Author Archives: Joe Golton

Blackberry vs iPhone 4s (After Two Months of Use)

By Joe Golton | Published: December 23, 2011

People tend to optimize their next purchase based on the worst feature of their prior purchase. That is clearly why I bought a Blackberry in 2008 after experiencing a phone with terrible voice quality and numerous dropped calls.

Blackberry delivered. I experienced voice quality comparable to that of a land line during my 3.5 years of Blackberry (8320, 9700) ownership. The siren calls from iPhone and Android devices had no effect on me during this time. By nearly all accounts, iPhones were great pocket computers with lousy phones and Android devices required too much fiddling to suit my tastes.

Then the iPhone 4s came out, promising decent voice call quality, improved battery life, and a better notification system. In other words, a great pocket computer and a great communication device. I decided to switch, and I wrote about this decision here.

Now that I’ve been using an iPhone 4s for nearly 2 months, I’d like to revisit my decision. Is the iPhone 4s performing as expected? How does it compare to the Blackberry 9700 I used for 2 years? Do I have any regrets? You may find some of my answers surprising. Read More »

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Filed in category: Essays

Kindle DX $259 Black Friday Deal

By Joe Golton | Published: November 24, 2011

Normally $379, through November 28 you can buy the Kindle DX at Amazon for $259. This is the best E Ink reader currently available for reading PDFs, thanks to the large 9.7″ screen. It connects via free 3G, not WiFi.

It’s a great deal if you want a larger E Ink display. It’s also a chance to support FilterJoe with commissions from Amazon for each DX (or anything else) purchased from Amazon after clicking on this link.

FilterJoe isn’t a deal site but I’ve been surprised about the number of clicks to the Nook deal from yesterday’s posting. So I’ll continue posting all the Black Friday deals I can find on products or services I’ve discussed. Maybe I’ll make this an annual tradition.

I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving and thanks to all my readers. Since early October, FilterJoe has had over 5,000 pageviews per week. Thank You!

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Filed in category: Uncategorized

Black Friday Specials 1Password and Nook Simple Touch

By Joe Golton | Published: November 23, 2011

Two products I’ve discussed on FilterJoe are selling at the lowest prices I’ve ever seen on Black Friday: 1Password (50% off) and the Nook Simple Touch ($79). Read More »

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Filed in category: Uncategorized

Nook Simple Touch Firmware Update 1.1.0

By Joe Golton | Published: November 8, 2011

The Nook Simple Touch received a major software update yesterday. Barnes and Noble’s communications around this update were confusing, and they have not published a detailed list of changes and bug fixes. News outlets have added to the confusion by parroting the Barnes and Noble press release without doing any fact checking.

In this post I’ll lay out the facts about the update, and then I’ll discuss my opinion about these changes in the context of my prior review of the Nook Simple Touch. Read More »

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Filed in category: Reading and writing

Blackberry vs. iPhone: No Longer a Contest

By Joe Golton | Published: October 19, 2011

I like my Blackberry 9700. It’s a great communication device with outstanding voice quality and messaging. Unfortunately, I’ve managed to submerge it in water once and drop it on sidewalks a few times. Remarkably, it has few issues so far. But given the water damage, I’m thinking this Blackberry may soon quit working altogether. Time to upgrade.

I briefly considered the impressive Galaxy S II, but I prefer smaller (single hand) devices and more polished operating systems. An inexpensive grandfathered plan gives me an incentive to stick with Blackberry on T-mobile, but the iPhone’s 336 PPI Retina display beckons. Blackberry Bold 9900 or iPhone 4s. Which one?

iPhone 4s. No contest. Here’s why. Read More »

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Filed in category: Essays

Which is the Best E-reader? The Nook Simple Touch?

By Joe Golton | Published: September 28, 2011

Using a dedicated portable reading device is one of the best ways I know to read digital content without distraction. But selecting an appropriate device can be confusing. My guess is you won’t get the most suitable device for your needs if you ask, “Which is the best e-reader?” Try instead asking the following set of questions: Read More »

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Filed in category: Reading and writing

Best AA Batteries That You Never Heard Of

By Joe Golton | Published: May 30, 2011

Just about everyone uses AA batteries. But few people use the best AA batteries, or have even heard of them.

