I know I’ve talked about this over and over, and if this subject is getting old to you than you can go ahead and move on. I won’t be hurt at all…

Basically I’m just curious about all those people out there that are still using this browser. Also I’m sure you’ve noticed, but if you are using this browser than my site doesn’t really look that cool to you. Perhaps you just think this site is broken or maybe you know your browser sucks. What ever the case,,, Why are you using Internet Explorer??? Seriously I want to know why… Tell me…

On the flip site Internet Explorer is coming out with a new version, IE8. I can only hope they are going to do some real upgrades and bring this browser up to speed with current web trends and CSS standards. All I can think of is that if Web Designers around the world are doubling their work load to accommodate the ignorant masses that still use IE6 and IE7, than perhaps the developers are getting their act together.

(side note: does IE provide automatic updates like most normal browser??? I’m just curious, because if IE7 is available than why are people still using IE6)

You can only drive a car with out oil for so long before it blows up and it doesn’t work. If IE was like a car then it’s last oil change was probably due about 3yrs ago. And I think we all know how fast the evolution of the tech world is.

Every one of us has bought more than one computer in our life time, and we all know that you can’t even browse the web with a Pentium II any more. So why is it then that people are still using the browsers that came out with a Pentium II.

My fingers are crossed and I’m going to my bookie tomorrow, I’m going to place my bet right now that IE8 is going to be good. I’m not saying this because I have inside info (because I don’t), I’m say this because if they don’t fix IE than it’s going to end up like Netscape Navigator. (what’s Netscape Navigator???)

And if you’re wondering what you should do… “what should I do if I have Internet Explorer and want to change???” Go here and do some research…

Again I ask…
Why are you using Internet Explorer??? Seriously I want to know why… Tell me…

This week I’m going to talk about an Application that I started to use when I began in the Computer World, but gave up on too soon.

Flash is one of the Programs out there that I think can make or break a site. I remember when I first got started with web stuff I was really interested in Flash because I wanted to make cartoons. (I still want to)

After a while I started to make sites with flash, but quickly realized that I wasn’t good enough to make them updatable by anyone but me. People didn’t like that. None the less I still try and keep up with the basic layout. This way I can always open it up and at least use the time line for animations. It was the stupid action scripting from flash 4 and flash 5 that pissed me off.

With out a doubt I think Flash is one of the greatest things thats happened to the web, it’s right up there with Databases. (only in its own way)

White Gold is a good example of a Fun, Silly site that kinda creates its own world.

Director is another one I wish I would have kept pursuing.

What about you, is there a program that you look back on and think, “I could kick ass at that if I would have stuck with it.“

Side Note: FireFox3 is ready for download. If you are still using Internet Explorer you should seriously consider changing.

Why???

Because wether you know it or not there are literally millions of websites you are viewing on a daily basis that Internet Explorer can not read properly. Basically, you aren’t seeing what you’re supposed to be seeing. It’s that simple…

This week I’d like to pay homage to an Application that has changed the way the world works. Adobe PhotoShop…

Show of hands how many of you use this App???

Back when I was in college I used to work in the Digital Art classes. I was the guy sitting in the back of class that was supposed to answer all the questions and stuff. (so much for that, I’ve seen things now that make me feel silly) Well, that was back when psd7 was the shit. I still only use psdCS, I just don’t have the money to get the top of the line.

I’ve thought about this many times, “if PhotoShop didn’t exist something else probably would have taken it’s place.” And even still I’m sure there are some Programs out there that can take PhotoShop in a cage match. Thing is, Adobe seems to have done it first, and they seem to have done it right.

What Application do you have on your desktop that you should probably take out to dinner?

here’s mine

Here is a little application I think a few people will enjoy. This is MarsEdit, it’s an application for posting to your blog with out using your browser. I use this every day, and have found it to be an awesome way to post. There are a ton of features with Web2.0 in mind. There are also a lot of customization options for those who are willing to take the time.

I must say though, if you are not familiar with looking at html you probably wont like this. All links and images are in html, only line breaks are hidden. (they are converted on upload)

What makes this program worth it?

Writing off line… You may be one of those people that likes to write your posts in advance or perhaps you always have a couple of posts you’re constantly trying to rewrite. I like that I don’t have to log-in to review something I’m working on. Not only that but I like bypassing the editor and typing everything myself. (course I’ve set up a bunch of quick keys for most of my styling)

Write to Multiple Blogs… Maybe you’re a freak and you write to a couple of different blogs.

Control… I’m a control freak when it comes to my styles and fonts and everything like that. Most Blog platforms will give a good amount of options but they just don’t give you everything. Also, there is bound to be a screw up here and there that will strip out all your styles, and eventually something comes up missing on your post when you publish it. Then it turns into that vicious cycle of, “what the heck!!!???”

I never have to worry about that, everything I write goes to my blog and there isn’t any amount of code missing, because some filter doesn’t like what I wrote.

Conclusion… Basically if you’re hosting your blog, and your comfortable with looking at and typing HTML this program will interest you.

So this week I’ll be talking mostly about an RSS reader I’ve been using called Sage. There is also a quick review of: Things, Xyle Scope & Snitter.

Here is what they have to say.

“Sage is a lightweight RSS and Atom feed reader extension for Mozilla Firefox. It’s got a lot of what you need and not much of what you don’t.”

I’ve tried 3 different RSS readers.

1. Google Reader (its ok standard reader)
2. Mac Mail Reader (very nice, but I don’t like to see how many feed I haven’t read.)
3. Sage (so far so good, and I’ll tell you why)

Sage is a Firefox plugin, so if you’re not a foxy browser I’m sorry about this post. I like using Sage for a couple of different reasons.

