Using Instapaper and Kindle for personalised newspapers

March 1, 2011 By

I’m a big fan of Instapaper – the web service that lets you save articles and website to read later. I usually make use of it when I’m sorting through my RSS feeds, but occasionally when I’m generally browsing the web too. I love how you pick the articles you want to read, and Instapaper will assemble them into a personalised newspaper for you.

I recently wrote a review of the Amazon Kindle and, without wanting to repeat the whole thing again, I was really impressed at the Kindle’s whole reading experience.

So, I think combining the personalised newspaper setup of Instapaper with the portable, paperless experience of Kindle is a great idea… and it’s simple to do. After logging into your Instapaper account, you can download a .mobi file by clicking on the Kindle icon. There’s another, cleverer option though. By visiting http://www.instapaper.com/user/kindle, you can set up wireless delivery so that you get your Instapaper articles without having to do anything. Just enter your Kindle e-mail address, set the options for how often you want to be e-mailed, and you’ll start receiving your saved articles in a Periodical format.

It’s all very clever, and I do like getting a daily e-mail (if I’ve added enough new articles) of items I found interesting. If you have a Kindle, why not give it a go? And if you don’t, I’d still recommend giving Instapaper a look as a way of keeping track of interesting articles you want to read later.

Visit instapaper.com to set up your account.
The Kindle is available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

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The Battle for Web Dominance – Who will Win?

February 8, 2011 By

This is a guest post by Neil Jones who is head of marketing for eMobileScan, one of the UK’s leading Barcode Reader specialists.

The search engine wars, where engines fought for domination over their rivals, were only the warm up act for what is likely to take place this year. The undisputed champions of Search and social are inevitably going to lock horns sometime soon.

The ever increasing need to grow, expand and dominate is what is forcing these to internet behemoths to collide and if you haven’t already guessed, it’s Facebook and Google. Both reign supreme in their respective sectors but both want domination and whoever wins it is going to mean a big shift in how we interact with the web.

Let’s take Google first; A couple of years ago their position of power was unquestioned and barring the occasional uprising from either Yahoo or Bing, and then a combination of the two, Google had everything thing their own way. Google are great at a lot of what they do; their search results are usually pretty good, their email is great and Google maps are all an excellent addition to the internet. What they have not been good at is social media, but it’s not from a lack of trying. Wave and Buzz are all failed attempts to move into the social space. I’d say it’s safe to suggest that Google have failed in their attempts to move into social media.

And now for Facebook; The stats about Facebook are jaw dropping and it’s fair to say that they really have dominated in the social sphere. For instance Facebook is now the largest photo sharing site on the net. Before researching I had assumed Flickr was the dominant force here, but seemingly not and there are plenty of other similar examples in the social space where Facebook has crushed the competition.

The one thing that Facebook hasn’t tried yet is to move into the search engine space, but it’s only a matter of time. I believe that they are drawing the battle lines and here is how they are doing it. Going head to head with Google in the search engines would be a crazy so instead they plan to use social connections made by their members to connect the web, interlinking pages and sites with Facebook as the hub.

By building a set of buttons, widgets and plugins they are essentially letting their members spider the internet for them.  The first goal is to get as many sites as possible to add their set of buttons and the second is to get their members to share the links and click the “likes” button on these sites.

Presently, Facebook members share in excess of 1 million links in just 20 minutes. In that same timeframe nearly 8 million “likes” are generated, and on average 10k sites a day are adding Facebook’s widgets.

Facebook’s whole plan is based around building a semantic web and with those figures I think they are making a pretty decent start.

The first Sideswipes

Both companies have been trying to undermine each other’s power. The first blow came when Google tried to invest in Facebook only to miss out to Microsoft (Google’s oldest enemy). Facebook countered by continually trying to poach some of Google top execs. Google bought a considerable stake in Zynga who develop social games on the Facebook API and are one of the biggest spenders on the Facebook ad network. Google have also been buying stakes in some of the other companies that have risen to prominence through Facebook. Facebook, on the other hand, announced the launch of the Fcommerce platform where webshops can be launched directly on Facebook. Both sides are continually adjusting and adding new features but who will make the first real assault is still a little unclear.

It’s safe to say that there is no love lost between these two and I don’t think it will be long before we start to see the first real all-out assault on each other’s territory.

What do you think? Are Google and Facebook gearing up for an almighty web-war? Is there space for them both on the Internet, or are they intrinsically destined to fight for the same user base? We’d love to know your thoughts, so please tell us in the comments.

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Which type of surfer are you?

February 2, 2011 By

Internet (Almost) EverywhereThis is a guest post by Jessica Lowe.

