05 February 2014

Nadella Named, Facebook Filmed, Foursquare Fueled, Korea Kinected [Tech News Digest]



satya-nadella

Today in Tech News Digest, Satya Nadella is (finally) named as the new CEO of Microsoft, Facebook turns 10, Twitter eyes a move into e-commerce, Foursquare’s data is coming to Windows, Google Now lands on Chrome Beta, and it’s revealed that Kinect is guarding the border between North Korea and South Korea. Satya Nadella Named New Microsoft CEO first commitment as CEO…i won’t wait 4 years between tweets! — Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) February 5, 2014 Satya Nadella has finally been named the new CEO of Microsoft, after months of speculation and shortlisting, and a week since the news leaked. Nadella...


Read the full article: Nadella Named, Facebook Filmed, Foursquare Fueled, Korea Kinected [Tech News Digest]



Nadella Named, Facebook Filmed, Foursquare Fueled, Korea Kinected [Tech News Digest]



satya-nadella

Today in Tech News Digest, Satya Nadella is (finally) named as the new CEO of Microsoft, Facebook turns 10, Twitter eyes a move into e-commerce, Foursquare’s data is coming to Windows, Google Now lands on Chrome Beta, and it’s revealed that Kinect is guarding the border between North Korea and South Korea. Satya Nadella Named New Microsoft CEO first commitment as CEO…i won’t wait 4 years between tweets! — Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) February 5, 2014 Satya Nadella has finally been named the new CEO of Microsoft, after months of speculation and shortlisting, and a week since the news leaked. Nadella...


Read the full article: Nadella Named, Facebook Filmed, Foursquare Fueled, Korea Kinected [Tech News Digest]



‘Google Now’ Available For The Chrome Beta Browser



google-now

Google is starting to roll out its “Google Now” feature to its Beta browser, for Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS. If you use “Google Now” on your smartphone, ensure you are signed into the browser with your Google account and have notifications turned on on the desktop. After all that, you will then begin to see the notifications begin to pop up on your desktop. To view your notifications at any time, just right-click on the bell icon at the bottom of your browser. This will then bring up any existing notifications you might have : These notifications will sync...


Read the full article: ‘Google Now’ Available For The Chrome Beta Browser



Is Windows Taking Forever To Shut Down? Try This!



windows-shutting-down

Shutting down Windows seems like it should be a simple process. You’re just turning your PC off; how hard can it be? Yet there’s more to shutting down then just cutting the power. System processes must end, data must be saved, and unneeded information must be removed from memory. Usually, this process takes just a few seconds, but the complex series of steps that take place behind the scenes can sometimes trip over itself. The result is a system that never actually shuts down, or takes an extremely long time to do so. Here are the reasons why your Windows...


Read the full article: Is Windows Taking Forever To Shut Down? Try This!



04 February 2014

LibreOffice 4.2 Brings Major Changes To The Popular Microsoft Office Alternative



Morguefile-Caprisco-News-1680x840

The Document Foundation has released the latest version of its office productivity suite. LibreOffice (Version 4.2) offers better performance and better interoperability with MS Windows, and further lays claim to its title of the best free office suite for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The hardest work has gone into Calc with GPU-enabled power enhancements that should help it to handle big datasets and importing complex XLSX spreadsheets. Document interoperability with Microsoft OOXML, particularly for DOCX, as well as legacy RTF, has been improved. Abiword documents and Apple Keynote presentations get their own import filters too. Open LibreOffice with...


Read the full article: LibreOffice 4.2 Brings Major Changes To The Popular Microsoft Office Alternative



Open Source AMD Graphics Are Now Awesome, Here’s How To Get Them



amd

The AMD proprietary driver on Linux is fast but buggy, and the open source driver has now become awesome – here’s how to get the open source driver with the new performance improvements. Why Use Open Source Graphics Drivers? Users of non-Intel graphics have historically had to use the proprietary graphics drivers provided by AMD and Nvidia to get the performance they’d expect. This is still the case for Nvidia users, as the open source “Nouveau” driver is severely limited; however, AMD users now actually have a choice. Recent releases of the Linux kernel plus the AMD open source graphics...


