One of the cool things about having an open API like Twitter’s (and somewhat facebooks) is that you get a ton of cool and useful apps (websites) that can help you do everything from manage followers to search better to Assassinate Unhinged Industrialists. One of the bad things about having an open API like Twitter’s is that you get a ton of cool and useful apps (websites) that can help you do everything from manage followers to search better to Assassinate Unhinged Industrialists. It seems everywhere you turn these days everyone and everything is about twitter. Which in itself is ok, though twitter is quickly becoming the Z Cavaricci’s of 2009. Pretty soon, the cool kids in class will be on to the next internet fad while you’re still begging your mom to let you on twitter.

To help usher that along, here are FIVE twitter tools which may or may not make your “Tweepularity” rise.

1. Twistory – Twistory is a cool little app that actually ties your tweets (or the user you want to stalk) in to your ical application so you can see what was tweeted when. The neat thing about this app is that it works with ANYTHING that can use and iCal file, so google calendar, outlook, mac, thunderbird. It just works. I was interested in trying it out so I fired it up in outlook and I had a NEW calendar with just my tweets. Its actually pretty cool. Though something affected it as of 3pm yesterday and I haven’t updated the calendar yet (I keep getting errors…
2. TweetPsych – Tweetpsych admittedly does not do too much. But its a fun and interesting one to play with just to see whats in your psyche. From the site: “TweetPsych uses two linguistic analysis algorithms (RID and LIWC) to build a psychological profile of a person based on the content of their tweets. The service analyzes your last 1000 tweets and works best on users who have posted more than 1000 updates. It also works best on accounts that are operated by a single user and use Twitter in a conversational manner, rather than simply a content distribution platform.” Put in your userid and see how you psych out.
3. Tweefind – Tweefind is simply a search site for twitter. Its a little pink (ok, a lot pink) but its a handy tool for searching. Some of my favorite searches so far have been for words like “Twiends”, “OMG you guys”, and “Iran”. THere’s some crazy stuff posted out there!
4. TwitterAnalyzer – TwitterANALyzer is cool simply because it has the word ANALyzer in it but beyond that its a pretty well designed tool that is a good way to see how YOUR twits are trending. It provides all kinds of goodness that those in the marketing world would kill for to know who wants the newest shade of HOT PINK lipstick. Its also got some good built in metrics for figuring out your reach. TwitterAnalyzer is the TWITTER MARKETER’s DREAM!
5. Tweepular – Tweepular is one of those tools I actually keep going back to. I’ve written about it before and I was fairly impressed. It turns out that the folks behind tweepular have more up their sleeves and are working to make it better (if possible). Some potential improvements include tweeting from the interface, a blackberry and iphone app, and more ways to improve your following. One of the coolest features of tweepular is the ability to mass follow and unfollow people as well as the ability to find out who is the most tweepular (think popular) and follow them as well. Its a handy tool thats good for building a following.

Mind you, those are just some of the tools online that I’ve come across to help with twitter… I may take a look at clients or games next who knows… got any suggestions?

So somewhere around two weeks ago, I talked about SugarSync. I was pretty impressed with it and the ability to share documents between my desktop, laptop and blackberry with ease. Today, I’m still impressed (enough so that I’m on the 4.99 a month plan) and I’d highly recommend EVERY sysadmin adding this to their arsenal of tools. Here’s Why…

I have the sugarsync manager setup on my desktop. I created a ‘hot folder’ of sorts that I can drop documents, images, pdfs, whatever in to and it syncs to the server. So the important stuff (passwords, network keys, server information, contact information, etc.) is safe in the case that I loose another Harddrive. I can log in on any PC anywhere through the web interface and have access to my important files.

So I can be sitting in a web cafe in Paris (though, one in Kennesaw is more likely), pull up the sugarsync web site and log in, have access to the email password or system passwords and access the accounts I need. Even better, there are blackberry and iPhone apps for sugarsync that allow me to do the same thing! SO I can be in the process of setting up or diagnosing a computer or email issue and pull up what I need right there on my blackberry without wasting space on my device. Totally adds a new tool to my box.

In addition, I can now keep photos accessible over any device with little effort as well. So once I clear the camera of photos of the little ones, I can pull them up for family and friends on my BOLD for anyone to see. How awesome is that?

Are you using SugarSync yet? If so, how? If not, WHY NOT?? It will change the way you do business!

