iphone “to break or not to break” applications
Written by Justin G on March 21, 2008 – 12:31 pm - 
A lot of people from the get go thought the iphone was a piece of junk, while others thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Everyone has their opinions about iphone vs Nokia just like Mac vs. PC. So moving on then…
Since Mr. Steve Jobs had announced that there would be an SDK (software development kit) for the iphone, a lot of people have really been excited. Now that over 100,000 people have downloaded the developers kit whats next?
How many people will really switch over from having an unlocked iphone that can run tons of free applications to go legit with Apple and pay a fee for every application? The reason I even ask that is because the current developers kit doesn’t allow for 3rd party music applications. Isn’t music what people would likely use their iphone most for? Or would it be games?
It seems that Apple has decided to do things this way so sales on itunes are not hurt, but there will be an effect with upcoming players like Amazon music as well as Emusic which have compatible DRM free music for the iphone. Will Apple lose some ground with their Itunes music downloads?
One thing is for sure, and that is that Apple will continue governing and restricting their own products and applications like they have been for a while. I think the mentality of Apple which seems to be the ‘we control the product even after you buy it’ for all consumers is getting a bit old. The thing is, that the larger apple gets, and the more popularity that grows for Apple products, the hacking, cracking and unlocking will only continue to grow with it.
Will people be willing to blow their money on new applications approved by Apple, and made by the developer that had to pay $99 to publish that application. Thats right, you have to pay 1 dollar short of 100 to even be able to deploy your application if your a developer, and then if you are a consumer you can buy those applications straight off your iphone for a price, which Apple and the developer split for profit. This whole thing with new applications for the iphone has dropped from a hot boil to a mild simmer, and until Apple comes up with a better plan I’m going to have to say that the majority of people are going to go the free route.
Here below is just a little rundown of some of the FREE unlocked iphone applications that actually have some value. I’m not personally promoting them, but the fact is that they exist and Apple can’t stop it.
SSH For iphone - How to setup and install SSH for iphone.
MobileTerminal-vt100 - A Terminal emulator for the iPhone.
MobileTextEdit - Allows you to edit .txt files within mobilefinder.
Izoho - Full office suite to create edit and more.
Ruby on iphone - An iPhone Ruby interpretor which includes supporting libraries.
Stumbler Wifi Networks Locator - Lets you find wireless networks in your area.
BSD Subsystem - Unix Tools for the iphone.
Iphone Python - An iPhone Python interpretor including libraries.
Mobile Scrobbler - Lets you play music from Last.fm
NES Emulator - Play old school Nintendo games.
Ishare - Works with a Sendspace account to upload and download files.
Swapmusiclibrary - Allows you to sync with another PC without erasing.
Genesis4iphone - Lets you play Sonic and other Sega games.
Navizon GPS - GPS for the iphone.
TouchPadPro - Control your PC or Mac with Your iphone.
RocketShotz - Adds Icons So you never have to Type a Favorite URL to Browse.
Ispit - Acts as an http Server that runs from your iphone.
Funiculus - Guitar Tuner for iphone.
MobileChat - Instant messenger with all the extras.
Ifob - Social Networking application worth using.
iPhlickr - Easy way to browse Flickr Pics.
Expense View - Keep track of finances.
iPhoneDigg - For all the fanatical Diggers.
iPhoneTravel - Easy way to book flights and car rentals.
goMovies - Easy view of movie shows and times.
Google Reader - Clean and easy to use RSS for the iphone.
Iactu - Displays headlines from multiple newspapers.
Tags: apple, applications, iphone
Posted in Around the Web | 8 Comments »
Competition Fights Back
Written by Chad Bean on February 2, 2008 – 12:09 am -I have some bad news regarding HostGator. In our quest to “eat up the competition”, one web host has been busy trying to “bag all the competition”.
I stumbled across a new web host that I can already tell is going to be very serious competition for us. It seems as though we have overlooked a worthy contender — HostGaroo.com (no link for you guys, sorry!)