Read the full article: Open Source AMD Graphics Are Now Awesome, Here’s How To Get Them



What Are You In The Mood For? 5By Brings The Best Videos For Any Whim



5bycom

A concierge’s job is to take care of every whim, fancy, and mood. When it comes to online entertainment, there are digital Man Fridays that cover every instant demand you can think of. It’s a concept that’s more familiar to radio stations and online services that let us play music according to mood. Then, we do tend to do evening sitdowns and watch movies with matching moods too. Why should casual video-surfing be any different? 5By.com matches that need with a new free video curation web application – a “video concierge” that trawls the Web for the best videos and...


Read the full article: What Are You In The Mood For? 5By Brings The Best Videos For Any Whim



Paper Vs. Paper, Chromecast Porn, Flappy Bird Flies, Esurance Trolls [Tech News Digest]



sheets-of-paper

Today in Tech News Digest, Paper fights Paper in a story akin to David and Goliath, Windows 8.1 Update 1 leaks online, Google officially bans porn apps from Chromecast, Flappy Bird flies around the world, Apple releases its latest commercial, and Esurance is trolled on Twitter. Paper Vs. Paper So @FiftyThree should release an app called “Facebook” and be all “What…what’s the problem?” [shrugs] — Charlie O’Donnell (@ceonyc) February 4, 2014 Facebook’s new Paper app is now available for download to iOS devices in the U.S. And it’s receiving some very positive reactions, with TechCrunch suggesting it “could be a...


Read the full article: Paper Vs. Paper, Chromecast Porn, Flappy Bird Flies, Esurance Trolls [Tech News Digest]



Paper Vs. Paper, Chromecast Porn, Flappy Bird Flies, Esurance Trolls [Tech News Digest]



sheets-of-paper

Today in Tech News Digest, Paper fights Paper in a story akin to David and Goliath, Windows 8.1 Update 1 leaks online, Google officially bans porn apps from Chromecast, Flappy Bird flies around the world, Apple releases its latest commercial, and Esurance is trolled on Twitter. Paper Vs. Paper So @FiftyThree should release an app called “Facebook” and be all “What…what’s the problem?” [shrugs] — Charlie O’Donnell (@ceonyc) February 4, 2014 Facebook’s new Paper app is now available for download to iOS devices in the U.S. And it’s receiving some very positive reactions, with TechCrunch suggesting it “could be a...


Read the full article: Paper Vs. Paper, Chromecast Porn, Flappy Bird Flies, Esurance Trolls [Tech News Digest]



03 February 2014

Personal Loans Online — How Peer-to-Peer Lending Is Changing the Game



SONY DSC

I’ve never met Imelda. The mother of three lives in Garcia-Hernandez, Philippines and owns a transportation business with her husband. Together, they own a ‘motorella’; an interesting hybrid between a taxi and a rickshaw which her husband uses to ferry locals around. She was looking for a loan of 7000 Philippine Pesos (about $175 US dollars) to buy tires, motor oil, and gasoline. Her motivations for seeking this loan should be familiar to any parent: She hopes to make a good profit out of her business so she can support her children’s needs. Her profit will be for school fees...


Read the full article: Personal Loans Online — How Peer-to-Peer Lending Is Changing the Game



Where Can You Find Reliable Medical Advice Online?



online-medicine

We all know the routine, you feel a bit under the weather and you quickly fire up Google, type in your symptoms and hit search. You quickly scan the search results, open a couple of webpages and within minutes you come up with several illness possibilities, some highly unlikely. Online self-diagnosis is extremely unreliable. Any doctor you speak to will strongly advise against self-diagnosis via Google, Yahoo Answers and similar sites. The safer approach is to make your way to your local clinic and get yourself examined by a licensed medical practitioner. But, most people will avoid making a trip...


Read the full article: Where Can You Find Reliable Medical Advice Online?



