Watch television TV channels live from home

Watch 4000 Online television shows from your PC. No need of of a television hardware. Pure picture - no monthly fee needed.

Watch TV stations online from home. All you need is our Internet TV software, your PC, and Internet connection.

3D computer graphics

3D computer graphics (in contrast to 2D computer graphics) are graphics that utilize a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images.
Such images may be for later display or for real-time viewing.

Despite these differences, 3D computer graphics rely on many of the same algorithms as 2D computer vector graphics in the wire frame model and 2D computer raster graphics in the final rendered display.

In computer graphics software, the distinction between 2D and 3D is occasionally blurred; 2D applications may use 3D techniques to achieve effects such as lighting, and primarily 3D may use 2D rendering techniques.

3D computer graphics are often referred to as 3D models.

Apart from the rendered graphic, the model is contained within the graphical data file.

However, there are differences.

A 3D model is the mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living).

A model is not technically a graphic until it is visually displayed.

Due to 3D printing, 3D models are not confined to virtual space.

A model can be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering, or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations..

How to Enable JavaScript on a Mac

you use Apple's Safari or Mozilla's Firefox web browser on your Mac computer, you can enable JavaScript to allow dynamic websites to display properly. In both browsers, the JavaScript settings are configured in the Preferences window. You can be either an administrator or a standard user on your computer to enable JavaScript.
Instructions-------------------------------------------------

Step 1

Open the Safari application by clicking on the icon in the Dock.

Step 2

Go to the "Safari" menu at the top and select "Preferences."

Step 3

Click on the "Security" tab at the top of the Preferences window.

Step 4

Check the box next to "Enable JavaScript."

Step 5

Close the Preferences window to save the settings.
Firefox Instructions

Step 1

Open the Firefox application by clicking on the icon in the Dock.

Step 2

Go to the "Firefox" menu at the top and select "Preferences."

Step 3

Go to the "Content" tab at the top of the Preferences window.

Step 4

Check the box next to "Enable JavaScript."

Step 5

Close the Preferences window to save the settings.

Things You'll Need:

1 Mac running OS X 10.4 or later

How to Send & Receive Text Messages on Your Computer

Google Chat and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) allow users to communicate via instant message over the Internet. They also allow users to send text and receive text messages for free. Text messages can be sent to cell phones free of charge directly from your email account. Sending a text message using an instant messaging or email service is much more convenient than typing on a cell phone and allows users to avoid incurring text messaging fees from their cell phone providers.
Instructions
Things You'll Need:

1 Computer
2Internet connection
3 Instant messenger software
4 Instant messenger account

AOL Instant Messenger

Step 1

Download and install the AOL Instant Messenger software from the link in References. Open the program and sign into your account. If you do not have an account, you can register for one from the log-in window by clicking on the option to create an account and then following the account creation instructions. Alternatively, you can log in using your Facebook log-in information.

Step 2

Click "IM" in the "Buddy List" window to open a new instant message.

Step 3

Enter "+1" followed by receiver's telephone number, including area code, in the "To:" field. For example, if you would like to send a text to the number "555-444-3333," you would enter "+15554443333," omitting any extra characters from the phone number, such as hyphens.

Step 4

Enter your message in the body of the instant message and then click "Send." When the recipient responds, her message will be displayed in the same instant messaging window that was used to send the message. You can continue to reply to and receive messages using the instant messaging window.
Google Talk

Step 1

Log in to your Gmail account with your Google account credentials. If you do not have an account, click the "Create an Account" below the log-in box to create one for free.

Step 2

Click "Settings" in the top-right corner and then click on the "Labs" tab.

Step 3

Scroll down to the item marked "Text Messaging (SMS) in Chat" and select "Enable." Click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the window to return to Gmail.

Step 4

Enter the telephone number, including area code, into the chat search box on the left side of the window. Click "Send SMS." Enter the name of the contact and click "Save." A chat box will appear at the bottom right of the screen.

Step 5

Enter your message in the chat box and press the "Enter" or "Return" key. The text message will be delivered to the cell phone. The recipient can reply to the message, and replies will be displayed in the chat box.
Text via Email

Step 1

Log in to your email program and compose a new message.

Step 2

Locate the recipient's text message email address by using the carrier email extension list provided on Topbits.com using the link in References. The email address will always be the person's 10-digit phone number followed by the email extension. For example, the phone number 555-111-2222 on the AT&T network would have an email address of "5551112222@txt.att.net."

Step 3

Fill in the Subject field and enter your message in the body of the email window.

Step 4

Click "Send." The user can reply directly to the text message, and his reply will be delivered to your email account.

How to Block Websites Using Linksys

routers include a back-end system that allows administrators to monitor and secure their network. One option allows the administrator to block certain websites from being accessed by computers on the network. The administrator can choose to block all computers or specific computers from accessing specified websites.
Instructions
Things You'll Need:

1 Linksys router
2 Computer
3 Ethernet cable


Step 1

Plug the computer into the router using the Ethernet cable. The Ethernet cable should be plugged into one of the output Ethernet ports on the rear of the router (typically labeled 1 through 4) and into the Ethernet port on the computer.

Step 2

Open your Web browser and enter "192.168.1.1" into the address bar and press "Enter."

Step 3

Enter "admin" as the password and leave the username field blank. These are the default access settings. Click "OK" to connect to the router. If you have previously changed your user name and password, enter your pre-defined credentials instead of the defaults.

Step 4

Write down the numbers contained in the "Starting IP Address" and "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" fields. The "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" refers to the number of users permitted to be connect to the router at once.

Step 5

Click on the "Access Restrictions" tab at the top of the window.
Step 6

Select an unused "Internet Access Policy," set the status to "Enable," enter a name for your policy and then click "Edit List of PCs."

Step 7

Enter the "Starting IP Address" in the left box beside "IP Range 01:" at the bottom of the window. Add the number contained in the "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" to the "Starting IP Address" and enter the result into the box on the right side. For instance, if your "Starting IP Address" is 100 and your "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" is 10, you would enter "100" in the left box and "110" in the right box. Click "Save Settings" and close the window.

Step 8

Choose "None" from the "Blocked Services" drop-down boxes.

Step 9

Enter the URL of the website that you would like to block in the "Website Blocking by URL Address" field. Alternatively, you can enter a keyword to block in the "Website Blocking by Keyword" field. For instance, you may enter "http://www.examplewebsite.com" in the "Website Blocking by URL Address" field or you may enter "examplewebsite" in the "Website Blocking by Keyword" field. Click "Save Settings" to enable the restrictions and close the page.

How to Build a Home Video Security System With your computer

As the cost for video surveillance equipment continues to tumble, making DIY surveillance more accessible for more budgets, and as the technology becomes more user-friendly, many homeowners are opting to put together a video security system they can operate from a home desktop computer. There are two approaches to this project: using wired or wireless camera methods.
Instructions---------------------------------------------
With Wireless Cameras

Step 1

Purchase a wireless surveillance camera that comes with a receiver module. You can also purchase multiple-camera sets tuned to work with a single receiver on the proper radio frequencies. If you buy separate cameras, each with their own receiver module, you may need to manually tune each camera so they will not experience radio frequency conflicts. Multi-camera bundles generally require no complicated manually tuning.

Step 2

Install the wireless cameras in the proper locations, screwing the bases to a stable surface if possible. Plug the wireless camera into a power source using the special AC adapter, which will come with the camera for this purpose. A standard wireless camera AC adapter cable will be about 3-feet long. Use a standard power extension cord to extend the "reach" of the AC adapter block to the nearest power outlet.

