Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

The weeks before school starts, I have been experimenting with many productivity related software, including event calenders for keeping track of my scheduler. Chandler is a cross-platform events manager which can run on Windows, Linux, and Mac. It has an intuitive interface which is easy to figure out, and allows flexibility in scheduling events. I have used it to plan my class schedule with success. Allowing me to specify the recurrence of classes which alternate days with accuracy, without having to input the same data multiple times. With each even you can leave notes to yourself, and even send out emails to people (which works great for newsletters to people who wish to be informed on an organization’s events). The system is color coated, allowing you to specify many different categories. One of the nicest features, is the ability to synchronize with the Chandler hub server that provides free accounts or manage a hub on your own server. The downside, is it lacks in a task manager feature: however, I have found it a good companion with Makagiga. Overall, Chandler is an excellent and robust event manager which is easy to use. I highly recommend it as a open source solution for students, busy moms, teachers, profesionals, and non-profit organizations.

Cloud computing is all the buzz these days. What is cloud computing you may ask? its a buzz word, and like most buzz words the meanings are ambiguous. EyeOS is an open source cloud computing solution which simulates an operating system through an Apache server running PHP. The advantage this can have, is the ability to store files locally and with the aid of their application synchronize your systems to a web folder (much like with dropbox). Once installed and logged in you can manage users, set permissions, and even install software applications, much like a real OS. This could be implemented in many ways. For, example, I am a student and I bounce from many computers, and have the dumbdest luck with USB drives. I either loose them, don’t always have the most current version of an assignment on them, etc . . . I could set up my home computer with a LAMP configured server and access my documents through eyeOS. Or I, since I pay for a shared web hosting plan every years I could install it there and use the EyeSync tool to keep all my files the latest version across all computers. EyeOS lets me access files vie the web when I do not have one of my own computers handy. I can even save and read OpenOffice and MS office document format if I fallow their instructions (only works if you can install openoffice.org on the server eyeOS is being hosted on, or you can use the OooDaemon to remotely access openoffice on another computer.) It is a handy tool that could prove very useful.

Spam seems to be an unavoidable part of the hyperspace hitchhikers diet. But it doesn’t have to be. There are many services out there I have seen being advertised as disposable email. However, most of these are alias forwards, spam protection services, and even some are paid services. To me, these miss the point entirely. Mailinator, is unique that it never asks for you to register, ever! and its functionality is so simple, its beautiful. Create a random string (or not so random) string at mailinator.com:

noemail4027@mailinator.com

You then use this email to register for a website service you want to try, but do not wish to commit your information until your sure you like it, you think it may bee scam, or you simple wish to maintain your anonymity. Now go to Mailinator’s website and type noemail4027 ino their “Check your inbox!” field, and you get the activation email with the activation link. Another, way to use is to leave comments on websites you may not trust, such as my site (I could be a cleverly disguised spam bot).  Sometimes your forced to register for different file-sharing services to download a software link on another website (such as some internet forums). Give it a try your self and send an email to nomail4027@mailinator.com Now login to Mailinator like described above. You see you email, and you can read it like any other email client. Mailinator also provides via a web widget and an rss feed.

The point is, it seams at every turn on the World Wide Web someone want’s your email for what ever nefarious or not so nefarious reason. I have been using Mailinator in this way for many years, and it greatly reduces the amount of unwanted filler and spam email I get. I am in no way being sponsored or reimbursed by Mailinator in any way . . . I’m just passing along the word.

As an aspiring writer in college, distractions can be the death of me. I find when I need to write, or even want to write, I sit down to a blank word processor and quickly get distracted by my favorite websites, or find that I start cleaning in stead. And when I do begin writing I get sidetracked by formatting and spell checks as I write and the thoughts remain lodged inside my brain.  I have been reading about other writers who use Linux, and the ways in which they use open source technology to assist their writing. Most writers who use Linux use generic text editors, and do not worry about spelling, grammar, or formatting untill the thoughts are freed from their mind.  I am surprised, that this hadn’t occurred to me before. I have become so attached to my word processor, or rather the idea of it. I wanted to know what text editors these writers preferred. In most cases it was the simplest editors like kwrite, gedit, or mousepad. Then I ran across the idea of full screen editors, or distraction free editors. Most are for windows or  mac, and some are proprietary. I did find some open source alternatives for Linux.

• JDarkRoom is a single file Java applet, making it cross platform in a single file.
• PyRoom is written in python and packaged for Fedora, Ubuntu/Debian, and Gentoo, along with a regular source tarball.
• RubyRoom is written in Ruby and provides a tarball; however, I could not get it to work on my Debian system.
• DarkCopy is a web application that can be accessed on any browser.

These text editors are not fooling wen they mean distraction free. Most rely on key bindings to provide basic functionality for opening and saving files. They have no window border, and provide minimal interface. The benefit is you are left with only you and your text. I found easy for me to get into the frame of mind required for writing and was able to bang out part of a speech I have been procrastinating on for months. It felt kind of like just having a pen and paper like when I write poetry. Finlay, i settled on PyRoom; I liked the look and feel of it the most and found it easy to configure . If you are a writer (using any operating system) I suggest exploring the world of distraction free text editors. You can start by reading this article on TechMalaya.com

I will begin my first Sr year at the end of this month. If my last semester is any indication, I need to channel some of the chaos in my life instead of letting it channel me. On the computer, I am surprisingly orderly but my life outside of the computer is a different story. I have been thinking there needs to be some way I can digital organize the non digital parts of my life.  So i went looking for a task manager that woudl suite my needs. I needed something small, lightweight, and cross platform. I found Makagiga. This program is Java based, so it will run on Linux, Windows, and Mac. It has a nice interface, that didn’t take me too long to figure out. It even has a small collection of plugins allowing you to expand its functionality.

Makagiga features a robust to-do list, and simple notebook, and even an RSS reader. Each item is customizable with color coding and icons. You can attach tags to the sub folders and categories. You can assign dates to the tasks, or leave them black, and even indicate a percentage of completion on each task. You can view in a standared tree mode or a summery mode, which tells you how many of what kind of task you have to do. Hovering over items will give you tool tips letting you know how many days, hours, and minutes before a task is due. Anything that is overdue will be flagged with a big red octagon with a white X inside it so that you get the point. The interface is elegant and customizable, with a widget layer shown above.  If you need something to help you keep on task, I recommend giving Makagiga a try