Phishing. This is not a typo error. But just the same, there is a bait. Go for it, and you’re hooked. Your identity shall flash before you, and taken away in a zap, You’ll be trapped in an intricate net of identity theft and fraudulent cyber activities, where you are nothing but a hapless victim.
Now to define ‘phishing’ in it’s true essence: Computerworld.com states:
Phishing is a technique used to gain personal information for purposes of identity theft, using fraudulent e-mail messages that appear to come from legitimate businesses. These authentic-looking messages are designed to fool recipients into divulging personal data such as account numbers and passwords, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.
Scary, isn’t’ it? Yes, indeed, but you can fight it with knowledge and skills as your first line of defense against these deceiving traps, which more often come through those harmless looking emails. Lifehacker.com tells us to look out for and be cautious of the following:
1. Check the URLs
Phishing emails come like wolves in sheep’s clothing. They’re masters of deceit -- looking like ‘official emails’ and ‘official websites’ from actual and legitimate companies. Their email addresses, website urls look slightly different from the actual company that they’re pretending to represent.
As illustrated, check the URL by pointing your cursor on the link requested for clicking. At the bottom of the page, you will see a URL display. Now use your better judgment, if the URL looks doubtful.
How to detect a fake URL? For instance, the URL of paypal is http://www.paypal.com or sometimes you may see http://subdomain.paypal.com. However, if you see something like http://paypal.anotherdomain.com, this should give you a red alert that something is wrong.
2. Always Go Direct
Instead of clicking links sent to you from an email that require you to fill-out forms and divulge your personal data, why not go direct to the website of the company itself. If you don’t find any form related to the service or information you are trying to avail or data required from you by the company, then you’ll know that it’s a phishing scam.
3. What Your Browser Can Do For You
a. Turn Off Form Autofill:
It may be a great web browser feature to auto fill or remember data that you’ve previously encoded in e-forms, that when you fill-out another form, your data easily and automatically pops-out again. If you want to take an extra precautionary measure against phishing, then it would be best to turn-off this feature from your browser.
b. Utilize Browser’s Built-In Tools
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2012/01/60ce498b5634acd4c4e6a6e9da64329d.jpg
Browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox come built-in with phishing detection systems that flash warning signs whenever a phishing site is detected. This isn’t turned-on by default. It would be best to set it up for your protection.
c. Bump Up Your Phishing Detection with Web of Trust
Most browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera, has Web of Trust as a browser extension. This extension can give an indication whether a website is trustworthy or not. Install it as a browser extension, then a trust rating shall be displayed on the toolbar whenever you open a website.
Now to borrow words of wisdom from an old proverb about teaching a man how to fish: Teach a man phishing detection skills, and keep his life and identity safe and secure.... Got any other phishing scam detection tips?
Believe it or not, your computer could be virus free! Following the heels of our previous blog post about protecting your computer from getting viruses from emails, (see related blog post: You’ve Got Virus in Your Email! 3 Ways How Computer Viruses Enter Through Emails) there are ways and means on how to completely thwart the invasion of viruses and malware on your computer You don’t have to be a geek or a techie dude.
Makeuseof.com recommends these easy to do and follow, 9 simple steps to a virus-worry-free computer and internet usage:
1. Beware of Fake Download / Play Buttons:
Be wary or think twice before hitting or clicking any “play’ or “download” button. Torrent sites or sites where the ‘download’ keyword is often used, fake download / play buttons are usually present in these sites in order to play a dirty trick on site visitors. When in doubt, check the status bar. Makeuseof.com says that “If the domain in the status is different to the site you’re on, it’s probably a malicious advert.” Also use your best judgement or logic. For instance, after you’ve downloaded a software, then you see a ‘play button’ that looks odd and different from the visual style of the website, it’s a sign that it’s unrelated or a fake.
2. Don’t use Internet Explorer:
Internet Explorer has always been a hackers’ easy target, simply because a good number of users don’t bother switching browsers. Don’t be an easy prey. Remember to switch browsers.
3. Hang Up on Cold-Calling Indian Technical Support Agents:
If you get a call that starts with something like this conversation:
“ A: Hi there, I’m from (indecipherable) and we’ve registered an error from your Windows – have you been experiencing any issues with it lately?”
Don’t give in. If you take the call and follow the instructions, you’ll unknowingly give the hacker a “remote control access to your PC”.
4. Ignore Pop-Ups That Have Anything To Do With Security or Viruses:
Makeuseof.com simply advises this basic rule of thumb: “ignore any and all security related messages if you didn’t initiate them yourself...”
