Application or the Cloud? (jaapwillem @ www.jaapwillem.com

Application or the Cloud?

It’s a question many people are making nowadays and the Cloud do definitely have strong backers at the moment.

Of course Google, Microsoft and even Adobe is more and more pushing our data to the cloud.

But lately I’ve been wondering, more and more people are getting used to it, I’m quite happy with it as well, but I see myself every time using the Sync service of these services. It does means that while I’m a back fan of them, I use one computer where I have applications synchronizing to the cloud, while I use the application. For example on my private computer, a Macbook, I use not the web version of Gmail but the Mail client. Where I have as well conversations but as well colour codes and etc. Google Calendar is changed to iCal and even Google Reader just got a competitor with NetNewsWire. This is apart from Feedly what I use.

One web service I basically never use online is Twitter, I use Tweetdeck and Tweetie for that. But on the other way, Friendfeed I use exclusively in the browser.

That’s why I’m wondering, more and more people are using now the Cloud, and more and more blogs are written by Tech experts are expecting the end of Applications.

I do think that stand alone applications will have a hard time, but a exchange application with a direct connection with the Internet.

The next question what comes up then, Do I believe in the Browser as OS?

The short answer: No.

The long answer, I don’t think that a browser will be able to support the memory independent and speed tasks you are doing in an Application. Maybe we can do it in a little while, but then it will take a long time. For example, to edit a simple Photoshop file it is possible but it takes longer then in Photoshop. Then when we’re talking about larger files, more then 200 MB, I do think that the browser and the Internet will actually break.

The next time I’ll write something more and will take a few applications which will be very interesting to see online.

Cheers

Jaap Willem
Online Presence Consultant at http://www.jaapwillem.com
Contact me at jaapwillem at jaapwillem.com
Friendfeed: http://www.friendfeed.com/jaapwillem

Mobile programs and iphone os3

This is another update on mobile applications and as well a my thoughts on the preview off the iphone os3.

Mobile applications.
Which programs do I still use and which ones don’t I use anymore?
The other day there was an article going over the Internet that most apps on the iPhone only will get used once. The second time is very rare and very few are getting used everyday.

For me, the most used programs are still the Music program and the Mail program on my iTouch. More programs I’m using on a daily basis is The Remember the Milk program and the Twitterfon.

Furthermore as well the Flick mobile page and the Friendfeed page. These are the 6 most used programs by me by far.

Then I do have the regular social media programs like Facebook, Linkedin and Hyves. Furthermore as well some games and so on. The other day I’ve been downloading a program from Oackley what is definitely interesting for Surfers and Fishermen.

The organisation from my home-screens are made simple, the first one is filled with the programs I use every day or very regularly. The second one is for Social Media, the 3rd are tools I’m using once in a while and the fourth for games and leisure.

How is your Home Screen organisation?

iPhone 3.0 software.
I think with the iPhone 3 software, finally the iPhone will become quiet interesting for me. For once the software is technically on the same level as for example Symbian software. Only the background apps won’t be running, but I’m not a big fan of the background anyway.

Furthermore one of the most interesting parts will be the Notifications and the Copy and paste.

What are your thought of these?? What are your favorite new options?

Cheers Jaap Willem

Mobile Apps short Rundown

Hi there guys again,

I’m happy to give up a follow up on my blog from last month about the Mobile App.

It has now been a bit longer than 1 month that I’m using extensively the mobile apps versions on my iPod Touch, basically since the software came available to download programs, and would like to give a short follow up on it.

I’ve been trying out loads of free programs, I still didn’t buy any, because I want to be sure that it actually helps me, and that my computer doesn’t get changed again, so only free for the moment.But even with these free programs I can see already a nice move towards very useful programs to the point that I’m hardly using some websites anymore..

My top 3 programs are:

Number 1: Twitterrific. This program is perfect for me to send of the tweets all the time, while I’m connected to the Internet. Especially at home I’m using it extensively, because at work I’ve been to busy to even look at my Touch, so haven’t been using it there yet as much. But it is definitely a really neat way of staying in contact quick and follow the conversations what is going on on line.

