Category Archives: Web Services

Apple Needs To Implement Stronger Authentication For iCloud; Google Can Be A Great Teacher On This!

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Posted by on in Apple, Internet, Web Services

Before Mac OS X Mountain Lion roared its way into the market, iCloud was already a stir.  After Mac OS X Mountain roared its way into the market, iCloud is even a bigger stir.  iCloud is now more integrated into Mac OS X ecosystem evermore than before.  iCloud is better now as it allows so many more apps to have the option of saving data in the cloud.  One example would be TextEdit.  If you open up TextEdit on Mac OS X Mountain Lion, you would see a finder gladly greets you and asks you if you want to create a new document in iCloud or on the Mac itself.  This way, TextEdit clearly presents you the option of saving data in the cloud.  Many more apps on Mac OS X Mountain Lion are implementing this approach for iCloud too.

It’s great that iCloud is evermore readily available for many more apps on Mac OS X Mountain Lion, because it’s definitely a convenience for Mac users to be able to save data on the cloud for syncing and safekeeping (i.e., to recover when local data cannot be recovered).  Nonetheless, can one’s data be secure on iCloud?  Just recently I had read “The Dangerous Side Of Apple’s iCloud” Forbes article, and this daunted on me that if one isn’t too careful — one might save important information in iCloud and such information can totally be leaked by being hacked as iCloud’s password protection isn’t exactly strong at the moment.  Unlike Google which has 2 step password verification, iCloud only requires a user to enter password once to access iCloud data.  To add the insult to an injury, although iCloud does encrypt the data during the transit of data and on the iCloud itself, the encrypted data can still be decrypted easily as long the evildoer has the correct password which can be used to unlock the data from iCloud.

Then there is another issue of trust.  Can we trust Apple to be honest enough to not take a peek at our data?  Sure, the data are encrypted on iCloud, but is there a way in which Apple can ensure us that their employees won’t try to decrypt our data at will?  Perhaps, this is a concern for using any third party cloud service and not just only with Apple, because once the data reside on the cloud — such data are truly beyond our control (i.e., no longer in the control of the data owner).  Nonetheless, I think when one encrypts the data before sending such data onto iCloud, one might be able to sleep better even though one knows Apple is way more trustful than some unknown and untested third party cloud services.  This is why, one needs to keep TrueCrypt in mind even when Apple does assure one that iCloud is encrypting all data on Apple’s iCloud servers.

To end this blog post, I must say iCloud is a lot more attractive than ever before.  I definitely think iCloud is worth it, because it’s so integrated into Mac OS X Mountain Lion and onward (i.e., I hope it would be so integrated into Mac onward).  Knowing that you can always recover your data from the apps that are supported by iCloud is definitely a peace of mind when it comes down to that one extra layer of data redundancy.  You never know how unreliable the state of your data are until your data become unrecoverable, and by then everything is just too late.  Obviously, even with iCloud, one can never have too much data redundancy, therefore it’s still wise for one to backup their Mac to an external hard drive with the usage of Time Machine, regularly.  This to ensure and insure one in the case of having one’s iCloud account being wiped out by a hacker — just as how Forbes had mentioned how Mat Honan had his iCloud account wiped out by a hacker.  To really end this article, I wish Apple actually implements or at least giving Mac users a choice of implementing 2 step password verification, just like how Google is doing it now.

Sources:

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Practically, Healthtap Is An App That Might Prove To Be Extremely Practical For Internet Users Who Seek For Valid Health Advices From The Internet!

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Posted by on in Mobile, Software, Web Services

Most apps on mobile devices such as a smart phone are pretty much useless in my earnest opinion, but some of those apps are actually practical.  Practical apps are hard to find these days not for the reasons such as lack thereof, but it’s about how hard it’s for us to look for not so obvious practical apps among hundred thousands of similar useless apps.  Plus, there is this saying, one individual’s trash is another individual’s treasure.  Some apps are purely for pleasure and aesthetic means, then I guess it’s up to the eyes of the beholder to judge the beauty and merit of the apps.  So, when I first set my eyes on Healthtap, I felt immediately that the app is unique and practical.  For an example, an app in which had been rolled out by a bank to help facilitate banking transactions would be an obvious useful and practical app.  Healthtap is definitely fitting into an obvious useful and practical app category since it helps its users to seek for answers to their health-related questions with real doctors for free.  Nonetheless, if a user feels that she or he doesn’t need to reveal health-related questions in public forums, she or he can basically pay for private questions.  Initial private health-related questions cost around $10 each, and subsequent health-related questions in relation to the initial ones will cost $5 each.  Nonetheless, users who don’t want to pay or ask health-related questions in fear of losing privacy can just browse for the answers from Healthtap public forums.  In a nutshell, Healthtap provides the means for reputable doctors to help just about anyone who uses Healthtap easily, and everybody can access these doctors for some quick advices affordably.

