Ryan Burnett’s blog

If you’ve ever forgotten a password then LastPass is for you.

What separates LastPass from other password managers is that it’s web-based. Now your work and home computers will all contain the most up-to-date URLs, usernames and passwords. That means no more passwords.doc files, USB flash drive exchanges or password emails.

Worried about security? LastPass encrypts all your data with a master password that only you know. No one else will be able to access that information unless you give them your master password.

LastPass is free, currently in beta and works with Firefox and Internet Explorer on Windows, OS X and Linux.

Platform Magazine, a web site I developed for The University of Alabama Advertising and Public Relations, has won the International Hermes Creative Award:

“The Hermes Creative Awards is an international awards competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional and emerging media. The Gold Award is presented to those entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry.”

Here’s an excerpt from the site’s original press release:

“The site, built by Birmingham Web developer Ryan Burnett of Burnett Communications (www.burnettcom.com), addresses topics in careers, leadership, ethics, tips, and toolbox. Features include articles, an AP style quiz, podcasts, a blog (also accessible by RSS feed) and video interviews with Betsy Plank, UA alumna and chair of The Plank Center.”

In Google’s latest attempt to assimilate you into its online universe unveiled Chrome yesterday. The new browser steals borrows heavily from Firefox, including its tabbed browsing, password manager and “smart” location bar.

Problem is the location bar isn’t that smart. Instead of remembering URLs in your history perfectly, Chrome nearly always displays the first result as, guess what, a Google search. Which leads you to Google ads and…more money for Google!

I do like the one-click install, clean appearance and isolated tabs. However, the lack of extensions is the deal-breaker for me. This alone leaves Chrome light years behind Firefox. While Google does emphasize open standards and community support, Mozilla is the true champion of that game.

Which leads to the biggest-browser-irony-of-all: if it wasn’t for Google, Mozilla would have to close up shop. Firefox’s built-in, and default, Google search box generates a majority of revenue for Mozilla. A non-profit, Mozilla has repeatedly denied all pursuers of buying the company and taking it public. I’m sure Google would have bought Mozilla years ago if not for their noble non-profit stance.

I love Google products and use Gmail and Gcal daily. However, the big brother has a lot to learn from the little-browser-that-could. I guess anything’s better than IE.