16 June 2008
The Firefox is coming, the firefox is coming
The next version of Firefox (3) is released tomorrow. Highly recommended everyone use it. Has improved phishing detection, faster and nifty new features.
Skype: Look for alternatives
I don't like Skype and I never have. It's nothing personal. I'm just disappointed that it is 2008 and the IM/VoIP consumer market is a fractured group of un-interoperable proprietary protocols. Add in ISPs (or in my case a uni) that doesn't get the idea of the internet (dumb network people!) and blocked ports etc. (in my case everything but HTTP/HTTPS) so I can't use Jabber/XMPP or SIP (without proxies) and it's even worse.
The best hope for the future seems to be Google actually putting some muscle into Google Talk and their acquisition of Grand Central. Or some other startup doing it for them. I sincerely look forward to when Skype is just one minor player in a inter-operating commodity market and VoIP is not considered novel.
So it's no secret that I don't love Skype. But it does work. And by misbehaving it manages to get around the brain dead internet access policies of many places. And with the above caveats I've been reasonably pleased with Skype and with family/friends around the world I've used their (paid for) SkypeOut facility to good effect.
But despite me being a good, paying customer Skype seems determined to drive me away. Two weeks ago I found that Skype had blocked my ability to use SkypeOut saying "Your SkypeOut Account has been blocked." Thanks. No warning. I have paid Skype money for SkypeOut facilities that I can't use.
But these things happen right. So I posted a support request. And another one. And another one. I've posted in the Skype forums (apparently I'm not the only one with these problems). I have heard nothing official from Skype and judging from other comments in the forums it could be awhile yet. Meanwhile my purchase Skype credit creeps towards expiring and Skype enjoys a small interest free loan on my money.
Skype seems to have forgotten a rather basic rule of business. When you take someone's money in return for providing a service, then provide the service or give the money back. Please, someone, develop a credible alternative to Skype. You'll have my business!! Unfortunately, I've yet to find a nice alternative to Skype that works behind my uni firewall so I'll keep trying to get it fixed. But my customer loyalty is negative.
Unfortunately I don't know of any really compelling replacements for Skype that works in most internet situations (where every internet provider takes it upon themselves to randomly block a few ports) so you may be best to use Skype. But my advice, if you can find an alternative, use it, particularly if it is standards compliant. Some options Google Talk (can't call POTS numbers) or the Gizmo project.
Bottom line: Dance on their grave when they go out of business and get replaced by a standard.
The best hope for the future seems to be Google actually putting some muscle into Google Talk and their acquisition of Grand Central. Or some other startup doing it for them. I sincerely look forward to when Skype is just one minor player in a inter-operating commodity market and VoIP is not considered novel.
So it's no secret that I don't love Skype. But it does work. And by misbehaving it manages to get around the brain dead internet access policies of many places. And with the above caveats I've been reasonably pleased with Skype and with family/friends around the world I've used their (paid for) SkypeOut facility to good effect.
But despite me being a good, paying customer Skype seems determined to drive me away. Two weeks ago I found that Skype had blocked my ability to use SkypeOut saying "Your SkypeOut Account has been blocked." Thanks. No warning. I have paid Skype money for SkypeOut facilities that I can't use.
But these things happen right. So I posted a support request. And another one. And another one. I've posted in the Skype forums (apparently I'm not the only one with these problems). I have heard nothing official from Skype and judging from other comments in the forums it could be awhile yet. Meanwhile my purchase Skype credit creeps towards expiring and Skype enjoys a small interest free loan on my money.
Skype seems to have forgotten a rather basic rule of business. When you take someone's money in return for providing a service, then provide the service or give the money back. Please, someone, develop a credible alternative to Skype. You'll have my business!! Unfortunately, I've yet to find a nice alternative to Skype that works behind my uni firewall so I'll keep trying to get it fixed. But my customer loyalty is negative.
Unfortunately I don't know of any really compelling replacements for Skype that works in most internet situations (where every internet provider takes it upon themselves to randomly block a few ports) so you may be best to use Skype. But my advice, if you can find an alternative, use it, particularly if it is standards compliant. Some options Google Talk (can't call POTS numbers) or the Gizmo project.
Bottom line: Dance on their grave when they go out of business and get replaced by a standard.
15 June 2008
Don't buy from Asys Computers
Update 6Aug08
[pending legal advice this post has been removed]
for some other's experiences with Asys.com.au see here.
Also comments have been disabled for this post.
[pending legal advice this post has been removed]
for some other's experiences with Asys.com.au see here.
Also comments have been disabled for this post.
Recommended RAM supplier: Upgradeable.com.au
I have purchased RAM twice from Upgradeable.com.au. Both times they have offered excellent prices, free shipping, prompt delivery and clear communication.
If you are in Australia and in need of a RAM upgrade (often a cheap way of extending the lifetime of a computer) check them out.
Bottom line: Highly recommended.
If you are in Australia and in need of a RAM upgrade (often a cheap way of extending the lifetime of a computer) check them out.
Bottom line: Highly recommended.
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