Windows XP Lives, iPhone Catches Fire, Selfie Secures Sitcom [Tech News Digest]



windows-xp-loading-screen

Today in Tech News Digest, Windows XP refuses to die, Yahoo explores new search options, an iPhone catches fire and burns a teenage girl, indie developers fight back against King’s ‘Candy’ trademark, and ABC orders a TV pilot based solely on selfies. Windows XP Refuses To Die Bill Gates just broke into Microsoft offices and released Windows XP Service Pack 4 and extended support to 2016. #SeattleRiot — Chris Bannon (@b4nn0n) February 3, 2014 Despite pleas from Microsoft for people to move onwards and upwards, Windows XP refuses to die. The latest figures from Net Applications (as reported by CNET)...


Read the full article: Windows XP Lives, iPhone Catches Fire, Selfie Secures Sitcom [Tech News Digest]



Windows XP Lives, iPhone Catches Fire, Selfie Secures Sitcom [Tech News Digest]



windows-xp-loading-screen

Today in Tech News Digest, Windows XP refuses to die, Yahoo explores new search options, an iPhone catches fire and burns a teenage girl, indie developers fight back against King’s ‘Candy’ trademark, and ABC orders a TV pilot based solely on selfies. Windows XP Refuses To Die Bill Gates just broke into Microsoft offices and released Windows XP Service Pack 4 and extended support to 2016. #SeattleRiot — Chris Bannon (@b4nn0n) February 3, 2014 Despite pleas from Microsoft for people to move onwards and upwards, Windows XP refuses to die. The latest figures from Net Applications (as reported by CNET)...


Read the full article: Windows XP Lives, iPhone Catches Fire, Selfie Secures Sitcom [Tech News Digest]



02 February 2014

Leaving An Online Review? Word It Right To Avoid Legal Action



gavel-2

The Internet is often idealized as an international free speech zone where individuals are free to express whatever they want without repercussions. For most people, most of the time, this is true, but recent revelations about government-sponsored surveillance programs have made it clear that what you say online can be used against you. You have to worry about more than your neighborhood’s friendly spy agency. Companies are also getting in on the act, chasing down negative commenters and reviewers with threats of legal action. How serious is this problem, and what can you do to receive an unexpected letter from...


Read the full article: Leaving An Online Review? Word It Right To Avoid Legal Action



01 February 2014

More System Gmail Labels



Back in 2007, I posted a list of shortcuts for system Gmail labels. For example, instead of searching for [issue in:inbox], you can use [issue label:^i.] or [issue l:^i]. Instead of searching for [receipt in:spam] or [receipt label:spam], you can use [receipt l:^s].



Mihai Parparita found other system labels and some of them don't have documented alternatives:



^g: muted conversations (just like is:muted or label:muted or label:mute)

^p: messages marked as phishing

^op: messages automatically marked as phishing by Gmail

^os: messages automatically marked as spam by Gmail

^vm: Google Voice voicemail messages (just like is:voicemail or label:voicemail)

^io_im: important messages (just like is:important)

^unsub: messages that include unsubscribing options. Gmail offers to unsubscribe on your behalf

^cff: messages from your Google+ circles (just like has:circle)

^p_esnotif: Google+ notifications



For example, you can find messages you've marked as spam by searching for [l:^s -l:^os] or [label:spam -l:^os]. From all the spam messages you exclude the messages automatically marked as spam by Gmail.






You can also restrict Gmail results to Google+ notifications: [Christmas l:^p_esnotif]. If you search for [l:^unsub] and mark a message as spam, Gmail will show this dialog and unsubscribe on your behalf if you click "unsubscribe and report spam". Use [l:^unsub -l:^p_esnotif] to exclude Google+ notifications.





YouTube's Center-Aligned UI, Ready For Launch



YouTube continues to refine its center-aligned experimental interface, first spotted in July. The latest tweaks include a menu button placed next to the YouTube logo, a gear button placed next to the "upload" button and a sidebar that remembers the latest display state.






