Activity for July 13

Review - ooVoo for Windows
2.7.0.65 (May 16, 2010)

The free version of ooVoo is actually a virus distribution system via the online ads it displays. Be warned!

We were using at the office as a trial and two laptops got hosed with fake anti-virus trojans. Yes, of course we could have patched Flash but nonetheless, why even bother exposing yourself to that.
Review - Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit)
RC1 Build 5600 (Sep 6, 2006)

I downloaded it twice already and I keep having MD5 hash fails - and I'm using the download manager provided. Speed-wise I'm doing fine, downloading at 1.5MB/s.

Vista itself is starting to look better and better. Finally it's at the RC level so now it's just fixing bugs.
Review - Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit)
Pre-RC1 Build 5536 (Aug 29, 2006)

Vista is starting to look better and better and getting more stable. I personally like it. I don't agree with this going to be a failed OS - I don't think MS would spend 6 years and then come up with an OS that "fails". Yes, it needs patches once it's on the market, but come on - which OS does not need patching? OSX, Linux etc, they also have their patches so its not a phenomena exclusive to Microsoft.

Download speed this time was great! I downloaded the whole thing in 30 minutes on a Comcast Cable connection.
Review - µTorrent for Windows
1.4.2 Beta Build 430 (Feb 28, 2006)

Changed from BitTorrent and this is sooo much better. The interface is informative, the program is small and it gives a lot more control over what is going on. And you can't beat the price.
Comment - Netflix users revolt over price increases [poll]
1.4.2 Beta Build 430 (Jul 13, 2011 - 3:22 PM)

What I object to is that they are saying "We gave you streaming and threw in DVDs for $2." This is not how it was. It was "$9 for DVDs plus $2 for Blu-Ray and we throw in streaming for free." Not many people were streaming then. Now I am streaming all the time. I can see the need for raising the price due to movie studio greed, but they should state it more accurately: "We are sorry, but we now have to charge for streaming to stay competitive."
It is easy to assume that streaming is cheaper to operate for them then sending the DVDs. (No postage and no humans to employ to fill envelopes.) But bandwidth and IT infrastructure cost money. Licensing contracts for streaming content are expiring and the vultures are circling. Movie studios need to rake in the money so they can keep funding politicians to do their bidding.
Comment - Apple admits iPhone 4 drops more calls than predecessors, gives out free 'bumpers'
1.4.2 Beta Build 430 (Jul 16, 2010 - 9:37 PM)

I have not had any issues either until the yesterday when I experienced a dropped call due to the antenna issue. Prior to that I was wondering what all the fuss was about. Now I always have this thought in the back of my mind to hold the phone in a certain way to avoid the issue.

At the start of the conference when Steve was going over the statistics etc, I actually thought he was going to say: Live with it. I am glad Apple decided to offer at least one of these grossly overpriced bumpers for free.

Also note that they use percentages to make the numbers look small and thus insignificant. 1.7% of phones returned is still over 50,000 phones. That number is still considerable.
Comment - Steve Jobs shows little remorse about iPhone 4 Death Grip -- should he?
1.4.2 Beta Build 430 (Jul 16, 2010 - 3:05 PM)

I have had my iPhone 4 for about 2 weeks but not until yesterday did I experience a dropped call due to the antenna issue. Prior to that I always thought "What's all the fuss about?" Now that I have experienced it myself I have to say it has made me feel uneasy. Now I have to think about how I hold my phone when talking which is distracting.

At the beginning of the press conference today I really did get the impression they weren't going to do anything about this and make us buy the grossly overpriced bumper. I am glad they finally gave in and are giving one away for free - which will ease my concerns. Otherwise it is an awesome gadget!
Comment - Microsoft should dig into the WebKit to stop Google from framing IE
1.4.2 Beta Build 430 (Sep 24, 2009 - 7:22 AM)

MarketLinx is one of those IE only developers and it sucks. They make the MLXchange product - a multiple listing real estate website. I have many realtor clients that have Macs and they all have to either be setup with Bootcamp or some virtualization product like Fusion, Parallels or VirtualBox in order to have Windows so they can use IE to access ONE website!!!!!!! And they all HAVE to use that site. It is ridiculous to have to go through hoops to support another industry's "standard".
Comment - Toshiba's $249 Blu-ray player vs. $299 PS3: The choice is obvious
1.4.2 Beta Build 430 (Sep 5, 2009 - 8:30 AM)

If one wants only a Blu-Ray player, then the Toshiba might be the better choice since it probably comes with an IR remote an can thus be used with other universal remotes. If you want to use the PS3 to playback BDs you have to use the wireless controller or buy the bluetooth remote - which might not appeal to some.