» reviews

I know and I will admit that I am a complete and total nut some days but hey you get what you pay for right? But when I got something that is so evidently crappy, I’ve got to put it out there. So here is Auctionbytes blog today, I find it odd that they would romance the hell out of eFashion Solutions (the eBay Fashion Vault guys) with a lovy-dovy kissy face article just one week after I show how shoddy there service was on eBay in this video/article.

So I got to pull out the "keep it real" card on Auction"BITES" for such a load o’ crap story, this one gets the "gas face"!!! Yo, is this an advertisement or a story? It sure looks like a long form infomercial to me?!?

Given the fact that we just blew the lid off last week about these guys and their horrible customer fulfillment practice. Feels like this was a GIANT slap in the face to the ecommece folks that read the Auctionbytes blog. Again, fair is fair.so I will give them just a ticket and won’t revoke their pass completely. Next time, hopefully they will at least do some back end homework/research before opening up so wide for such piss-poor DSR (shipping is rated at 4.3) supplier, jeesh.

What is it?

LastPass is a free, feature-rich password manager and Web form filler. It has almost every software feature found in any competitor, plus some unique features of its own. Numerous mobility options mean you can use it wherever you are.

How does it work?

LastPass puts all of your individual passwords behind one master password. When you type in that master password, LastPass can then automatically log you in to any web site you visit with saved login credentials. Even better, LastPass syncs passwords over the internet, so all your saved passwords on your work computer, for example, will always be synced up on your home computer.

How much does it cost?

This product as reviewed is FREE to individual users. There are some more features you can get with a paid version as well.

Is LastPass safe?

That is the magic question on everyone’s mind when you think about saving passwords to an internet based system. So here is the answers we got from the security page on the website from the developers themselves.

1. All sensitive data is encrypted locally
All encryption/decryption occurs on your computer, not on our servers. This means that your sensitive data does not travel over the Internet and it never touches our servers, only the encrypted data does.

2. We use Strong Encryption
We use the same encryption algorithm that the US Government uses for Top Secret data. Your encrypted data is meaningless to us and to everyone else without the decryption key.

3. Only you know the key to decrypt your data
Your encryption key is created from your email address and password. Your password is never sent to LastPass (only a one way hash of your password when authenticating), so the components that make up your key remain local. This is why it is so important to not forget your LastPass password, we do not know it and without it, your encrypted data is meaningless.

4. We allow you to use unique, strong passwords
No more using the same password for all of your sites. No more writing down passwords on little pieces of paper. We encourage our users to use our password generator to create strong passwords for each site. With LastPass, you will be safer online than ever before.

5. No more using your browser’s insecure password manager
Were you surprised at how easy we retrieved all of your passwords from your browser when you installed our software using the LastPass application? Unfortunately, any malicious application can easily do the same. With LastPass, this will no longer be possible.

ColderICE Comments

I have been using some form of online password software for several years now, my very first encounter with these products was started with other products. I have used 3 different ones prior to being introduced to LastPass. While you can get password saved in your installed browser, LastPass goes way being local use. It is a cloud application that allows access from virtually any computer.

I began using LastPass exclusively in December of 2009 and now it is the ONLY one I use. We have also made this the enterprise solution for our workers that can share some of the information needed for access to sensitive online data storage access and multiple site logins. I can give them access to the single sign-on for LastPass while changing individual site passwords at will and without notification to downstream users. This helps to enhance my security without compromising the need for protected passwords.

Also being able to do form fills on the fly from all PC’s and Mac’s in our networks without any need to carry the cards from place to place lets me keep the physical cards out of the wallet, potentially reducing the risk or lost or stolen cards from a lost wallet.

So, while I am more comfortable than most with the security issues of online data storage, I would still HIGHLY recommend this product to newbies. It is easy to set up, has alot of support and can be upgraded to phone use/mobile devices for pennies a day. The functionality is robust and it just WORKS!

ColderICE Rating

4.5 cubes (Excellent)

Where can you get it?

After starting up my new venture and getting serious about its growth, I decided to attend the eCommerce Summit in Vegas. So, I just came back from my first convention and it was an awesome networking experience.  Being a first timer I did a lot of people watching while I was there. Everyone was interacting and “working the room”, but what really stuck with me are the ones that really seemed to connect. Those were the people who were simply keeping it real.

A lot of these people had known each other from other conferences or they had done business together, but the conversations that seemed the most engaging were the ones who seemed sincere. There were definitely some personality types in those rooms.  But unless there was some substance behind the personality it was always a quick hello and me moving on.

