36 Productive Facebook Applications

Lots of productive things available in web but inside facebook you will get thousands of productive applications which brings the same features in different platform. When you need to use twitter, you shouldn’t leave the facebook — you can use twitter’s all features from facebook and as well as other applications doing the same things. Even when you’re taking backup you can do it from facebook.

Given below a random lists are available, let’s see…

1. FriendFeed: FriendFeed brings open and friendly ways to track your friends activities to somewhere else.
2. Professional Profile: To making business networks or inside facebook you can try professional profiles applications.
3. Zoho: Zoho which brings easily ways to create, edit documents, spreadsheets and so on without leaving facebook networks.
4. SplashCast: Inside Facebook, you can use SplashCast applications to share multimedia.
5. Books iRead: What books have you been read? why don’t share with other friends and find out what other people reading.
6. Divshare: Faster and free file sharing websites which is shareable and usable from facebook.
7. Box Files: Box.net which giving one giga byte free space and they have paid version too. You can get access from Facebook dot com.
8. Last.fm: Easy to share music by using Last.fm stations from your facebook.
9. Ma.gnolia: Share or bookmark web pages by using Ma.gnolia social bookmarketing websites.
10. Notecentric: Meet with your classmates by using Note-centric and share your notes too.
11. Webinaria Screen cast Recorder: You’ll be able to record and share video using this app.
12. Documents: Easy to share, create, make it collaborative and editable by document facebook apps.
13. Visual Bookshelf: Make a catalog of your favorite books by using visual bookshelf.
14. SlideShare: Get the taste or slideshare features inside facebook. If you have some fantastic slideshare why don’t you share with others?
15. Picnik: Edit your photos in facebook by using Picnik.This application will let you edit photos within Facebook.
16. Picasa: Google’s service and competitor of flickr which brings easy to upload, re-size and shareable features in facebook.com
17. MyRSS: You can start to share your RSS feed and read your favorite websites inside facebook.
18. Translations: Using this applications you can translate, review, and vote onto others.
19. DoResearch4me: To make any research you may try this applications which is easy to find information from facebook applications.
20. Dictionary - Word of the Day: By using this dictionary facebook applications, you can learn a new words every day and it’s easier and memorable too.
21. Zen Habits: Get the Zen Habits app on Facebook, and you can share posts from the blog on your profile.
22. Wikiseek Search: Without leaving facebook you can find or search on wikipedia and get results through facebook.
23. Goodreads: Goodreads influencing to organize readings, discuss literature and so on by using this Good reads facebook applications.
24. Google Reader: Why don’t you share with your friends and faimliy? What you’re reading everyday by using Google reader apps and now you will get access from facebook. Show your shared items on your facebook friends.
25. 30 Boxes: You’re fan of 30 Boxes then why don’t your updates the calender on facebook.com.
26. MyLists: Easy to create list by using MyList applications from facebook
27. BookTag: Tag system brings to make you life easier and you can tag loan books out and keep track easily.
28. kwiry: If you forget something in short time, you may try kwiry which will help you inside facebook.
29. To-Do List: To-Do-List brings faster experiences and keep up-to date by using to-do-list inside facebook and whatever it’s working great to increasing productivity.
30. Books: What books have you been read? Easy to track those books, current reading books, lists, books rating system and much more things.
31. GCal: GCal brings Google Calender applications where you can input your events dates and you can do everything from facebook.
32. Notely: Whats to organize your calender, assignments, notes and more — try Notely that makes your life faster and easier to input everything with the use of this facebook applications.
33. Upcoming.org: By using upcoming events you can stay up to date about the coming events — no ways to miss it.
34. Twitter: Twitter and facebook integration brings better experiences — without using facebook you can change your status and directly you can do the same things inside facebook.
35. Digg: Easy to share your web contents and tell the whole worlds by using Digg applications from facebook and also read most recent fiv popular shares list.
36. del.icio.us: Share and view your bookmarks on del.icio.us on Facebook as well by using this application.

If you have any productive applications, let us know by comments.

Google Maps Brings Webcam Layer In Maps

Google Maps brings webcams layer in maps around the world. By using the menu just enable by clicking on “more..” and select “webcams”.

Google maps using webcams.travel to aggregating the snapshots and webcamps.travel has more then 9000 webcams enlisted. “All the webcams from Webcams.travel are now available on the integrated layer of Google Maps. This was made possible within the cooperation of Webcams.travel with Google,” says Webcams.travel’s blog.

When you’re clicking on the thumbnail, Google will show ” “a snapshot of the camera that has been taken in the last 15 minutes”. You’ll need to click on the snapshot twice (first at Google Maps and then at webcams.travel) to get to the source and see the live webcam. — says Alex

A great initiate and more faster communication and live snapshots in front of you. Enjoy

Interview: TwitPub - Twitter Gets Premium Tweets

Recently i talked with Bobby Smith of Twitpub and came to know about the most interesting ways to monetize Twitter.On asking the reason behind the origin of TwitPub? Bobby say’s that:
TwitPub is a marketplace for Twitter so users can buy and sell premium tweets. The idea of premium tweets is different from normal tweets. It’s mainly for niche and quality content such as horoscope, gossips, jokes and stock tips. Initially TwitPub is aimed for established authors or content providers who are already rich with micro content to help them distribute in Twitter - e.g. just like from selling a book to selling an e-book. However, normal Twitter-users can can test this out too.

Following is an excerpt of the interview with the Bobby:

• About the founders?
  We’re a founded by a team of Internet innovators. We challenge new ideas to redefine new business models. More details soon.
• About the ROI of TwitPub?
  TwitPub business model is revenue sharing. We payout at least 80% to publishers.
• What are the benefits of using Twitpub?
  TwitPub allows established authors to monetize on Twitter and provide a new way to buy and sell content over the web and mobile. Normal Twitter users can try it too. Plus, registration is Free!
• How it is different from the market of twitter applications?
  TwitPub is the First marketplace for Twitter so users can buy and sell premium tweets.
• How you see TwitPub after 2 years?
  We hope TwitPub will continue to innovate more and support Publishers as a platform… Perhaps the leader in supporting established and professional publishers/authors on Twitter.

TwitPub Introduction from Dan Samuel on Vimeo.

Twitpub also claims that :

For fans of Twitter and people who are already tweeting, this is a good way to be rewarded for quality tweets. And the best way to be rewarded is to be paid for it. TwitPub offers a generous payout of 80% and above depending on the volume of subscribers. Subscribers are people who pay to follow Premium Tweets. What’s more, pricing for subscription is set entirely by publishers. So for every USD 2.50 subscription, one is ensured at least a USD 2.00 payout. That’s not bad considering how all the payment system, technical support and system automation is provided by TwitPub. Subscribers can pay by Credit Card while authors can cash-out via PayPal or check.

Freeware: Get Your Free Images Editor

Digital images brings faster ways to manage photos, editing and making it better. But what will you do when you’re failed to buy high priced cost of photo editing software? No ways, you have to buy good one, with high price and then use it. Where as, on web lots of website based and desktop clients photos editors available which may doing the same things bit differently. Lets see in below:

How To Edit Images With Gimp:

The GIMP an images editor which is so powerful tools and it has built in lots of features such as airbrush, selective blurring, cloning and path tools which are usually being using in paid but over all it’s open source based and free for everyone.