Obviously, to truly treat one person’s illness, one probably has had to visit a doctor in person for a complete treatment, but Healthtap might help a person to clear up some major curious health-related questions before making a face to face visit with a doctor.  Even if Healthtap app is hard to use and ugly, the value behind the means of this app is still tremendous.  Luckily, I had browsed Healthtap app through a browser from a laptop and noticed that it was pretty sleek and easy to use.  I also had downloaded Healthtap onto my iPhone, but I had not yet launched it to see how friendly it would be on a mobile device.  Furthermore, Healthtap app is also available for iPad and Android mobile devices.  Besides the obvious means of asking health-related questions such as sending texts and photos to a doctor, Healthtap provides means to allow all doctors to rate the health-related answers — providing even more confidence to such health-related answers.  According to TechCrunch’s “With New Mobile Apps, Eric Schmidt-Backed HealthTap Brings The House Call Back To Healthcare” article, Healthtap provides doctor-to-doctor ratings known as DocScore.  I’m not sure how DocScore works out, but it seems that it’s a peer review kind of thing.  Perhaps, peer review can be biased (i.e., people who knew each other may give each other great score on something), but it does put pressure on doctors to have great Healthtap reputation for them to be effective health providers in the eyes of Healthtap users.  Obviously, I had left out many features that Healthtap is providing, because I’m still learning how this app works exactly.  Nonetheless, it’s clear that the purpose of this app is sound and practical.  Whether people will find Healthtap as the only app to go for health-related advices is remained to be seen though.

In summary, Healthtap is a health advising platform — with the potential of allowing patients to meet up with reputable doctors for real treatments — which so far has been successfully connecting thousands of highly regarded doctors of various medical fields to just about anyone who has the will to use Healthtap.  This feat alone is excellent and practical.  Icing on the cake features are features such as allowing Healthtap users to ask each private question for minimum fee of $10 or less, encouraging people who may not have the wish to visit a doctor yet to find out what is going on with their health affordably and virtually.  Meanwhile, Healthtap users feel reassuring that Healthtap’s medical advices are merit since the advices come from licensed doctors.  Simply put, I think there will be plenty of people that find Healthtap to be practical and useful.  After all, humans with failing healths are plenty in number, because they are humans!

Afterthought:  Prophetically, people have had envision that one day patients don’t really have to meet up with their doctors physically to get a health exam or something similar since Internet technology might advance in a way that allows such possibility to be possible.  I think ISPs need to provide more affordable and much much faster broadband services in order for people to regularly stream videos and possibly 3D digital contents before the idea of having doctors to visit your home virtually be feasible.  Plus, ISPs need to get rid of bandwidth limit and favor the flat rate, unlimited bandwidth applications before innovation such as having doctors to visit someone virtually be practical.  For now, Healthtap is only a stepping stone for the next best innovation that will bring doctors to someone virtually!

Source:  With New Mobile Apps, Eric Schmidt-Backed HealthTap Brings The House Call Back To Healthcare

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Facebook Haters And Lovers Came Out In Droves On Facebook IPO Day

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Posted by on in Internet, Web Services
facebook

facebook (Photo credit: sitmonkeysupreme)

It’s easy to envy others who are wealthier than us, but when it comes down to the truth we too want to be just as wealthy or wealthier.  CNN has a piece, Surprise: The Internet hates rich people, which suggested that people were not happy about how their profiles and social interactions had become monetized and made many Facebook staffs and investors super wealthy.  I think the people who envied about the newfound fortune of Facebook staffs and investors were probably angry that they didn’t get a piece of the action — they are the contents and yet have got nothing from Facebook IPO (Initial Public Offering).  Obviously, it’s within our human nature to feel like that!  Obviously, Facebook has done nothing wrong to deserve such a scorn and envy, because it’s a company with a sole purpose of making the people who run and invest in the company wealthier.

Facebook IPO was happened during the trading time today, but after the market has closed the share price for Facebook stock is just 23 cents higher than its IPO share price which was at $38.  At $38.23 a share now, some people on CNBC news had reported that there were people who felt disappointed that Facebook stock wasn’t doubled on IPO debut.  Obviously, it might be that people were not so sure that Facebook could sustain the hype, and they might feel that Facebook stock was too overvalued.  In any case, the emotion was running high all day as people were either hate or love Facebook for its IPO debut.

