Globe Investor’s Recent Terrible Revamped Website

I know what you will say once see the title of this article: Globe Investor comes nowhere near comparing with Google Finance Canada and they are meant to be used for different purposes. And up to now, I have totally agreed with you. However, I have changed my mind once I actually experienced their new redesigned site last week.

It is hilarious to see these mega sites trying to put on a huge show through online advertisements and campaigns to announce their new revamped site design – and then come up with a site that is much worse and more user unfriendly than previous versions.

What don’t I like about the new Globe Investor? Basically everything. They tried to make it look like a high-tech website by putting too many nice pictures and big stock market chart; however, they forgot one main element – simplicity.

When you open globeinvestor.com, the first thing that you notice is that almost all of your screen is covered with a gigantic market summary chart and a couple of pictures. And then, if you keep scrolling down, you will be bombarded with about 15-20 sections/columns with big pictures representing each one of them. Let’s say, if you want to find your favourite sections, or any specific columns, there is no way you can find it in a snap. The front page takes about 5-6 page down to see the whole thing.

A simple test you can do right now to see how inefficient and cluttered Globe Investor is. How much time you would need to browse all sections and important highlights on mega sites like Google.ca/finance, Economist.com or IHT.com? I can do in about 20-30 seconds. How long it would take to do the same birds-eye-view scan of heavily cluttered Globe Investor home page? Give yourself an A+ if you can do it in 1 minute.

On a regular weekday, I usually browse Globe Investor 10-12 times and Google.ca/finance 2-3 times. However, starting now, I will flip it to Globe Investor 2-3 times and Google.ca/finance 10-12 times. Finding time is complicated enough and there is no point making it more complicated with the new revamped Globe Investor. Google Finance is may be miles away from Globe Investor in terms of offering features and customizations, but I know it won’t take long for Google Finance Canada to catch up. After all, Google always seems to redesign and add features keeping simplicity and what readers want in mind – not the other way around.

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Should You Buy Apple iPad Tablet Right Now?

Should You Switch To Wind Mobile?

Apple released its much-hyped, highly anticipated, tablet computer iPad today. Reactions have been mixed. There are six models available in the U.S. starting at US$499. iPad is not available in Canada yet. Expect to see them in Canada in 60 days (Wi-Fi models) to 90 days (3G models).

Now that the wait is over, you may be contemplating the question: “should I buy an iPad?”

My perspective is as follows:

Priced at $499, I don’t think the iPad is that expensive. However, I have decided not to buy one, and here are three simple reasons  why:

• First generation tech-gadgets are always over-priced and will always have flaws. Manufacturers improve these flaws based on consumers’ feedback on the second generation model. Prices always become more affordable.  This is what happened with the iPhone.

• Apple is not the only player in the market.  In a few months you will see other competitors release similar prototype products. You will have better options then at much lesser prices. Waiting pays.

• It makes me feel good to kill my instant-gratification urge. The decision of not buying an iPad leaves $499 in my pocket. What’s else can be better than this?

Before you jump into buying an iPad, I suggest you wait a few days and think your decision over. Bookmark this article and read it again after a day or two. Who knows, it may well save you $500 instantly.

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iGoogle is a personalized, customizable online homepage where you can add other websites, weather, stock market summary, sticky note, calendar, currency converter, Google Docs, Gmail, and many other interesting stuff across the web. If you know what to add and how to arrange stuff you usually use on a daily basis online, iGoogle will make you’re a life a lot simpler, easier, and will save lots of time. Today, in this video clip, I will show you how to use iGoogle and what are the main elements to add to effective and efficient online. Presented by  Canada’s Personal Finance Website – A Dawn Journal.

A Dawn Journal Google Archive

Google Main Page

iGoogle

A New Google Finance

This morning, while checking the markets at around 9.50, I noticed that Google Finance Canada has changed its layout. It took me a few moments to get acquainted with the new look; however, this new design seems to be more user friendly and neat. Here are a few things I noticed and Google mentioned on its site:

- Current market summary and charts, top stories, Bank of Canada daily digest, and Trends are put in the middle – easier to find when you come to the site
- World market data, currency data, and portfolio are put on the top right – hard not to see
- A new left navigation bar added to move sections of the site in a single click
- Each section can be moved around the page, minimized, or can be moved up and down
- Recent quotes can be customized to view absolute change or percentage change
- Charts are customizable

There are more features available – you need to experience all these by yourself to enjoy free global and local market information that only Google technology can provide. Here are the links to visit:

Google Finance

Google Finance Canada

Google Finance New Look

NB – I noticed that Google Fiance is showing ads but Google Finance Canada is still ad  free.

