From the category archives:

web 2.0

5 ready-to-use beta applications

by alex on September 6, 2008

Usually people that spend very much time on the internet are divided into two categories: one is always looking for new tools, instruments and features to “tweak” their computer experience and the other is for stability.

I am in the first category and here is why. I love new applications and new stuff even if it’s not ready to be released, that’s why when something is released I’m already introduced into it and know what is hype about.

For example, when Firefox 3 was in the beta I was already a happy user and completely enjoyed my time and there were absolutely no crashes or glitches - everything worked just well, the developing team was playing with icons and so on - just some eye-candy customizations. Nonetheless sometimes I was disappointed even with a final release - we all remember KDE 4 in it’s early so-called “release”.

Today I would like to introduce you 5 beta versions of software you really would be surprised if tried out and maybe if you are a stability lover nothing stops you from testing.

  1. The list is opened by OpenOffice 3 mainly because it has native Microsoft Office 2007 file support. The Mac version is about to come simultaneously with Windows and Linux as well as constant updates. A lot of new features and improvements in upcoming version of free office platform. Also OpenOffice includes start-up page where you can easily choose what type of file you want to create.

    OpenOffice 3 beta Dashboard

  2. Looks like Firefox developing policy is to eliminate amount of Add-Ons and include the most of features by default. So happened with Ctrl+tab add-on that adds fancy way of switching the tabs. Although it’s current state pre-beta Ctrl+tab feature seems to be completely functional.

    Ctrl+Tab feature in Firefox 3.1 pre-beta

    Ctrl+Tab feature in Firefox 3.1 pre-beta

  3. Skype is a widely used application for businesses (why pay when it’s free?) and common users. Developers are currently working on version 4 and it’s in Beta stage now. What differs it from previous version is complete redesign of the application. Peter Parkes on new features:
    • Totally new interface, designed to give plenty of space for video calls.
    • Chatting and calling integrated into the same window, so no more playing hunt-the-chat window.
    • Better hardware detection - you can switch headset halfway through a call and Skype deal with it.
    • A single directory screen - find people and businesses all in one place.

    Skype sign-in window

    Skype sign-in window

    Skype beta main window

    Skype beta main window

  4. As has been talked recently A LOT about Google’s new child - Chrome. “New era in browsing the Web - meet Google Chrome’s introduction”, “Google Chrome first impressions”. And this one is definitely worth trying.
  5. What application would you add to the list?

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Social activities. What Web2.0 provided us with.

by alex on July 21, 2008

By meaning 2.0 I am not talking about long-lasting review of all the web 2.0 features as Wikipedia, Digg and other boring well-known stuff. Some people are smart and every day they come up with a new idea how to fill their pocket with coins or how to make fun out of the internet community.

Number one: Trading. Kyle MacDonald had one red paperclip on July 12th year 2005 - he came out with the idea to trade this red paperclip for other stuff. By July of 2006 he had a huge bad-ass house! Sounds insane - but it is true (no one would trade a house for a red paperclip of course, there were lots of different trading things before the house). If you are interested in reading about each trade and the whole story - follow here.

Number two: Onemilliondollar idea. One smart-ass student decided to create an ‘internet history’ by selling each pixel on his homepage for $1. As you could have already guessed, he created 1,000,000 pixels. If you had came with the idea, I would have never made a thing out of it - who would by a damn pixel for $1? Not me, definitely. But thousands of others thought differently - the student is a millionaire. The main motivation of his is paying his studying expenses. By now there are dozens websites with exactly the same idea - clones. Not as popular - but still making huge amount of money out of this.

According to Warren Buffet’s theory there are three types of enterpreneurship steams:

  1. Idea creators
  2. Imitators
  3. Idiots

First ones make something up, advertise it and sell it. Imitators see the idea, create a clone, advertise it, sell it and still making money out of it. Idiots see the idea, invest into it, advertise it and can’t sell it, so they are only ones who lose money.

Propositions is to be the first ones and not the last from the list :)

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