How To Edit Your Photos In Website:

Pixenate which is web based photo editing free service and you can quickly touch and fix photos, just you have to connect your camera and upload the images to the websites and their you can set the performs such as red-eye reduction, cropping, changing colors, contrasts and so on. However, it’s web based and it’s not fully compatible with advanced tools but it’s totally user friendly and for basis edit of photos, it’s working smoothly.

How To Upload and Manage Your Photos Using Picasa:

Picasa desktop client which brings a free software and easily that will find out your computers all photos except the hidden files. Easily you can effect your photos differently and cropping, straighten, redeye, auto contrast, auto color, test, retouch, fill light all features available and even you can upload your photo to web by using Picasa.

How To Edit Photos With Advanced Features:

Splashup an web based free images editor which enabled multiple images editing service simultaneously. It has advanced features such as layers, path and more. Even, you can compare with photoshop you’re using in web, without installing any applications, you can enjoy it.

How To Make Animated Images:

Photoscape an image editor which brings batch editor, animator, combiner and easy to screen capture, combine photos, making animated gifs files and converting raw files under this small software and you can say, all in one and so smoothly and friendly.

Twitter Connect Brings Social Connect Like As Facebook, Google

Thursday, Twitter API Wiki which published a “Sign in with twitter” features — which is actually opening a great ways of integration with third parties websites. In before we have seen Google has “Friend Connect“, Facebook has “Facebook Connect” which is still working in different websites. Without signing to others networks, you can use to sign-in actions to other websites by using Facebook Connect and even without giving any confidential information to third party. Just twitter doing that same things and anyone can integrate that features to their websites.

Millions of user already using Facebook Connect and now Twitter Connect and if you enable this features — the same thing will happen for you. You don’t need to signup nor signin with different identity. You can use your twitter account’s identity and enjoy the full features and website’s surfing opportunity.

Twitter touts its integration of OAuth, the open standard for secure authentication, but most end users don’t care about that. What they would care about though is having the ability to sign in to a service with their Twitter names and interact with the micro-messaging platform to say, easily tweet out whatever it is you are doing. If you’re reading an article, you could tweet out the article with one click without leaving the page. If you’re playing a game, you could tweet that out from within the game - Mg Siegler says.

Facebook Connect mainly leveraging with different platforms by making this connections and though they are not affiliated with third parties. Hamer Lahav who have informed that Sign in with Twitter — “it is open done right” and Twitpic already integrated this features to their websites and he explains ” Twitter applications such as TwitPic use Twitter’s API as a delegated authentication provider. The way this works is that they ask users for their Twitter username and password, and then use these credentials to make an authenticated API call. If the call is successful, they know the user is really who they claim to be and let them use the service . Marshall Kirkpatrick who named calling card and as well myspace on the battle, Google’s friend connect too and right now twitter also landing on the social connecting battle and we know twitter archived double unique visitors which was around 93 millions in march, so it’s moving so faster for better connections.

Release Candidate Ubuntu 9.04 Available For Download

Ubuntu officially announce the released candidate of Ubuntu 9.04 for your operating system.Released Candidate (RC) ie Ubuntu 9.04 RC is the work done upon the Ubuntu 9.04 Beta version which was released in last month.Their are many knowing issues in the beta release like:

• A bug in an Ubuntu-specific patch to X server logging code will cause X sessions to crash after they have been running for longer than a day.When i upgrade my ubuntu studio i do face the same problems.
• Some users of Intel i8×5 video chipsets are unable to load X, getting an error message of “Fatal server error:
• The mdadm package in Ubuntu 9.04 Beta will fail to assemble RAID10 arrays on boot
• When installing to a system with another OS previously installed, the migration assistant will offer to migrate settings and documents even when the entire disk is being overwritten

After that beta, lots of works has done by developers and RC version become more satle and here are the few changes since Ubuntu 8.10 was released:

• Updates to the Linux kernel, X.Org server, GNOME and KDE interfaces
• Support for the Ext4 file system
• Improved handling of multiple monitors
• Improved boot speeds
• Updated software including newer versions of Firefox and OpenOffice.org

Also another one new version already in designed to run on ARM processor and which is knowing that will able to run on a number of upcoming netbooks and mobile internet devices.

Source:

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/904overview

http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/jaunty/beta

No More Free Supports For Windows XP

Microsoft stopped to giving free supports for Windows XP. Right now, they will more focus on Windows Vista’s supports and it’s not possible to keep supporting for free an 8 year old operating systems forever.

Microsoft no longer offering free supports for Windows XP Home Edition which has entitled. As well this company stopped supporting for Office 2003. If you wants, by paying you can extended the supports but no more free answers from Microsoft.

About security updates, the Windows XP and Office users will get notifications from their side.

Facebook Will Share Details About Facebook Verified Apps

Around five months ago facebook has launched an applications verifications program which will increase the user’s trust on the applications. In before, facebook informing about any facebook applications which only shows that “this application was not developed by facebook”. Nowadays, they are showing verification badge — this verification information will be visible in the parts of “about this applications”. Several developers already have informed that, facebook responding slowly and taking more time which wasn’t in past and lost of people complained about this matter by forum.

A developer David Stillwell posted on facebook developer forums, and facebook said,”We want to thank you for your patience as we get closer to launching The Verification Program. Regarding timeline, we expect to announce the first set of verified applications within the next couple of weeks. This announcement will be coupled with the benefits, which include badging and special highlighting in the Application Directory, and bucket boosts for requests and notification allocations.We apologize for the delay. We will be back in touch with more details before we launch the program.”

As well the facebook platform team responded about the long time verification programs that, “We apologize for the delays, but we are working to really make this a release that Verification members and Platform users will appreciate and find useful. We appreciate your concerns and questions, and hopefully once everything is launched, you’ll feel it’s been worth it. Platform went through some changes through the course of getting this program out, so a lot of questions arose that weren’t easy to answer and that we’ve wanted to take the time to get right.”

This is no fully official information though Facebook Platform Program Manager Sandra Liu Huang said “when the program launched that the benefits would include higher viral channel allocation limits for notifications, requests, and emails (though Huang says “the application reputation system is still in effect”) and a “seal of approval” indicating that the application is verified.”. Maybe shortly they will inform us officially and we will let you by updating our site.

Enjoy Youtube Video From Desktop

Sprink is a mini Youtube Desktop Applications which will brings video contents from Youtube web server to your desktop. Based on your search you can see relevant video list and choose anyone , instantly that will run on your computer. This mini applications working anytime — such as you’re working on word, excel or making slide show, on the same time you can see side by side youtube video in action on your screen. If you would like, you can setup random youtube video or you missed the highlights of last nights cricket match’s or checkout any exclusive episode of Discovery channels from your desktop.

