February 23, 2012

Posts Comments

Widgets on Your Website

In the world of computer gadgets, widgets are invaluable not only for your personal computer but also your website. Widgets for the web are tiny applications of code that can be easily embedded onto a blog or website You can install widget platforms on a personal computer, as well.

Web widgets are constantly used by social media sites for web interaction with users. Users, in turn, can grab an embedded widget from a site and paste it onto their own website HTML. Widgets are valuable from everything to polling visitors to raising funds for your non-profit. Sometimes called “badges” on certain websites, some widgets can help drive interaction and conversation on a blog that can enhance results, whatever your Internet goals may be.

For use on a personal computer, Screenlet works well for Linux users while other programs do well with Yahoo! and its widget program.

Remember that you want widgets that reflect your goals and not only drive viewers to your site but also create interest, activity, and continuous conversation. To become really successful in the use of widgets some experimentation will have to be used until you can make decisions on exactly which of these little self contained apps work for your program.

Don’t be afraid to choose a few and use them to see what really works for your website. One of the great things about widgets is that you can easily get rid of widgets that are not useful for your purposes. The other great thing about web widgets is that they are free and can be freely distributed to others.

You have nothing to lose and plenty to gain.

Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With: , ,

Google’s Chrome OS Laptop Coming Soon

Google Chrome Icon

Image via Wikipedia

Google is coming out with its own laptop and it’s touted to be a quality machine, not flimsy like some of the new netbooks. It’s called the cr-48 (the chemical symbol for Chromium) and it has a Google Chrome OS that only takes 7 seconds to boot up – it’s the fastest boot-up around.
There will be some minor changes with the new cr-48, like the caps lock button has been removed. Google figures nobody needs it. Google is saying that people can live within the confines of a browser window, and it’s out to prove it so with this new product. Price is aimed at $300-$400 and it’s a jet-matt black.
The 16gb OS barely uses the disk drive unless the user is doing something with photos or graphics. Most programs have a web-version somewhere, but Google has a Chrome Web Store with so many apps to install inside the browser window, and many of them are free and/or work without being online.
Google’s Chrome Laptop is Perfect for Students
By using an online attitude, a user can do most of what they want free. There’s Internet-based email, image resizing/editing/converting, there are online word processors and calculators, etc. A person could even have a separate hard drive for storing photos and programs. However, the cr-48 does have ample room if a user wants to use it like a regular laptop.
There are printing bugs, for one. Right now a user has to utilize Google’s Cloud Print to access a computer that’s connected to another computer, but things are coming along. Rumor has it that HP is developing a printer with a function allowing a Chrome laptop to print.
All around it’s a simplified laptop OS that’s easy to maintain – it updates itself – and it’s virtually setting-free for novice users.
If it lives up to all the hype being created about it, we’re looking at another iPad or Android craze.
Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With: ,

Internet Explorer 9; Why do I Want It?

Internet Explorer 9

Image via Wikipedia

End users are told they’re going to love Internet Explorer 9. Why? Here’s five reasons.
1.) Streamlined Design
Internet Explorer 9 has been changed to allow the user to see more on the screen and less of the browser. The tool bars are all minimized by default and the user simply has to click on them. The new UI is super easy to use and the bookmarks, back button, etc. are all still there.
2.) Pinned Sites
This new feature allows a user to drag a website down to the task bar and pin it there. A user can then return later and go straight to the website by clicking on the icon and Internet Explorer 9 will automatically launch a window and display that pinned site. In that browser window, the back and forward buttons change color to match the site displayed.
3.) Download Manager
Everyone’s worked with some type of download manager before, but this one has been improved greatly. Not only does the new manager track downloads and record when a file was created or modified, but now Internet Explorer 9 will tell the user if the file is malicious or not and, where they can find the download in the computer.  It will also allow the user to stop a download at any time, and then resume it later, or even through a faster connection somewhere else.
4.) Tab Improvements
Back in the day, a user had to open a new window for every task, but now users access several tabs within one window (Like Chrome and Firefox). That makes work easier to keep track of and now users can grab a tab and ‘tear it off’ to open in another window. Two windows can be viewed side-by-side now, and the tabs are colored for easy reference.
5.) Hardware Acceleration for Graphics
Hardware acceleration uses the PC’s GPU for graphic-intensive tasks, so the user’s experience is improved with faster graphics.
Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With: ,

Criminals Looking at Apple for Their Entertainment

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: In this photo ...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Cyber-criminals in 2011 are looking at Android and Apple OS, as it says in Cisco’s 2010 Annual Security Report. In fact, Apple is under a watchful eye as criminal hackers switch their focus from Windows-based computers to the harder to hack operating systems. Included in the list is smart phones, tablet computers and mobile platforms. Most recently, iPad was a target when the ID thieves broke into AT&T’s servers and stole customer email addresses and phone numbers.
Any time there’s something completely new on the market, it usually has a few bugs and glitches that need to be worked out. Criminal hackers look for those places to confront the system and get what they want. Android’s users came in huge numbers, especially over the recent holiday season, which is very attractive to those that like to compromise and exploit.
Criminals Pretend to Be You to Trick Unwary ‘Friends’

