PageBull

Not long ago, I mentioned about Snap Preview Anywhere. I talked about its own search engine a bit. The search engine is great and useful. It does like Google, Yahoo, or MSN, but it has a bigger thumbnail preview on the right. It saves your time rather than clicking every link page to look at it. The look of Snap search engine is very simple and modern. It also do images. You click one image, it will enlarge on the right for viewing.

Google, Yahoo, and MSN do have thumbnail preview on each link on the right via Firefox/Flock extension called BetterSearch. But they are small and hard to see. However, with Better Search, you have another option of previewing the website when you see the ‘P’ next to the link in any search engine. That ‘P’ is called Quick Preview. You can see the images below.

Thumnail Preview on Google:

Quick Preview:

It is a great extension. There is also another great extension called Cooliris or Browster. Both opens webpages real-life time when you point at the specific icon somewhere on the end (Cooliris) or in the front (Browster) of the link and it will pop up to the screen almost like a full page on the same tab/windows. I have mentioned that before. But Snap does not need any plugin or installation. It is nice and save your space on the computer.

You may wonder what does PageBull fit in this all?

Well, it is a another great Thumbnail Preview search engine. It shows thumbnail previews only, no listing like the the rest…I just found about that last week. I thought it is a nice search engine just to view webpages. You can view them in either 3×4, 2×6, or 4×3. Those means how many previews in the row and columns. I took a screenshot of the PageBull (3×4) search query: deanscyberspace. You may notice some of them. One is my current blog and other one is my former blog by Blogger.

Honestly every day, I found something cool, better, and more quick in googling something in the search engine. Thumbnail previews are wonderful. However, it is hard to make decisions, which search engine I would like to use — Google, Yahoo or MSN with BetterSearch or Cooliris and Browster extensions, Snap, and now PageBull. But it is a nice change for alternative search engines, rather than using same search engine every day. Well, I use Google.com more often. It has best search results. I use Cooliris for website previewing for now. I like it because I can share the links with anyone via Cooliris using its own email box. But I would use PageBull or Snap once in a while. I like to see what is happening to them and see them grow and become better search engines in the near future.

Blogged with Flock

WOT and SiteAdvisor

What is WOT?

It is better if I let WOT explained from mywot.com what it is (I copied and pasted):

WOT provides website reputation information for users. With WOT, you gain useful information on the trustworthiness of a website and you can see the results easily in your browser. Because WOT is a democratic system, you can use your expertise to help other users surf safer by giving votes to sites. WOT simply works. But don’t take our word for it, give it a try! Installation is only a matter of seconds.

WOT helps you detect if the site is very safe. Does it have spyware? Does it spam your email? Does it distribute your email to thiry party companies? Is it safe for children?

I have been using it since Sunday. It is a nice extension used in only Firefox or Flock. No IE or Opera yet. If you have flock, just say Yes when it asked if you still want to install it. Actually it is written for Firefox, but I am using Flock and the WOT extension works greatly on Flock.

It will show you the symbols which is shown below on all links on the site, and even in search engines.

Screenshot of the WOT (you will see the symbols of WOT at the end of the link as well) :

If you are a Firefox or Flock user, you can download that extenion here.

Also, there is another extension similiar to WOT. You can use that extenion to protect your Internet and computer as you surf … One site is called SiteAdvisor by McAfee. It is nice, too. You can install the extension to appear icons of security and privacy in search engines only or just copy a url address of the site and paste the url address on that SiteAdvisor’s analysis page and it will give you the information on that site. However, with the extension, it does not show the icons on links on any sites like WOT does. That one will work on both Firefox and IE. I don’t know about Flock. It may work, too.

You can see the screeshots below:

I will add more security and privacy stuff… I have to find a few things first. You can try either or both. Enjoy surfing and stay safe!

Blogged with Flock

Gran Paradiso and Teahupo’o

As many of you know, Firefox 2.0 was launched 6 weeks ago … Firefox 2.0 is a nice browser, though it is not my default/favorite web browser. Flock is my favorite web browser. However, Firefox and Flock use the same Internet engine, Gecko. That engine is also used in other Mozilla browsers and Netscape. I like the way Firefox looks. It is glossy and sleek. Also it is clean.