Related External Links

• Auslogics Blog » Unlock Files in Windows
• Guifx Blog : Blog Archive : Guifx Skin for DVR Remote iPhone App

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I was looking for a good way to get some documents and photos on my Blackberry with out having to use up the precious memory card space I’m saving for Slacker Cache files and videos, mp3s and other stuff I must have at all times on my Phone. That’s when I came across, SugarSync.

SugarSync is another in a long list of Online Backup Solutions. This one however, ROCKS. I was a little skeptical at first as I signed up for the 2gb FREE account, however, once I had downloaded the PC client, I was pleasantly surprised. My account was setup and ready to use in a matter of minutes and after I verified the account, I was able to grab the client and set it up on my laptop. Once installed, I logged in and selected the folder I wanted to “share” on the cloud. As I went cheap (I’ll talk about the other accounts in a minute) I created a special folder that I can drop things in that I’ll need on the go. That way, my entire itunes DB isn’t being backed up on the account.

I added a couple of files and logged in to the web interface. The cool thing is that you get a special “subdomain” thats all yours. So, I’d go to http://mcangeli.sugarsync.com and log in and viola, I’m looking at my shared folders. Almost as soon as I drop an item in the folder I can refresh the screen and see it. Making it available to me anywhere I have internet access. HOW FREAKING COOL!?!?

Its easy to navigate the web interface, but what had really caught my attention was the Blackberry client they offer on their site as well. Yes, you can also hit m.sugarsync.com and use it via the BB Browser, but that has some limitations and isn’t always the best choice and while the current client is rather basic, it offers all the functionality anyone needs. I was able to browse my folder and open an excel spreadsheet with out any issues and it loaded as quickly as though it was on my Berry (note: I was on wifi at the time, that probably didn’t hurt at all).

The other nice feature is the ability to take photos from with in the SugarSync. client and have it automatically uploaded to the server in the mobile photos folder. This is great for those who like snapping off pics of whatever they see (like giant cows on the side of the road) and is a great tool for getting the photos back to your computer without having to sync up.

SugarSync. has a number of different accounts ranging from the 2gb free plan to 30gb for $4.99 a month up to 250gb for $24.99 a month. They claim their most popular account is the 60gb for $9.99 a month (or $99.99 a year) which I could easily see. My problem would be I’d fill that 60gb in a second and would have to up my storage.

So far, I’m fairly impressed with the ease of use of SugarSync., the options available with it and the speed. Not to mention, the FREE 2gb account is a good starter package for those looking for a simple way to share documents between computers and devices like Blackberries and iPhones. The other cool thing is that I can load the SugarSync. client on another machine and use it to sync folders on another machine as long as I’m with in my limit. This brings a whole new meaning to file sharing!

Yar, I’ve been using Twitter for a while now and I’ve finally developed a list of five of my current favorite tools for twitter. I thought I’d share them with you.

Twhirl is perhaps my favorite desktop app for twitter. Its cool because its done in AdobeAIR and can run on Mac, Linux and Windows (making it fully crossplatform), you can reply, retweet, and tweet right from it and it updates on its own. Follow friends, keep tabs on whats happening and even view profiles for other twitter users. When I’m not twittering on my blackberry, I’m using twhirl.

SocialScope Its still in private beta, but this app for mobile devices is amazing. When I’m on my berry, its what I use to keep track of twitter AND facebook status. You can update both as well. If you’re rockin a smartphone, register for the beta. Its getting better every update.

I came across this next one on a post on Twitter Tools by Felicia Day. Twitterholic is a good ranking of top twitterers based on number of people following them. Its no big surprise Obama is number 1.

If you aren’t using Twitter Tools by alex king or TwitMe by Johnny Mast to update your twitter status with your blog posts (both wordpress plugins) then you’re missing out. One of the best ways to drive traffic to your blogs and posts is by letting your “followers” know of current postings and both do an excellent job of that. Twitter Tools is the more robust allowing for a little more customization and options.

Lastly, Take a look at another wordpress plugin, TweetBacks by Joost de Valk. TweetBacks Show the tweets about your posts and pages as comments on your blog. This helps you gauge who is talking about your posts as well as drives more people to twitter. Works well.

Oh what the hell. I came across this gem today and I wanted to share. Twistori. Twistori makes use of the Twitter API to search out tweets with certain words (love, hate, believe, feel, think and wish) and then streams them to you live. Its a little earie to see it in action, but quite addicting….

