I don’t use it simply because I don’t like it myself … but if you choose Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, go update to Internet Explorer 8 today.

• manipulate data – I use it to sort, move, make delimited files, examine, replace and repair text
• code html, javascript, perl, php — one of it’s greatest shortcomings is that it doesn’t have custom or language syntax highlighting except for html, but get over that shortcoming (there is a way to see syntax highlighting if it is really important), but it isn’t really if you know the language involved
• read simple stuff simply — formatting of documents makes them big files
• control other programs, for example I have it auto-fill form fields in certain web pages using data out of an excel spread sheet

One of the most difficult tasks is getting a new user going. Writing clips is hardly intuitive. I have decided to try some video tutorials to show the most basic of functionality. As I get going, I might try to write a clip to do more tasks. In fact, have something repetitive that you need done on your computer with data? Write a comment and let’s see if we can fix it with a clip.

Here are the first few tutorials:
How to create a new clip library
How to create your very first clip – hello world

I found a post on-line where numerous Dell owners were complaining that Dell laptops don’t support external microphones. I was getting worried, when I came across a post that solve the issue. It said:
1) unplug your external mic
2) open volume control
3) switch it to recording control (menu options/properties/recording)
I then ticked microphone, plugged my microphone and tried Jinging it — woo hoo, it worked and my tutorials now have sound.

Google is always my friend! If you are having trouble getting an external microphone working with a Dell laptop, try the above procedure.

Has Twitter peaked?

According to eMarketer, three different digital actuaries declared that Twitter traffic has performed a slight plummet.

While comScore suggested a drop of 8.1 percent in October and Compete estimated 2.1 percent, while Nielsen, that apogee of accuracy, declared a 27.8 percent decline between September and October.

Cite

I don’t get twitter really, and probably never will. Too much information — and way too much noise to content. I really expect it to be a dying fad with time. Will some still use it? Sure. Aim, all the rage? Not any more. Nextel walkie-talkie? Not any more. People eventually use more efficient means of communication — and twitter is in my opinion not efficient.

Yes I realize I am missing a market segment … but I think it’s worth it. Time will tell.

Firefox has a CPU usage issue and, consequently, can cause overheating problems in some laptops, particularly ultraportables. That’s what I’ve found over the last couple of years.But don’t take my word for it. This is documented on a Mozilla support page entitled “Firefox consumes a lot of CPU resources.” The page states: “At times, Firefox may require significant CPU [central processing unit] resources in order to download, process, and display Web content.” And forum postings like this one about a Dell Netbook are not uncommon: “Mini9 would get way too hot.”

Cite

I’ve noticed my laptop a tad warm of late, and this may just explain it as I have a lot of FF resource in use at many times. Anybody have a solution that doesn’t involve:

• less tabs
• giving up on firefox — which I happen to love
• buying a new notebook … not ready to pay for it yet

Thanks for your suggestions …