wolfb - feeds and RSS

I like bloglines.

But they have so many problems that today I have decided to move my OPML file to Google Reader.

And although I don't like Google Reader (sorry), I cannot take any more:

• Reading hundred times the same posts from blogger blogs. Even mine. I am about to unsubscribe to my own blog !!
  

• Slow update of posts. Sometimes I see articles in Lifehacker or TechCrunch hours before they show up in bloglines.
  

• Useless options. I keep saying that I want the interface in English, but it changes from English to Spanish depending on the computer I use.
  

• Again: I have marked "read" again all my feeds from YouTube. The same 3 feeds, with the same videos, I have had to "read" them 20 times today !!! 20 !!!

There I go, Google. Again (damn !)

Wait ... did I say that the most troubled feeds are from YouTube and Blogger ??? Could it be that Google ..... ?? Nahhhhh, don't think evil .....

Labels: blogging, rss, software, web

For the last few months I have moved most of my software needs to Open Source and freeware. I have always used windows (XP now) but I wanted to depend less in propietary and / or expensive software.

Now I am seriously considering moving to a linux distribution (Ubuntu), but first I need to find all the software that I use on regular basis, or good alternatives in linux for those programs. What you have here is not what a typical users needs, only what I need .. :)

I will try to install as many applications as possible using Ubuntu's Synaptic program, and the add/remove application, to make it as simple as possible, since I am not comfortable installing binaries or rpms (not comfortable here means I have no clue how to do it ... :). One tip, though, in Synaptic, add the repository Universe. Many more applications will show up there.

Let's start. The software I use on regular basis is:

• AVG Antivirus: My friends keep telling me that I don't need an antivirus ... AVG has a Linux version now, but it is in RPM format for Debian, and I was unable to install it .... Solved ??
• Audacity: An audio editor. There is a version for linux that I installed via Ubuntu's Synaptic program. Very easy. Solved.
  
• Azureus : Azureus is a bittorrent client with a lot of options. It has a linux version, that I've installed also via Synaptic, very easily. Solved.
  
• PSPad: An excellent PHP and text editor. But looking at the directories I found Screem in the add/remove directory, which seems very good too. I will try it. Solved.
  
• FileZilla - FTP: a nice FTP program. But in Ubuntu I foung gFTP. And to be honest, a FTP program is a FTP program ..... Solved.
  
• Firefox: This is an absolute must. And not only Firefox, but all the add-ons and extensions that I use regularly. Firefox comes by default. And the extensions I need are: Scrapbook, Blogger web comments, Screen Grab, TabmixPlus, StumbleUpon, Gmail Manager, Yahoo Toolbar, GooglePreview and Performancing. They all seem to work perfect. Solved.
  
• Folder Lock: the need for hiding or encrypting folders doens't really exist in linux, since I can create different accounts and different security levels on my system. Solved.
  
• Google Earth: I installed it from Google's web page, downloading a bin file that I extracted. I am not even sure how I did it but it worked ... Solved.
  
• Maritime software, distances: This is a very specific piece of software that I use for mapping and calculating marine distances. Nothing similar for Linux .... Not solved.
  
• Microsoft PowerToys: Obviosly no need for them now ... :) Solved.
  
• OpenOffice.org: Open Office is included in Ubuntu. No need to do anything, already installed. Fantastic. Solved.
  
• Skype: There is a linux version, but I was unable to install it .... unsolved.
• SyncBackSE V4, backups: Allows backups to directories or CDs, and I use it to backup my files in another computer of the net. I haven't found anything similar for Ubuntu, but I am sure there must be something similar.
  
• TED - Television episode downloader: Not that I would ever use a television downloader program .... but it exists in a linux version. I haven't been able to install it yet, but working on it. Half solved.
  
• Thunderbird - email reader: very easy to install via Add/remove program. Solved.
  
• VideoLAN VLC: To me, the best video player and recorder. It is available in Synaptic. Easy. Solved.
  
• Wink - screencasting: No linux version. I am still looking for a good screencasting program. Not solved.
  
• Yahoo! Messenger: Ubuntu comes with Gaim already installed, which can accept Yahoo accounts. Solved.
  
• Zinio.com - magazines reader: I know, this is a bit lame, but I really enjoy reading these magazines when I am in the plane. I am subscribed to 6 of them, and they are very good. No linux version of the reader and no easy way to read them in Ubuntu. Any suggestion ? (apart from "do not use it").
  
• ZipGenius: ZipGenius is an excellent archive application. But Ubuntu comes with Archive Manager installed already. Easily solved.
  
• Zone Alarm - firewall: Do I need a firewall ?  No ? Really ? Any suggestion ?

Conclusion: I am still sticking with Windows in an all Open Source mode, but I am getting closer to jump to Linux. No, not yet.

Labels: linux, software