Daily Blog

What does USM mean on a Canon Camera Lens

2012-02-28T20:31:00.000-08:00

What does USM mean on a Canon Camera Lens

Tips to mange your Gmail Inbox

2011-12-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

1.) Keyboard shortcuts

Never use your mouse in your inbox again. I know it sounds unconventional, but keyboard shortcuts become second nature after you use them for a few minutes.

To enable Gmail shortcuts, click the cog in the upper right hand corner of the screen, and select “Mail Settings”. Find “Keyboard shortcuts” and turn them on.

Here are a few of my favorite keyboard shortcuts:

j, k, Enter - While in the inbox, use j and k to move up and down, and Enter to jump into a message
g, then i - Go to inbox
c - Compose new message
r - Reply to message
a - Reply to all recipients on a message
e - Archive message
Shift + U - Mark as unread
Tab + Enter - When composing a message, use this keystroke to send the message
? - Brings up the keyboard shortcut help screen

2) Tag, Mark Unread, Archive

This is more of a method than a tip. Emails fall into one of two buckets: read-only, and needs response.

Tagging is helpful for identifying certain senders and helping them stand out in your inbox. For instance, any email that comes from my boss gets a big red label on it. Tags are very powerful if you use them correctly.

To help me identify emails that need a response, I simply mark them as unread, so they show up as bold in the inbox.

After an email is read, the best option is to archive it (or delete it). I prefer archive because I might need to search for the email in the future.

This method works really well for me, and helps eliminate clutter in the inbox. If you use keyboard shortcuts, Shift + 8, then r selects every read message. Then simply hit e to archive them.

3.) Boomerang

Have you ever sent an email asking someone a question, and they never got back to you? Boomerang,a Chrome plugin, makes it easy to track emails that haven’t been replied to. When sending a message, Boomerang adds a checkbox that says, “Boomerang this message after __ days”. You can select any amount of time period and Boomerang will bring this message to the top of your inbox.

4.) Undo Send, and Gmail Labs

Gmail’s beta offering is called Gmail Labs, and there are tons of interesting little hacks that help the average email user be more productive.

My favorite is called Undo Send. It adds a little “Undo” button next to the “Message Sent” dialog box when you send an email. Sometimes you notice a misspelling, or realize you’ve accidentally replied to all, moments after you hit Send. This has saved me so many embarassing errors in the Linkpast. I highly recommend trying it.

Source

Camera Exposure: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

2011-12-10T00:52:00.000-08:00

Camera Exposure: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

How to Prevent XXX Domains From Damaging Your Registered Trademarks

2011-10-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Each year, more small business owners opt to file their first trademarks directly to the United States Patent and Trademark Office without hiring an intellectual property attorney to prepare and monitor trademark registration applications.

The primary benefit of direct federal trademark filings is entrepreneurs can save money in legal fees. The downside of self-filings is the absence of an ongoing relationship with legal counsel who can apprise entrepreneurs of changing regulations and issues that can affect the value of their prized federal trademark registrations. The new XXX domain serving the adult entertainment industry is one of these high-alert issues.

Earlier this year, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) approved the .XXX top-level domain. The new .XXX top-level domain is expected to be big business for domain registrars and of course the entire adult entertainment industry.

But what about small businesses that have invested substantial company resources into developing their brands and trademarks into reputable company assets? Can any opportunistic third party simply poach established trademarks and market them as a new .XXX domain? The answer is yes, unless trademark owners act fast.

For a very limited period of time, the registry operator for the new .XXX top level domain is allowing federal trademark owners to apply to block .XXX registration of their marks.

Here’s a short list of what trademark owners who are not represented by legal counsel need to know and do:

-Short application period. Federal trademark owners have to file to potentially block a domain registration between September 7, 2011, and October 28, 2011. This period is referred to as "Sunrise B."

-Best outcome. If a “your-trademark.XXX” block application is approved, the particular domain name will be unavailable for registration by .XXX trademark hijackers.

-Application requirements. Applicants must have a federal registered trademark or service mark or certain international registrations. The registration must have been issued prior to September 1, 2011. The following information is needed to complete an application: trademark name; country or region in which the mark is registered; current registration number; application date and registration date; product or service classes for which the mark is registered; and applicant's status as the owner, licensee, or assignee of the mark. In most cases, the reserved domain name must include the entire text of a textual registered trademark. Other rules apply for trademarks which involve special characters, spaces, etc.

