racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

I’ve been a loyal Google Chrome browser since it came out with the first public Beta. I’ve been using Chrome on all my Windows computers since. I like the simplicity, speed, and now the availability of plugins. I like the small footprint, and the fact that each window or tab is its own process. In short, it just works. I know there are limitations, but it seems that Chrome has started becoming more mature in many respects.

Recently, Google announced that Flash support is now built-in with the latest stable release. I guess this is necessary, because Google applications mostly work on Flash and dynamic HTML.

What browser are you using, and why? Are you one of those persons who can use just about any browser you find on a computer? Or do you need to use your preferred browser to be productive?

I’ve always wondered what those air ionizers do to your car cabin’s air. I read these were supposed to rid your auto of bad smells, like smog, smoke, even foodstuffs. I got a few items fro BudgetGadgets.com a few weeks back, and this air purifier refresher was one of them. I got it for about $8, and shipping was free.

I’m still trying to figure out what an ionizer is expected to do. So far, I do think that the car has retained its “new car” smell even after almost ten months of use. Any inputs on this?

If you’re a writer, then one of the best tools you can have is a netbook. With a netbook, you have the ability to write anywhere you want – whenever a creative thought pops into your mind. The netbook market has recently exploded, and there are now dozens of models to choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the best netbooks for the mobile writer. ......

When I bought my Compaq B1200 about two years ago, I got an OEM copy of Windows Vista Home Premium with it. I knew Vista had bad reviews, especially with its huge system requirements and bloat. But my notebook could handle it, I thought. On my netbooks, I ran Windows XP (I even got a free downgrade from a Vista Business to XP Home from HP).

When Windows 7 had a free beta release, I didn’t bother to try it out. I thought I would only be troubling myself with having to install and reinstall, and un-install the software when the beta expired. Looking back, I think I should have taken my chances. I could only imagine how much productivity I lost due to a clunky XP or slow Vista interface.

Now I’ve upgraded all of my Windows-based computers to Windows 7, including my main workhorse (the B1200), an Asus EeePC 900 and my four-year-old Compaq V2617 I’m really beginning to appreciate Windows 7. It’s quick. It’s lightweight. It’s easy to install. It also has a markedly improved interface.

Still, being able to compare Vista with 7 makes one better appreciate the improvements, especially with the performance. The new way the taskbar shows applications can save time and clicks. Also, I particularly like how you can tweak application settings for compatibility with older Windows versions. This can be useful if your computer doesn’t have Windows 7-specific drivers, but you have drivers for XP or Vista.

Most comparisons and reviews would agree that Windows 7 performs better than Vista and XP in most instances. It’s what Windows 7 should have been, they say. Suddenly, I feel silly for having purchased Vista. MS should’ve had offered a free or cheaper upgrade program for Vista users.

At any rate, if you’re buying a new computer sometime soon, go for Windows 7. If you have an older computer (with at least 1 GB RAM and 8 GB of hard drive space) then it’s probably worth the upgrade.

I’m selling a few of my blogs and domains. I intended to run a small blog network from these, but often find myself too busy to manage the extra load. Most of the domains have WordPress running, and most have about two years’ worth of original content. Email me your best offers.

• newgreenthoughts.com – Blog on environmentalism


• greenliter.com – Blog on hypermiling and green motoring


• yourhealth1st.com – Blog on health


• startripping.com – Blog on entertainment and showbiz


• parentingthoughts.com – Blog on parenting


• maritalblitz.com – Blog on married life


• theproductivemind.com – Blog on productivity. I plan to use this domain for a new venture, so it has a relatively high reserve price (compared to the rest). But please feel free to make offers if interested.


• techspottr.com – Blog on gadgets and technology


• hypertensioninfo.net – Blog on hypertension


• koobten.com – Blog on netbooks and portable devices (“koobten” is the reverse of “netbook”) SOLD


• bigidealist.com – I was planning to set up a web app for a task list or an idea list. The domain can also mean “big idealist.”

These ones are theme-related domains. I originally intended for these to feature a WordPress theme that a colleague and I were planning to build. However, we were both quite busy at that time. These domains can also be used for reviewing WP themes using affiliate links.

• switchthemes.com


• themefortress.com


• wedothemes.com