This is tricky because if you’ve got your own anti-virus (AV) software, your first instinct would be to think that your AV has detected an infection. Don’t fall into the trap of clicking anything, just ignore. If you get a pop-up message from a windows AV that you’ve never installed, chances are, you’ve already been infected.
5. Avoid Public Torrent Sites Like The Plague:
Makeuseof.com recommends these best new torrent sites. Download from sites with a private tracker.
6. Fake Torrents That Need a Specific Video Player:
If you’ve download a movie from a public torrent site and asks you to download a specific video player in order for you to view the video content, this is already a dead giveaway that you’re being led into the virus black hole. Checking a video content through a VLC player is your best defense. VLC players have built-in codecs that only plays genuine movies or video content.
7. Don’t Open Anything Forwarded To You:
Be wary of emails with attachments that come in the form of flash games, .exe files, or even photos. Most of the time, these emails carry the email addresses of your friends. You know your friends better. If there’s something fishy about the tone of their email messages, never fall into the bait of opening attachments.
8. Don’t search for common utilities in Google:
If you’re searching for common utilities like ‘the best video player’, never do it via Google search. Chances are, you’ll be led to a high ranking site jam-packed with malware. Do more research and ask for expert advice before downloading.
9. Create a non-admin account for general use and family members:
A computer admin account should not be free-for-all. Limit privileges and access by creating a user account for users other than yourself.
The internet is somewhat a dangerous place. Yet, as they say, knowledge is power. Just be armed with these basic knowledge and training, and you’re on your way to the road leading to a virus-free computer haven.
Learn to how spot viruses attached to your emails and block them instantly
Viruses are every computer users’ sworn arch-enemy. Their mission is to replicate, spread, and damage. Just like any other virus on this planet, they populate and multiply by looking for carriers, and pass on from one carrier to the next by modes of interaction. In the computer world, one of the most common ways of interaction is through the harmless little thing that most netizens do -- email. Remember the “I Love You Virus” phenomenon? Indeed, a simple email that had on its subject line the words “I Love You”, caused one of the most devastating and widely spread damage to computer machines and files worldwide. By merely opening a simple email attachment with the filename "LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.txt.", it damaged the machine, files, and multiplied by sending a copy of itself to the first 50 email addresses in a Windows Address Book.
Learn how to spot these innocent-looking and sounding emails. Makeuseof.com has identified the 3 Top Ways People Get Infected by An Email Virus:
1. A Virus As An Email Hoax
Oh how we easily fall for chain letters and do not hesitate on forwarding them to all our contacts. A heartbreaking story of a parent asking for an organ donation of his sick child; a threatening note that says if you don’t forward it to your friends, you will lose your job... we all fall prey to these email hoaxes. Viruses are not always programs. The email is the virus itself. They clog-up our inboxes and mail servers, they make us feel gullible, they waste our time and energy. Think twice before you hit the forward button. Here are sites that could help:
a. About.com: Top 10 lists of latest viruses, virus alerts, and virus hoaxes
b. Hoax-Slayer: get information about email hoaxes, verify credibility of your email sources
2. A Virus In An Email Attachment
The “I Love You Virus” is a classic example. The virus, which comes as an email attachment, has self-replicating characteristics. These attachments that contain viruses are :
a. Executable Programs with file types: .com, .exe, .vbs, .zip, .scr, .dll, .pif, .js
b. Macro Viruses with file types: .doc, .dot, .xls, .xlt
Reading the email won’t do any harm, but opening the attachment opens up the virus for hatching.
So the best line of defense is to read the email, and if it looks suspicious, press delete.
3. A Virus In The Email Body
HTML is now commonly used in email to embed images and links. However, they can also be used as carriers by embedding scripts that can execute a virus and infect your computer. Hence, mail programs block HTMLs and first ask for your consent to display these content and ask you if these come from a trustworthy source. This is a safety precaution that you should always enable.
URLs can also come as wolves in sheeps’ clothing. What seems like a harmless link could either be a doorway that leads to a website of a malicious script, or you may unknowingly download and launch a self-executing virus.
Another basic rule of thumb: Verify your sources. Never open links from suspicious sources.
In a gist, Makeuseof.com recommends you to keep a ‘safety first’ state of mind by doing the following:
- Act smart, not fast.
- Verify the source of any suspicious email before you act.
- Generally, do not blindly forward emails, open attachments and links, or view HTML content.
- Get an antivirus program and regularly update its virus definitions.
- Make sure your mail program is set to not automatically download and open attachments or display HTML content.
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Increase work productivity with online software that block your access to addictive and distracting websites.
