Techno Mojo

I have been using Windows Vista for a little over a year and a half, first as a beta tester for Microsoft and then as a consumer. Like many users of the latest Windows operating system, I was annoyed by the User Account Control (UAC), the incompatibility with existing hardware and the lack of drivers, conflicting 3^rd party software and how it was a resource hog. These were all acceptable to me during the Beta trial because bugs & annoyances were understood and were to be improved on before the release, right?

Wrong.

The UAC was the nagging mother who would second-guess you every time. “Are you sure you want to open this XYZ software?” Yes, thank you, mother. Click “Are you really sure? Momma knows better than you do.” Yes, mother. While it is true you can disable the UAC (good luck trying to find the disable feature), Microsoft really scares you into keeping it activated for security purposes.

When Vista was released, I purchased the “upgrade” Vista Premium Home edition, upgraded my memory and video card as suggested for the “Wow” experience but the software was still consuming a majority of the memory resources. Don’t even THINK of having a browser, instant message client and Photoshop CS3 running at the same time because Vista needs the memory to run processes in the background don’t you know?

The only issue I had with hardware was the wireless router and photo scanner but even then there workarounds and drivers released (way too long after Vista out).

This past week I downloaded and installed the first Service Pack released by Microsoft for Vista and was not impressed. It still takes way too long to transfer files or delete to the trash bin. Why? Because Vista has to think about what you are trying to do before even performing the action. Geez…quit second-guessing the user already!

After giving Vista its due diligence, after complying with the hardware/software requirements, after waiting for the SP1 to be released I am not impressed and regretted installing Vista. Well, I don’t have to live with that regret because I reinstalled Windows XP because it has been tested and improved upon for years now and it doesn’t try to think about what I want but lets me DO what I want. Immediately after booting I could tell a dramatic improvement in speed and performance. This weekend I “upgraded” back to Windows XP.

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With so many websites in the Mojo Network, I don’t have time to add blog posts to every social site I am a member of. These websites are my spaces. I am paying for the domain names and server space so why would I consistently use the free, hosted sites? As someone recently said “It’s like remodeling your kitchen in the home that you rent” it just adds content to something that isn’t yours and the host makes money off of the content. No thanks!

So why am I on Facebook/MySpace/Flickr, etc? Because a lot of people are on them. You go where the traffic is to glean information and to network. Also, think of the social sites as parties. You go to see and be seen, and have a good time doing it, right? The same holds true online as well. With RSS feeds, and open networks between all of the various web apps, I don’t have to go to say, Facebook and post content from Photo Mojo because it is done automagically.

Facebook- I use this strictly as a means to view what others are doing or find interesting. Anytime one of my contacts adds something it is tracked and delivered via RSS feed so I can bypass the site and its increasing advertisements. Look me up: Chris Denbow

Linked In- Think of it as a web 2.0 contact book for workers seeking to expand their professional network. Let’s get linked: Chris “Mojo” Denbow

Plaxo- Used to be the bane of the professional world because of spamming issues and no privacy but has cleaned up and makes nice with more than a few applications since joining Google’s Open Social initiative. I just recently signed up so I can add/remove/sync all of my contacts from Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn and my smartphone. Add me: Chris “Mojo” Denbow

Outlook 2007- quickly becoming my first stop when managing contacts as well as a social tool. Third party software including Xobni (inbox spelled backwards) allows you to connect with your contacts.

Windows Mobile 6- all contacts are stored into my phone, just in case it is needed. Sync’d with Outlook/Plaxo/Gmail/LimkedIn it is an indispensable tool on my smartphone. By using Fring, mobileware that allows you to chat with your contacts via Google Talk, Skype, Twitter, etc the value just increased.

Groups- Got a collaborative project? Need to connect with like-minded people? Both Yahoo & Google Groups are the place to go when you want secure interaction and a place to hang out collectively.

Twitter- almost as good as instant messaging individuals and groups about whatever it is on your mind or for event tracking in 140 characters or less for each “tweet”. Read/Share tweets: mojodenbow

These sites and connections help build my digital brand and allow me to meet new people both on/offline. There are people I meet with similar passions out there that I want to share with. There are a huge number of folks I meet that I need information and can learn from.

What social tools do you use to connect with new people, contacts? Let us know!

I’ve caught the micromedia or microblogging bug and it may very well be terminal. I’m proud of my early-adopter and beta tester status but I was slow to catch this trend and even now still feel like I am not using it to full potential. As one’s time and attention and have shrunken down, more audio/video/blogs are shrinking their content to this bite-sized media. This is why Techno Mojo has been neglected. I’ve been keeping up with web apps and sharing my thoughts with these web/mobile apps in an effort to communicate.

Lifestreaming-

Twitter/Jaiku/Pownce- In 140 characters or less per post, mention anything you want or share links with anyone and everyone you want to. Think of it has hyper-text messaging and not to be confused with an instant messenger client. All have RSS feeds so you can track them and read others. Be sure to research all of the various Twitter 3^rd party applications that enhances the experiences.

Voice Blogging-

Utterz/Jott- Using your mobile phone, you can add/embed a post to your website and/or have it hosted on their websites. Use the RSS feeds to send to Twitter/Jaiku/Pownce and notify your contacts.

Microblogging-

Tumblr/Soup/Facebook- I use these to catch all of the aforementioned applications into one neat little blog. Combo Mojo receives feeds from Twitter, Jaiku, Pownce, Flickr, The Mojo Network, YouTube, Vimeo, Utterz, Jott and so much more. Why go to all of these sites when they are pulled into one?

Micro Video-

Seesmic- this is a web app that appears to be like Twitter but with video added. I say “appears to be” because it is very difficult to get an invitation to this limited beta tester application. I would use the heck out of this, given the chance. Did you like the not-so-subtle hint?

UStream- live streaming video rocks my socks. Includes chat client.

Kyte.tv- read above

Click on the links below to find me on these web apps:

Twitter, Jaiku, Pownce, Utterz, Tumblr, Soup, Facebook, Ustream, Seesmic (coming soon?)