• You had the glory hounds who tried to be a part of everything everywhere. You know the type, the ones that have the big sign on them – Look at me, I have arrived…Zzzzzzz weak link, moving on.
• Then you had the lone competitor, the type that viewed everyone as a business rival, they needed to say how big they were and what they had accomplished…Zzzzzzz weak link, moving on.
• You had the “turtles” who stayed to themselves mostly. They were fairly shy and often need to be coached out of their shell.
• You had the humble rock stars…The ones that owned the room not by what they say or did but just by virtue of who they are.
• Then we had the chameleons that changed their personality depending on who they were talking to. They are sort of like the city of Vegas, anything to anybody.
• And finally the clingers who are great for the ego boost, but usually are just giving insincere flattery. They will follow you around in the hopes of building their reputations simply by being seen with you….Zzzzzzz weak link, moving on.

Just by watching all these people you could tell who was comfortable in their own skin and were enjoying themselves and who were the “weakest link”.  The most fascinating thing I discovered was, those that had substance and were comfortable with themselves were the ones that made the most out of every opportunity provided them. Regardless of how “important” they were in the real world they made everyone feel like an equal.

When talking with them you did not feel like they were working the room or lauding their accomplishments over you.  They seemed to generally enjoy meeting you and spending the time talking to you.  It was not about what can I get from you but what can I do for you. You can work a room and meet people without those people feeling like they have been worked.

I learned very quickly that the more you stay true to yourself, the more likely you were to have an truly enjoyable conversation with others. Also the more likely you were to create a connection that will last. Some one asked me at the end of the conference who did I want to start building relationships with and who did I want to cement relationships with?  Those were easy questions to answer.  I want to be involved with people that are real, have some substance and know who they are and what they are about.

The bigger questions is what connections were better to walk away from? That is the harder one to follow up on sometime. Ask yourself, which contact would never grow? Whom should you jettison and just not revisit or follow up, knowing that a connection has to have some roots (depth) for anything to thrive. We all have our strengths and weaknesses but most of the time allowing both to show is your best bet.  Overcompensating for a weakness can turn it from a weakness to a character flaw which will cause people to turn away and become an opportunity lost. Be true to yourself and you will make connections that can last a life time.

Ok the reviews are all in and the iPad has impressed us all when it was finally unveiled by Apple CEO Steve Jobs on January 27th. All the hype finally came to an end when Mr. Jobs gave a run down of all the great features the iPad has to offer its users. I was just as impressed with many of the specs of this long awaited device.  I have read many reviews that were Good, Bad and even down right Ugly when it comes to the iPad, so here is my take on those reviews.

The iGood
iPad reviewed by Ben Parr of Mashable.
Apple iPad: A Comprehensive Guide

This review is the most comprehensive of the reviews I read. It is very detailed and well thought out. Ben does a great job of first giving an overview of the iPad by showing the introduction video that is also featured on the Apple website.  Ben goes on by breaking down all the specifications of the iPad. He then gives you the pricing, the availability, the closest competitors to the iPad and then finally what the iPad lacks.

Please click here to see Ben’s full review of the iPad.

The iBad
iPad reviewed by Bianca Bosker of The Huffington Post.
Apple iPad Review (PHOTOS): 9 Worst Things About The Apple Tablet

This review gives you a breakdown of all the things that are not so good about the iPad. I like this review because it uses pictures to tell the story of why you may want to think twice before you run out and pre order the iPad. It starts with the fact that Apple chose to name their new device iPad instead of one of the rumored names like  iTablet or iSlate. This review then goes on to criticize all of the many things wrong with the iPad that include the lack of mutitasking, a camera, flash capability and a USB port just to name of few. I thought this review was very creative in bringing more attention to the weaknesses of the iPad.

Please click here to see Bianca’s full review of the iPad.

The iUgly
iPad reviewed by Michael Arrington of TechCrunch.
iPad v. A Rock

This was the funniest review and the most harsh, hence “The iUgly” term used.  Michael goes so far as to compare the iPad to an actual Rock.  Even though this review makes fun of all the things the iPad does not do, it gives  you a cut and dry understanding of why we should not have played into all the hype.  And get this, the  rock almost wins in this side by side comparison.

Click here to see the full story.

The Verdict

When first hearing about and then seeing all the cool stuff the iPad could do I was convinced this device would be the first Apple product I would choose to own. Unfortunately after then hearing about all the things the iPad could not do, I am going to give it a PASS for the wish list this Christmas. Their were a couple of deal breakers but the ones that sealed it were the lack of USB and SD ports on the device without an adapter or docking station, the lack of multitasking and the lack of compatibility with the T-mobile 3G network. I just signed up for T-mobile and even though the iPad is sold unlocked it will not connect to my cell phone carrier. I guess I will have to wait for the iPad II or see what the HP Slate has to offer when it debuts some time this year.

Will you, get an Apple iPad?

If so please let us know why.

All the best

JB

Jeffrey Alexander Brathwaite, aka “JB”

Internet Strategist, Speaker and Trainer
404-287-0848 Office
Jeff[at]2thenextlevel[dot]com

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/jbrath

The organizers of a brand new event in Atlanta went all out to put on a high caliber show for the technology community around social media and social marketing. The New Media Atlanta event was billed as:

The New Media Atlanta conference is a high level, business dialog about how social media is changing marketing and messaging – and in fact, changing the nature of all communications.   We’ll talk about strategies to leverage its power to build your company, product, brand, service, etc.