To run this applications in your PC, reqired applications are:

• Microsoft Windows 7 Beta (from Build 7000 - Build 7106)
• Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 or above
• .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
• Adobe Flash Player

Developer also informed that “in couple of months they will release more features, such as Integration with Windows 7 taskbar, Ability to mark videos as favorite right from the client, Support for other video service providers like MSN Video, Vimeo etc.” We will updates more about it — it’s awesome ways to enjoy youtube without visiting youtube.com directly.

How To Backup Your Browser’s Data

I’m using Firefox, Google Chrome, Flock, Opera, Internet Explorer. Nowadays, it’s quite harder to taking regular backup after using any browser. Even when you’re working — sometimes it’s showing your browser crash notifications, then you have to lost everything and note that reports will not bring you back your data. But with using some small free tools, you can save your bookmarks, , history, settings, caches — the browser doesn’t matter. Matter is, when you need to get back, when you will lost, get it again? Let me show you some cools utility which may makes your life more easier.

Google Chrome Backup: This applications will save your bookmarks and settings automatically and we know Google Chrome has no extensions like a Mozilla Firefox browser. Also you can create mufti user profiles and anytime switch between then instantly.

Mozbackup: An small cross Mozilla backup utility which will take backup of your bookmarks, mails, contacts, history, extensions cache’s too. It’s working for Firefox and Flocks and some Mozilla based browsers supporting too. Also lots of firefox extensions available on web, later we will talk more about it.

Safari Backup And Restore: This applications working on mac operating system and it will take your bookmarks backup and a great tools which will do all things automatically.

BackRex Internet Explorer Backup: If you’re Internet Explorer user, you can take backup and restore your files by using this tools. It will manage your favorites, history, proxy setting, fonts and auto complete password and cookies too. It’s supporting IE6, IE 7 versions.

OperaFly: If you’re Opera Browser’s user you can try this tools. This is an official backup tools for opera browser and you can pre-schedule the backup times, automatically it will care of your contents, data - when you’re closing the browsers.

Make Free Calls By Using Gizmo5

Gizmo5 offering free conference calls and it’s well known VoIP service provider, also giving free conference calling service to customers. In before it has good quality and nowadays it’s voice quality going down. In last week, they extended more features as a free conference call offer.

By using their service, you can directly call to your contacts cell phone and connect them for conference. At anytime, online you can make conference and it can smoothly handle 2 to 10 people spontaneously. PC to PC call are always free but when you’re moving out of PC you can try their country basis call rates or calling credit features and maybe it will be better for you.

Gizmo5 has Windows, Linux and Mac version and all are free for you and also they have Nokia Tablet — where you can get your desired and preferred applications for your mobile phone.

Qik Apps: Share Mobile Video To Facebook

Qik an live-streaming video sharing websites and which integrated with facebook connect and right now you can upload your video to facebook by using Qik. But, inside facebook you may not able to see the streaming. Only Qik members can automatically upload their video to facebook and setup their status messages to link to the video on Qik - when they are on live-streaming and the updates will be visible in their news feeds.

Windows mobile smartphone can easily handle and upload Qik videos to facebook and it’s the first mobile applications which allowing automatic uploads to facebook through the social networking applications integration. As we know, Live streaming which is like location based mobile networking and day by day it’s going to be more popular platform.

Google Launches News Timeline and Similar Images

Google has launched Google Labs and this site will inform the user about the latest experimental activities of companies — it maybe search engine based or other web tools. Most amazing updates is Similar Images and Google News Timeline. Downloadsquad entitled, The new Google Labs is hosted on Google App Engine, and today Google rolled out the first two new labs features we’ve seen in the past few months: Similar Images and Google News Timeline.

Google Similar Image, it maybe showing results when you’re looking same pictures in whole results. Such as you wants to see world famous templates and you will see only the shots which is the just templates you’re looking and all photos has relevancy and as well same. Still it’s not implemented in search engine but maybe they will soon enable it.

Google News Timeline, revolutionizing service when has great power to move backward and find any specific news or information by using Google News Timeline. You know, if it’s paper based it’s quite harder but when it’s digital based then it’s easier and you can use searching features to find instantly.

However, both features are awesome and google more centralizing on images search engine updates and it’s really great that we will get our desired images by using google images engine.

SpeedTile Introducing Free Visual Bookmarking Service

SpeedTile a slick free bookmarking service which brings Google Chrome types front page in your browser. Speedtile it’s showing the bookmarks visually and automatically doing works - when you’re visiting any website or intentionally bookmarking websites. When you’re logged in any websites — it will take the pages shots and page title too and for faster bookmarking you may try firefox plugins. When you’re visiting us, just right click on to honeytechblog.com and click on “bookmark with speedtile”.

It’s better when you’re get registered and several options will open for you such as, alphabetical, creation date, recently visited and most popular, most clicked order’s information and as well you can do bookmarks by drag & dropping ways. Also from settings, you can edit profiles, enable a public link where your friends can see what’s you’re visiting or what’s you’re bookmarking.

Once Again Get Free AVG LinkScanner Security Suite

LinkScanner an independent plug-ins for windows based Firefox and internet explorer user. AVG Technologies’ AVG security suite - they implementing link scanner in Yahoo and Google search engine. After the installation of AVG.exe files, it will show green flag and red flag indicators with each links. Red indicator flag brings something dangerous or harmful, other hand, Green flag brings good for you. In every search results it will confirm you and show you the scanned reports on basis of your clicks on icons.

Hovering over a flag will pop open a window that provides further details about the link. Green flags will show you the IP address, the amount of time the scan took, and the date and time of the most recent scan. Red flags highlight the same information, as well as the risk category and the site name. Attempting to click through to a red-flagged page will take you to a warning screen that repeats most of the red-flag information–AVG calls this the “Active Surf-Shield”. — says Seth. However, lots of confusion about this stands alone software as because of sometimes it’s showing red flag symbol which is actually a good websites. Even, we know Google and Yahoo both search engine showing alters which site is good or dangerous or harmful for the users.

McAfee’s SiteAdvisor another one anti link scanner but free version of AVG link scanner achieved more popularity who has random web surfing habits. When you have this software — you may try Google search to make sure that “is it good or bad websites” and Google has great accuracy on security.

Web-based IM Is Coming In Windows Live Hotmail

Web IM is coming to Hotmail. In last month, it’s already available for the users of France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the UK and from today it’ll roll out for Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and the USA. Lots of country still not listed but the team working for it and will make this web based instant messenger available for the whole world with in a few months.

You can use Windows Live Messenger desktop clients and shortly you can enjoy IM features on web. If you have more than one Windows Live ID, you can sign in to web Messenger and regular Messenger at the same time, with different IDs. Don’t worry, people can only see your availability if you’ve agreed to be their Messenger contacts. You can sign in and use Hotmail or any other Windows Live service without signing in to web Messenger, so nobody can start chatting with you until you decide to let them know you’re available.

50+ Great Google Maps Tools

I think you know that Google Maps is capable to show the whole world in your computer screen and it’s implemented indifferent views and styles such as, satellite images and terrain view .In short it endeavor to makes your life more flexible, easier and faster for communications.In terms of functionality like you can get directions by using Google maps and also Global Positing System(GPS) which brings more accuracy and show your the real time of local positions. But, you’re looking something more? Such as, where to find restaurants, location of nearest ports, transport information, travel engine?

