The web is USEFUL (sometimes). Here’s 30 really useful web apps that you should check out and potentially bookmark.
Some examples:
ScreenToaster: screen recorder
FillAnyPDF: pretty self-explanatory
Vuvox: Create your own collage
Aviary: Super simple PhotoShop like image editor
Evernote: Keep notes
Zoho: Online office-like suite of software
The reason this video is shocking (to those of you who know what a browser is) is because we assume that the proliferation of internet use has, in some way, educated people about the fundamental workings of the web and software. This is, clearly, completely untrue.
Don’t forget developers/site designers/UI folks, just because your mom can use Facebook to send you messages, doesn’t mean she has any idea of how the tubes really work…
Yet another new wave of applications is hitting the “interzweb”. Online finance tools like Rudder are quickly gaining popularity, and by all rights (save privacy), they should be.
Firstly, let me say that I’m upset I didn’t create this myself. I keep track of my monthly finances and bills using a password protected Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and an application that does the kind of stuff Rudder does is pretty kick-ass.
That being said, let’s get into the meat of the matter.
Over on Rudder’s security page you’ll find:
“We only have ‘read’ access to your transactions and balances…”
Which, honestly scares the shit out of me. I, like most people, am constantly looking over my shoulder (or in the little mirror) at the ATM. I don’t think I want to be purposly entering my private banking data into a system where this statement is made. Maybe I’m crazy, maybe not. But the popularity of these sites speakes volumes of people’s trust in the internet, and its developers.
I downloaded the browser and set it up on all of my machines this past week and have been playing with the settings. So far, I’m (of course) really impressed with the product. The user interface makes PERFECT sense for a seasoned web user. Chrome’s memory management is truly ideal for a web browser, tabbing is easy, fast, and makes logical sense. I think I can safely say that the browser is solid, fast, reliable, and easy to use.
All of that being said, let me follow up with… FINALLY. People have been posting articles all week that Google is some kind of innovator, and visionary. But, in reality, this kind of product really isn’t all that “new”. True desktop software developement has been around for a LONG time, and Google was just brave (read: rich) enough to apply it to web browsers.
Mozilla Firefox, really just replicated what Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator did wrong, but did it better.
Not that I’m bagging Firefox… It’s truly a developer’s best friend, and I will continue to use the Fox when developing sites. The “Add-on” capability is simply second to none. For the life of me, I can’t remember what we did before Firebug!
Of course, none of this changes the way I feel about Chrome. It’s a fantastic product. In fact, I’m posting this in my Chrome browser right now.
So, good job Google; you identified an obvious problem, and offered a non cookie cutter solution.
Firstly, let me say that I’m upset I didn’t create this myself. I keep track of my monthly finances and bills using a password protected Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and an application that does the kind of stuff Rudder does is pretty kick-ass.