Instead of writing a haiku poetry, you “tweet”. In lieu of introducing yourself to someone, you “+1 Add Friend”. You no longer watch funny movies on the big screen, you “LMAO” at viral videos on YouTube. You can’t help but sneak in a quick “RT” or raise your thumbs up to “LIKE” or express yourself with a “comment”. Admit it, you’re an addict. And this form of addiction has greatly affected your productivity and focus on the more important pursuits of life--- like a doing your job, finishing your tasks, making a living...making friends, nurturing relationships, going on dates, bonding with family...
If the internet has somehow put you in dazed and distracted state, the internet also offers antidotes that could help you curb your appetite for these online distractions.
This report from technology website, Mashable, says, “what’s better to fight a software addiction than software itself?
If the internet has somehow put you in dazed and distracted state, the internet also offers antidotes that could help you curb your appetite for these online distractions.
This report from technology website, Mashable, says, “what’s better to fight a software addiction than software itself?
Recommended for those who want to quit cold turkey. Touted as the “grandaddy of the Internet restriction programs”. This software can bar you from surfing the net for up to 8 hours at a time. The $10 program is such a small price to pay for bringing back your productivity.
3. RESCUETIME
This website gives it to you in-your-face. At the end of the day, the software reads out your online web activities, making you realize how much of your time was spent on sites that steered you out of focus.
This website gives it to you in-your-face. At the end of the day, the software reads out your online web activities, making you realize how much of your time was spent on sites that steered you out of focus.
4. WRITE ROOM (for Mac) and DARK ROOM (for PC)
Getting a spell of writer’s block? Well, perhaps you should focus on nothing but --- writing! The Write Room (for Mac) and the Dark Rom (for PC) are programs that allow you to use your PC only as a word processor for a certain period of time.
Now that’s what you call ‘getting a dose of your own medicine’. These apps could help save the day and get you a life -- a quality and productive one at that.
Got any other helpful tips on how to make your computer time more productive?
Getting a spell of writer’s block? Well, perhaps you should focus on nothing but --- writing! The Write Room (for Mac) and the Dark Rom (for PC) are programs that allow you to use your PC only as a word processor for a certain period of time.
Now that’s what you call ‘getting a dose of your own medicine’. These apps could help save the day and get you a life -- a quality and productive one at that.
Got any other helpful tips on how to make your computer time more productive?
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Here are a compiled list of countdowns of gadgets and gizmos galore that marked the year 2011:
Facebook Names Top Games of 2011
- Gardens of Time (by Playdom)
- The Sims Social (by EA)
- Cityville (by Zynga)
- DoubleDown Casino (by DoubleDown Entertainment)
- Indiana Jones Adventure World (by Zynga)
- Words With Friends (by Zynga)
- Bingo Blitz (by Buffalo Studios)
- Empires & Allies (by Zynga)
- Slotomania-Slot Machines (by Playtika)
- Diamond Dash (by wooga)
How about you, were you still plowing the fields of your farm or grooming your pet in 2011? Guess it’s time to move on...
Top 10 Apps Downloaded in 2011
Mashable reports that a mobile analytics app company called Distimo surveyed and gathered data from platforms such as iOS and Android to round-up the 10 Most Downloaded Apps of 2011. The Angry birds are flying high and lording over this list.
1. Angry Birds
2. Facebook
3. Skype
4. Angry Birds Rio
5. Google Maps
6. iBooks
7. Angry Birds Seasons
8. Fruit Ninja
9. Talking Tom
10. Twitter
This year, have you learned how to fly, through a sling shot, and kick some mean and green egg-stealing pigs?
Most Popular How-To Guides of 2011
Lifehacker.com is a go to website for a multitude tips and tricks on how to make your computer use more productive. Here’s a compilation of the most popular how-tos and walkthroughs that may have made digital life much more rosy for you in 2011:
2. Facebook
3. Skype
4. Angry Birds Rio
5. Google Maps
6. iBooks
7. Angry Birds Seasons
8. Fruit Ninja
9. Talking Tom
10. Twitter
This year, have you learned how to fly, through a sling shot, and kick some mean and green egg-stealing pigs?
