Sumeet's Blog

Recover Lost Laptops, Android Smartphones

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:41:00 +0000

With the cost of a new laptop and smartphones burning a hole in your pocket, recovering them seems like a better option and not to mention the data that you worked on, on it. So here is a software that can help you recover you prized item.

Prey lets you keep track of your laptop, phone and tablet whenever stolen or missing -- easily and all in one place. It's lightweight, open source software that gives you full and remote control, 24/7.

Prey supports Windows 32/64 bit, Mac OS, Ubuntu linux and Android handsets.

How it works:

You create an account with prey project. There is a 3 device limit with the free account though.

Basically you install a tiny agent in your PC or phone, which silently waits for a remote signal to wake up and work its magic.

This signal is sent either from the Internet or through an SMS message(SMS for android phones), and allows you to gather information regarding the device's location, hardware and network status, and optionally trigger specific actions on it.

If enabled, Prey will attempt to hook onto to the nearest open WiFi hotspot when no Internet connection is found. Prey uses either the device's GPS or the nearest WiFi hotspots to triangulate and grab a fix on its location. It's shockingly accurate.

Also, Grab a screenshot of the active session -- if you're lucky you may catch the guy logged into his email or Facebook account! Take a picture of the thief with your laptop's webcam so you know what he looks like and where he's hiding. Powerful evidence.

And Fully lock down your PC, making it unusable unless a specific password is entered. The guy won't be able to do a thing!

Go to http://preyproject.com/ to get started.

Profile pictures as emoticons on Facebook chat

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:42:00 +0000

Facebook's new update is letting you use profile pics, page pics as emoticon on facebook chat. To use this in chat type in [[username/page-name]] i.e., two open square brackets followed by username or page name and then by closed square brackets and the current profile pic will turn up as emoticon.

Aakash: World's cheapest tablet from India

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:35:00 +0000

After a lot of speculation the $35 tablet is here, albeit at a higher price. Named Aakash and not Sakshat.

The specs of Aakash tablet are as follows:

Manufacturer:                               Datawind
Price :                                          Rs 2,276 (about $50)
Dimensions:                                 190.5x118.5x15.7mm
Screen:                                        7" resistive touchscreen with 800×480 pixel resolution
Weighs:                                       350gms

Processor:                                 366MHz
Connectivity: 2 full USB ports
Memory:                                   256MB RAM
Storage:                                    2GB Flash memory + 2GB Micro SD card (expandable to 32GB)
Power and Battery:                     2100mAh, AC adapter 200-240 volt range. (Lasts 1.5 to 2 hours                                           when watching HD videos & 3 hours on average use)

   Inbuilt cellular modem and SIM to access internet
                                               Wi-fi enabled
   Plays 1080p HD videos
   Separate application for online YouTube video
                                                  Audio out: 3.5mm jack / Audio in: 3.5mm jack

Operating System:                      Android 2.2 Froyo
Supported Document formats:      DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, ODT, ODP
                                           PDF viewer, Text editor
Image viewer supported formats: PNG, JPG, BMP and GIF
Supported audio formats: MP3, AAC, AC3, WAV, WMA
Supported video formats:           MPEG2, MPEG4, AVI, FLV
Web browser    Standards Compliance: xHTML 1.1 compliant, JavaScript 1.8 compliant

Safety and other standards compliance - CE certification / RoHS certification

Downsides include:
No Android marketplace, has Getjar instead.
Resistive touchscreen.

Web-sites mentioned on TV shows [Updated]

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:14:00 +0000

This list is incomplete and inaccurate :)

How I Met Your Mother:
http://www.itwasthebestnightever.com/

http://www.marshallandlilywedding.com/

http://www.notafathersday.com/

http://www.tedmosbyisajerk.com/ + http://tedmosbyisnotajerk.com/

http://www.slapcountdown.com [Archived @ http://web.archive.org/web/20071008010352/http://slapcountdown.com/ ]

http://www.lilyandmarshallselltheirstuff.com/ [Archived @ http://web.archive.org/web/20080512124250/http://www.charityfolks.com/cfauctions/auction_verticalngo.asp?slrid=76 ]

http://www.guyforceshiswifetodressinagarbagebagforthenextthreeyears.com/

http://internationalsuitupday.com/

http://swarley.com [Archived @t http://web.archive.org/web/20061130162824/http://swarley.com/ ]

http://mysteriousdrx.com/

http://www.barneysvideoresume.com/

http://www.weddingbridemovie.com/

http://www.canadiansexacts.org/

http://bigbusinessjournal.com/

http://www.extremitiesquarterly.com/

http://balloonexplorersclub.com/

http://grademyteacher.net/

Heroes:
http://www.primatechpaper.com/

Supernatural:
http://www.hellhoundslair.com/

http://ghostfacers.com/

Sherlock BBC:
http://johnwatsonblog.co.uk/

http://www.thescienceofdeduction.co.uk/

http://www.mollyhooper.co.uk/

http://www.connieprince.co.uk/

Suggestions are welcome, please provide links in comment section, will add them here asap.