1.) I don’t have to login to it. Option+Z and a side bar pops out with all my feeds. Select your feed and it comes up in the rest of the window. And not just the title of the posts or the titles on top and the selected post below. You get about 10 or so feeds (pending rss settings) all at once. Check it out ↓

2.) I don’t have to look at that mass of numbers telling me day in and day out how many feeds that I have failed to read. (again and again and again) Kinda like how I wish books didn’t have numbers on the pages. (not sure if thats a good idea though)

3.) It’s clean to look at, easy to add feeds and there is only one window to mess with. (Tabs people, learn them and use them)

Review

• Snitter is another Twitter App - Info: Adobe Air, Clean, A lot like Twhirl, No Adds
• Things: Culture Code - Recommended by: CJ - Info: Organization, Intuitive Clean Interface. I really liked this Program, but my subscription ran out really fast. I’m thinking about buying it. (its much better than having Stickies all over the place.)
• Xyle Scope: Culture Code - Info: HTML Breakdown. Check out the Code for your sites and other sites by browsing with Xyle Scope. It has sidebar windows that show the code as you select it with your mouse. (This one is hard to explain in short terms, you have to see it in action.) Very Cool.

I’m always glad to see Firefox and Safari at the top of the list.

Why?

I like Web Application that are easy and worth using, and I find myself blabbing about them all to often. So, in order to focus my ideas and keep myself from blabbing too much, I am going to do one post a week about Programs for Web use.

~ if you like short posts, forget about What I’m Thinking…

What I’m Thinking is…

There is a crapload of Programs out there being used for every different part of the web, and there are a million different Reviews for every product. I would like to know what the day to day bloggers use, not just the review guys.

I’ve always thought that I would suck at being a sales person, that was until I bought a Mac. Now I know that I could work in a Mac store and not feel like I’m ripping people off. Why, because I actually like Mac’s. Same goes for most products. You might use a product, but would you feel good about selling it?

Review↓

I’ll keep this simple and short…

• Woopra, Stats App A+
  Still in Beta testing, but it’s amazing. If you’re a stats person you should look. Requires Standard Membership w/approval, copy & past of code.
• Twitterrific, Twitter App A+
  Requires Adobe Air, Very Stable, Looks Good, Fun sounds of Birds to let you know of new Tweets, and an easy to use interface. how could twitter be hard, right…
• Here is what they say…
  Sage is a lightweight RSS and Atom feed reader extension for Mozilla Firefox. It’s got a lot of what you need and not much of what you don’t.

  I’ll save this one for next time…

That’s it for this week… If there’s any Program you use that you really like lets here it. Even if it’s as simple as a browser. (i like firefox, but it has its issues)

I noticed this Application the other day while twitting to the masses. If you have ever wondered how Twitter can be useful, this is the answer you are looking for. There are a few requirements though. 1.) You must Like your computer. 2.) You should probably like talking to people you don’t really know.

Twhirl is a small interface that connects you to all the people you follow in a small window with a simple design. It has all the options, and some built in one so you can choose your color scheme. Originally didn’t see much use for Twitter, I don’t text from my phone, and I don’t usually chat with people I don’t know. Problem Solved. Twhirl isn’t a chat room, only the people you follow are there, and since I spend a destructive amount of time on the computer, I don’t have to use my phone for texting that much.

Twhirl is an Adobe Air Application. I haven’t spent much time reading into this new development. But!!! it’s Adobe, that pretty much makes it solid for me. I would definitely suggest doing a little research before you go downloading a bunch of stuff, but this one is worth your time. (Well that is if you’re up for it.)

Review:

As far as I’m concerned MiniTwit isn’t much use at this point and I don’t really think I need to say much about it. Although, if someone has a good review on it lets hear it..!! (this isn’t Internet Exploder, there is room for improvement)

So, Check out Twhirl, It’s worth your time if you’re a Twitter geek!!!!

A couple of days ago I mentioned a Program called Woopra, which got me talking about web apps that are built for desktop use with a Web2.0 doof like myself in mind. Also, over the last few days I’ve talked about a few other apps that I’ve found to be useful. It seems like every day I find a program that I want to try out. Believe me not all of them work out, but there are a lot apps out there so I’m going to keep plucking away at until I find the ones that are really worth using.

Here is a small list of some Programs that I am currently using on trial, freeware, or $paid. Some of these are mainstream products and some are not. If you have any programs you’re testing or really like, let me know because I’m always interested in knowing what’s out there.

random order with numbers…

1. Adobe Golive 9: Web Authoring
2. MiniTwit: Twitter App
3. Woopra: Stats Machine
4. Charlotte: Web Searching
5. RAGE Domainer: Domain Tracker
6. SunFlower Public: Web Monitoring

I’ll let you know when I’ve decided on what’s going to stay↓ and what’s going to GO→

Any Suggestions???

Here is a program for those of you that spend a good amount of time on the computer. If you’re like me, you have random thoughts shoot into your head now and then that you really want to say, but no one is there to here. Maybe one reason twitter was created, I’m not sure if anyone really knows yet.

So this little program makes it nice for people like me do exactly what FireFox already dose. But if your also as lazy as me you wont want to open a new browser window and go to your twitter page. (by the way Im too cheap to pay for texting from my phone) So here you have it a tiny little window that dings when you twit.

It’s really cool except that you have to put you username and login every time. (course I haven’t checked the preferences yet) This kinda defeats the laziness factor.