Bob Caswell – Page 36 – Media consumer, tech enthusiast, and gamer

Free Advertising: Microsoft $200, Google $50, LookSmart $300, & Ask $50

December 7, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 66 Comments

Tis the season for online advertisers to attract new customers. If you have a website, blog, etc. and are looking for the perfect time to build exposure while freeloading, then these offers are for you. This is likely to be the best compilation of free offers available for some time; if interested, make your move now, as most these offers expire within a month. Here are the details and links for each company and offer:

Do-It-Yourself Tech, Google, Microsoft, Tech News, Web 2.0

iPod Alternatives? Who is Switching and Why?

December 6, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 4 Comments

Walt Mossberg of WSJ fame (subscription required) often answers popular tech questions coming from readers. One noticeable question answered this week, which coincidentally comes right on the heels of Microsoft announcing that it expects to sell 1 million Zunes by June:

We have not had good luck with iPods, and I’m ready to try an alternative. Which ones should I consider? Is there a way to transfer the music we purchased from iTunes to another player?

Apple, Gadgets, Music, Tech News

Poll: What would make you switch from Netflix to Blockbuster?

December 6, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 11 Comments

Netflix_3 So Blockbuster released a holiday promotion yesterday that will let Netflix subscribers rent Blockbuster movies for free. The reaction to the offer is, of course, mixed. Some seem to hate Blockbuster with a passion while others point out Netflix has its own issues (especially when you are a frequent user). How can we know what to do in a case like this?

I thought we could settle this once and for all using my favorite imperfect method: the poll! Question: I would switch from Netflix to Blockbuster IF:

Media, Netflix, Tech News

Blockbuster Inviting Netflix Customers to Rent Movies From Stores for Free

December 5, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 38 Comments

According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Blockbuster is introducing a holiday promotion that will let Netflix subscribers rent Blockbuster movies for free. Here’s how it works: Netflix members can turn in the tear-off flaps from any red Netflix envelopes for free rentals at any Blockbuster store. The promotion is set to run through December 21.

Internet, Media, Netflix, Tech News

Symantec Norton 360 Review with Screenshots

December 5, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 83 Comments

Symanteclogo_1 Symantec recently released the beta version of its new security suite: Norton 360. The question is whether the 360 part of the name refers to what Symantec would have you believe: “Norton gives you a full circle of protection.” Or could it refer to Symantec doing a 360 and being right back where it started with a bloated, buggy, and overpriced product?

When I covered the Norton AntiVirus 2006 release last year, the thread turned into a place for consumers to vent on how the product caused more problems than fixes. Some were even wishing for a class-action lawsuit. Well, I’ve been playing with the latest iteration for a few days now to see which implication of using the term 360 is true. Here’s what I found:

Do-It-Yourself Tech, Internet, Privacy, Tech Reviews, Web 2.0

Review of Mozy: Free Online Backup

December 4, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 16 Comments

So I recently reviewed Carbonite, a $5 per month online backup service for unlimited data backups from one computer. But the last few days I’ve been playing with Mozy, another online backup service with a different offering. In a nutshell, Mozy offers more control, more features, and is completely free for two gigabytes of online storage. The down side is that for $5 per month, you only get a maximum of 30 gigs (see update at end of article). And though the interface gives power users more control, it may be less inviting to the average user. But free is free. There is no reason why any of us shouldn’t take advantage of backing up our most important two gigabytes of data.

Do-It-Yourself Tech, Internet, Tech Reviews, Web 2.0

Dell 2.0: The “To Do” List Now That HP Is Number One

December 3, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 5 Comments

It’s official: HP is the biggest PC-maker with Dell falling to the number two spot after the latest earnings reports from both companies. Dell has been hit with a stream of bad news recently, including unexciting profits, a costly battery recall, an SEC investigation, a volatile share price, and the death of its MP3 player. What happened? And where does the company go from here? Well, in a move that’s getting polarized reactions, Dell wants to reinvent itself with an initiative called Dell 2.0 (Is the name hip or an eye roller? You decide). Here are the details:

Computers, Tech News