Tag: Featured

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Analysis

5 Advantages Google+ has over Facebook

Google_facebookI have been using Google+ for almost a week now and there is still a long way for it to go before it starts really competing with Facebook. I think they have really integrated Google products and services nicely into a social network.

I felt there are 5 key advantages that Google+ has over it Facebook which might just cause a lot of headaches to Facebook over the next few months and years.

#1. Money

Yes, Facebook also has a lot of money but Google has a lot more than Facebook. Google can invest half a billion dollars for then next 5 years in Google+ only to make sure Facebook’s rise is kept in check.

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Facebook does not have that sort of portfolio and will have to out do Google+, as it cannot outspend it.

#2. No Dependence on 3rd parties

Facebook depends on Skype for improving it’s chat services along with having video chatting via the browser. This is mutually beneficial to both Facebook and Skype.

Google+ depends on technology they have built with Gmail and Google voice for powering chatting between Google+ friends and groups. Google also owns Android, Google TV and Chrome OS which can power a successful social product even more.

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#3. Standalone products

Google+ has been built more like a common meeting point for all their services like Gmail, Chat, Maps, Voice, photo sharing with Picasa and YouTube. This means it’s a social network made for bringing together different services offered by Google.

With Facebook there are no standalone products for video or images. I cannot share images and albums with people without a Facebook account all that easily like I can with Picasa.

#4. Search

Google has its own search engine which everyone considers the primary source of traffic for almost any website. Facebook has some integration with Bing to have Social Search but the results are not as powerful as yet to really get Google worried.

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But a powerful search feature built into Google+ will certainly give Facebook more headaches to deal with.

#5. No Pressure

Facebook started as a college product and with its founders quite happy to see it spread across universities in the United States. Facebook evolved without the pressure of competing with the big boys of social networking. MySpace and Geocities were the social services back then.

The lack of pressure to beat these large companies meant Facebook could keep innovating and changing without upsetting too many users. Now Google+ is in the same situation. It is not expected to defeat Facebook in a face-off and it can quietly improve its service, without worrying too much about how users might react.

Facebook’s really big advantage…

I do not mean that Google+ has won the fight against Facebook. Not by a long shot, as only recently Facebook announced it is used by over 750 million people. So how many people use Google+ will finally end up deciding it’s eventual success or failure.

What are your views about Google+ and Facebook when compared? Do drop in your comments.

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Analysis

[Infographic] Microsoft vs Apple: History of the Computer Giants!

Microsoft-vs-Apple_infoMicrosoft and Apple have both, defined the world of computers in the past couple of decades. Both, were new start-ups and when compared to IBM, no one gave much of a chance to either company. The two companies not only have managed to race ahead of any other tech companies over the years but have been locked in a battle of sorts against each other, over the past 20 odd years.

Recently, Apple overtook Microsoft in revenues and profits but chances are that is not the end going by their history.

Here is an infographic from Manolution, about the history of this rivalry between Microsoft and Apple.

history-of-computing-full_MS-Vs-Apple

Do drop in your comments and views about the rivalry between these two companies.

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Tips

[Software] Open Any Type of File with Free Opener

clearFreeOpenerFree Opener is a Freeware tool which can open most of the files, to be specific it supports 70+ different file formats. It’s extremely useful for me, as I’m an download junkie and my downloads folder gets clogged up with files of different formats.

Certainly I don’t like to download all the software which are used to view the respective files.

With Free Opener, I don’t need to download any other extra software to open rare file formats. The software’s idea is very innovative and it just does what it promises! Let’s take a view at its features.

free opener

Free Opener’s Features

  1. Supports 70+ different file formats including some rare formats like .vcf, .srt, .sql and more!
  2. Also opens Bit Torrent files (.torrent) and shows the files that can be downloaded through it.
  3. Free Opener can only open files, it cannot edit them*.
  4. You can print .pdf files and can also print preview them.

*It can extract compressed file formats like .rar, .zip, .7z etc

It does not support E-book formats like .epub which is disappointing. I’m sure that you cannot use this as a default file viewer but this software is a must have.

Drop in your opinions after trying this tool!

Link: Download Free Opener

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Analysis

5 Reasons Why Google’s +1 Button Will Eventually Fail!

5_dislike_Google_plus_oneGoogle has launched the +1 Button with a lot of noise about how it will make discovering new content a little more social.

Google has made an unsuccessful foray into the social sphere with Google Buzz. It had no impact and now we have Google +1 buttons which act as a vote of confidence by users to links on Google search, YouTube and more.

I do not think this new social product from Google will succeed and here are 5 reasons I think which will lead to it’s failure.

Google’s +1 doomed to fail?