Thiere are lots of free web tools that brings great things in Google Maps which is not usually available by using simple Google Maps API.These all tools are the veneration and work done on the api codes,you can also make something great which can showoff your name ( help others) within broader networks. In before we have seen the real time location of twitter user and now it’s crossing the boundaries and bits more and more things coming shortly. What things you’re looking lets search in below as here is the list of 50+ Great Google Maps Tools:

1. Dublin Public Transport Advisor — Around the Dublin, wants to make trip plan, you can use this service to making plan about public transportation.
   
2. Most Dangerous Roads on Earth — It’s showing the world’s most dangerous roads in the maps.
3. Perfect Escapes — It’s using Google Maps search engine interface which will work when you need to search anything about travel or alternatively you can use as travel search engine.
4. Hotspotr – More then 14,875 wifi hotspots are showing over the country in the maps.
5. Safe2pee.org — Easy to find out public bathroom in any country.
6. Wines and Times — In united states - by using this maps you can make plan for a winey tour.
7. Fastfoodmaps.com — Inside United States easily you can find fast food restaurants, including all world famous companies such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Wendy’s and so on.
8. Photo Enforced — Get maps of red light cameras in multiple cities across the United States.
9. World Port Source - By using their service you can find ports and more then 3,100 ports in 189 countries are available and easy to find the right locations.
10. FlexTraffic — In United Kingdom by using this maps you may check the traffic delays and construction areas or any specific projects information.
11. Cheap Hotels — It’s covering more then 66000 low price hotel’s information and it’s covering more then 165 countries and and will give chance to book online.
12. Google Maps Disc Golf Courses — This maps covering disc golf/frisbee golf courses all over the United States and easy to find the locations, descriptions and full directions.
    
13. Live Sports Map — By using this Google maps, you can find and see sports score and watch the news on popup and including stadium and arena satellite views.
14. FindLakes — It’s searching lakes over the country and more then 40000 laks showing around the country
15. SafeFoodFinder — Seattle area based restaurants and health department inspection scores which is enlisting by this maps and you can surf from anywhere.
16. The World’s Most Polluted Cities — Geotagged based maps which showing polluted cities by photos — covering the whole world and specifically the whole Aisa.
17. San Francisco Solar Map — Around the San Francisco this interactive maps showing residential, municipal, commercial, and other solar projects.
18. RoofRay Solar Calculator — By using maps tools, you can find your house, trace your roof, determine the roof’s orientation and pitch and also a solar estimate.
19. Climate Change Wales 9- The rising of sea levels, flood levels and more changes of climates are tracking by this maps.
20. United States Sea Level Rise Map 9- This maps which is showing geo-tagged photos that also reporting the impact of different sea level rises in cities around the United States.
21. Panedia - Over the whole world, you can see the placemarkers links and panoramic images.
    
22. Driving Detroit — On this tools, you can link up photos, slideshows and other media and it’s easy to entertain in maps.
23. Star Viewer — This maps showing sky in night mode and also Youtube video included and as well it’s showing different types of starts, galaxies and start’s systems in maps.A Google Map of the night sky that includes YouTube videos of different stars, galaxies, and star systems.
24. GoogleDrive — If you like simulator based games, you can driving simulator games on Google maps.
25. Real World Racer — Want to play car racing, you can use Google Maps and make a challege and enjoy it.
26. 2D Driving Simulator — Flash driving based simulator games in Google Maps and it’s 2D driving simulator.
27. Samknows — By using this service you can find house or building on maps and find out what types of broadband internet connection available in that area.
28. Start to make Hole and end up the hole? — If you start to digging the whole world from any points where will i be up in another side? This maps trying to show your imaginations in reality.
29. MapTube — Around 200 mashup maps are available in this directory.
30. Popular Google Maps — Different topics are available and based on Google maps and you may browse by popular topics.
31. Map Builder — Easily you can using Google Maps mashups builder and create your own maps.
32. MapMyPage — Easy to puts Google maps on your websites — it’s simple to visible on your website.
33. Map My Life — Easy to create life mapping and show your timeline and by using XML file you can provide those information.
34. The Google Maps Image Cutter — A free application for cutting any image into tiles for use with the Google Maps interface.
35. GMapCreator — This Google Maps creator helping to make thematic Google Maps easily.
36. Geo Twitter — Geo-Code your tweeted things and plot them on an embed-able maps.
37. Mapmsg.com — This applications help you to put a messages into the maps and email to anyone.
38. Dual Maps — Do you have Microsoft Virtual Earth maps experiences? Free mapping tools will combine and will active Google maps view too.
39. HeatMapAPI — You can overlay Google Maps by using this API and easily create your own heat maps.
40. Where is the path (or street) — This masup applications will show the regular street and footpath in maps by using Google Maps satellite view and which is not indicating by GOogle Maps.
41. 99Trails.com Philadelphia Map — A map showing walking and biking trails around the Philadelphia metro area.
42. NYC Bike Maps — This maps showing New York Cities Bike Paths, lanes and green ways.
43. I Need A Bike — If you’re in Paris, Lyon or Marseilles you can find the bike’s rental locations.
44. Cassini — An overlay of 18th century maps over Google Maps that lets you adjust the transparency of either layer.
45. Mapdango — A mash-ups that teaches about a new place every day, showing news, weather, and more.
46. MapsZipcode — Nation wide this Google maps mash-ups showing zip codes of your area.
47. London Profiler — If you’re looking for public demographic information about London, you can use London profiler and it’s great to find.
48. Area Code Maps — This maps overlaying code maps and easy to get the area codes by using this maps.
49. Flood Maps — Easily you can see new coastline which is on sea level and rises between 1 m to 14 m and this maps covering that flood relevant contents.
    
50. MapEcos - By using this maps you can see the industrial facilites of U.S and also which toxic chemicals are using too.

Last but not least please feel free to share if you know any other tools.We will try to include your regards in the lists with your references.

Pixelpipe Brings Drag-and-Drop Files Uploading Firefox Extenions

Pixelpipe introducing multi-service file uploader and meta data management tools which brings experimental firefox extensions and by using this add-ons, user can directly upload any files just using drag-n-drop from the hard drive or from any web sources. It’s providing free accounts and you can enjoy from anywhere.

Once you’ve picked all the items you want to upload you hit a single button and it sends it off to Pixelpipe, which will instantly distribute it to all the services you have turned on by default. These can’t be edited right from the sidebar, but there’s a quick shortcut button that will take you to your settings page where you can turn certain services on or off. You can also pick the privacy level of the upload to Pixelpipe itself, which can limit who is able to see what you’ve uploaded based on your relationship with them.– says Josh.

It’s covering more then 75 services and enlisted services are facebook, twitter, blogger, hi5, box, 23, bebo, youtube, wordpress, flickr, picasa, jaiku and so on. Officially says, Pixelpipe is a content distribution gateway that allows users to publish text and upload photos, video and audio files once through Pixelpipe and have the content distributed across over 75 social networks, photo/video sites and blogs, and other online destinations. We provide a number of mobile & desktop applications for users, liberating their media and sharing their life. However, try out this multiple tools, it will makes our life more easier and from anytime we can handle our maximum file sharing accounts.

