CleverTexting is a new texting technology that predicts letters as you type, but unlike it's predecessors, it is based on the statistical nature of a language therefore, it does not require a dictionary. That means that the download is compact, and it implemented, it takes up very little space. It's also easy to install on any phone that supports java. CleverTexting provides a smoother, seamless typing experience using dynamic key assignment so users can experience faster typing, no interventions, no multitaps, and no mode changes. I am told they are currently developing a touch-screen version, due to be released soon. The software is absolutely free to use and distribute, so check it out...



...and another cool little tidbit, the awesome artwork included in the app is mine, with permission.



By the way, you may want to go check out http://www.butterscotch.com/ces for daily coverage of the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas!

Those of you who are close friends and family have heard me mention the video tutorials I've been doing lately for the top-secret project Tucows would be launching. Well, today is the big day! I'm proud to announce the public beta launch of the tech-tasty, download-delicious, butteriffic butterscotch!

butterscotch.com is an exciting new technology video content site aimed at technology enthusiasts. Think HGTV meets TechTV for people that love technology, but don't consider themselves geeks. The site will incorporate the Tucows.com file library, bringing in its 10 million unique monthly visitors to the new brand.

butterscotch also offers step-by-step video tutorials, and that's where I come in. Our tutorials offer computer tips and tricks explained in plain English, without all the jargon, so they are easy to follow along with. Short, sweet and to the point, we offer practical advice you can start using right away to save time, money and headaches. Our goal is to help you get the most out of your computer and gadgets.

So check it out and let me know what you think! Remember, it's still in beta; I hear word of official launch after the new year. We'll be adding much more content in the weeks ahead, so stay tuned!

Get the download from Mozilla Labs

If you've ever had the need to recover data from a hard drive thanks to malicious trojans, worms or a bad device error, you already know that sick feeling that washes over you when it suddenly hits you — it being the possible loss of all that data — and when it hits you, it's enough to throw you into a panic. It's the stuff you love, the stuff you want and need. It's your music, your family's important documents, private information or photos. It's that project you've spent a week completing and it's due tomorrow. I've been there. I think we all have at one time or another and if you haven't, knock on wood, because it truly sucks.

Better yet, just chill out. There's an easy resolution that doesn't require counting on your lucky stars, devoutly making backups, not even pre-installation.   more »

Sprout is an amazingly customizable and free widget creator. This one was super easy to make and publish on iGoogle. I was curious if it would actually show up in a blog post. This is just a test.

Update: It looks like it has lost the thumbnails for the second and third pages, though they are all there on the first. Overall, I'd say it's a pretty powerful tool. Make them any size using one of their templates or from scratch. You can even add music and video! At any rate, it's a quick and easy way for any type of business to set up their own little custom widget cuz widgets are teh shiznat. You know you want one of your very own. I want to make like a gajillion of them.

Click on the little "share" button in the lower-right corner to see a list of sites Sprout widgets are compatible with.

Love software? Vote for your favorite programs!

Your vote matters!

On this, the 4th of April in the year 2008, I vow to you, my readers, that I will never post a "review" in exchange for payment. I will never fake enthusiasm nor accept advertising links from sites or products I do not stand behind. My integrity as a writer and the authenticity of this blog will not be compromised for a price. It should go without saying, but I'll also add that as long as I work for Tucows.com, any software review I write is (and has always been) of my own free accord, containing my own views. I have always been willing to risk my full-time position with Tucows by standing up for what I believed to be just and fair to the developers and visitors who actively seek our expert opinions. It's plain and simple, Tucows employees are not allowed to accept gifts or payment in exchange for a good review because it's downright unethical.

Because of sites like PayPerPost, Payu2blog, and Blogging Ads, it's getting increasingly more difficult to differentiate an honest review of a product or service from the masses of advertisements disguised as actual content. You've probably heard the buzz before, but I feel compelled to rant about this because it truly disgusts me that so many people are willing to compromise their reputation as a trustworthy source and for such a small payout!

Read the full story --->   more »

I just set up a couple of new galleries while I was reviewing Image Compressor 2008 for Tucows. Turns out, it's a fun but powerful software that does more than just compress images. It also has a photo editor that can import Photoshop filters and it's web album creation tool can recognize templates for Picasa. I found some really cool free ones over at Paul van Roekel's site that were super easy to implement and use.

The article I've written about Image Compressor went live over at Tucows on Friday.

And check out my new totally stellar interactive showcase galleries by clicking on the images below!

Fractal Showcase


Traditional Showcase

Remember back in the post about SIC when I mentioned that the folks over at Me.dium were working on something really cool but I was sworn to secrecy? Well, it's finally the official launch day, so now I get to tell you all about it!    more »

Got back from my trip to Denver a few days ago and have just now found the time to sit down and blog about it! Tucows was a sponsor at the Software Industry Conference which was held at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center in Denver, CO again this year so I flew in to represent. It was nice to be able to meet so many like-minded geeks who share my interest in computers and software! I attended last year too, so I noticed many familiar faces but lots of new ones too. I admit, I'm bad with names. Thank the gods they made us all wear our names around our neck on our passes or I'd have never kept them all straight!

Hear all about it and see teh rockin pics! Clickity click --->   more »

These links are last week's news, but they are good interesting stories so check them out... Microsoft takes on the free world and 101 patents Microsoft may infringe.

MS needs to start making some serious changes in the way that they build, promote, sell, and update their software. Maybe it's time to reconstruct our IP laws in this country. That's all I'm going to say about that, though. I'd much rather discuss the crazy look on Steve Ballmer's face in the CNN article. It's like he's saying "Yo yo yo! They be stealin our codes!" Maybe we should have a contest to see who can come up with the best quote for that pic. What you got? Sock it to me!

P.S. I am a self-proclaimed master of blurb blogging. Heh. My new sniglet... Blurgging: the act of blogging many short articles, usually less than a paragraph of text, and usually void of much feedback, input or thought provoking anecdotes from the author regarding the subject or collection of data presented.

I'm going to have to make a tagline.

Hey everyone! This is just a reminder for those of you who have registered to vote for the SIAF People's Choice Awards (either this year or in years past) that voting is currently taking place throughout the month of May. The voting for these awards is hosted each year by some of the largest sites on the Internet, including CNET, Simtel, Tucows, PC World, and others.

If you haven't registered yet, all you need is a name and an email address. Just follow this link.

You know how difficult it was to narrow it down to 7?

BTW, Doc Rocks!

There is a word that describes my passion for all things WWW… it starts with a “J” and ends with “unkie”. My work and my hobbies require that I spend a lot of time online so I’m always finding interesting sites and fun stuff I’d like to share with my readers, friends and family. It started with an email here, an email there, then the development of this blog, followed by a number of different social networking sites, including StumbleUpon, which quickly became my favorite way of sharing my finds with an audience.

Not too long ago, a StumbleUpon user asked me if there was a way that he could see the sites I was visiting in real time. I thought that sounded like a great idea, but currently, StumbleUpon does not have a feature that will allow users to track their friends while they gallivant from place to place around the Web.

Then Me.dium came upon the scene and redefined the concept of social networking completely. It’s a sidebar plugin for Firefox that reveals the online activities of people who are browsing at the same time you are. Click--->   more »

I had loads of fun with this site that lets you create faces using a number of presets that you can customize by altering their placement, size, opacity, etc. You can even see some of the faces others have created and saved. Check it out...Ultimate Flash Face