Step 3

Plug the video camera receiver unit into a power outlet near your computer. Connect the receiver to your computer using the adapter included in the package: the type of connection used will depend on the make and model of your camera system. How the video images are then displayed on your computer, or how they may be recorded to your hard drive, will be determined by the make and model of the wireless system.

Step 4

Tweak your wireless cameras as necessary. Because wireless cameras use a UHF radio frequency to send images from the camera to the receiver box they are prone to some reception problems, especially when used around cordless telephones, wireless intercoms, some cell phones and devices that use a lot of electricity. Adjust your camera placement so it has a "clearer shot" to the receiver box if you experience fuzzy or "rolling" picture from a wireless camera.
With Hard Wired Cameras

Step 1

Purchase a video "splitter" or "multiplexing" PC card for your desktop computer. This is a video card that offers a port, or several ports, for connecting hard-wired video surveillance cameras directly to your computer. Video camera PC cards can be purchased separately or bundled with the video cameras intended for this use. Most bundled packages will come with software that will split your computer monitor into the appropriate sections to make it possible to view multiple cameras,
Step 2

Install the video card in your machine. Unplug all the rear cables and open the side cover to your computer. Locate an open PC expansion slot and remove the screw holding the slot cover. Remove the metal slot cover and discard it. Insert the new video card into the slot. Reinstall the screw to hold the video card to the chassis frame. Re-cable and start your computer.

Step 3

Install the drivers and any software package that came with the add-on video card. Insert the Set Up disc in your CD or DVD drive and start the Set Up program. The program will walk you through the installation of the drivers and any software. Reboot your computer when this Set Up is complete.

Step 4

Install the hard-wired video cameras in chosen locations. Screw the camera bases to stable surfaces if possible. Most hard-wired cameras derive power from the cable connection and won't need to be plugged into a power outlet. Some cameras, however, may indeed need to be plugged in to a wall outlet however. Access to power outlets, particularly in outdoor or remote camera locations, is a consideration when buying surveillance cameras. Look for cameras that do not require direct power if this may be a problem.

Step 5

Connect one end of the video feed cable to the camera and run it back to your computer. If the cameras have an "on" switch, turn the cameras on before leaving the camera location. Most surveillance camera bundles come with 50-foot, 100-foot or 200 foot cables, but you can also purchase longer cables if necessary. Plug the other end of the camera cable into the port on your video add-on card. Repeat this for any other cameras.

Step 6

Start your video surveillance software program and evaluate the images the cameras should now be sending to your PC. You may want to tweak or adjust the cameras so they pick up the proper view.

Step 7

Set up any image recording program that may come with your bundle package. This makes it possible to use your computer like a DVR and record images directly to your hard drive. Most surveillance DVR modules can be adjusted to record continuously or only when motion in front of the camera trips the camera sensors.

How to Secure PC on Wireless

Running a wireless Internet or network connection on your PC without a password is a risky endeavor. While it may be more convenient to not have to log on to your own network with a password, it enables anyone passing by your home or office access to your network as well. If you want to secure your PC's wireless connection, you will have to go into your router's "Settings" utility and turn on the appropriate encryption methods.
Instructions---------------------------------------------

Step 1

Open your Web browser.

Step 2

Type your router's IP address into the address bar and hit "Enter." The IP address for your router will be listed in the users manual that you received when you purchased the device.

Step 3

Log in to your router using the user name and password that specified the first time you setup the device to create your network.

Step 4

Click "Security."

Step 5

Select the type of encryption you'd like to use to secure your wireless network from the drop down menu, and then enter a password. Once finished, click "Save" to secure your PC's wireless

How to Build a WiFi Antenna Using a Satellite Dish

Instructions--------------------------------------------------------

1

Cut the antenna wire of the wireless networking equipment, and prepare it for soldering. Most single computer cards and laptop Wi-Fi equipment will use a Reverse SMA cable, which means that the center wire is the negative polarity signal. The positive signal runs through the outer copper shielding that is separated from the center by a plastic core. The leads should be stripped and separated, and the braided copper of the outer shielding should be pulled to one side and twisted into a point.

Step 2

Cut and prepare the leads from the satellite dish. Two-way satellite dishes are ideal, as they have transmitting antennas already built into the unit and aimed at the dish's concave surface. They are identified by the "twin-node" gun on the front mount. The "single gun" models do not have transmitters and may require heavier modification. This signal transmitter will have separate leads, and each lead will have a connector. The connector adapters will vary, but they should have a positive and negative signal polarity setup. These leads to the transmitter node should be cut and the wires separated and twisted.

Step 3

Solder the polarized leads from the networking equipment to the matching polarity of the dish's transmitter wires. The positive is soldered to the positive, negative to negative. Be sure to check the polarity of the dish's wires, as manufacturers will vary. Some networking equipment will have two antennas, and they should be identified as transmitter or receiver antennas before connecting. In this case, each of the equipment's antennas is wired to the matching nodes on the satellite dish. Wrap the finished connections with electrical tape.

Step 4

Connect the satellite dish to the Wi-Fi equipment and test the signal strength on a local wireless connection. The dish should be pointed at the desired network's physical antenna, and the dish will have a signal angle of about 30 degrees. The satellite dish antenna should be tested against several other antennas to ensure it is working correctly.

Things You'll Need:

satellite dish solder equipment high-gain antenna wire Wi-Fi equipment wire-cutting equipment.

How to Build a Wi-Fi Antenna With soda can or tin can

Did you know you can strengthen your wireless signal with a tin can? A homemade "cantenna" acts as a directional waveguide antenna that increases the frequency and range of your wireless signal. Cantennas can be built for less than $5—just use an empty juice can and purchase the other parts from an electronics store. Make sure you rotate your cantenna to find the best possible signal. Also, try experimenting with different sized cans—in general, the longer the can, the better.

1
Calculate where the N-Female chassis mount connector needs to be placed on your aluminum can. Your cantenna won’t work properly without the correct location. To figure out exactly where to mount the connector, you need to determine the wavelength your can will generate, which is determined by its diameter. By typing in the diameter in an online calculator, you will get your can’s wavelength values.

2
Measure one-fourth of the wavelength measurement from the bottom of the can with a ruler and mark with a dot.

3
Drill a hole in your marked spot. Make sure the hole is sized to fit your connector.

4
Place the copper wire in the connector. Make sure the total length sticking out of the connector is 1.21 inches long, including the length of the connector’s brass tube.

5
Solder the wire into the connector, making sure to keep it upright.

6
Screw the assembly into the can after it has cooled. If using bolts, make sure the heads are screwed inside the can.

7-Connect the cantenna to an access point by using a cable known as a pigtail. You can purchase one at an electronics stores. Choose a pigtail with a male connector on one side and make sure the other end will connect to your access point—you may need to find a specific access point that will accept the pigtail. In the end, you’ll have a cantenna attached to a pigtail that is hooked up to an access point attached to your computer.

How to Delete Search Text

Deleting search history keeps other people from being able to view what searches you may have performed on the Internet. Erasing browser history can be very helpful at work, an Internet cafe or other shared computer environments. Deleting search history text requires following a few simple steps.
1-Click start on the computer desktop and go to settings.
2-Click on the control panel and then click on Internet options.
3-Click on delete files, history and cookies, to delete all sights and files you have opened.
4-Click "OK" each time the computer asks if you want to continue with the delete.
5-Start the Internet browser that you normally use and at the top of the browser on the toolbar click tools, a drop down index will appear.
6-Click on clear private data or Internet options and erase files, cookies, passwords and history.
7-Click on clear private data on closing Internet browser if there is an automatic erase button.
8-Click on the computer desktop toolbar to expose taskbar properties.
9-Click on Start menu and click customize.
10-Click clear button to remove records of text, programs and documents that you may have accessed while on the computer.