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Have you ever regretted pressing the “Send” email button and then realizing it’s too late? This used to be one of my routine mistakes – especially when I sent emails without attaching the right pdf or word file, and then realizing it’s too late. Google Gmail now offers a feature which allows you to cancel sent email.

This “Undo Sent” option lasts only for 5 seconds once you hit “Send” button. This feature has to be activated first for it to work by going to your Gmail Settings.

Do the following to have this feature activated:

1. Click on the Settings at the top right of your Gmail screen

2. Click the Labs button

3. Scroll down to “Undo Send” and enable it

4. Scroll down to “Save Changes” and hit “Save Changes”

5. You are now ready to use “Undo Send” feature. Each time you send an email, you will notice an “Undo” option at the top of your email. If you decide to undo it, hit “Undo” and your email will be returned to you without sending. Remember, Undo option will remain active only for about 5 seconds. You need to act fast to stop your sent email.

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Internet Radio Revolution

The Internet has revolutionized the way we live; it’s no wonder that listening to music the old way is about to become extinct. Internet radio is replacing those traditional CDs, and more and more listeners are discovering the convenience and features Internet radio provides (which traditional music players simply cannot) due to technological breakthroughs.

You can listen to most of the traditional radio stations online these days. However, the reason I am writing this article today is not to discuss listening to those online radio stations. I am here to discuss social radio stations like Last.fm or Jingo and what unimaginable things they can do for you. There are many other online social stations like these but these two are my favourites and I will restrict myself to just these two to keep things simple.

Let’s look some of the features that make these social radio stations cutting edge listening devices fit to replace traditional media and music players.

• There is no additional music player required. Your computer becomes your entertainment station. And yes, of course, you can still listen to your music player from your computer by connecting Internet radio stations through a wire or wirelessly via a FM Transmitter.
• There is no need to store breakable CDs. Make your life clutter- and worry-free by not having to store, organize, and sort out traditional CDS. This saves lots of time too.
• Create your own personalized profile and input your choice of music, artists, and genre; these smart online radio stations will keep playing music based on your input 24/7.
• Filter out music you don’t like. If you don’t like something you hear, you can ask your station not to play it anymore. On the other hand, if you like something and want to hear it more often, tell the radio by pressing a button and it will play that track often.
• As you keep listening, these smart radio stations remember and analyze what you are listening to and adjust themselves to play more the kind of music you like.
• You can meet like-minded people from all over the world. The station will show profiles of people who are listening to the same music you are, allowing you to have online conversations and make new friends.
• You can email the link of your radio station or post it on your blog and your friends will be able to share exactly what you are listening to.
• It will update you about new releases and new artists based on your preferences – this is impossible with a traditional music player.
• These artificial intelligence music players remember who you are and give you a unique listening experience like no other. You can access your own station from anywhere in the world and can enjoy your own personalized and customized station.

The best thing of all is that these radio stations are free. Sophisticated technology has made it possible to enjoy and experience what was just not possible a few years ago. There are many stations online like these, but I use these two mostly: Jango and Last.fm. Do a search for the keywords “Internet radio station” and you will be able to find many more. 

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What Is Netvibes

Canadians Can Now Have Free Home Phone

If this is your first time here, You may want to subscribe to ADJ via RSS. If you are reading this page via RSS reader, you can visit the main page here -Canada’s Personal Finance Blog

What Is VOIP

The Internet has transformed the way we live, work and play. Also, it has revolutionized the way we talk to each other. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows you to make calls over the Internet. VOIP technology lets you can make regular phone calls directly from your computer, VIOP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a router/adaptor.

What You Need To Make Internet Calls

If you would like to make calls from your computer, you will require these:
- high speed connection
- a headset
- microphone
If you have a laptop or a computer that you purchased not long ago, you may already have built-in speakers and microphone installed. If this is the case, you don’t need any additional microphone or headsets.

If you would like to make calls using a regular phone, you will require:
- high speed connection
- a telephone adaptor/router

Is There Any Free VOIP Provider?