Most Popular How-To Guides of 2011
Lifehacker.com is a go to website for a multitude tips and tricks on how to make your computer use more productive. Here’s a compilation of the most popular how-tos and walkthroughs that may have made digital life much more rosy for you in 2011:
1. Facebook Is Tracking Your Every Move on the Web; Here's How to Stop It
2. The Always Up-To-Date Guide to Rooting Any Android Phone
3. How to Build a Hackintosh Mini for a Less Expensive, Faster Mac
4. Learn to Code: The Full Beginner's Guide
5. The Cheapskate's Guide to Getting Free Dropbox Space
6. The Best PCs You Can Build for $600 and $1200
7. Turn an Old Computer into a Networked Backup, Streaming, or Torrenting Machine with FreeNAS
8. How to Make Your iPhone (or Other iOS Device) More Like Android
9. How to Completely Anonymize Your BitTorrent Traffic with BTGuard
10. How to Build a Computer from Scratch: The Complete Guide
11. How to Get iOS 5's Biggest Features in Android Right Now
12. What Is UPnP and How Do I Use it to Stream Media to My TV?
Geek.com’s top games of 2011
The games that geeks play. Check out if your game belongs to this A-list of the video games:
This list doesn’t stop with a countdown. Geek.com has come up with special awards for the games that defined the year 2011:
Now for gadgets and gizmos, here are some of CNET.com’s countdowns -- The Winners, The Forgettables, and The Maybe Next Years.
The Winners: “The game-changers of 2011”. The cream-of-the-crop gadgets, considered to be the best in it’s category.
- Bastion
- Batman: Arkham City
- Battlefield 3
- Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3
- Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Gears of War 3
- Infinity Blade 2
- LA Noire
- Limbo
- Minecraft
- Portal 2
- Super Mario Land 3D
- Sword and Sorcery EP
- Uncharted 3
- Witcher 2
- Zelda: Skyward Sword
This list doesn’t stop with a countdown. Geek.com has come up with special awards for the games that defined the year 2011:
Best Game in App Form: Mega Mall Story
Best Handheld Game (non-app): Super Mario Land 3D
Best Downloadable: Bastion
Biggest Disappointment: Duke Nuke Forever
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 vs. Battlefield 3… FIGHT: Battlefield 3
Sleeper Hit: Yakuza 4
Best Rogue-like: Dungeons of Dredmor
Best Game without Bloodshed: Forza 4
Most Overrated Game: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Game of the Year: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Now for gadgets and gizmos, here are some of CNET.com’s countdowns -- The Winners, The Forgettables, and The Maybe Next Years.
The Winners: “The game-changers of 2011”. The cream-of-the-crop gadgets, considered to be the best in it’s category.
1. The iPhone 4s
2. Motorola Droid Razr
3. Android Ice Cream Sandwich
4. iPad 2
5. Kindle Fire
6. Kindle
7. MacBook Air
8. Roku LT
9. Nest Learning Thermostat
10.Voice Control: Siri and Kinect
Have you filled your shopping cart with these winning gadgets?
2. Motorola Droid Razr
3. Android Ice Cream Sandwich
4. iPad 2
5. Kindle Fire
6. Kindle
7. MacBook Air
8. Roku LT
9. Nest Learning Thermostat
10.Voice Control: Siri and Kinect
Have you filled your shopping cart with these winning gadgets?
The Forgettables: There was much ado about these gadgets, yet nothing came out of it. They’re now here relegated to the archives of 2011’s forgettables.
1. Acer Iconia dual-screen laptop
2. Blockbuster movie pass
3. Dell Streak 7
4. Dual-screen phones
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1
6. Motorola Xoom
7. Nintendo 3DS
8. Rage, Brink, Duke Nukem Forever
9. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
10. Toshiba glasses-free 3D laptop
11. Bonus: Qwikster
12. Bonus: Dell XPS 14z
13. Bonus: Chromebooks
Do you happen to have one of these gadgets? Are they tucked somewhere in your closet now?
The Maybe Next Years: The geek prophets of tech foretold of their coming, yet, we’re still here waiting for their market debut. Well, maybe next year....
2. Blockbuster movie pass
3. Dell Streak 7
4. Dual-screen phones
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1
6. Motorola Xoom
7. Nintendo 3DS
8. Rage, Brink, Duke Nukem Forever
9. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
10. Toshiba glasses-free 3D laptop
11. Bonus: Qwikster
12. Bonus: Dell XPS 14z
13. Bonus: Chromebooks
Do you happen to have one of these gadgets? Are they tucked somewhere in your closet now?
The Maybe Next Years: The geek prophets of tech foretold of their coming, yet, we’re still here waiting for their market debut. Well, maybe next year....
1. Glasses-free 3D TVs
2. All-day batteries
3. Alternative-energy products
4. Great cloud storage
5. Color e-ink e-readers
6. True intelligent voice recognition
7. A password solution
8. A true iPad alternative
9. Smarter TVs
10. Next-gen game consoles
Ever seen the movie “Back To the Future 2”? A lot of the stuff in there are still part of our imagination. But who knows, they just might pop-up next year...