Maybe not many of you know that, Firefox had been quietly working on 3.0 Alpha codenamed Minefield while they were working on Firefox 2.0 Alpha 1 and 2 codenamed Bono Echo. That tells me that Firefox has been extremely busy with both Alpha versions. Last Friday, Firefox just released the 3.0 Alpha 2 codenamed Gran Paradiso. It looks the same as Firefox 2.0, but they are working on new features such as:

• -Cairo is now being used as the default graphics library, affecting all graphic and text rendering
• -Cocoa Widgets are now used in OS X builds
• -An updated threading model
• -Changes to how DOM events are dispatched (see bug 234455)
• -Changes to how <object> elements are loaded (see bug 1156)
• -Changes to how web pages are painted
• -New SVG elements and filters, and improved SVG specification compliance

Maybe some of you probably wouldn’t understand what they are or what they mean. Neither would I, too. But it sounds like it is going to be much improved when it is released. About Firefox 3.0 Alpha 1: Gran Paradiso can be found here.

Firefox Past and Current codenamed Alphas:

1.0 Alpha 1 and 2: Deer Park

2.0 Alpha 1 and 2: Bono Echo

3.0 Alpha: Minefield

3.0 Alpha 1: Gran Paradiso

Based on Google.com search, I have seen that they already talk very little about Firefox 4.0, but there is no codename or information on it yet. I will keep an eye for it.

Oh, I should mention that Firefox 3.0 just passed the Acid2 test… I believe that Opera was the first that passed the test.

A bit off the point: I have noticed one surprising thing, while I was surfing, that Internet Explorer is already working on 8.0 Alpha codenamed Teahupo’o, which is a famous surfing beach in Tahiti. The 7.0 Alpha codename was Rincon, a famous surfing beach in Puerto Rico. It probably would be dubbed “IE Next” when it is released after Alpha testing. It has not been decided yet. The 7.0 version just was released probably last month or two. It was in beta, then Alpha, and lastly Release Candidate in total of over 20 months. Now 7.0 is finally released a month or two ago and ready for the update through Windows Update.

You can check the IE 8.0 mockup (fake). You know that MsOffice 2007 is being worked on, still in the beta. It looks very nice. It said it may look like like that in IE 8.0, too. We will know soon what is the plan for Microsoft’s next IE version.

Blogged with Flock

No Need to Click and Go Back and Forth…

You wonder what do I mean by that?

You know when you go to google.com, and type in the search engine, then it comes up the result, and you click each link, and when you are done with it, you go back to the google, right?

Now you dont have to do that with Cooliris or Browster.  What is Cooliris or Browster?

Simply put: it is an extension for quick viewing or browsing without clicking and going back and forth. Once you point the link, you dont need to click — it will pop up for a quick site preview and browsing. It is nice. I have used both a lot. Sometimes when I click each link and found not what I am looking for. I have to go back to the search result list. It is a hassle. But with Cooliris or Browster (depending on which browser you use), you dont have to go back and forth ever again. You can use on any site with links (most will support that). For google search, you can point the link to another and it will load every site you point in the preview box.

Cooliris – all you have to point the link, and wait for the preview box to pop up and loads.

Browster – you have two options: first, you probably will see a yellow lightning icon next to the link, point to that box, and it will open the preview box and loads. Another way is, when you point the link, you would see the same lightning icon popping up next to your mouse point icon, point to that and it will popup a box and loads. (see the figures under Browster image)

I use it for browsing too, especially on my blog because the link will load in the same page, or to a new tab/window. I am too lazy to close all tabs and windows. I am too lazy to go back to my blog again. Cooliris and Browster saves my time and I surf faster with them.

Cooliris supports for Safari, Firefox, Flock, and Internet Explorer. You may not see Flock anywhere on their site, dont worry, just click download Cooliris, it will take you to the right site for each browser. I am using Cooliris for Flock and Safari.

Browster only supports Internet Explorer and Firefox. I use them in Internet Explorer and Firefox.

Cooliris images on Flock:

Cooliris menu

from my blog’s blogroll links

from google

from google image:

Browster images on Firefox:

Browster menu

Browster lightning icon 1 – from google

Browster yellow box 2 –from my blog’s blogroll

from my blog’s blogroll links

from google

from google image

NOTE: You may notice both flock and firefox images have same browser look. I use Flock Template inspiration on Firefox. That is why both look alike.

