After much pondering and thought I’ve decided that the new Facebook (specifically timeline and ticker features) is not for me.

I’m tired of fighting Facebook over the privacy issues, and instead of relearning them for the 7th time I’m simply going to defriend everyone but family. I barely use the service outside of messages (which I’ll allow for anyone to contact me via Facebook or darnellclayton@facebook.com) and loathe how the service is now being used by third party sites to “report” on my activities beyond the blue and white walls.

For those wondering I’ll be on Google+ (visit my profile at http://darnell.co/+ which will redirect towards my profile) and enough of my friends are active on it now to make it worth while for me.

Anyways thanks for the memories Facebook! While I think the changes are impressive and breath taking, I don’t feel like have my personal life/quotes mined by companies and frenemies without an easy way to privatize the settings.

Despite all the hate being leveled at Google from Uncle Sam, various startups and rival companies (I’m looking at you Apple!), I’m a passionate fan of the numerous Google services available, including Gmail, Google Voice, Google Chrome, Google+ (note: here’s my profile link), AdSense, Analytics, Search (of course!) and Android (note: I’m still not ditching my iPhone, but I do love some of the features available to Android, especially regarding third party apps).

However in the past few weeks months (or months?) I’ve started to use other services instead, some of which ironically are not attempting to compete with the Google Goliath. Here are just a few that I’ve started using instead of the Google alternative.

Out: Google Calender, In: Remember The Milk

Why?: If it weren’t for Remember The Milk’s (or RTM for short) iOS app I probably wouldn’t even consider ditching Google Calendar in the first place (as I loathe RTM’s web interface). However the startup has released a slick to-do list that is not only easier to create alerts upon, but also has simplified the process when it comes to creating events. Even better I can easily schedule events on every second Tuesday without having to dig too deeply into the “events” section.

I’m now subscribed to their premium service (which costs $25/year) and while I have tried rival to-do list managers (including Google tasks), few were as elegant as well as powerful as RTM.

Out: Google Docs, In: Evernote

Why?: Even though Google Docs is far more powerful than Evernote, the latter is far easier to use when it comes towards creating notes and “documents” than the former. I also enjoy the fact that I can record audio notes straight from my iPhone into my Evernote note (which comes handy when you’re in a lecture or meeting and the main speaker is speaking way too fast).

I also love the ability to easily clip web pages into Evernote, and highlight relevant content for a friend to checkout or even for a blog post. Of course Google Docs isn’t completely useless to me, as I still need a simple spreadsheet solution that doesn’t rhyme with the word Excel.

Out: YouTube, In: Qik

Why?: There are only 2 reasons why I prefer Qik (the premium version) over YouTube right now. The first is that I can broadcast live video for up to 90 minutes (note: YouTube also has live video but they have yet to roll it out to my account) and the second is Qik’s iOS app that allows you to apply effects upon the video as you’re broadcasting live.

Unfortunately not many people inside and outside of the geekverse use Qik (most are on Ustream, Viddy, Vimeo, etc.). Since Microsoft technically owns Qik (as they inherited the service after purchasing Skype) I’m hesitant about relying entirely upon the service so as a precaution I am automatically porting all of my Qik videos to YouTube as I’d rather be safe than sorry).

Out: Picasa and Picnik, In: Instagram

Why?: At the end of the day all I want to do is quickly edit a photo that I’ve taken on my iPhone. While both Picasa and Picnik are powerful tools to edit images with, they are often too slow for my taste, especially if I want to post something while on the go.

Instagram is probably closer to Flickr than its Google rivals, although truth be told it’s a lot more fun to use than any picture service that I’ve tried. Unfortunately Instagram is only available for iPhone users, so I’ll continue to use Picasa as well as Picnik until Instagram launches a decent web app as well a desktop app.

What about _______?

There are a few other services I am testing out as “Google replacements,” but as of now Google is either providing a superior service or the rival services are too expensive for my taste.

Is there a service that you use instead of Google? And please don’t say Bing! (as we’ve had a falling out since the hiybbprqag scandal).