Emmy 2011 prediction

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:09:00 +0000

My prediction(more like hoping) for the Emmys 2011:
(You can check all the nominees @ http://www.imdb.com/features/emmys/2011/nominations )

Outstanding Comedy Series - The Big Bang Theory

Outstanding Drama Series - Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Steve Carell(The Office)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Steve Buscemi(Boardwalk Empire)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Martha Plimpton(Raising Hope)

And the oscar goes to(2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Oscar is to be held on 27 Feb(28th morning 6.00 AM in India) and I feel the need, need to predict and so here goes:

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Nominees:
127 Hours (2010): Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, John Smithson
Black Swan (2010): Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin
The Fighter (2010): David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, Mark Wahlberg
Inception (2010): Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas
The Kids Are All Right (2010): Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine Rattray
The King's Speech (2010): Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin
The Social Network (2010): Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, Ceán Chaffin
Toy Story 3 (2010): Darla K. Anderson
True Grit (2010): Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Scott Rudin
Winter's Bone (2010): Anne Rosellini, Alix Madigan
WINNER -The King's Speech (2010): Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Javier Bardem for Biutiful (2010)
Jeff Bridges for True Grit (2010)
Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network (2010)
Colin Firth for The King's Speech (2010)
James Franco for 127 Hours (2010)
WINNER - Colin Firth for The King's Speech (2010)*

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Nicole Kidman for Rabbit Hole (2010)
Jennifer Lawrence for Winter's Bone (2010)
Natalie Portman for Black Swan (2010)
Michelle Williams for Blue Valentine (2010)
WINNER - Natalie Portman for Black Swan (2010)*

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Christian Bale for The Fighter (2010)
John Hawkes for Winter's Bone (2010)
Jeremy Renner for The Town (2010)
Mark Ruffalo for The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Geoffrey Rush for The King's Speech (2010)
WINNER - Geoffrey Rush for The King's Speech (2010)*

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Amy Adams for The Fighter (2010)
Helena Bonham Carter for The King's Speech (2010)
Melissa Leo for The Fighter (2010)
Hailee Steinfeld for True Grit (2010)
Jacki Weaver for Animal Kingdom (2010)
WINNER - Helena Bonham Carter for The King's Speech (2010)*

Best Achievement in Directing
Nominees:
Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan (2010)
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for True Grit (2010)
David Fincher for The Social Network (2010)
Tom Hooper for The King's Speech (2010)
David O. Russell for The Fighter (2010)
WINNER - David Fincher for The Social Network (2010)*

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Nominees:
Another Year (2010): Mike Leigh
The Fighter (2010): Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Keith Dorrington
Inception (2010): Christopher Nolan
The Kids Are All Right (2010): Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg
The King's Speech (2010): David Seidler
WINNER - The King's Speech (2010): David Seidler

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Nominees:
127 Hours (2010): Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
The Social Network (2010): Aaron Sorkin
Toy Story 3 (2010): Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
True Grit (2010): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Winter's Bone (2010): Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini
WINNER - The Social Network (2010): Aaron Sorkin

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Nominees:
How to Train Your Dragon (2010): Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
The Illusionist (2010): Sylvain Chomet
Toy Story 3 (2010): Lee Unkrich
WINNER - Toy Story 3 (2010): Lee Unkrich*

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Nominees:
Biutiful (2010): Alejandro González Iñárritu(Mexico)
Dogtooth (2009): Giorgos Lanthimos(Greece)
In a Better World (2010): Susanne Bier(Denmark)
Incendies (2010): Denis Villeneuve(Canada)
Outside the Law (2010): Rachid Bouchareb(Algeria)
WINNER - In a Better World (2010): Susanne Bier(Denmark)

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Nominees:
Black Swan (2010): Matthew Libatique
Inception (2010): Wally Pfister
The King's Speech (2010): Danny Cohen
The Social Network (2010): Jeff Cronenweth
True Grit (2010): Roger Deakins
WINNER - True Grit (2010): Roger Deakins

Best Achievement in Editing
Nominees:
127 Hours (2010): Jon Harris
Black Swan (2010): Andrew Weisblum
The Fighter (2010): Pamela Martin
The King's Speech (2010): Tariq Anwar
The Social Network (2010): Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall
WINNER - The Social Network (2010): Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall

Best Achievement in Art Direction
Nominees:
Alice in Wonderland (2010): Robert Stromberg, Karen O'Hara
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010): Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillan
Inception (2010): Guy Hendrix Dyas, Larry Dias, Douglas A. Mowat
The King's Speech (2010): Eve Stewart, Judy Farr
True Grit (2010): Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh
WINNER - True Grit (2010): Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Nominees:
Alice in Wonderland (2010): Colleen Atwood
I Am Love (2009): Antonella Cannarozzi
The King's Speech (2010): Jenny Beavan
The Tempest (2010/II): Sandy Powell
True Grit (2010): Mary Zophres
WINNER - Alice in Wonderland (2010): Colleen Atwood*

Best Achievement in Makeup
Nominees:
Barney's Version (2010): Adrien Morot
The Way Back (2010): Edouard F. Henriques, Greg Funk, Yolanda Toussieng
The Wolfman (2010): Rick Baker, Dave Elsey
WINNER - Barney's Version (2010): Adrien Morot

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Nominees:
127 Hours (2010): A.R. Rahman
How to Train Your Dragon (2010): John Powell
Inception (2010): Hans Zimmer
The King's Speech (2010): Alexandre Desplat
The Social Network (2010): Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
WINNER - Inception (2010): Hans Zimmer*

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Nominees:
127 Hours (2010): A.R. Rahman, Rollo Armstrong, Dido("If I Rise")
Country Strong (2010): Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges("Coming Home")
Tangled (2010): Alan Menken, Glenn Slater("I See the Light")
Toy Story 3 (2010): Randy Newman("We Belong Together")
WINNER - Tangled (2010): Alan Menken, Glenn Slater("I See the Light")

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Nominees:
Inception (2010): Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, Ed Novick
The King's Speech (2010): Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen, John Midgley
Salt (2010): Jeffrey J. Haboush, William Sarokin, Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell
The Social Network (2010): Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick, Mark Weingarten
True Grit (2010): Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff, Peter F. Kurland
WINNER - Inception (2010): Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, Ed Novick