Number 2: Facebook App. Basically I’m coming back to Facebook because of this application. It is perfect not to have any ads on my screen while going quickly to the most important points among my friends. Since the update to version 2 I’m using it now twice a day, at least. To give a compensation, before I downloaded that program I was checking facebook once a week. The Facebook site though I’m not checking anymore.

Number 3: The WordPress App. Basically now when I’m in the metro I have to time to write a little bit and let my thoughts about things go out and inside this app. Maybe the quality of these thoughts are not really up to the level yet, but hey we’re working on it. I’m only beginning.. hahaha.

There are a few apps I started to use optimistic but now have been deleted.. The App wall of shame

Number 1 (the worst): Yahoo OneConnect. The idea is brilliant from this program to collect all your data together, but they really need to work on the speed of this one. It takes me 5 minutes to setup a new service while after that it’s crashing on me 2 times within 10 minutes. Not good, and I hope they will improve it soon.I’ll check back when there’s version 2 out, now I’ve deleted it for the moment.

Number 2: Last.FM program. I started to use it very optimistic but now it’s on page 5 of my screen and I don’t use it anymore the problem with it is that it’s even more difficult to find Artists and than it keeps on crashing as well. If I do something wrong with this program, I’m more than open to hear your advise for it.

Number 3: NY Times App. This one is like the other 2, it has loads of potential but for the moment the implementation is not so good. Waiting times of 2 minutes over a 20 MB connection is not good for a program to get information. Furthermore the numerous crashes are not helping neither to improve the usability.

This is a very short rundown on the top 3 Apps I’m using the most or the least at the moment, next month there will be some new programs in these lists probably because there are a few very interesting apps at the moment on my Touch and will definitely keep on testing them all the time.

If you have any comment, please let me know in the comments or on my FriendFeed Address, http://www.friendfeed.com/jaapwillem..

Cheers,

Jaap Willem

The power of a good task manager (RememberTheMilk)

What is the power of a good task manager?
Is it extensive possibilities? Or is it that you can do your work better and more efficient?

For me at the moment is that I’ve good possibilities so I can organise, set priorities and as well that add my tasks really quick and easy.
I don’t need a program which I need to study a phd for to actual use it.

One of my favorites of lately is RememberTheMilk.
This is an Internet based program for noting down your tasks.
The positive part is that you have always access to your information, only you have a bigger problen if you are without Internet service.
This is half solved with the integration of offline functionality, for example provided with the intergration with google gear.

Furthermore there are some others ways of interaction with the program , for example with the blackberry program.

Timewise it really helps if you can organize yourself the best and the fastest way. I think this is the second program where I actually will pay for, after flickr. Normally I don’t pay for programs on the Internet but soon I’ll do it I think.

The final note fir this program is an 8 on 10.

If you need more information about Remember The Milk, have a look at www.rememberthemilk.com

Mobile apps

Everytime I’m becoming more and more surprised by the power off some mobile apps. Let me explain this a little bit more.
At the moment I’m without laptop because my hard drive broke down the other day. The day after this happened I went to the apple store to get me an iPod touch. This as a replacement for a little while for my laptop I thought. But now I see that this little thing of technology is more powerfull then I ever could have imagined myself.
The first few days I installed only the most common apps on it. So for example the google application, and the facebook and myspace one.
In the beginnig I didn’t want to add them because I got really tired about the online version of facebook due to the huge amount of Ads present on the website.
But now after using it for a little bit again I have to say that I’m starting to use it again more and more
That is only the facebook application, for example I’m writing this piece with the wordpress application, so I can always write something when I want and get the inspiration.
Basically what I’ve discovered that I can do 80% of the things I do in my freetime as well mobile. This is a great avancement and I’m looking forward to the future what might be coming up.

Expect more and more blogs like this In the future, with my thoughts about these kind of things

Cheers, have a great weekend