Tips & Warnings


Erase computer searches on a regular basis.

Clearing data helps keep computers working properly because not erasing can lead to unwanted Internet theft invasions and Internet virus takeovers.

What Are the Strengths & Weaknesses of the Apache Web Server?

The Apache HTTP Server is a popular open-source web server. A web server's role is to parse requests to transmit locally stored content and pages. On the global Internet, Apache is by far the most popular web server in use--more than half of the world's web servers use the open-source solution. Its direct competitor is the Internet Information Server (IIS) included with Microsoft Windows Server operating systems. As it is tightly integrated and streamlined into Windows systems and networks, IIS is often chosen over Apache by government and Fortune 1000 enterprise applications.
Open Source
Available on all popular operating systems, Apache is open source software--free to use and modify. The overwhelming number of developers and administrators using this server provide for a strong support community. Bug fixes and performance improvements are rapidly developed and tested by the open source community.
Portability
The Apache web server is capable of running in a vast number of technical environments, and whole installations can be relocated to other servers and platforms. Oracle Database, IBM WebSphere and Apple Mac OS X all utilize the open-source web server.
Modules
Designed with a modular enhancement system, Apache is capable of using modules and plugins to increase capability. A large library of official and community created modules exist; often adding support for different authentication methods, web development frameworks and compression methods.
Performance
While not fully dedicated to being the fastest web server available, Apache is extremely customizable when it comes to performance. With the right configuration changes, it is possible to optimize the server for drastically different roles and data models.

Types of Spyware and Viruses

Computer systems are vulnerable to software designed with malicious intent--referred to as malware by the computer security industry and categorized by infiltration method and payload. While infectious malware is capable of spreading between systems and networks without direct intervention, non-infectious types must rely on concealment and deception to gain access to a system. A payload is a script, process or utility designed to be deployed upon successful infiltration. Payloads may be designed to collect private data and passwords, vandalize files or make changes to system and security configurations.
Spyware
Malware used to collect information about a computer's user is referred to as spyware and is designed to avoid detection while gathering and transmitting data. Spyware has traditionally been used to gather personal information, passwords, and web browsing habits. These programs can be deployed by viruses, worms and trojan horses; but are most commonly bundled with shareware.
Adware
Spyware specifically designed to display advertisements is referred to as adware. Infected systems and programs are often significantly modified in order to present advertisements to users. Web browsers are frequently targeted for infection, as the offending program can track internet usage, launch pop-up advertisements and alter configuration settings. Some adware may exploit vulnerabilities that leave systems susceptible to attacks by other malware.
Viruses
A classic computer virus is capable of self-replication on an infected machine and often spreads throughout the networks and writable media it's connected to. Viruses attach themselves to uninfected files and programs to gain the necessary permissions required to execute and store malicious code. Word processors and productivity applications often include a basic programming language, permitting users to write capability enhancing scripts and utilities. These macro languages are often used to write viruses capable of exploiting system privileges granted to the application.
Worms
Computer worms are designed to spread and multiply, but usually avoid causing overt alterations to their individual host systems. Most worms attempt to spread across networks by infiltrating connected computers with specific security vulnerabilities. Worms are commonly used to give a single person remote control over a large number of vulnerable computers---a botnet. These infected computers are called "zombies" and are typically made to perform denial of service attacks and send e-mail spam.
Trojans
Classified by their unique delivery system, Trojan Horses rely on social-engineering to successfully infiltrate a target system. Trojans attempt to fool users into downloading, installing, or executing malware--often employing creative methods of deception. Some may disguise themselves with elaborate and convincing installers, masquerade as a beneficial applications or piggyback on trusted software. Common payloads consist of keystroke loggers, password stealers, botnet software agents and destructive code.

Easy WiFi Radar for new internet users

Some things in life should be free. Easy WiFi Radar helps you find and connect to open wireless access points with a single mouseclick. It's WiFi for Dummies. And we're giving it away for your PC.

If you have ever tried to use Windows XP's built-in connection manager, you know what a hassle it can be to quickly check your mail or browse the web on the go. You need to browse through a list of access points, find one that you can connect to, manually try to connect to it, confirm the connection and then wait. Even if it says that's it connected, often it doesn't open a webpage or you mail will stall. Easy WiFi Radar automates all of this. It's main goal is to let you get your mail or surf the web without having to go through all of the connection trouble, and without having to pull your creditcard. Just run it and it'll connect you for FREE to the internet. It doesn't get easier than this.

Get your mail and browse the web without being charged. The ideal WiFi-tool for frequent travellers and mobile professionals. Easy WiFi Radar will connect to open hotspots automatically and shows you exactly what it is doing in a cool animated radar screen. Access points are represented as green, yellow or red dots. It plays a sound and opens your webbrowser as soons as it succesfully finds a free connection. Works on Windows XP and Windows Mobile, not on Vista.download it by googlesearch & click on search.it will automatically connect with wi-fi,

How to Connect PC to HDMI TV

There are now many ways to enjoy your favorite movies and television shows over a broadband internet connection on your computer for a small amount of money, or even for free. Unfortunately, watching such media in the confines of your home office does not make for the most enjoyable experience. If you would like to escape the office, however, and enjoy your entertainment on the big screen in the living room, this guide will detail how to connect a PC to an HDMI TV.
Instructions......................................

Step 1

Turn your computer off, and turn it around to view the rear of the unit. Find the cable that comes from the computer's monitor, and follow it to the back of the PC. The cable will be plugged into the output of the video card, which will be either a 15-pin VGA port or a 29-pin DVI port. If you are fortunate, there will be a second port directly next to it, of either the DVI or VGA variety. On the newest machines, you may even find a regular HDMI port on the card.

Step 2

Choose the connection for video output. If your computer has an HDMI port, you can simply connect an HDMI cord of the correct length between the computer and the TV. Otherwise, you will need to make a few decisions. If your computer has only a single video output, and it will not be used solely with the television, you may want to invest in a new video card. Purchase one with either a DVI or an HDMI output, and install it in an available slot, according the instructions included with it. If you intend to use the VGA output on a single-output or dual-output card to drive the HDMI display, then a special device will be needed to convert between the formats, and the price of the converter is actually about the same price as an entry-level video card that will be easier to use with your TV. In that case, it may be a wise idea to upgrade the card in order to obtain a DVI or HDMI port. However, if your chosen output port is of the DVI variety, an inexpensive DVI to HDMI cable can be purchased to convert your computer's output into the proper HDMI input for your TV.

Step 3

Connect the HDMI cable from your television to your computer. Install the correct adapter or converter for your computer, if necessary. Unless your computer has HDMI output, cords will also need to be connected from the sound card output to the HDMI video cable or adapter, because HDMI carries both video and audio signals.

Step 4

Boot your PC, and configure the new display, by selecting "Control Panel" from the "Start" Menu. Then double-click the "Display" icon and click the "Settings" tab. The manual for your HDMI TV will list the screen resolutions it supports, along with the refresh rates. Configure the resolution in the "Settings" tab, and then click the "Advanced" button to set the refresh rate. If you are using the HDMI TV as the second monitor, you will also have to configure how it is used by Windows, according to the instructions pertaining to your video card. Most cards offer a "Clone" or "Mirror" mode, where both screens display the same content. Alternately, the "Extended Desktop" mode can be used, in which each monitor will operate independently.