-Fees. Trademark owners can file a .XXX block application at most domain registration companies such as GoDaddy, Network Solutions, and Moniker. Filing fees and terms vary at each domain agent so compare rates. Expect to pay at least $199 to file a domain block application. Trademark owners can file multiple applications using different combinations of hyphens and other characters to best match their registered trademark text. Each application will require separate one-time fee payment.

-Multiple classification blocks. It is possible for owners of same text marks in different U.S. product and service classifications to all file to block .XXX domain use. That’s ok, but don’t expect any partial reimbursement of fees.

-No guarantee of success. Just because a trademark owner files a .XXX block application doesn’t mean that the trademark owner will prevail. Priority will be given to verified members of the adult entertainment industry who can prove ownership of a national trademark registration or another top level domain. Conflicts between applicants representing the adult entertainment industry and one or more Sunrise B trademark owners will be resolved by ICM Registry, the selected administrator of the .XXX domain.

-Big "Gotcha!" Trademarks and service marks that are registered on the United States “Supplemental Register” are not eligible for reservation under Sunrise B; only marks that are listed on the “Principal Register.” Hate to say it, but this provision really works against new trademark owners in the greater small business community.

In general, trademark owners whose marks are initially listed on the PTO’s Principal Register enjoy more rights than owners of marks that are listed on the PTO’s Supplemental Register, including advantages to win infringement cases. So called “strong distinctive” marks are generally published on the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifPrincipal Register. Marks that consist of descriptive elements or family names are usually placed on the Supplemental Register. Over time, marks can move up from the Supplemental Register to the Principal Register.

There are other specific rules associated with filing a .XXX block application. Visit www.icmregistry.com or www.about.xxx for more details. Of course, trademark owners can also consult legal counsel to develop strategies to maximize .XXX block coverage.

Like everything else in small business building, no one will watch over your valuable company assets better than you. Take action to protect your federal trademarks today!

Source

Ubuntu Cloud Live 11.10 is available

2011-10-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

The much talked about Ubuntu Cloud Live 11.10 image given away at the OpenStack Essex Conference is now available for download at:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-cloud-live/releases/11.10/ubuntu-11.10-cloud-live-amd64.img

The image uses OpenStack Diablo, requires an x86_64 compatible desktop/laptop machine, and is approximately 560Mb in size. We recommend flashing to a 4GB USB drive (or larger) to allow for proper setup and use of the cloud. Use the ‘dd’ command to copy the image over to your USB drive. For example, if your USB drive is connected to /dev/sdb, make sure the drive isn’t mounted, and then run `dd if=ubuntu-11.10-cloud-live-amd64.img of=/dev/sdb`. WARNING: THIS COMMAND WILL ERASE ALL DATA PREVIOUSLY STORED ON THE TARGET DEVICE. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT DEVICE WHEN FLASHING.

Once flashed, simply boot your laptop/desktop from the USB drive and follow the instructions displayed on the desktop.

Ubuntu Cloud in your pocket – Video demo

Source

Samsung unveils latest Windows phone -Mango

2011-10-12T02:43:00.000-07:00

Samsung Electronics launched the Samsung Omnia W i8350 with the latest edition of Windows Phone OS, code named ‘Mango’.

India is one of the first markets to get the Omnia W, highlighting Samsung’s commitment to our subcontinent. The phone itself is quite unassuming when switched off – just plain black, all-business and mostly plastic except for the back cover, which is brushed metal.

Phone has stunning look which attract a lot, its dimension of the body is 115.6 x 58.8 x 10.9 mm and has
light weight of 115.3 grams and 1.4 Ghz processor and 512MB RAM and comes with 8 GB internal memory and expandable memory up to 32GB.

The phone has a 3.7-inch super amoled display. The screen offers fantastic colours, contrast and brightness and will easily outclass most other smartphone screens.

Samsung has included some apps to get you started – FunShot and Photo Studio for camera effects, Daily Briefing for news and weather updates and AllShare for DLNA multimedia sharing.

Phone comes with various type of connectivity features, in 3G phone is capable to access high speed internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with A2DP, microUSB v2.0, GPRS and EDGE.

The phone is inbuilt with Digital compass, Microsoft office document viewer/editor, GPS with Bing Map, HTML Browser, Email, Push Email, IM, Organizer and many more features.

Translate your Facebook page into any language

2011-10-10T01:11:00.000-07:00

Facebook now offers an option to translate pages, including comments, into any language via a link that appears under public pages’ posts. The feature works through Microsoft’s Bing Translator, and is yet another example of Microsoft and Facebook teaming up to utilize the data-rich Facebook social graph.