Choosing the best way to go online on the move can seem like a bit of a minefield. There’s a wide selection of technology to choose from: Smartphones, laptops and tablets, plus a range of deals to suit all different types of Internet user. It’s not a case of simply finding the cheapest mobile broadband deal; what might be cost-effective for one person won’t be for another so you must think carefully about what type of web surfer you are before you take the plunge.

Social surfer

If you mainly want to go online to update your Facebook status and tweet what you had for breakfast, then a Smartphone will probably suffice. There’s a massive range of looks and functionality available, with models to suit music lovers, app enthusiasts and the email obsessed.

Contracts are usually a popular choice, as buying a phone outright can be very expensive. Make sure you check what the deal covers, though – ideally calls and internet usage – if you go over your limits you could be in line for a hefty bill. Pay as You Go options are available, but if you go online a lot, these probably aren’t the best option.

Practical surfer

If you require a bit more functionality, the ability to do work on the move and the option to download lots of music and even films, then a laptop’s probably best. To get mobile broadband, you’ll need a dongle, which simply fits into the USB port.

As with a Smartphones, there are Pay as You Go and contract options available. If you’re just looking at the odd website and sending a few emails, then Pay as You Go might suffice. If you need lots of data allowance, for TV shows and the latest tunes, then a contract with unlimited usage will be better. Some contracts come with a laptop thrown in for free – perfect if you need new kit.

Uber cool surfer

For a serious shot of style over substance then a tablet’s the way to go. Dominated at the moment by the iPad, 2011 will see more competitively priced alternatives coming to the market. They don’t have the functionality of a laptop and you can’t make calls (at the moment – but who’d want to put a ten inch screen to their ear anyway?) What they are is gorgeous looking with a great user experience.

For the iPad, to access mobile broadband you need an iPad SIM – like a phone SIM but half the size. In order to not muck up its sleek lines Apple did away with USB ports, so no room for a dongle. Make sure your iPad is a 3G version; if it’s not, you won’t be able to access the Internet using mobile broadband, only Wi-Fi.

And if you still need help making the mobile broadband decision then comparison sites, like Broadband Genie, can help.

Jessica Lowe writes on behalf of Broadband Genie and Mobile Phone Genie; the independent comparison websites for broadband, mobile broadband and mobile phones.

Post image by Jeremy Brooks – used under Creative Commons License.

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Which WebComics?

February 1, 2011 By

My Comic Relief HaulI’m not afraid to admit that I still read comics. I don’t mean “graphic novels”, although I do enjoy them too, I mean a sneaky peek at the Beano :) But there are also a load of brilliant WebComics out there, ranging from the cute, through geeky all the way to completely bizarre. I want to tell you about a few of my favourites today, and I’d love to hear about yours in the comments.

  1. xkcd – I reckon xkcd is about as geeky as comics get. Yes, even taking into account those graphic novels you find in the Sci Fi & Fantasy section of the bookshop. One comic will be a flowchart, another about a mathematical problem, and another about working for Google. You won’t get them all, but there’s some real gold in here.
  2. Basic Instructions – Scott Meyer’s mix of sarcasm, wit, and saying the things I wish I had the guts to makes Basic Instructions a winner for me. This comic is my all-time favourite… I still can’t read the second panel without bursting out laughing! There’s something funny knowing that the characters are all based on real people too; in looks at least if not in personality.
  3. Kim and Jason – although the comic has been “retired” for a few years now I still enjoy looking back through the archives. Plus the Kim and Jason blog is usually an uplifting addition to my feed reader.

Honourable mentions also go to Dilbert, who always reminds me of how strange the world of office-based work can be, and Red Meat, which is completely bizarre and totally twisted [warning, you may consider Red Meat NSFW].

These are just a few of the many WebComics that inhabit the Internet, but they are by far my favourites. What about you? Is there a comic you think should have a wider audience? One that makes you laugh every time you read it? Tell us about it in the comments and share the fun!

Post image by waxpancake – used under Creative Commons License

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OnLive: Gaming in the Cloud

January 26, 2011 By

Cloud computing is the “in thing” at the moment. Thin clients accessing services on servers that enable you to access your work anywhere. Cloud gaming hasn’t had as much hype as the rest of the cloud scene, but I reckon that’s all about to change.

OnLive is, quite simply, amazing. It’s a cloud gaming service, running games on servers in state of the art data centres. A thin client on your local computer relays control information to the data centre, and the resulting video output to your desktop. This is all done over the Internet at, according to the OnLife website, “blindingly fast speeds”. Since all the heavy computational stuff is handled by the data centre, all your computer has to be able to do is display the graphics and maintain a fast Internet connection (3mbps minimum, 5mbps recommended).