What are these batteries? Why are they so great? Where can you buy them? What charger do you need to buy? Read More »

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Filed in category: Essays

Smartphones: The Most Pervasive Interruption Technology Ever

By Joe Golton | Published: May 6, 2011

Over the past few years, excitement has been growing for the idea of an “everything device” that you carry in your pocket. Why carry many separate physical and electronic devices for your phone, address book, calendar, planner, GPS, books, magazines, etc.? An iPhone, Blackberry, or Android-based smartphone will do it all.

There’s just one problem.

Interruptions. Read More »

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Filed in category: Essays

Risks of Storing Passwords in the Cloud with LastPass

By Joe Golton | Published: May 5, 2011

Two recent incidents highlight the risks of storing passwords in the cloud with LastPass. The official reports from LastPass are here and here. I have updated my popular Which Password Manager post to include a description of these incidents.

Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

A Guide to Using Passwords Without Distraction

By Joe Golton | Published: April 14, 2011

One of the biggest distractions of modern life is passwords. Many web services and forums require that you set up a separate user name and password. You have to develop and maintain a system to remember it all. And you have to enter these user names and passwords many times per day.

Even the lightest of users may have a dozen or so online accounts and heavy users have hundreds. How do you keep track of all these passwords? Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Web Page Reformatting Services Readable and Readability

By Joe Golton | Published: April 11, 2011

With a single click, you can reformat a busy web page so that only the main content is visible. I first wrote about this in Filters for Reading on the Web, where I also discussed why extended reading on a computer monitor is so difficult.

Since that time, there has been an explosion of interest in helping people read without distraction. Apple has included a Readability button with the Safari browser. All browsers but Safari now include a full screen mode. Many web page reformatting services have come and gone.

But Readable and Readability are the two web page reformatting services which came out first, and both have withstood the test of time. Both also came out with new versions in early 2011. Here’s what you need to know about the latest versions. Read More »

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Filed in category: Reading and writing

Best Browsers 2011: Which Is the Best Browser for You?

By Joe Golton | Published: March 15, 2011

In early 2011, there have been major changes to four out of the five browsers that dominate the browser market: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Internet Explorer. So it’s a great time for my third annual browser comparison, along with recommendations.

In last year’s browser comparison post, I noted that:

“Google’s Chrome browser was designed from the ground up to be good at running web applications, with an underlying architecture that is faster, more secure, and more stable than the competition. Chrome succeeded. The competition responded. Users have benefited.”

I also thought that Chrome deserved the “best browser” award at that time. However, the competition has since greatly improved. Though I again rank the browsers 1 through 5, the gap between #1 and #5 is narrow, as the current versions are all very good. Each browser is best for a different set of users. Read More »

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Filed in category: Browsers and the cloud

The Best Monitor Setup to Reduce Eye Fatigue and Distraction

By Joe Golton | Published: February 26, 2011

For years I’ve struggled to find a monitor setup that allows me to be the most productive, without causing eye fatigue or eye strain. Here’s my best answer so far:

I now use a vertical monitor with high pixel density. It helps reduce eye fatigue, clicks, and distraction.

Why?

How?

Read More »

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Filed in category: Reading and writing

Distraction-Free Reading on Tablets? Should You Buy One?

By Joe Golton | Published: February 10, 2011

Tablets are the latest tech fad and for good reason. Compared with laptops, they’re more portable, they have longer battery life, and they’re easier to use and maintain. This makes for a superior experience for displaying a wide variety of content. I suspect that within a few years, tablets will be a general purpose computing appliance that is easier to use, maintain, and secure than traditional computers.

But are they good for distraction-free reading of the sort I talk about so much at FilterJoe? Should you spend $500 or more on a tablet for use as a dedicated reader? Or should you stick with a less expensive iPod Touch or Kindle for reading? Read More »

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Filed in category: Reading and writing

iPod touch vs Kindle: Which is Best for Reading?