In May 2011, Bing debuted social search with a new Facebook integration that surfaces search results based on what a user’s Facebook friends ‘liked’ the most. By installing the Bing Toolbar (PC-only), users have the option to connect through Facebook, thus enabling the social search feature. They can also choose to opt out.

Microsoft’s investment with Facebook has always been strong – they were one of the early investors in the social platform, so Bing has been able to freely integrate with Facebook as they please.

The new Bing Translation feature on Facebook pages is yet another step toward Facebook’s bigger goal: to make the Web fully focused on social search.

Do you use Bing social search? How do you think Facebook’s new translation service will affect Facebook’s global reach?

Beware: Facebook tracks you even when you're logged out

2011-09-29T01:14:00.000-07:00

An Australian technologist has claimed that Facebook can track the web pages you visit, even when you are logged out of the social networking giant.

According to Wollongong-based Nik Cubrilovic, when the user is logged out of Facebook, rather than deleting its tracking cookies, the site merely modifies them, maintaining account information and other unique tokens that can be used to identify its users.

This simply means that any time you visit a web page with a Facebook button or widget, your browser is still sending personally identifiable information back to Facebook.

“Even if you are logged out, Facebook still knows and can track every page you visit,” Cubrilovic wrote in a blog post.

“The only solution is to delete every Facebook cookie in your browser, or to use a separate browser for Facebook interactions,” he added.

Cubrilovic said he tried to contact Facebook to inform it of his discovery but did not get a reply, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

He said there were significant risks to the privacy of users, particularly those using public terminals to access Facebook.

“Facebook are front-and-centre in the new privacy debate just as Microsoft were with securityissues a decade ago,” Cubrilovic said.

“The question is what it will take for Facebook to address privacy issues and to give their users the tools required to manage their privacy and to implement clear policies — not pages and pages of confusing legal documentation, and ‘logout’ not really meaning ‘logout’,” he added.

Trick - Restart only Windows not your computer

2011-09-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

Installed a new software in Windows – need a restart?

Your Windows is slow and you want to go after a reboot.

So what are you waiting for? Click the button to restart the machine ... err not quite. It is not necessary to restart the Windows computer again. You heard correctly. How in the world is possible! Well, here is the difference between a warm boot (the machine), and cold start (Windows only).

The trick is very simple. So annoyingly.

Just hold down the Shift key and click Restart. Works for XP, Vista, Windows 7.

How to Reduce Boot Time for Windows

I know that Windows runs very slow for some people's machines. And try as hard as you can, but you can rarely find a reason to slow down the work or repair. Here's an amazing trick that can improve the startup time of Windows. If you delete unused font. Believe it or not, is because it will simply release a lot of memory for Windows startup.

Trick

Just go to the window folder of fonts. Use the CTRL key to select all the fonts that you never / rarely use, just press the DELETE key.

Although I do not like the first method, since it eliminates all the fonts. This is a very stupid, but effective way to preserve the character, but to remove them from the folder.

Just stop loading unused fonts at system startup (instead of eliminating them altogether). To do this, simply copy all unused fonts from the Fonts folder window and paste them elsewhere on your hard disk. Now, remove all sources used (which you recently copied to another location) of the source of the folder window.

The next time Windows starts, it will certainly be faster than the previous boots.

Security Vulnerabilities in Android Spotted yet again

2011-09-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

Two new vulnerabilities found by the same team of Jon Oberheide and Zach Lanier, who had previously made an application on the Android Market, which shows that malicious developers can install additional applications without the user's knowledge. At that time, the problems were resolved quickly by Google, but now the duo could make Google work for patches for the operating system again.

The first flaw is a permission escalation vulnerability because it affects all Android phones, regardless of operating system version. The flaw allows attackers to install arbitrary applications with arbitrary permissions without asking the user to the facility. Once deployed, attackers can install anything they want at all costs to access data such as call logs, texts, browsing history, and the media. The second error affects only the Samsung Nexus S, and allows the attacker to gain root access and then take full control on the phone.

-Source.

Google Chrome Beta now Supports C, C++

2011-09-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

Google has been working on Native Client (aka NaCl), an SDK that brings C/C++ functionality to browsers since at least last year, and now the latest Google Chrome beta version includes NaCl. NaCl uses an API called ‘Pepper’ that provides HTML5 bindings for C or C++ . (NaCl is the molecular formula for salt. Salt and pepper. Get it?)

