Interesting Things

Google vs. Apple – GigaOM

2010-02-14T07:25:00.001-05:00

We did not enter the search business, Jobs said. They entered the phone business. Make no mistake they want to kill the iPhone. We won't let them, he says.

Google vs. Apple – GigaOM

I hope we are not forced to choose between Google and Apple, it will not be an easy choice...

Google, please don't go to the evil side.

Google App update for the iPhone with Ninja!

2009-04-28T23:25:00.004-04:00

Today Google released an update for their Google mobile app for the iPhone version 0.3.1448.

The update includes:

Speed improvements for search by voice
Support for British and Australian English accents.
Various bug fixes. Not
Longer version number.
Ninja.

Ninja! What is that?
The update is free for all and could be download through the app store

Gmail is Sick today

2009-02-24T08:18:00.004-05:00

Today I was trying to get to my gmail account but I get this error page. Is gmail down...again?

Is this is the reason Gmail is still in beta.

Anyway, I still love my gmail ;-)

Update:
From the gmail blog

Before you can access your account, you may be asked to complete a CAPTCHA which asks you to type in a word or some letters. It's normal for this to happen any time you repeatedly request access to your account

I am not sure how normal is that... but I am glad its gmail is Back.

lightsaber is here!

2008-09-26T12:40:00.005-04:00

It is finally here, the official Lightsaber Unleashed is out for the geeks of the world. It even has Star Wars music so you will look geekier while fighting the dark forces in your office. I know I did ;-)

iBlogger

2008-09-25T20:40:00.000-04:00

IBlogger is a mobile blogging platform for the iPhone. This post is being done with it. I was searching for an easier way to blog and, I am willing to give this one a try. The first onservation I have is that pictures and list is not enabled for Blogger. I will keep you posted

Mac Airport Leopard Problems

2007-11-25T21:12:00.000-05:00

So you updated your Mac OS Leopard to the new 10.5.1 and suddenly you are having problems with your WiFi connection. This happened to me, sometimes I am connected and sometimes not, restarting did not solve the problem. I had to do some online search to find out how to solve this problem. I thought I will share my findings:

I think there is a bug in the Airport driver but until Apple fixes it, there is what to do:

On your Router change the Wireless Mode to G-Only
On your Router change the Wireless Security Mode from WEP to WPA or any advanced security mode higher that WEP.
If you have multiple wireless profiles, delete them and keep only one.

This should get you going till the next Leopard update.

If this solution doesn't help, then you can try plugging in the power supply. For some reason, this improves the WiFi strength of the Macbook...

If you tried other solutions and they worked, please feel free to share them with us.

Google is in your library....

2007-09-07T13:53:00.000-04:00

It has been a while I didn't blog, but I discovered something and there is no one to tell.
Have you tried My Library section in Google's book search?

You can add your books to My Library and search them, Yes... Search In Them!

When you click import books in My Library page, you will be asked to "Enter a list of ISBNs to add them to your library". Thats it, Google searches for your book in its bookstore and adds it to your library. Check My Library.

Now, you have the option to search inside your books.

I searched for "log4j" and it gave me the page number where it is mentioned in on of my books.

If you click on the link, you will get a preview.

Now I can Add my collage books so homeworks would be easier ;-)

My Favorite Firefox Extensions (Part 2)

2007-05-01T09:14:00.000-04:00

In February, I posted My Favorite Firefox Extensions. Here are more Firefox Extensions I use.

Answers:
"Answers.com provides reliable facts and definitions from over 100 dictionaries, encyclopedias and almanacs without having to search through lists of search engine links."
BetterSearch:
"enhances Google (all international flavours, too), MSN Search, Yahoo Search, A9, Answers.com, AllTheWeb, Dogpile.com, del.icio.us and Simpy.com bookmarks by adding previews (thumbnails) and Amazon product images and info."
CustomizeGoogle:
"enhance Google search results by adding extra information (like links to Yahoo, Ask.com, MSN etc) and removing unwanted information (like ads and spam)."
DictionarySearch:
"Looks up a user selected word in an online dictionary"
FEBE:
"FEBE backs up your extensions, themes, and (optionally) your bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies and just about everything else Firefox offers (it can even backup/restore your entire profile)."

iGoogle

2007-05-01T08:13:00.000-04:00

Make your own gadget

"Want to put a little piece of yourself on your friends' and family's homepages? Creating and sharing these Google Gadgets is as easy as filling out a simple form."

You can create these types of gadgets and use them on your Google Personalized Homepage.

Framed Photo
GoogleGram
Daily Me
Free Form
YouTube Channel
Personal List
Countdown

"Once the gadget is created, you can invite other people to view & use the gadget, and make it publicly available for other people to view & use it."

