Technology As Innovator

I admit that what kept me on Facebook for so long is its ability to host photos. I’m really happy how Photos and Photo upload work in Facebook.

The only thing I don’t like about it is that it auto-resizes photos to 604px width.

I don’t use MySpace, unfortunately.

The third most popular social networking site is Orkut, and I have some friends there.

I’ll just make a comparison on my most frequently used feature: Photo sharing.

Previously MediaMax had provided 25Gb of free storage. One constraint was that only files under 10Mb can be downloaded.

However, even with files less than 10Mb, I always had errors with downloading.

Furthermore, the MediaMax uploader was heavy with .NET 2.0 platform and very slow in response to file management functions.

***

I have quit using MediaMax for a while. In 19/4/2008, they announced a new line of service: The Linkup. While scanning the site, I could see that it has not been complete.

Meanwhile, all free MediaMax accounts will be removed.

***

So I’m facing a major issue: I’m having some Gbs of data which can’t be downloaded, and they’re gonna be removed by 25/4/2008 unless I pay for using the service.

Monetization with advertising is quite okay for me, but upgrade enforcement doesn’t look very nice.

So find me on megaupload, box and mediafire next

Full Update from MediaMax

Recap of new features

Though you might have experienced them already. I’ll make a quick recap when the new Yahoo! Mail turns official and becomes default.

New hot keys

Although Yahoo! Mail classic already provided hot keys and prompts, new Yahoo! Mail makes them shorter thus more memorable.

Tabs

Tabs come into place. Now we have different tabs for each of our task, whether it is reading different messages or composing different letters.

Integrated RSS reader

It allows you to forward a post as an email.

Unlimited Storage

I still remembered the time when we used to have only 4Mb per account. It was only 4 years ago. Time flies any now we have more and more and more storage due to cheaper hardware.

In 2007, storage is no longer a big concern of users. At the time of this post, Hotmail already offers 5Gb, Gmail will be offering 4Gb. Nevertheless, unlimited is always nice.

Integrated Yahoo! Messenger chat

Though basic, it comes in handy.

SMS Messaging

It currently works for U.S., India, Philippines and Canadian mobile numbers.

More effective spam-filters

It’s hard to estimate how effective it is, but it works well on my account.

Built-in Context Menu

Context Menu refers to a menu that appears when you right-click on a Graphical User Interface element.

Hint: in some browsers, the browser’s Context Menu is displayed together with Yahoo! Mail Context Menu and is of higher priority. To use Yahoo! Mail Context Menu, hit “Esc” once.

What I wish Yahoo! had offered

• Forwarding
  It’s only available with Yahoo! Plus. Gmail offers forwarding for their free account. The strategy is Yahoo! and Google is different so I have to learn to live with it.
• POP3
  Also available with Yahoo! Plus

How I use different email services

I tried around 40 free email services in 2003. I now narrow down to one Yahoo! Mail, one Gmail, one Hotmail and some email accounts on my professional website taitran.com

1. Yahoo! Mail and other Yahoo! services such 360 are for staying in touch with my personal networks
2. Gmail is for more professional connections such as organizations, societies
3. The Hotmail account is more exploring Microsoft Live, MSN and Hotmail
4. My professional email at taitran dot com is for occasions when branding is really important

Which email services do you use? Do you use different email services for different purpose?