Babylon for Mac - Online Version Only...

I was so happy to open my eyes to an eMail from Babylon announcing the Babylon for Mac.
I've waited for this version for a long time...

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So I clicked the link and got this:




Thinking to myself, online version or a desktop application...

Well - no need to think much, both versions are working only when you are online...

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So now I am disappointed.

I've worked hard to work-around the fact that there was no Babylon for Mac.

Alternatives for Babylon application for Mac:

On-line:

• Use Babylon online dictionary
  
• Use Google "Define: ... " tool
• Use online dictionary

Off-line:

• Use MacOS dictionary Widget
• Use MS Office spell checker
• Use Babylon application on a VMware/XP (I know... one of the only reason to boot XP...)

I was expecting the off-line capabilities.
I suppose the 'Beta' team feedback was so great and failed to push it to the top of the list...

Babylon - please let me know when you are serious about supporting Mac...

E.T.

FireFox 3 Beta

I was looking forward to use Mozilla Firefox 3.
(beta version: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-beta.html)

The installation is easy and it 'remembered' all my settings and such.

However, when I tried to use it, I found that most of the add-ons and goodies I got so used to, are not supported yet.

So I tried to enjoy a 'naked/clean' FireFox. Not the same.

I hope that the developers of firebug, Google Gear and others are working on the next version.

FireFox is a great example of platform-based- ecosystem, driven by the developer community.

E.T.


Technorati Tags: FireFox, software

Under The Radar: The Business of Web Apps (1/...)

Today I am at the Under the Radar event.


Some comments from the first session.

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http://www.splashtop.com

Interesting virtualization software that tries to make the experience of starting working on the PC as simple as open your mobile phone/PDA. They showed a demo of booting a PC and have some apps running with in 12 seconds. (cool if you like Linux apps). The Windows XP was booting in the background...

It seems that 'hibernate / sleep-mode' is doing some of this things al ready - as long as you have no problem with Power. Is it greener or safer to have the PC off.

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http://www.elastra.com/

Sorry - Did not understand what, how and why they are doing what they are doing.
I tried.
So - here is an image that may help you.

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http://www.jumpbox.com/

Presented a solution for the consumer / small business solution for virtual computer that could run on top of the current OS and virtualization apps.
The demo included 'easy' configuration process.
There is a nice collection of open source apps and tools as part of the 'box'.

This make 'playing' with new and open source application easy and less risky.
However, it is not free.

Support is optional and on top of the package (~$200 per instance per year).
The support is for the jumpbox and not for the applications on top of it.

I think it could be a great 'sandbox' for POC and demos, before running the applications on your hardware.

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http://www.universant.com

They (re)worked the main business processes and application functions and offer them as a open source platform.

From my experience in enterprises it is hard to offer 'one size fits all' and have most of your customers happy - especially in the SMB market.

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Overall - the potential is clear.
It was interesting to see the focus on the consumer and SMB markets. Especially the consumer one. Running virtual OS / computer for non-business reasons is interesting.

Time to juice the laptop...

To be continue (if I find a power source...)

E.T.

Technorati Tags: Event,undertheradar,software, microsoft