A Jolicloud Review

A few people have asked about Jolicloud and what I think about it, so here's a review. First, i was going to use ScreenToaster to record the review and show you around. But that presents one of the problems I had. Now, it should be said that Jolicloud is in the alpha stage, which means it has a long way to go. The beta stage is when things begin to really get distributed. I think it has a lot of potential.

Back to ScreenToaster, which allows you to record and capture video from your desktop to post and share online, runs on javascript. I never could get js to work or function. From what I can tell (and my knowledge of linux is minimal), it is not supported at this point.

I also ran into a problem with Adobe Air. Not Air itself, but uninstalling applications that run on the Air platform. Most applications within Jolicloud allow you to right click and select remove. But not the Air applications. I was specifically trying out the eBay app. I did find a way to remove the icon, but i really doubt that it removed the app. Again, this may be a issue with my limited knowledge of linux, but when i posted the question in their forums, I never receive and answer detailing how to do this.

The other issue that bothered me was the way some of the web based applications worked. They appear to be built upon a browser, but lack full browser capabilities. I frequently have multiple browser tabs open at once and go back and forth between them. For instance in facebook, rather than clicking and trying to find my way back to the same place in the newsfeed, I open everything inside another tab. At the time, this is not possible in the facebook ap or other web based apps. Of course you can use Firefox or Chrome to have the full featured browser, but then negates the purpose of the app.

The final problem I ran into was with Hulu. In Jolicloud, it seems to run slow for some odd reason. When i boot into XP Hulu runs fine and smooth, but in Jolicloud it is choppy and frequently stops to buffer.

Now, for the good. Jolicloud boots quickly. Without a doubt, it is fast on the load time which I appreciate on a netbook. Less boot time gives me more time to use my netbook. That means I am getting more time actually using it which is important.

I like the way you can install apps. Makes it simple for a newbie to linux to get up and running and have the things they need. Thunderbird for email, two browser options, Open Office for all your document needs, Songbird, Boxee, VLC Media Player and a few others all run natively. It is easy to get up and running with some good solutions to access all that you keep in the cloud.

I wouldn't suggest it for someone who is unsure, but if want to see what will be coming in the future for netbooks, this will give you a good look. I think they are onto something good and I will likely give it another shot once it makes it into beta or a final release. For now I will continue running XP for my main OS and may install Win7 in Joliclouds place.

what they play

one of the ongoing questions i get in youth ministry is what do i think about "X" video game? is it safe? is it appropriate? i am glad to see that a web site has been developed to help parents figure out what the ESRB ratings mean, what certain warnings have been given to the game, and what the actual reference is. it appears as though this will be a great tool for parents to use when buying new games.

the site is whattheyplay.com. it distinguishes itself by having writers who have played through the game to explain exactly why a rating has been given. for instance cooking mama 2, for the DS, has an alcohol warning because she refers to cooking with it.

this is a great reference for parents who are looking to purchase a new video game but are unsure what is appropriate.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

i have now finished book 7 in the series. first let me say this is greatest set of books i have read. i haven't read many novels, but this was amazing! i began with the first book in june and finished the final chapter this week.

prior to beginning the i made a couple of predictions. 2 came out right and the one completely wrong. i did share these with others before i started reading the book.

SPOILER ALERT! as if you haven't read this book yet.

the first was that harry potter would have to sacrifice himself to die for others to live. TRUE. this was easy to guess. i had heard that j.k. rowling was religious and the themes in the book illustrated her beliefs. the only magic harry knew the voldemort didn't was love. the greatest love is this, that one would lay down his life for another. it had already happened with his mom and now it was his turn. while he was resurrected, he died to save others. his heart was full of sacrifice.

number 2. severus snape was good and killing dumbledore was a part of the plan. TRUE. i wasn't sure of the details, but i knew it had to be true. dumbledore trusted snape and we as the reader were supposed to, too, even if we didn't know what was happening. i just felt like there had to be a reason. he wouldn't just kill dumbledore. however, it is our nature to see the worst in things and not the good. a friend who was reading this at the same time, told me i was crazy for thinking this.

finally, number 3. dumbledore would come back to life. FALSE. i just knew he would return. he couldn't be gone that easily. now, at the end of the series his death didn't seem to abrupt. we did see him in the picture frame and harry talked with him while he was dead. but, dumbledore did not come back to life like i thought he might.

3:10 to yuma starring dallas roberts, reviewed

just went an watched 3:10 to yuma. we decided to go see this film while watching the preview. about half way through i realized, "oh my gosh, that's dallas roberts!" my wife said, "who?" "dallas," i said. now don't get me wrong, i have not seen or talked to dallas for about 16 years, since my sister's wedding i guess. hmm... when i was just a young tyke our families were great friends while we lived in sarasota and they have kept in touch regularly since. in fact, my father still keeps in touch with his father on a regular basis.

he and my sister were the same age. when i was in jr high and high school i skated for about eight years. i fondly remember my first ride on a skateboard was down the hill in front of the robert's home. dallas' brother had a skateboard and showed me how to ride it, while we were visiting.

anyways, dallas, if you ever see this - excellent film and excellent work! this truly was a great western film. both russell crowe and christian bale gave great performances. this reminded me of older westerns exploring the inner good of a man. go see this film.

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