Cisco’s report advises that criminals are looking at the new platforms in hopes they’re easier to get into. PC security has gotten much better over the years, but has become passé, as studious criminals look for larger challenges. The report also states that the current onslaught of mobile devices and applications can be a whole new danger to users who like to have all the latest downloads. Third-party mobile applications are coming over the horizon as the newest type of threat.
Computer users who frequent social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace have gotten used to the barrage of viruses and worms, and given the level of ‘trust’ that users put in their online ‘friends’ makes them more vulnerable. People on social sites actually think they know people by making friends with them online. In a perfect world, maybe, but this isn’t true in real life. Those very ‘friends’ are the dangerous ones.
The report also tells us that for the first time in Internet history, 2010 saw Internet spam volumes drop.
Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With: ,

Google Used to Spread Malware

Fake virus software is ripping around the web and it’s had Twitter techs resetting passwords like crazy. The user clicks on a post-given link that disguises the trick as being from a “goo.gl” URL, using Google’s URL shortening service to hide the link’s destination.
Nicolas Brulez of Kaspersky Lab said the connection runs through a bunch of redirection URLs, then takes the user to an IP address that’s been linked with other malware and fake antivirus rip-offs.
Users that land on the fake page are directed to give their computer a scan because it’s ‘been hit with a virus’ (touted to be like a worm, but isn’t). When the user follows the directions the page prompts them to remove the threats from their computer, and if they do, a download of bogus antivirus called, “Security Shield.”
Fake Antivirus Software Wants Your Money

The user isn’t downloading antivirus software at all, but the program will repeatedly harass user to pay for the full version. None of the downloaded programs work.
Head of Twitter’s Internet Security, Del Harvey wrote that they’re working hard on the problem, removing malware links and resetting passwords on accounts that have been compromised. She ‘tweeted’ that anyone following a goo.gl link asking the user to download Security Shield has been affected. She instructed Twitter followers that the links lead to malware and don’t install it.
People in Internet security are thinking it could be related to a December 2010 attack on Gawker Media, which posts a lot of malware and stolen user information on the site. Gawker’s attacker was a group of hackers that call themselves Gnosis. Everyone who used the same password for that site as for their other sites (including Twitter) was in danger of having their information pilfered.
GFI Software, who owns Sunbelt Software, supplies users with explicit instructions on how to get rid of the Security Shield software in one of it’s forms.
Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With:

Apple Inc is the World’s Best Enemy

Apple seems to be in a lot of hot water in China. No less than 36 Chinese environmentalist groups have accused Apple of allowing dangerous and unhealthy work conditions in their plants.
January 19, 2011 the IEPA brought a report titled, “The Other Side of Apple” that listed Apple as last – number 30 – behind 29 other tech firms when it comes to the comfort, safety and cleanliness of companies.
Wintek, a factory that pumps out touch-screens for the iPhone and iPad, including many apparatuses for other establishments, had their concerns ignored by Apple. In 2009 plant workers were subjected to n-hexane poisoning, but it wasn’t removed until later when Wintek came under fire, employees went on strike and the company was sued by several employees, who previously had complained to Apple.
Apple Doesn’t Even Know Who Works for Them

Apple won’t even confirm that they get supplies from the company, nor will they take any accountability for the environmental harms related to its products.
Another time Apple was in the news for something so derogatory was in 2010 when Apple was slammed in a report about its response to worker suicides (at Foxconn) being high. The only response brought forth was an email from Apple CEO Steve Jobs that said simply that Foxconn’s suicide rate was below the usual China average, and that they’re keeping an eye on it.
The IEPA said that Apple didn’t bother with responding to desires for more information about some difficult providers; another item in the dirty laundry to be aired. This helped them right to the bottom of that list of 30 mentioned above.
Ma Jung, director of the IEPA, expressed they’d expected Apple to take a leading role as a corporate citizen to step in and take care of these problems. Now they feel it’s quite the opposite, that Apple is a sweat-shop company operating just below expected standards.
Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With: ,

Benefits of Using the Internet for Businesses

The Internet has really changed the way that businesses conduct business. The constant 24 hours a day, seven days of week nature of the Internet allows businesses to constantly be searching and finding new clients to bring into their clientele. Here is a look at some of the benefits that businesses see when using the Internet.

New Clientele. The diverse nature of the Internet allows companies that would never reach specific people to get their message out there. This means that new people are hearing about new companies and purchasing their products. This is a wonderful feature of the Internet as it means there are constantly new people finding out about your company.