Step 5

Reboot your PC to apply the changes, if necessary, and prepare to relax on your couch and watch your movies on the big-screen HDMI TV.

How to Format a Hard Drive With Windows XP

If you want to format a hard drive while using or installing Windows XP, you've come to the right place. This can be very useful for clearing everything off a secondary drive or when installing a fresh copy of Windows. Formatting a computer hard drive is simple and can help eliminate viruses, storage issues and other hard-to-resolve problems.
Instructions-----------------------------------------------
#
Step 1

When you format a computer hard drive you will lose everything that is on the drive. Therefore, it is very important to back up anything you might want later. Additionally, if you are going to be formatting and installing XP you need to make sure you have the discs for any applications or third party hardware you use since you will need to re-install your programs and drivers after re-installing Windows.
#
Step 2

Take a moment to think of anything that you have on the computer that you wouldn't want to lose. Generally, you probably want everything in your My Documents folder, and you also want to save things like your favorites or bookmarks from your Web browser. Remember that each user on the computer has his or her own My Documents folder, Desktop items and Favorites/Bookmarks.
#
Step 3

Save everything to a CD, DVD or a hard drive that you won't be formatting.
Formatting a Secondary Hard Drive
#
Step 1

Right-Click on the "My Computer" icon either on your desktop or in the Start Menu and select "Manage."
#
Step 2

A new window titled "Computer Management" comes up. Select "Storage" from the left hand side by clicking it once, then select "Disk Management(local)" from the right side by double-clicking it.
#
Step 3

Now in the lower part of the main frame (right side) of the window you should see a nice visual of all your hard drives. Each line is a different drive. Each box on a line (with a colored bar at the top and a size displayed in MB or GB) is a partition on the drive. Partitions are separations of space on a drive. Unless you are doing something specific that requires multiple partitions, you only want one partition per drive.
#
Step 4

First you must delete any existing partitions on the drive you are going to format. Do this by right-clicking on the partition's box and selecting "Delete Partition..." Since you already know that you will be deleting everything on the drive, and have already backed everything up, you can safely say yes to any warning the computer presents you with.
#
Step 5


If there are multiple partitions make sure you have saved everything off them since they might each have different drive letters (i.e. "D:" or "F:"). Then repeat the above step for each of them. If you only want to format one partition that is OK and you can continue to the next step without deleting the other partitions.
#
Step 6

The box for the drive to be formatted should now have a black bar at the top of it and should say "Unallocated" under its size (see picture). Right click on it and select "New Partition..." The New Partition Wizard comes up.
#
Step 7

In the New Partition Wizard click next. On the next page make sure "Primary Partition" is selected and click next. Now make the size equal to the maximum (it should already be set to it), and click next again. On the next page the computer will automatically choose the first available drive letter for the new drive. However, if you like you can choose another drive letter from the drop-down menu, and then click next.
#
Step 8

Finally the New Partition Wizard asks if you would like to format the new partition and if so what format. Choose "NTFS" as it is faster and more secure. Leave the "Allocation unit size" as "Default." In the "Volume label" field enter whatever name you want the drive to have. Simple is better. Avoid using spaces. Lastly, if the drive is brand new and has never been used before check the "Perform a quick format" box. If the drive has been used before leave this box unchecked. Leave the "Enable file and folder compression" box unchecked and click next. Then on the next page click finish.
#
Step 9

The wizard will now spend a little while formatting the drive. On old or large drives this may take a while. Do not close the "Computer Management" window until it finishes. You will know it is done when the word under the size of the drive changes from "Formatting" to "Healthy" and the name and drive letter you chose for the new drive show up. After it is finished you can proceed to use your newly formatted drive.
Formatting and Installing from the Windows XP CD

Step 1

This section explains how to reformat a drive from the Windows XP installation CD. This can be used when installing a fresh copy of Windows onto a computer. Here it is especially important to backup all of your important information because upon formatting you will lose EVERYTHING that used to be on the drive. This includes all applications and device drivers, so you must back up everything you can.

Step 2

Insert your Windows XP installation disc into your CD drive (Home or Pro--it does not matter).

Step 3

Now as you computer boots a little more it will say "Press any key to boot from CD.." press a key to do so.

Step 4

The CD will load up a blue screen and then spend a while loading files it needs. When it is finished it will list a few options, mainly "Press ENTER to set up Windows XP." Press Enter or Return.

Step 5

Now you will be at a screen to select where to install Windows to. This is where you can delete old partitions and format drives. The box in the bottom half of the screen shows all your drives and the partitions that exist on them. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to highlight your "C:" partition and press the 'D' key (if all that shows up is "Unpartitioned space" and you have no C: or D: partitions, skip this step). On the next screen press the 'L' key to finalize deleting the partition.

Step 6

Now you are back on the screen to choose where to install Windows. The box on the lower half of the screen should no longer show a partition but simply have an entry "Unpartitioned space xxxxxMB." Select this with the arrow keys and press the 'C' key to create a partition on the drive. The next screen tells you the minimum and maximum sizes the partition can be and lets you pick the size. The default size is the maximum, but double check that the number entered is the maximum and hit enter.

Step 7

Now you will again be back at the choose where to install Windows screen. But this time you will have a partition that looks something like this "C: Partition1 [New (Raw)]xxxxxxMB." Highlight this entry and press enter.

Step 8

The next screen lets you choose which file system to format the drive with. Choose NTFS as it is faster and more secure. If the drive is brand new and has never been used before then use one of the options that ends in "(Quick)." Or, choose one of the lower down options. Use the arrow keys to select the proper one and press Enter or Return.

Step 9

From here you are all set and the installation of Windows will proceed starting with a format of your drive. This will take a while (over half an hour) so you can take a little break.

How to Make Yahoo! Messenger Call to a Phone

You can use Yahoo! Messenger to not only make PC-to-PC calls but also to place calls to phones across the world. The standard rate for calling phones in the U.S. is 1.9¢ per minute, as of 2010. The rates for international calls vary from country to country. You need a good Internet connection to be able to call phones with Yahoo! Messenger, as well as a microphone and speakers on your computer or a headset to plug into it.
Instructions----------------------------------------------------------

Step 1

Launch Yahoo! Messenger on your computer.

Step 2

Type a phone number in the text box at the top of the Yahoo! Messenger window. Even if you are calling somebody local, you still have to add the area code/country code. For instance, if your area code in the U.S. is 403 and you are calling your neighbor, you still have to dial 403-xxx-xxxx. For making an international call, you have to dial 011 before dialing the number.

Step 3

Adjust the volume during the call if necessary. On the Yahoo! Messenger window, double-click the small speaker and microphone icon on the call box to adjust the volume.

How to Check for Identity Theft

How to Get Tickets Due to Identity Theft Off Your Record------------------
Getting a ticket off your record that was caused by identity theft can be a challenge. With patience and persistence, you can have the offending ticket removed from your record and clear you name without paying any fines or fees. You will need to contact the police department and department of motor vehicles in your jurisdiction first, regardless of where the ticket was issued. For some tickets, the agencies in your jurisdiction can handle the issue completely. For more serious tickets, you may need to contact the police department that issued the ticket.

How to Get Tickets Due to Identity Theft Off Your Record

Step 1

Organize your information. Make copies of your driver's license, Social Security card and passport, if applicable. Summarize all the facts on the ticket and identity theft such as the ticket number, ticket description, fake identification document used and any proof you have that you did not receive the ticket.