So my local WalMart is unable to secure the latest and greatest iPhone (iPhone 4 to be exact) and currently only sells iPhone 3GS. But…

Note: Yes I know the first picture says iPhone 3G but they only sell iPhone 3GS. Not sure if they will remove the sign until iPhone 5 comes out.

–Posted from my iPhone

Yeah, Tumblr is currently down, so no blogging (or is it Tumbling?) upon either of my sites. However after seeing this messages…

…I think they are one of the coolest companies ever. Or at least they will be once they get back up.

Update: And now they’re back up!

Right on the heels of encountering problems after attempting to migrate my blog to a WordPress only host (long story short: redirecting the name servers was producing “freaky” results), I’ve now come across another error: My wireless router is once again blocking FTP access.

I am not sure why it keeps doing this (yes, I’ve looked at the settings and they all “appear normal”) and after suspecting the firewall (turning it off, along with anti-virus) I received the same “no dice for Darnell” error.

Last time I googled around for answers and a few experts weighed in with analysis of the issue (validating that it can block FTP) but no solution.

Since I REALLY want to migrate my blog, what I’m going to do is do it all manually. Basically create all the folders and upload the data to the server “the old fashioned way” by simply importing my WordPress data and uploading the media files later.

I’ll save this for the weekend job, but fortunately this should be a lot easier thanks to VaultPress.

Note: While I do like my wireless router, sometimes I think its “too protective.”

Image Credit: Linux Home Networking

So after my sites went down I decided to once again renew the search for a new host. Although I appreciate HostMonster’s customer service (which has been rather awesome), their server(s) seem to be maxing out more often which is making me nervous.

If it were only this blog that needed moving I’d would have switched ages ago. Unfortunately its more like 6 that I have to move (4 that I own and 2 others that I manage for a friend overseas and another for a relative).

I honestly was thinking about switching to MediaTemple (their Grid Service plan) and may eventually at the end of the month (despite the fact that I still have several months left on my HostMonster plan).

So why haven’t I switched yet?

Well, basically I’ve been spending the last couple of days preparing to review WordPress only hosting sites (for the Blog Herald) and after talking to 5 companies over twitter, Skype, twitter, email, twitter, and some random chat program (theirs not mine) I am slowly considering the possibility of a WordPress only host instead.

While the folks at MediaTemple won’t like me saying this (as I’ve been in contact with them about switching), a WordPress only hosting solution might be the wiser choice for me, as well as for my “I need a blog” friends (who I usually encourage to start one upon WordPress.com).

After quality, my biggest concern is cost as I will have little geek cash to spare after securing VaultPress for all of my blogs (2 sites which I’ll upgrade to VaultPress premium later on).

I still have not made a final decision on the matter yet, but either way there is no way I’m going back to cheap hosting plans in order to save a dime as (like the old saying goes) you get what you pay for.

Well, apparently WordPress is launching VaultPress which ironically is a service that will back up my WP lovin’ blog in case my glorious host gets hijacked by aliens (or more likely hit by an asteroid, but aliens sounds cooler).

Unfortunately the service is thus far limited (note: 30 invites a month!!! Are you kidding me?!!!) and is in beta so the chances of me signing up immediately slim to none.

But I always love a good challenge so to up the ante I’ve decided to express to the WordPress high priests why they should unlock the VaultPress temple and allow this WP convert inside.

Since poetry is the language of the heart (well truth be told red blood cells are, not to mention oxygen, but lets not get all scientific on ya’ll here) I’ve decided to express my desire in that fashion which you can read below.

Here is the video of VaultPress in all of its glory, followed by a poem underneath. Update: Apparently VideoPress and WordPress still do not mix too well. Here is the YouTube video instead.

Roses are red
And violets are blue
But if I don’t get VaultPress
My blogs will be screwed

Life is uncertain
Especially for geeks
If they don’t back up blogs
Their lives become bleak

Blogger has Google
To back up content
All I have is my PC
Of which I repent

I need a company
With servers tried and true
In multiple locations
And inexpensive dues

Because if a nuke
Strikes near my coast
My blogs will live on
(Although I’ll be toast!!)

So Dear WordPress priests
Please let me inside
The VaultPress temple
Where my blogs will safely abide

The only question I have
For the VaultPress guys and gals
(Which I’ll ask only once)
Do you accept Paypal?