Google has also promised to make NaCl available as a plugin for other browsers. What this means is that cloud-based applications may be able to execute code at a desktop level of sophistication, and that Google Chrome OS will soon be able to run these types of applications as well. It’s further blurring of the lines between Web/cloud and desktop applications.

According to Google’s announcement:

Native client allows C and C + + perfectly executed in the browser security restrictions similar to JavaScript. Client applications use native pepper, interfaces that provide C and C + + functions HTML5 attacks. As a result, developers can now take advantage of their expertise and code libraries for the production of portable high-performance web applications.

Google also announced an API that provides clear audio audio advanced JavaScript. This will also break the barrier between what is and is not possible for the browser-based applications do. Google introduced NaCl for chromium in May 2010.

Beetel Launches Touchscreen Mobiles

2011-09-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

BeeTel Teletech, a group company of Bharti Enterprises and a leading manufacturer of India and distributor of telecommunications and IT, has announced the launch of GD-470, a dual SIM 2.8 "touch screen mobile phone for the full market India. BeeTel GD 470 will be available in India at an MRP of Rs 3,300.

Bethel GD 470 is a dual sim 2.8" the perfect touch for your mobile device with a 1000mAh battery that provides 3-4 hours of talk time and 200 hours standby time.

It has a sleek design and excellent sound quality with attractive features like Bluetooth play video from .3 gp,. AVI,. Up to 25fps MP4 MP3 playback facility. GD 470 compatible MIDI, AMR and WAV music that makes a perfect combination of features and style.

BeeTel GD 470 has a 1.3 MP camera, FM radio and supports expandable memory up to 8 GB of storage capacity. GD 470 offers "World BeeTel" full of a number of social networking and infotainment functions such as Facebook, Snaptu, Mig 33, Yahoo, ibibo, Vuclip, Reuters, Hungama and Penguin. The Indian calendar is for mobile users check Tithi Indian festival in motion.

Chinese Search Engine Baidu Launches Android-based Smartphone

2011-09-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

Baidu, the largest search engine in China has launched its own mobile OS called Baidu Yi. The new OS is based on Google Android OS and it is said that the same basic functions. Baidu has partnered with Dell for hardware support and future mobile devices. Being a popular brand in China, Dell should have a strong influence on the Chinese market. Sources also say that the units of Yi will be exclusively targeted at the low end, just will not be limited to China.

The company also has its own applications ready for the new operating system, including maps, Yue (a player application), Shen Bian (like Google), and Ting (music of the application). The operating system will provide local content to its users and is also indicated support for Android applications. Baidu's new platform Yi also depend on the integration of solid cloud storage, backup and share. Yi comes with an editor input-method is to type or write Chinese characters to write with ease.

Top 5 Android Tablets of 2011

2011-09-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

The battle heats up Android Tablet! With a lot of Tablet PC-based Android hits the market after another is an exciting time for gadget lovers. Apple iPad is revolutionizing the tablet on the market, and now the Android operating system Google created additional competition. Many other large companies like Dell giant, Samsung, HP and Lenovo are adopting the characteristics of tablets and improvement in line with public demand. Android has got better and better and a lot of smart phones and tablets have been built on the Android OS from Google. The market is already flooded by a series of Android-based tablets.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the next generation of Galaxy Tab with the screen size bigger, better and hardware and software. Tab Galaxy is claimed to be the world's thinnest tablet, measuring only 8.6 mm. It 'features a 1 GHz dual-core processor and the latest 3.0 Honeycomb Android operating system. The device has received a 10.1 "WXGA 1280 x 800 pixels. Other features include a 2 megapixel camera facing the front, 8-megapixel rear-facing camera is 1080p HD video recording, support HSPA + and Wi-Fi.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 price will be expected to 28,000 to 35,000.

Motorola Xoom

Motorola Xoom 10.1 inch tablet Android 3.0 honeycomb. The tablet sports an Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, uses a laptop type 1280 x 800 eSolutions R, and two cameras: a 2-megapixel sensor in the front for video chat via Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G, and a 5 megapixel camera on the back for still images and 720p video recording. It will initially work on 3G networks, but will be upgraded to 4G / LTE compatibility. Sensors include built-in gyroscope, barometer, compass, accelerometer and light sensor. Available for R 29 999

Reliance 3G Tab

It comes with Documents To Go app to access Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and PDF files and the 15 most popular applications of information networks, communication, entertainment and social life. Available for Rs 12,999

Asus Eee Pad Transformer

Unlike other tablets we've seen, it comes with a detachable keyboard that is actually a netbook. It even folds into a clamshell for easy transport and a touchpad for navigation without using the touch screen.

