Want to know if you should purchase that camera you have in mind? Need a good place for downloads? Or just want a good place for Tech News. Then CNET is a good site for you to go to and explore.
The top of their webpage offers 4 selections in addition to a search bar and a "Home" icon. They are "Reviews" "News" "Downloads" and "Videos".
For "Reviews", all sorts of tech products from computers, cameras to mp3 players are reviewed here. You can see how the product you are interested in compares to similar products. Many have a video review by one of CNET's experts. It is the largest part of the site generating per Wikipedia over 4,300 product and software reviews annually. Most of the traffic generated to the site is for its reviews.
The "News" section has headlines and more details of Tech related news. The information can be very useful for your own technology. It includes articles about tech related business, wireless, green tech, blogs among other subjects.
"Downloads" consists of about 500,000 software titles for download with both freeware and non freeware titles. You can download based upon operating system, type of software and price. There is probably some good software for your computer here and it certainly is worthwhile checking out.
The "Video" section includes product videos and how to instructional videos. As a visual person, I have gotten some good tips here.
One of the other features of this site is the ability to compare prices for a product you may be thinking of buying.
All in all this is a good site for tech information particularly the reviews and downloads. There are discussion forums for asking questions and exchanging information as well. Like most forum sections you need to set up an account. Why not check it out and if it meets your needs include it as one of your bookmarks/favorites.
Showing posts with label 11021. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 11021. Show all posts
December 14, 2011
June 23, 2011
Maps Online Part II - Google Maps
In a previous blog, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps and Mapquest were discussed. Google Maps is probably the most used online mapping service and understandably so because of the features and speed.
One of the great feature of Google Maps is when you type the name of a location, Google predicts the results of your search as you are typing in a manner similar to doing a Google search. Type your search in the search bar and you will see what Google thinks you are searching for. This can speed up your search since if your result shows you can just click on it and the map will show the location you are seeking. The ease of zooming in and out using your mouse's scroll wheel is just another reason this a good map.
Google Maps allows you to get directions by car, mass transit, walking or bicycling. Of the 4 maps that have been discussed it is the only one where you can get directions by all of the choices mentioned. Bing Maps allows directions for all but bicycling. Whether getting directions for a trip or navigating to an address, you can get both live traffic and the expected traffic based upon date and time of your expected travel. The expected traffic is based upon past traffic patterns. You will sometimes get more than 1 route when searching for directions. On a long trip, the difference can be a matter of a few minutes but the longer route could be more scenic. The choice is yours.
Google Street view is much improved but the picture quality still trails Bing Maps. That said, it is quite a bit easier to go to/from Google Street than going to/from Bing Maps Streetside view. What I personally like is the ease of navigation. I was showing a friend of mine great vantage points NW of San Francisco to get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Using the street view enabled me to give him a preview of what he would see in person on his trip.
As you zoom in an area, you can see the location of points of interest. Further to the right of the search bar is an option, "What's Around Here"? You will see letter codes that correspond to the listing on the left side of the map.
The others have their features (the quality of pictures when using Bing Streetside, the turn by turn directions using Mapquest). The features of Google Maps such as its speed and ease of use are why it is the preferred mapping site to use.
One of the great feature of Google Maps is when you type the name of a location, Google predicts the results of your search as you are typing in a manner similar to doing a Google search. Type your search in the search bar and you will see what Google thinks you are searching for. This can speed up your search since if your result shows you can just click on it and the map will show the location you are seeking. The ease of zooming in and out using your mouse's scroll wheel is just another reason this a good map.
Google Maps allows you to get directions by car, mass transit, walking or bicycling. Of the 4 maps that have been discussed it is the only one where you can get directions by all of the choices mentioned. Bing Maps allows directions for all but bicycling. Whether getting directions for a trip or navigating to an address, you can get both live traffic and the expected traffic based upon date and time of your expected travel. The expected traffic is based upon past traffic patterns. You will sometimes get more than 1 route when searching for directions. On a long trip, the difference can be a matter of a few minutes but the longer route could be more scenic. The choice is yours.
Google Street view is much improved but the picture quality still trails Bing Maps. That said, it is quite a bit easier to go to/from Google Street than going to/from Bing Maps Streetside view. What I personally like is the ease of navigation. I was showing a friend of mine great vantage points NW of San Francisco to get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Using the street view enabled me to give him a preview of what he would see in person on his trip.
As you zoom in an area, you can see the location of points of interest. Further to the right of the search bar is an option, "What's Around Here"? You will see letter codes that correspond to the listing on the left side of the map.