You’ll have an opportunity to ask your burning questions of the speaker panel and get real answers.

The opening speech by the organizers detailed a vision to make New Media Atlanta a yearly event on caliber with South by Southwest (SXSW). That is one grand order for sure! That is really like wanting your garage band to be U2?!? Ambition is a good thing, but flash can not make over substance and there was not as much substance as SXSW. Personally, I would not ever compared this show to SXSW were it not for the mention of it by the organizers.

Having said that, the even staff was GREAT, the venue was superb and overall the day was well organized and the presentations kept on time for the most part. Chris Brogan was the highlight for the event and he did not miss a beat! Once Chris took the state the crowd settled in for some particular strategies and approaches for social media.

The highs were the keynote by Chris Brogan, the small business presentation by Jonathan Baker of Monday Night Brewing was outstanding and a panel session with executives from Rubbermaid, Turner TNT, and Coke was VERY informative on strategy, ROI and techniques for social media engagement.

The areas for improvement would be, NOT to listen to the noise going on from the detractors. The event planners were overly focused on negative comments being made anonymously in chat rooms. They would bring then get onstage and make comment and even ADJUST the program based on comments by a small minority. The acknowledgment of this Back Noise became VERY distracting to the entire event. So the majority of the audience was subject to comments made anonymously by a few silly attendees and that threw off the "spirit" of the room in my opinion. What was a little know chat room became the focus of the event by the end of the day and that sentiment was fueled by many presenters and the organizers. Note to self…when you have  99% positive comments, do NOT focus in on pleasing the 1%, keep the 99% happy!

Please Rate My Video with 5-Stars DSR’s

So many functions you want in a video making tool are missing. Even when you pay hundreds of dollars (and trust me, I have) for video software, you often come up short for making good video masking. I wish I would have found ManyCam a long ago, but I was not that fortunate. I could have saved a fortune on video processing software had I only known.

What is ManyCam?

• Use your webcam with multiple programs simultaneously.
• Add text to your webcam video window with any application.
• Add cool animations to your video window.
• Show your local day and date in your video window.
• Add live CGI graphics like fire and water effects.

Please Rate My Video with 5-Stars DSR’s

While ManyCam does NOT record video you can use services like YouTube or Viddler.com to capture the recording for you and then down load it from there to use for other purposes or just link to them and embed from there.

ManyCam will work with LIVE broadcasting on sites like Ustream.tv or Justin.tv so you can actually do desktop capture LIVE!!! Now that alone is worth the price of admission folks. We got a hot one right here!

Keep in mind that this is a FREE tool and as such it may not work for every setup and PC environments with all software. I have not had issue with it working with my tools, and will be testing this LIVE on this Thursday nights show, so be sure to tune in TONIGHT at 10:30 pm et or so for Late Night Beta w/ ColderICE and watch how this thing does in a real world environment.

As it stands right now out of the gate, I have to give this one 4 Ice Cubes (out of 5) This is a killer freebie with fun interface that offers many possibilities

ColderICE Rating 4 Cubes (out of 5) :

Marsha Collier’s latest book for the Dummies series is out for eBay sellers. It is kind hard to believe that this book is now into it’s 6th printing! Wow, that makes me feel kinda OLD, I started with version 2 of this book back in the day.

So what is new? Basically everything!!! eBay has made many changes to the way it does business and most of those changes are with the platform itself. What worked in just 2007 is "old school" and not nearly as competitive or successful in 2009.

You must keep up with the changes and strategies for implementing good practices for the new eBay. The game has changed and eBay for Dummies by Marsha Collier is primed for play. Marsh puts the other so called "eBay experts" on notice with this latest publication. The undisputed "Queen of eBay Commerce" is BACK BABY, game on!

Get the information you need, delivered in the manner you can understand. eBay for Dummies gets 4.5 Ice Cubes…

Please Rate My Video with 5-Stars DSR’s

I am an avid fan of Twitter and have been using the Hootsuite Hootlet for quite some time to shorten my URL links and to afford the ability to track those links by clicks. At a glance you can see how many clicks a link has, country, top referrers etc. You also can use it to schedule tweets for later as well.

The latest update of Hootsuite is now 2.0 in BETA and this version knocks it out the PARK! They also have several "how-to" videos on their HootSuite YouTube Channel

I have a new favorite tool for Twitter use and with over 11,000 friends on the ColderICE profile I have been needing a good tool to group my followers. Finally a tool that works the way I work and does what I want it to do.

PROS:
Works inside the browser, no download required, tabbed window navigation, customizable search tabs, embedded results, statistics, monitoring tools.

CONS:
May be too much for a novice. If you want to repeat a post multiple times, it can be clunky to do that.

My overall rating is:
  4.5 ICE Cubes (out of 5)

 

Check out this review video..

Please Rate My Video with 5-Stars DSR’s