Official Google Blog: Your slice of the web

2007-04-19T21:19:00.000-04:00

Official Google Blog: Your slice of the web

"Web History, a new feature for Google Account users that makes it easy to view and search across the pages you've visited. If you remember seeing something online, you'll be able to find it faster and from any computer with Web History. Web History lets you look back in time, revisit the sites you've browsed, and search over the full text of pages you've seen. It's your slice of the web, at your fingertips."

http://www.google.com/history.

filehippo.com Update Client - filehippo.com

2007-04-03T12:02:00.000-04:00

filehippo.com Update Client - filehippo.com

"The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to filehippo.com to see if there are any newer releases. These are then neatly displayed in your browser for you to download."

"The client is FREE, only 100kb to download and only takes seconds to run!"

" The Update Checker works on any Windows PC running Vista, XP, 2003, 2000 or 98."

Google Operating System: Stylish New Design in Google Notebook

2007-03-29T06:42:00.000-04:00

Google Operating System: Stylish New Design in Google Notebook

Google Notebook is a very useful tool for research, at least that is how I use it ;o)

Like all Google services, you can use your Gmail account to access your Notebook, take a small tour

Now, NoteBook is out of beta with a nice AJAX interface. After you download the Notebook plug-in into your browser, left-click any selected text and select "Note This" it will be added to your Notebook.

Launchy: The Open Source Keystroke Launcher for Windows

2007-03-16T09:09:00.000-04:00

Launchy: The Open Source Keystroke Launcher for Windows

"Launchy is a free windows utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager.

Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes!

Josh Karlin"

So to launch a program press ALT+SPACE type in a few letters and hit enter.

Giveaway of the Day

2007-03-01T09:46:00.000-05:00

Giveaway of the Day

This is an interesting website. It offers one product for free everyday.

"Every day we offer licensed software you'd have to buy otherwise, for free! Yes, we are giving away software, and you can download it from our site, right now and right here and our goal is to give away every good piece of software, sooner or later."

I have this on my Google personalized homepage so I will not forget to check it ;o)

Festoon

2007-02-20T07:25:00.000-05:00

Festoon

Making the most of your Skype or Google Talk, how about sharing your window, video clip with your friends?
Festoon allows you to "Watch video clips online with your friends, in real-time!".

That is what it was designed for but it could be used for other things. We use it for doing presentations in different geographical locations. How? Install Festoon and Skype on all computers, the person presenting will open the presentation window, example Power Point, and share it with all using Festoon and Skype.

"Minimum recommended system is an 800 MHz processor, Windows
XP or 2000, Internet Explorer 5.0+, and Skype or Google Talk. "

Festoon is still in Beta and free ;o)

How do you use Festoon? What other sharing utilities do you use?

Acupuncture the evidence

2007-02-14T13:30:00.000-05:00

I found this video interesting.

Although it's category is far from what I usually blog, I wanted you to see it.

What do you think?

Map Sex Offenders Nationwide

2007-02-13T21:00:00.000-05:00

Map Sex Offenders Nationwide

This website lists Sex Offenders in the United States.

Click on "Start Mapping" then enter your address, the website displays sex offenders' addresses close to your address.

It is important to check this website regularly especially if you are moving to a new address.

This website uses Google Maps' engine

Be safe!

Welcome - Ubuntu: Linux for human beings

2007-02-10T06:24:00.000-05:00

Welcome - Ubuntu: Linux for human beings

We all heard about UNIX and how secure and stable it is, comparing to Windows.

UNIX is an open source Operating System. That is, the code it is made of, is available to the public and anyone can add to it, and it is mostly free.

What kept UNIX from gaining market and popularity is that is was difficult to operate, but not anymore. Ubuntu is one OS based on UNIX that gives the Windows-like environment while preserving the stability and security of UNIX.

After downloading Ubuntu and burning it to a CD, you restart your computer and run Ubuntu on your computer from the CD where you have an option to install it. You don't need to install it, but you will not have Ubuntu's full capabilities.

I installed Ubuntu on my Compaq Presario V2000 laptop without problems. Everything worked fine except for the Wireless Network Card :o(

If you have an old system, don't throw it. Install a new copy of Ubuntu on it and it will become new again.

Google as a Calculator !?

2007-02-05T19:46:00.000-05:00

We all know Google as a search engine. Type what you are searching for in Google's search box and you will get the result, but this search box can double as a Calculator and Converter also.

The basic operators +, -, *, /, ^. just write the equation and hit enter Example: 5*10
Currency converter Example: Type 400 yen in Dollars
Weight converter, Example: Type 12 pounds in kilo
Temperature converter, Example: Type 60 Fahrenheit in Celsius.
More complicated mathematical functions like log, ln, sin, cos.

So Google will help you with your math as it does with your report ;o)

No Disaster, Thanks to Google!

2007-02-02T10:49:00.000-05:00

Two days ago I decided to Format my Presario Laptop and reinstall Windows XP because..... well its Windows :oP.

I have Unix Ubuntu installed on another partition. When my laptop starts, I have a choice between Ubuntu and Windows XP.

I backed up important data on Ubuntu and an external hard disk.