By Joe Golton | Published: February 7, 2011

Do you spend hours reading computer displays each day? Does this tire your eyes? Me too. So I’m on a mission to find a device on which I can read anything. Ideally, it should be:

  • as easy on my eyes as a paperback book
  • as portable and convenient as a paperback book
  • simple to read for any kind of format
  • simple and free to get reading material onto the device

I tried reading anything on a second generation Kindle. The e-ink screen is easy on my eyes and Kindles are great for reading novels. But the software has many shortcomings for reading other material such as PDFs or long articles on the web. I devoted considerable effort to making my Kindle overcome these shortcomings, but in the end decided to try a more flexible device lacking an E-ink display.

An iPod Touch and a Kindle

An iPod touch and a Kindle

Enter the iPod touch, 4th generation (or iPhone 4), with double the screen resolution of prior models. Reading with the “Retina Display” is easy on my eyes and the software makes reading a breeze for a surprisingly wide range of reading material.

The iPod touch 4G works well for reading. It works so well for me that I stopped using my Kindle and sold it. Read on for details, including many tips along the way for using an iPod for reading. Read More »

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Filed in category: Reading and writing

Will Chrome be the Best Browser in 2011? Probably Not . . .

By Joe Golton | Published: December 13, 2010

What I care most about in a browser or any other computer tool is being able to focus on work without distraction. After all, that is what FilterJoe is all about.

In my best browsers post, Chrome 5 earned my “best browser 2010″ award, thanks to speed, security, and an uncluttered interface. Since then, Chrome has released 3 more versions, with Chrome 8 released on December 2, 2010.

Is Chrome three versions’ worth of better? Or is it worse? Will Chrome be the best browser in 2011? Read More »

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Filed in category: Browsers and the cloud

A Base Phrase Approach to Password Management

By Joe Golton | Published: December 6, 2010

Password management software is a great way to manage passwords, as I write about here, here and here. However, it is possible to manage passwords quite well without software, using what I call a “base phrase approach”. The basic idea behind this method is to pick a phrase or word. Transform it into a very strong base password, to which a few letters are added for each different account.

I have been reluctant to post this article as I continue to strongly believe that using a password manager is a much better approach for most people. But having seen a few articles recently describing how to manage passwords without a password manager, I felt the time was right to complete the series on password management.

Read on for specific, detailed examples of how to implement the base phrase approach.

Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Can You Read Anything with the Kindle? Almost . . . with Google Reader

By Joe Golton | Published: July 23, 2010

A year ago I wrote about how difficult it is to read text-heavy content on a computer, here. Though I recognized the virtues of E-ink, I was not enthusiastic about the Amazon Kindle as a device for reading lengthy online text due to its high expense, slow browser, and the difficulty of getting online content onto the device.

Can you read anything on a Kindle?

Now the price is lower, the browser is faster, and getting many forms of content onto the Kindle is easier, especially if used in conjunction with Google Reader. Read More »

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Filed in category: Reading and writing

Memory Hog Chrome Gets Slower and Slower: A Workaround

By Joe Golton | Published: July 5, 2010

Chrome is a very fast browser when it starts. But Chrome is a memory hog. After several hours of consuming ever more memory, Chrome gets slower and slower. Here is both an explanation and a workaround. Read More »

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Filed in category: Browsers and the cloud

Best Browsers 2010 . . . Five Browser Comparison

By Joe Golton | Published: June 9, 2010

Last year I wrote about the five most popular browsers, and how keeping your browser up to date helps speed, security, reliability, and compatibility (here). My order of preference in 2009 was Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer (IE), Chrome, and Safari.

NOTE: In March 2011 I posted a more current comparison of the latest browser versions, Best Browsers . . .

In 2010, the same five browsers continue to dominate the market, but my order of preference has changed. Why? Read More »

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Filed in category: Browsers and the cloud

32 Million Skyrock Passwords Stolen and What You Should Do About It

By Joe Golton | Published: May 31, 2010

On May 21, 2010, Skyrock informed users of their social network and blogging platform to change passwords (mots de passe), because of an intrusion detected on May 19. Skyrock does not know what the intruder accomplished. If the password list was stolen, then the passwords of all 32 million users were compromised because they were stored as plaintext.

What should you do if you are a Skyrock user? What should you do if you are not a Skyrock user? Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Password Management for the Average Joe

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

If you’re like most home computer users, you use the same 2 or 3 passwords for your various accounts and your passwords are easy to crack. As you keep reading news reports about hacked accounts and stolen identities, you think you should do something about your passwords, but you keep putting it off.

