Toronto Mike

Technology

Total 267 Posts

7 Tips for Online Shopping

I never buy anything unless I really, really need it.  Most recently that's meant biking gloves and a rake.  But my wife was recently in need of maternity pants, and hit the web in search of a deal. Here are her 7 tips for online shopping, which originally appeared on
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Feedly Wins My Google Reader Heart

Back in March, Google announced they were shutting down Google Reader on June 30.  I'd call myself a power user of Google Reader, so I started looking at alternatives. I'm pleased to announce that Feedly has won the battle to replace Google Reader.  In fact, in some ways, Feedly is
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My First Gmail

If you're a Gmail user and you visit this page, you'll get an error message and Gmail will redirect to a page that shows the oldest messages from your account.  This is the oldest message from my account: Gmail was launched on April Fool's Day of 2004 and that first
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The Problem With Texting

My brother likes to text.  I'm far more likely to get a text from him than an email or instant message, and there's no fear of getting a tweet or Facebook message from him, as he outright rejects social media.  He texts me. I'm not a big fan of texting.
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Google Search Keeps Getting Better

I just Googled 'leafs'.  Here's the top half page of the results. Probably the top 10 questions are answered without requiring any further clicking.  There's details of the last game, the next game, the current standings, the championship seasons, current news and more, all served up before we even get
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Google Reader Alternatives

Google is shutting down Google Reader, their RSS reader I use several times a day.  I'm sure I'm not alone.  Just about every blog, news service and site I follow has an RSS feed I subscribe to in Google Reader. As a power user and super fan, this decision by
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The Desktop Isn't Dead

Sales of desktop computers have slowed while sales of laptops and tablets have taken off.  Welcome to 2013. I'm here to claim the desktop isn't dead.  Although I'm writing this entry from a MacBook Pro, the bulk of my 9-5 work is performed on a desktop PC.  It's my most
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Why I Never Liked Instagram

Instagram users are a little ticked off after learning they're changing their terms and conditions so they can now use and sell your photos without your permission or paying you.  Eek. I take lots of pictures.  As a natural born archivist, I always feel like capturing the moment with a
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Google+ Has Failed

In July 2011, I urged you all to try Google+.  It's a great interface, it's intuitive and your privacy issues are eliminated. Almost a year and a half later, I can see you didn't listen.  Google+ is practically a ghost town.  There's so few people there, there's no reason to
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How I View My Facebook News Feed

I don't love Facebook, but acknowledge it's important to be there.  Whenever I flirt with the idea of deleting my Facebook account I remember that's the main way I now keep in touch with friends and family.  When a friend gives birth, I'll learn about it and see the pictures
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Who Wants an iPad Mini?

My Twitter feed was jammed yesterday with news about the new iPad Mini Apple has unveiled.  You can think of it as a smaller iPad or a larger iPod Touch.  Here's a picture of the new iPad Mini: The cheapest version will sell for $329.  That's a pretty big chunk
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Why Do You Use IE?

I just took a snapshot of the browsers used by the last 100 visitors to this site.  Microsoft's Internet Explorer won easily, with most using an older version like 8, 7 or (gasp!) even 6.  Here's a pretty chart for you. For those of you using IE by choice, I'm
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