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Nominees:
Inception (2010): Richard King
Toy Story 3 (2010): Tom Myers, Michael Silvers
TRON: Legacy (2010): Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Addison Teague
True Grit (2010): Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey
Unstoppable (2010): Mark P. Stoeckinger
WINNER - Inception (2010): Richard King

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Nominees:
Alice in Wonderland (2010): Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas, Sean Phillips
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010): Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz, Nicolas Aithadi
Hereafter (2010): Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojansky, Joe Farrell
Inception (2010): Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man 2 (2010): Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright, Daniel Sudick
WINNER - Inception (2010): Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb, Paul J. Franklin

Best Documentary, Features
Nominees:
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010): Banksy, Jaimie D'Cruz
GasLand (2010): Josh Fox, Trish Adlesic
Inside Job (2010): Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs
Restrepo (2010): Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger
Waste Land (2010): Lucy Walker, Angus Aynsley
WINNER - Inside Job (2010): Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs

Best Documentary, Short Subjects
Nominees:
Killing in the Name (2010): Jed Rothstein
Poster Girl (2010): Sara Nesson, Mitchell Block
Strangers No More (2010): Karen Goodman, Kirk Simon
Sun Come Up (2010): Jennifer Redfearn, Tim Metzger
The Warriors of Qiugang (2010): Ruby Yang, Thomas Lennon
WINNER - Killing in the Name (2010): Jed Rothstein

Best Short Film, Animated
Nominees:
Day & Night (2010): Teddy Newton
The Gruffalo (2009) (TV): Jakob Schuh, Max Lang
Let's Pollute (2009): Geefwee Boedoe
The Lost Thing (2010): Shaun Tan, Andrew Ruhemann
Madagascar, a Journey Diary (2010): Bastien Dubois
WINNER - The Lost Thing (2010): Shaun Tan, Andrew Ruhemann

Best Short Film, Live Action
Nominees:
The Confession (2010/IV): Tanel Toom
The Crush (2009): Michael Creagh
God of Love (2010): Luke Matheny
Na Wewe (2010): Ivan Goldschmidt
Wish 143 (2009): Ian Barnes, Samantha Waite
WINNER - God of Love (2010): Luke Matheny

So here's my prediction, you can leave yours below in the comments :)
* - These are sure shot ones.

Until next time.
Regards,

Upcoming movies I’m looking forward to(2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 02:27:00 +0000

Hi all, and yes, a lil’ late with this post since the year has already begun and a month has already passed. But, I’m sticking to “Better late then never” theory and posting my list of movies I’m looking forward to this year. There are pretty awesome movies lined up for this year(looks like HOLLYWOOD wants to make the moolah before apocalypse hits Dec. 2012) and the next.

Anyway without any more rambling, here are my picks:

Battle: Los Angeles
Release Date: 11 March 2011
A Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles.

Thor
Release Date: 6 May 2011
The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.

Fast Five
Release Date: 29 April 2011
Dominic and his crew find themselves on the wrong side of the law once again as they try to switch lanes between a ruthless drug lord and a relentless federal agent.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Release Date: 20 May 2011
Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.

The Hangover 2
Release Date: 26 May 2011
Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug travel to Bangkok for Stu's wedding.

Kung Fu Panda 2
Release Date: 26 May 2011
Po joins forces with a group of new kung-fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon.

X-Men: First Class
Release Date: 3 June 2011
Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time.

Super 8
Release Date: 10 June 2011
Next Summer, It Arrives.

Cars 2
Release Date: 24 June 2011
Racing star Lightning McQueen teams up with his best friend Mater for an international adventure as they go up against the world's fastest cars.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Release Date: 1 July 2011
The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the Transformers' final battle.

Captain America: The First Avenger
Release Date: 22 July 2011
After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America's ideals.

Cowboys and Aliens
Release Date: 29 July 2011
A spaceship arrives in Arizona, 1873, to take over the Earth, starting with the Wild West region. A posse of cowboys are all that stand in their way.

And as mentioned these are my picks and there are many other awesome movies lined up.
For a detailed list check Movie Insider. And don't forget to mention your favourites in the comments. :)

Until next time.
Regards,

How-to get Facebook's new profile

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 02:57:00 +0000

Facebook has started providing new view to profile. You can get the new profile view by clicking Here and then hit the green button to get started.

Until next time.
Regards,

Opera Mini Tips and Tricks

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Opera Mini, one of the most popular mobile based browser's new version which has a completely revamped layout and tabbed browsing and many such features is giving a lot of people a headache to find and work with them. So, here are few Tips 'n' tricks to get you going.

First step:
You could start by setting the permissions for Opera Mini, allowing it to connect to net always, this will remove the need to do so manually every time you start Opera Mini.

"Key" Key:
The master key to Opera Mini is the number key "1", its like your right click. On a link it gives you the option to open the link in a new page, on a picture it gives you the option to open the image or save the image and on a normal page pressing it allows you select the text. In Bookmarks and Saved Pages it acts similar to selecting the manage option.

Note: Also, pressing and holding the center key of your D-pad serves the same purpose as the number key ‘1’.

Speed Dials:
When Opera Mini 5 came in first, people couldn’t find option to change the defaults Sites in Speed dial. They can be changed by pressing the same Number key ‘1’ and then assigning a new one.

Copying on page text content:
Copied text from a page and can’t place it on other apps and messages on your phone? There is a work around way which can help, but needs your phone to support text copying and pasting. Copy the text from a page by selecting it from a page by pressing the number key ‘1’, next place it from where you want the selection to begin and press “Start” and then move it to where you want the selection to end and press “Use”. Then instead of “Copy”, select “Search With..” Now when the text appears in search bar, use the phones Copy Text option. Now you are free to paste the text in other apps and messages.