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  1. No Originality:
    The +1 button seems to be very similar to Facebook’s “Like” or “Share” button. While looking up links or pages on the web we can see if your contacts have also clicked on +1 button for it. The point is if I have a Facebook account, why will I stop using the “Like” button and use “+1”?
  2. Google Profile is not Facebook:
    A few geeks and die-hard Google fans are aware of Google Profiles. Beyond that not many even visit their Google Profile once a month (yours truly being one of them). So we can see all the links we like via +1s, on Google Profile. But, the fact is Google Profile is hardly anywhere close to being as interactive and fun as Facebook.
  3. Simple Idea:
    When we like something on Facebook, we click on the “Like” button. We do the same with blog posts and even videos. With Google +1, there is no simplicity to it. Sure I can, +1 a video on YouTube, but I can also “Like” or “Dislike” it. So what is the exact idea behind +1 again?
  4. Zero Awareness:
    People were aware of Google Buzz, because they introduced it compulsorily in all Gmail accounts. Why would people be aware of Google +1? Chances are most people will simply ignore it altogether.
  5. More Curative than Social:
    The whole idea behind +1, seems to be one which will allow people to curate the good links from the bad. If that is the case, expect this feature to be misused. As I made the first point, people do not even visit their profile everyday on Google and hence might not care about clicking on +1 buttons incessantly.

People tend to stay longer on Facebook than they would anywhere else. This is the main challenge for Google. Until it, finds a way to make people stay on Google Search longer than they are now, all its social experiments will inevitably fail.

What are your views on Google +1? Do drop in your comments.

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Tips

10 Ways to to Protect Yourself from Cell Phone Radiation

mobile-iconWith the World Health Organization confirming the fears established earlier, that there is “a possible connection between cell phones and two type of brain tumors: gliomas and acoustic neuromas,” or in simple words: cancer, there is an increasing sense of panic among mobile users. However there are ways that you can protect yourselves from these effects.

Continue reading “10 Ways to to Protect Yourself from Cell Phone Radiation”
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Analysis

Why SpeakAsia Looks Like Scam! [Proofs]

Recently, I have come across a few advertisements for Speak Asia. A lot of friends have even asked me about this service. Some are even calling it a scam or a ponzi scheme. Other friends are swearing by the fact that Speak Asia is making payouts to people they know and hence is genuine.

A friend of mine, first brought to my notice the surveys as vague, as the questions were too easy to be considered useful for companies to actually pay for such surveys.

I decided to read up a little on this new website and check why so many people are suspicious about Speak Asia. I must admit, after a little digging around on Speak Asia’s website (speakasiaonline.com) even I am suspicious of their credentials, hence I decided to share my views with you.

#1. Registration with SpeakAsia

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  • There are 3 options to register as a panelist. The first  option requires sending proof by email of income statement of over $1000 from one of the top 20 survey companies.
  • The second option allows registering by taking a two-hour written test on English language, comprehension and general knowledge. They will be called to an exam centre in Mumbai or Singapore and charged $60 for the test. They will also have to pass a personal interview. Registration again is by sending them an email!
  • Such stringent rules when it comes to selecting panelists for surveys might not be suspicious at all, except when compared to the 3rd option. The third option allows you to register as a Standard panelist for $120 or Premium panelist for $220. This money goes towards a e-zine subscription.

I wonder how subscribing to an e-zine for money is the same as going through a rigorous scanning process of interviews and tests.

#2. Payment for Subscription is not available online!

  • I could not find any option to subscribe online or register online, unless I had a sponsor ID.
  • That means I need to find someone who can refer me to the Speak Asia program. This means people are forced to register only through a referral. I do not think that is very convenient.
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Note: People get extra payment if they bring in more people who register with Speak Asia.

#3. Payment structure from Speak Asia is vague

  • Speak Asia allows payment of points based on reward points collected based on the surveys completed.
  • The equivalent amount is transferred to the bank account of the panelists after 30 days from the date of taking the survey.

Unfortunately, as Speak Asia has no office in India, the best you can do is chase the person who recruited you as a panelist if you are having issues.

#4. No Physical presence in India

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  • I also searched for a physical address in India with Speak Asia website. There is no physical address available in India. The company is registered in Singapore and has no proof on its website of being registered in India.
  • There is also no list of companies vouching for Speak Asia and also no company suggesting they use Speak Asia surveys for their market research needs.

This is strange and the best way to recognized as the real deal, would be to provide links and credentials of companies which are their clients when it comes to market research.

#5. Speak Asia agents arrested in Bangladesh

Two officials for Speak Asia were sent to jail in Chittagong, Bangladesh for fraud. The news way covered by Daily Sun, a Bangladeshi newspaper. Even if we assume Speak Asia has nothing to do with it, it still does not inspire confidence.

Why are there so many doubts on Speak Asia?

