11 May 2010
I hesitated before updating when version 3.6.3 of Firefox was available because the LogMeIn addin was not compatible. After a few days I figured since I didn’t use LogMeIn much I wouldn’t miss it.
After updating to Firefox version 3.6.3 I’ve experienced problems with Gmail and Google docs.
A little Google-Fu found lots of forum posts about folks having similar problems. Clearing the caches and cookies like they suggested did not fix the problem. Firefox safe mode and a new profile didn’t fix it either.
I saw a few folks had luck installing an older version. Normally I avoid rolling back updates. The Mozilla Team has been great at quickly fixing issues so that we can move ahead. But the problems with Gmail were too much so I re-installed the older version.
Following steps in the links below I downloaded version 3.5.9 and re-installed the older version over top of the new one. That appears to have fixed the problem.
Mozilla instructions for installing an earlier version of Firefox.
03 May 2010
google spreadsheet export failed – Google Search.
Now this is a speed bump in the road to Cloud computing. Google fails to export your spreadsheets to any format except maybe HTML.
The formulas and everything work for the spreadsheet while working in the web browser. It just fails when saving to .XLS, .CSV, .PDF. Every potential Google spreadsheet user that I’ve talked to want control of their work. Even if they’re using a ten-year old version of MS Office.
And Google is busting on Microsoft about lock-in! Browsing through the Google help forums it looks like this has been a problem for a month or more. That’s hardly acceptable.
Google Documents export to Word is fine. As far as I can see this only affects the spreadsheets.
Microsoft is releasing the 2010 version of Office shortly. Better integration with the web/cloud is among the features. Microsoft’s Office Live web platform is another solution worth watching. You can access the Office 2010 Web Apps through SkyDrive. Creating an account on Live.com is free like Gmail.
The work-flow around Cloud computing has too many benefits to give up. I hope Google fixes their problem soon. And it is good that Microsoft hasn’t stayed fixed on the desktop.
22 Apr 2010
Everyone should have heard by now about the Chinese hacking Google. Among the hackers’ targets was the source code for Google users’ logins (Gmail, Docs, etc.). That enables the hackers to look deeper for weak points in the account logins. The news stories claimed the Chinese government wants to eavesdrop on dissidents using Gmail.
Make sure you have a good password.
Dropping your Gmail account and switching to a different email service is not the answer. Hackers target all the web mail services. No matter what service you use a good password is a must.
Google’s Authentication Code Stolen in Attacks – Passwords – Lifehacker.
Recently I’ve begun seeing many more Gmail addresses used to send spam. The email server at work is logging more rejects with Google as the sender. The rejects are clearly spammers because they’re sending the messages to non-existent addresses. There’s always been a few spammers using Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail but recently there’s been a surge in Gmail sources.
Drug dealing spammers hit Gmail accounts
10 Apr 2010
| [Google Android’s self-destruction derby begins |
Mobilize – InfoWorld](http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/google-androids-self-destruction-derby-begins-863). |
Competitors put too much emphasis on the lack multitasking in the iPhone. The whole multitasking phones thing is an illusion in my opinion.
Android has the problem of too many multitasking apps eating up resources and battery life. Same with the new Palm phone. Power users play wack-a-mole killing off tasks in Android.
The iPhone doesn’t let apps multitask. Instead the iPhone makes it easier for owners to multitask with how they use the phone. I guess they call it the user experience.
When I first got the iPhone I had everything turned on…WiFi, BlueTooth, GPS, notifications, etc. Since turning on only the stuff that I actually used the battery lasts longer and I don’t get interrupted with a bunch of unnecessary pop ups. It is after all, a phone.
10 Apr 2010
For folks with Windows 7 Paul Thurrott’s article on using the much improved built-in Backup features of Windows 7.
Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows: Windows 7 Feature Focus: Backup and Restore.