You can get either Cooliris here or Browster here. I am telling you it is very useful. I recommend either of them. I prefer Cooliris though. Browster is not bad either.

Blogged with Flock

What is Greasemonkey?

It is a new word for you today: Greasemonkey

According to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greasemonkey:

Greasemonkey is a software implementation of a conceptcalled “Active Browsing”. It allows users of the Mozilla Firefox web browser to install user scripts which modify specific web pages. This web scripting was hither to reserved only for the authors of web sites. As the Greasemonkey scripts are persistent, the changes made to the webpages are permanent.

I am telling you Greasemonkey is a great extension, used only in Firefox and Flock. You can use Creammonkey for Safari. I have used Greasemonkey scripts for some sites. You would have to install Greasemonkey extension before you can install any scripts you find in the Internet. The installation can be found here. For Safari, it can be found here. No IE greasemonkey. It used to have one, but someone quits on that project, called GreasemonkIE.

You know, Google search engine looks plain and boring. White background. No style. Well, with Greasemonkey, you can change anything you want. However, you have to be good at writing scripts. I am not. I use scripts I found over the Internet.

Before Google without Greasemonkey:

After Google with Greasemonkey:

Is it cool? Something different! Nice… I have been using that Google new look. So refreshing. It is easy to install the script. You can install that script. It supports Firefox and Opera.I have a few greasemonkey scripts, most for Google… ie: Gmail. You know you don’t have to open the mail. You can click right button toward to the new or old mail messagel, and it will pop up the preview conversation, that is what Gmail likes to call. It is nice. The image of the preview conversation below:

I like this, why ? So I can search the email quickly without opening the mail. I don’t always want to read the whole e-mail. Just want to check it quickly. It is nice… you can install that script.

I am not sure if you know about the Lightbox javascript. It apparently is very popular in these days. It is good for building websites on your own and you can add those javascripts in your HTML. A few sites have used the Lightbox method. I cannot think of one yet… but I know Ridor of the Observe but Do Not Interfere used to have that script on his blog. I am not sure if he still uses it. There is a new Lightbox javascript 2.0, improved one; u can find it here.

When you click the image, and it will be shown in the front of the site you are on. First, it will show a loading icon, which means it is loading the image… then there will be aimage with a nice border and the rest is transparent black, like you can see the site through the transparent black. When you are done with viewing, you just click anywhere, and it will close and back to the site again.It is a very nice script. I plan to use on my webpage, when I build one. It also has Greasemonkey script, called Greased Lightbox. For a quick viewing of images before and after using Greasemonkey on my blog below:

before

after

Nice, huh? Yeah, it is… you can go to the site. Also, it has a mini video for you to watch in action.

I will add more greasemonkey scripts in the near future. There are many, many scripts that you can use to block ads, to pop up the photos, or to add new features that they should have. Greasemonkey will make your life easier. You can find scripts here.

Oh, you have to remember not all scripts will work… some will have bugs or errors, so don’t get too frustrated and thought maybe something is wrong with your Firefox or Greasemonkey script extension. It is not. It is the script itself. I have tried one or two that does not work right. If it does not work right, you can either remove it, or try to fix the script itself, if you know how to write one.

Enjoy it.

Blogged with Flock

The Great Evolution

You know today there is Web 2.0. What is Web 2.0? Well it is well best put by definition by wikipedia:

Web 2.0 is a term often applied to a perceived ongoing transition of the World Wide Web from a collection of websites to a full-fledged computing platform serving web applications to end users. Ultimately Web 2.0 services are expected to replace desktop computing applications for many purposes.

For example, Google is a Web 2.0 site. Google has Intergrated Chat in the E-mail. Google also has web application, ie: Writely and Spreadsheet. Blogging is a Web 2.0, too. Before they have personal site, like journal and dairy (more private). But blogging is more of public and sharing. More sites are sharing, like sharing calendars and documents to collerate.

