Is Writely Google's MS killer? Web app shows promise but isn't ready for primetime.

A few days ago I posted on the Explorer Blog about Google opening up beta testing for its online word processing app called Writely. Over the past few days I've conducted some basic tests to gauge how much of a Microsoft Office killer the program is and to see if the site truly lives up to the hype. I was surprised to see that Writely is completely branded independent of Google, and in fact only mentions that it's part of the search engine giant inside the Terms of Service. I was also surprised by how much the interface draws from the design of other WYSIWYG editors, even if there is a little MS Word inspiration thrown in for good measure.

A few days ago I posted that I've been messing around with building my very own WiFi waveguide antenna, otherwise know as a cantenna. Allegedly the name comes from the practice of building the high frequency waveguide from a surplus metal can, something that amateur radio folks have been doing for years. The purpose of the WiFi waveguide is to increase the signal strength from distant WiFi hotspots. In principal the length and diameter of the can affect how much signal gain you can achieve. The can also provides a means to provide direction gain control, i.e. only receiving signals from hotspots you point the can at, which can be useful at times.

Few things conjure up such mixed emotions as an impending software release, at least for a programmer. On one had your tired and you just want to get the thing done, but on the other hand you know that launching your app will likely mean the inevitable call from co-workers that "the server's blowing up" or "I can't get to my email". To our friends outside the IT world, these little annoyances might seem very severe, but in reality they are just simple teething problems that every project has whether it's a new web app or a recently constructed building.

Over the years I've built a number of PCs from scratch and I have to say it can be one of the most rewarding do it yourself activities. Though it's typically thought of as the realm of the computer geek, building your own system is not an impossible task and can be completed by any hobbyist with a little time and self confidence. The real problem is choosing which "bare bones" system to start with. The following is an article I wrote a while back comparing two similar systems that I've built a number of times. Though some of the hardware is now obsolete, both companies continue sell very similar products. They are by no means the only two systems out there, so I encourage you to do a little research and find the box that best fits your needs.