Activity for January 18

Review - DVDFab All-In-One for Windows
8.0.6.8 (Jan 7, 2011)

R.I.P. DVDFab
Review - DVDFab All-In-One for Windows
8.0.0.2 (Aug 25, 2010)

Freeware, shareware, crippleware? none of the above.

It's called "Freemium", and the concept has been around for a very long time (Skype, Yahoo, etc). The premise is simple: a product is free with no strings attached (which it is in this case), and you have the option of enhancing functionality for a fee. This program has worked wonderfully for me for years and I never have had to pay a dime. If the free portion of this program does not suit your needs, there are other options out there, some free, some expensive and some severely crippled until you pay. The choice is yours.
Review - Maxthon Cloud for Windows
2.5.4.159 (Aug 6, 2009)

I have been skipping all updates since 2.1.5 versions. Thinking that perhaps the bugs had been ironed out, I installed this version yesterday. All seemed ok until I noticed that the RoboForm bar had developed some sort of amnesia. It failed to recognize ALL the log-on pages, and it quickly became a real annoyance. I promptly uninstalled and returned to the previous version.
Review - Maxthon Cloud for Windows
3.0.0.139 Alpha (Jul 24, 2009)

As a long time Maxthon user, I took this baby out for a brief ride. I was quite impressed by the browsing speed and compatibility with websites. Of course, this "baby" has a ways to go before it qualifies as my main browser, but I most certainly see the potential. I'll revisit when it enters beta and/or it offers ad blocking options, etc. Keep up the good work.
Review - AOL for Windows
9.5 Refresh Beta 8 (0.4337.64.1) (Jun 12, 2009)

"America Online (AOL) is a leading Internet Service Provider (ISP)"

Really? Perhaps if we substitute "is" with "was".....
Comment - Almost nobody uses Microsoft Office OneNote, Let's see how the iPhone changes that.
9.5 Refresh Beta 8 (0.4337.64.1) (Jan 18, 2011 - 3:52 PM)

It is integrated with Outlook and Internet Explorer. You can, however, "print" to OneNote from anything (PDF, any browser, etc). Also, you can capture or snip anything from the screen. I'm not sure about the online integration thing since I keep all my files locally.
Comment - Almost nobody uses Microsoft Office OneNote, Let's see how the iPhone changes that.
9.5 Refresh Beta 8 (0.4337.64.1) (Jan 18, 2011 - 3:41 PM)

I have used this program for many years now, with 2003, 2007 and 2010 licenses. I use it everyday, and find it to be indispensible. I found it even more useful while in college. I will say it is one of the most clever programs Microsoft has ever dreamed up. Those familiar with its capability understand its full popential.

Just to clarify, the program itself is not integrated with Live, as other posters stated. Perhaps the new "app" will be, but that seems to be a new option. In fact, the closest free option is a program called Evernote, but I have never adopted it because it is based online.
Comment - The First Google TV device, Logitech Revue, gets unveiled, goes up for sale
9.5 Refresh Beta 8 (0.4337.64.1) (Oct 8, 2010 - 8:34 AM)

As cool as these contraptions are, they should stay at the $100 level. I say this because many inexpensive computers nowdays come with all the same functionality and even an HDMI plug. It is easier than ever to use any laptop or desktop as an HTPC for about what this thing is priced (give or take $100), and with limitless possibilities.

I have been using a laptop in this fashion for many months. I recently bought a Roku HD XR for less than $70, only to find that - even at that price - I could not justify the expense and returned it. It was a nice box and super easy to set up, but it merely duplicated some of what my laptop was already doing. Plus a laptop does not have to be a "dedicated" HTPC. You simply connect/disconnect and move at will. :o)
Comment - AT&T: We will prosecute hacker that found iPad security hole
9.5 Refresh Beta 8 (0.4337.64.1) (Jun 15, 2010 - 9:10 AM)

Golden Boy rule:

"Their" security holes mean incompetence (Microsoft, etc);
"Our" security holes are called... nothing (Apple, etc). In fact, they are not even called a "security hole", but more like "trespassing". Don't you know? It's the other guys' fault!
Comment - Which is eviler? Apple, Facebook or Google?
9.5 Refresh Beta 8 (0.4337.64.1) (May 7, 2010 - 10:37 AM)

.... and I thought I was the last holdout!

I don't have a Facebook page, nor do I own or use any apple products - not even iTunes. I don't follow fads even if they seem very useful to the public at large.

Google, however, is part of my everyday life. I have enough mistrust to stay away from Chrome and their mobile OS products. Search and Gmail, however, have become my preferred tools based on their simplicity and efficiency. I try not to think about all the information about me sitting around their massive servers, waiting to be utilized for some borderline unethical use.