Quest for a cool Start Page

Many people have a Google Start Page (aka iGoogle). I think it looks kinda boring.

I tried Protopage, but found the windows can get too cluttered. I like how most of these types of sites organize things into columns. Protopage's free-form layout is a cool novelty but it wears off. Free form windows don't work on the desktop either. I wish Microsoft would figure that out.

I currently have a home page on Yahoo. But after trying out Netvibes, I think I've found what I've been looking for. It has a solid, clean layout. Stylish design (but not overdone). And it has lots of cool widgets.

Ubuntu 7.04 - Time to switch?

Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) arrived just a few days ago with promises of better hardware compatibility, included proprietary software and drivers, and more user friendliness. Was it worth the wait?

read more | digg story

Vista is here... now what?

AnandTech has an excellent article on Windows Vista. If you're looking at buying a new computer (Mac or PC) or thinking about upgrading, read it.

The bottom line: If you buy a new PC, you pretty much don't have a choice (unless you buy a Mac). But for upgrading, better wait for SP1 and video driver updates.

Other points:

• Vista needs at least 1GB of RAM to function smoothly, but 2-4 if you want to run more than one application at the same time.
• Vista uses memory better than XP, so 3-4 GB actually makes a difference.
  
• Vista's file system caches applications you use most in memory, so they launch faster.
• A new video driver architecture was created, which means all the graphic card companies are basically starting from scratch. Performance and compatibility are average, but will get better.
• The Aero interface is pretty but not practical. Contrast that with Mac OS, which merges both beautifully.
• The default user account isn't a full Administrator level, and there are more security safeguards. However you can simply disable all that and be just as unsecure as XP.
• The included apps like Windows Mail, Calendar, etc. are just as lame as they've always been.