Immune? Yeah Right!

The unstoppable has been - well, stopped in its tracks. A Mac has been infected by a virus! While slightly surprising, the migration of malware to OS X was inevitable. As a malware developer, you want the 'biggest bang for your buck.' For the most part, Windows provides this gargantuous BANG! Until now, that is...

As more and more people adopt the Mac platform, its circle in the bullseye grows bigger. It's grown to the point that malware developers can finally get the reaction, power, and possibly the information that they seek when coding their malware. The "iBotnet" Trojan was unleashed, and thousands of Macs are currently under the creator's control. By connecting to other victims in a large network, the creator gains a huge amount of control. Despite that fact, the design of the trojan has given it a "low-level" label, and Symantec says that most people won't even notice the effects of it.

While this may not be the biggest bug ever spread, it's certainly a pinnacle for the OS X Malware community; it represents a big leap, from the sense of immunity that Mac users felt, to a more vulnerable realization that may be soon to come.

It's definitely something to keep your eye on!

View: More iBotnet Information
What does this mean for you? Discuss it in our forums.

JCXP

10 ways to remove Conficker virus from your computer

What is Conficker?

Conficker is supposed to be the biggest worm attack of this time,which hits around 350 million PCs and is one of the hottest topic.Confick is also known as Conficker, Downup, Downadup and Kido.The main target of this virus is again Microsoft Windows operating system (If you are an linux user then you need not to worry).It is noticed around October 2008 and targets the exploits in previously patched vulnerability in the Windows Server service of Microsoft.

Targeted Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows XP,Windows Server 2003,Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 Beta, and Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta.

Here are the 10 methods to remove the Confiker / Conflicker virus:

1. Department of Homeland Security -DHS Releases Conficker/Downadup Computer Worm Detection Tool
2. Bitdefender - Win32.Worm.Downadup.Gen
3. Enigma Software - Information about Conficker Removal Tool
4. ESET Securities - “Eset - Win32/Conficker.AA”
5. F-Secure - “Worm:W32/Downadup.AL”
6. Symantec - “W32.Downadup Removal - Removing Help”.
7. Sophos - “Conficker Clean-up Tool - Free Conficker detection and removal”
8. Kaspersky Lab - “How to fight network worm Net-Worm.Win32.Kido”
9. McAfee can remove this when you click on an on-demand scan.
10. AVG can remove this when you click on an on-demand scan.You have to download the latest version as older one will not work anymore on the victim computer.

How to Remove the Conficker C Worm

If you neglected to patch your Windows operating system with Microsoft’s security update that plugged a hole in the Server service, you might find yourself infected with the Conficker C worm. This threat is triggered on April 1st of 2009 and attempts to download files from a list of addresses, redirects DNS requests to certain sites (it doesn’t want you finding a fix for it!) and stops some Windows services and processes. Here’s how to remove the Conficker C Worm.

I work alot with Symantec products, so I will outline the use of their removal tool. If you prefer a different antivirus software, see the links at the bottom of this tutorial.

1. Download the FixDwndp.exe file from Symantec.

2. Save the file to your desktop.

3. Burn the file to a CD (using a flashdrive may result in getting your USB drive infected).

4. Close all open folders and applications. Disconnect the infected computer from your network.

5. Turn off System Restore.

6. Execute FixDwndp.exe (the one from the CD you just burned).

7. Click the I Accept button to accept the EULA.

8. Click the Start button to begin scanning your computer.

9. Once finished, the tool will display the number of deleted and repaired files and the number of fixed registry entries.

10. Reboot your computrer.

11. Run the tool again to make sure that the threat has been removed from your computer.

12. Once you have completed all the above steps, you may turn System Restore back on.

If you prefer to use a different tool, here are some other options:

BitDefender

Kapersky

TrendMicro

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

McAffee

Source

How To Drink More Water Every Day

Water is the most needed chemical compound of our body. Without the daily necessary amount of water our body functions would be forced to shut down. The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size. To function properly, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration; the precise amount depends on the level of activity, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Most of this is ingested through foods or beverages other than drinking straight water. It is not clear how much water intake is needed by healthy people, though most advocates agree that 6–7 glasses of water (approximately 2 litres) daily is the minimum to maintain proper hydration. Medical literature favors a lower consumption, typically 1 liter of water for an average male, excluding extra requirements due to fluid loss from exercise or warm weather. For those who have healthy kidneys, it is rather difficult to drink too much water, but (especially in warm humid weather and while exercising) it is dangerous to drink too little. People can drink far more water than necessary while exercising, however, putting them at risk of water intoxication (hyperhydration), which can be fatal. The "fact" that a person should consume eight glasses of water per day cannot be traced back to a scientific source. There are other myths such as the effect of water on weight loss and constipation that have been dispelled.
Determine how much water you need. You've probably heard the "8 by 8" rule - drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (2 quarts, 1.8 liters) - but the amount of water a person needs varies depending on his or her weight and activity level. Another way to determine your specific recommended water intake is to divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., strive to drink 75 ounces of water daily. For those who use the Metric system, divide your weight (in kilograms) by 30 (ex. somebody weighing 70 kg is going to need 2.3 liters per day). Keep in mind that these recommended intake numbers are controversial and some experts believe they are a gross exaggeration. See "warnings" below for more information.
Signs of Dehydration. You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics such as caffeine pills and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need. Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles,lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B Vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.
Dangers of Too Much Water. Don't start drinking an extra gallon of water a day - that can kill you, especially if you are fasting or eating very little. Water taken in must be in balance with body salt - electrolytes. The body needs to maintain salt balance or risk hyponatremia with heart attack and even death. Drinking too much water dilutes the salt in your blood and tissues - and can kill you. Healthy athletes have died from drinking too much plain water and not replacing salt. Dieters should not plunge into drinking gallons of water a day in hopes of burning a few more calories. Drink an extra few glasses, yes. But a gallon is too much.

