01 May 2013

GifCam – The Easiest Way To Make Animated GIFs Ever [Windows]



how to make an animated gifQuickly make an animated GIF of anything. GifCam is a free, portable app for Windows that provides you with a simple frame. Resize and position it, then hit record – everything that happens within that frame will be recorded. It’s the easiest way to create your own GIF of just about anything — from desktop demonstrations to clips from any video, online or off. If you love creating GIFs, but wish the process was quicker, you need to check this app out.


The animated GIF just might be older than you – it’s been around since 1987, and really took off in the early days of the web. It declined at the end of the 90′s, and to some it’s an obsolete way to show animations online – but you wouldn’t know that to look at the web today. Animated GIFs are everywhere. From the endless scrolling of Tumblr to reaction shots on Reddit, GIFs are probably seen by more humans today than any point in their history. Even Twitter’s Vine seems to be inspired by the prevalence of GIFs – short, looping videos with no sound.


We’ve shown you 6 places to create amazing, memeworthy GIF animations. We showed you how to make GIFs using GIMP or using Photoshop. These methods work, but all require you to do a lot of the work yourself.


GifCam, on the other hand, could not be easier: just set up the frame where you want it and hit record. Your mouse will work within it, just as before, meaning you could use this to add quick demonstrations to documents – but you could just as easily use this app to make GIFs of scenes from your favorite online videos or even TV shows. The only limitation is “things you can see on your computer screen” (or, if you’re in Windows 8, “things you can use in Desktop mode”).


Making GIFs The Easy Way


GifCam looks like any other window – except you can see through it. Think of the window as the frame of your virtual video camera – one you can resize and move however you like.


how to make an animated gif


You can use this to record just about anything. Your favorite YouTube video. Yourself playing video games. Or highlights from a hockey game.


how to make animated gif


It’s just an idea, of course – you could just as easily use it to record a light-switch rave.


how to make animated gif


(Of course, The Cheat shouldn’t be doing that – we had that light-switch installed so he could turn the lights on and off, not so he could throw light-switch raves.)


You get the idea – position the window over what you want to record, then record it. Once you’ve made your recording you may want to make changes. For example: you may have recorded too much, and want to remove some frames so you can get the perfect loop. Making GIFs, after all, is an art – one you respect. You want to get this right.


Don’t worry, it’s easy: just hit edit. You’ll be able to scroll through all of the recorded frames and delete whatever you want.


how to make animated gif


Scroll to the right to see more frames, then right-click any you want to edit. As you see above: you can even delete every image before your after the one you’ve selected. This makes the process quick, and you’ll have your ideal GIF in no time.


You can also save space by applying color limitations. Click the arrow beside the “Save” button to see that option:


how to make animated gif


Once you’ve adjusted everything to be just right you can save your GIF. Congratulations: you’ve brought a new GIF into the world. Treat it kindly, spread it widely.


Download GifCam


Want to try this out? Check out this blog post at BahraniApps.com. It outlines the creator’s usage for the app, using (of course) animated gifs to demonstrate everything.


As for me, I used this to capture John from You know I’m a fan of Crash Course US History being shocked, because that’s something I feel like the Internet needs a GIF of.


how to make an animated gif


You’re welcome.


What are you GIFing with GifCam? Share links in the comments below, because there is basically no point to reviewing this app if I don’t get some GIFs out of the deal. I’m looking forward to checking out your creations…and might contribute a few of my own. Let’s do this!


The post GifCam – The Easiest Way To Make Animated GIFs Ever [Windows] appeared first on MakeUseOf.



Did you use CCleaner for computer optimization



CCleaner is a free and easy to use for your system free of unnecessary files software: historical, temporary files, cookies, recent documents, shortcuts, ActiveX controls, entries in registers, etc. ... This is to improve the speed of your system.


cclenaer soft


CCleaner also strengthens the protection of your privacy. This utility is able to quickly erase your Web browsing, cookies, history of sites visited, temporary files. CCleaner is compatible with most browsers: Chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari and Opera also.


CCleaner does not stop there, it can also clean a variety of applications ranging from Microsoft Office suite of Adobe Reader via software download Peer to Peer. And better yet, it can also clean your registry.