MakeUseOf recommends these 6 great geeky gift ideas that are easy on the pocket
Tech and geek gadgets could normally cost you an arm and a leg. When Christmas shopping budget is limited, yet you want to share and spread some techie spirit this Christmas season, you’ve got to be creative and practical.
Fill your friends’ Christmas stockings with these awesome and geeky gift ideas...
Flash Drives
Fill your friends’ Christmas stockings with these awesome and geeky gift ideas...
Flash Drives
Give the gift of storage. Your friends will surely love 16gb drives that would give them more room for their files. You can score this super useful device for under $20. Now if you really want to impress, you better pimp that drive! Load it up with software of your favorite programs. Your non-geeky friends could be eternally grateful to you for introducing it to them. And yes, some of the best software are free! Find some of them here: best of Windows, Mac and Linux pages and free technology manuals.
Games
Nintendo Selects
Nintendo still has got great games that are now only $20. For someone who owns as Wii, give them the gift of fun and challenge with Twilight Princess or Super Mario Galaxy.Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People
Nintendo Selects
Nintendo still has got great games that are now only $20. For someone who owns as Wii, give them the gift of fun and challenge with Twilight Princess or Super Mario Galaxy.
Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People
For $30, Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People is an online game for your friends who may have forgotten that this game is a source of delight.
Apple’s Refurb Store
A is for awesome and Apple! Apple’s refurbished store is a treasure trove of goodies. Apple products are indeed pricey, but buying from their refurb store could sometimes save you about $300. And what’s more, you still get Apple’s one year warranty. That’s safety, reliability, and security tucked under your belt, compared to buying used Apple gadgets.
Flip HD Cameras
Do you have a youtube sensation or viral video star for a friend, who’s still strutting his/her stuff on a web cam? For only about $50, you can give the gift of freedom and movement. Yeah, let your friend’s star shine brighter on video with this pocket-sized flip HD camera.
How about adding your own geeky gift ideas to this list?
For $30, Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People is an online game for your friends who may have forgotten that this game is a source of delight.
Apple’s Refurb Store
A is for awesome and Apple! Apple’s refurbished store is a treasure trove of goodies. Apple products are indeed pricey, but buying from their refurb store could sometimes save you about $300. And what’s more, you still get Apple’s one year warranty. That’s safety, reliability, and security tucked under your belt, compared to buying used Apple gadgets.
Flip HD Cameras
Do you have a youtube sensation or viral video star for a friend, who’s still strutting his/her stuff on a web cam? For only about $50, you can give the gift of freedom and movement. Yeah, let your friend’s star shine brighter on video with this pocket-sized flip HD camera.
How about adding your own geeky gift ideas to this list?
A is for awesome and Apple! Apple’s refurbished store is a treasure trove of goodies. Apple products are indeed pricey, but buying from their refurb store could sometimes save you about $300. And what’s more, you still get Apple’s one year warranty. That’s safety, reliability, and security tucked under your belt, compared to buying used Apple gadgets.
Do you have a youtube sensation or viral video star for a friend, who’s still strutting his/her stuff on a web cam? For only about $50, you can give the gift of freedom and movement. Yeah, let your friend’s star shine brighter on video with this pocket-sized flip HD camera.
How about adding your own geeky gift ideas to this list?
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The new Gmail is not all about looks. Check out how it can help you improve
your email and task management effeciency.
In the past few months, Google has been undergoing major developments, particularly in the areas of social media -- with the launch of Google+ and Google+ pages for business. These business development moves by Google also furbished-up some make overs in Gmail -- Google’s email platform. They stealthily revealed the changes in Gmail with an unobtrusive simple text that says "Switch to the new look" -- a link appearing in the bottom-right corner of Gmail.
Gmail’s Got the Look!
Gmail’s Got the Look!
Clicking on "Switch to the new look" will take you to a cleaner and a more modern look. Yet, colours are placed in all the right places where emphasis is required. The ‘compose’ button, the labels, the ‘stars’ add color to the minimalist interface.
Gmail’s Got the Moves!
6. Canned Responses, Quicklinks, Unread Message Icons, Multiple Inboxes, Smart Labels... these are some of the advanced functionalities or ‘Labs’ developed by the Gmail Team for your testing and experimentation. Find the fuctionalities that best suit your needs. Here are the recommended Gmail Labs You Should Enable.
7. Gmail’s settings are loaded with customization options. You can further push and tweak these functions using extentions for your browser. Find more about using Extensions and Userscripts
8. Manage All Your Email Accounts from Gmail. The topsy-turvy days of opening multiple windows and/or tabs are over. If you’ve got email addresses from different email platform providers, Gmail embraces them all and can put them all together as one big happy family.