Reputation Management. Through the use of reputation management, companies are able to direct and control how customers view and see their company. This is done through the use of SEO tools that allow companies to push specific sites that might be less than favorable lower down the Google rankings, which means that less people will view them.

Honest Feedback. Companies see a more honest feedback system through the use of the Internet. There is something about placing a screen in front of customers that enables them to say what they feel freely. Feedback can be achieved through the use of survey tools that will develop a customer survey and allow customers to give your company feedback on how they view your company.

Word of Mouth. The Internet really takes word of mouth to a whole new level. Word travels a thousand times faster on the Internet than in real life. This means that word can quickly spread about great companies that are available online. This can be attributed to the use of customer forums, consumer websites, social media outlets and blogs. However, this can also work in reverse and mean that bad feedback spreads rapidly online.

Filed Under: Developing Tools

Creating a Blog

Creating a Blog

Starting a blog can be a great way for you to get out some of that creativity that you have been hiding or to document some of the things going on in your life. No matter what the purpose, it is easy to set up and it makes the Internet your own personal soap box or diary, depending on how you are going to use it.  You can use it to pass along software reviews on things like comparing the vlc media player to the xvid codec or file sharing programs like Ares.  There are many reasons for creating a blog.

For beginners, creating a blog begins with finding a place to set up shop. Many people begin with places like Blogger.com. After creating an account you can choose a template and color scheme to make this place on the Internet all your own. Before you even write the first words or post the first picture, get everything in place. Later on you can always make changes to the style, colors and even the font.

You will want to create a name for your blog. This can be as simple as”your name’s blog” or something nice and complicated that makes people really stop and think. It is all up to you. Once these details are handled, you are ready to begin the task of creating that first entry. Don’t let writer’s block get the best of you. Just write anything that comes to mind like “how to use the file sharing software Ares Galaxy to swap music with friends”. If you are having a tough time, let the first entry introduce your blog to the rest of the Internet readers.

Now you are ready to let your fingers run over the keyboard as fast as possible to get all those thoughts out. You can publish as much as you want. If you want to catch the eye of other bloggers and maintain an audience, you will need to publish frequently. Every post does not have to be something major. Maybe you just want to get a few thoughts out. Maybe you just want to post a picture. The best part about a blog is that it is all yours.

Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With: , ,

Using a Netbook

LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 10: A Lenovo ideapad netb...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

While there are many types of computers out there, the netbook is becoming increasingly popular. With its portable size and newer features, many people are very satisfied with owning a netbook. But how do you know if it’s right for you?

A netbook is best for those people that are on the go a lot. If you don’t need too much from your computer other than to transmit and receive information, then a netbook is the right choice for you.

A netbook works the same as a laptop, except it is smaller and doesn’t have as many applications as a laptop. For example, there is no CD-Rom drive or any other drive connected inside the computer. If you want to insert a CD or DVD, you will need to connect the netbook to an external drive in order to play what you want it to play.

Netbooks are sometimes inconvenient to use because of their size. They may have a full-size or slightly smaller keyboard, but their screen size is smaller and it may be difficult for you to constantly scroll up and down pages sooner than you would with a laptop or desktop.

However, a netbook is extremely handy when needing to connect to the Internet or download or receive important documents. You can also use it to chat with fellow co-workers or friends, as it has a built-in wireless system and can connect to the Internet from any place that has a wireless connection.

If you like to multitask a lot, then a netbook may not be for you. It has a smaller memory and can usually only perform one function at a time.

Write down all the reasons you want to get a netbook and make sure you check out each of its features to see if it matches with what you have in mind.

Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With:

Computer Programming

Computer programming can be a fun job if you are into computers and technology. You can create many programs and games either for profit or personal use. Many computer programmers enjoy creating software that others can use. If you want to become a computer programmer, you have to make sure you have the right skills for the job.

First, you want to make sure you know everything there is to know about computers. You want to know how they work, how to fix them when they stop working, and the name of every part in them. If you don’t know any of this, take a class on computers to learn. You will also need to know how computer programs run.

Next, you will want to figure out what type of programs you want to create. You might be interested in making games, or even operating systems. The reason you need to know this beforehand is because every different type of program runs on a different programming language such as C++ or Java.

Then, you will need to learn the programming language that is required for the type of programs you want to do. There are many classes at local universities that teach computer programming languages. You can also check books out of the library and teach yourself, if you find that college classes are too expensive. Another option is to look online and see if there are any Internet classes that you can do from home in order to learn how to use the programming language.

Learning the computer language may take a long time. Along the way you will be able to create some mini-programs, but if you go at a normal steady pace, it can take you a year or more to learn everything in order to make a program that you like.

Filed Under: Developing Tools Tagged With: ,
« Older Posts