Snap Google Skype

Geeking the phuck out

by j. brotherlove

Last night, Keith and I compared notes on the latest of round of web 2.0 goodies. As web developers, we are naturally drawn to the new-new. We admitted that there is just too much going on to stay on top of everything. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try!

While I’m deciding on a steady stream of income, free is a great motivator (to be honest, free is always a great motivator). Since Skype has stopped charging users for dialing up people on traditional landline and mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada, your boy is skyping!

I know cooler folk have been doing it for awhile but hey, better free than never. I tried some SkypeOut calls to landlines yesterday and everything went smoothly. I also used the chat function (sooo web 1.0, I know) to catch up with George. Sweet! If you’re so inclined, hit me up.

In addition to Skype, I’ve been giving Google Notebook a spin. I research a lot online, often using a mix bag of Metapad (although, I’m currently auditioning Notepad2), Bloglines, my local bookmarks in Firefox, and ma.gnolia (more on that in a minute). I really need to simplify that. Google Notebook been labeled a del.icio.us competitor but time will tell if that happens. Then again, I’ve never been fond of del.icio.us.

And then there’s Snap, "the other way to search". Like ma.gnolia, the website is beautiful to behold. However, I’m not yet convinced of their reason why Snap is better than traditional choices. I generally get the search results I expect (although Sphere is still limited in results, IMO).

On the downside, I’ve pretty much given up on ma.gnolia (which I have nicknamed la.gnolia). Cute concept, but I can’t bend my mind around using it intuitively. Also, it takes more resources than I care to use to bookmark and retrieve saved websites.

I’m currently trying out the Sage extension for Firefox (and keeping an eye on Clipmarks). Already, I see some pluses and minuses. But I’ll stick with it for at least a week to make sure.

Geek out!

With the free SkypeOut, I have been calling up some folks, for real. Let me get the recording down and these podcasts are about to be off the hook.

As far as Google Notebook, I’m digging it a LOT. Between that and toread, I keep track of a lot of things as I go from day to day. I could never catch onto del.icio.us and the like, Besides, importing all my bookmarks (3000+!) and tagging all them bitches would be murder.

Damn, karsh! Like I need another choice. I’ll see what toread is all about.

Let me know how you do on the recording Skype tip. I’ve read a few solutions but none of them seem simple (except the non-free ones).

Yo, man, thanks for all these links. I like Google stuff, but don’t understand why their sites don’t work on Safari. I still haven’t given myself over fully to Firefox.

Yo, thank you for mentioning Clipmarks. It’s very powerful and I love it. Since I know Clipmarks I simply forgot to use del.icio.us and wa.cknolia… Did you test it or did you just have a look?
If you didnt, try it right now. You will not regret!

J., I’m happy to report that the Skype is lovely and the recording is a gem. I bit the bullet and bought HotRecorder for $14.95, and let me tell you, it works right out of the box, no questions asked. I’ve already recorded a conversation between me and a friend and edited it in Audacity. Interviews, away!