#191 - Tablet PC for the rest of us?

The Motorola XOOM is scheduled to be released very soon. (XOOM SOON was tempting to put in type!) The Xoom is an iPad like tablet PC that runs the new Google Android 3.0 operating system. That means it runs all the Android aps that exist and can surf the Internet totally. It has the latest version of Adobe Flash player that is used by many Internet sites. That is a big deal because the iPad does not support Adobe Flash.

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The Xoom boast the best specifications in a tablet PC. It also may boast the highest price. Verizon will be the lead seller of the Xoom, but probably won't be the exclusive sales company for long.

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It has a dazzling 10.1" 1280x800 screen that is VERY easy to view. It has a 5 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash and a 2 megapixel forward facing camera to allow for video conferencing. There is 32GB of built in memory and an sd slot for more memory. Its processor is a dual core 1GHz that allows for multitasking. It will initially work on Verizons 3G network but will be able to use their 4G network without a major modification.

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I think tablets are the direction that PCs are going. These truly are PERSONAL computers. They are large enough to be able to see the Internet, yet small enough to take everywhere. Will the best tablet be the Xoom? I'm not getting on board till I get one in hand and see how it handles real world (read Covington) networking. Also the price may be a deal breaker. Watch your local newspaper for ads and reviews!

#190 - Playing safe on Facebook

Facebook members just passed the 500,000,000 mark. That's a lot of Friends! If you have joined or are considering joining Facebook here are my guidelines to keeping yourself safe and enjoying your friends.



1. Keep your Profile to the minimum information. Your Profile is seen by EVERYONE on Facebook. No phone numbers and I'd even tell you to be careful with your email address. I use an email address I don't use much . You can get a free email address (Yahoo or Gmail) to put there when you register.



2. Set your privacy settings to Friends Only for EVERYTHING. Click on Account from your Facebook home page then Privacy Settings. Choices are Everyone, Friends of Friends and Friends Only.

3. Protect your information from the people that post Ads on Facebook. Click on Accounts then Account Settings and the Facebook Ads tab. Make sure No One is in the box and Save.

4. Be careful what pictures you post. Its obvious but Don't post pictures that put you or someone else with at risk behaviour. If you get posted and tagged in a picture you don't like, first untag your picture (untag button below the picture), then ask whoever posted it to delete it.

5. I don't recommend joining any games. They get your information and they USE it. That's why the games are free. They get your info. Nuff Said.

6. Disable Facebook Apps. Again the apps can access your profile and more. To do this click on Account and Privacy Settings. Below Apps and Websites click on Edit your Settings, Click on Turn off all Platform Apps.

7. Post cautiously. Letting people know when you are away from home isn't the wisest move. Letting people know you are looking for a job while still empolyed also isn't wise. Posting during work when your post is TIME STAMPED is also a bit silly.

8. Friend ONLY people you know well. Friends of Friends should not cut your friends list. There is no prize for having the most friends.