Where’s the RSS button so I can look at results in READER without having to keep redoing the search? It used to work that way.
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SERVICE: Didn’t GOOGLE SEARCH give an RSS feed?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Leave a Comment » | 
SERVICE | Tagged: cloud, cloud computing | 
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Posted by reinkefj
SERVICE: A site where you can keep your “bucket list” and get suggestions
Sunday, February 15, 2009
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Posted by reinkefj
LINKEDIN: Notes don’t seem to be working?
Saturday, February 14, 2009I added a note to a contact, saved it, and xed out. Coming back the note is “gone”?
Any ideas?
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Leave a Comment » | LINKEDIN | Tagged: FLAW | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
TECHNOLOGY: The risks of cloud computing
Thursday, February 12, 2009Vista News (email newsletter)
Vol. 2, # 56 – Jan 29, 2009 – Issue # 65
Venturing into the Cloud – A Little Bit at a Time
Editor’s Corner
*** begin quote ***
One frequently expressed suspicion of the cloud computing concept is that the companies offering these services are a little like schoolyard drug dealers. The first ones are free, but once they get you hooked (that is, once the cloud replaces desktop applications completely), then they’ll start charging you for the service and you’ll have to keep paying and paying and paying to use your computer productively.
Folks don’t like that idea. They know that technically, they don’t “own” the software they buy in a box or download from a vendor’s web site, but they feel comfortable in the knowledge that after they pay a one-time licensing fee, they can use that program for as long as they want without paying more – at least until they change operating systems or hardware. The notable exception is antivirus and other anti-malware programs, but the rationale there is that you aren’t paying a subscription fee for use of the program itself, but for the new definitions that it has to download on a regular basis.
Most of the individual computer users I’ve talked to about this say that even if the overall cost turns out to be lower, they want to pay for their software up front instead of via a monthly or annual subscription. They absolutely hate the idea that if they stop paying, their applications will stop working (or in the case of storage services, they might be locked out of their data). It’s similar to the way most people would prefer to buy a car rather than leasing it; they like that feeling that it’s theirs until they decide to get rid of it, that someone can’t just take it away from them (although I guess in the case of most car buyers today, that’s just an illusion because the vast majority of folks finance their vehicles rather than paying for them in full).
*** end quote ***
That’s the essential concern. Switch from free to pay?
No, I think the concern is that the “service” — free or pay — just goes away taking your data with it. Kodak pictures is the ONLY one that I’ve adopted and I have been EXTREMELY carefull to keep a complete backup. But it’s still a concern.
And, what do you do when you can’t get a network connect at a price you can afford?
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1 Comment | Technology | Tagged: liability | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
SOFTWARE: POSTBOX beta
Wednesday, February 11, 2009The Postbox public beta is now live!
*** begin quote ***
We wanted to extend a special “thank you” for participating in the Private Beta program. Your feedback has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today. It has been remarkable to see the connection and passion people have with their email client.
You can now download the Postbox public beta from our newly designed website, http://www.postbox-inc.com. Please keep the feedback coming and be sure to tell your friends, family, and co-workers about Postbox!
Gratefully yours,
The Postbox Team
*** end quote ***
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Sorry “Not Recommended”.
It wouldn’t install. Nor was there any response to my two negative reports on GETSATISFACTION that they were using as their support site.
IMHO not ready for BETA status.
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Leave a Comment » | SOFTWARE | Tagged: Not Installable, Not Recommended | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
SERVICE: Ruckus.com Shuts Down
Saturday, February 7, 2009http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/06/college-music-service-ruckus-shuts-down/
College Music Service Ruckus.com Shuts Down
by Jason Kincaid on February 6, 2009
*** begin quote ***
At around 5 PM EST today the site went down with a notice stating that it was undergoing an update. As of 5:30, it was displaying the shutdown notice seen above.
We’re told that music that has not passed its “renew date” still works, but that music that has expired will no longer work because the DRM licensing server has apparently shut down.
*** end quote ***
And, people argue that “cloud computing” is the wave of the future?
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Leave a Comment » | SERVICE | Tagged: cloud computing | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
SERVICE: JIBBERJOBBER as a Ventine’s Day gift? Sure!!!
Friday, February 6, 2009Now this may sound dumb or unromantic but in these tough economic times, how about something that can help their significant other keep their earning power — Jibber Jobber. http://www.jibberjobber.com
(Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Jibber Jobber. I’m not even an active user. I did alpha testing for Jason Alba the owner developer. But, I do help a lot of out of work folks who have no clue about networking. An, think this would be a very valuable gift.)
Assuming that the relationship is heading towards marriage or whatever today’s equivalent is, a gift subscription might make real sense. The couple could even cuddle up in front of a warm computer screen as the couple works to get all the significant others contacts into the Jibber Jobber database.
If both are yuppies, it could be a mutual gift and each could help motivate the other’s data collection and networking activities.
It may sound goofy, but it’s an off-beat cheap gift that can pay big dividends by next Valentine’s Day. Other than working on each other’s income taxes, I can’t think of a better couple building activity. After the flowers, chocolate, expensive dinner, and jewelry are long forgotten, JibberJobber will be paying big dividends.
