01.22.13: Back in April, I created an item indicating three free apps for storing data.
You could then easily share the data with others.
The one I mainly use is Dropbox, as it provides the most free space.
In the last few days, a new player (Mega) has appeared on the scene.
MEGA is providing 50gb with an encryption key (only you know).
This cloud storage provider with displace all others, if they don't dramatically increase your free space.
I am loading data into it right now - quite slow - and will let you know more about how it works after using it for a few days.
As with all cloud storage facilities:
1. remember that data you load into it will apply to your monthly data transfer quota
2. be sure to retain a copy of your data on another device. If the data ia really important (such as specific pictures, etc), be sure to backup on another storage medium (DVD, SDcard, stick, etc) as well.
01.22.13: Just got off the phone with Rogers.
Not moving to Teksavvy and saving over $100/mo via new promotions.
Faster speed than TekSavvy for $5/mo less and same 300gb download PLUS a lot more cost reduction on my other services!
SUGGEST YOU CALL 1-888-764-3771 AND SELECT THE OPTION FOR CANCELLING YOUR INTERNET ... THIS WEEK ... AS PROMOTIONS CAN STOP AT ANY TIME!
01.15.13: It is time to understand where TekSavvy fits in as an alternative to Rogers and Bell Internet.
In the past, for various monetary reasons, I have not considered TekSavvy to be competitive with the standard providers.
However, unlike phone and TV, the standard providers do not have significant penalties preventing a subscriber from changing easily.
Rogers sent me an email indicating my download speed would increase to 35mbps (from my 25mbps) free of charge ... just because i was such a loyal customer.
But, this month's bill indicates an additional $3/mo for Internet starting next month. It also indicates $4/mo more for TV, starting next month.
Rogers is forcing me to pay more for faster speed I never asked for (nor can reject)!
What is in TekSavvy's favour now is the 300gb/mo download amount as well as cheaper monthly rates (especially for an existing Rogers user).
What is not in TekSavvy favour is one-time charges.
Also, movies companies are planning to pick on TekSavvy users for ownloading movies. This copyright trolling has been halted temporarily due to court action ... but who knows what the end result will be and the cost to TekSavvy...
Take a look at the TekSavvy charges for cable and for DSL (Bell) type offerings.
I would suggest you only consider the service that matches your existing (cable for Rogers and DSL for Bell).
In summary, monthly cost would be significantly cheaper (if you stay for longer than a year) with TekSavvy and you could download more (if that is a consideration) and you probably wouldn't notice any difference in speed.
My existing Rogers Internet service is $78/mo total...will be $84 starting February.
The equivalent TekSavvy monthly cost (over 2 years) would be $60/mo total.
The next level down at Teksavvy would be $52.50/mo over 2 years.
The equivalent Bell cost over 2 years (if you already have DSL service and no other Bell services) would be $83/mo total.
I am about to contact Rogers to see what expense is involved with cancelling Internet and TV services.
03.04.13: After a month and a half of comfortable use of the NEX-5R, it stopped working and the camera equivalent of the computer blue-screen-of-death ... "Reinsert the memory card" appeared and nothing could fix it.
Went back to BestBuy and the best they could do (as I hadn't bought the extended warranty) was offer to send it to Sony (at a minimum cost of $40) for an estimate (might be replaced or fixed and I would be without it for up to a month).
The alternative was buy a NEX-5R from another store (and this didn't have any) and return to this BestBuy and buy the extended warranty.
This instruction wasn't expressed correctly and I went to the Ajax store and bought another camera (with a 4 year warranty) and returned to the Markham store for the credit for the NEX-5R.
As you might expect, they indicated "someone" had provided the wrong guidance and all they could do was provide an in-store credit for the NEX-5R. They advised me to return to the Ajax store and cancel the new camera purchase and return to the Markham store and apply the credit on another camera.
Being of the "laziness is the key to efficiency" mentality, I did return to the Ajax store ... and asked them to apply the credit ... they gladly complied.
Bottom line: I was able to return the NEX-5R without penalty.
Summary of likes and dislikes: touch screen, wifi enables, remote (smartphone) time delay, small size, excellent 1080p video, less than desired pic quality.
01.21.13: Made the decision to go with the newer NEX-5R as it had some advantages for the $35 additional cost:
- wi-fi to smartphone
- phase detection (faster autofocus)
- easier to use
Henrys wouldn't match the BestBuy price.
As I am not a fan of multiple lenses, I now need to buy a high zoom digital camera before the next adventure.
01.16.13: My digital camera has bit the dust and (as you would expect) the 3 year camera insurance I Paid for won't cover repairs.
Time to buy a new camera! The question is which one?
I haven't been pleased with the speed and picture quality of digital cameras ... but also not eager to buy a large/cumbersome DSLR.
The DIL (digital interchangeable lens) cameras are beginning to make an impression. Prices range from $400 to over $1,000.
What is a DIL camera and why better than a digital camera but not quite as good as a DSLR?
The bottom line is DILs are mirrorless (so can be smaller) and have picture quality of mid-range DSLRs.
What I want in a camera: small size, high quality pictures/videos, and fast shutter speed.
After much analysis and review, I have settled on the Sony NEX-5N.
The problem is the NEX-5N is out of production and replaced by the NEX-5R (more expensive and maybe not as good).
A comparison of most expensive DIL and 5N.
A comparison of NEX-5N and NEX-5R.
A comparison of NEX-5N and Nikon D5200 - the DSLR I would select.
Henrys could only find the 5N at a Manitoba store.
BestBuy price for the 5R is $649 (with lens) right now.
The price for the 5R I bought yesterday at BestBuy was $585 (open box, before tax) and the Henrys price for the 5N is $550 (open box,before tax).
Will add my conclusions before returning one of them.
13.01.04: After 10 years, it was time to replace my speakers and subwoofer.
I listen to oldies and classical music while on my laptop.
This is the one I purchased (Z523).
My existing system is a Yamaha YST-MS201 bought from Futureshop for $70 in 2003.
The connection to the left speaker is intermittent and easily disconnected. Otherwise, the system was quite good and had satisfactory bass.
After some research, I decided I didn't want to pay more than the original setup and preferred 2.1 vs 5.1 or 7.1 (price...).
I decided to try these two before deciding:
1. Logitech Z313 - $59.99 at Walmart
2. Insignia NS-PCS41 - $62.99 at BestBuy
I shopped Jan 3rd (the day after sales ended).
Bought the Z313 (as priced).
Went to Futureshop and was surprised to see the Z523 model for $59.99. I had ignored this one, as it was listed at $99.99 a few days ago at the three stores.
Went to BestBuy and bought the Insignia ... for $45.99 (is listed at $62.99).
No idea (and didn't ask) why prices were less than indicated on the shelves.
Returned the Z313 system to Walmart.
Tested the Insignia and Z523 systems and returned the Insignia.
Here are the specs I looked at (left click to enlarge):
The larger the watts, the more body to the sound and better sounding subwoofer.
A wider frequency response might suggest better quality speakers. Human ear is good for 20Hz-20kHz normally.
Of course, the most important criteria is how it sounds to your ears. The Z523 sounded fuller and easier on my ears.
Maybe the Logitech Z623 system will come later...
Now, time to analyze whether a 5.1 soundbar would be better than our surround sound (5 speaker) for our plasma TV.