After reinstalling XP, I discovered that I can't access Ubuntu. I tried to fix the problem but I made it worse. So I had to reinstall Ubuntu and lose everything :o(

If you know me in person, you will know that I am a Google fanatic. I use any new service offered by Google. And because of that I didn't lose much. Here is Why:

I use Gmail to store and manage all my emails and email accounts. With almost 3GB of storage, I don't need to delete or archive any emails. I also store my contacts in Gmail, but this needs improving.
I use Google Calendar for appointments and meetings.
I use Google Docs and Spreadsheets to store important Word and Excel documents.
I use Google Picasa Web Albums to store and manage my pictures.
I am using Blogger right now to host my blogs.
I use Google Bookmarks for my bookmarks.
and more...

Because I have everything stored on Google servers, I was able to retrieve all my lost data, Thank You Google!

So for all that asks me Why I like Google!, Read this blog!

How did Google Help you? What Google services you like? post it!

My Favorite Firefox Extensions

2007-02-01T16:29:00.000-05:00

Firefox is a great web browser. One of the reasons it is gaining ground is its extensions.

Extensions are small add-ons that add new functionality to Firefox.

Most of Firefox extensions are developed by independent programmers, thanks to its open source. I listed some of my favorites.

IE Tab: Not all web pages works well with the Firefox engine. So this extension will use Internet Explorer's engine inside Firefox.
Google Toolbar: Search with instant suggestions and spelling corrections. Check your spelling when you fill forms. Gmail notification and search. And if you install the new beta version, you will have Google bookmarks.
Download Statusbar: Manage downloads from a small bar without the download window.
GUtil: All Google utilities in one place.
Tab Mix Plus: Improves tab browsing in Firefox.
Themes: Change the look of Firefox, I am using now Metal Lion-Vista

These were some of my favorite Firefox extensions, What are yours?

Change your GUI with XPize

2007-01-30T07:36:00.000-05:00

Are you bored with the way your Windows XP looks? The new Windows Vista is on the market and you are stuck with your old XP look? Why not give your aging OS a new look? XPize is a free software that "replaces most of the non-XP icons, avis and bmps that Microsoft has always overlooked". "XPize is compatible with any version (except x64) and any language of Windows XP (Home, Pro & MCE) and 2003."

Click here to download and install a copy, if you don't like it, you can easily uninstall it!

Songbirdnest.com | Songbird Media Player

2007-01-28T11:13:00.000-05:00

Songbirdnest.com | Songbird Media Player

Songbird is a Media Player still in Developer stages, but looks very promising.
If you use Firefox® and watched how it evolved to compete with the #1 web browser Microsoft Internet Explorer®, then you will predict that Songbird is following Firefox's steps.

“Like Firefox®, Songbird is built from Mozilla®, cross-platform and open source". It supports extensions, so developers can build more add-ons using their imagination and skills, and the sky is the limit.

Songbird has a built-in web browser that allows you to surf the web while listening to your music. But the cool feature that is built into Songbird, is that, while you are surfing a web page or a blog, it will search for media to play and display them on the bottom of the player. There, you can play the media as if it is on your desktop. You can even drag and drop the media to your library, Cool!

There is a search engine built into it where you can search your local library or the Internet for media.

I think Songbird will have a great future! and the best part "It Is Free ;o)"

Give it a try, click here to download it, after you try it, post your comments!.

Internet TV on DL.TV

2007-01-26T09:23:00.000-05:00

The Internet has evolved to being a major player in the information business. With search engines like Google and Yahoo, the information you need, is just a click away. But what is better than reading the news? Is watching someone read them to you. And here, I am talking about Internet-TV.

DL.TV (Digital Life TV) is one of my favorite Internet-TV for tech news, or as DL.TV team puts it “For Tech Fans By Tech Fans”. They review new products, answer viewers' questions, offer solutions and just have fun. Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are the two hosts of DL.TV, recording their show twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays; the show usually takes some time to be available after that. I just finished watching their 134^th episode. The website allows you to download the episodes in deferent formats so you can watch it on your portable media player.

Do I need to mention that DL.TV is owned by Ziff Davis Media the owner of PC MAG? So when they talk Tech, they know what they are saying ;o)

Homework: What is your favorite Internet-TV?

Logitech QuickCam® STX

2007-01-24T21:58:00.000-05:00

This is my new
Logitech QuickCam® STX I bought it from
woot.com for $20.

I gave it a quick test, it worked on
my Linux and on my Windows XP. The built in microphone is nice, but
it would have been better to be able to disable the microphone from
the cam's Control Panel.

It was easy to fit it on my laptop's monitor,
as you can see in the pictures. The back part, or the tail, can be
bent to adjust it to fit any monitor. The webcam also came with a
base enabling it to sit on desk.

The picture
quality is good, it has a dark setting that will brighten the
picture; nice...

I tried it on MSN messenger, but
the microphone didn't work, I think I need to change the MSN
settings. Then I tried it on Skype, it worked great.