Step 2

Contact your local police department and report the crime. It is best to go in person and take your organized information. Fill out any requested forms. Depending on where you live, you may fill out a police report called an impersonation report that will be sent to the clerk of courts for additional processing. You may also be required to give your fingerprints and photograph at the police station. If a ticket resulted in an arrest, make sure to obtain a clearance letter and request that the original complaint be officially amended to indicate the identity theft.



Contact the department of motor vehicles and ask to have your account flagged for fraud. Based on your location, you may be required to obtain a new driver's license that has a new license number. Obtain a copy of your driver's license record to determine any discrepancies and note any information that provides clues on the impostor. Request that the ticket and any inaccurate information be removed from your record.

Step 4

Contact the data-reporting companies ChoicePoint and LexisNexis to remove the ticket information from your account. These companies sell personal information to companies that can affect hiring decisions, insurance rates and credit worthi
Step 5

Contact Experian, TransUnion and Equifax to verify that the ticket is not part of your record. Tickets can affect your credit rating and ability to obtain financing. Ask for a fraud alert to be placed on your account. Check your credit report every three months for a year to make sure the identity theft has not affected your financial records.

Tips & Warnings

Keep a log of all your contacts, visits, reports and information during your investigation.
If a warrant was issued as a result of the ticket, keep a copy of your clearance letter as evidence for use during routine traffic stops.

Things You'll Need:

Copies of your driver's license, Social Security card, passport.
Copy of your driver's license record.
Credit report.

Try out Windows Phone 7 on your PC

the Window Phone 7 operating system seemed cool? Liked the way the new Metro UI looked? Well, now you can get your hands on the WP7 OS for free, and play around with it all you want directly on your PC, more than six months before it releases into the market. Microsoft has provided the WP7 SDK and a phone emulator free on its site, to allow developers to design products that will be ready before the launch of the first devices.

Here’s how you can enjoy the look and feel of the OS on your PC,
What you require is very simple:-------------------
1A Windows PC (XP, 7, Vista) with no specific requirements.
2The free Windows Phone Development Kit
3A custom Windows Phone 7 ROM
Know that the SDK is a stripped down version that has almost everything hidden, and you require the custom Windows Phone 7 ROM to be able to use the default apps.

Installation, First Run, and Unlocking:

1) Download the Windows Phone 7 Development kit, and allow the automated installer to run without changing any of the options. It will install XNA Game Studio, Silverlight, .NET Framework, Visual Basic, and more. You may be required to restart you computer after the installation.
2) Once you have restarted, open Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express - the primary developer tool for designing Windows Phone 7 applications, and click on ‘New Project’ “either in the top left of the main window or from the File menu”.

3) Select one of the App templates at random, and click OK.

4) Once it has loaded into Visual Studio, press the F5 key to run the emulator. The first startup of the emulator might take a while, but soon enough, you will have a Windows Phone 7 prototype phone alive and kicking on your desktop. This is the limited version though, and to unlock/unhide the applications, you will need to follow the below steps.
5) The custom Windows Phone 7 ROM you downloaded will be either in a RAR or BIN file. If in RAR, uncompress it (it will contain the BIN file).

6) Copy the BIN file, and paste it into “[YourHardDrive]:/Program Files/Microsoft SDKs/WindowsPhone/v7.0/Emulation/Images”

7) After ensuring the emulator is not running in Visual Studio, rename the extension of the BIN file (WM70C1.bin) that was already present in the folder, to anything else. [John Herrman recommends you rename it to ‘.old’, just for the sake of future reference.

8) Rename the new BIN file to WM70C1.bin.

9) Now press the F5 key in Visual Studio again to run the emulator, and you will have all the default applications to play around with.Go ahead, play around with it,

Evidence of copy and paste found in Windows Phone 7

Microsoft had confirmed that copy and paste functionality would not be available in Windows Phone 7 at the time of first release. They did not give a timeline for its appearance. However, some developers at XDA have been going through the Windows Phone 7 developer tools, and have found some lines of code within 'officeres.dll' that seems to indicate the presence of copy&paste. This could mean that it will be present straight from the first release, or, that the code would be activated after certain updates.The code seems to be within menu options, leaving people to believe it will be present in MSOffice or other native applications.

First Look at Ubuntu Light and Unity: The Super Fast, Mac-like Netbook OS

Mark Shuttleworth, founder of the Ubuntu project, presented the new OS and UI on his blog today. Ubuntu Light is completely different from Ubuntu Netbook Remix—it's even more condensed, the goal being to get you up and running in your browser as fast as possible. Furthermore, instead of being one's primary OS, like Netbook Remix would be, Ubuntu Light aims to be the second partition on your hard drive, for those situations in which you need to be up and running as fast as possible. Ubuntu Light will be distributed as a secondary OS, in a dual-boot format on computers that use Windows as their primary OS. Not only does this make things a bit easier in those situations where users don't need a full-fledged OS, but it also helps Linux tap into the Windows-using population, without requiring them to switch full time. While its focus seems to be on netbooks, Shuttleworth makes a point of saying that this is just a viable solution for desktop computers as well.

First Look at Ubuntu Light and Unity: The Super Fast, Mac-like Netbook OS

One of the main features of Ubuntu Light is the new Unity UI for GNOME. Unity is clearly optimized for netbooks, featuring a dock on the left side of the screen from which you can launch applications and browse your computer's file system. In addition, the title bars of windows will be on the menu bar instead of on the window itself, Mac OS X-style. These types of tweaks are designed to maximize vertical space for browsing, in a world where widescreen monitors are the new norm (especially on netbooks, where screen real estate is precious). Note that the screenshots above do not portray this feature because Unity is not quite finished yet (more on this later), but it is planned for the final release.

First Look at Ubuntu Light and Unity: The Super Fast, Mac-like Netbook OS

The Dock is very similar to OS X's. As you mouse over icons, you can see the applications' name, and you can add, remove, and change the order of applications on it by dragging them around. Apps do not minimize to the dock, though, which is strange, but you can bring them back with Unity's new Exposé-like window listing feature, accessed by clicking the Ubuntu logo in the corner of the menu bar. You can also list windows for just one of your running apps by right clicking its dock icon.

First Look at Ubuntu Light and Unity: The Super Fast, Mac-like Netbook OS

There doesn't seem to be an easy application launcher outside of the dock itself. If you want to launch something not pinned to your dock, you can use the dock's built-in shortcut to your Applications folder, which brings up the folder in a Nautilus window, from which you can browse all your applications at once (without any type of organization or splitting by category as you may be used to). It seems strange, but this does exemplify the idea that Ubuntu Light isn't meant to be anyone's primary OS. In Canonical's mind, you don't really need to run anything beyond the few apps in your dock. If you did, you'd be in Windows (or a full version of Ubuntu) instead.

Unity is currently available as a prototype for testing on Ubuntu 10.04, but it isn't ready for primetime use (or part-time use, as the situation may be). It's quite unfinished, hence the lack of some of the aforementioned features in our screenshots—and, at least in my testing, it was unbearably slow. It certainly is an exciting project, though, and one we'll want to keep an eye on, so consider this a sneak peek of things to come.

DocTranslator Translates Office Documents with Google and Keeps Formatting

Google's webapps can translate uploaded Microsoft Office documents, but with many caveats involving file sizes and HTML formatting. DocTranslator, a Java-powered webapp, runs your Office and text documents through Google Translate and sends them back with the same formatting.