Poem by Darnell Clayton

So, dear ticket masters, do you have a golden ticket for me? Pretty please with WP cherries on top? (the red ones, not the blue ones as those are trademarked by your b2evolution brethren).

Due to my inability to make the AT&T December cutoff, I can only choose one (as iPhone 4 will cost me $500 instead of $300, unless I add a 2nd line).

However if I choose the iPad, it will set me back $1,000 total (as I plan to purchase the keyboard charger plus a case to go with it).

So what is the hold up? The iPhone 4 is my dream phone. Let me explain.

When I purchased the original iPhone (refurbished of course), I loved everything about it. It was sturdy, tough (I know because I dropped it quite a few times), it was my beastly smartphone.

Unfortunately it lacked a video camera, and even if you jailbroke it, the 2 mpx camera wasn’t anything to boast about.

It also lacked 3G too, making Internet browsing over EDGE (aka 2G) “almost decent.”

Then came the iPhone 3G, which also lacked video but came with the 3G speed. I opted to skip this phone and wait for the iPhone 3GS which had 3G and video support (albeit 3.1 mpx).

My biggest issue with the iPhone 3GS was its fragility, which made it too delicate to leave in the hands of clumbsy people.

So I had to sacrifice a quality design for awesome features–until now.

The iPhone 4 has HD video, LED flash, is built like a beast (metal and “glass,” or rather a very hard plastic) and gyro to boot!

So the question remains, should I skip the iPhone 4 and just get an iPad 3G? Or should I hold off on Steve Jobs greatest creation and embrace my iDream?

I guess well find out at the end of June!

–Posted from my iPhone

One of the cool things I like about blogging is the fact that you can read responses from users (both the intelligent and the not so intelligent aka trolls, flammers, spammers, etc.) and gain wisdom and knowledge that will hopefully make you smarter.

While video comments help take this to the next level (thanks to YouTube and Seesmic), there is nothing more annoying than a long video comment post (which is almost as annoying as a commetor writing a novel).

I love short and pithy comments, and would love it if there was a similar enforced limit for video comments as well.

Hence this is where 12seconds comes in. Basically what I want is either a plugin or a script (for my BlogSpot friends) that would enable a user to post a video comment.

But I would also love it if one could also post it from their notebook as well as their iPhone, Blackberry, Droid, etc. by having the user click on a link which would launch the video app.

They then could record their (brief) message, and that would appear in the comment section along with a link back to their 12seconds profile (in order for them to reap some SEO love).

So there is my idea for you 12seconds! And you don’t have to even send me a 3G 64GB iPad! (although I would not mind if you did).

Now that I’ve (finally) typed this out, the next step is how do I contact 12seconds (or someone similar) to help build this? Hmmm…..

(Image Credit: Engadget)

Okay, I don’t have any spies inside Apple HQ (you’ll have to contact Michael Arrington for success in that department) but looking at last year’s clues I have the feeling that the next iPhone HD (aka iPhone 4G) is going to be classified as a medical device. Yes seriously.

Before I delve into the latest iRumor, here is a video from last year debuting iPhone 3.0 OS.

This idea apparently was inspired by a diabetic who pleaded Steve Jobs to make managing diabetes much easier.

Life Scan announced this app at the WWDC last year, but unlike the various other apps (ranging from multi-player games to enterprise apps) Life Scan never appeared in the app store–and Steve Jobs never breathed a hint about this app again.

I suspect that as soon as this app was revealed, Uncle Sam (or the US Government for you non-yanks) got involved, and that Apple and Life Scan had to go through some medical approval process before being allowed to mention this app again.

I also suspect that this feature (or app) will ONLY be available upon the upcoming iPhone (which could be called iPhone HD or iPhone MD).

Again, I have no hard evidence on whether or not this is true (so you’ll have to tap your own sources as Apple is as secretive as the Kremlin), but I have a feeling that Steve Jobs is going to unveil iPhone MD in a few days.

And when that happens, we will hear a loud, rusty, breaking sound, as Android devices everywhere are seen as “green junk.”