Henk van de Goor's Bloggers@large

As an Asus Eee Pc 900 netbook user (the 900 model that came with 20gb), I use a homemade, slimmed and trimmed down Windows XP Professional version as my main OS. I installed over the dorky Linux version that came with my Eee PC. I prefer XP because I can get all the apps that I need for it, but still I think it’s too bloated. Thats why I also installed EeeBuntu (EB for short) on a 8gb SD-card as an alternative. It’s real easy to do and it works – so far – like a charm. But Eeebuntu is based on Ubuntu 9.04 and we already are at 9.10. Until EB 4.0 is coming out, I experimented with Ubuntu Netbook Remix, but that had way too many little glitches. Mainly my mousepad not working correctly and very poor battery performance i.e. my battery time was almost cut in half. Eeebuntu is doing a little better as it comes with a tool that helps with battery life, but still it’s not as good as XP. So, this weekend I tried the Kubuntu Netbook Edition 9.10, but it performed like crap and the interface just sucks.

But here enters Jolicloud. Jolicloud is what I consider a competitor for Google Chrome OS. It’s a lightweight, Linux based operating system (Debian/Ubuntu) that is aimed primarily at netbooks. Just like Google Chrome OS. It is currently in it’s beta phase, but so far it looks promising. The interface is fully modeled after the Ubuntu Netbook Remix, which isn’t bad to start with, but leaves a lot to be desired for more seasoned users that (also) want a regular desktop.

The idea, just as with Google Chrome OS, is, that users store a lot of there work online on the servers of Google. It’s no surprise then that Jolicloud works mostly with Google apps. But you can install many other apps as well, including Skype.

At the moment I am trying to install it on a 8gb USB stick so I can run it from there, just like I did with some other Linux alternatives, but it seems that the version of Grub that comes with the latest version doesn’t like this, so my first attempt ended in a Grub error.I am, however, able to run it from a USB stick without installation. This is off course not a persistent install (i.e. I loose my settings with every reboot).

So far it looks good, responds snappy – as far as my 900Mhz Intel can be called snappy – and just works. I just need to figure out if I can get it working (persistent) from a USB stick (or maybe SD-card). That might require an email to their support department, but I guess it’s worth it.

Anyway: I will keep testing this puppy a bit more and will report back here on my findings.

This week Google launched yet another service to enhance the experience of Internet users in general and Google users in particular; they came up with their own public DNS services. For those who are not tech-savvy: when you type in an address in your browser, your PC sends of a request to what is called a DNS service (Domain Name Server). This will translate the easy to remember name (i.e. www.cnn.com) into a not so easy to remember IP-address like 157.166.226.26. You could look at DNS services like a postman; he knows where to put your mail - well, most of the time ;-). DNS services are provided automatically (and for free) by your Internet provider (ISP) or you would not be able to surf the web or do things like emailing. Anyway; chances are that you, until you read this, didn't even knew about the existence of DNS.

This new Google service immediately sparked some debate among myself and some of my co-workers. I was amazed at some conclusions they drew and some of their reasoning behind it. The same - negative - attitude was also reflected on many Dutch websites (like Tweakers.net) and internet fora. And even a post on "Digitalrendezvouz": a blog of a friend of mine was very critical. It triggered a lengthy response (and discussion) by me and I decided to also post about the same matter on my blog.

First: I am amazed at how much negativity Google is getting lately when they announce new services (Wave, ChromeOS, Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation) or business ventures. And much of it is unfair - in my opinion. It is almost seems like people are looking for a new “Microsoft” to bash.

As long as Google was small and independent it was fine because they we’re kicking the establishments ass. But now Google has gotten big and main stream (i.e. part of the establishment), they suddenly are perceived by many as a threat to privacy? As if Google has some evil master plan.

I don't know if this is just a typical Dutch attitude - but I have a feeling it is. In the US people respect success more than they envy it.

Let me say this: unlike Microsoft, Google has not showed any signs of any intentional (notice the word "intentionally") abuse of their market position whatsoever. Like buying competitors and then killing of their products or blackmailing hardware companies into selling their products with Windows pre-installed for instance – to mention just a few documented court cases against Microsoft.

But let's analyze the criticism more in-depth and have a look at some facts and fiction.
Continue reading "Google bashing the new fashion" »

I have about a year to go before my current mobile subscription ends and I will be able to pick out a new phone. People that know me (or read my blog), know that I am a big gadget lover. Many have asked why I do not own an Apple iPhone. I currently own a T-Mobile MDA Vario IV (HTC Touch Pro) running Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro. Well, quite simply: Apple is just too trendy, too expensive and too closed-source to me. But mostly the first part: everyone already owns an iPhone or iPod. And most of their owners have all turned into "iSheep" (well done Apple). It's like there are no other devices left. It's like everyone drives a Ford Focus or something: boring!