Note: This blog post is based on Opera Mini 5 on Sony Ericsson K530i. The latest version of Opera Mini is Opera Mini 5.1 which is a minor upgrade over Opera Mini 5. Most of the procedures will function similarly on other phones too.

Until next time.
Regards,

Naruto Fights That Should Have Been

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:47:00 +0000

[Warning: Don't attempt to read this blog post if you do not follow the anime or the manga, I won't be explaining anything.]

Naruto is one the most popular anime and manga. It can also be said it is the top most viewed manga and anime, and its popularity never seems to lessen or end. And neither does the story.

In this post I picked out fight that would have been a treat to watch. And here we go:

Fight #5 : Hashirama Senju (First Hokage) vs Madara Uchiha.
No doubt this would be one awesome battle to watch as both were really powerful ninjas and had an arsenal cool techniques. We could even see the full extent of Madara's "Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan" and how he could manipulate the Kyuubi.
Chances of happenning: Maybe as a flashback of the one battle which already took place at "The Valley of End".
Who might win: Hashirama Senju
Why: Duh, He has already defeated Madara.

Fight #4 : Kakashi Hatake vs Itachi Uchiha.
I know there are two different occassions where Kakashi and Itachi come face to face but that weren't the full-scale battle I was hoping for. This is one fight I was hoping would happen big-time. With both being ANBU members and taunted to be geniuses, this would have been a battle of battles.
Chances of happenning: Not happening, coz Itachi is dead.
Who might win: Itachi Uchiha
Why: Being the original successor of Sharingan and having sharingan on both eyes definitely gives him the edge.

Fight #3 : Neji Hyuuga vs Sasuke Uchiha.
Both happen to be No 1 rookie Ninja's of their age, both being as Genius of their respective clans and both having a "Kekkai Genkai". This would be a fight of eyes more than anything. The Byaakugan vs the Sharingan.
Chances of happenning: Slim chances.
Who might win: Sasuke Uchiha
Why: Susanoo, Ametarasu and Tsukiyomi [Mangekyo Sharingan].

Fight #2 : Minato Namikaze (Fourth Hokage) vs Nagato (Pain).
This here would be a fight between a fearless leader against the one with the "Rinnegan". Also, Fourth hokage could kill in cold blood and not stand and sissy chat with Pain. It would have been skills against pure power.
Chances of happenning: Not happenning, both are dead.
Who might win: Minato Namikaze
Why: Naruto did it.

Fight #1 : Naruto Uzumaki vs Sasuke Uchiha.
All the battle between them up until now are like trailers and the big battle is surely lining up. And both have grown very strong and both have defeated one tough foe each.
Chances of happenning: Soon, my dear friend, very soon.
Who might win: Naruto Uzumaki
Why: Seriously, Lead Character (LC) = (CL) Can't Lose [Mathematical Equation of Manga and Anime].

You can watch few of these battles using the Naruto Video Games. If you dont own the game, check the videos at youtube.

[NOTE: This post was written before Naruto 488 episode of manga was out.]

Until next time.
Regards,

Waving With The Bots

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:53:00 +0000

"First, What is Google Wave?"
Read it here

"What are bots, why add them?"
Before going into paranoia attack, Bots in Google Wave are very useful little Wave extensions. Each bot has a certain use ranging from useful to just plain fun.

"How do I add a bot?"
Bots are to be added in contacts first and then added to a Wave as you add contacts/friends to a wave.

Now Below is the mega-list of bots I could find. [Will be updated as I find more. Suggest more in comments if you find any.]

Tweety:
ID - tweety-wave@appspot.com
What it does? - This bot helps you send tweets from Google Wave.

Wikify:
ID - wikifier@appspot.com
What it does? - This bot adds links and definitions from Wikipedia to your waves for a given topic.

Polly the Pollster:
ID - polly-wave@appspot.com
What it does? - Polly the Pollster lets you create multiple choice polls with custom questions and answers.

Yelpful:
ID - yelpful@appspot.com
What it does? - This bot uses Yelp.com for searching in a wave. Type a query, such as /yelp [keyword], and Yelpful responds with search results in a new blip.

TwitUsernames:
ID - twitusernames@appspot.com
What it does? - This bot turns any word with @ in the beginning to a Twitter link. For example: @Sumeet becomes a hyperlinked @Sumeet .

Emoticony:
ID - emoticonbot@appspot.com
What it does? - This bot converts text smiley into smiley images.

Eliza the Robot Shrink:
ID - elizarobot@appspot.com
What it does? - Remember the DOS program, yes. It is a programmed therapist who chats with you in Wave.

Flippy:
ID - flippy-wave@appspot.com
What it does? - This bot turns all the contents of the wave upside down.

Bouncy:
ID - bouncy-wave@appspot.com
What it does? - This bot is for taking/bouncing out a bot from a wave.

Imma Let You Finish:
ID - imma-let-u-finish@appspot.com
What it does? - Yes, Kanye made it to the Google Wave. What this bot does is interrupts in a wave with "I'mma let you finish".

Wave Alpha:
ID - py-robot@appspot.com
What it does? - An bot for Wolfram Alpha.

More Below:

Madoqua Wave Bot:
ID - blog-bot@appspot.com

Sweepy:
ID - sweepy-wave@appspot.com

The Swedish Chef bot:
ID - borkforceone@appspot.com

RSS:
ID - rssybot@appspot.com

Bloggy bot:
ID - blog-wave@appspot.com

Hangman:
ID - wavehangman@appspot.com

Until next time.
Regards,

PS: No points for guessing the Post Title is a pun of "Riding With the Boys".

Google Wave

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:20:00 +0000

Finally after a month of waiting, I got the invite to Google's new, hyped product "Wave". By now everyone has heard or come across the term Google Wave somewhere, if not, Google Wave is an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration.

