Ramblings

I will try to make this short and sweet. I have yet to use a Facebook application that I like. Every single one that I have installed and tried to use ends up being more of a nuisance and virus-like than anything else.

Here’s a perfect example. The other day I got a notice that a friend of mine had made some pleasant comments about me and it suggested that I “Click to see what they said about you”. So I did. As expected it wanted to install some friend rating app so I thought that for just this once I’d install it and give it a shot. Big mistake. Once installed I was suddenly inundated with worthless screens wanting ME to rate my friends. I never did get to see what my friend had mentioned about me. I just couldn’t take it anymore and promptly deleted the app.

This is not the first time that I’ve dealt with such frustrations with Facebook apps. Which is why I completely ignore all requests from friends to install the annoying bits of digital trash. No more “Birthday Calendar” requests, no more “Share a Beer” or whatever. In my opinion, 3rd party Facebook apps are usually nothing more than viruses. Leave them alone!

Thank you for your ear and patience. I will end my rant now.

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It’s pretty common knowledge that software developers “release” beta versions of their products to end users so that they can test the software and provide feedback so the product can be better polished when it does finally leave the beta phase. This can take quite a long time, for example look at Gmail. It was in the “beta” phase for years. This has seem to become the standard for software development but now it seems like this has leaked over to the hardware realm.

Dell has recently released the Mini 10 netbook to join it’s siblings, the Mini 9 and Mini 12. However, as Engadget points out, you really have to wait for a while before Dell makes it available with all available features like upgradeable RAM, Ubuntu OS option, 720P display and a TV tuner. It’s basically the Dell Mini 10 BETA. Why in the world would a hardware company deliver a product that’s only half finished? It’s not like people have been demanding it so ferociously that they HAD to get it out ASAP. Consumers still had the 9 and 12 as options. It just doesn’t make sense. At least when software vendors release betas the upgrade phase to 1.0 is relatively easy. What is Dell going to do, recall all of the sold units to add more RAM or swap out the display?

Personally I find it quite ridiculous for Dell to do such a half-assed job with this but I’m sure they have their reasons. What they are I’ll never know. All I do know is that I’d rather wait until I have the full range of possible options before I shelled out any cash and considering what those options will soon be, they are worth the wait.

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Dell’s Mini 10 comes with any amount of RAM you want, so long as it’s 1GB – via Engadget

photo via Dell.com

Thanks to one of my favorite sites, Lifehacker.com, I am now the owner of a copy of this bestselling book. It’s kind of a pain that you have to go through the whole process of creating an account and installing software, but hey it’s free. I personally have only read bits and pieces of this particular book so I look forward to listening to the entire thing as soon as I can.

Link to free audio book via Lifehacker

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