Curious Voyager - Live like you mean it!

Google Squared Search

Although it is still in the Lab you should check out Google Squared – www.google.com/squared. It is truly an interesting search tool that produces results in table format. If you are going there for the first time try searching for a common product, i.e. Digital SLR’s or DSLR.

When the results publish you will be able to 1) go to the bottom of the table and either type in your own brand or name as well as let it add 10 more - providing you are searching for something wherein it can find 10 more. You can also add additional columns and if the column designation (price?) is not there you can type it in also. You can also delete rows and columns of items or results you are not interested in allowing you to condense your results/report.

If you have signed in to your Google account it will save the searches so that you can return and pick it right back up again. When this is completed it would appear to be a good way to shop. I searched Microwave Appliance and received a nice listing of various products.

WARNING: It is still in the “Lab” and I am not completely sure what that means.

Browser Wars/Information

I am a Google Reader fan and tonight on my HP Mini I discovered that Google Chrome and Firefox are not Google Reader tools on the HP Mini. The browser window in either Google Chrome or Firefox will not initially show a scroll bar to look at the individual entries in reader however IE8 will. How about that?

Having said the above I went into Google Chrome and typed “www.google.com/reader” and the link subsequently came up with a scroll bar so that could get to the accounts that I follow – about 100. Reader is an important tool for me and the use of it is a necessity for discovery.

I have discovered that Google Chrome is “fast” however it has a few drawbacks. I have not been able to access files on my computer (html or other) via Google Chrome – it will not link internally – or at least not very easy. I use it in teaching and have yet to figure it out. Firefox does work for me in that way.

Verizon, The HP Mini 1000 & Communication

  The HP Mini is GREAT! This looks like a Win-Win deal. The one that I am using is the HP Mini 1000. It is the one that Verizon had for it’s promotional ($199 after $50 mail in rebate) and I cannot say enough good things about it. What a device for the communication/conversation that we are all into today. My wife bought me a “Man Purse” to carry it in (thanks to Leo Laporte and Twit).

First I am a “Fan” of HP, currently have 2 desktops, 1 laptop and now the Mini – all HP. Note: My wife also is using an HP notebook and an HP printer.

Specs: 1 GB of RAM (expandable to at least 4 GB per system information (?) however only1 slot), 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, 80 GB Hard Drive. 2 USB ports, 2 in 1 Media card reader, webcam and a replicator port. Connectivity: Ethernet 10/100 connection, 802.11b/g WLAN, Bluetooth access, VZ Access Manager for Verizon Wireless connection. Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (want Windows 7).

As for Verizon I have no complaint about the service. I have a connection in many places that those on AT&T do not. I am currently using this in a travel  trailer (parked in the woods) where at one time I had a phone line and AOL. I replaced everything with a Verizon Air Card. My speed got better and I can use it anywhere. Now with the Mini no difference.

Now for the testing: I have installed IE8, Firefox 3.5 Beta and Google Chrome without issues. I have added Microsoft Office 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote) and they all work GREAT. Installed and connected Mesh and have access to all my Cloud “stuff” (including the Emerils recipes I am working on). I am using Gmail with calendar and contacts as well as Windows Live and all the subsequent software, all without issues. This blog post is being written using Windows Live Writer.

I have installed a Microsoft “Bluetooth” mouse (leaving both USB ports still accessible) and an HP 6980 wireless printer (at home). I have tested a Western Digital 500 GB passport as well as flash drives.

I have connected to the Internet via my home wireless, the work location wireless, AT&T wireless at Starbucks and now on VZ Access Manager and everything works great. I have used the battery for about two and a half hours and would like to purchase the six hour battery (have to talk to my wife about that).

I can’t help it, but I find this a good deal with both HP and Verizon. It’s just “Way Too Cool”. Now for Windows 7, Oh I have to do it.

Windows 7 & More

OK Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) is GREAT! It is the fastest book up I have seen since DOS booting from a 5 1/4 floppy with the time generator on it.

One thing I have discovered is that Norton 360 3.0 does not work with Windows 7 although they had a trial version that worked with Windows 7 Beta which they wanted to sell me. Since I already owned 360 2.0 I thought I would update it – sorry, now it doesn’t work. They were kind to me and extended my contract on the other computers however I had to get something else for the Windows 7 computer. I did, AVG. And I purchased a license for 3 computers to replace Norton on the other’s. I guess I have heard so much about bloated software that I have followed those I respect and I am changing. The unfortunate part of purchasing anti-virus software is that you will have issues with each one of them at some time however you cannot connect to them like you can Zappos.