Google Wave is a next generation email like tool, where everything is in real-time, so you can discuss and collaborate. But unlike email, all the participants must be in Google Wave. Also, they should be added to one of the waves you've created.

To begin with you need to be in Google Wave. You cannot join directly as of now as it is in a limited preview, so you need to be invited. You can get invited by either visiting this page OR by getting a invite from a friend. Both of which might take time with the current rate at which invites are being sent. You can also get a invite from me, Read on. After getting the invite, all you need is a Google/Gmail account. You will be asked to create a new one or to log into an existing one.

Once in, you will get a ID which will look like YourGmailID@googlewave.com . Your contacts from Google are added to your Wave contacts, if they are already in, that is. Creating a wave is as easy clicking 'New Wave'. Waves are how you will be communicating and collaborating with people. A wave can be both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. Then you can add contacts to that wave. And you are good to go. The chat can be real-time considering your friends are online at that time. You can add photos, vids and other contents to your wave and download them too. Adding photos is as simple as drag and drop. The real-time is as real as possible with all the keystrokes and corrections.

For me Wave is a upgrade from IRC. Unlike IRC, Wave is real-time, has threaded reply so you can reply to a particular thread/comment when in Group discussion. Also its clutter-free and more professional looking.

There are a few extensions for getting something extra in Wave. Extensions include games which you can play with your friends in real-time. Few of the extensions are featured here .

Similarly lot of bots seem to be coming out for Wave. Bots like Tweety help to Tweet from Wave. All these bots are email like IDs which you have to add to your contacts and you're good to go. Will post more on Bots in next post.

If you need a invite to Google Wave contact me on Twitter or by leaving your mail ID here in the comments. I'll send you the invites. If you are already in Wave, add me to your contacts meet.naik.1988[at]googlewave[dot]com .

Until next time.
Regards,

Note: Due to overwhelming requests for invite and shortage of the same with me, I'll be needing your blog and profiles links to make sure you're not a bot or a troll looking for let-in. I need two links preferrably one to your blog and an open profile anywhere on any known social network(facebook, twitter). Make sure your profile is open to visitors, thats all. Hope you understand. And thanks.

Updates:
Winners have been contacted and the invites are all sent.

A similar Google Wave invite give-away is run by @Indyan and @Mrintech at here and here respectively. Enter at both the places for a better chance at getting the invite.

Yahoo Meme

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:29:00 +0000

Meme by Yahoo was considered by many as a Twitter-clone but it turned out to be notch above Twitter with ability to share Photos, Videos and Music in addition to Text. Also people can comment on your posts. But having said that similarities with Twitter include a Retweet like feature of Twitter called 'Repost'. And of-course you can follow and get followed by people.

For me it was a more simpler Tumblr, but more glorified and hyped by Yahoo. There are a few default themes given for namesake. The overall look and feel is great and its way simpler and easier to use. It could very well be a competition for Tumblr, Posterous and likes of it, if not for Twitter.

My Meme

It is in Alpha stage(version) and invite based and you get the invite within a day or so if you request for one at Yahoo Meme Homepage.
But if you cant wait for Yahoo Meme invites, leave your ID's below in the comments, I'll send them asap. I've got a dozen of invite. A follow back is not necessary, if you dont want to.

Until next time.
Regards,

PS: Please never leave you ID in proper format anywhere on the web as it leads to spam in your inbox. Please leave Your ID in the following format your-id[at]your-provider[dot]com
For example if your ID is bigboytoby12@yahoo.com, type it as bigboytoby12[at]yahoo[dot]com

Driving Music

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Two best things that can be mashed together should be Driving and Music (at least as per me). So this brings me to my post "Driving Music". My compilation is of tracks that are pretty much fast paced and newer as possible. You can buy these tracks from online stores and then create a audio disc for your car's music system. Feel free to use the above given album-art. There are lots of other tracks which you can choose too from the mentioned OST's below.

T.I. ft PSC - Do Ya Thang
This track features in the Need For Speed Most Wanted soundtrack and many variants can be found in other movies and games.

Paul Van Dyk - Nothing But You (Cirrus Mix)
A wonderful track that can be found in Need For Speed Underground 2 and FIFA Football 2004 soundtrack. It reached #14 in the UK Singles Chart and #6 in the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play.

Styles Of Beyond - Nine Thou (Superstars Remix)
The track is included in Need For Speed Most Wanted soundtrack, WWE Day of Reckoning soundtrack and WWE SmackDown vs. RAW soundtrack, as well as Prison Break(series).

The Prodigy - You'll Be Under My Wheels
One of the most used track in movies and games, which are centered around cars as main theme. It is used in Need for Speed Most Wanted soundtrack.

The Roots and BT - Tao Of The Machine (Scott Humphrey's Remix)
This track is included in the Need For Speed Most Wanted soundtrack and Blade II OST. Many variants are features elsewhere.

Apollo 440- Stop The Rock
This track is used in Gone In 60 Seconds soundtrack and in certain other compilations too.

Rock - I Am Rock
This track is included in Need For Speed Most Wanted soundtrack.

Hyper - We Control
This track is also from the Need For Speed Most Wanted soundtrack.

The Prodigy - You'll Be Under My Wheels
Another track from the Need For Speed Most Wanted soundtrack.

Snoop Dogg feat. The Doors - Riders on the Storm (Fredwreck Remix)
Another one of most used track in movies and games centered around cars and races. It is featured in Need For Speed Underground soundtrack.

Until next time.
Regards,

Wishlist - Transformers Characters I Want In The Next Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:19:00 +0000

Warning: The below article may include SPOILERS and info that have served plot, twists etc in the Transformers Universe(Movies and Cartoons).