8 Technology etiquette tips for job-seekers

If there's any small solace when starting a job search in this recession, it's the proliferation of digital technology to help you re-enter the working world. Web sites like Indeed.com and LinkedIn.com have multiplied the number of job openings you can track and the professional contacts you can make. E-mail and smart phones make it easier to pitch yourself and set up appointments.But think twice before picking up that BlackBerry and thumb-typing a message to the hiring manager whose e-mail address you so slyly uncovered online. In the end, landing the right job hinges on old-world skills."The electronic piece usually just gets your foot in the door," said Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology, a tech industry recruiting division of Menlo Park, Calif.-based staffing consultant Robert Half International. "But you still have to present yourself well face-to-face in an interview, and you have to have good references," he said. "I think some job candidates lose sight of that because of all the technology options and capabilities that get your name out there."Here are eight technology etiquette tips to help job seekers.
1 .Avoid email blasts

Resist the temptation to respond to each online job listing in your field, and focus on those that fit the best. Only about 6 percent of jobs are filled by candidates recruited through advertisements, said Wendleton, whose firm also conducts career research. If you can use personal contacts to learn about an opening that's not widely publicized, your chances of landing the job increase because you've got fewer rivals. Instead of blast e-mailing, use the Web to research potential employers and put yourself in position to recite key facts about that company should you land an interview. "Too many people are sitting there all day hitting that send button on their computer, answering ads, answering ads," Wendleton said.
02.Embrace snail mail

In your first contact with a prospective employer, you're unlikely to stand out if you join the legions of job seekers sending 'hire me' pitches via e-mail with resumes attached. E-mails also are too easy for a hiring manager to delete. With snail mail, you control the appearance of your carefully crafted cover letter and resume.With e-mail, the user's machine can control settings for fonts and spacing. And managers can be wary of opening attached resumes for fear of unleashing a computer virus.
03.Avoid follow-up foibles

If you land an interview, pay close attention if the hiring manager specifies how to make any follow-up contacts. Email can be a good option because of its speed; if you send a follow-up note via snail mail, it may arrive too late in the hiring process to make a difference.If the hiring manager is OK with email, send a message that addresses any unanswered questions from the interview and state that you're also mailing a hardcopy. In the snail mail message, do refer that you have also sent an email.Whatever you do, don't follow up on an interview with an email sent via a handheld gadget - there's too great a chance you'll thumb-type a typo-ridden message. Only use handhelds to send brief, timely emails confirming an appointment or advising you're running late for a meeting. Don't type without regard to grammar and capitalization, and resist including smiley faces or other emoticons in electronic messages. "There is no circumstance where that is appropriate," Wendleton said.
04.Observe boundaries

Even if you managed to track down a hiring manager's cell phone number, don't call it unless given permission. "Cell phones are considered private," Wendleton said.Willmer and Kate Wendleton, president of The Five O'Clock Club, a New York-based career counseling company, advise that job seekers - especially the young and tech-savvy - frequently misuse electronic gadgets and the Web and run roughshod over professional etiquette.
05.Stick to landlines

For any phone contact with a prospective employer, try to use a land line. With cell phones, there's too great a risk that you'll get a spotty connection, lose it altogether, or end up with excessive background noise if you're in a public place.If you lack a land line, call from a quiet place like a hotel lobby. Have a pen and pad ready so you can jot down information.
06.Network the smart way

If you identify a hiring manager or other professional you'd like to connect with on an online networking site, don't merely send an electronic invitation without explaining why you want to get in touch. An out-of-the-blue request will likely be ignored."Write something like, "I was intrigued by your LinkedIn posting. I see you have 10 years of international experience. I too have 10 years of international experience,'" Wendleton said.
07.Manage your digital footprint

Hiring managers can be expected to go beyond your resume and references, and perform a background check online. So be judicious about what you post on social networking sites such as Facebook, and limit access to friends and family if it's something you wouldn't want an employer to see.Likewise, think before posting political opinions or personal information in blogs or other online forums. Consider posting under a pseudonym rather than your name. "As a job candidate, I would encourage people to be conservative," said Willmer. "Assume that anybody has access to anything."
08.Get personalIf you resort to e-mail pitches, make them personal. If you're introducing yourself to a hiring manager you've identified via a professional colleague, type that colleague's name in the e-mail's subject line and succinctly explain the link (example "John Doe referred me") so the manager is less likely to hit delete.

Via : Link
Source Blog

Hard drive destruction 'crucial'

HARD DRIVES: GRAB AND SMASH Safety: Unplug the computer from the mains Opening: Latches or screws should provide easy access Earthing: Touch the metal chassis inside the computer case Locating: Hard drives are typically under CD or floppy drives on desktops Removing: Disconnect the wires at the back of the hard drive Remove any screws that fix the hard drive to the chassis and slide it out Smashing: The more thoroughly the better The only way to stop fraudsters stealing information from old computer hard drives is by destroying them completely, a study has found. Computing magazine Which? recovered 22,000 "deleted" files from eight computers purchased on eBay. Criminals source old computers from internet auction sites or in rubbish tips, to find users' valuable details. Freely available software can be used to recover files that users think they have permanently deleted. The only solution, according to Which?, is complete destruction - and it recommends using a hammer. A number of recent cases have shown the dangers in disposing of second-hand equipment, from which details as well as other personal files can be retrieved. "PCs contain more valuable personal information than ever as people increasingly shop online, use social networking sites and take digital photos," said Sarah Kidner, editor of Which?. "Such information could bring identity thieves a hefty payday." "It sounds extreme, but the only way to be 100% safe is to smash your hard drive into smithereens."

Source

Samsung Pixon the 8.0 megapixel camera phone

Samsung Pixon the 8.0 megapixel camera phone
Alright that day was just pre-announced in Russia, today Samsung has officially announced its Samsung Pixon 8 megapixel camera phone. The pixon has been claimed as the slimmest full-touch 8.0-megapixel camera phone. Measuring 13.8mm slim, and the 8.0-megapixel camera boasts 16x digital zoom, auto-focus, fast-shutter, face detection and geo-tagging. It will be available first in France in the mid-October and soon to most of European countries and Asian countries. Check out the specs after the break and more pictures.

Specifications:

• Network: GSM/GPRS/ EDGE Quad Band (850/ 900/1800/1900 MHz)
• HSDPA 7.2 Mbps (2100 MHz)
• Display: 3.2″ 240×400 262K WQVGA TFT LCD
• Camera: 8-megapixel camera with Auto focus
• Dual Power LED Flasho ASR (Advanced Shake Reduction) WDR (Wide Dynamic Range)
• Face Detection, Smile Shot, Face Link (face tagging), Geo-tagging, Auto Panorama Shot, Photo memo
• Photo Browser (Accelerometer Sensor, Tilt and flip, Sorting by Face/Time/Color/Folder)
• Online Widget (News, weather, stock, etc)
• Video recording & playing (MPEG4, WMV, DivX, XviD)
• 30 fps D1 (720 x 480) & 120 fps(QGVA) high quality video recording
• SRS (Surround Sound System) Virtual 5.1CH
• Music Player (MP3, AAC, e-AAC+, e-AAC+, WMA)
• FM Radio with RDS• DNSe (Digital Natural Sound engine)
• Bluetooth v.2.0 / USB 2.0 HS
• TV Out connection
• Internal Memory: 200MB External Memory: Micro SD
• Size: 107.9 x 54.6 x 13.8 mm, 121g
• Battery: 1000 mAh
• Talk time: 3h 40min
• Standby time: 290h

Zardari Calls Palin "Gorgeous"

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Pakistan's new president called GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin "gorgeous" when the two met in New York on Wednesday.

Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin meets Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in New York on Wednesday.

Palin has been in New York meeting international leaders in town this week for United Nations meetings.

On entering a room filled with several Pakistani officials Wednesday, Palin was immediately greeted by Sherry Rehman, the country's information minister.

"And how does one keep looking that good when one is that busy?" Rehman asked Palin, drawing friendly laughter from the room.

"Oh, thank you," Palin said.

Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari, entered the room seconds later. Palin rose to shake his hand, saying she was "honored" to meet him.