The others have their features (the quality of pictures when using Bing Streetside, the turn by turn directions using Mapquest). The features of Google Maps such as its speed and ease of use are why it is the preferred mapping site to use.
June 11, 2011
Google Docs - 1 thing I Forgot to Mention
In my previous post of Google Docs I forgot to mention another key feature. You have the ability to revert back to a previous saved version of a file. This can be useful if a major error is noticed or for whatever reason you desire to revert to a previous saved version. Under the top menu select "File" and under "File" select "See Revision History". The revision history will appear in the right hand side. Select the date and time of the saved version you wish to revert to. Then select "Restore this Version"
Another good feature of Google Docs.
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Another good feature of Google Docs.
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June 9, 2011
Google Docs
There are some very good uses of Google Docs. It is a word processor, spreadsheet, or presentation program and can be an alternative to Microsoft Office. Some use it is a way to backup selected files online. It also is a way to share selected files among users where these users have the ability to make changes to the files or view only. You can backup files (up to 1GB free) here and share any files. Google Docs is a cloud application. All files are stored on Google's servers. You access them on the internet therefore in the cloud. You can set up folders on your Google Docs site and treat it as another drive but this one is in the clouds. For $59 you can purchase an app that makes Google Docs your "G:" drive on your computer. On Google's page regarding this I see nothing about being able to sync files on your hard drive with Google Docs and vice versa.
Let's start with the backup feature. You do have the ability to backup selected files on your Google Docs account. You can drag the files you select to the indicated box or clicking on the "Select Files to Upload" link. Note that at this time you have to upload individual files. You cannot upload by folder. You need to select all the individual files in that folder. Personally I find this to be a disadvantage and why I would not use this to backup files per se. Further if you are password protecting a file, Google Docs will not allow you to upload it to its site. Currently Google allows up to 1GB to be stored free of charge. However files saved in a Google Docs format are not subject to the 1GB limitation. There is no automatic backup. You need to upload the updated file(s) manually. Note that you can purchase additional storage. 20GB is $5 per year and 80GB is $20 per year. You also can purchase additional amounts.
Like Libreoffice, Microsoft Office, Google Docs also is an office software suite. Google's suite includes a word processor, spreadsheet editor and presentation program. Like most office software suites, it supports the basic Microsoft (MS) Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). A big advantage of the Google Docs software suite is it can be shared, edited and opened by multiple users at the same time. This is a good feature when you are working on a team project for work, school or otherwise that involves a file(s) that all need to access and edit. When my wife and I are preparing for a trip, we will put a "To See" list on Google Docs for that trip that both of us can add to and edit . This sharing capability is a factor in why usage of Google Docs has increased. There are templates available for your use as well.
I personally like the sharing option the best. I talked a little about this in the previous paragraph. There are 3 sharing options. One is only where you and only people with permission can sign in to access the file. The second is where anyone with a link to the file can access it without signing in. The third sharing option is where the file is public on the web. Anyone on the internet can find and access it. You also have the ability to decide whether or not those with access to the file can also make changes. This is for any of the 3 sharing options. With a smartphone, files can be edited on your phone by you and others you allow to edit. For those who do presentations, this is a great way to email attendees notes from your presentation. You give those views view access and email the link.
Google Docs is a good application of Google especially when sharing files between users. Try it for your next team project.
Let's start with the backup feature. You do have the ability to backup selected files on your Google Docs account. You can drag the files you select to the indicated box or clicking on the "Select Files to Upload" link. Note that at this time you have to upload individual files. You cannot upload by folder. You need to select all the individual files in that folder. Personally I find this to be a disadvantage and why I would not use this to backup files per se. Further if you are password protecting a file, Google Docs will not allow you to upload it to its site. Currently Google allows up to 1GB to be stored free of charge. However files saved in a Google Docs format are not subject to the 1GB limitation. There is no automatic backup. You need to upload the updated file(s) manually. Note that you can purchase additional storage. 20GB is $5 per year and 80GB is $20 per year. You also can purchase additional amounts.
Like Libreoffice, Microsoft Office, Google Docs also is an office software suite. Google's suite includes a word processor, spreadsheet editor and presentation program. Like most office software suites, it supports the basic Microsoft (MS) Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). A big advantage of the Google Docs software suite is it can be shared, edited and opened by multiple users at the same time. This is a good feature when you are working on a team project for work, school or otherwise that involves a file(s) that all need to access and edit. When my wife and I are preparing for a trip, we will put a "To See" list on Google Docs for that trip that both of us can add to and edit . This sharing capability is a factor in why usage of Google Docs has increased. There are templates available for your use as well.