It’s only a matter of time before their sheer creativity and inspiration overtake us and the ‘Gator is bagged like the rest of them. There’s just one thing that doesn’t seem right here. I know I’ve seen Host Garoo’s design from somewhere before…
Current Host Garoo front page:
One year old Host Gator front page:
Testament to Google’s ingenious:
So what do you think, all things equal, the ‘Garoo or the ‘Gator?
Tags: competition, hostgaroo, hostgator, satire
Posted in Comedy | 58 Comments »
One Laptop Per Child, They Will Fail…
Written by Brent Oxley on January 31, 2008 – 7:16 pm -
I’m very proud to announce that Hostgator has made a $100,000 donation to MD Anderson which is one of the world leaders in cancer treatments and research. They have truly been a pleasure to work with. Working with MD has given many of our employees that warm fuzzy feeling inside that you should have when you are helping people.
I would also like to announce that I feel used, abused, and completely violated on a $25,000 donation hostgator made to One laptop per child. OLPC has a mission to develop cheap laptops for children to educate and express themselves on.
Maybe I’m being a drama queen so please come to your own conclusion based on the following experience…….
It all started with a $25,000 donation being made on their site and the following email being sent shortly after:
“Hello,
I’m the owner of hostgator.com and I just wanted to shoot off an email
to let you know I have just donated $25,000 via google checkout on my
amex. We get dozens of fraud orders a day so the purpose of this email
is to let you know it’s legit. I’m currently on xmas vacation in the
bahamas in the wyndham so the ip isn’t going to match my american address.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if any further
verification is needed. Thank you, and keep up the good fight!!
Sincerely,
Brent Oxley ”
Their Response 11 days later January 11th 2008
“Dear Donor,
In order for me to locate and track your donation, can you please provide me
with your complete address, reference number and the name used at the time
of donation. This will allow me to access the correct donation and locate
your laptop.Thank you for your interest in One Laptop Per Child.
OLPC
Donor Services”
My Reply January 11th 2008
“Are you serious?
Our company name is hostgator.com
My name is Brent Oxley
How many $25,000 donations do you receive? Please spend the minute that
it would take to look up the donation. Thank you.”
(we received automated email back instantly confirming they did receive our email)
Twenty days later and we still have not had a follow up response or anyone in the company making any type of contact with us other then what’s listed above!!!
OPLC has been getting slammed recently after Intel left the group January 3rd of this year. There are many critics that argue the money can be spent better on libraries, food, water, etc. You can read up more on OLPC on wikipedia. Even with all the negative publicity I and many of our customers believed it to be a worthy cause that deserved our help.
Based on our experience it’s quite obvious OLPC is being mismanaged to the point of failure. I now feel our donation would have been put to better use had we mailed 25,000 one dollar bills for the children to use as toilet paper.
Posted in Brent Oxley | 26 Comments »
Bowling, Beer Tricks and Buddies
Written by Justin G on January 30, 2008 – 12:12 am -Recently we had another HostGator fun day. Just another one of the perks of working for HostGator. Everyone got together to go bowling, play pool and watch the bartender do some cool tricks. All company paid with free food and beer. You can’t beat that. So we took some pictures, and I wanted to post them for everyone who might like to see. One of the amazing things caught with a Camera, compliments of Lance, was these detailed images of liquid in action. I hope you enjoy them.
Make sure to click on the first 3 images to see greater detail.
Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Comments »
Windows Dedicated Web Hosting
Written by Justin on January 18, 2008 – 5:28 pm -
Do you need a server fast? Your Windows server will be provisioned, secured and delivered within 24 hours of purchase, and we will provide you with monthly server management at no additional cost.
So I have given you the scoop, and now I am offering the first 5 people that purchase a Windows dedicated server from reading this blog a $100 dollar discount on your first month purchase. In order to receive this dicount you must email me at jgarcia(at)hostgator.com.
This is a first come first serve deal and this discount may NOT be combined with other offers, so if you want to get your first month at a reduced price you better act quick before its over. I will give anyone who emails me for this deal a 24 hour window to complete the purchase, then I will offer it to the next person in line.
Posted in Promotions | 9 Comments »