Zardari then called her "gorgeous" and said: "Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you."

"You are so nice," Palin said, smiling. "Thank you."

A handler from Zardari's entourage then told the two politicians to keep shaking hands for the cameras.

"If he's insisting, I might hug," Zardari said. Palin smiled politely in response.

The Alaska governor did not answer questions from reporters at her first two appearances on Wednesday, when she joined running mate Sen. John McCain in meetings with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko and then traveled downtown to meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

But she did offer brief remarks to a reporter at the Zardari meeting who asked about her day.

"It's going great," Palin said. "These meetings are very informative and helpful, and a lot of good people sharing appreciation for America."

Source

Microsoft Pledges Windows XP Support Until 2014

Although it may be moving down in availability with computer manufacturers it looks like Microsoft is going to be standing by Windows XP for a good while yet. The company has pledged to keep supporting the OS until 2014. According to Microsoft senior VP Bill Veghte, the support will include security patches and "other critical updates," and he adds that "customers who still need Windows XP will be able to get it," despite plans to stop selling a retail product and stop licensing it directly to PC manufacturers after June 30th of this year. This extension means that Microsoft will be supporting the OS for 13 years since its initial release.

News Source: Engadget

Newly Released Google Webmaster Tools API

Webmaster Central blog of the Google has finally announced the vigin release of the Webmaster Tools API via it blog.[its ironical to find solar cooker and cooking related title of the post ].In short the main benifits of the features in this first version of the Webmaster Tools API are as following:

• For Managing Sites (Adding and deleting sites)
  1. Retrieving the Sites feed
  2. Adding a site to an account

Some Free Alternatives to Pricey Software

Most of us don't want to spend $600 for a program to edit pictures (Adobe Photoshop or CS3 Suite) or $400 for a text editor and spreadsheet program. And for those of us that detest Outlook, but like the calendar features, we've felt left out since Thunderbird doesn't offer a calendar in its standard install. And then there's that pesky problem with Adobe Acrobat Professional; unless you are an educational buyer, Adobe Acrobat licenses are a bit on the pricey side.

There are some free alternatives to all of these things that I'd like to share with you today.

Microsoft Office: For most purposes, you can replace the expensive Microsoft Office 2007 with OpenOffice, the free office suite. OO comes with frequent and regular updates and patches, and offers complete versatility. You can even save your text documents in an MSWord format when you're done, so you can send it to your client who doesn't have OO. Open Office also has a spreadsheet program and presentation program, so is virtually a full replacement for the MS Office Suite.

Adobe Photoshop/CS3: If owning Adobe Photoshop is too rich for your budget, and all you're doing is editing your digital photos and making a few signs or drawings, then a decent replacement is GIMP. GIMP provides all the tools you need to crop, resize, adjust, and retouch your photos before you send them to your printer or to the store for printing.

Outlook Calendar: While I am a huge fan of Thunderbird and use it for all of my pop3 and imap email, the one thing missing is a calendar. You can download and install the Lightning plug-in to add a calendar to Thunderbird, or you can download Sunbird instead, which runs as a standalone product. Visit Mozilla.org for these two products.

PDF: Creating PDF's is about 50% of what I do on a daily basis at work. I have Adobe Acrobat Professional at work to accomplish this, but when I'm doing things at home that have nothing to do with work, I am in need of a stable PDF-production tool that won't cost me anything, and gives me all the same tools that Adobe does. I'm using PDF Creator for most things, and find it to have all the tools I need for basic PDF production.

Microsoft Publisher: Need to make a flier, brochure, or handout but don't have MS Publisher? Never fear, Scribus is here to do your dirty work for you. This intuitive, easy-to-use, tiny-footprinted program is the best free tool I've found to replace Publisher and the well-loved Adobe Pagemaker (long gone from Adobe's lineup these days).

QuickBooks: Need to do your home or small business finances but would rather not spend the big dollars to get QuickBooks? Try out TurboCash. And for a $49 optional support fee, you get access to technical support and corruption help, should that ever happen to you.

Why buy it when you can get it for free? That's my motto.

Source

Facebook Suffers it's First App Problem

CNet is reporting that Facebook has banned the "Top Friends" by Slide because it violated the app agreement. The installed application would apparently bypass information a user set to private. CNet found the error and reported it to Facebook. The Social Media giant then suspended the app from running on the site.

There have been a couple other applications that have had security issues, like Super Wall and SuperPoke. Both issues were resolved quickly. I am guessing the Slide apps could not be.

MySpace also has Slide applications on their site. CNet contacted them and they are looking into the matter.

It really is a "Too many Chefs in the Kitchen" scenario here. All it takes is either one mistake of code, or someone like Facebook to make updates that could change the way an application works with the site. Not sure what the case was with Slide. Maybe it's a bigger fix than just plugging a hole, maybe the company was using your information in the wrong way.

I have a Facebook profile (add me as a friend), and I did have this application. My profile is open to all so I didn't notice the problem. I have some other applications on there, too (Feel free to send me a hug or a plant) and new apps appearing daily from friends. I have even went to the extreme as to not accept new applications. It not only clutters up the page but you also don't know what could become a security hole.

Bottom line - a site like this invites error because so many can contribute. Limit the applications and watch those apps you decide to install. Importantly, just because an app looks safe now doesn't mean in 3 months wont have a gaping security hole to it. One small "fix" to the app or to Facebook or MySpace can change all that.

Source

Google Street View Showing more than Expected

A few weeks ago it was a guy in Chicago waiving a gun. Now it's possible Hookers in California. It's turning into a Where's Waldo game - except it's "Who's on Street View"?

I wonder how many hours it takes to scan the Google website to find something interesting to report about. The only thing more hilarious is the fact that Google is not looking at what they are taking pictures of. There are even some people that, when they see the Google car coming, they plan a last minute improvisation. Jalopnik has a couple pictures of that.

So get out there and start scanning the street view. You never know what you are going to see....

Source

Bandwidth Caps used to Force more TV Watching!

Let’s see here. Time Warner Cable provides Internet and Cable Television Service. TV is very profitable for the cable company. The Internet is not because they cannot control it.

Put in place bandwidth caps and you scare people into stopping how much time they spend on the Internet for the fear of going over their bandwidth caps.

So enter Time Warner and those with the highest speed service fully employed will spend about a $1.00 every 6 minutes or so once you bust the cap.

Time Warner does not care about Bandwidth or heavy users, they simply want you to watch more TV that you pay them to watch. Get the full breakdown of Time Warners Bandwidth Caps Cost!

Source

Hilton Hotel Chains Internet Access and other Issues!

Over the past six months I have been traveling a great deal. I have stayed around 40 days in a variety of Hilton properties and another 20 days in Marriot hotel chains. I usually stay in Hilton properties to gain reward points.

Over the past three or four stays at Hilton properties on the east coast, I have been completely frustrated with Internet connectivity and other issues. I will obtain Hilton’s highest VIP status before the end of July which shows I have been a pretty loyal customer but my loyalty is starting to shift.

