Paul Jacobson

Category: Useful stuff

  • What makes Google Chrome so fast, technically (redux)

    I published a short post yesterday about what makes Google Chrome so fast. I since came across a couple other items about Chrome’s performance which I found pretty interesting and I want to share with you. Anyone who has been following me for a while probably knows that I am a Firefox fan. It remains…

  • Norwegian PM runs his country using an iPad

    Ok, this is a little gimmicky but a fun insight into how the iPad is being used. Norway Uses iPad to Run the Government During Icelandic Volcano: “Thousands of travelers are stranded throughout Europe as ash continues to rain down from an erupting volcano in Iceland this week. Among them is Norwegian Prime Minister Jens…

  • What makes Google Chrome so fast, technically

    Ever wonder what makes Google Chrome so fast? Take a look at this post. Technically speaking, what makes Google Chrome fast? (Part II): “If you’ve dug around the many graphs that are displayed when you type ‘about:histograms’ into Chrome’s Omnibox, you’ll notice that we’re still obsessed about measuring, benchmarking, and improving speed and performance on…

  • Gmail adds drag-and-drop attachments and GCal invitations

    Gmail just seems to be more and more useful lately. Well, its always been really useful but the Gmail team has been adding more functionality that makes Gmail even more compelling. Two of the latest additions include drag-and-drop file attachments and adding calendar invitations directly from Gmail. The attachment functionality only works in Firefox 3.6…

  • A little perspective on MWEB's seemingly cheap ADSL offering

    News just broke about MWEB’s new pricing for its ADSL offerings including a remarkable R219 for uncapped ADSL (for a 384 kbps ADSL line). Businesses can expect to pay between R499 for 384 kbps DSL and R2 359 for up to 4 Mbps DSL. These prices are a little misleading and they vary depending on…

  • Want an eReader? The iPad probably isn't for you.

    I have been resisting the urge to speculate about the iPad since it was announced. I have a history of seizing upon the latest Apple/Nokia gear and proclaiming it to be the next best thing since the printed word (or the last Apple/Nokia gear). I have generally been wrong about just how awesome the device…

  • Learning how to take better photos

    I realised that my camera, a Canon Powershot SX100 IS which I bought in Japan in July/August 2008, has a lot more functionality that I realised. I’ve started learning how to use it better and that largely includes playing around with many of the manual or semi-automated settings which I have pretty much skipped over…

  • Nokia to offer free, worldwide turn-by-turn navigation

    Nokia has dropped a bombshell and will be offering free turn-by-turn navigation on its smartphones. This is according to a Reuters report which I found via Engadget. The report is apparently based on a release of some kind from Nokia which I haven’t been able to locate yet Update: This news seems to be part…