Related External Links

• 10 Quick Win jQuery Plugins | Steve Reynolds Blog
• Toolmonger » Blog Archive » 4-in-1 Bucket Tool
• Scobleizer — Tech geek blogger » Blog Archive Test of a new …
• Trends in Web Design Involving WordPress | I'd Rather Be Writing …

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Four years ago today I went live with a site that has taken off better then I ever imagined. Linuxtracker.org went online when I posted a torrent for Slax 4.2.0 and its grown ever since. Currently, we’re averaging over 120k unique visitors a month, we have over a thousand linux torrents loaded and over 6000 members registered and more visitors then we can count. It really is a beautiful thing.

The site hosts local and multi tracker torrents (meaning that we can track our own as well as other torrents) and we append our tracker to the torrent file in order to add another layer of tracking to the torrent (in case it goes dead on the original tracker). The current version of the site design wise was implemented in the summer of 08, the Blog is working on receiving an overhaul as well so that it looks like the main site. The back end of the site is running on XBTit and the XBT tracker on a Debian Linux box.

We’re open to any Linux or Opensource Torrent (no movies, music, warez, etc.) and have a pretty good moderator group that keeps the site clean. We’re one of the few “legal” torrent sites around. It is a beautiful thing.

To celebrate the fourth anniversary of Linuxtracker, we’re going all out this month with several large giveaways:

• an impressive pack of swag supplied by Pandora as well as a linuxtracker.org shirt
• a complimentary subscription to LinuxJournal (print subscription for Canadian, US, or Mexico, online subscription for international members), a Google Sticker (sticker in photo may not be the one you receive) and an LNX Oval from ThinkGeek (one for each day!)
• a Plush Tux and Linux Fish (provided by ThinkGeek) – 5 of these bad boys to hand out!
• two packs consisting of T-Shirts, bumper stickers and a button from Sabayon Linux
• Schwag from Startupschwag.com
• 4 LinuxPro Licenses from CodeWeavers (the team that brought us CrossOver!)

So if you aren’t Registered yet you need to do so quickly!

Related External Links

• WETA FM 90.9 Blog » Blog Archive » Gra?yna Bacewicz – 100th …
• Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent | TorrentFreak
• Code Aims to Quell New Zealand “3 Strikes” Fears | TorrentFreak
• Voting and Linux Australia | etbe – Russell Coker
• VectorLinux 6.0 RC3 Now Available at LinuxTracker.org

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In 2007, Amy and I suffered a huge loss when the harddrive with about 3 years worth of digital photos decided to die on us. Since then we’ve taken a number of steps (burn to CD, move to an external drive) to ensure we do not loose any more photos but what about things like documents? Music? Software configurations? Those are best left to a serious backup solution. I’ve reviewed several on here before and while all of them offer a good level of support and backup, none of them offer the backing of HP. Until now.

HP Upline offers a good place for you to store your stuff online and not have to worry about it. Better yet? There’s a free 30 day trial. From their site:

Share and publish your files with friends, family, or colleagues to view and enjoy. Upline keeps your files securely backed up and readily accessible.

It seems to be a pretty cool program and if it works as good as they claim it does, then its a great thing. There are three levels of service, personal, family and business and you get unlimited storage with each. Personal is good for one device, family is good for 3 and professional is good up to 100 licenses. If you’ve been looking for a way to minimize your loses, this is definitely a way to go. Check it out and let me know what you think. I think I’m going to try the free trial.

Related External Links

• Number One Computer Backup Service In East Texas and Louisiana …
• HP Mini 1000 modded to add touchscreen display | Eee PC – Blog
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When I was a kid (who am I kidding, I’m still one) I can remember watching Dick Tracy in the movie theater (you know the one with Warren Beatty and Madonna) and thinking how cool it would be to have talking watches where I could communicate with my friends or who ever. With Cell phones that has gotten even closer to being and apparently, LG is working on a Watch Phone that would put your cell phone on your wrist.