9. Majority of Gmail’s functions rely on the internet, but it could also manage and work together with your desktop while you’re not in your browser. Find out how to Integrate Gmail with the Desktop.
If you want to go and explore Gmail further, check out Gmail's support pages, and read up on the Become a Gmail Ninja page.
The ‘conversations’ panel now resembles that of a social media’s comment section where the profile picture of the sender is visible.
Search and filters are simpler, streamlined, with easy and slick navigations.
Images of themes are now in HD and is spread all across the screen.
Gmail’s Got the Moves!
Like Jagger, Gmail -- both old and new, has got tried and tested tricks in the bag that could help you effectively manage and organize your emails, thereby saving you time and effort.
Lifehacker.com is now taking you to the floor where can learn the moves and groove your way to master Gmail’s best features:
1. Customize the look and feel of your inbox.
Click here to find out more about Tweaking Gmail's New Layout
Lifehacker.com is now taking you to the floor where can learn the moves and groove your way to master Gmail’s best features:
1. Customize the look and feel of your inbox.
Click here to find out more about Tweaking Gmail's New Layout
2. Even a mouse could learn some tricks. Put an end to never-ending mouse clicking. Drag and drop, shift-click are Mouse Shortcuts that you’d definitely find amusing.
3. If you are married to your keyboard, then Gmail has ‘enabled keyboard shortcuts’ that could make your keyboard use a carefree and blissful experience.
Check this out to find the most useful Keyboard Shortcuts to enhance your productivity.
4. Seek and you shall find...Gmail is fulfilling this promise by enabling a “search-based philosophy, in which you can perform very advanced searches throughout your entire inbox using operators”. Click here to learn more about Advanced Searches and Filters.
Check this out to find the most useful Keyboard Shortcuts to enhance your productivity.
4. Seek and you shall find...Gmail is fulfilling this promise by enabling a “search-based philosophy, in which you can perform very advanced searches throughout your entire inbox using operators”. Click here to learn more about Advanced Searches and Filters.
5. Oh, so those stars and small arrows mean something! ...Yes, in fact, it might just save your day, your job... help keep your important emails from falling through the cracks.
A must: Useful Settings You Should Enable
A must: Useful Settings You Should Enable
6. Canned Responses, Quicklinks, Unread Message Icons, Multiple Inboxes, Smart Labels... these are some of the advanced functionalities or ‘Labs’ developed by the Gmail Team for your testing and experimentation. Find the fuctionalities that best suit your needs. Here are the recommended Gmail Labs You Should Enable.
7. Gmail’s settings are loaded with customization options. You can further push and tweak these functions using extentions for your browser. Find more about using Extensions and Userscripts
8. Manage All Your Email Accounts from Gmail. The topsy-turvy days of opening multiple windows and/or tabs are over. If you’ve got email addresses from different email platform providers, Gmail embraces them all and can put them all together as one big happy family.
9. Majority of Gmail’s functions rely on the internet, but it could also manage and work together with your desktop while you’re not in your browser. Find out how to Integrate Gmail with the Desktop.
If you want to go and explore Gmail further, check out Gmail's support pages, and read up on the Become a Gmail Ninja page.
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Very helpful tips and tricks on how to maximize the power of
Google in your internet life.
Students doing research papers who are reading this, pay attention! This one might just be your saving grace to get that passing grade, or manna from heaven that could give you a grade of A+.
“Google it.” “I’m googling it.” Google has not only become a household word. It is now a verb used in everyday conversation. It is a destination. It is a fulfillment of the promise ‘seek and you shall find’. It is like powerful life force or energy that we use and encounter everyday, yet internet statisticians say that “3 out of 4 students could not perform a well-executed search on Google.” There is so much Google power to be unlocked, for us to utilize its full potential.
Makeuseof.com has published this infographics by HackCollege. Here are :
“Google it.” “I’m googling it.” Google has not only become a household word. It is now a verb used in everyday conversation. It is a destination. It is a fulfillment of the promise ‘seek and you shall find’. It is like powerful life force or energy that we use and encounter everyday, yet internet statisticians say that “3 out of 4 students could not perform a well-executed search on Google.” There is so much Google power to be unlocked, for us to utilize its full potential.
Makeuseof.com has published this infographics by HackCollege. Here are :
- The basics of “how to google” and how “operators” produce more specific results compared to generic search terms
- Meet the “Google Scholar” which could unearth for you a wealth of academic and scholar resources -- giving you credible citations and references for your research work
- Pull out a bag of Google tricks or quick solutions to definitions, calculators, and unit converters
- Make life easy with keyboard shortcuts using the command or control keys on your computer.