Yeah, I know, I’m a real romantic. But romance ain’t going to keep the paychecks rolling in. Networking, assisted by the focus that JibberJobber gives, will pay off handsomely.
And, I bet you won’t see that suggestion in any other Valentine’s Day story!
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Leave a Comment » | SERVICE | Tagged: INNOVATION | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
SERVICE: CNN LIVE VIDEO steals your bandwidth silently
Friday, February 6, 2009http://windowssecrets.com/comp/090205/
Watch a live video, share your PC with CNN
By Brian Livingston
*** begin quote ***
Many people who watched live streaming video of the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama on Jan. 20 may not realize that their PC was used to send the video to other PCs, too.
*** end quote ***
Watch the CNN Live Video, and you too may get booted by your ISP.
This is worth a five minute read about the “dirty pool” being played on users and ISPs. (I’m no fan of ISPs, but in this case they are being taken advantage of as well.)
Argh!
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Leave a Comment » | SERVICE | Tagged: honesty, Surprise | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
SERVICE: VERIZONWIRELESS webservice changes silently?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009Chat InformationPlease wait for a site operator to respond.
Chat InformationYou are now chatting with ‘Stephanie’
Stephanie: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. What kind of help do you need with My Verizon Log in or Registration assistance?
reinkefj: trying to login and it looks like it doesn’t remember me.
Stephanie: I’m more than willing to assist you in any way that I can. Your cell phone number did not pull up for me. Do you mind verifying that number again please?
reinkefj: xxx-xxx-xxxx
reinkefj: ?
Stephanie: I do understand how frustrating it can be not being able to log into your online account. It is okay and I am here to help you today by walking you through a password reset. First, can I get you to verify the Account Owner’s last four digits if the Social Security number?
reinkefj: xxxx
Stephanie: Thank you so much for verifying that information Reinkefj. May I have your full name please?
reinkefj: sigh, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stephanie: Please scroll to the top of the page and hover your mouse over “My Verizon. Choose Account Type and then click on “Forgot Password,” under the log in section.You will be prompted to enter in your mobile device number. Please enter your mobile device number, and do not include any dashes or spaces. Once entered, please click “continue”.
reinkefj: say not registered with myverizon
Stephanie: Ok. Please scroll to the top of the page and hover your mouse over “My Verizon”. Click on that and you’ll see a blue link that says “Register”. Then click on that link. Next enter your mobile device number, and do not include any dashes or spaces. Once entered, click “continue”.
reinkefj: I don’t want to go thru a reregistration. I was registered already. Has it all been lost?
Stephanie: Which number did you enter?
reinkefj: xxxxxxxxxx
Stephanie: The number ending in yyyy is registered as the account owner. The Account Owner has access to all account management functions. This includes viewing and paying bills online, upgrading equipment, account and calling plan changes.
reinkefj: When I logon to the site I use reinkefj and my password. Now it doesn’t work. Explanation?
Stephanie: Your online password is between 8-20 characters, should contains at least one (1) number and one (1) letter. With spaces or special characters. ‘
reinkefj: My online password is eight characters and has a number in it. Has Verizon changesd its password standards and that is why it doesn’t work now?
Stephanie: No that I am aware of. What I can do is walk you through a password reset to help you access your account. Is that ok?
reinkefj: yes
Stephanie: Please scroll to the top of the page and hover your mouse over “My Verizon. Choose Account Type and then click on “Forgot Password,” under the log in section.You will be prompted to enter in your mobile device number. Please enter your mobile device number, and do not include any dashes or spaces. Once entered, please click “continue”.
reinkefj: It says “not registered”.
Stephanie: The number ending in xxxx is not registered. The number ending in yyyy is what was registered.
reinkefj: Not unless some one changed something. aaaa, bbbb, and cccc are the numbers I use. My car has a number. And, my VWBB has a number. But, that’s it. xxxx is the main number.
Stephanie: I can change that for you, but as of right now the xxxx is not registered.
reinkefj: Thanks. I quit.
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Argh! Here’s a half hour of my life I’ll never get back. So what once worked, doesn’t. And, I, as the customer, have to jump through hoops. Great!
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Leave a Comment » | SERVICE | Tagged: cloud computing | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
SERVICE: CARDSCAN is down for more than 24 hours
Sunday, February 1, 2009FROM EMAIL
Dear fjohn,
Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. we are still trying to catch up from the move Cambridge MA to Stamford, CT… We have done some major repairs and updates to our website recently so this may be why you were having problems signing in. I just tried and was able to sign in under your profile. It shows your 8100+ names are available .
Mike Bouffard
CardScan Support
[JR: At least, some response. Some warning would have been nice. Best, avoid it entirely.]
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UPDATE: 20090202 @ 0815 Back up; no explanation
And, since it responds, it fools http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com!
So much for “cloud computing”!
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Leave a Comment » | SERVICE | Tagged: cloud, computing | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Reinke Faces Life 
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