It doesn’t have the built in video (yet), but its list of includes is pretty cool:

• Touch Screen
• GSM/3G capable
• Bluetooth
• speakerphone
• Contacts
• sms messaging
• Text to Speech

Currently, its slated to be released in Europe sometime this year, but you can bet that ThinkGeek will have them for sale in the states (and it should work on AT&T and T-mo networks if you can get it unlocked…)

Related External Links

• DealZone » Blog Archive » JPMorgan: Stop talking about “damn …
• LG GD910 Touchscreen Watch Phone

If anyone visits this blog on a regular basis, then you’ve certainly noticed the issues the site/server was having lately. Something was causing the server to go crazy and would tie up processes on the server and slow things down to the point of a crawl. Well, last friday, when I had the host reboot the server, the disk had finally failed. I ended up having to have them boot the server with a live cd and I ran FSCK on the drive.

Apparently that was a big mistake. Whatever kind of gremlins had attacked the server, they devoured the ext3 Journal so that when FSCK ran, it couldn’t find it. It ended up dumping everything in to lost+found on /dev/hda3. Well, the server, at that point was toast. I had the host put up a new box and mount the old drive as a slave. Fortunately, it looks like everything was in lost+found and i was able to restore the databases (for the most part) and the files for the sites on this server, so not too much was lost.

I did spend most of the weekend in what appeared to be a coma fueled by some of the best diet pills you could find, though really it was pizza and caffeine that helped me get through the mess.

One thing that I am thankful for is the fact that within the lost+found directory, the directory structure was mostly in tact. If you haven’t looked in your lost and found folder on a unix file system, I suggest you check it out some time. The files are moved in there and renamed with their inode (so a file that used to be called joe.txt could now be #1132432). You can do some other reading on this @ TLDP and I suggest you do.

I was able to find the mysql files I needed to restore the databases (and all except the ones for *THIS* site were in usable condition) and the folders with the sites in them for the sites. I do have one site that is going to take a little longer to restore back to normal as it seems to have split the folders out in to more than one directory for some reason (which leads me to believe that it was this directory that caused the issues!) but as everything is there, its going to be a matter of figuring out which galleries are which….

This leads me to my next point. BACK UP ALWAYS! Us crons, use programs, whatever. Just back up and do it often. Never assume your host has a back up (because they don’t). Personally, I’m looking at backup ninja (thanks jacquelyn!) to handle it for me!

Anyways, the site is slowly being put back together and it looks like everything except the old image links are working….

I’ve been looking for a good way to get videos (movies, dvd’s, tv shows) on my blackberry bold (I have an 8gb memory card) to make use of the space and the amazing screen on this device, plus it’d be nice to have something to watch on road trips, waiting at the doctor office, when I’m supposed to be working. You get the point.

I’ve tried Handbrake, and it works ok, but it is more of an iPhone/Pod/Touch centered app and there are some configs that have to be done in order to get it to convert properly for the bold. I’ve tried some professional (for money) converters and they all work, but I still end up having to do a lot of tweaking. Plus, many of them are for either video files or dvd only. Its hard to find one program that does it all. Until Now.

Gone are the days of writing down your mileage and gas stops in a paper book. With Blackberries and iPhones and other smartphones reproducing daily, it only makes sense to do it the web 2.0 way, online. Right? Thats where the cool tool of MyMileMarker comes in to play. The site offers free accounts and two ways to update your mileage and fill ups. Online through a traditional web browser, or via your web enabled smartphone and their mobile (mymilemarker.com/m) site.

Granted, the mobile site is little more than a form you can fill in, but you can list multiple vehicles and specify which one you’re gassing up at the time. Its a pretty handy little thing. BlipSocial offers something similar in its blackberry app, but there isn’t any outcome of it from what I can tell while MMM actually helps forecast your future usage as well. Its kind of cool to be able to see the trend in gas prices (especially over the last couple of weeks) and locations, as well as mileage. One of the things it lacks is a way to differentiate between city and highway miles (which can vary greatly).

I had signed up for this a while ago, but I haven’t had a chance to use it as I completely forgot about it until I was going through the list of people I’m following on twitter. You can bet, I have already bookmarked the mobile site on the Bold and will be trying it shortly. I do wish there was a native Blackberry app that made it a little nicer to use (but then I’m a little picky). Who knows, maybe this will help me save money on gas by keeping a better eye on my fillups leaving some extra money in the account so that my golf clubs can actually get used sometime this decade (no, I wouldn’t call what I do playing…).

Does anyone else out there track your mileage? If so, how do YOU do it?

M3 is in beta

Related External Links

• Track Your Gas Mileage with MyMileMarker

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