Asus Eee transformers Pad tablet with Android OS 3.0 powered comb. Eee Pad processor comes with a spring full-size keyboard for a total full Tablet highlighted in the market already. It comes with a 10.1? Screen 1280 x 800 pixels, dual camera, 1.3 MP front and rear 5MP and 32 GB of internal storage. A 512 MB of RAM, a ROM memory with 1 GB represents the inner workings of the shelf transformer. A power-packed 2-disc NVIDIA Tegra processor and comes with support for dual core. Available for Rs 29,622

Dell Streak

An impressive five-inch Dell Streak is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8250, 1GHz dual-core processor Tegra T20 Camera 1.3-megapixel front of the face, a 5-megapixel camera lens behind the T-Mobile "4G" HSPA + connections, and 16 GB internal memory. Each tablet passes through the phase of Dell Android 2.2 UI at this time, but allowed Dell to update the honeycomb. Its chic and 0.38-inch thin frame give the idea of it is very manageable to maintain. The price is 24,140.

IBM To Build 1000 Times Faster PCs

2011-09-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

Be prepared for the next generation of computers and smartphones are up to 1000 times faster than the systems you use today. Computer manufacturer IBM is developing the "skyscrapers" of computers that use huge sandwich of silicon chips by pressing layer after layer of chips covered with tiny components together.

The process by which IBM has roped the creator 3M glue, make computers and smartphones, up to 1000 times faster than today, and is expected to be commercially available by 2013.

3M currently heat-resistant glue, adhesives used in aerospace and tape, but hi-tech glue made for IBM could indeed be the decisive step towards making the leap in computing the evolution next the Daily Mail.

Attempts vertical stack - known as 3D packaging - has so far been suffering from overheating. But the new adhesives can conduct heat through a thick pile and away from the logic circuits that could be burned by the heat. The research aims to create "stacks" of up to 100 layers of silicon, the report said.

Mike Bowman, marketing director for 3M, said: "This material is integrated into computer chips when connected to printed circuit boards - the only part of what we do is we take our heat glue on the edge of the sandwich. That distributes heat more evenly across the chip. With conventional chips with only one or two layers, but once that is gathering the files, the problem can be very serious. "

Vodafone Provides A Heads-up For The Next F1 Event In India

2011-09-12T23:56:00.000-07:00

India will host the first, even this year October.Vodafone is all set to the event and announced his candidacy in the highly anticipated racing event in India. As part of its plans, Vodafone has announced the launch of "Vodafone Race of Fame," a unique platform, which includes a variety of activities. This initiative includes the "Race of Fame Vodafone life in the fast lane" to two different challenges, where four winners (two of two consumers and customers around the world) will gain experience "a-money-no- purchasing "spend the weekend with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes (WWW) during the team racing event to be held in Noida on October 28 to 30, 2011. "Unit of Vodafone in the majors," includes an opportunity for small and medium enterprises to have their logo on race cars will be on the WWW racing event in India

The call for nominations for "Race to Vodafone of Fame of life in the fast lane" of the third week of August 2011. Vodafone customers and clients around the world can register for the www.vodafone.in / run to glory. Participants will be selected in competition at the Karting track to select six cities in India. Participants will be evaluated on their intellectual and physical basis of various calibers competitive activities. The lucky winners will have the opportunity to be part of VMM exciting team and meet their favorite drivers VMM.

"Drive in the Vodafone Big League" provides small businesses the opportunity to get their logo on the car of VMM. Companies with a turnover of over £ 10 crores and less than $ 250 Crores & all employees base of less than 1000 are eligible to participate. The finalists will present their case to a distinguished panel of experts, where they will debate on a live television show for the coveted top spot. Participants may register on the www . vodafone.in / bigleague.

Apart from that, Vodafone has also planned a host of other activities such as hot laps with drivers VMM and shows the road with the car VMM among many other initiatives are preparing for the grand finale in New Delhi.

Commenting on the launch Kumar Ramanathan, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Essar said, "Vodafone is the title sponsor and official partner of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. Leveraging our global organization, we are very excited to offer our customers India a thrilling experience by giving them a chance to see up close and personal with the team VMM. "Vodafone Race of Fame" contest will be held Motorsport fanatics wildest dreams and also offers thousands of shivering spectators to see on their TV screen. "

Companies with a turnover of more than INR 10 crore and less than 250 INR Crores & total employee base of less than 1000 are eligible to participate. Short-listed finalists will present the prestigious things a jury of experts, where TV talk show live for the coveted spot at the top. Participants may register here.