jessedyck.com

We all know that I use Firefox religously on Windows. I’ve been using it since way back when it was known as Pheonix, then we all switched over to Firebird for a version or 2, then it was over to the Firefox we now know and love. The best thing about it is that it does not contain viruses! Well, more accurately, it does not allow them to get into your computer. Almost any browser that does not contain ActiveX controls (basically, anything other then Internet Explorer) will help reduce the amount of spyware and viruses that can get through your computer. That is why I always recommend Firefox to everyone I talk to. It helps keep your computer clean, it’s fast, free, and open source!

The key competitor to Firefox for Windows (in my opinion, Safari runs better on OSX, which is why you can catch me using it on my iBook) is Opera. Internet Explorer is obviously a competitor, but it’s like comparing a Farrari with a Cavalier. Sure the Cavalier has more market share, but I mean really, it’s a Farrari! So, Firefox is a Farrari, and Opera is a Lambourgini. The main thing that always turned me away from Opera? It was not free, and it’s closed source. Was. Today, Opera announced they will be removing the ads, and giving it away for Free! That is totally cool. The next thing I would like to see is open source, but not everyone is perfect. So, whether you’re a Firefox freak like me, or just an IE user looking for a clean society, check it out!

Opera Free!

I still recommend and use Firefox, but in the end both browsers do the trick. I just want to see more people using standards compliant browsers! Makes the world a better place for all of us.

!–jdyck–!

So, as we all know, iTunes 5 was just released, along with the spiffy new iPod Nano. Both seem cool, but as always, there are negative comments. Here are mine!

iPod Nano: the new iPod, it almost seems like Jobs is simply trying to get every last penny out of the iPod lovin’ crowd. I mean, don’t get me wrong, a smaller iPod, with a color screen, and a click wheel, cool indeed. However, Apple just released the iPod Mini something like a year and a half ago, then updated it with the larger, 6GB drive about 6 months ago. As well, Apple just released the iPod shuffle about another 6 months ago. So, it seems that they just released a canceled the middle of the road iPod, only to release a lesser version. I think Apple would have been smarter to add the color screen to the mini, maybe make it a bit minier, but keep the same 4/6GB models, or maybe (if prices allow for it) make them 6/8GBs. I know I sure do love my Mini, it seems to be able to take more abuse then the full sized iPods, and its nice and compact, however I still long for more storage space!

All in all, I think the Nano is in a wierd point. It’s between the Shuffle and the Mini. I know Apple discontinued the Mini, so it’s not fair to include it anymore, but I just think the Nano is too much of a beefed up Shuffle, more so then a lesser iPod.

Now, on to iTunes 5. I was really excited when this release came about. I instantly downloaded it and installed it when I heard, eager to see the changes. The interface is much more minimalist, which is good since my library is forever growing, I want to get as much on one screen as possible. The first thing I remember telling my Colegues is that it looks a lot like Mail.app. Of course no one else at work is a Mac user, so I got a lot of wierd faces, but I still stand by that, it is very similar, particularly the light blue background in the sources section. After that, the lack of borders is going to take some time to get used to, but the interface is definitely new and refreshing.

I don’t think I will use much of these new Parental Controls or Smart Shuffle features, but they seem like they may be practical to some users. I like how even the Windows version includes the OSX-like ‘Lock’ for the Parental Controls. Nice touch guys! The only thing that I have noticed to be not good is the scrolling. It does not seem to scroll through my 4500 songs as well as iTunes 4 did. Maybe that means I aught to start trimming down my music library? Nah!

On that note, have you ever wondered what would happen if your interfaces became a living being? What would one interface say when you decided to switch to an other one. Would it get mad, or would it accept the fact that its time for a change? Well, it looks like Brushed Metal was quite mad about being booted out of iTunes, being the popular app that it is. And Aqua sure as hell isn’t helping the situation!

Poor B.M.

!–jdyck–!