Anyway: my next phone is definitely going to be an Android powered phone. Currently I am quite impressed with the Motorola Droid. It's will be launched in the US in November (6th if I am informed correctly) and it features the new Android 2.0 and the new Google Maps (beta).

The phone has very nice design and big screen! I love the Android/Motorola take on the phone interface. Motorola is also known for building sturdy phones. My take overall: very cool. Don't know if it's going to be sold in Europe or not.

But back to Google Maps. The new version was launched this week and it was a bombshell for all current GPS manufacturers. TomTom stocks dropped 33% (!) in two days (by the way: that's a Dutch company). Garmin and other manufacturers stocks have dropped as well. Why? Well, quite simply: Google Maps is for free!

Now, in the video below, you can see what the fuzz is about. Google Maps now (finally) offers step by step instructions. Before you just had to guess where you went. No spoken instructions (yet?), but nevertheless a big step forward. It also has spoken directions (haven't heard it yet, though). There are other very nice features as well. I would say; just watch the video.

Now, one questions remains: is this really going to be a TomTom killer? No, I don't think so. At least not in it's current form. And I will tell you why.

Google Maps depends on you being online and having a data connection on your phone. The other GPS devices have build-in maps. Now, you might argue: "hey, most people have a phone subscription with data anyway, so what's the problem?" Well, quite simply put: within your own country/area there is no problem. But have you ever gotten a bill for data-transmissions while you where roaming? Right: that really chapped your *ss didn't it?

So using Google Maps while you are abroad is not really an option. Not to mention that data connectivity isn't really available everywhere or fast enough. I have first hand experience with that myself. I tried (the old) Google Maps and while driving it just can't get the data downloaded fast enough to keep up.

Only when Google Maps offers some kind of pre-loading of maps or something like it, they will really wipe-out the competition. For now, I think that all the big telecom companies are laughing all the way to the bank; thanks to Google Maps.



More Droid goodness:

My small Google Wave invite post from yesterday was a great success. All 12 invites that I had left (out of 20) where all gone in a matter of a few hours. However, the time it takes Google to process their request (what the hell are they doing? checking them manually?) is kind of absurd.

Google Wave seems like a nice beta testing grounds for tech-savvy people like myself, but it is totally useless if you don't have any people to actually test it with! It's been about 24 hrs (give or take) since I invited everyone, but as far as I can tell no one actually got an invite.

So, I have had my Wave account for more than a day, but because of a lack of people to test it with, it has been sitting there... useless! I haven't Googled yet what the wait is about, but quite frankly: it's ridiculous. All it takes is just one mail! When Gmail was still beta and you invited someone, it would be instant. But with Wave it's like people at Google are going through each invite manually? What the heck?

I checked the Google invite gadget again to see what's going on there, and then this little line in there (that I didn't notice it earlier) struck me:

Invitations will not be send immediately. We have a lot of stamps to lick.

What? Stamps? Licking? C'mon! Get real Google! It's 2009! We live in the "on-demand" era! Not in the stage coaches and steam train era! Do something about it!

I like Google a lot. So much that I take time to sign up for a beta account and am willing to put time and effort to seriously test this next-gen thingy. But please, get your act together and don't make people wait!

Makes you wonder what the hell they are doing anyway? Social security check? See if you have bad credit? What? What is taking so long? Anyone that knows the answer: please enlighten us!

Ah, finally: I got a Google Wave beta account! It wasn't through begging that I got it, but because I signed up for it in June this year. At the moment it is rather empty because I have no other people (yet) that I can test it with. I am sure however, that Monday morning all my colleagues that have a Gmail account, will want an invitation as well. Well, I'm not going to lie to you guys, but I got 20 invitations, and I am reserving 8 of those for people I know (colleagues, girlfriend etc..) but I promise that I will give the 12 invites that are left to anyone that responds to this article here.

So, if you want to be the lucky one to receive on of my 12 Google Wave beta account invites: leave a comment for this article.

I will keep count here, and off course I will write about my personal experiences with Google Wave. Frak! I like beta-testing Google stuff!!

PS: let me know if the invite worked (if you get it). Seems like the invites might take some time...

Google Wave invites left: 12, 9, 8, 7, As of now (15:00 CET) 0 invites left! No need to reply anymore!