tom125's Blog

Twitter Lists open to abuse?

What do you all think of Twitter Lists?

Overall I think it's useful, but I have one major complaint:

Anyone can add me to a list, which then shows up in my profile. That's fine if someone responsible has listed you in a list you want to be in, but it's open to abuse. There is no way to delete yourself from a list (short of blocking the person), and no notification that you're on a list.

PS - I've put together an AGP/2Schooners listener list at:
http://twitter.com/tom125/agp-and-2-schooners

If you want to be on the list (or want to be removed from it!) then DM me. :)

Re: iTunes 9 and iPhone 3.1.x ?

Was that to go to 3.1? That took me an hour - but the majority of that was syncing all the crap I have on it. The actual update took about 30 mins. I did 3.1.2 this morning and it took about 20 mins from clicking upgrade to finishing.

Sounds like something's going wrong with yours. What bit did it slow down on? Could be worth resetting everything and starting again?

Re: Has anyone worked out Lotus Improv yet?

No, what is it? My last Lotus experience was with CC:Mail when I first started working. Worst. Email. Client. Ever!

Re: Getting to the forum

On FF for Mac (perhaps a windows person could post the settings for pcs) the proxy settings are in Preferences -> Advanced -> Network -> Configure how Firefox connects to the internet -> Proxies.

A proxy server is like a middleman between your computer and the internet and all communications go through that if you're using one. Companies use them to monitor and block internet usage to certain sites, and it's common to have one set up on your home computer to block ads (it doesn't allow the advert images through the proxy).

However if you didn't set one up in the first place it's unlikely you're using a proxy so it's probably not that that's the problem.

A long shot... turn off your modem/router for a few minutes and turn it back on again. You'll be assigned a new IP number by your ISP, and that might fix it. 

Otherwise I'm not really sure what to suggest... sorry! Others here are more techie than me so i'm sure they'll help.

Re: What is the Recipe for Success?

Don't we know it! ;)

Re: Getting to the forum

Are you using a proxy?

Re: What is the Recipe for Success?

Not sure he's a troll, but he can't expect to make comments like that without receiving a robust response especially as he backs himself with neither specifics nor constructive comments.

Welcome Dan. Glad you're enjoying the show. Don't worry about getting a bit lost with the technical stuff... the hosts do that all the time! ;)

Re: Back-Up's

Yup, my 500GB Lacie gets hot. It's plugged in whenever I have my laptop on my desk, and it's just used for Time Machine.

I have two other pocket sized external drives (one a Western Digital Passport, the other one of those small Lacie Ferrari designed ones) that I alternate my weekly backups on.

The only issue with my backup strategy is that I keep the two weekly backups in my desk drawer, under my computer... no good if it was stolen or if there was a fire, but at least it's good for data corruption/hard drive failure!

As Matt88 said, Aus upload speeds are slow - I get 5000kbs download speed on a good day, but 64-128kbs upload speeds.  I manually back up a few important documents to mobile me, but a full backup isn't practical.  I also share Herne's issue about putting all your data with a random third party online. 

Re: iTunes 9 and iPhone 3.1.x ?

Positive thinking there Dave!

I've got iTunes 9 and iPhone 3.1 working fine. No issues whatsoever with the installation (once I got Snow Leopard to see my iPhone but that's another story!).

On iTunes 9... I think I'm getting old. I don't really like change. It annoys me that they've modified the look and feel again, so soon after Snow Leopard, which would have been a perfect opportunity to unify all the different UI elements that have crept into OSX.

I know that they use iTunes as a bit of a trail blazer, but why does it need its own different scroll bars, why does it need a slightly more plasticy title bar, why are the progress bars different to any other app. I don't dislike the interface, but it's annoying that it's so different to other apps.

As for home sharing - quite good I guess. You could always stream music from one computer to another on your home network, but now you can copy the files too (as I understand it... I haven't actually done it).

On the iPhone upgrade - the ability to move icons around the home screens from iTunes is fantastic.  The one downside I have heard is that it breaks the internet tethering workarounds. Doesn't affect me though as Voda lets you tether for free anyway, but if you're on OptArse or AT&T you won't be able to tether, or you'll have to pay to add it legally.

Poll: Are you a Day One upgrader?

Nearly 10 shows have gone past since the last poll, so I thought I'd start another. Apple has just released Snow Leopard, and Microsoft is about to release Windows 7, so an operating system question is in order. Fear not, this isn't an Apple v. Mac argument (we all know who wins!).

I'm assuming that most/all AGP listeners have a geeky/tech streak (in a nice way!) and so the question is not "Are you going to upgrade to Snow Leopard / Windows 7?" but "When?".

I went out and bought Snow Leopard the day it came out and installed it that night. Always having been appreciative of Apple's OS, or having been brainwashed by the Apple Marketing Machine, depending on your point of view, it was always going to be the case that I got it on Day 1. In fact I had great pleasure in lording it over those poor suckers who pre-ordered and had to wait for the courier company to get round to delivering it a few days after it was available in the shop!