Oh yes, RSS is one of the example of Web 2.0. For any of you who dont know what RSS means… It stands for Rich Site Summary or RDF (Resource Description Framework) Site Summary. It is written in XML. In other words, it is news feeds. Each site usually has RSS. That is the summary of the whole site with entries or articles. You can use RSS through email, blogging, online, or on the desktop using an application. I will list great RSS services you use to save your time than going to every site. RSS is a one place where you can read all sites. It is quick and easy.

Lastly, web instant messaging services, like Meebo or emessenger (or ebuddy) is one of them.

There is a few sites example that is Web 2.0, if you look the comparsion of Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.

Web 2.0 is a great thing. I use a lot of Web 2.0.

Now, Flock is a 2.0 Browser. Why is it 2.0? It has an intergrated social networking service, by a choice using Del.icio.us or Shadows, and photos, like Flickr or Photobucket, and blogging service (any blogger service). It also has a News Reader on the side. Soon, it will add YouTube intergration. Do any browser have done that? Not yet. It’s a new generation browser. It is useful.

Sure, Firefox is a great browser but not a 2.0 browser like Flock. Yes, Firefox has great extensions. Flock has them too. Flock and Firefox uses same engine and similiar type of extensions. But remember, Flock is very young (only a year old), while Firefox is about 5 years old. About. Flock will get there with great extensions like Firefox.

I found a great evolution of browsers over the years. i agree with this evolution!

Blogged with Flock

Did Alien Use Firefox?

I am a Firefox user; however, I am leaning to Flock right now because it has features that I used the most: blogging and photo and bookmark sharing. Flock uses Firefox engine. You can read my entries on Flock here, starting bottom to top. Right now, I am writing an entry in Flock’s blog post. It is really cool and easy. Flock will be going to be version 1.0. I hardly can wait! Firefox is still at 1.5.0.6. But it will release version 2.0 sometimes in October.

Anyway, back to here… Did Alien uses Firefox? It is a nice work!

You can click here to read more about this…

Blogged with Flock

Flock code-named Cardinal

Thanks to Will Pete Pate! He just informed me that Cardinal beta is being worked on and will be released sometimes this month. However, there redevelopers working on Cardinal continuously. You can get the Cardinal beta from the site so far what they have been working on. The Cardinal itself is version 0.7.0.10. The current version is 0.5.15. I will give you the link in a bit for a Cardinal download.

I did download the most current Cardinal download. It was nice, but it changes a bit around. I managed to find things what I am looking for, such as writing new entry, uploading photos, viewing photos and other things. I like the way now than before. It is more convenience and easy to navigate, to. I will compare what was before and what is now. You can find the download at http://tinderbox.flock.com/Cardinal/.

On 0.5.15, there was a drop-down menu with lists, such as Flock Faves, My Blogs, Photo Uploader, Photo Browser, Map and go on. You can see the image on the left. Ok, there is not there in 0.7.0.10. They move to the View menu. Open View menu, you will see 'Top Bar'. Just click it. You should Photo, Map, and Technorati listed there.

But there is another way you can avoid using drop-down menu by clicking the icons on the navigation bar. You would have to go to View menu to customize your Flock. Once you click View to drop-down the lists, you will see 'Toolbars' and click 'Customize.' You will see icons in there. You drag and drop anywhere on navigation bar. It is nice and easy. All I have to click an icon and it will pop up either on a new windows, or on a top bar. Both does still have a top bar, but just that they are organizating them differently.

In 0.5.15, Photo Uploader is on the top bar. You drag and drop images in that bar and upload. It is easy to use. In 0.7.0.10, it is nothing much change but not on top bar and has more options. The photo uploader button is on Photo bar, or Browser. You just click it, and it will pop up to a new window. You have two ways to do the upload. You can click 'Choose Photo', and start browsing to find images you want to upload. Or you can do 'drag and drop.' All you have to select an image you want to upload to your online photo account and then drag the image and drop in the specific area. Either way, you can drop as many images you want, as long as they are being selected.

What new options does Photo Uploader (see the image on the right and below) has in 0.7.0.10. Ahh, yeah, the uploader acts like a photo editor. When you put the image in the upload area, it allows you to crop, rotate, or revert anywhere you want before these are uploaded. It also will ask you if you want to re-size them, or remain the same size it is after you click upload. When you are done, you click 'UPLOAD.' It will start the process and post on either one Flickr or Photobucket account. It is nice. That what I did with this image above. I use the original image from May 19th's entry, Flock.