I do think I might have an idea for the people who envy of the newfound fortune of Facebook staffs and investors, they can simply band together and create a competitive social platform (i.e., similar or better than Facebook) which will share whatever fortune derives from running such a social platform to all social members.  It’s just that they do have to convince businesses around the world to advertise with this particular social platform, and if the business takes off the social members within this particular social platform will reap the shared profits.  Perhaps, they can too have an IPO and all social members will share the profits from having a successful IPO (if the IPO is successful though).  Nonetheless, they have to address how much profits to be shared with new members and veteran members.  They might have to come up with a very complicate mathematical formula to distribute whatever profit there is to all of their social members, or else some people will definitely complain that they have not received the fair portion of the profit.

I don’t think we should hate Facebook staffs and investors for their newfound wealth that derived from Facebook IPO debut, because Facebook IPO debut followed a well accepted corporate structure in regarding to how a private company allowed itself to become a publicly trade company.  The people who hate to see Facebook becomes successful can always cancel their Facebook accounts.  Also, they can band together to create a social platform that allows sharing profit as to how I had described in a previous paragraph.

In regarding to the future of Facebook stock, I don’t think anyone will definitely know.  Facebook is a company that has a lot social members (as in 900 million users or more) and yet it cannot generate the level of revenues that people are expecting it would.  Furthermore, Facebook type of business is all about being excellent in retaining happy members, because unhappy members can always just leave Facebook for a competitor in matter of a second.  People can always leave Facebook for something better or newer or fresher.  In upcoming days, Facebook has to come out with services that are stickier than just allowing people to be connected and stay happy, because happiness can be very moody sometimes — as in I’m happy now, but how about a few minutes later?  Sure, people love to connect, and Facebook is good at this, but there will always be plenty of alternative social platforms and web services that are also excel at allowing people to feel socially.  Facebook future will have to rely on convincing its members that not only they have to be connected and stay happy within Facebook, but they also have to click onto Facebook ads and do whatever else that can generate the kind of revenue that Facebook shareholders have hoped for.

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Dashlane Has Got To Be The Best Solution For Remembering Online Passwords So Far. I Love It!

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Posted by on in Internet, Software, Web Services
Dashlane

Dashlane

Wow, Dashlane wows me a lot!  Basically, Dashlane strives to be more than just a password manager, because it’s also capable in filling out your purchasing details and keeping your online shopping records.  I’m testing out Dashlane, and I’ve to say its password manager capability is quite pleasing to use.  Whenever I decide to log into a website, Dashlane automatically fills in my username and password.  If Dashlane has never seen me log into a website for the first time, it will automatically present me a popup form which allows me to add my credential information (e.g., username, password, category).  Dashlane is capable of automatically auto-filling user credential and purchasing details (e.g., address, credit card number, others), because you have the option to allow Dashlane extension to be installed onto your favorite web browsers.  Dashlane eases the adding itself to your favorite web browser(s) when you first complete the Dashlane first time registration process, therefore right after you have Dashlane going you should be able to use Dashlane password manager capability with your favorite websites right away.  Of course, beyond password manager ability, Dashlane helps you manage your purchasing history, credit card numbers, and more.  This is why Dashlane is so intriguing to me.

If Dashlane only is easy to use, it might not have enough inspiration to garner my adoration, but Dashlane is much more.  How come?  Dashlane is not only so easy to use, but it’s also secure.  According to Dashlane itself and TechCrunch’s Dashlane Speeds Up The Web With Instant Logins, Automatic Checkout And More article, Dashlane saves and encrypts the data locally.  If this is correct, it means Dashlane will not store our data anywhere else but only on our hard drives.  To access Dashlane app, one must know his or her master password, and this master password will not be stored anywhere.  Since the master password will not be stored anywhere, one will not be able to recover the master password if one cannot recall the master password from memory.  Losing master password, one might have to start Dashlane from scratch again — meaning to register with Dashlane app and hopefully filling in the correct website credentials again.  Luckily, if one has not changed any password from a browser’s password manager (one has to allow the browser to remember passwords), starting Dashlane from scratch might not be too hard since one can always allow Dashlane to re-import all the passwords from the browsers.  Nonetheless, some users might have been disabled the browser password managers for security purpose (i.e., they don’t trust the security of their browser password managers), therefore these users may have to recall most of their website credentials from memory.  It would be hard!

I think Dashlane will definitely speed up the online experience by a lot.  I’m myself like Dashlane a lot since Dashlane allows me to use the web without the hassles of remembering passwords and filling out the same online credentials over and over again.  Plus, Dashlane is capable of synching web credentials from multiple devices securely.  For this to work, it’s obviously that Dashlane is currently supporting all major operating systems.  This probably means that Mac OS X and Windows are being supported.  By the way, Dashlane encrypts data with AES-256 encryption algorithm — data will be very secure.

