David's Blog

I am testing IA Writer. First thing I do is put it into Full View. My screen is blank, except the words I am typing. I could get used to this. Then, my mind goes blank… what was that shortkey again I think it’s cmd+f lets try it… Nope. That brought up a search function lets try cmd+shift+f… Nothing. I’m going to have to exit full window. cmd+ctrl+f

Normally I avoid programs that demand the slightest bit of learning. That is, the ones that deviate from the norms of user interface or control or are completely intuitive. I picked up IA Writer, paying $9 for the app because I need something to keep me writing. I am too easily distracted from my work by twitter, carousel (instagram) and email. Once I get off the writing track it is hard to get back on, and my sidetracks can sometimes end up lasting hours. I may check twitter, then decide to post an update to one of my two blogs, six facebook pages, email, edit one of the dozen websites I administer, or worse: open up a new application.

This is peaceful, it is sereen. There are nothing but letters on my screen. The mouse courser has disappeared.
Testing *italics* nope that’s underline.
Testing **bold** now
“# Title 1″
# Title 1
## Title 2

This is rudamentary, but, it gets the writing done. The formats are not there. They are suggestions to be completed in a rich text editor. This is a basic text editor. Then again that is the point of the app, to get the text down. To complete the assignment. I’m thinking there is no such thing as spell check in this app, which is not entirely a bad thing. My spelling and grammatical errors can be fixed later. IA Writer is minimalist, to the core. I doubt I will use any of its features. All I really need is sentences and Paragraphs. The rest can wait for editing.

> Testing an indented Paragraph, apparently once I get to the end of the paragraph the indent of the paragraph will remain at this indent. So it does.

So, While it may take a few times to get the basics of this application down (that is using the features by memory, the basic principle of the application is to leave nothing between you and typing. It does that well. There is a word count at the bottom of the screen, as well as a character count and an estimation of the time it will take to read this entire entry. They appear five seconds after I have stopped typing.

440 Words, 2,300 characters not a third-grade equivalent but not quite where it should be. I am going to try and save this using what I would think to be the save short key: cmd+s… It saves the file as a .md, or text only document. Well, now I only need to turn off my phone, which is buzzing right now, and I will be distraction free.

So there are these things called browsers, and if your reading this, you should know what they are. Ive used a few in my time, but every once in a while I like to look at what else is out there.

Recently I was swayed to google’s ‘Chrome’ Browser. The hype and upcoming chrome OS put me on it for a moment. But I have had this lingering thought in the back of my head;

“what if Google goes evil?”

Of course, for the most part, the paranoia about Google taking over the world, by enslaving us to a world of forced linear browsing just doesn’t make cents. Still Google Chrome does fit the profile of ‘spyware’ meaning, that depending on your settings, its sending all of your internet behavior and input back to Google.

Here’s a good breakdown of Chrome’s dark side.

So Google Chrome is a good Browser, and its fast… sorta. Its geared for a high speed connection. My Connection is not bad, at 12Mbps download, but my DSL upload speed is a paltry 60Kbps, that means all that info being sent to Google is really killing my upload times. It does have a very slim line User Interface (UI) that doesn’t get in the way, it really maximizes the screen when it comes to browsing. Of course its still near impossible to find Mac/Chrome addons. Dont hold your breath if you a Lynux user.

So if I do decide to switch Browsers, what are my options?

Internet Explorer.
If you use a Windows OS your just not going to be able to get away from IE. It is the most prolific Browser on the planet, but, the reason for its continued success is also a major part of its downfall. IE is not only a Web browser, but also the file management interface for Windows. I wonder if that has anything to do with its legendary insecurity.

I would rather walk across a prison yard with a mop on my head. Luckly IE is not available for download for OSX.

FireFox
The jewel of open source! Firefox is in need of a major facelift. Firefox, to me, looks bulky. Its heavy reliance on add-ons means you have to sift through ten different developers for each menial task you want added to your browser. It has a separate search bar, as opposed to just typing your search into the addressbar (a la chrome) Im sure there is an extension, but I’m an end user, I want it all out of the box.

Opera
This is the first time Ive looked at Opera as a choice for browsers. In short I am impressed. For “out of the box” this browser has it all! It also incorporates ‘widgets’ that, If I wasn’t using OSX would be very use full (it’s just redundant, and cluttered compared to dashboard) A very interesting feature is the ‘Unite’ server, which allows me to share my files directly from my computer across the internet, with very little setup. Huge downside: opera doesn’t work well with google apps, a lot of the shortcut keys bring up any one of the random features of the browser.

Safai
I rarely use safari, although as a native OSX app it still remains a must. Of course, being a native OSX app also means it is closed, it works, very well, but if it doesn’t have a feature you want… you can always send an email to Apple and ask them to include it in the next distribution.

Camino
Camino, based on Firefox, takes the best from its mother browser and throws it out the window. It looks good, very stream lined, but has no room to grow or expand. All those motzilla addons will just go to waste with this browser. I really don’t see the point.

Sea Monkey
Another product from Motzilla. Sea Monkey 2 is not only a browser but also incorporates email, RSS reader, and even an html editor and publisher. They call it an internet suite, and it has everything rolled into one. Yet none of the capabilities (browser, email, addressbook) are as good as their standalone. Still, after using this for a few days, it is easy to see how useful it can be. Its opensource nature also means you can tote its features across different platforms. Ultimately it is a great app for my netbook, but probably not as good as Firefox + Thunderbird for OSX. The dock makes it easyer to swith between two apps than within Seamonkey.

The Finalie

I was testing these different browsers, with the idea of keeping one as my primary. After the trial, I have decided I will use separate browsers for different use. I will be using Seamonkey as my main browser (its open and sleek) and keep Firefox, and Safari for other specific reasons. I will also be keeping Thunderbird, as well as SeaMonkey, and Mail. (right now use 5 email address’ and counting…)
So, Ive decided not to use Chrome (to shady), or Camino (to simple) and obviously not IE (not even available) and sadly not Opera (although it was much more fun and fast than the others)

Miro is a very handy video player. It handles most codex (avi, Mp4, ext) can play your music, and even functions as a Podcast RSS reader.

So what, you say, iTunes does all that.

Well, Miro does have a bigger codex library, and like iTunes, is also free. What really makes Miro stand out is the imbedded torrent downloader which works effortlessly.

When you download a .Torrent file from your browser, Miro automatically picks up the file and adds it to its imbedded downloader. This, of course has only worked twice for me, both files were movies. (I have not seen this function work for music torrents)

So whats the downside?

As a torrent client, Miro lacks. I cant see my upload speeds while initially downloading a torrent, there is a bandwidth speedlimit setting buy it is not easily turned on or off (I really like the turtle button on Transmission)

Miro does not play .wmf (for those you’ll need VLC)

With Miro there may be to many chefs in this soup, and none of its capabilities are GREAT, but they are all on one app.

Overview:
The biggest push for this app is its torrent downloading capability, this is also its downfall, You can have a much better downloader, and a player with more codex, and customization. Still, If your an avid torrent, movie watcher, music lover, and Podcast subscriber, You may love this three in one app.