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Like personal security, password management is something most people don’t think much about until after something bad happens. Unfortunately, the Internet is not secure. Just as you need to be “street wise” when venturing onto streets, you need to be “net wise” – especially with passwords – when venturing onto the Internet. Because, like it or not, your passwords are currently the main barrier between you and the bad guys.

Most password management advice seems designed to torture you as opposed to help you. For the average Joe with average security needs, password management advice needs to be simple and usable, not just secure. Luckily, there is a reasonably secure form of password management that is simple and usable. Here it is: Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Use a Password Manager to Assign Unique, Random 15 Character Passwords for all Accounts, Protecting them with a Strong Master Password

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

Securing a computer is hard. A highly skilled hacker can easily break into to your accounts or computer. But the same can be said of home security. A highly skilled thief can easily bypass a locked door or alarm system.

Most thieves are not highly skilled, and even thieves with greater skill prefer easier targets. So locking doors will discourage many thieves, and a big, barking dog will discourage even more.

The same is true with hackers – most are not highly skilled and even those who are prefer easy targets. If you are a typical consumer without data of great value to criminals, then using a password manager as I describe here can act as the equivalent of a locked door combined with a barking dog, an alarm system, and a sprinkler system – which will keep out all but the most highly skilled and determined hackers.

Unfortunately, the way most people manage their passwords can be easily exploited by automated malware or as part of larger attacks that harvest thousands of passwords. Even more unfortunately, the vast majority of advice about password management is either misguided or too complicated. In this post I explain why I believe using a Password Manager (to assign unique, random 15 character passwords for all accounts, protecting them with a strong master password) strikes the best balance of usability and security for the average Joe.

The title of this post sums up the password management approach that I believe provides the most benefit for the least effort. In the rest of this post, I explain why. Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Which Password Manager?

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

There are dozens of password managers, including some built into browsers. Many of them do the basic job you need, which is to use a master password and strong encryption to securely store your passwords. More important than selecting the “best” password manager is to use such software wisely. I describe how to use a password manager here (basics and index to password series) and here (tips).

If you’re already using and liking a password manager not mentioned in this post, by all means keep using it so long as it offers master password protection in combination with strong encryption. While most password managers offer password import and export functions, the actual practice of switching password managers and learning a new one is cumbersome.

However, if you’re selecting a password manager for the first time or dissatisfied with your current password manager, you may as well benefit from my efforts to identify the best password managers for individuals. My efforts included extensive use of two password managers and poring through hundreds of reviews, forums, and comments about many others. Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Tips For Wise Use of Password Managers – Including Master Password Selection

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

In the first post of this series, I describe four steps to secure your passwords with a password manager. This post describes a number of additional tips for using your password manager software most effectively. The “Tips for Standard Use” section is for everyone. The “Tips for Extra Password Security” section is for those who need additional security, with less regard for convenience. Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Bad or Useless Advice about Password Management

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

I’ve read dozens of tutorials and guides on how to manage passwords. I dislike most of them for the simple reason that they are far too cumbersome to implement and have you memorize a dozen or more rules without telling you why. The only way an average person will use secure passwords is if it doesn’t take up too much time and attention. Here are a few pieces of advice on password management dissected and dismissed: Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

How Attackers Steal Passwords

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

Many people don’t understand how easy it is for attackers to take advantage of weak passwords, and therefore don’t use a password manager or other means to make their passwords stronger. This post describes 9 common ways passwords get captured, roughly ordered from most to least common. Proper use of a password manager can thwart some of these attacks and limit damages from most other types of attacks. Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

The Usual Way to Manage Passwords and How Attackers Exploit it

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

According to various studies, most people use the same few passwords for all of their accounts, most of these passwords are weak, and many people don’t realize how weak their passwords are. Using the same 2 or 3 passwords for many accounts is analogous to storing all of your keys under the outside doormat of your locked front door – it doesn’t take much effort for a thief to have access to everything.

In this post, I describe the typical home user system for managing passwords and how attackers exploit this system. Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management

Definitions for Common Password Security Terms

By Joe Golton | Published: May 14, 2010

Like anything to do with computers, password management has its share of jargon. To avoid cluttering up my posts on password management, these terms are defined here. Read More »

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Filed in category: Password management