Note: Transformer Universe is one twisted universe when you take a deep look into it. A lot of individual(Transformers) have been an Autobot and later switched to Decepticon and vice-versa.

WheelJack:
As the name suggest a transformer who transforms into a car. He is an autobot for the most part and an skilled driver with slick moves.

Blurr:
Hailed as the fastest Autobot on land, he has attitude as cool as ice. His motto "Stand up, keep fighting!" explains it all.

Ultra Magnus:
An autobot and original partner of Optimus Prime,the leader of the autobots. In short if Optimus ever needs a best man, its Ultra Magnus.

Unicron:
The planet eating,universe consuming Transformer is neither Autobot nor Decepticon, he's pure evil. And you have absolutely no idea why I want to see him in the next Transformer movie. Its because of the fellow below.

Primus:
Primus is the "benevolent" godlike entity among the Transformers who is a rival of the the Unicron. Primus is the being, who created the Transformers to help him defeat Unicron. To put it bluntly, he's the Grand-Daddy of all Transformers.
A picture of him for more insight on him.

This article's idea came when Ashwin Saxena a.k.a. Quiz_Master tweeted that he would like to see Unicron in the next installment of Transformers.

Until next time.
Regards,

Get you twitter @replies on you phone

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:06:00 +0000

For people who are off net and would like to recieve @replies from people(on Twitter) as SMS ,so they respond back, Twe2 was one such service. But it is not functional now. You can read more here.

So an alternative would be to create one for yourself, all by yourself using Google SMS channel.

Procedure:

Create an account in Google SMS Channels or you can usee your Gmail ID(http://labs.google.co.in/smschannels/browse),

Select "Try Now" from Create you own channel on the right side.

Next page provide a name, description,category,location as you please.

In the Source select "RSS/Atom feed" and provide the following link [ search.twitter.com/search.atom?q=%40yourusername ]

Replace yourusername with your twitter handle like mine - Sumeet.

In "content" Select Body.
In "Allow publishing by" select Only me
In "Who can subscribe" select By invitation only, Since you would like the replies to be private.

And lastly agree to TOS of google and press Create channel button.

Shortcomings:
Since this was just an experiment I tried there were two shortcomings.
Firstly, I couldn't get the senders name(big problem).
Secondly, the messages arrive almost after an half an hour.(Only Airtel showed this behaviour)

Until next time.
Regards,

Airtel: We Want Your Money

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:11:00 +0000

As per the title this is what Airtel's (India) motto seems to have become. Over the past 26 days they've proved to me whatever the situation be, they can steal/rob me of my money.

There have been lot of incidents before but let me just tell you whats been happening in the past 26 days..
Below is how the past few days they drove me crazy like anything.

May 5th - After activating Mobile Office I was rendered without net for a whole day because of a fault of Airtel. First they accepted their fault and later changed their words.
I overlooked this event, somehow living with the harsh treatment. I made nearly 12 calls them in 4 days for the same. I even overlooked their sad, pathetic network.

May 14th - Having activated MO once more on 12th and having a balance of Rs 117 I felt I could enjoy Internet browsing peacefully for the next two weeks. I was wrong again. On 14th I received a SMS stating that I had downloaded a Monster Truck Java Game worth Rs 99.
I called up the customer care and lodged a complaint, they accepted a wrong on their part and gave a deadline of 19th(6 PM) as to when I would get my balance back.
Just as I ended the call another Rs 15 was deducted stating another game was downloaded worth Rs 15. I called the customer care back again and lodged a complaint again, they accepted their fault again and this time they refunded my Rs 15 back instantly.
But I had to wait for the Rs 99 up until 19th May.

May 19th - I was off the MO weekly pack and called up the CC as my money was not yet credited, they gave story that their server was having problems and their application were down and couldn't help me then.

May 20th - I activated MO daily pack worth Rs 20. Then, I called up the CC again to enquire about the lost money. They patched me through to a senior and she told me that I would get my balance back in 24hrs.

May 21th - Activated the MO daily pack again. Made a call to CC again,. A senior executive again said I would get a refund and they would call me back themselves.

May 22th - Activated MO daily pack again. Finally received a call from Airtel Back-end Dept. They squarely told me that it was not their problem and I had to live with it. They could only send the game again if I needed.
Again he made me call the CC who patched me through a senior who took a complaint and told by evening(That's Now) I would receive a solution.

Summary to the above:
Airtel treats its customer like dog.
They feel anyone using their service is a meek, non-tech person and they can get away with anything.
They will first take a complaint and give you a date of rectification, where the date of rectification is at least 4 days later.
Then they'll push it further and further and further.........
Finally they'll tel you to live with it.
Airtel decides what you want.

This is the message I received
"Thanks for downloading JavaGame from Airtel Live WAP Service. You've been charged Rs 99. Enjoy http: //gofun. in"

Few points over here:
First, I do not use Airtel Live in any circumstances, it costs 50paisa/30Kb.
2nd, I do not have the setting for Airtel Live.
3rd, I have deleted every site related to Airtel back in the years itself.

For the past days I've come up with more than a dozen original jokes and one-liners on Airtel.

Airtel, This is from your customer who has taken enough sh*t from you.

UPDATE:
26 days after, I still have no proper solution from Airtel. And to top it all they have cut me off from the shittyy customer support.

Airtel, Its not over, until I say its over..

Until next time.
Regards,

Not so warm regards to Airtel.

Must Have Freewares For Windows

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:07:00 +0000

A comprehensive list of freewares with links for your Windows based PC/Laptop. They are free and also must-haves on your windows.
Just click on the Software you want to download and you'll be directed to the download page.