Most reputed survey companies will pay money for the work done towards the survey, which means payment will be made for the number of survey’s completed. The main legitimacy to Speak Asia as valid service, comes only in the form of prime time TV ads. Even Speak Asia shows up a schedule of their advertisements during IPL.

Speak_asia_IPL

In my opinion if a company makes it difficult for you to register free and expects you to invest your own money to make money online, I will avoid it completely. Speak Asia seems to be raising more doubts that settling them.

What are your views on Speak Asia Online? Do drop in your comments.

Categories
News

9/11 to Osama Bin Laden’s Death – How Internet Changed Over a Decade!

I woke up today to the news that the world’s most wanted man, Osama Bin Laden was killed. This news I came across on television but after that, I have been following the news story online. This is very different from almost 10 years ago when 9/11 attacks happened. I primarily looked up the news on television. Internet was still used primarily for email. Search engines gave useful links but hardly anyone of them updated their results in real-time and this made searching for news online during the 9/11 attacks quite useless.

I came across a post on Search Engine Land about how Google has evolved. Back in 2001, when the tragedy happened, a lot of American’s probably looked up Google for more news.

Google actually had a banner on their search landing page suggesting people should look the most current news on television and radio.

Google_sept11_Search

This was probably because the news agencies did not put out reports immediately on the internet and Google search probably did not do a good job of searching real time results. Also much of the news agencies did not put up their content free but it was premium.

Today, if we searched for Osama Bin Laden’s death, we get search results which are almost in real-time and the top links are all to credited and trusted websites which cover the news.

google_search_Osama_dead

But, Google was probably not the first place, people came across this news. Many of my friends came across this news on Twitter. Twitter does seem to be crowd-sourcing news in real-time and has become a very important tool in today’s online world.

Twitter is becoming a primary source for News!

Here is how the term “Osama” was used on Twitter according to Trendistic.

Osama_dead_Trendistic_twitter

The news spread like wildfire on Twitter and it was done in real time. The reports were scattered by within hours about 17% of the Tweets contained the word “osama” in it. That is a huge volume of people getting and sharing news on Twitter.

Twitter, Facebook and YouTube which are distributing and spreading news through the world within seconds did not even exist on 11th September 2001.

Do drop in your comments.

Related: How Twitter became ultimate news source during 26/11 Mumbai Attacks

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Tips

Customize Gmail Layout With Your Personal Image in Background

Gmail is ramping up some of its features. It started the last week with having keyboard shortcuts being made available easily. Now a new update allows customizing your Gmail background with your own personal image from either our computer or Picasa web albums. 🙂 This is quite like adding customized background images to Google search page.

How to add your own image on Gmail Layout

  • Sign-in to your Gmail account and look up settings. Settings can be looked up by clicking on the right hand corner icon that looks like a gear wheel.
  • Now in Mail Settings look up the Themes tab. You will see the option of many ready to use themes.

customize_gmail_background

  • At the end look up Create your own Theme, which will a window that lets your customize colours and fonts.
  • On the right hand corner of the window you can see a drop-down option which allows you to add the background image (see image below).

customize_gmail_background_image

Select your personal photos and customize your Gmail layouts background.

This is a new and nice addition to Gmail, which will allow people to make their email a little more personal. Do try it out and drop in your views through your comments.

Credit: Gmail Blog

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Tips

List of 4 Ways to Update All Your Software in Windows

The frequency of software updates have increased day by day, due to which updating software manually has become a hectic task. If you’re a software junkie and have a lot of software installed on your system then, it will become a big headache for you.

This is the reason Update checkers have started gaining popularity. An update checker is a simple piece of software which checks updates for the softwares installed on your PC.

Why should you have a update checker?

  • Update checkers generally have a database of latest software, so when you run an Update checker it checks the version of the software installed on your PC and the latest software version available in its database.
  • If your firewall blocks these Update checkers, then add them to the exceptions list because they need to access internet in order to update your software.
  • Software developers constantly fix bugs and release new versions so in order to stay away from security glitches you need to update software constantly.
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Here are some of the best Update checkers –

#1. FileHippo Update Checker

FileHippo is one the best software hosting websites. Its software detection rate makes it the best Update Checker. It is portable enough. When I scanned my system, it showed me 16 updates of which 3 were Beta updates. As FileHippo doesn’t host commercial/shareware softwares, you won’t be able to see updates for paid softwares installed on your system.

Link: FileHippo Update Checker

#2. TechTracker

TechTracker is developed by the famous software hosting website, Download.com (Cnet). It is portable too but with less software detection rate. It showed me 13 updates. TechTracker has a major advantage over FileHippo Update checker i.e. it checks updates of commercial softwares (as download.com contains shareware too!).

Link: TechTracker

#3. Update Star

Update Star is available in two versions; one is freeware while the other is premium/shareware. The freeware gives you access to only limited number of updates (it showed me only 6 updates). It has a good visual appealing interface (similar to Snagit Image capture utility) but it’s a bit bulky than the other Update Checkers.