With Dashlane is being so awesome, I have to wonder why Dashlane is free!  It’s unclear to me yet why Dashlane is being a free service, but I guess I have to dig around some more on this so this question can be answered with earnest.  In my opinion, Dashlane is awesome, but one should also use KeepassX to manage one’s passwords alongside Dashlane.  How come?  Well, it’s all about redundancy matter!  In case Dashlane experiences whatever problems (might be super rare or if ever), one can always feel assure that one has saved web credentials with KeepassX.  Although KeepassX isn’t as capable as Dashlane in features, but its password management capability is definitely one of the best — just as good as Dashlane’s password management capability.  By the way, just as Dashlane, KeepassX is free to download and use!  KeepassX supports Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows!

Source:  http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/16/dashlane-speeds-up-the-web-with-instant-logins-automatic-checkout-and-more/

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Free Up Some Hard Drive (Or SSD) Space For Your Mac By Having Spotify Stores Offline Playlists On A NAS Volume

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Posted by on in Networking, Software, Web Services
Vinh Nguyen's Spotify Offline Playlist Poppings

Vinh Nguyen’s Spotify Offline Playlist Poppings

Did you know that you can configure Spotify to save all offline playlists on a network attached storage volume?  In my case, I used FreeNAS to create a ZFS dataset volume; turning ZFS dataset volume into AFP share which had allowed Spotify on Mac OS X to save the offline playlists onto this very volume.  This way, I can free up some storage space on my MacBook Pro’s hard drive for other things.  I can also see this idea might be useful for Mac users who happen to save Spotify offline playlists on a small SSD (Solid State Drive), because Mac users can free up a lot of storage space for their small SSD by saving Spotify offline playlists on a network attached storage volume.

Configuring Spotify on Mac OS X to save offline playlists onto NAS is easy.  Just open up Spotify, go to Spotify > Preferences, scroll down till you see where it says Cache, click on Browse button to locate your NAS’s volume, and that is all.  Here is the example of my NAS (FreeNAS) volume’s path on MacBook Pro, [/Volumes/AppleShareVolume/Spotify-offline-playlists].  A Mac need to be connected (i.e., authenticated and logged in) to a NAS first before Spotify can successfully locate a NAS volume.

Mac users who are on the road a lot and need to play Spotify offline playlists on their NAS volume, they can basically configure their router to do a port forwarding of port 548 (AFP port) for the NAS server’s local IP address.  Furthermore, to securely authenticate with NAS server, Mac users can use VPN to connect to their NAS server.  If Mac users don’t know how to set up a VPN server, they can easily use either TunnelBear or Private Tunnel VPN service.  Both TunnelBear and Private Tunnel support Mac OS X and allow Mac users to quickly connect to a VPN server so the public network connection such as a coffee shop’s WiFi connection can be encrypted.

I almost forget to tell you this!  Mac users need to make sure the home Internet connection has a decent upload speed.  Without a decent upload speed, the home network will not be able to transfer the data from NAS to Spotify app fast enough, therefore defeating the purpose of having Spotify offline playlists to be saved onto a NAS.  After all, what is the point of saving Spotify offline playlists onto a NAS if the home network is too slow in delivering the playback for the Spotify offline playlists, right?  Of course, Mac users can always rent a premium server that stays awake 24/7 and turn it into a NAS server, but this solution is overkilled and too expensive for home using purpose.  Obviously, even a NAS server is overkilled for home using purpose, but FreeNAS is Free and it can be installed onto any cheaply built computer that has adequate RAM and storage space.  Besides using NAS to store Spotify offline playlists, Mac users can go as far as to save iTunes music, movies, PDF files, and so much more onto a NAS too.

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Amazon Cloud Drive App Won’t Work On Mac OS X If Mac Users Have Disabled Java, Also Supports Windows

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Posted by on in Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Windows, Web Services

So, I notice Amazon has just launched Amazon Cloud Drive Desktop app so Amazon users will be able to upload their digital files to Amazon Cloud Drive through their computers without the need of opening up a web browser.  Usually, Amazon users have to visit Amazon Cloud Drive’s web destination before they can upload their digital files.  Unfortunately, I’m unable to test out Amazon Cloud Drive Desktop app on Mac OS X since it utilizes Java.  OK, not because Mac OS X cannot use Java, but it’s that I had disabled Java on Mac OS X for security reason.  Mac OS X has been targeted by Trojans, malicious programs that design to steal and capture sensitive information (and installing backdoor programs onto) from users’ computers, and these Trojans exploit Mac OS X through Java enabled applications.  One good example would be the Flashback Trojan.  Anyhow, users can also install Amazon Cloud Drive Desktop app on Windows.

Source:  http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/amazon-cloud-drive-desktop-app/

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