Category Archives: Internet

Google+ is NOT Facebook

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Ok, with all these new and great (still debatable) changes to Facebook, it seems like it’s going to overcome Google+. Well, whatever the original intent of Google+, at this point, unless they make a drastic change, they will be beaten down.

But it’s like comparing Apples and Oranges. They’re both fruits, but are distinctly different. Let’s just get that straight. I personally cannot understand what people are thinking. Of course, it’s because your friends are saying “oh em gee, the new facebook blows! I’m going to G+”.

Well, here’s my interpretation of what Google+ is:

Google+ is not about friends. It’s about interests. You don’t have friends in G+. You circle people and put them into a circle called friends. You share the same interests. In this case it would namely be you. With circles, you can share the same interest, such as Photography. You can put all your photographer friends in there, as well as the photographers you admire. You can post photography topics within your photography circle. Are you getting it yet? It’s not about friends. It’s about interests. Seriously.

So please stop comparing the two. Can’t they co-exist? Like Twitter and Facebook? Why can’t G+ be the Twitter killer? Or the new Facebook be the Twitter killer? Did this make sense?

Google+ and all it’s glory

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So lately I’ve been using Google+ more and more. Perhaps you’re a follower, or perhaps you’re not and haven’t been tempted by it. Regardless come take a visit and see what I’m all about. You can find my personal profile here.

So what’s the big deal about Google+? Lots of things I’d say. First of all, it’s a new thing, and everyone on the Internet likes new and cool things right? I mean everyone likes to be “first” or part of the beginnings of something that has potential. I remember when Twitter came out, no one thought it was cool. They said, “but it’s only 140 characters. What could you possibly say in that number of characters?” Look at it now. I’d say 95% of the people in America know what twitter is and are either members or have no need of it (or so they say).

Google+ is very similar I think. It’s like a hybrid if you will. I think the way they designed it is not exactly what people are using it for, but it’s working. People are sharing, and reading, and finding out new things with it. It’s more than a social network IMHO. It’s kinda like a central place where you can find out news, the latest gossip, what’s going on in your friend’s life, and so much more.

If you’re a sharer, (if that’s even a word – I’m sure spell check says no) then Google+ is also a great thing. The method of sharing is great. If you want to share something that’s tech related and don’t want to fill up your friend’s stream that doesn’t care about that stuff, you can. With circles, you can share with people who share the same interests explicitly.

Also, you can use circles to see in your stream only the news you want to see. So maybe your cooking club is sharing recipes, and you only want to see that and not all the Chris Pirillo updates. You can do that.

So I’ve been hanging out there for this bit and honestly, it won’t replace a blog, but it’s coming pretty damn close. Are you on Google+? If you’re not, I’ve got 150 invites to throw out there. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you an invite.

What’s your social network?

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So with the advent of Google+, should Facebook be worried? I Really doubt it. I mainly say this because Google+ is not Really the same thing. It’s more like Twitter on steroids and more. It’s very similar to Pownce (remember that?) where you can share something with certain circles only. It’s not a new concept, but no one has successfully implemented it. It’s also similar to Foursquare. You can check into Google+ and share your location. It’s like an all in one tool.

With all these changes, it’s tough to determine which social network you’d like to stick with. If you ask me, it’s probably best to use both. I only say this because not everyone is going to use both like you. Maybe they’re not as tech savvy as you are. Maybe they just don’t have the time to utilize both social networks. Regardless of the reason, I know you want to use both of them.

There are some issues you probably should be aware of. Google+ is still growing. It’s still in development. So don’t panic. Grab your towel. Google+ will get better.

However, there have already been issues. Remember people getting suspended from using Google+ because of their names? Yeah that Really happened. I’m not sure if they intend to have a “verified” logo like Twitter does, but, that was Really annoying.

Facebook isn’t without its faults either. Have you seen the new chat? Seriously? It takes up a quarter of the screen! I don’t want to know who is offline. Why would I want to know that? It just mixes the online and offline people in one window. Then there’s an issue that Danalyn had. She uploaded a karaoke video of herself singing Sweet Child O’ Mine. Yeah, they just deleted it immediately.  WTF? Seriously? It’s HER. So now, is it bad to upload videos of people singing copyrighted songs? OK, I can accept that. But say that it’s a copyrighted song and it’s not allowed on Facebook. Don’t just delete it right away and don’t say anything. Especially if the video is karaoke. Last I checked, there are tons of karaoke videos up on there. This is only one of many reasons I don’t like Facebook. I don’t mean I don’t like Facebook for the karaoke videos. These issues are why I don’t like Facebook.

