I’ve always been happy with products I’ve purchased from Logitech. For that reason I’ve been looking specifically at the Logitech Pro 9000 for notebooks. My question is whether or not I’ll really jump into using it as much as I’d like or expect myself to do.

I’ve got a great set of headphones and mic that I use with Skype, but I don’t always have Skype running while I’m online. More than likely due to my working arrangements during the day, having headphones on and the privacy to have a voice conversation via Skype is fiarly unlikely. I’m wondering if the same will be true of my video endeavors. If I rely on using it after hours, will it be used.

Here’s the question and thought for you, the readers. Are you drawn to video blog posts? Do you use any webcams? What’s been your experience with making it a regular part of your online availability? Is it worth the purchase or should I take that money and put it towards something else I’d use more frequently?

Post from: EveryJoe

Using a Webcam to Move Into Online Video

The idea of software as a service (SAAS) isn’t really new these days as more and more applications and services are delivered via the web and via a subscription model. Wikipedia defines SAAS as the following:

Software as a Service (SaaS, typically pronounced ’sass’) is a model of software deployment whereby a provider licenses an application to customers for use as a service on demand. SaaS software vendors may host the application on their own web servers or download the application to the consumer device, disabling it after use or after the on-demand contract expires.

The examples I illustrate above in the graphic (Dropbox, Vimeo, Skype, Evernote, Pandora, flickr) are just some of the services that I’m currently a happy user of, but have not upgraded to the premium versions of each across the board.

If I upgraded to the non-free subscription for each of the services above, I’d be looking at enough of an expense that I’d need to really start paying attention to it on the monthly budget. However, with all of these services, the value could be very well worth the expense over the long-run.

How many SAAS options are you currently subscribed to with this type of service?

Post from: EveryJoe

Software Can Be An Expensive Service

Taking a quick look at the screen shot above, let me highlight the different areas I have numbered above.

1. Twitter integration – the display of the timeline itself could be improved. I’d envision a panel that would slide out from behind the contact list that would display the timeline of events in a fashion similar to twhirl or other twitter client.
2. E-mail Integration – each of the email accounts associated with my identities can be included and I can receive notifications of new emails to those accounts from within the interface.
3. Google Talk Integration – as you can see my Google contacts are listed within the UI along with everything else. The only challenge I see here is that I receive the chat window in both Trillian and in my Gmail page as well.
4. IM Client Integration – all my other contacts on the various networks included below the others.

The different segments and groups of contacts can be shifted and arranged as desired.

This newest version of the Trillian IM client has made great strides in bringing together a variety of new applications and services together into one package and manageable platform. With the new version of Trillian you can manage all of the following in one interface.

Windows Live Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, IRC, Google Talk, Twitter, Facebook and even Skype.

That’s actually not all of them, but all of the big ones and ones that really make this outstanding.

The interface options could still use some improvements, or it could be that I’m still just not familiar with how to tweak everything like I like on the system. I like minimal interface options and wasted space, so I’m still trying to make changes to those areas.

In testing the product I’m supposed to be looking for bugs. The good news is I haven’t come across any yet, or at least nothing I’d call a bug. I’ll keep trying though and see what I can find.

Keep reading for a picture of the individual chat window and more of my thoughts.

You’ll have to excuse me IM talking to myself, but figured that was the easiest way to get a full view of the chat window without having to blur out any personal contact information from someone that doesn’t want their information shared.

As you can see, lots of space that I’d like to get rid of, but I’ll figure that out later. Some of it may be that there will need to be another skin created by someone for Astra that takes advantage of all the features now available, while minimizing the parts of the user interface that aren’t required. I also wonder when Trillian might make use of an interface like Adobe Air?

I think I’ve got a few invites I can share for people interested in participating in the beta testing of Trillian Astra. Let me know in the comments if you’re interested in taking it for a ride.

Post from: EveryJoe

Trillian Astra Beta – Everything In One Place?

After getting trounced repeatedly by the DS, it seems that Sony has a secret weapon to boost sales: Skype. As Gamasutra points out, the rumor that the PSP would serve as a “portable communication” device isn’t new, but now we finally have some news for the US market.

Sony’s CES preview page is promising that PSP users will be able to “call friends, talk trash to fellow gamers, or catch up with acquaintances via Skype for PSP system.”

So, you’re handheld gaming system will now let you talk smack to your friends.

It will definitely be interesting to see how they integrate Skype into the PSP…and if it will do anything to help lackluster sales figures.

Post from: EveryJoe

Talk on Your PSP