About Putting External Links in Comments

Dear Commentators on my blog,


After getting comments that all have a link to a website advertising smartphones (or other related products,) I've decided to make an amendment to my comment policy.  Actually I've never had a comment policy before.  I always wanted to have kind of an open forum environment in my comment - even if I've never stated this before.  However these comments that seem to be shameful advertising and contain somewhat "spam"-y links cannot keep popping up in my blog.

I've decided that I will no longer be allowing comments with links in them, particularly those with shortened links and display text that is different than the link itself (letter by letter).

I really wish I didn't have to do this but I know that apparently the "bot"-like users of the Internet won't be stopping their antics anytime soon.  I believe it really only happens on my technology blog posts.  This is especially true when I write about the iPhone, even if it's criticism.


Now don't leave spam links in your comments,
TheArtistAsian

Thoughts on the new Surface Pro 2

It may seem stupid of me that I will post a review of the Surface Pro very soon, since the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 come out in two days.  Nevertheless, I have some very strong impressions about the new generation of Surface.

The 2-position kickstand
I think that the new 2 position kickstand is a great update.  It allows users to view the screen of the Surface from different and more angles.  I would say that it is great because I tend to hunch down to use my Surface Pro because the screen is so low.  In the rare chance that I do get a Surface Pro 2 with 512 GB of solid state memory, I will surely appreciate the stand because it will allow me to use the Surface with more comfort.  I tend to bend down to look at the screen when I place my Surface Pro on a low desk or on a soft place like a sofa or bed.

Improvements for the Type Cover 2
I was thinking that the uniform black color scheme of the Surface Pro and Type Cover was a bit bland.  I'm glad that now the Type Cover 2 comes in blue, pink, and purple as well.

Also, I'm very happy to hear that the Type Cover 2 is backlit.  It was very hard to know if the caps lock was turned on or not until the new keyboard comes with a lighted caps lock key.  I think the backlit keys make the Type Cover conform with a standard that is almost universal with laptop keyboards.

The power cover will be very nice because it will add much-needed battery life to the Surface Pro 2.  It'll need all the battery juice the Surface Pro 2 needs.

However... some disappointments as well
I'm kind of disappointed in Microsoft that the much needed Docking Station for Surface and the Power Cover will be released next year.  I feel that those product releases weren't planned well.  Anyways, the Surface Pro only debuted just barely a year ago in January 2013... so I'm not that surprised anyways.  Still, the Power Cover and Docking Station should've been released along with the Surface Pro 2.

_____
Picture sources (in order of appearance):
1)  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/tech-life/top-features-of-microsofts-surface-pro-2-tablet/built-in-kickstand/slideshow/22992526.cms
2)  http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/23/4761840/microsoft-announces-surface-type-cover
3)  http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Type-Cover-2/productID.286867100
4)  http://amanz.my/2013/09/microsoft-memperkenalkan-surface-pro-2-secara-rasmi/
5)  http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/23/microsoft-surface-pro-2-tablet-officially-announced

Snapchat creeps me out!

When I sat down to write this, I was going to examine how stupid my classmates look when they take selfies, most likely with Snapchat.  However my plan of action drastically changed when I looked up a little more info about this app "everyone" is using.

 

I had previously thought that people had sent pictures on Snapchat sort of like an IM system that exclusively focused on pictures.  However, when I went on Wikipedia (it's good enough for laymen, not scholars), I found out that the reason why I see everyone tapping and holding their new messages.  It's because that you can only read Snapchat messages when tapping and holding them.  Even *better* is the fact that once you open your new message, you only have 1-10 seconds to see it.  Then, it is "deleted."  (Actually, the software doesn't provide a way for users to ordinarily view past messages.  The exception is with tinkering with the code of the app or using an app emulator.)

 

Ok... Maybe I've been "living under a rock," so to say, since I don't have a smartphone.  Regardless of that, I still think that this self-deleting messaging service sounds like something out of a spy movie.

 

When I told my curious mom what I was writing about, she noted how the service would be excellent for terrorists to use, since the messages delete themselves in Snapchat.  (Apparently, my mom likes to point out security issues in technology that permits extremely communication.)  I pointed out to my mom that Snapchat servers (technically... yes, it's all very technical) save users' past 200 messages.  Despite this, I thought it would be harder for the federal government to investigate servers that really aren't dedicated to saving information, such as those for Facebook and Twitter.

 

So I'm pretty much scared about this app.  Well, this isn't one of those "WARNING" chain mails fallacies but I have my misgivings about this app.  Because the last memorable thing I remember about Snapchat before today is that some teen girl talking about how some weird guys she didn't know kept sending her their pictures.  If you asked me, those guys were probably sexual predators.