I personally like the sharing option the best. I talked a little about this in the previous paragraph. There are 3 sharing options. One is only where you and only people with permission can sign in to access the file. The second is where anyone with a link to the file can access it without signing in. The third sharing option is where the file is public on the web. Anyone on the internet can find and access it. You also have the ability to decide whether or not those with access to the file can also make changes. This is for any of the 3 sharing options. With a smartphone, files can be edited on your phone by you and others you allow to edit. For those who do presentations, this is a great way to email attendees notes from your presentation. You give those views view access and email the link.
Google Docs is a good application of Google especially when sharing files between users. Try it for your next team project.
May 19, 2011
How Far Is That?
Before I blog about the subject at hand, I wanted to mention that you can subscribe to this blog by email or RSS feed. On the right side towards the upper part is a "Subscribe Via Email" link. On the bottom of the page is a "Subscribe to Blog" tag. By clicking on Posts, you can select the RSS service you wish to link this blog to.
Recently I went running out of town and could not get my GPS to work for me to know how far I ran. By using Google Maps, I later was able to map out the route and determine how far I actually ran instead of guessing the distance. The days of driving your car to determine that distance of the route is in the past. Further it does not work well where there are one way streets involved. Note a few weeks ago I did a post about Google Maps. I did not include this feature as it deserves its own space.
First you need to set up a Google account if you already do not have one. Once that is done, go to Google Maps. In the top right there is in red "New!". Select this option. Find the option "Distance Measurement Tool" and select "Enable". On the lower left of the map itself is an icon that looks like a small ruler. Once you have zoomed in on the map to your desired starting point click on this small ruler with your mouse. Then go to your starting point and click here with your mouse. Click at the first turn and all subsequent turns. If you make an error select the option on the left side to "Delete last point". While you are mapping your route the total distance to this point shows on the left side. When you are done, the distance I just mentioned is now the total distance of that run, walk, or bicycling that you have done.
I used this to measure the distance of a run I already did. You can of course it to plan a path for running, bicycling, walking, etc. It is a tool that can come in handy. However the next time you tell someone that it is a short walk to wherever you want to walk with them to, they can check if it really is a short walk later on.
Recently I went running out of town and could not get my GPS to work for me to know how far I ran. By using Google Maps, I later was able to map out the route and determine how far I actually ran instead of guessing the distance. The days of driving your car to determine that distance of the route is in the past. Further it does not work well where there are one way streets involved. Note a few weeks ago I did a post about Google Maps. I did not include this feature as it deserves its own space.
I used this to measure the distance of a run I already did. You can of course it to plan a path for running, bicycling, walking, etc. It is a tool that can come in handy. However the next time you tell someone that it is a short walk to wherever you want to walk with them to, they can check if it really is a short walk later on.
May 18, 2011
Facebook Privacy Settings
As you likely are aware, Facebook has had privacy issues that seem to pop up from time to time. You always need to keep on top of privacy issues that come out through the media or otherwise. Below are some security settings you may or may not be aware of. By using these you will further be able to have your Facebook profile and activity seen only by those you want to.
If you wish that a particular person not be able to access your profile or even see that you have a Facebook account, there is a "Block Lists" in the privacy section (note that all unless otherwise noted require going into the privacy section). Just enter the name of the person you wish to block. Note that for this that the person can log on under another ID that would enable him or her to access your profile according to your privacy settings.
Under "Customize Settings" in the privacy section there is a section "Things Others Share". This is what others can share about you. Make sure to edit these to your choosing. In particular "Friends Can Check Me Into Places". This is one that you will likely want to disable. For "Photos and Videos I'm Tagged In" you will likely want "Friends Only" or "Only Me" which is under "Customize". For "Suggest Photos of me to Friends" I would suggest you disable this. Friends can tag you without suggestions.
Be very careful about sharing contact information. I would not share phone numbers and addresses with anyone within Facebook. Those settings should be set to "Only Me". Personally I did not enter any information for them. For email addresses if I was to share I would only share with friends. Unless there is a business reason I would not share beyond. If you have a website, you can share that with everyone. Anyone can see the address of this blog as well as my Twitter account. For Twitter the privacy setting is under "IM Screen Names".
You also want to be careful about what Apps and websites share about you. In the "Apps and Websites" section under "Info accessible through your friends" I would suggest under "Edit Settings" you keep all unchecked. For Public Search, you need to determine whether you want your profile to be found when a search engine is used. Select as you see fit.
