Chrome OS really needs some VPN providers like VPN4ALL!

Paul

Chrome OS Has No major VPN players!

I’ve been digging through the internet the last few weeks trying to find a VPN service that would work decently with Chrome.   Most of the options we have are either L2TP/IPSec + Shared Or L2TP/IPSec + User Certificate.   So we really don’t a whole of options in the past few weeks.   I do knwo we also have an OpenVPN option but am unsure on how to use that with what information I was given when I set up my account.   I sent a email to technical support about thsi and am waiting around.   I did a awesome revew of VPN4ALL and still believe they are one of the ones you should use when it comes to protecting your privacy and security.   

I Only found one so far!

I found one VPN that I don’t trust HidemyA**, Sorry I will not cuss on my blog.  So that was the only one I could find and really don’t like a service that is free for all.   You don’t know how they are using your information.   They have to be making money somewhere while your on their free service and thus that is why I will not use their service.   

Petitions

I did happen to find a Peition for TunnelBear, and that is when I decided I would create my own!  I created The VPN4ALL : App for Chrome OS and would like you to sign it and tell some of these VPN providers we are looking for an Openvpn solution that will keep us safe a secure.  If you think Chrome OS should have better ways to keep us safe this would be a good start.   You could sign both if you are that passionate about it.   I however would ask my readers to sign mine for right now.   Takes less than a minute to sign them and put your name to show them you like their service and would love to see it come to more Operating Systems like Chrome.  

Please Consider doing One or Both Petition to help keep our privacy and security from prying eyes!

3 Reasons Why Cheap isn’t all the best idea!

Paul

Hers and His Cell Phones

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on the Awe over the next week weeks. I, too, had a Kyocera Rise. It operated horribly, so I’ve switched to the ZTE Awe. 
I think you’ll be very impressed. I’ve only had it a week, but I’m very happy with it so far.

Audre

Electronics aren’t supposed to be cheap!

When we first starting making computers and cell phones, it costed an arm and leg to have those really nice slow systems.  At the early age of all this, it was consider the best there was for electronics and everyone was at AWE over it!   I don’t think we ever really imagined that the price of electronics would go down to almost nothing.   I’m currently working on a laptop the Acer Chromebook 11.1 Display and later on I will review it fully.   The problem with some of the stuff that is so cheap is in several places.

Companies don’t care!

When we first started having problems with computers you can bet Dell and Microsoft did everything they could to put the customer first.   Now a days we have companies like Apple who is slowly getting to the point of using math to figure out just how much bad components can we get away with and still make a profit.  I am sure each and every company does a full cost analysis on price versus failure of the products they sell or are indending to sell.  Not to say that isn’t a bad approach but it is definetly flawed in my opinion.   If they were more worried about the cutomer they would of been more successful because when Amazon US started off they never had to worry about advertising.  They used the word of mouth from other customers to drive their business because they believed in the customer first philosophy.

Customers don’t care!

Now this is probably going to spark some kind of controversy and I am sure I am not the only one seeing it but customers, that is you, have gotten tired of complaining to the companies.   Since they don’t care, you know you can fix the problem so you accept it and go on with your life.   This should not be the normal response, when A company I have a beef with wrongs me and I know they have.  I will not tolerate it and either call them up to fix it or take my business elsewhere and then they will not get any more income from me!

Quality has went the way of the Dinosaur!

Yep, It isn’t nothing new but if we expected quality then those electronic devices would probably be not so cheap and worthless.  I also know that quality is the key point in all three reason but it is the most important reason.   Companies who try to intragrate quality and start caring will be a two fold process.  Customers will recommend them more, and they will get a loyal customer base.   If you try to trick a customer and think they are dumb, then you must think your smart.   In truth, customers know what they want and how they wasnt it but they are fed up with the way they are treated when problems arise.   

Is there a company that you would like to see fixed?  Have they Wrong you?  Let’s discuss it in the comments!

Reviewing the ZTE Awe from Virgin Mobile!

Paul

The Virgin Mobile ZTE AWE comes with a 1.2 ghz processor and the screen is really nice.   I did switch from the Kyocera Rise to this because of a flaw that would just make the screws come off and break apart.   I have had over a week to play around with the ZTE phone and I am quite impressed with the service.  I thought it would be good to at least talk about some of the obstacles you will need to overcome to switching and that way you could be ready when the time comes!

Pro and Con Time!

It got way more features then the Kyocera Rise and that is a definite plus in my book.   The Android system 4.1 and it is really snappy.   The system is easy to use and clean cut.   I really didn’t have any major problems with the phone.   Comes with a Front Facing Camera, another plus because now I can use Skype to talk to my friends and family and have video chats with them.  There seems to be several different Facetime apps for the Phone to make it easy for you and who ever you wanted to face to face. I personally like to use Skype for all my video chats.   The front Facing camera isn’t high resolutionbut is a 1.2 mega pixel camera.   So you won’t get the best quality but at least you get to see them.  Battery life is no issue with the phone even though I can still use my Ravpower Dynamo On the Go if I need that extra boost of battery life.

