Software: Google’s new Toolbar

By | November 24, 2011
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 Google have just launched a new version of their toolbar for Internet Explorer. Toolbars are extra lines of buttons that add themselves to your browser, offering links, pull down menus and whatnot. In this case, Google’s toolbar allows you to do Google searches without actually going to Google’s search page. It’s actually a great tool, although arguably Opera’s built  in toolbar is even better.
 
Google’s new toolbar, 2.0, adds a couple of interesting features. One is designed to block pop-up windows, another helps you fill in online forms by storing your details for you; the third feature is for bloggers like me, adding whatever site your browser is looking at to be added to a blog (this only works for sites running Blogger software, which was recently bought by Google.) Another new feature they don’t mention very much, but which could be useful, is Search Country. Say you have Google Canada set as your search page in the toolbar’s options, then this feature would limit your searches to Canadian websites.
 
Me? I’ve long loved the toolbar, but mainly for its Page Info function, which lets you check out a list of sites similar to the one you’re looking at. Seems that Google aren’t really building on this great feature: in Toolbar 2.0 that button is switched off by default.
 
 

Link: Harry Potter e-book pirates

By | November 24, 2011
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  Harry Potter’s latest oeuvre is circulating on the Internet — as an e-book. Jerry Justianto, who runs a blog on e-publishing, has been tracking it and says it raises interesting commercial and ethical questions.
 
 
“It was available two  days after the official release.  That’s why it does not make sense for publishers not release a legal version.  People just can scan the printed ebook. The moral question is like this:  If I bought the book already can I read the pirated ebook for convenience?”
 
 

Software: MessageTag no longer free

By | November 24, 2011
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 MessageTag, the program that notifies you when your messages are received and opened is no longer available in a free version.
 
 
MSGTAG, which I reviewed (and recommended recently) is now only available in two flavours: MSGTAG PLUS ($20), which works by sending you emails when your mail has been opened, and MSGTAG Status ($60) which runs as a separate dashboard, keeping track of tagged messages and letting you see at a glance whether messages have been received and opened. MSGTG runs on Windows 98, 2000, Me or XP and with any email program which uses the SMTP protocol.
 
MessageTag plan a version for webmail accounts.
 
Although 60 bucks is a bit steep for what you get, I still think it’s a great program and I find I still rely on it. If you’re not sure, try out the $20 version (sadly there’s no trial version available).

Software: Lindows 4.0 is launched

By | November 24, 2011
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 Lindows.com, Inc. announced today the launch of LindowsOS 4.0 ( http://www.lindows.com/40) which “brings industry-first features to Linux desktops such as comprehensive Plug & Play support, ad blocking, spam blocking and pornography blocking along with a continued emphasis on ease-of-use and affordability” (the press release says).
 

 
“The argument from Microsoft against desktop Linux is that it may be affordable from the start, but the long term maintenance destroys those early savings,” said Michael Robertson, chief executive officer of Lndows.com, Inc. “For the first time, LindowsOS 4.0 with its Zero
Maintenance goals makes Linux far easier and lower cost to maintain than a comparable Microsoft Windows XP computer. In addition, we’re leap frogging Microsoft by unveiling a suite of operating system features to help users block spam, ads and pornography from their
desktop.”  
LindowsOS 4.0 is available immediately preinstalled on personal computers from retailers online (http://www.lindows.com/featuredbuilder) and available on CD for $59.95 MSRP (http://www.lindows.com/40) ($49.95 for US digital download only). To locate a retailer visit, http://www.lindows.com/featuredreseller. Users of LindowsOS 3.0 are eligible for a free upgrade to version 4.0 by visiting their “my.lindows” ( my.lindows.com ) account and downloading the software.

Link: Warchalking RIP?

By | November 24, 2011
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 Interesting article by Nick Langley of ComputerWeekly about ‘The demise of the warchalkers’ (warchalkers are those folk who advertise, via street scribblings, the location of publicly available and free Internet access via WiFi points:
“The fall in warchalking has been attributed to the rise in public wireless Lan services, either those that are paid for or laid on by coffee shop owners as an inducement to hang around and buy more muffins. There is also a growing number of community wireless initiatives, providing free wireless broadband in towns and villages – particularly those the broadband providers have passed by.
 
 
“But one comment on www.warchalking.com may give the real reason warchalking is dying. “I am afraid that warchalking is in danger of being washed away by the lack of active chalkers. Perhaps that is the ultimate test. Unless people are prepared to make a record of their netstumbling for the sake of others, warchalking will not last.” “