Just like in the previous iterations, the header is sticky and the layout is center-aligned.









YouTube also shows a tour guide, which means that the updated interface is almost ready to be released for everyone.












Here's how you can enable the experimental interface. If you use Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari or Internet Explorer 8+:



1. open youtube.com in a new tab



2. load your browser's developer console:



* Chrome or Opera 15+ - press Ctrl+Shift+J for Windows/Linux/ChromeOS or Command-Option-J for Mac



* Firefox - press Ctrl+Shift+K for Windows/Linux or Command-Option-K for Mac



* Internet Explorer 8+ - press F12 and select the "Console" tab



* Safari 6+ - if you haven't enabled the Develop menu, open Preferences from the Safari menu, go to the Advanced tab and check "Show Develop menu in menu bar". Close Preferences and then press Command-Option-C to show the console.



* Opera 12 - press Ctrl+Shift+I for Windows/Linux or Command-Option-I for Mac, then click "Console".



3. paste the following code which changes a YouTube cookie:



document.cookie="VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=LlWIQlLwL_Y; path=/; domain=.youtube.com";window.location.reload();



4. press Enter and close the console.



To go back to the regular interface, use the same instructions, but replace the code from step 3 with this one:



document.cookie="VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=; path=/; domain=.youtube.com";window.location.reload();



{ Thanks, Rubén. }

5 Powerful Spoken Word Videos That Will Touch Your Soul



spoken-word

Whether you like poetry or not, prepare to be blown away. Poetry is more than just flowery language from an archaic time; it’s a way to express deep truths that transcend words and rhythm. Spoken word in particular is one of the most powerful forms of poetry today and these videos provide more than enough evidence of that. “Remember How We Forgot” This spoken word by Shane Koyczan is a wonderful reminder of our childhood and what we might have lost over the years. In this moving piece, Koyczan explores his childhood experiences — many of which we might have...


Read the full article: 5 Powerful Spoken Word Videos That Will Touch Your Soul



31 January 2014

3 Little-Known Android Apps To Keep Your Files And Folders Organized



file-management

Still on the lookout for a good file manager for your Android device? Maybe it’s time to test drive some of the lesser-known options. Apps, files, and folders are at the root of your interaction with your mobile companion. The in-built app drawer is good enough to manage and access your applications. But, to keep all the files and folders organized and under control, you need a dedicated file explorer and a few tricks to manage files, no matter which device or OS you’re using. While the well-known options like ES File Explorer (review here) and ASTRO File Manager do...


Read the full article: 3 Little-Known Android Apps To Keep Your Files And Folders Organized



Nadella Gates, Android Winning, Facebook Paper, Bieber Begone [Tech News Digest]



bill-gates-threatening

Today in Tech News Digest, incomings and outgoings at Microsoft, Android wins big in smartphones, Facebook introduces Paper, Box launches Box Notes, the Windows desktop could be back by default, and the Internet calls for Justin Bieber to be deported from the U.S. Nadella In, Gates Out At Microsoft? Oh look. @satyanadella is an egg! — Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) January 30, 2014 Microsoft looks to be ready to name its new CEO, with Satya Nadella the most likely candidate. In order to make way for the new man, Bill Gates may be out as chairman. This is because Nadella is...


Read the full article: Nadella Gates, Android Winning, Facebook Paper, Bieber Begone [Tech News Digest]



Box Introduces Box Notes For Saving Ideas Directly Into The App



box-notes

Hot on the heels of their announcement of a 50GB gift to anyone who downloaded their iOS app, Box has now announced a new service called Box Notes. Box Notes enables you to write notes and anything that comes to mind, and have it saved directly into your Box cloud storage account, with that newly minted 50GB to help you keep it. In a service rather similar to Google Docs, Box Notes allows you to open up a blank note and begin typing whatever is on your mind. It will then be synced across your computers, smartphones, and tablets. A...


Read the full article: Box Introduces Box Notes For Saving Ideas Directly Into The App