Ubuntu

After having so many problems and issues using Fedora 15 I switched to Ubuntu 11.04. I have used Ubuntu before but with Gnome I thought the desktop was very simple but also not very configurable. So I have been on Kubuntu for a while before running the live USB version of Fedora. Gnome 3 was nice for a while but I had to use all the tweaks to get something that i could work with.

After reading about unity I thought I'd give it a go. I am impressed with the result. It is a very good desktop. Refined and easy to use but highly cutomisable and just has all those touches that make it easy to use. The bar on the left and the easy search for apps for example. I thought initially it was going to basically be a Gnome 2.x clone but it isn't. It looks like a whole redesign and one of the perks over Gnome 3....

It actually shows you what programs you have open!

I hope it hits off with the community and hope they keep adding new features

New Facebook Chat

Personally I think Facebook has taken everything that was good about chat out and left us with something that is terrible.

Firstly the old chat didn't hog your screen and was like an overlay which was useful. Now it's a sidebar. If your screen is small or you have other sidebars on in your browser I can see instantly there are going to be problems. I haven't netbook tested it yet - I'm dreading it.

Secondly if you use Facebook like it is meant to be used and added your FRIENDS then why do we all suddenly need only our "favourite" contacts displayed for us to chat to? Where are the other contacts? Why can't we browse only the online ones? Mystery to me....

Thirdly and possibly the most annoying. We are stuck with it. There is no going back you have to accept the change and that's it. Also simple users haven't been consulted about the change.

Might do a quick panel of my friends to see who doesn't like it. Forgot its a lot harder with the new chat and the offline contacts are included just to catch you out even more.

Oh dear Facebook let's hope this isn't too costly on your user figures.

Hacking

Loving all the hacks at the moment because they actually show companies how vulnerable their data is but it also reminds us that when we enter all our details we should be careful.

However I do think It's gone a bit far I mean how many times do you need to hack Sony? There's rubbing salt in the wounds then there's that...

Toshiba Thrive

Must say that these tablets do look like something that will sell. More like a computer than a smart phone it has all the functionality you'd require.

Android though. Is it a tablet OS? I suppose on this one only time will tell but iOS has got the refined edge at the moment I think.

Price. iPad does have a very large price tag. Yes the technology's there but come on apple it just seems very over priced to me. Toshiba's offering is more down to earth. Tablet = new = lots of tech. UK price and release date haven't been set yet but for our friends over the pond about £250 is what they are looking at (converted from dollars of cause).

This obviously looks good for over here. iPad at about £400 future looks Android. Looks that way for me anyway. Apple tech is good don't get me wrong the price can sometimes (as in this case) be rather off putting.

Take a look at the new Toshiba Thrive on Toshiba's US site. It sure looks the part, we need to wait to see if it can actually deliver.