Facebook is a great site for social connections and for reconnecting with old friends. With the privacy issues that Facebook has had and will likely continue to have, you need to keep on top of your privacy settings. As always, be careful of what you put out there. You never know who will see it. For starters divorce attorneys have been known to go through Facebook profiles to aid in their cases. I heard a story of a divorce attorney friending their clients estranged spouse in an attempt to get incriminating information. Now of course the estrange spouse should never have friended the attorney but that is another story.
If you wish that a particular person not be able to access your profile or even see that you have a Facebook account, there is a "Block Lists" in the privacy section (note that all unless otherwise noted require going into the privacy section). Just enter the name of the person you wish to block. Note that for this that the person can log on under another ID that would enable him or her to access your profile according to your privacy settings.
Under "Customize Settings" in the privacy section there is a section "Things Others Share". This is what others can share about you. Make sure to edit these to your choosing. In particular "Friends Can Check Me Into Places". This is one that you will likely want to disable. For "Photos and Videos I'm Tagged In" you will likely want "Friends Only" or "Only Me" which is under "Customize". For "Suggest Photos of me to Friends" I would suggest you disable this. Friends can tag you without suggestions.
Be very careful about sharing contact information. I would not share phone numbers and addresses with anyone within Facebook. Those settings should be set to "Only Me". Personally I did not enter any information for them. For email addresses if I was to share I would only share with friends. Unless there is a business reason I would not share beyond. If you have a website, you can share that with everyone. Anyone can see the address of this blog as well as my Twitter account. For Twitter the privacy setting is under "IM Screen Names".
You also want to be careful about what Apps and websites share about you. In the "Apps and Websites" section under "Info accessible through your friends" I would suggest under "Edit Settings" you keep all unchecked. For Public Search, you need to determine whether you want your profile to be found when a search engine is used. Select as you see fit.
Facebook is a great site for social connections and for reconnecting with old friends. With the privacy issues that Facebook has had and will likely continue to have, you need to keep on top of your privacy settings. As always, be careful of what you put out there. You never know who will see it. For starters divorce attorneys have been known to go through Facebook profiles to aid in their cases. I heard a story of a divorce attorney friending their clients estranged spouse in an attempt to get incriminating information. Now of course the estrange spouse should never have friended the attorney but that is another story.
April 28, 2011
Boomerang
For those using Gmail who wish they could schedule their messages for future delivery Boomerang is for you. You can write that email now and schedule it to automatically be sent at the date and time you choose. You do not need to be logged in to Gmail, the internet or have your computer on at the time scheduled. An advantage of this is when sending an email to someone outside your time zone, you can make sure they receive the message first thing in the morning their time. Say you're emailing a friend/customer in London during the early evening your time. You can schedule the email to be sent 8AM their time so they receive it during the start of their day while you are asleep. It will be closer to the top of their inbox.
You can design a birthday card, anniversary card, etc. attach it to an email a few days prior and have the email sent to that person on that special day. You may forget to send it but Boomerang won't.
While you can use Google Calendar for reminders, you also can use Boomerang as an email reminder service. You can set an email to be sent to you reminding you of a meeting, to pay a certain bill, etc. Further if you receive an email confirming an event, you have the ability to send it to Boomerang. Boomerang will remove it from your inbox and put it there at the time you designate to remind you of the event. If the confirmation mentions a date and time, Boomerang will suggest a date and time to send the reminder.
You can also set up a reminder for you to follow up on a message you send. You can set it to remind you to follow up if the person you sent it to does not respond or regardless if the person responds or not. The reminder will go to your inbox at the top and is marked unread. You also can use this feature for a cleaner inbox. Boomerang will store a message on their server and return the email to your inbox at the time you note that you need it.
Go to http://www.boomeranggmail.com/ to download the program.
You can design a birthday card, anniversary card, etc. attach it to an email a few days prior and have the email sent to that person on that special day. You may forget to send it but Boomerang won't.
While you can use Google Calendar for reminders, you also can use Boomerang as an email reminder service. You can set an email to be sent to you reminding you of a meeting, to pay a certain bill, etc. Further if you receive an email confirming an event, you have the ability to send it to Boomerang. Boomerang will remove it from your inbox and put it there at the time you designate to remind you of the event. If the confirmation mentions a date and time, Boomerang will suggest a date and time to send the reminder.
You can also set up a reminder for you to follow up on a message you send. You can set it to remind you to follow up if the person you sent it to does not respond or regardless if the person responds or not. The reminder will go to your inbox at the top and is marked unread. You also can use this feature for a cleaner inbox. Boomerang will store a message on their server and return the email to your inbox at the time you note that you need it.
Go to http://www.boomeranggmail.com/ to download the program.
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