Writing a entry in a blog editor through Flock is no different, but the new one will open in a new window. It used to open to a new tab in the same window. I think the new way is much better. Formerly, it was in the top bar. When I want to save into the draft folder, it automatically saved and listed with the rest of published entries in 'My Blogs' on the top bar. At that time, I did not know it was saved on the C drive. That is why I was struggling to understand why it did not save on the wordpress account. In fact, the drafts I did in Flock never exist in my account. So I feel like I am stuck and could not take a entry file with me to anywhere to finish them. I felt I was limited with the access of draft entry. I may be dumbfound about it. But in the latter, when you save a draft, it will pop up a file browser tell you where you want to save the entry to. Suddenly, I realized that in the former, these drafts are saved in a specific directory on C drive somewhere. But at that time, it was not cleared to me. Now the latter got more clear and more organized. I am relieved to know that I can take the files on my USB flash drive and go, and then finish it somewhere. I have Flock at home, and at work. I like to have the access to my draft and published entries offline. When I am done typing or editing, I can just publish, or republish under the right entry.

All new or old entries are offline for writing and editing. i like it because I was writing an entry on wordpress.com on the Internet while I was researching something. I went back and forth (writing an entry and surfing on Internet). I was done with it, and ready to publish. Guess what? They interupt. It did not allow me to publish because they are doing a maintenance. I was like, oh, f***! I tried to save my entry, but it was all gone. I had to do it all over again. I am glad that the blog editor is OFFLINE! I hope they will keep that way.

Both has those options in 0.5.15. Not in 0.7.0.10. I hope they are continuing working on those. I know Cardinal has not finally released yet. They still have time.

The blog editor is great. You can write the entry in either WYSIWYG or html. There are two tabs on the bottom in blog editor. You can choose which one you prefer. One feature has not appeared in 0.7.0.10 is Photo icon. That icon allows you to add an url address if you are using other than photobucket.com, and it will tell you how do you want to align the image, such as left, right, or bottom and top. But with photo bar, or browser, it is easier. You simply drag and drop anywhere in the entry. It has a Link icon, but it does not have an option the target (it tells you how do you want to open the link, like opening to a new window or in the same window. Both have those features in the wordpress.com. I hope they will add those options in both, and add Photo Icon on the toolbar of the blog editor.

I often forget to select the category for the entry. When I am done with the entry in 0.5.15, there is a column on the right, where you can select. I forgot to do the part, just go ahead and publish it. When I check my entry on my blog, I was like, oh, shoot, I forgot select a category. I had to go back to make a selection rather than a default category, which is General. However, it does not work properly in 0.5.15. I was hoping that 0.7.0.10 will work with category better. Let me step back a bit, what impressed me about it is that when I am done with it and click 'Publish.' It does not publish formally and it quickly pop up and ask which category you want to put in. I was in awe. Remember what I said earlier. I was like, mmm. I like that. So I make the selection, then click 'Ok' and it is in process of publishing. After that, it takes me to my blog to view. It sure does make my life easier.

Update: Unfortunately, I did try the category part in blog editor does not work. When I made selection(s) for this entry, and then published. I went to the blogsite, and found out that it was default to General. That was not what I selected. I had to get on line on wordpress.com to correct the category.

Lastly, you can read the RSS in MyNews on the sidebar. That is the new feature on Flock. It did not have it in 0.5.15. It is nice. You can add as many as RSS you want. Blogs, News, Articles, and many more. I already have the RSS reader, using Netvibes. But I hope that they will able to add the feature to allow to use RSS services, like Netvibes, on Flock. It would be nice. They already have done photo sharing and bookmark sharing. I am sure they can do with RSS service, too. Hey, I know Flock is young, but they did a fabulous job so far! Kudos to the Flock team!

The Flock

I told you I would mention Flock. Here it is…

The Flock Web Browser is amazing; however, it is still in development. It uses Gecko engine. A Gecko engine usually used by Firefox, Mozilla, SeaMonkey, and Netscape. Actually, it was inspired by Firefox 1.5.0.3. Any time when Firefox upgrade the version, Flock will upgrade as well. Right now, Flock is 0.5.15.