So what’s your social network? For myself, I’ll continue to use both, but lean towards Google+ more unless something changes the favor to Facebook. Somehow I doubt it.

Still crazy after all these years, Godaddy…

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So last week, Katie told me about Namecheap.com. She said they’re cheaper than Godaddy, and their running some specials right now. Yeah, they’re cheaper but I was skeptical. I’ve been with Godaddy for a long, long time. I think the earliest I used them was in 2002. That’s when they $7.95 domain registrations if I remember right. So then I started thinking about it. So Namecheap is cheaper. It’s not like I’m hosting with the name registrar or anything. Why not change? I checked out their prices, and sure enough, they’re a few bucks cheaper. It basically comes down to $9.98 vs. $11.99 registration fees. And while it doesn’t sound like much, try renewing 10 domains. It all adds up. With domain name prices, anywhere you can save helps.

I’m gonna go ahead and recommend Namecheap.com. It’s not that I’m harboring any hard feelings towards Godaddy. Even after my fiasco of which I won’t even talk about. I’ll get back to you in a few days. If thing don’t go as they promise, then maybe I’ll talk about it. But I’m just gonna say for name registrations, they’re not bad. But Namecheap is even cheaper. And it’s not like their services suck. They’re an Enom reseller, and they’re pretty reputable in my mind. BTW, don’t think you’ll get a better deal with Enom. Namecheap still has a better deal. And yes, I’m an affiliate for Namecheap.com. I’ll benefit if you click on the link and transfer a domain or register a new one.

As seen on TV madness!

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Ok, if you’ve been coming here pretty often, or you just plain know me, I’m a total “As Seen on TV” junkie. I just have to buy stuff for the sake of buying it sometimes. But deep in my mind, I have a use for the product I decide to buy, and so I get it. Never mind that I might only use the product once, it was a good buy. I mean, 19.95?? Wow! But Seriously, I know the little tricks and silly things they do to get you to buy one.

Anyways…

I ordered a Ninja Kitchen System today. You might remember I was on the fence about getting one. Well, after very little thought and no one Really telling me I shouldn’t get it, I decided to just go for it and  buy one. You’ll find a review for it soon enough. I was a bit wary of the “free shipping” since that’s usually where they make the money. But at $159.80 (or 4 payments of $39.95) I think they’re doing ok. I went for the lump sum payment. The only reason I do that is because when they do have payments, they have a processing fee (which isn’t shipping!) and it all adds up anyways. While checking out, they do throw a million add-ons at you which you probably don’t need. Like a second Ninja Kitchen System for $79.95. But I just couldn’t see my mom using it very much. I did order priority processing and it said “get it in 5-7 days!” I decided to get it since it was $9.95 and wasn’t so bad, even if it was technically a “shipping” cost. I suspect that it means the blender will be sent within 5-7 days (without telling me it’s back-ordered like my Yoshi-blade) and then it will get here using the slowest and cheapest shipping possible. Probably UPS ground, as they are often cheaper than even the US Post Office sometimes. We will see within 5 to 7 days what happens. I would be pleasantly surprised if I actually received it on my doorstep in such time.

On top of all this I also ordered the Wonder File. Perhaps you’ve seen the commercials. If you haven’t, you can watch it after the bump. This just looks too cool to pass up. I need a decent organization system and this could be it. You get 2 for the price of 1 essentially. Here’s a good example of when they rape you on shipping and handling. While the Wonder File costs $19.95, S&H will cost you $13.98. That’s almost as much as you are paying for the product! Something to consider when you decide to buy this product. I’ll review this as well and let everyone know how it turns out.

I just want to add that no one is paying me to talk about these products. I will gladly talk about them and review them (bad and good) if you pay me. All this is coming out of my pocket!

So what products have you bought recently from the internet? Are you a junkie like me?

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iGoogle

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Screen shot 2009-10-05 at 7.01.13 PMWhat theme do you use for your iGoogle Page? I’m just curious what other folks are using. Right now, I’m simply using the Halloween theme only because it’s Halloween. But normally I use the Edward Monkton theme. You know, the one with the “Madness Hamsters”? I simply love them!