I am going to put this as nicely as possible, Internet Access has really sucked. The hotels I have been in, have not been full of geeks sucking up bandwidth they have had average occupancy with regular travelers. Here are the main issue and it applies to wired and wireless properties. Continual website time outs, which causes pages to fail to load, very slow connections last hotel had wireless clocking in at 128k up and 128k down with full signal Wi-Fi access.

I swear that the contracted Internet Service providers are blocking access to sites or slowing them to a crawl.

The issues do not stop with Internet Access. My current stay started with the room not even having a desk? Come on now, I have not been in a hotel in 10 years that did not have a desk. While they brought me a desk after I complained they did not bring me a light, ever try to work at a desk without a light. Trip to Target solved that. Guess I will have to pack a lamp from now on.

I would have changed hotels but the hotels are full this weekend. If you are going to cater to business travelers you better have “Good Internet Connectivity”, and room furnishings to support those travelers. My experience with Marriot lately has been the opposite. Great Bandwidth and a Great Business traveler experience.

From here on out I am going to start doing extensive reviews of all of the hotels I stay at. I will name the properties and do my best to make sure they are at the top of the search engine results. Piss Poor service deserves Internet attention so that other business travelers will not have to pull their hair out.

Source

Verizon Please bring FIOS to Hawaii! PLEASE!!

After hearing todays news of Verizon offering some insane speeds to FIOS customers in the 16 states that they have the service available in. I really just wanted to stick my head in a pillow and scream.

Can my headline be anymore obvious? Our broadband service provider Time Warner which has a Virtual Monopoly in Hawaii is getting ready to impose ridiculous bandwidth limits on us. If there was any market that is prime for the service Hawaii is it. But the problem remains that most service providers do not want to pay back haul cost to the US Mainland.

With Verizon introducing new tiers of service with FIOS customers being able to get 50/20 Mbps, and 20/20 Mbps service just completely depresses me.

While I realize that the oceans will probably freeze over before Verizon or some other brave company tries to come to Hawaii and bring this level of service one can only wish.

Well you know what they say about wishing. Wish in One hand and well you know the rest. One things for sure Verizon is not going to be implementing stupid bandwidth limits like AT&T, Time Warner & Sprint are going to!

Way to go Verizon for pushing the envelope!

Source

Verizon Please bring FIOS to Hawaii! PLEASE!!

After hearing todays news of Verizon offering some insane speeds to FIOS customers in the 16 states that they have the service available in. I really just wanted to stick my head in a pillow and scream.

Can my headline be anymore obvious? Our broadband service provider Time Warner which has a Virtual Monopoly in Hawaii is getting ready to impose ridiculous bandwidth limits on us. If there was any market that is prime for the service Hawaii is it. But the problem remains that most service providers do not want to pay back haul cost to the US Mainland.

With Verizon introducing new tiers of service with FIOS customers being able to get 50/20 Mbps, and 20/20 Mbps service just completely depresses me.

While I realize that the oceans will probably freeze over before Verizon or some other brave company tries to come to Hawaii and bring this level of service one can only wish.

Well you know what they say about wishing. Wish in One hand and well you know the rest. One things for sure Verizon is not going to be implementing stupid bandwidth limits like AT&T, Time Warner & Sprint are going to!

Way to go Verizon for pushing the envelope!

Source

Google's Trying to Help with NetNeutrality

"We're trying to develop tools, software tools...that allow people to detect what's happening with their broadband connections, so they can let [ISPs] know that they're not happy with what they're getting -- that they think certain services are being tampered with,"

This came from Google senior policy director Richard Whitt the other day. Google seems to have taken a firm stance on what ISP's are proposing to monitor. And why wouldn't they? In the end, Google would be the one that takes the hit.

People "Google" over any other search site. If you use Firefox, Opera or Safari, you have the Google search right at the top. For IE users, it's just a "Change Default" away. If you run a website with Google Adsense, chances are you are using the Google search engine to bring in a little revenue.

If ISP's start looking at what you do online, then people will stop searching for stuff. Other search sites might pop up to counter the ISP trafficking - masking information so it looks like your searching for flowers when it's really the Hulk movie. Google will loose it's 60-70 percent stature in all internet searches.

Now we all know that you should not download software, music or movies. It gets drilled in our heads on a daily basis. While Google is not trying to promote this, they know that if people need something and don't know where to get it, they will search first. Even if you do know where it is, you still will search for it.

"Feeling Lucky" is Googles' way of getting you to go through their webpage. According to statbrain.com, there are an average 91,201,253 visits per day. If people stop searching on a popular topic, imagine how that number would drop. If they feel they cannot safely go to the site, they will stop going to the site.

I am not saying this is what drives Google to help with Net Neutrality. However, if I was in the search engine market, I would definitely have a project team watching over these items. Any type of policing like this can really hurt on those who's life is online.

I don't torrent nor go to content that could raise a red flag for ISPs. Therefore I would continue to use Google on a constant basis. Even in writing this article I searched on Google about 10 to 12 times. It's really just a way of life on the internet for me. Before Google (and this dates myself), I was Metacrawling and Dog Piling.

So this brings up the question: Would your internet usage drop if you knew people were watching where you were going?

Source

Microsoft gives three-year reprieve to MSN Music users

Microsoft gives three-year reprieve to MSN Music users

Bowing to end user pressure, Microsoft has admitted a change of heart with regard to a decision it announced in April, to discontinue authorization for music downloaded through its old MSN Music service.

French bill would ban Internet use for illegal downloaders

French bill would ban Internet use for illegal downloaders

France's Cultural Minister Christine Albanel introduced a bill to discourage the consumption of pirated media, under the threat of revoking the perpetrator's Internet access. Yesterday, that bill was approved by the Council of Ministers.

Landrush for new Yahoo Mail addresses begins at 3 pm ET

Landrush for new Yahoo Mail addresses begins at 3 pm ET

With hundreds of millions of user names already tapped out, Yahoo has now decided to add two more domains -- ymail.com and rocketmail.com -- to its e-mail addresses for Web users.

Australians will have choice of three carriers for iPhone

Australians will have choice of three carriers for iPhone

Sources told Australian IT Thursday that Telstra will offer the iPhone 3G, making it the third carrier to do so in the country.

Sprint Nextel tries again to hang onto some 800 MHz spectrum

Sprint Nextel tries again to hang onto some 800 MHz spectrum

Late Tuesday, Sprint Nextel filed for an extension in its relinquishment of portions of the 800 MHz spectrum which will be used for public safety purposes.

Apple's iTunes passes 5 billion tracks sold

Apple's iTunes passes 5 billion tracks sold

Continuing its dominance in the music industry, iTunes has passed yet another milestone in its storied history.

First reports of a Firefox 3 vulnerability

First reports of a Firefox 3 vulnerability

A group of researchers collaborating on behalf of security firm TippingPoint has claimed it has written a report concerning a "critical vulnerability" in the just-released Firefox 3.0, and has presented that report to the Mozilla organization.

Verizon sweetens FiOS deal with speed bump

Verizon sweetens FiOS deal with speed bump

Verizon will double its speeds across its entire fiber-based Internet footprint, with promised speeds topping out at 50 Mbps.