With it only be under 100$ phone from Virgin Mobile, you will want to take care of it as much and Walmart doesn’t seem to have the right cell phone covers that you will need to encase the phone in to prevent any damage.   I will say Amazon US has some great ZTE AWE Phone Cases that aren’t that expensive.  I happen to buy a universal Phone Belt Holster for the phone to keep it save and to keep from having any major damage.   The Screen is something else you would want to protect with some kind of universal screen protector.   I have heard people say that since this is really knew those types of accessories will not be coming out for a few more months so you will have to make due with what you can get.

Wifi Hotspot

With the ZTE AWE you can have a Wifi teether to your devices.   It seems to be locked, and I will find a way around this because I am already paying for the unlimited data and should not be required to pay an additional 15$ from Virgin Mobile.  If I figure out how to do it, you will be the first to know.   For right now the Bluetooth teethering seems to work just fine and gives you some tethering options.  Which works on both Kyocera Rise and This phone and probably every Virgin Mobile Android Phone.   Can’t be sure but it is a good bet!

Space

The Phone only comes with a 4 GB capacity and some of that is used for the Android System. The good news is you can add up to 32 GB Micro SD to the phone and increase the phone storage to 36 GB.  I had no problem using the old Micro SD card from the old phone and plopping it in the new phone.  Worked like a charm and give me no problems.

Screen

The Screen is a LED IPS touch screen and it is vivid when you need it to be.   I found the phone didn’t do well with the Auto Dimming feature when you were outside or inside but that is to be expected with price of the phone.   I found turning off that feature from time to time to increase my battery life and keeping it on Dim worked just fine for me.   Although this is a personal preference, some might not be able to see the screen as clearly so it is up to you!  Watching Netflix and other shows on the device isn’t a pain and can be quite nice for the change.   Even with the Soft Data Cap to worry about, you can still enjoy some great shows on the phone.

Battery Life

They Claim to have a 11.2 hours on the website but I found that to be doubtful to say the least.   I gotten 8 hours out of the phone on standby and about 5  to 6 hours using it regularly.  Since this is a new phone, the batteries will not be on the market for a few more months but at least there are battery extenders to help keep your phone running when you need to.  I am hoping they will start selling the high end batteries for this type of phone to extend it past 12 hours of use.   

Disclaimer — Some links on the post help support my blog and lets me review other products.   Most of the Links are either Virgin Mobile/Amazon affiliate links and they both help support my blog.

Squarespace goes down for 2 hours or so! Friday Nov 8, 2013

Paul

Squarespace fail whale!

Today at around 5:00 pm EST, my site went down. You would of saw that picture as you went to many sites who use squarespace for all their hosting needs.

 

 

Squarespace after the fact!

I didn’t get much response from them through twitter and through email. They said they were having technical difficulties was their response. Those were some trying times and Then Squarespace announces they have fixed the problem. I would much rather have a company be open about this then one who would try to sweep this under the rug. It is your turn to disclose what really happened Squarespace. We are waiting……

 

Top 4 Traits to have to be a leader!

Paul

Leadership Buffalo_Team Building Buffalo NY (21)

A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better. Jim Rohn

I have been seriously thinking about what a leader does and it has come to my attention there are five traits that are essential for any leader to lead and I will touch upon each and every one of these!

“A Leader leads by example!”

This one really talks about what each leader should do.   In my current working environment, we see people who are getting away with murder and this creates an environment that we don’t have to listen to the person who is in lead.   It is simply the fact that if they say one thing and then does something totally different with another person than why should we listen to the complaining.

Expecting Expectations!

If you don’t expect someone to give you some kind of expectations than you aren’t working.   Each place I have worked for and worked at their are defined expectations of what is required and what is needed.   I have seen this from other places but as of late, it has been quite difficult to understand or even grasp with my current working environment due to leadership.   If only leaders would be more proactive and try to convey all their expectations clearly and want you to succeed everyday your at work then it would make for an even better day!

Encouraging feedback!

whether your the lowest person on the totem pole or the boss in a company you are constantly looking to be encouraged and defined by your peers.   So we all want some kind of encouragement and even feedback on how we are doing in the day to day grind.   Nothing says your a leader until you learn that you didn’t get where you are without the people who you lead to great success, no matter how low they are in the scale.  if only leaders would do this more often you would see how success comes in waves to everyone involve!

Get your Hands dirty!

This is also seems to be getting away from leaders they have not done some of these jobs that they claim they have in the past and have forgotten the small guy.   If you really want to make a difference in today’s economy, you should stop what you doing and do a job one of your employees are doing just so you can remember just how hard they are working and thus you can give them so great encouragement and feedback on what they are doing everyday of their lives.

These are just four of the many traits any leader should use to become even better at their job and to make their job and others a success by understanding their employees and what they do.