Anyway, I may have been brainwashed but I'm not totally stupid, so I did a full bootable clone of my hard drive, and then started the hour long upgrade process. Success, it all worked - but then I plugged my iPhone in and it wouldn't connect.

Arghhh.... The interwebz failed to provide a solution, so I reinstalled 10.5.8 from my cloned drive and sulked for a few hours.

Then the next morning Apple released an update which fixed the problem, so I was back on 10.6.0.

There weren't too many reports of Snow Leopard upgrade problems this time around, fewer than the 10.4 to 10.5 upgrade anyway.  But I remember thinking when I installed Leopard that next time I would wait until the .1 upgrade came out. After all 10.6.1 came out only 14 days after 10.6.0 was in the shops. It would have been safer to wait...

So, do you relish the challenge of being in the first few to install the new OS? Do you do the sensible thing and wait a week or so until any issues have been ironed out? Or are you constrained by hardware, or a particular piece of software you rely on that isn't yet compatible?

Re: What is the Recipe for Success?

Me too - I find the audio quality to be excellent across all of Dave's Podcast Trilogy (AGP, Two Schooners and Podcasters' Emporium). It's their hallmark, and through PE Dave and James have helped others with their audio quality - which is why I find Pat's comment strange.

Re: What Apps do You Have on Your iPhone/iPod Touch?

RunKeeper monitors distance, speed and tracks your route on a map. You can then use the data to calculate calories I guess...

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=300235330&mt=8

Re: iPhone Tethering

Hmm, I just went to the Vodafone website to see what they'd charge you for that amount of usage... and guess what? For the price I'm paying for 250MB they now give you 1GB/month. On the phone to my mate "Lara" (their automated telephone system thingy) right now to whinge, complain, and make a nuisance of myself until they upgrade me to the new plan! :)

Re: iPhone Tethering

Sucked in! Optus does that here, but of course none of the aussie telcos offer unlimited data. I get a whopping 250MB a month. So clearly I don't use tethering very much!

Re: iPhone Tethering

I use it from time to time on Vodafone here. The don't charge for tethering or make you jailbreak/use a dodgy hack. For once an aussie telco that's ahead of the game. :)

Re: They're back after nearly 2 months

I should get around to doing another audio comment sometime...

-herne

What was that you were saying about quality not quantity? ;)

Good show guys. Really enjoyed it and don't mind the wait at all.  Can you start saying "next show" though rather than "next week"... you're just getting our hopes up! :)

Re: identi.ca

How are you finding identi.ca Eric?

Re: What are you saving up for next?

You're saving up for a sex change so you can call yourself Elizabeth? I've got a pair of scissors I could lend you...

Re: TimeSvr

Fantastic. I've often wondered how effective those things are ever since I read Tim Ferris' Four Hour Work Week so it'd be good to hear your real life experience of using one! 

Re: The Definitive Guide to Laptop Stands.

This doesn't work with all laptops, such as MacBooks because they don't open up wide enough, but I used one for years with my StinkPad when I worked in an office:

www.standit.com

So simple, reasonably cheap at about $40, and drastically improves your posture as it raises the screen up significantly. 

Thoroughly recommended, and it's an aussie firm! :)

Re: optus apple and the iphone

Did you click the link? Doesn't look like double on their website.

There's also a big fat "Existing Customers Upgrade to the new iPhone Now" button on the front page of Optus's site.

So your complaint seems to be that Optus won't give you an iPhone for free to replace the Nokia that was stolen?

Re: optus apple and the iphone

Hmmm.... not double according to Apple, unless they've updated the 3G model that's still available too.

http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTE2OTU

Re: optus apple and the iphone

Optarse Bullshit I'm afraid. How and when you upgrade your phone is between you and the carrier, nothing to do with the manufacturer. You were fed a line.  In the US and some other countries Apple and AT&T agree the plan prices and might be able to specify this sort of thing, but not in Australia where we have competition between the carriers and Apple does not receive a kickback from the plan fees.

Anyway, if the iphone is so shit and useless, why do you want one on launch before you know what the actual battery life of the 3GS is like?

Re: What are you saving up for next?

Nothing really.... I wouldn't say no to one of the revised MacBooks or an iPhone 3GS, but I'm not about to go and buy one in the near future as they aren't leaps and bounds ahead of what I've already got. Unusually there isn't really a piece of technology that I really need right now. I might replace my TV computer at some stage but it's not urgent.

Re: How do you schedule with the family, friends and cowokers?

Phone or email message.  I use iCal to manage my own calendar, synced to my iPhone via MobileMe, but I think it's the height of rudeness for people to send meeting requests for social/personal engagements. It's fine for work, but not for home in my opinion.