What is special about Flock? I will tell you in a bit. I have been using Flock for a month now. I don’t have any major problems, just a few little bugs. I will tell you what they are…

Flock is different than any web browsers. Why? Because Flock is intergrated with blogging and photo and bookmark sharing. You can post an entry inside Flock (see Figure 1). I am still editing at the point, but you get the idea what I am doing now. It is easy. When you want to talk about something from Internet. Let’s say if you want to talk about one article you were interested in, you just open the blog like you see on the image on the left on the top. You will see the little box on the right where you can drag and drop from the site. It can be the text, link, or picture. All you have to is drag something you want off the site and you drop into that box, and then it will take you to a new entry and start blogging. It is really cool. I have done a few times.

Only two problem with posting/blogging is: draft and selecting category. When you save a draft, it will save in Flock, but if you are away from the computer you are using. For example, you work on an entry at work, and you saved the draft. And you want to finish it at home, it will not show up on Flock. Even it won’t show the draft on line at wordpress.com. It is best if you finish the entry if you are using the Flock. What I did when I want to save a draft, I copy and paste into wordpress.com account and save the draft there. Then you can work on it on line, but it won’t show on Flock. It can be pain in the ass, but I hope they will be working on this problem asap. It is fairly new. I mean it is only 0.5.15. Give them some time. Like I said, Flock is currently in a development.

Also one other problem: selecting a category or more in Flock posting entry. When I selected categories for this entry and published, and it automatically select ‘General.’ I had to go in wordpress account to select right category. But the rest is great.

Update: oh, one more thing about writing an entry on Flock: If you want to add a link to your entry, ‘copy and paste’ won’t work. You have to type the whole thing. That is another disadvantage about posting a new entry on Flock.

With Flock, you can upload your photos to Photo Uploader. You will sign either photobucket or flickr and it will be automatically log in everytime you open Flock. Also you can drag and drop your pictures in there from your computer. First you would have to save an image or picture to your computer from the Internet or camera. Then you open the Flock, and open Photo Uploader, and you select the image you want to upload simply by dragging and dropping. Then start upload them into your flickr or photobucket account. If you want to view them, open Photo Browser, and you will see your pictures there.

There is one more thing you can do with Flock: bookmark sharing. You can save the url two ways: bookmark urls on your computer or on online with either del.icio.us or Shadows. If you want to bookmark an url, you simply click the right button in Flock and it will pop up a mini menu. Then click ‘Star this page’, and then click ‘Share this favorite.’ Or you can do a very easy way by clicking a Star icon beside the url address box.

Well, there is more…there is another way of bookmarking. Actually it is more of quick bookmarks for later use; think of your notes. It is called the Shelf. You just drag and drop into Shelf from the site or from the url (have to highlight first before you can drag and drop). It is a nice feature. I use Shelf a lot for blogging use. I dont have to write the note down for that link which I will not use it again. You know bookmark is for repeat uses, but Shelf is different; however, you can use the Shelf as a repeat uses. Using a bookmark is a bit out of space because you have to click the Bookmark Icon on the top or open Favorite menu to click Manage your Favorites to view the bookmark while you just click the Shelf on the toolbar on the top under the url box.

It is not over yet… you can use the Map right here on Flock. You should see the menu on the toolbar above. You can find the Map listed there. You also will find Photo Uploader, Photo Browser, and Shelf. With Map feature, when you are surfing to find an address of the location, and you want to know where exactly it is on the map. All you have to do is highlight the address and drag then drop into Map box. It will bring you to the map for you to view. The map is by Yahoo.com. If you want direction, you would have to click to go to maps.yahoo.com from there.

Lastly, you know Technorati is very popular in these days. It is real-time search engine that keeps track of what is going on in the blogosphere. You can dag and drop to the little box on the top like the rest above… then it will pop up the list that you can check it out. It is nice. You can check what Technorati is all about: http://technorati.com/about/

Amazing, huh? Flock is a multi-tasker! It can do all in one place. I feel functional when I am on Flock. Flock has everything I need to keep me busy. Remember, Flock is still in development. I recommend you keep the existing web browser as a default, but you can use Flock on the side to fool around and play. I don’t have any problems but only two through blogging. That is it. I am very impressed with the Flock. Keep up with work, the Flock team!