecurity conference today
I’m out to the CheckPoint Security Tour today getting the sales scoop on the current range of available products.
Actually. its been really informative. I’ll be looking a bit more in depth at the current set of products that I use day to day in securing my business PCs.
OPML for your music library?
Mike Torres makes an interesting point on the subject of online music services. Use OPML to track, organize, and subscribe to online music services.
To date, I’ve shied away from online services because of the DRM issue, and the concept that I don’t actually have control of the physical media that I want to use. The point that Mike is making, is that what really is important for our collections is the list of music. The actual library of songs, albums, and meta-data releated to this music that is important. The actual music files themselves can be had anywhere, but the information to complete the full details on your favorite CD is not.
Think of taking this to the next level, how about incorporating this with a service similar to Dave Winer’s Share Your OPML (SYO). You can share your library of music and enhanced meta-data with other, but your not sharing the copyrighted songs themselves. You could then use your published OPML library to subscribe to the actual music files on any online store you prefer, simply managing not just your library, but your playlists as well, from one central location.
Now this concept would get me to seriously consider online music options, which today I view as a total ripoff.
An honest day’s blog
I was just reading Kent Newsome’s post ‘The Swift Way to Blog Stardom‘, and then read Seth Godin’s ‘How to get traffic for your blog‘. The point Kent is making is that there is no sure and easy way to ‘make’ a successful blog.
People will find you – there is no doubt about that, but for you to be successful as a blogger is another thing entirely. If you’re starting a blog for personal reasons, to have a platform of you own for ranting, raving, complaining, praising, then do it for those reasons alone. If you want to start a blog for making money – then plan it that way from the outset in design, content and tone.
Blogs are unique because of the uniqueness of each individual that contributes to them. Since we all have different views of the same kinds of experiences, our writing and discussions reflect that.
The point being that if your blogging to be popular, than you may be disappointed. Be prepared to work hard at your content, style and topics if you want to draw crowds.
And if you really interested, check out Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger blog – he has a huge amount of information on being a professional blogger.
Upgraded WordPress…
The upgrade went quick and easy as usual. WordPress is truely a great blogging platform – the quality and flexibility built into the product never stops impressing me.
WordPress 2.0.3 Upgrade Available
In case any WordPress users haven’t noticed, Matt has posted a new release – version 2.0.3. The upgrade includes some small enhancements for importing TypePad posts, some performance tweaks, a fix for podcast enclosures, and several security related updates back-ported from the upcoming 2.1 release.
The upgrade proceedure is the same process as previous versions – super simple! Read more on Matt’s post on the WordPress Development blog.
You can find the download files here.
Ilium Software Anniversary Sale
So Ilium Software has been serving up great titles for 9 years now! Check out their 9th Anniversary Sale going on for one day only, Friday June 2nd, 2006!
I’ll be picking up the NewsBreak software – a steal at $3.33 instead of the regular $19.95.
Sure, I sound like a huckster, but I’ve been using three of their other applications for a year now and only have positive things to say about them (ListPro, DockWare, eWallet).
Via: Pocket PC Thoughts
i-mate will offer the Smartflip (HTC Star Trek)
Ah, another great phone is on its way to market – the i-mate Smartflip. The Wireless Report discusses what will be HTC’s first clamshell phone, and its a Smartphone based on Windows Mobile (naturally), and will inherit all the benefits of the Smartphone platform.
With EDGE support, a QVGA main screen, and a color external display – its shaping up to be quite a phone.
Looking for a Moto Q Review
Well then check out this review posted over at Mobile Burn. Michael Oryl is up to his usual standards in this great write-up of the Motorola Q Smartphone.
Running on the Verizon Wireless EVDO network, the Windows Mobile based Smartphone follows the RAZR style in thin mobile phone design. Instead of a standard phone, the Q boasts a landscape QVGA screen in addition to the QWERTY keyboard. Yeah, your thinking it takes on traditional BlackBerry devices (and it does), but it is also a great phone as well.
Check out Michael’s review, he has some great pictures of the new phone as well.
Via: Mobile Burn
More people going mobile-only
MobHappy is reporting that 9% of US Citizens have gone to using mobile phones exclusively for their voice needs. This ties into a post I made yesterday on how Voice service is moving to a ‘free’ model – though I think that it needs further discussion.
Its interesting to see the number of people going mobile-only grow. My wife and I cut the cord almost 5 years ago, we went from spending over $125 on our landline (mostly long distance charges) to $70 for our family plan at the time – a huge cut that also introduced a flat billing fee instead of fluctuating from $100 to $150 depending on usage.
That is one of the real benefits of cutting the cord, you can pick the rate plan that has enough minutes for everyone without going over. You get long distance and roaming included, and you can count on paying the same amount every month – it never changes. Yeah, there are those who think that if they don’t use all their minutes that they’re ‘wasting’ money, I say, get a grip! You’ll save more by managing a set dollar amount every month, have your phone with you when you want it and need it, and – best of all – you can turn the damn thing off when you want!
Overall I think this is a good trend – traditional landlines are simply obsolete and over priced for what you get, in the end a rather poor value.
Get your own Motorola Q
Finally!
The Motorola Q is now shipping from Verizon Wireless. Verizon is even offering free activation through June 4th.