EkosDeux

Welcome Back, and thanks for reading.

Nambu is a social networking client for Mac Os x. I am currently using it for twitter, but it has the capability to handle Friendfeed, Ping.fm, tr.im, pic.im, and the team is currently working on adding Facebook functionality. I liked that Nambu was a stand alone application native to Mac OSX, which meant I did not required Adobe Air to run the app.

The application had three views, with the single column being the default. The other two options where single column with options, and multicolumns. Nambu allows for the categorization of the people you follow, and also allows the use of separate columns to view these categories. You could utilize the columns to view your direct messages, mention tweets, as well as view all sent and received links, and also check trends. Nambu has a very clean user interface, and the settings allow you to optimize for easy reading. The general settings menu allows for tracking of read tweets by dimming the item. The user interface also allows for you to reply, retweet and direct message. You can follow, block, translate, hide and add to favorites.

Nambu allows the user to optimize and customize their twitter experience. Also, it allows an easier avenue to keep up with your messages. We all know this can be a daunting task when you are following thousands of people and have thousands of followers. I highly recommend Nambu as it is free and very easy to use.

Pros: Multi-Column view, multiple support, categories
Cons: Freezes at times, difficult to handle after the hide feature is active.

Overall, it is great for being in Beta. I look forward to their future development and improvement.

Welcome back!!!

Anyways, its been about two and half years since my last computer upgrade. I know what you are thinking, so? Well, I like to think I’m a techie of sorts and like having a machine that can keep up. Also, last semester (my first here at LSU) I broke up with windows… More of a still friends thing though. I still require its use for AutoCAD, Solid Works and other software that is still somehow windows only.
I wanted to assemble a machine that would be capable of handling anything I could throw at it, and boot multiple operating systems. Yes, we all know what that means… I wanted it to be able to run Vista 64, ubuntu 9.04 64 and the golden child of them all CENSORED

First, I did research looking to the two options I could find. The first was OSx86 Project, but unfortunately I did not feel I had the technical expertise to tackle this… Yet (Planning on tackling this later). Second, was the perfect solution, the EFI-X module. This USB module allows the user to install different operating systems directly from the DVD. Perfect!!!
The EFI-X module attaches to an USB port in your computer and simulates an EFI environment for operating systems to run unaltered.

Visiting their site and following their recommended components list, I ordered my parts from NewEgg because they offer great service, and fast shipping. The components were as followed:

Case: Antec Mini P180

Mother Board: DFI LP JR P45-T2RS Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Procesor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz

Memory: 2 G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin (PC2 6400) for 8 GB Total


Video Card: XFX GeForce 9800 GT


Main HDD: 3 Seagate Barracuda 250GB(750GB Total)

DVD Drive: SONY DVD+RW

I am still thinking about the backup drives, as there are a couple of options I am researching.

This is it for now folks, but don’t fret more is to come. Leave a comment and let me know what you think, or if you have an experiences to share.

Welcome back!!!
As you all know, I am working on building a home network from a Mac Mini and ubuntu 8.04LTS server PPC. One of the things I would like to do is remotely access files while on the road. While reading some blogs, I ran into ExpanDrive. This great piece of software does just what I need it to do, and it is very good at it.

“ExpanDrive acts just like a USB drive plugged into your Mac or PC. It lets you open, edit, and save files on remote computers from within your favorite programs. ExpanDrive enhances every single application on your computer by transparently connecting it to remote data.” [Source:www.expandrive.com/mac]

The user interface is relatively simple, and very well done. The purpose of the application is to mount a server drive onto your computer as if it where just an USB thumb drive. It has support for SFTP/SSH, FTP?FTPS, and with the new update added support for Amazon S3.

You have, as you can see above, a list of drives you create as you go. This makes it very easy to log on, and add files on the go. The user interface list the drives name, and under it the server location. When the drive is connected, you will see a green dot to the left of the name. If the drive is not connected, you will simply see the name.

Creating a new drive is simple as well. You simply enter you server location, user name, password, and have the option to give it a nick name, specify a folder path, or change the access port. Simple. When finished, you simply cancel, save and close, or connect.

When the application is installed, it simply runs in the background waiting to be used. You have the option of selecting a key stroke to call your user interface up, or right-click the icon at the top. When the menu is right clicked, it shows a straight forward list. The list contains the drives, and once again red means offline, and green connected. The development team is very helpful, and they have a facebook fan page, where they give their fans an opportunity to get a $5 discount (Which I used), and answer questions or concern. They also post on Twitter, and answer concerns. I am very happy with this software, and look forward to future updates. Highly Recommended.