VOIP has been my special area of interest since its beginning. In January 2004, when Primus offered VOIP service in Canada for the first time, I was one of the few individuals to try it. I have always been keeping an eye for free VOIP service provider. So far I have not had much luck. However, about a week ago, when I was searching for free home phone on the Internet, I came across this company promising free home phone service.

FreePhoneLine

Freephoneline.ca has launched free VOIP home phone service with many features. Some of these features are:

Caller ID
Enhanced Voicemail
FollowMe Service
Unlimited Local Calling
Unlimited Free Long Distance Calling To Major Canadian Cities

How Does This Work

There are two ways you can use FreePhoneLine. You can make calls using a soft phone or a hard phone. A soft phone is a software that you install on your computer to make calls using your computer. A soft phone exactly looks like Yahoo or MSN Messenger. A hard phone is a physical phone. You will need high-speed Internet connection, an analog telephone adaptor/router, and a hard phone (a real phone you use to make calls from home) to make calls using a hard phone. Your computer does not have to be on to make call via hard phone.

Does FreePhoneLine offer 911 Service?

Yes. As this is a real home phone replacement, 911 service is available. Check FreePhoneLine website for more information.

Will I Be Able To Keep My Existing Home Phone Number?

Yes, you will be able to keep and transfer your existing phone number to FreePhoneLine’s network for a onetime fee. Check their website for more information.

What’s My Take

After reading this article, I don’t suggest you to cancel your home phone service right away. What you can do:

- Try FreePhoneLine soft phone for a month and see if you like it or not
- If you like it, don’t cancel your regular home pone yet. Try it as your secondary home phone
for a couple of months.
- If you are fully satisfied, then cancel your regular home phone

I have been using the soft phone version of FreePhoneLine. So far, I am satisfied with the sound quality and all cool features. It’s loaded with features which a regular phone will never be able to offer. For example, Enhanced Voicemail lets you forward your voicemails to your email, FollowMe feature lets you forward your calls to your cell, home, or work phone. However, unquestionably the best FreePhoneLine feature is – it’s free. Nothing can beat that. Visit Free Phone Line here – FreePhoneLine

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How To Start A Blog

If this is your first time here, You may want to subscribe to ADJ via RSS. If you are reading this page via RSS reader, you can visit the main page here -Canada’s Personal Finance Blog

I get emails from my readers asking how to set up a blog. I always reply and try to briefly explain to them how to set up a blog in simple terms. Sometimes these replies turn out to be long emails, which  made me think: instead of replying to each individual separately, I can just write a post explaining everything.

Today, I will discuss how to set up a blog even when you are not a tech-savvy person. If you have always wondered if it is possible to start a professional-looking blog without knowing programming codes, DNS, FTP, domain forwarding and so on, this post is for you.

Before we start, you need to know what a domain name is and you can learn it by reading this post How to Make Money from Domain Names. I am going to explain three different blogging platforms you can use to start your blog. Once you finish reading, you should be able to decide on your own which path best suits your needs.

Option 1 – Use Free Hosted Blogging Platform

This is the easiest way to setup a new blog. It should not take you more than ten to fifteen minutes to write your first post and see it live online. A hosted blog service that hosts your blog for free is the actual owner of your blog. Because they own everything, you have no control over your blog. If they want, they can delete your blog or ban you from posting at any time. Some of the more popular hosting platforms are WordPress, Blogger, and TypePad. With a hosted blog, you do not need any domain name. Your blog address will be like yourname.blogspot.com. To start your own blog, just visit any one of these sites. If you know how to surf online, you can also set up a blog with these hosted blogging platforms.

Option 2 – Use Paid Hosted Blogging Platform

Squarespace is a paid web publishing or blogging platform that lets you create a professional-looking blog very easily. Squarespace provides a lot more flexibility than those mentioned above. It provides you with all the tools, design templates, and hosting to create a professional-looking blog. Using Squarespace’s setup, you can have a professional-looking blog live online in an hour. You do not need to have your own domain, but you can choose to go with your own domain if you want. In that case, you need to buy a domain with a domain registrar like GoDaddy,HostGator, or Bluehost. Then you have to point your domain to Squarespace. This is not hard to do. The Squarespace website has step-by-step instructions on how to do it. A Dawn Journal was actually hosted by Squarespace for eight months when it started.

