Joe Friend: Expat Tech

Disposable email addresses and spam

Matt Griffith points to Spamex as a potential solution to spam. Spamex let's you create disposable email addresses that you can use when filling out forms on websites, etc. I've been using http://www.mailshell.com , which is a similar service. From a cursory look at Spamex, I would say that Mailshell is more sophisticated and flexible, while possibly more confusing. It works for me.

Laptop battery gives out

I got up this morning and tried to update this blog, before leaving on my trip. Night before I'd unplugged most everything in order to speed up our departure. So, I was on battery power. 25 minutes later, my battery gave out. I hate laptop batteries. I just want one that works, 5-6 hours long & doesn't give out after a year! So, guess I get to deal with Dell support.

Figuring out SMS lingo

SMS is huge in Asia. If you're having trouble understanding your messages, TransL8it might be able to help. It's fun to play around with and it helps you learn to speak SMS. Thanks for the link, Jenny.

Key clicks

I updated my audio drivers the other day, along with other various Microsoft Update recommended updates. Afterwards, my keyboard had key clicks, small beeps every time you hit a key. Very annoying. I've searched for a way to turn it off, but no luck. Don't suggest "Accessibility Options" I've already tried there, but I could have missed something. Never mind, I'll accept any suggestions anyone has.

Six Degrees

I'm downloading the demo of Six Degrees. It sounds a lot like Enfish, but it is suppose to be cooler. We'll see. More later. (BTW, downloading 10meg files via 28.8, actually slower, dial-up lines sucks)

Email etiquette

Here's how to mind your email Ps & Qs. See the full site for the details and explanations. Most of these are good general email practices, but the list is oriented towards corporate/business users, so some of them don't apply to personal use. The ones I think are bogus have a ** next to them with my comments in italics. My favorites are in bold.

Be concise and to the point
Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions
Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation ** (make a good attempt, but don't sweat it too much. Clarity is the issue. At least this is true for personal emails.)
Make it personal
Use templates for frequently used responses
Answer swiftly
Do not attach unnecessary files ** (This is critical for those of us living overseas and using low-bandwidth connections)
Use proper structure & layout
Do not overuse the high priority option
Do not write in CAPITALS
Don't leave out the message thread
Add disclaimers to your emails
Read the email before you send it ** (You really look stupid when you reply and don't address the issue.)
Do not overuse Reply to All
Mailings > use the bcc: field or do a mail merge
Take care with abbreviations and emoticons
Be careful with formatting
Take care with rich text and HTML messages
Do not forward chain letters
Do not request delivery and read receipts
Do not ask to recall a message.
Do not copy a message or attachment without permission
Do not use email to discuss confidential information ** (unless you are using SSL mail or PGP or the like)
Use a meaningful subject ** (this isn't always easy to do)
Use active instead of passive
Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT
Avoid long sentences
Don't send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks
Don't forward virus hoaxes and chain letters
Keep your language gender neutral** (Oh, give me a break.)
Don't reply to spam
Use cc: field sparingly

Trillian

I wanted to chat with Scott "Mr. Fuzzy" Johnson when I saw on his weblog that he was . Scott uses Yahoo's IM software and I already had a Yahoo account, because I use their email service, but I hadn't installed their instant messaging software. So, download, install, have problems, get it working, finally chat with Scott (very smart guy, really generous with his time.) What a hassle. I'm sick of installing so many IM bits on my computer. I don't want them all running all the time. Too much memory eaten up, too many bugs, too many crashes, etc. Then I saw someone (I forget who you are, sorry) post about a new version of Trillian that was just release. This is the instant messaging Swiss knife. It supports AOL's AIM and ICQ, Microsoft, Yahoo, and IRC. I'd used it before, but uninstalled it for some reason I don't remember. Well, it is running like a gem and I've chatted with a couple of folks that I'd lost contact with (via chat at least) since I'd stopped using ICQ and AIM. Cool. Now, MS Messenger is no longer running and Trillian is the only IM software for me!

Lightning and computers

Wow, just had one of the worst scares of this year. Lightning struck near our house yesterday. Big storm. My laptop and desktop were still plugged in to the electricity and phone. When the storm was over my laptop would startup. I thought the hard drive and many other components were trashed. Last backup was 3 months ago! I spent the past 24 hours in deep mourning. Long story short, only the mini-pci modem/ethernet cart was trashed. Once I pulled it out, everything else worked. The desktop modem was hosed too. A new desktop modem cost Rp. 130,000 (or about $14). Don't know whether Dell will replace the dead laptop modem/netcard.

Prepaid internet card for Indonesia

Indo.net.id now offers a prepaid internet card. That's nice for when you're traveling or when a friend comes to visit in Indonesia. Not sure what the price/minute is or any of the details, but it looks like you can buy them at any Indo.net.id office.

Google and local search services

Michael Sippey, in response to the NYT piece on Google's search for a business model, suggests that Google provide local search service. I assume he means an application that you install on your PC. This app would index all your files (email is a must) and you can do quick accurate searching. I've tried Enfish Find and am fairly happy with it. I got it for free (during a special promotion), but I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay $69.95. You can search local content and the web too, per Dave Winer's request, but not simultaneously. As with many of these tools, the cost is that you've got an indexer running in the background at all times. It can be a hog. It takes some time getting things tuned right. Also, you have to remember to use it. I keep forgetting and using Outlook's search feature to search my emails.

Stopping spam

This is a very cool service that can help you deal with spam problems. It has a very simple solution, but its user interface may be a little too complicated. It also provides a lot of other great email features. I'm trying it out for 30 days.