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Weigh the options and know the factors to consider before you join the tablet bandwagon.
Tablets -- they’re also the kind the you can buy over the counter, over the internet. They’re everywhere. Everyone is hooked. You are mesmerized by it’s sleek and seductive frame. Compared to your laptop or desktop computer, this baby is really sexy. Research firm Gartner says that over 63 million tablets were purchased in 2011 alone. You are now convinced that you should make yourself count, be part of this whopping statistics. But hold on to your horses for a while. There are a myriad of choices now -- a slew of brands, features, and a range of prices. Which is best? Or better yet, consider if it could best serve your needs compared to purchasing an upgrade or new laptop?
Laptopmag.com provides a prescription of 5 Questions to ask before buying a tablet:
- most intuitive interface
- more than 14,000 dedicated apps from games, to videos, to productivity tools, and music
- best selection of accessories
- iCloud synchs media and documents across multiple devices
- only comes in a single size
- Android has more variety in terms of product features and specifications
Android Pros and Cons:
- easy task switching
- hi-res display
- multiple homescreens customizable with widgets
- more hardware choices
- some varieties can run with a pen input like the ThinkPad Tablet, others can include keyboards like ASUS Eee Pad Slider
- offers much fewer apps compared to the iPad
- the Honeycomb interface can be complicated to use
- Windows 7 tablets are not recommended due to ‘touch un-friendly’ system, higher priced, shorter battery life
- best to wait for a Windows8 system in 2012
- 10 inch tablet 16GB with wifi ranges from $400 - $500
- 32GB iPad 2 cost $599; 64GB iPad 2 costs $699
-save your files on a cloud and save your money too by getting the 8GB or 16GB memory
- 10 inch Android tablets cost less than the iPad, sells for less than $400
- an 8 to 10 inch tablet has a bigger canvas and works best for surfing the net, watching videos, editing documents
- 10 inch tablets work best for entertainment and productivity tasks
- the mobile broadband-enabled varieties are more premium priced, plus you need to pay for your carrier’s broadband charges
- the Android tablets carry their own stores. Brands like Samsung, HTC, Sony, Kindle, have their own stores where they sell music, videos, books, apps, games.
- Third party apps are also available to download
Can your tablet replace your trusty old laptop, or would it be wiser to upgrade or buy a new laptop instead? Here are the Tablet pros and cons:
1. Tablets have more battery life.
2. Tablets are lighter, smaller, easier to carry than a laptop.
3. Tablets are more affordable, starting as low as $199
4. Productivity and storage software are now available like Quickoffice and cloudservices such as Dropbox.
5. Since apps are reliant on the internet, tablets are not very reliable without internet connectivity
6. Laptop keyboards are more comfortable to use compared to a tablet’s touch screen interface.
7. Laptops are more reliable for specific tasks such as word processing and photo and video editing.
8. Laptops have bigger and sharper screens
9. Laptops make it easier for you to multi-task because you can open and switch on multiple screens
Laptopmag.com offers yet this simple and quick guide to keep in mind in order to help you decide: “Tablets are better for play and some work, and laptops are better for work and some play.”
Laptopmag.com provides a prescription of 5 Questions to ask before buying a tablet:
1. iPad or Android? It’s Google Android operating system vs. Apple’s IOS
Ipad + IOS Pros and Cons:- most intuitive interface
- more than 14,000 dedicated apps from games, to videos, to productivity tools, and music
- best selection of accessories
- iCloud synchs media and documents across multiple devices
- only comes in a single size
- Android has more variety in terms of product features and specifications
Android Pros and Cons:
- easy task switching
- hi-res display
- multiple homescreens customizable with widgets
- more hardware choices
- some varieties can run with a pen input like the ThinkPad Tablet, others can include keyboards like ASUS Eee Pad Slider
- offers much fewer apps compared to the iPad
- the Honeycomb interface can be complicated to use
- Windows 7 tablets are not recommended due to ‘touch un-friendly’ system, higher priced, shorter battery life
- best to wait for a Windows8 system in 2012
2. How much do you want to spend?
- 7 inch tablet ranges from $200 - $300- 10 inch tablet 16GB with wifi ranges from $400 - $500
- 32GB iPad 2 cost $599; 64GB iPad 2 costs $699
-save your files on a cloud and save your money too by getting the 8GB or 16GB memory
- 10 inch Android tablets cost less than the iPad, sells for less than $400
3. What size screen do you need?
- a 7inch tablet is lightweight and can easily fit in a purse, yet you may not get the full experience- an 8 to 10 inch tablet has a bigger canvas and works best for surfing the net, watching videos, editing documents
- 10 inch tablets work best for entertainment and productivity tasks
4. Do you need mobile broadband?
- consider 3G or 4G when your usage is within an area where wifi is always available- the mobile broadband-enabled varieties are more premium priced, plus you need to pay for your carrier’s broadband charges
5. Where will you get content?
- iPad has iTunes where the Apple Store offers music, videos, games, apps, books, magazines- the Android tablets carry their own stores. Brands like Samsung, HTC, Sony, Kindle, have their own stores where they sell music, videos, books, apps, games.
