Tom Doyle :: TALK

Statcounter.com have released their latest browser usage statistics after the release of Google Chrome. Global statistics show Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox have lost users to Google Chrome. The US stats show some interesting statistics, with IE gaining in users to the tune of 4% and Chrome gaining by just under 1%. Overall though, Firefox still appears to be the biggest loser.

Global Stats - Browser Usage
	IE	Firefox	Safari	Chrome	Other
Sep 01	66.92%	25.26%	2.99%	n/a	4.84%
change	-	-	-	-	-
Sep 02*	67.58%	24.36%	2.91%	n/a	5.06%
change	0.66%	(0.90%)	(0.08%)	n/a	0.22%
Sep 03	67.81%	23.54%	2.70%	1.11%	4.87%
change	0.23%	(0.82%)	(0.21%)	1.11%	(0.19%)
Sep 04	68.59%	23.20%	2.56%	1.16%	4.51%
change	0.78%	(0.34%)	(0.14%)	0.05%	(0.36%)
Sep 05	68.44%	23.22%	2.56%	1.12%	4.66%
change	(0.15%)	0.02%	0.00%	(0.04%)	0.15%
Sep 06	65.46%	25.43%	2.81%	1.16%	5.14%
change	(2.98%)	2.21%	0.25%	0.04%	0.48%
Sep 07	63.15%	26.69%	3.02%	1.18%	5.96%
change	(2.31%)	1.26%	0.21%	0.02%	0.82%
Sep 08	65.89%	24.46%	2.69%	1.10%	5.86%
change	2.74%	(2.23%)	(0.33%)	(0.08%)	(0.10%)
Sep 09	66.27%	24.17%	2.66%	1.07%	5.83%
change	0.38%	(0.29%)	(0.03%)	(0.03%)	(0.03%)
Sep 10	66.28%	24.31%	2.62%	1.05%	5.75%
change	0.01%	0.14%	(0.04%)	(0.02%)	(0.08%)
Sep 11	66.67%	23.95%	2.59%	1.02%	5.77%
change	0.39%	(0.36%)	(0.03%)	(0.03%)	0.02%
Total Change	(0.25%)	(1.31%)	(0.40%)	1.02%	0.93%

More statistics and information on Statcounter.com’s blog - http://blog.statcounter.com/2008/09/chrome-latest-stats-globalusuk/

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In May this year, Microsoft launched a new service to the World called Windows Live SkyDrive. Formally known as Windows Live Folders, the service offers users the ability to upload, store and share files in their own file storage area. I just recently became aware of this and decided to try it out.

It seemed for sometime that it was just way too expensive to choose an online backup solution. No-one seemed that interested.

Online backups just make so much sense though and should not be overlooked. Why have a tape drive or external hard drive backup that you either have to remember to change tapes or take a copy off-site every night. Isn’t it much easier to schedule your computer to do it to a remote location without any interaction from a human? It makes so much sense, of course until you see how costly it could get.

Nowadays, companies offering online back-ups are becoming more and more popular. It was obvious that someday it would be requirement with all the information people want to store, from music to photos. A typical hard drive nowadays fills to the brim pretty quickly.

So what does Windows Live SkyDrive offer as a solution?

Well from a space size, it’s pretty darn good. 5GB of free space.
The user interface is really simple and easy to understand. It allows you to select files for public and private viewing. you can also download a simple program that allows you to easily upload files in a drag and drop fashion.

From a backup point of view, is it any good though?
So far I fail to see how I could possibly use it as a backup service. Its biggest downfall is the fact that you have to drag files individually to upload. You can’t for example drag a folder onto it or else you get an error.

Most online backup solutions offer you a decent piece of software that will allow you to not only schedule file uploads but will also check to see what files have changed rather than uploading everything again.

So for now, Windows Live SkyDrive just isn’t the solution for me. But! I pity anyone trying to make a business out of this, because I’m sure it won’t be long before Microsoft will launch a backup tool that can be used with Windows Live SkyDrive.

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According to Market Share, the release of Firefox 3 has helped the much loved browser break over the 19% market share barrier. They reckon the release grew its worldwide use by as much as 4%, mostly at the expense of poor old Internet Explorer.

Apparently over the same period, Apple’s Safari browser has seen its market share rise to over 6%.

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Another handy little tool for all your developers. IETester is a nicely presented tool for checking how your website(s) look in legacy IE browsers and of course the latest IE 8 beta!

Download and more information here:
http://www.my-debugbar.com/wiki/IETester/HomePage