Ryan Burnett's blog

One of my favorite new online services is Dropbox.

Simply create an account, install the PC, Mac and Linux-compatible software, and choose a folder. It will default to “My Documents/My Dropbox” on the PC and “[User]/Dropbox” on the Mac. Install the software on another computer (i.e. laptop or work computer) and Dropbox syncs all your files automatically.

If you make a change on a document on one machine it will near-instantly appear on all other machines you’ve installed Dropbox on. If you’re on a friend’s computer you can access the web interface and download, rename and delete your files, among other things.

A lightbox-based photo gallery and public folders are also available, which feature individual URLs you can share for individual folders or files. This is a very convenient method of bypassing your email’s file attachment limit to share files.

You can sign up for a free Dropbox account today.

At Stanford Hospital & Clinics and the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, we look for people who are passionate about the challenge of medicine and the rewards of doing a job well for those in need. Explore the qualities of these distinctive hospitals and learn how your personal and professional goals could fit our mission.

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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.

The purpose of the Bills For Skills Program is to expand our current applicant pool and generate more applicant flow by utilizing our most valuable resource; our employees. Thousands of great minds coming together have made SHC/LPCH a place where discovery happens, where health is restored, where innovation changes the world. By assisting us with finding more great minds like yours, we are offering referral bonuses up to $5,000.

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