Anti-Virus:
AVG Free Edition
Avast Home Edition
AntiVir

Audio Players:
Foobar2000
Songbird - A post on it here.
Winamp

CD Recording:
CD/DVD Burner XP
Burn 4 Free

CD Utilities:
Daemon Tools

Download Managers:
FlashGet

Firewall:
ZoneAlarm

GUI Utilities:
MobyDock
Samurize

Image Viewers:
IrfanView

Publication/Document Manipulation:
OpenOffice.org
AbiWord
IBM Lotus Symphony

Anti-Spyware:
Spybot: Search & Destroy

Video Players:
Media Player Classic
VLC Player

Web Browsers:
Google Chrome
Mozilla FireFox
Opera
Safari

Note: This list is going to be updated whenever possible. Broken Links will also be fixed. So make sure you bookmark this page. You can also submit freewares and broken links below in comments, they will be added.

Until next time.
Regards,

Text Insert

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:30:00 +0000

An utility for inserting pre-chosen texts in a document or anywhere for that matter when the assigned hotkey is pressed. TextInsert can insert 3 different text materials with 3 different hotkeys.
It is useful for inserting commonly used lines, phrases and wishes.

Download the utility here.

Install the program. On running it you'll get a screen with three text boxes and below them the hotkeys can be supplied. Make sure the hotkeys are not commonly used ones. Also don't quit the program minimize it to the system tray.

Save and Minimize will minimize the program to system tray.

Note: The program has not been updated ever since its first made but its a nifty utility still. And it works at ease on Windows Vista too.

Until next time.
Regards,

Opera Mini

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:00:00 +0000

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Opera Mini happens to be world’s most popular mobile Web browser with over 20 million users. With Opera Mini you can browse any site to the fullest. Checking mail, browsing social networks, using Twitter almost everything is possible on your Java based handset with Opera Mini (OM).

Most notable features of Opera Mini :
Full web: You can browse any Html and similar pages in full view or Mobile view.
Performance: With Opera Mini, pages are compressed before loading which increases browsing speed and saves time as well as your money if you are using Pay-Per-KB Internet services. You can even turn off images to save few more bucks.
Bookmarks: You can save bookmarks for future reference. It also has a Speed-Dial of sort which lets you keep your important and 9 most used link on start page.
Search: You can add many Search engines from different portals very easily.
Screen Orientation: You can even have Opera Mini in Landscape. It has a full screen mode.
History: It has a history like your Full-blown Browser.
Save pages: Yes, you can save pages for later viewing.
Feeds: You can adds feeds to your Opera Mini too for on-the-go reading.
Sync: you can sync with Opera on your desktop for sharing links,notes etc across.
Find : There is a find option to search for a word on a page.
Skins: You can change Skins too.

Opera Mini is a must have app for your Java-based phones. Currently Opera Mini version 4.2 is available and is the best one out there. The best part of all its free to download and use.

Download:
On PC - Here
On Mobile – Point your Mobile default browser to mini.opera.com

Opera Mini site

Until next time.
Regards,

Twitter - New At Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:14:00 +0000

New to Twitter and can't get yourself to fit in there. Here is a starters guide to help you.

First go the basic process of getting the Profile ready:
* Don't waste much time and get a real decent and short username(Eg: Sumeet ). A short but meaningful username is the key to get a jump start(Try to get user name less than 10 letters with no numbers and no symbols).
* Next get the much needed profile picture. Your own picture is a really what you need when you begin. You can later change it to a logo or whatever when you get enough followers.
* Adding your location is a real deal as you can get up-close with the people from you part of the world. This is what actually Twitter's important use. You get info, help which matters to you. You can also be a part of “Meets” which are held.
* Next up is bio and it is as important as the others fields mentioned above. People can know your interests and then follow you. And one line is all you need to put a decent bio.
* If you have blog or site you can add it too. Its adds value to your profile.

Next lets get to know the Twitter Terminology:

Twitterers/Tweeps/Tweeples – These are people like you who use Twitter.
Updates/Tweets – This is how you'll be communicating with other people. All you do is type what you're upto and hit enter.
Replies/@replies/Reply/@replies – This is how you can sent messages to other Twitter users. All you need to do is type “@” followed by “Username of the user whom you want to reply to” followed by the message.
DM/Direct Messages – These are the private messages you send to you friends, to send these the recepient needs to be following you.
ReTweet/RT – Tweeting updates you liked by others is not plagiarising on Twitter as long as you give them credit. It is done by typing “RT” followed by “username of the original tweep” followed
by the message.
Hashtags – Updates on the same topic can be bound together to appear in search stream using “#” followed by “appropriate topic name”.

Now getting followed and finding followers:
The trick in getting started is to start small.
Follow your friends, colleagues, classmates, relative, neighbours, people from your place & other known people first. No-ones gonna follow you if you go right at it following anyone you see, so start sensible, take time. Finding first few followers is a bit slow process.
Also try to follow more active people, as hey can reciprocate faster and follow you back soon.
In the mean time keep tweeting, this lets other know its not another ghost/dead profile which one follows(read: stalks) them.
While doing this try to maintain a good followers : following ratio. Don't get overboard following people that you start following 10 times as followers(Not recommended).
Next when you have enough followers follow people with similar interests. You can find them using Twitter using search or from other twitter places.
Keep tweeting in the mean time. Tweeting is the actual way of communicating on twitter.

Other Tips:
1. Now when you're not getting a return follow, you're are free to unfollow the tweep. There is no law binding you to follow him for eternity, unless, ofcourse his/her tweets are way too good or he/she is a celeb whom you admire/love.
2.Twitter web and Mobile Twitter are not the only way you can tweet. There are lot of Twitter clients and apps. Find one that suits your need from here.
3.@reply is a good way to communicate with a friend, but don't overuse it, IM still exists for that purpose.
4.ReTweet is a good way to share the tweet you enjoyed. Its not gonna offend.
5.Be active on twitter.