- Third party apps are also available to download
Can your tablet replace your trusty old laptop, or would it be wiser to upgrade or buy a new laptop instead? Here are the Tablet pros and cons:
1. Tablets have more battery life.
2. Tablets are lighter, smaller, easier to carry than a laptop.
3. Tablets are more affordable, starting as low as $199
4. Productivity and storage software are now available like Quickoffice and cloudservices such as Dropbox.
5. Since apps are reliant on the internet, tablets are not very reliable without internet connectivity
6. Laptop keyboards are more comfortable to use compared to a tablet’s touch screen interface.
7. Laptops are more reliable for specific tasks such as word processing and photo and video editing.
8. Laptops have bigger and sharper screens
9. Laptops make it easier for you to multi-task because you can open and switch on multiple screens
Laptopmag.com offers yet this simple and quick guide to keep in mind in order to help you decide: “Tablets are better for play and some work, and laptops are better for work and some play.”
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5 Easy Steps To Set-up Your Own Google+ Business Page
There’s no denying that Facebook was one of the catalysts that revolutionized the way businesses or brands interact with their consumers. Facebook has created some sort of a megaphone for businesses to communicate with their consumers; while in turn, consumers have been given a platform to air or vent out their thoughts and opinions directly to these businesses.
A few weeks ago, Google has come up with their own Facebook-like social media platform intended primarily for business -- Google+ business pages. With Google’s stature as the tycoon of search engines and search queries, you, as a business or brand would definitely want to be easily ‘searchable’ on Google. An article from socialmediatoday.com reports that Google created “Google Direct Connect which allows those who look for a business page to find its G+ profile straight from Google search”. This can be done by simply typing in “+company or business/brand name”, which will then lead the searcher to the brand’s Google+ profile page.
If you were a business, you’d definitely want to be part of Google’s search ‘circles’. Here are Hubspot.com’s 5 Easy Steps To Set-up Your Own Google+ Business Page:
2. Create a Page with the Desired Account
Visit http://plus.google.com/pages/create, and find the option to get you started.
Find the appropriate classification for your business.
Fill-in your basic information such as business name, website URL, and other required information.
Facebook fanpages + Google+ Business pages = “Likes” and “Circles”
Media and bloggers have often highlighted the face-off between these two platforms. But let’s look at it from the perspective that ‘the king of search’ vs. ‘the king of users/page visitors’ may just be the winning formula that could spell social media marketing success for your business.
A few weeks ago, Google has come up with their own Facebook-like social media platform intended primarily for business -- Google+ business pages. With Google’s stature as the tycoon of search engines and search queries, you, as a business or brand would definitely want to be easily ‘searchable’ on Google. An article from socialmediatoday.com reports that Google created “Google Direct Connect which allows those who look for a business page to find its G+ profile straight from Google search”. This can be done by simply typing in “+company or business/brand name”, which will then lead the searcher to the brand’s Google+ profile page.
If you were a business, you’d definitely want to be part of Google’s search ‘circles’. Here are Hubspot.com’s 5 Easy Steps To Set-up Your Own Google+ Business Page:
1. Choose an Accessible Gmail Account
= set-up a separate Gmail account that can be accessible to multiple users in your marketing team.2. Create a Page with the Desired Account
Visit http://plus.google.com/pages/create, and find the option to get you started.
Find the appropriate classification for your business.
Fill-in your basic information such as business name, website URL, and other required information.
3. Customize Your Public Profile
Add your tagline, profile image / business logo.4. Promote Your Page
Google has a built-in access button for you to ‘get the word out / spread the word’ about your page. But before you do this, do your homework. Optimize your page by sharing updates, adding and sharing links.5. Get Going!
Engage your users, share content regularly, encourage them to share their reactions, then respond to their comments and questions. Your page should be able to generate leads for your business.Facebook fanpages + Google+ Business pages = “Likes” and “Circles”
Media and bloggers have often highlighted the face-off between these two platforms. But let’s look at it from the perspective that ‘the king of search’ vs. ‘the king of users/page visitors’ may just be the winning formula that could spell social media marketing success for your business.
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