Link: UpdateStar

#4. Software Informer

It is developed by informer.com. When I ran it, what amazed me is that it showed updates for not just software, but also for drivers installed on my system! But unfortunately it didn’t give the download links for the updated drivers; instead it gave link to my laptop manufacturer’s site. It showed me a total of 32 updates of which 2-3 were false positives. This makes it my second favorite after FileHippo update checker.

Link: Software Informer

So use these services and make sure that software on your Windows OS is always updated. Do drop in your comments.

Categories
Tips

9 Tips to Get The Most Out Of Your Google Chrome

Even though Google Chrome is not the most used browser (Firefox snatches the 1st place), it will defeat Firefox in the near future.

To be frank, Firefox 4 almost copied the interface of Google chrome! The only feature Chrome lacks (when compared to Firefox 4) is Panorama and toolbar support.

First to get most out of Chrome you need to switch to Developer channel or at least to the beta channel (I’m using Developer channel, so some of the tips I mention here may not available in your channel).

There are many interesting things to do in Chrome.

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Here are 9 tips to get the most out of your Chrome browser.

#1. Make Your Own Custom Themes

You can find many good looking themes at Chrome Webstore but if you are thinking of something crazy like creating own Google chrome themes, then head on to Chrometheme.net or Chrome Theme Maker or Chromizer.

Read More about Chrome Theme Maker.

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#2. Chrome Instant

Chrome Instant fastens searching and browsing. For this, the Omnibox (Chrome Address bar) will be logged. With Instant enabled, most pages begin loading as soon as you type a URL in the Omnibox, before you press Enter.

Just look up the wrench icon at top left and then click on Options. Under  Options you will can select “Enable Instant for faster searching and browsing” as you can see in the image below.

#3. AutoFill

With AutoFill you can enter your credentials like name, address, age etc in web forms with a single click. You can also save Credit card details so the next time you shop online, you don’t need to re-enter them.

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For security purpose you can only see the last four digits of the credit card number. You can enter your AutoFill information on the Options page. 🙂

#4. Google Cloud Print

Google cloud print allows you access and share printers online. Using Google Cloud print you can make your printers available to your from any Google Cloud Print enabled web or mobile app.

To enable Google Cloud Print, sign in to your Google account on the options page and you’re done! Now you can send print jobs from your mobile to your windows computer.

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Read More about Google Cloud Print.

#5. Manually Importing and Exporting Bookmarks

Xmarks has made exporting and importing bookmarks easy but you can also do it manually. Just head on to Bookmarks Manager (in your chrome browser), Open “Organize” menu and hit “Import bookmarks”. If you want to export bookmarks, then hit “Export bookmarks” in the same menu.

Remember that Chrome supports only HTML files (which contains bookmarks) to import bookmarks.

#6. Purge Memory

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Chrome consumes lots of memory (than other browsers) which eventually slows down a PC, but if you’re on the developer channel then you can make use of purge memory button to decrease the memory usage of Chrome.  By default “Purge memory” doesn’t appear in chrome but you can make it appear by adding the ”–purge-memory-button”

(Check this YouTube tutorial on how to add command line switches to Chrome) command line switch, and you’ll be able to free up unused memory via button on the chrome task manager.  Check out the image below, I freed up about 22,000K memory in less than a second!

Proof

#7. Create Application shortcuts

You can create application shortcuts to websites that you regularly visit, as well as apps that you have installed from the Chrome Web Store.

These shortcuts can be placed on your computer desktop, quick launch toolbar and start menu for quick and easy access. Application shortcuts don’t have any other attachments like new tab page, address bar, wrench icon etc.

To create an application shortcut for a webpage, go to the webpage and click wrench icon > Tools > Create application shortcut.

#8. Useful Shortcuts

Another great way to use Chrome efficiently is to use all the useful shortcuts.

  • Ctrl + Esc ® Task Manager
  • Ctrl + Shift + B ® Hides Bookmarks bar
  • Ctrl + Shift + N ® Incognito window (Private browsing)
  • Ctrl + N ® New Window
  • Ctrl + T ® New Tab
  • Ctrl + U ® View source of current webpage
  • Ctrl + F ® Opens the find bar
  • Ctrl + J ® Downloads
  • Ctrl + Shift + D ® Saves all open pages as bookmarks

Those are some of my favorites; you can check Mac and Linux shortcuts here

#9. Chrome Channel changer

Chrome Channel changer makes it easy to switch between Google chrome channels (Stable, Beta and Dev). These channels only differ in frequency of updates. Personally, I prefer to go with Beta channel. You can download the app here.

So are these tips useful for you? Do share your tips and experiences with Chrome!

Link: Chrome Beta Channel | Chrome Developer Channel