DocTranslator runs entirely in your browser, and uses Java mainly to accept file uploads and send back downloads, so it's not quite as heavy as your cynical experience might indicate. It accepts Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in both the standard formats and the 2007 variations (.docx, .xlsx, etc.), along with text documents. After picking your file, DocTranslator guesses at the language, then offers more than 50 languages to translate the document to. The languages and services come from Google Translate, so the offerings are likely to grow in the future. That's about all there is to the app—no file size limits, no sign-up or download needed, and it works as well as Google does, which is about the best free option around right now.

How to Share Your Own Files Using BitTorrent

we all comfortable using BitTorrent to download files, but the popular file-sharing protocol is also a great tool for sharing your own stuff with family, friends, or the world at large. Here's the basics of creating your own torrent.

Proven by the popularity of BitTorrent sites, torrents offer a well-known method of peer-to-peer file-sharing. Torrents are useful for sharing large files with family and friends, as well as with a wide audience. It has been estimated BitTorrent traffic may account for over 40 percent of all internet traffic.
How BitTorrent Works

We've walked you through the basics of downloading via BitTorrent in our beginner's guide, and offered advanced tips for scheduling your downloads and keeping them snappy in our intermediate guide, but here's a quick historical overview of the protocol.

Developer Bram Cohen designed and released BitTorrent back in July 2001. Back then, there was only one torrent application—the so aptly named BitTorrent. What made BitTorrent different from previous peer-to-peer sharing programs was that it utilized bandwidth more efficiently while discouraging leeching. (In layman's terms, "leeching" is when one user downloads a file, but does not allow uploads, therefore limiting other users from downloading the file. A leecher takes more than what he gives.)

What basically happens when you open up a torrent in a BitTorrent client is that the program automatically finds other users who have a portion of or the whole file you want to download. It accomplishes this task by using trackers. Your BitTorrent client will then download multiple and different pieces of the same file from different users at the same time while also sharing any pieces they've already downloaded, greatly improving the overall speed of distribution.

For more torrent jargon, people who share the whole file are known as "seeders." It's optimal to pick a torrent that has at least one seeder sharing, or you risk your download never being finished. It is for this reason that hugely popular files are often quicker to download than more obscure ones.
What You Need To Get Started

To create your own torrent, you'll need a basic torrent client to get started off on the right path. Windows is primarily dominated by torrent program uTorrent, while Mac users will find that Transmission may be more up their alley. (uTorrent is available for Mac, but it's not as full-featured.) Linux users may want to try Azureus or KTorrent. If you're still not sure about which application to use.
n general, creating a torrent to share your own files is very simple. All you need is a good torrent program to get you started on sharing your personal files. In your favorite torrent program, go to the File menu and click the option to create a new torrent. Then you'll need to select the source/files that you want to share in your torrent. It can be a single file, or even a directory. After this step, you'll need to input some public or private trackers into your torrent. It's possible to use more than one, but in general one is enough.
list of some uTorrent public trackers........................................
1-udp://tracker.openbittorrent.com:80/announce

2-udp://tracker.publicbt.com:80/announce

3-udp://tracker.istole.it:80/announce
After that's done, you'll need to specify whether your torrent is a private torrent or not (if you're using a private tracker, you'll need to. If you aren't, you can most likely leave this part alone). Then all that's left to be done is to save the torrent file and send it to your friends or whoever else you want to share it with. TorrentFreak has a specific step-by-step guide for some of the most popular BitTorrent programs out there, but the concept is basically the same for all clients.
Tips and Tricks of Torrenting

We've covered sly and clever tricks using torrents in the past, so if you're interested in remote controlling your torrent downloads, setting up a season pass to automatically download your favorite TV shows, and other tricks up that alley, check it out.

8 great Tips to Keep your Computer Running Smoothly

1 Never, never, turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down. The one exception to this rule is when your computer locks up and your hard drive is not running (hard drive light is not blinking). In this situation, you can turn the power off without harmful effects to the hard drive. As cutting the power can also result in lost data or Windows files, you should only do this when you have to. Following this rule will prevent permanent hard drive defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the drive disc, and it will prevent a host of Windows problems. Whenever possible, recover from crashes by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time. Press them again to reboot your computer.
2 We highly recommend that you purchase an UPS (uninterruptable power supply) for your computer. This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences. An UPS is far superior to a surge protector and will save your computer from almost any type of power disaster. (See #1 above for what happens when your computer crashes.)
3 Always backup, any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives. So backup data to external hard drives, CD-RWs etc. The time to backup is when you create something you can't afford to lose. Don't wait until tomorrow.
4 Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month. This will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes.
5 Do keep at least 500 MBs of your C: drive free for Windows to use. If you do not have enough free space you will choke Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, really, slow. Use the ADD/Remove tool in the Windows Control Panel to delete unneeded programs from your drive.
6 Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer. They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace). All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower left of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up. Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time.
7 Do use an antivirus software regularly. Everyone should use a virus checker. The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program.
8 If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program. A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system. You really do not want someone else running your computer. Your firewall should boot up with your computer to protect it from invasion.
do all tht things to keep ur computer running smoothly.

Slow Computer

An American couple who purchased a new computer that ran slowly filed a lawsuit against Acer America Corp.

In a lawsuit filed in the federal court of Sun Francisco, Lora and Clay Wolph claimed that the Aspire notebook they bought in April 2008 at Wal-Mart for $586 wasn’t strong enough to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

The couple said the new computer “would not run properly” and would constantly freeze or crash. The Wolphs, who suffered from a slow computer, had to spend an extra $157 to get their computer repaired, adding another gigabyte of RAM.

The couple said there were “serious problems” with the device. They added that “Acer’s defective notebooks are inherently defective in that they do not contain enough RAM to properly run Vista Premium. As a result, the defective notebooks experience serious problems, including, but not limited to, freezing during use, crashing, requiring frequent restarts and experiencing slow load times.”

Acer is charged with breach of warranty, fraud and violations of California and federal consumer protection laws. The couple asked for an unspecified amount for damages and requested class-action status for their case.

Registry Cleaners Cause more Harm than Good

A study on registry cleaner software conducted by registry and maintenance company Macecraft Software indicates that registry cleaners frequently fail to solve computer problems.

Computer software users who suffer from a slow computer turn frequently to registry cleaners in an attempt to avoid getting a computer repair.

Registry cleaner software is a utility program that scans the Windows Registry and looks for outdated and invalid entries.

Macecraft experts said they carried out an in-depth study of the 31 most-used registry cleaner products. They concluded that most registry cleaners were more focused on finding junk data rather than actual, serious registry errors. So, for instance, when a serious error was manually introduced, only one product found it, while most claim to fix registry errors.

The Macecraft experts added that 18 out of 31 products did not follow the recommended practices and left data behind after uninstallation, causing more registry errors to be formed.

Social Networks Users Have Higher Exposure to Malware

Users of social networks, such as Facebook and MySpace, are exposed to malware much more than other computer users, a security expert has warned.

 

Speaking at Kuwait’s ICT Security Forum, Stefan Tanase, malware analyst at the Kaspersky Lab Global Research, said that malware distributed through social media sites was 10 times more effective than viruses sent by email.

 

He added that social networks had about 10 percent success rate in terms of infection compared to less than 1 percent for malware spread via email.

 

Once infected, PC users may feel that their computer is working slower and may need to seek a computer repair.

Tanase said that the rapid increase in the usage of social networks, mobile phones and other intelligent devices had created growing opportunities for cybercriminals.

He added that it was predicted that in 2009 80 percent of all Web users would be using social networking sites, totaling more than one billion people.

“The growing popularity of social networking sites has not gone unnoticed by cybercriminals; last year, such sites became a hotbed of malware and spam, and yet another source of illegal earnings on the Internet,” Tanase said.

