Gidley Gossipings

31 Oct, 2004

I was quite amazed at how bad the free software was that came with our Sony digital camera. The camera itself is great, easy to use - but the software it had was non-existant.

Oddly enough I have a Vaio desktop and this came with a different piece of Sony picture software that was just about useable - so I have been using that. Last week - after a rather unfortunate problem that led to me reinstalling windows - I tried Picasa which has recently been bought by Google. This freeby is far superiour to almost any photo album software I have seen. It is easy to use, works with my Camera and it not a pain if I want to edit using other programs. In short it just works.

22 Oct, 2004

I have been using Prevx home on my PC for the last few weeks after someone at work recommended it. It is designed as a intrusion prevention system that does not need signatures or updates.

It works as advertised in that it looks for changes on the PC (e.g. change any .exe file in Program Files), stops them, and allows the user to veto them. However this behaviour is very annoying. It issues alert on such a regular basis that most people will simply allow them - as it is too annoying. The other problem is the messages give no idea of their severity.

In short although it is a nice toy for those who want to know exactly what their PC is doing - it is no good for a novice user who would simply get bored of it.

20 Oct, 2004

The BCS awards were last night at the Hilton in Park Lane. Although I didn't win in my category (Applications - Developer of the Year). I did get a nice medal and it was an enjoyable event. The anite contingent didn't win anything - but I am sure they all had fun.
The winners are listed at http://www.bcs.org/BCS/Awards/Awards/Professional/winners/

16 Oct, 2004

I have been using GMail for about a month and am amazed - it is really good. I can find all my emails again.

Now then they go and release Google Desktop - which add the ability to search my hard disk and local outlook files - which is even better!

I know a lot of people (e.g. slashdot or the Register) seem to think the searching capability are evil - in my opinion this is rubbish. All google are doing is supplying things other web mail providers (e.g. hotmail) and other people (e.g. the search in windows or Autonomy desktop agent) have tried to do for years - except theirs works! I am quite impressed about how well they seem to have thought out the security aspects. It does seems to be mostly secure.

Well I suspect time will tell - but I think these are going to catch on big time!

04 Oct, 2004

Once again I am amazed at the 'scam' that directline seem to insist on running for their renewals. I have been them for both Home and Motor for a number of years and every year they send a renewal that costs way more that a new policy with exactly the same details.

So the ritual of renewing comes round again. All I have to do is
1 - Get a quote off their web site for the same thing (this time only 25% less than the renewal)
2 - Ring up the sales team and point out the difference
3 - Get told it is impossible, I have made a mistake, it is a discount of some sort - but they are normally very vague as to what
4 - Get told it is someone else's job
5 - Be put on hold for 20 minutes
6 - Get told 'The policy has changed today and you can have it for the lower price'.

Amazingly I then end up with exactly what I wanted my insurance at a sensible price!

Oddly enough conversations like this (the excuse at 6 varies) have happened every time I renew my insurance. You would think Watchdog or Which would harress them into fixing this