Option 3 – Use Stand Alone Blogging Platform

A stand-alone blogging platform is hosted by you on your own domain. This gives you full ownership, controls, rights, and privileges to your blog. You need to have your own domain name and web hosting (server space) to host your blog. A domain name and hosting plan are not expensive. It would cost you about $10 annually to have your own domain and about $7-10 monthly to buy web hosting. WordPress is a popular stand-alone blogging platform and I recommend it strongly. The problem with Option 3 is that it requires technical literacy to install WordPress on your domain server.

But what can you do if you are not tech-savvy enough to do it by yourself? Have someone else do it for you. If you have friends or relatives who know how, ask them to do it. If you don’t have anyone, I recommend using Kevin’s Free Instant Blog Setup services. Kevin is the one who looks after all my websites, and he can setup your WordPress blog in a snap. How much is the cost? It’s free. Yes, you heard it right. He will do it for free; however, there is a small catch. You have to sign up for hosting through Kevin’s website. Kevin is an affiliate with those web hosting sites mentioned on his blog, and he gets paid by those sites when you sign up through his site.

If you already have a domain and web hosting, Kevin can still do it for you for minimal fees. Contact him directly through his contact page for more info. The reason I recommend Kevin is because he is knowledgeable, friendly, and someone you can rely on. Let’s say after one year you messed up your site and need help to fix it, or you decide to change your site design (template), or you would like to install new stuff – Kevin will do it for a reasonable cost. In this line of business, you can easily get ripped off if you don’t know who you are dealing with. Also, you will be able to find similar free installation services by doing a Google search with these keyword phrases: free WordPress blog installation service.

Final Word

If you are just trying to start a blog to see if this is for you, I recommend going with Option 1. I started my first few blogs with Blogger.com. If you are looking to start a professional blog all by yourself, I recommend Option 2. If you are serious about blogging, want to blog for the long term, and have Internet entrepreneurship in your mind, I recommend going with Option 3.

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If this is your first time here, You may want to subscribe to ADJ via RSS. If you are reading this page via RSS reader, you can visit the main page here -Canada’s Personal Finance Blog

If you are reading this article right now, this is not the only site you browse. While you are online, probably you check your email, weather, stocks and a few news sites and the list keeps going on and on as you find cool sites everyday. It can be annoying to check all your favourite  sites one by one and it’s time consuming too. Tariq Krim, the founder of Netvibes thought the same way and he came up with this brilliant idea to put all sites on one page so you don’t have to browse from site to site to obtain updated information. Of course, you can argue that Google and Yahoo did the same by offering personalized page … long time ago but Netvibes does things better and easier way than those big guys and the looks are a lot better than Yahoo and Google.

Impressive Stats
Its no wonder 15,000 people visited on the first day of it’s launch in September, 2005 and more than five million users signed up. 60% users are from the US and there are users from more than 100 countries. 10 percent of users keep Netvibes page active throughout the day and use it as entry point into other sites.

Ecosystem
Netvibes offers ecosystem – made of pre-programmed modules which are made by users and you can put them on your own Netvibes page just with a click. Modules can be as different as news feeds, blog feeds, stock charts, weather reports and hundreds of different things. Lets say you added an RSS feed on your Netvibes page and you think it is cool and would be be useful to other users..you can publish this RSS feed on ecosystem with a click. Very simple and easy.

Months To Verify?
I have created Netvibes modules for www.adawn.net and many other sites and some of them stopped working without any reasons. To keep my module active, I wanted to delete the inactive one but I could not find delete option anywhere. Finally, I had to create another module for www.adawn.net. Also, sites submitted   in the beginning of October have not been verified yet by Netvibes team. A module is not available to other users until Netvibes team verifies it and if takes months to verify… its a sign that Netvibes needs to hire more people to keep up with heavy traffic.

Not Alone
competitors are not napping in the meanwhile. Lots of other sites are popping up with similar concept and they have the financial and technological support to compete Netvibes. Webwag, Pageflakes, Protopage and many more are working at a tremendous pace to catch up with Netvibes.

Future Unknown
It would be interesting to see how Netvibes starts earning money. Investors already pouring in millions of dollars and Netvibes has not mentioned anything yet about how money can be generated. I would not be surprised to see the only exit point being sold to Yahoo or Google.

Originally published on www.adawn.net. I am transferring all my articles from Canada’s Personal Finance Website. You will see articles from www.adawn.net being posted here once in a while. Thanks.