“The Kaspersky Lab collection contained more than 43,000 malicious files relating to social networking sites in 2008 alone,” he added.

Turn your iPad into a netbook with ClamCase

You might have been wondering when someone finally came up with something like this, a dock that converted your iPad into something more conventional, like a netbook. Well, the ClamCase does just that, allowing you to use its “all-in-one keyboard, case and stand for the iPad” to turn the most famous tablet yet into a lap-held or tabletop device.The ClamCase keyboard/case/stand connects to the iPad via Bluetooth, and also gives you connectivity with other HID compatible Bluetooth devices such as Sony Playstation 3, Tivo and some HTPCs. Along with 360 degree swivel technology, the ClamCase also offers a flip-back keyboard, which lets you enjoy the iPad as a tablet even when docked. It will be on sale this American Fall, but pricing is yet unavailable.

How to Burn a Blu Ray Movie to a DVD

Blu-Ray is the new format of video media. It provides a crystal clear picture and audio that were not available on the basic DVD format. However, since Blu-Ray is the newest innovation, it is currently more expensive than regular DVDs. Because of this, it is even more important to be able to back up your Blu-Ray discs in case they break or get damaged. You can easily burn a Blu-Ray movie to a DVD.
Step 1

Download or purchase a Blu-Ray decrypter. You can download DVDfab, which is a free Blu-Ray decrypter,

Step 2

Insert the Blu-Ray disc into the computer's drive and rip the movie into a video file. To do this, open the decrypter software you purchased or downloaded in Step 1, make sure the "Source" location is set to your computer's "D-Drive," and press "Start."

Step 3

Purchase or download a video file converter program to convert the Blu-Ray file into the DVD format. DVD files are formated with a .VOB extention and Blu-Ray files will be an AACS file, so it is necessary to convert it into a proper format. A free video file converter program can be downloaded at dvdvideosoft.com.

Step 4

Convert the Blu-Ray file into a DVD file. To do this, open the video converter program you purchased or downloaded in Step 3. From there, select "browse" and open the Blu-Ray file, then set the file format you wish to convert it into to .VOB, and press "Convert."

Step 5

Insert the blank DVD into the DVD-rom drive of the computer. Open your computer's DVD burning program, select the newly converted .VOB file, and select "Burn DVD." The burning process can take upward of one hour.


Things You'll Need:

1 Computer with DVD burner
2 Blu-Ray movie
3 Blank DVD

How to Convert Blue Ray to Regular DVD

Blu-ray discs are devices that are able to store large quantities of data. These can be especially good for storing movies. However, Blu-ray discs can be expensive and difficult to back up. While most Blu-ray discs are not able to be immediately transferred onto DVDs, these files can be compressed and converted. As a result, the files will be small enough and properly formatted to be burned to a DVD, which can be played or used as backup for the files.

Step 1

Rip the Blu-ray to your hard drive. This can be done using the anydvdhd program, which, when you load a Blu-ray disc, will provide a button for ripping the disc to your hard drive. This will allow the subsequent steps to be faster.

Step 2

Run TsRemux and load the Blu-ray files (you can do this even without ripping them to your hard drive). Choose which video and audio feeds you want--in general, you can pick just one of each--as well as any subtitles you would like. Hit the "Remux" button, where it will create a newer, simplified file of the Blu-ray disc's information containing only the video and audio feeds you have selected

Step 3

Split this file into several files using HDBDSplitGUI. Open up the simplified file you created and select the size you would like to split them into (4,400 MB will work well for standard DVD-Rs) and then select the destination folder. Then click the "split" button.

Step 4

Reconvert the files to the Blu-ray format. You will need to open each of the split files using TsRemux again, and this time select "Blu-ray" as the output format (this option is on the right). Hit Remux.

Step 5

Burn these files to DVD using Nero or any other DVD-burning software.

Things You'll Need:

1- Anydvdhd
2- TsRemux
3- HDBDSplitGUI
4- DVD burning program

Mozilla goes into overdrive

Mozilla has recently gone on a release spree, with updated versions of three of its software.



Thunderbird's eagerly awaited version 3 now sees a new beta update with the release of Thunderbird 3 Beta 3. Thunderbird is a popular email client by Mozilla which shares its codebase with Firefox and uses the same engine to render email messages. The new version brings a number of UI and functionality improvements:

* A new conversation view which aggregates all your messages into one view
* Multiple tab support for emails
* A new smart folders view for the folder pane which automatically groups related folders together (e.g. inboxes from multiple accounts)
* GMail integration, with better support for features such as archiving
* Per-folder column and sort settings are maintained
* A new improved account setup wizard


Mozilla goes into overdrive


Posted by Kshitij Sobti

0
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Posted on: Jul 23, 2009 18:42:24 IST
Share


Mozilla has recently gone on a release spree, with updated versions of three of its software.



Thunderbird's eagerly awaited version 3 now sees a new beta update with the release of Thunderbird 3 Beta 3. Thunderbird is a popular email client by Mozilla which shares its codebase with Firefox and uses the same engine to render email messages. The new version brings a number of UI and functionality improvements:

* A new conversation view which aggregates all your messages into one view
* Multiple tab support for emails
* A new smart folders view for the folder pane which automatically groups related folders together (e.g. inboxes from multiple accounts)
* GMail integration, with better support for features such as archiving
* Per-folder column and sort settings are maintained
* A new improved account setup wizard



Get Thunderbird 3 from the Mozilla website here.



Seamonkey sees the release of its first beta version 2. For those who don't know, Seamonkey is a continuation of the old Mozilla suite and comes with a browser, email application, IRC chat application and an HTML composer. Firefox is actually a spinoff of the browser component of the Mozilla suite. The new release incorporates the latest changes in Firefox 3.5.1. This means that Seamonkey now supports the new audio and video tags, and the TraceMonkey JavaScript JIT compilation engine. Other features in this version include:

* The same backend as Firefox's
* A new addon manager
* Session restore options like those of Firefox
* Better History support with new database format
* A new download manager with support of cross-session download resuming
* Better support for RSS feeds with feed previewing and subscription options
* Customizable toolbars in the Mail and Newsgroups application
* Support for mail archiving in mail application
* Better integration with Windows Vista and Windows Search Indexer


Mozilla goes into overdrive


Posted by Kshitij Sobti

0
21
Posted on: Jul 23, 2009 18:42:24 IST
Share


Mozilla has recently gone on a release spree, with updated versions of three of its software.



Thunderbird's eagerly awaited version 3 now sees a new beta update with the release of Thunderbird 3 Beta 3. Thunderbird is a popular email client by Mozilla which shares its codebase with Firefox and uses the same engine to render email messages. The new version brings a number of UI and functionality improvements:

* A new conversation view which aggregates all your messages into one view
* Multiple tab support for emails
* A new smart folders view for the folder pane which automatically groups related folders together (e.g. inboxes from multiple accounts)
* GMail integration, with better support for features such as archiving
* Per-folder column and sort settings are maintained
* A new improved account setup wizard



Get Thunderbird 3 from the Mozilla website here.



Seamonkey sees the release of its first beta version 2. For those who don't know, Seamonkey is a continuation of the old Mozilla suite and comes with a browser, email application, IRC chat application and an HTML composer. Firefox is actually a spinoff of the browser component of the Mozilla suite. The new release incorporates the latest changes in Firefox 3.5.1. This means that Seamonkey now supports the new audio and video tags, and the TraceMonkey JavaScript JIT compilation engine. Other features in this version include:

* The same backend as Firefox's
* A new addon manager
* Session restore options like those of Firefox
* Better History support with new database format
* A new download manager with support of cross-session download resuming
* Better support for RSS feeds with feed previewing and subscription options
* Customizable toolbars in the Mail and Newsgroups application
* Support for mail archiving in mail application
* Better integration with Windows Vista and Windows Search Indexer




Download the Seamonkey suite from here.