And this software is also guaranteed spyware, adware. You will understand, we recommend unconditionally.


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Error 404 (Not Found)!!1



Jack Fellows, a reader of this blog, asked a question about Google's 404 error page: "Google changed their 404 error pages a couple of years ago now, and yet the title still says (and has from day 1) 'Error 404 (Not Found)!!1'. The exclamations marks don't look very professional anyway, but the '1' at the end looks really pants... or is it just me?!"






I don't think it's a mistake. It's probably a joke that references the "!1 phenomenon" meme. "In many cases, a string of exclamation marks followed by '1' can be read as a careless typo, though it has been increasingly used with intention to express a sense of urgency or excitement. While the configuration of QWERTY keyboard layout varies across different language zones, an exclamation point is almost always invoked by holding down the shift key and pressing the digit / symbol key (1/!). As a result, the erroneous input of '1' after a string of exclamation points became a common typo in online chat, especially when typing in haste."



On a related note, it's strange to see that Google's 404 error pages don't include useful information: a search box and a list of relevant pages. For example, when you type in the address bar www.google.com/chat, Google should suggest www.google.com/talk or this page about Gmail Chat.


How to Disable Google News for Tablets



If you don't like the tablet interface for Google News, there's a non-obvious way to switch to the desktop interface. Tap the "gear" button from the top-right of the page, select "Settings", uncheck "Use the new Google News (uncheck to revert to the old version)" and then tap "Save changes".






The tablet interface was launched in December 2012 and the goal was to add support for gestures. "You can find new articles, news sources, and even topics of interest with intuitive gestures. Swipe horizontally between sections – from Business to Entertainment, for example – or tap 'Explore in depth' to see multiple articles and other info related to a particular story." Google News for tablets is only available for English editions.






Microsoft Brings Skype Into Outlook.com’s Email Interface [Updates]



Microsoft’s Skype integration continues with the latest addition of Skype to the company’s Outlook.com email service. This new Skype integration is just a preview for now, and will only be available in the UK at this time. In the next few weeks, users in the US and Germany will be able to enjoy the preview as well, with the rest of the world joining them “in the coming months”.


Skype for Outlook.com brings video and audio calls to Outlook.com’s interface, making it possible to initiate Skype calls right from your inbox. So next time you’re writing an email and suddenly realize text is just not enough, you should be able to start a voice or video chat with just a click or two.


In case you’re not familiar with it, Outlook.com is Microsoft’s newest version of Web email service, and was launched last year as a replacement for the seasoned Hotmail.



In order to try out the preview of Skype for Outlook.com, you will have to install a browser plugin which is currently available for Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. You will also have to link your Skype account to your Outlook.com account, thus merging your Microsoft and Skype accounts. If you’ve already done this — as preparation for Window Live Messenger’s demise, for example — you should be all set. Linking your Skype account will add your Skype contacts to your Outlook.com contacts.


Do you like the idea of Skype and email integration? If you’re in the UK, let us know what you think of Skype for Outlook.com!


Source: Skype Blog


The post Microsoft Brings Skype Into Outlook.com’s Email Interface [Updates] appeared first on MakeUseOf.



An Impressive Web-based App for Photos Editing



Picozu is an impressive web-based image editing app that offers dozes of filters and image effects, support Photoshop layers and is completely free.



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Digital Inspiration @labnol This story, An Impressive Web-based App for Photos Editing, was originally published at Digital Inspiration on 30/04/2013 under Image Editing, Websites, Internet.



What Can I Buy With Bitcoin? [MakeUseOf Explains]



what can i buy with bitcoinsIf you’ve never heard of Bitcoin before, then don’t worry because you’re in the majority. Let’s just say that it’s a virtual currency (meaning you’ll never be able to hold an actual Bitcoin in your hands) and leave it at that. For some people, that might sound silly. For others, Bitcoin is slowly but surely becoming the currency of the future.


Over the month of March, the value of a single Bitcoin nearly quadrupled when it shot up from ~$40 USD to ~$140 USD. Combine that with the fact that there are nearly 11 million Bitcoins in circulation and you can see that Bitcoin isn’t something to scoff at. The concept of it is foreign, yes, and many distrust the integrity of the Bitcoin, but it’s turning into something that may very well be commonplace in a decade or so.


