Techstomp is Changing

It was with all good intentions that we started Techstomp, but somewhere along the way we lost focus or couldn’t keep up with a general technology/gadget blog…so it was rarely updated. We actually tried to restart a couple of times, but just never got there.

Well all of that is about to change.

Techstomp is going to be dedicated to use of Linux and Open Source software as a real desktop platform to do real work and fun stuff…We are going to discuss the journey of a web designer using the platform to get real professional work done and maybe a little gaming too. We will discuss choosing a Linux distribution (distro), different tools, issues, and tips.

We are considering doing a few challenges to force the change/migration to Linux, like use it exclusively for a week and build the next website using the Linux desktop.

We expect it to be an interesting journey and hope you will follow along.

We will be launching the new website along with some new articles over the next couple of months, so please stay tuned.

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Picnik is closing this April! Here is an Alternative!

Since being acquired by Google in 2010, the future of Picnik has been in question, would they roll it into their general service or incorporate the features into other products. As of April 19, 2012, Picnik will be closed, the features will be incorporated into Google +.

We have been recommending Picnik to our clients for use as a quick and easy photo editing service, we have searched high and low for a good alternative and are now recommending Pixlr Express. Pixlr Express is a simple tool for quick resizing, croping, color adjusting, and fun effects for images. If you already have an image on your computer or in an online album that you just want to touch-up a bit, Pixlr Express is the tool for you.

Pixlr.com also offers a great set of image creation and editing tools. Pixlr offers web-based image editing tools as well as image editing tools to use on Android phones and on iPhones. Pixlr also has Firefox and Chrome browser extensions for creating screen captures. So if you want to move up from the express tool, visit Pixlr.com.

No Internet Lockdown

Massive media conglomerates are lobbying the government to create shadowy legislation: an Internet lock-down, where Internet users are cut off for no good reason, where vast swaths of the Internet are removed or hidden from view, and where users are locked out of their own services.

A similar scheme in the US led to a huge public outcry forcing Big Media lobbyists to back off from their plan to impose the now-infamous SOPA and PIPA legislation.

Now, those lobbyists are turning to Canada through legislation like Bill C-11 and trade agreements called ACTA and TPP. Internet law expert Michael Geist recently revealed that behind-the-scenes, Big Media is pushing for powers that include website blocking, Internet termination for people that threaten their business interests, and huge threats for sites that host user-generated content (like YouTube) in addition to the digital locks already in the Bill.

Taken together, these policies would fundamentally change the Internet, severely limit free expression, and hogtie innovators. This approach is backwards: it suffocates online choice and it’s patently unfair.

Politicians and policymakers have an opportunity to put Canada on the map as a leader in Internet openness and affordability. But they have to know that we’re behind them if they stand up to megacorporate lobbyists.

Tell the Prime Minister and the Industry Minister to say no to the Internet lockdown.

Originally posted on openmedia.ca

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