So, don’t have a 3D graphics card? Me neither – my laptop isn’t exactly a gaming powerhouse. Despite that, I’m able to play some of the latest 3D games via the OnLive client.

OnLive is not officially available in the UK yet, but it’s still possible to sign up and play. There’s even a PlayPack beta that will give you access to just over twenty games ranging from Unreal Tournament III to Lego Batman to World of Goo. The only downside is that the controls are a bit sluggish, making it hard to aim accurately in some of the First-Person Shooters, but I’m willing to put that down to the fact that I’m connecting to a data centre across the Atlantic. Hopefully the UK release, with its Welsh data centre, will alleviate that. And when will that be? Well, OnLive themselves haven’t given any dates, but a number of news sites are indicating a late-2011 launch.

If you’re not in the mood for actual playing, you can watch others play in the Arena, or watch Brag Clips, short videos users have recorded to show off their finest moments. Think of it as game TV, without the commentary or commercial breaks.

OnLive is a fascinating technology, and a real leap forward in terms of cloud gaming. I mean, I remember playing MUDs as a child and teenager but this is something altogether different. It lets you play games your computer has no hope of running on its own, and the concept of buying a game without having to download it is very clever. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this officially launched in the UK, whenever that happens.

If you want to try OnLive out, head on over to http://www.onlive.com/, sign up and download the client. Let us know what you think in the comments. And if you’re already a US user, why not tell us what the service is like when you’re in its home country?

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Fancy a cuppa? How long should you steep.it?

January 10, 2011 By

There’s nothing like a good cup of tea, and few things as frustrating as being given a cuppa that would be better used as dishwater. But how long should you allow your tea to brew?

The Internet is replete with niche web-apps, and steep.it is one of those very specialised sites that makes you wonder why you didn’t think of it first. The site is simplicity itself: either choose from the list of existing tea types or enter your own time in the box provided. Once you’ve done that, a countdown opens up in a new window to let you know when to take the teabag out.

As well as steep.it, there’s e.ggtimer.com which styles itself as a bit more of a general countdown app, and a tool called Next Up which aims to keep meetings on track by telling you when the time’s up for each item on the agenda.

I love things like this – so simple but clever. I really do wish I thought of stuff like this first.

Do you know of any clever web apps you’d like to share? Is there a site you visit and think, “I really with I’d thought of that!”. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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Drupal gets an update with version 7.0

January 6, 2011 By

Get into a conversation with bloggers and web developers about their favourite content management system and you’ll soon come across the name “Drupal“. Drupal is the CMS of choice for several large website and, despite having a reputation for being difficult to use, offers powerful customisation and content creation facilities.

Well, the Drupal developers have been working hard at creating improvements, and version 7.0 is now out.

Have a look at this video from the Drupal guys and gals to get an idea of what you can expect:


Drupal 7 Marketing Video from Lullabot on Vimeo.

My own experience of Drupal, with previous versions, has been that it’s an immensely powerful system but very hard to get your head around. However, with 7.0, I think it’s time to take another look and see if those usability improvements have made it easier to use.

Do you use Drupal to power your website? Why, or why not? Do you have any tips to share? Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts.

[via Mashable]

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Yogile.com makes photo sharing easy

December 21, 2010 By

Digital photos – wonderful things. No longer are we limited to a paltry 24 frames of film before having to pause, reload, and realise we’ve missed the moment. Memory cards are now large enough to snap hundreds of photos without stopping, which means more photos and more opportunities to catch those special moments.

After a night out, family meal, or Christmas party, you’re fairly likely to want to share photos with some of the people who were there… either as a reminder of a great time or to spread a bit of embarrassment over some of the funnier incidents. There are a load of photo sharing sites out there, but I want to introduce you to Yogile.com.

Yogile.com makes it incredibly easy to share images privately and within groups. You simply log in and create an album, which is assigned its own unique URL and e-mail address and can be password protected to keep the images private. The URL/e-mail address and password can be shared with anyone you want to be able to contribute to the album, meaning that you can build up a collaborative view of any event.

Take a wedding, for example. Dozens of attendees take their own photos, all from different cameras and angles. While you might try asking everyone for their shots afterward, Yogile provides a single place they can share their images, by uploading online or just sending them to a custom email address.

Once you’ve got the photos online, there are options to share the album on Twitter or Facebook and, if the album is public, to embed it on your website. In essence, this is like a cut down and simplified version of Flickr’s groups… but it seems much quicker and simpler to contribute to. You don’t even need a Yogile.com account but can upload photos anonymously (who took that one!?).

Yogile.com is a clever take on photo sharing and collaboration. While I would still use Flickr for the majority of my sharing and archiving, I can see Yogile being a great option to quickly share photos after a get-together. Why not try it yourself and let us know how you get on in the comments?