Another exciting release was that of Prism, a software by Mozilla which allows you to take your web applications out of the browser box and package them as applications. It brings native application-like features to web applications, such as:

*

Giving web apps their own window with access from the system tray along with menus of popular actions
* Associate links with web applications instead of desktop applications (such as mailto: links with a web email client)
* More stable web application performance
* Auto-run web applications
* Popup alerts

Mozilla Labs releases new Firefox Contacts add-on for web contact & browser integration

Fully utilizing Firefox's well-designed XUL framework and add-on system, Mozilla Labs continually releases new add-ons for its very popular browser, helping enhance its user experience.






The latest batch of add-ons are related to the contacts and identity of the user, and how to integrate them completely into the browser. One of these add-ons was released by Mozilla Labs recently, and it is an experimental add-on called Contacts that helps the user import contact and address book information from a variety of Web sources. Not only can the add-on make it very easy for the user to access this information, it will also help insert/send it to various remote applications, as well as provide auto-completion features within the browser itself.



The experimental Contacts add-on can at present import data from Gmail, Twitter, and the local system address book on OS X, apart from using the Gravatar service to compile contact avatars. After being imported and archived, the user's contact data is available in address book form that is actually a contact management tool. Considered to be more secure than the present add-contacts mechanisms of social networking sites, the content management tool only makes information available to Web services with the user's explicit permission, and can also selectively provide limited details about specific groups of contacts.





The Contacts add-on conforms to W3C Contacts API specification, a standard developed by Nokia that is quickly becoming widely accepted, and is compatible with innumerable web applications, allowing them in turn to synchronise with the browser's address book. The experimental add-on also supports Plaxo's Portable Contacts standard, which is associated with the OpenSocial initiative, and Mozilla hopes to integrate it with Raindrop - an experimental communication platform being developed by Mozilla Messaging. Another use of the Contacts add-on includes contact synchronization support integrated in to Weave.

A look at the future of Firefox add-ons

Recently we came across some information that Firefox would be getting restart-less add-ons sooner than we expected, and it prompted us to take a look at the future of Firefox add-ons.

Even though Chrome now supports extensions, Firefox remains the most extensible browser available. Firefox add-ons are still much more powerful than Chrome’s due to the simple fact, that Firefox itself is built on a much more extensible platform than Chrome is.

Firefox is extensible enough to have been the base for everything from email-clients (Thunderbird, Postbox) to Music managers (Songbird), to media pre-production and collaborations solutions (Celtx). Firefox add-ons can build on that extensible platform and take Firefox from being more than just a browser. Unlike Chrome extensions, Firefox themes are more than just pain-jobs, and the add-ons can redefine the interface and functioning of the browser in any way possible.

Of course all this extensibility comes at a price, creating Firefox extensions (and learning how to) is much harder than with Chrome extensions, which are based on web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, CSS) which more people are familiar with. Firefox add-ons suffer more during version upgrades even for the relatively minor 3.5 to 3.6 update -- although extensions for Chrome are new, and might suffer from the same in the future.

The power of Firefox extensions also means that they have the capacity to wreck much more havoc. Firefox add-ons can break as many features as they add, and often one will find add-ons specifying that they do not work well with certain other add-ons. A malicious Firefox add-on has unrestricted system access and thus has the capacity to cause much more damage. Even an add-on which is not malicious but poorly written can lead to the instability of Firefox. Unlike Chrome extensions, the Firefox add-on installer does not notify a user of how much access it has to the system

The good news for all the Firefox fans out there is that Firefox dev’s are working towards a future with more consistent, easier to code, safer, and more stable add-ons. One of the biggest complaints about Firefox add-ons is that they require a restart, whether you are installing a complicated add-on such as TreeTabs which changes the way tabs work and are displayed, or FireBug which adds powerful debugging and inspection tools to Firefox, or just a simply lowly dictionary. While it may be understandable that add-ons such as FireBug might need a restart as they provide core features, needing a restart for a simple thing such as a dictionary? Really!

In Firefox the add-ons that you install do not modify your Firefox installation, instead they overlay their UI and functionality on Firefox. Normally, Firefox will overlay the UI of the add-ons on it’s own during startup, and hence it needs a restart each time it adds or removes and add-on.

Firefox developers are changing the way add-ons are handles, such that now add-on developers will be able to specify if their add-on can be installed without a restart, and for extensions which support this feature Firefox will be able to install and activate the functionality without needing to restart. Restart-less add-ons will merely require a simple flag to be set in order for Firefox to handle them that way.

This will however require some effort on the part of the extension developers. If an add-on is marked as not requiring a restart it will be required to handle its own installation, uninstallation, activation and deactivation. Instead of Firefox automatically overlaying the add-ons UI elements and other functionality onto itself, it will simply execute the startup code for the add-n and let it handle all that itself. Similarly, the add-on will define functions which handle the cases when it is installed, enabled, disabled or uninstalled.

By the time Firefox 4 comes out, and maybe even before that in v 3.7 you can expect a growing number of Firefox add-ons to be restart-less. Firefox developers are doing this in a way which will allow a restart-less add-on to still be used -- with restarts -- with older versions of Firefox.

Another point of concern with Firefox is that it has no unified place for extensions. In Google Chrome extensions which need to display an icon are displayed in a fixed location on the toolbar. As you install extensions each one finds its place in the tool-bar (for globally relevant extensions) or in the address-bar (for extensions which act on a page). Firefox lacks such consistency, and this is something that the Firefox devs have been thinking about. For future versions of Firefox, The browser might have a single UI bar for any extension which needs to display an icon.

One of the most interesting ventures for making the Firefox extension experience better is Jetpack.

Jetpack started off as a Mozilla labs experiment for the future of Firefox extensions. It was meant to be a simple new way to get started writing extensions for Firefox using web standard technologies such as HTML, Javascript and CSS. The Jetpack system was supposed to eventually become an alternate -- perhaps a replacement -- for the current way of writing extensions for Firefox.

Jetpacks were restart-less extensions for default which used the Jetpack APIs to do all the work. This meant that Firefox could make as many changes as they wanted between two versions of Firefox, and as long as they ensured that the Jetpack API does not change no add-on functionality will break.

After 8 iterations, the Jetpack project came to an end, as the original project had lost clarity in its goal. However from its ashes the Jetpack SDK has arisen, which takes into account some of the lessons learnt while creating Jetpack.

The new approach of Jetpack SDK is to enable developers to create standard Firefox .xpi extensions using a new tookkit which allows extensions to be written in web standard technologies such as JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS. The new Jetpack system does not introduce a new extension format which is natively supported by Firefox, but instead allows for newer, simpler ways to create Firefox extensions. Best of all, the extensions created by the Jetpack SDK are all restart-less by default!

It is clear that the future of Firefox add-ons is still quite bright, and many interesting things lie in this browser’s future. Hopefully we will see future versions Firefox compete in more equal terms when in comes to performance, a facet of the browser will is still quite lacking.

Firefox is today the most configurable, and extensible browser available. While it may lag behind Opera in bundled features, or Chrome in speed, it allows the most fine-grained control over each and every aspect of your experience. Firefox is whatever you need it to be.