Until next time.
Regards,

Max Payne 3

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:45:00 +0000

Rockstar has confirmed Max Payne 3 which is gonna release in winter 2009.
Max Payne 3 is sequel to Max Payne 2. In this sequel Max is away from his city, New York. He's a few years older than he was in previous game.

Source

Official Link
As a fan of the game series, I'm posting this here. Max Payne back in the days was a game which brought creative changes with aspects such as slo-mo, a good storyline and a terrific acting and dialogue delivery..

Until next time.
Regards,

Manga - A New Addiction

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:19:00 +0000

Manga are comics and print cartoons, in the Japanese language.In Japan, people of all ages read manga widely.The genre includes a broad range of subjects: action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, horror, sexuality, and business and commerce, among others.

With the development of the Internet, manga have made their way into the other parts of the world and gained wide audiences in the youths. Most of the well known manga are also made in Anime(Animated Cartoons). Now there are many ways to obtain an manga ranging from online order and few others. And best part of all its translated into english by the publisher.

The peculiarity of manga is, unlike the comics, its read from right to left. An illustration is given below :

And before ending the post, Few suggested mangas:
Naruto:
Twelve years before the events at the focus of the series, the nine-tailed demon fox attacked Konohagakure. It was a powerful demon indeed; a single swing of one of its nine tails would raise tsunamis and flatten mountains. It raised chaos and slaughtered many people, until the leader of the Leaf Village - the Fourth Hokage - defeated it by sacrificing his own life to seal the demon inside a newly-born child, whose origins are as yet unknown. That child's name was Naruto Uzumaki.

Air Gear:
Minami "Ikki" Itsuki, is a student and a delinquent. Also known as the "Unbeatable Babyface", Ikki is the leader of the youth gang by the name of "East Side Gunz". Upon his return home after being humiliated by a street gang of Storm Riders called the Skull Saders Ikki discovers a secret hidden from him by his benefactors, the Noyamano sisters. The sisters belong to a group of Storm Riders who go by the team name of Sleeping Forest. Keen on helping Ikki to regain his confidence and pride, they supply him with a pair of Air Trecks (abbreviated as "AT"). Ikki eventually settles his grudge with the Skull Saders, but in the process he receives more than the simple satisfaction of revenge. Determined to experience the sensation of flight for as long as he can, our headstrong protagonist is quickly sucked into the mysterious, yet irresistible world of Air Treck.

Until next time.
Regards,

And The Oscar Goes To

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:13:00 +0000

Oscar is just a day away(Feb 22) and I just can't help predicting whose gonna win it. With movies like Slumdog Millionaire, The Dark Night, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and others, all in line, here is My prediction of the winners. Also included are the hot favourites which have been making rounds(as OR).

In between I'm also rooting for "Smile Pinki" which is in the SHORT DOCUMENTARY category.

So here are my predictions:

BEST MOTION PICTURE:
Nominees-
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Milk”
“The Reader”
“Slumdog Millionaire”
My prediction-
Slumdog Millionaire
OR-
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

ANIMATED FEATURE:
Nominees-
“Bolt”
“Kung-Fu Panda”
“WALL-E”
My prediction-
WALL-E

ACTRESS, LEADING:
Nominees-
Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling”
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River”
Meryl Streep in “Doubt”
Kate Winslet in “The Reader”
My prediction-
Anne Hathaway

ACTOR, LEADING:
Nominees-
Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor”
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon”
Sean Penn in “Milk”
Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler”
My prediction-
Brad Pitt
OR-
Mickey Rourke

ACTRESS, SUPPORTING:
Nominees-
Amy Adams in “Doubt”
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis in “Doubt”
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler”
My prediction-
Penélope Cruz

ACTOR, SUPPORTING:
Nominees-
Josh Brolin in “Milk”
Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder”
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt”
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight”
Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road”
My prediction-
Heath Ledger
OR-
You think..

VISUAL EFFECTS:
Nominees-
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Iron Man”
My prediction-
The Dark Knight
OR-
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

ORIGINAL SONG:
Nominees-
“Down to Earth” from “WALL-E”
“Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire”
“O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire”
My prediction-
Jai Ho
OR-
Down to Earth

You can also predict in the comment box.

Until next time.
Regards,

Songbird

noreply@blogger.com (Sumeet) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:08:00 +0000

About Songbird:

Songbird is an open-source customizable music player that's under active development. It has a built-in meta-editor. Want more, it has a fully functional browser with download manager too.

Get Started:
Download Songbird from here Its an 12MB installer. Installing is fairly simple.

On the first run you're suggested a set of add-ons which you can install later too.

Then you are presented with the interface which is quite easy to get adjusted to and you have your music added to the songbird library.
You can get add-ons for Songbird here.Few of my favourites are listed below.

Add-ons:
LyricMaster - LyricMaster retrieves lyrics, lets you save them back to the file, edit them via the metdata editor.
MediaFlow - Lets you flip through your album art.
LiveTweeter - Post your listening status and tracks played to Twitter, MSN/Windows Live Messenger, Pidgin, & Mercury.
YABS(Yet Another Black Songbird) - Is a feather/skin which gives the Songbird a beatiful black look.
iBird - Another feather which gives SongBird a iTunes look.
Album Art Manager - Album Art Manager for Songbird.
Wikipedia Extension - Displays the Wikipedia page for the current artist.
You can find more here

New Beta Builds:
Songbird 1.1 Beta 1 is Available for Testing at here.

New features in the beta release include -
*On demand Fetching of Album Artwork
*MTP Device Support

For updates and news:
http://blog.songbirdnest.com/

Until next time.
Regards,