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Montage – a new type of personal start page?

December 15, 2010 By

The Internet is a wonderful thing. Its vast network of computers and servers, each storing varying amounts of data, places an amazing amount of information at the fingertips of people like you and me. Sometimes, though, there’s so much information it’s overwhelming. Aggregation services can help to draw relevant material together, and Microsoft have just released a new social tool that might help.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, have a look at this completely insane video about the service.

Creating a montage is very simple – just enter some keywords and Montage will go off an draw together what it thinks is relevant information, placing it in a magazine-style framework. So entering “cats” does indeed create a montage of cat-related articles, videos and photos.

I can see this being useful as a quick taster of what’s happening online. Perhaps it would be useful to create a montage for, say, the iPhone or tech reviews so as to get a general overview, but the auto-generated montages seem just a little too random for my liking. Luckily, there’s the option to start from scratch and populate each frame of the montage with whatever you like. While that will take more time than letting Montage do it for you, it does mean you can have photos from your favourite Flickr contacts, articles from those essential sites in your RSS feed, and tweets on whatever search term you want to use. Personalised start page, anyone?

Remixing – coming soon

One feature that’s still to come online is the ability to “remix” other people’s montages – building on what they’ve shared already and allowing you to, according to the press information, “put your own unique spin on them and keep the fun and conversation going”. No word on when that will go live, yet, other than it’s been delayed. But if someone has put work into creating a custom montage, the ability to tweak and build on it could be very useful.

Why not give Montage a go and tell us how you get on in the comments? I’d be really interested to see if you find it useful or not.

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Quality web hosting with FreeVirtualServers

December 9, 2010 By

Post image and thumbnail by Mayhem

If you’re thinking about creating your own website, one of the things you’re going to need is web hosting. While websites themselves are made up of various files, those files have to be on the Internet and it’s your web hosting company that puts those files online for the world to see.

I came to my current web host, FreeVirtualServers.com, after a friend recommended them to me. I have to admit to being a bit wary because I’ve always believed you get what you pay for and anything with “free” in the title runs, in my mind, a real risk of being substandard. In this case, “free” refers to the ongoing hosting costs; there is an initial setup cost of £12.99 and you will have to pay to maintain your domain name (for a .co.uk domain that amounts to just over £10 every two years). After the initial setup cost and excepting the domain name maintenance, your hosting is then free for life and includes 250 MB of webspace, 500 MB bandwidth per month, unlimited POP3 e-mail addresses, unlimited subdomains, and one MySQL database.

You may be looking at those specs and thinking the whole thing looks a bit paltry. When I first set up Geek-Speak that was more than enough for my needs, but FreeVirtualServers also offers a range of paid plans that allow you to host larger, more complex, and more demanding sites. The full list of packages is available on their site. I’m currently on the pro plan and use it to host Geek-Speak, a photo blog, demo sites for when I’m doing web design, and a blog of photography hints and tips.

But is it reliable?

Reliability is massively important when considering a company for web hosting, so the big question about FreeVirtualServers is, “is it reliable?”. The short answer is, “yes”. I use Binary Canary to monitor Geek-Speak’s uptime, and in the last year the website has been up 99.88% of the time. That is, I’m sure you’ll agree, and excellent figure and equates to, over the last year, just under ten hours when Geek-Speak was unavailable.

What about support?

On those occasions when something does go wrong, you’ll want to know that you can get hold of someone from your hosting company quickly and that they will be able to solve your problem. I have nothing but praise for the support guys at FreeVirtualServers who have helped me on several occasions and have done so quickly and efficiently. Most recently there was a problem with my e-mails that was causing some of them to be directed to the wrong server. Once I discovered that, and realised that there was a collection of e-mails going back over a year to deal with, I contacted the support desk to see what had happened. Within two hours the duty tech had identified an incorrect setting left over from when I enabled Google apps for domains on my account, had changed the setting, and let me know what he had done. Problem solved.

On a previous occasion, I had to contact support regarding an inability to add new domains to my account and, again, the problem was quickly identified and dealt with. The longest I have had to wait for a solution has been one full day but in that instance I was kept up-to-date with what was happening and why the resolution was taking a little longer than normal.

You might think support like that comes with paying for your hosting, but 24/7 online support is included in the free packages as well as the paid ones.

Overall?

You’ll hopefully have gathered that I’m really impressed with FreeVirtualServers. The “free” package is a great starter if you want to get a site online, and the range of paid upgrades scales nicely as your site becomes larger and more popular. The support is excellent, as is the server’s reliability and uptime.

Pay a visit to FreeVirtualServers.com and check out their range of hosting plans – you’re sure to find one that suits your needs and, as you can tell, I highly recommend them.

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