But as with all currencies, the main purpose of a currency is to allow the holder to purchase something using that currency. Who cares what the worth of a Bitcoin is if you can’t buy anything with it? So what can you buy with Bitcoins?


what can i buy with bitcoins


Before we delve into the uses of the Bitcoin, we need to understand what it is and why it exists. Learning this will give us insight into the kinds of people who have adopted the currency, the kinds of people who haven’t adopted the currency, and what sorts of goods and services fit the Bitcoin philosophy.


Simply put, Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency. This decentralization – which means that there is no central person, group, or organization that produces or regulates the Bitcoin – is one of Bitcoin’s main draws. For example, the American Dollar is controlled by the US. Bitcoin has no such owner, thus offering a level of anonymity that other currencies don’t provide. (Note: Bitcoin’s anonymity can be cracked, but that’s a topic for another time.)


The other draw of Bitcoin is its digital nature. The first world has been moving towards online shopping in sweeping movements over the last decade or so, and digital transactions are all the rage due to their convenience factor. At the click of a button or the swipe of a card, you can quickly and painlessly purchase goods at your leisure, even while wearing your pajamas.


Combine the decentralized, anonymous nature of Bitcoin with the convenience of digital currency and you can see why people would love it, at least in theory. If you want to learn more about Bitcoin before you continue, check out our very own MakeUseOf Bitcoin manual.


buy with bitcoin


Now in order to hop into the Bitcoin economy and start buying things, you first need to get your hands on some Bitcoins. At this point, you have two options: you can either mine Bitcoins yourself, or you can just buy Bitcoins off of someone who has them in exchange for real world currency.


The term “mining” tends to be somewhat confusing for new Bitcoin users and there’s no guarantee that you’ll earn any Bitcoins for a while, so you should leave off mining until you’re better acquainted with the Bitcoin system. Until then, you’re better off just buying them off of trustworthy Bitcoin sources.


Once you have Bitcoins in your possession, how do you actually spend them? You need a Bitcoin wallet. This wallet is what tracks your Bitcoin status and it allows you to make Bitcoin transactions with other people or companies. Wallets can come in the form of software (computer programs), mobile (phone apps), or web (online sites). Be careful where you store your Bitcoins!


what can i buy with bitcoins


So by now, you’ve bought some Bitcoins to use and you have a properly functioning wallet. Where can you spend them and what sorts of items can you buy with them?


SpendBitCoins has a list of places that directly accept Bitcoins. The list is absolutely massive and the kinds of things you can buy are numerous. Their featured products include a Bitcoin-to-real-currency exchange, dedicated server hosting, and an online mining game.


The diversity of available purchases using Bitcoins is astounding. Don’t believe me?



I’m not going to go through and list everywhere you can spend Bitcoins, but it should be apparent that Bitcoin popularity is on the rise and you’ll eventually be able to buy whatever you want with it. All you have to do is look in the right places and search well. Check out Bitcoin’s own trade page to find categorized vendors.


And if you’re making person-to-person transactions, then you can literally buy anything as long as you can find the right people who are selling the right goods or services. Remember how Bitcoin is decentralized and therefore anonymous to a degree? Well, there is a subset of Bitcoin users who use the currency for illicit purposes. Let’s leave it at that. MakeUseOf does not condone illegal behavior of any kind.


What can you buy with Bitcoins? As it turns out, you can buy a lot. We aren’t at the point where you can waltz down to your nearest grocery store and buy a few apples yet, but we’re getting there. I’ll be honest: I never expected Bitcoin to gain this much traction, but I’m glad it has. Hopefully they can keep the momentum going and revolutionize world currency.


The post What Can I Buy With Bitcoin? [MakeUseOf Explains] appeared first on MakeUseOf.



Share any Email Message in Gmail with the Outside World



With Scope, you can view the formatted HTML source of any message inside Gmail, it cleans them up removing the unnecessary style tags and you can publish the message as a public web page.



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Digital Inspiration @labnol This story, Share any Email Message in Gmail with the Outside World, was originally published at Digital Inspiration on 30/04/2013 under Bookmarklets, GMail, Web Des, Internet.