TechPaparazzi » Web 2.0 Apps

Real-time Group Chat for twitter users.

Sarv007 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:38:58 +0000

Facebook users enjoying in-built chats on the social network, this is what twitter users misses. Twitter account owners have yet to be given a built-in chatting interface by the microblogging service network. The result is third-party apps trying to provide this feature. And they are really good!

Now by signing up with a third party app and granting it access to Twitter account, you and other Twitter friends who have activated these apps can chat with one another. Here are some great twitter chat apps options:-

1.Blither is a Twitter client that is free to use. The tool lets you chat with your Twitter friends in a unsophisticated way. When you first visit the tool’s website, you start by granting it access it to your Twitter account. You can then create a chat group from within Blither’s user-interface by typing in the names of people you want to chat with and typing in a subject for the group.

2.Bonfire is a Twitter client that blends live chatting within Twitter’s interface. Seeing as how Facebook users were excited about Chat’s inclusion in the social network and continue to actively use it today, the developers of Bonfire felt an instant messaging application for Twitter was direly needed – and they were right.

3.TodaysMeet is a free to use website which allows your meeting attendees to give you feedback on the meeting. The site is very convenient to use for attendees as it does not require them to sign up for an account.

4.Tagch.At is a free to use web service that lets you access chat rooms according to the hashtags of the appropriate topics on Twitter. When you enter the chat room you are given a nickname that you can change by signing into Twitter.

5. t.imo.im lets you send a chat invite to any of your followers through a DM or a @mention, and once they log into t.imo.im using their Twitter credentials, they can start chatting with you. It is not the simplest chat tool out there and is a bit of a hassle, but works great if the people you want to chat with can only be found on Twitter.

Container Cargo Tracking Through iPhone

Sarv007 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:39:00 +0000

Container cargo tracking occurs when someone observes or watches the shipping of a cargo vessel (that which holds the possessions or goods) as it leaves from the place of origin to the cargo’s destination. Cargo containers are large boxes (often metal) that are placed in massive shipping vessels and shipped to an intended place. “Container cargo tracking,” refers to the monitoring of shipping containers by way of the Apple iPhone.

Apple iPhones contain global positioning system (GPS) capability, which means they can send signals to and receive signals from satellites that are placed all across the globe. These signals allow you to see where any given object is at any given time on earth. All that is needed for the IPhone GPS capability to function is a GPS mobile phone application. Mobile phone applications often comes as downloads. With your IPhone, you can actually download a mobile phone application from the Internet directly onto your IPhone! The GPS application serves as a window or “server” by which the GPS function operates.

In the same way you need a GPS mobile phone application to experience GPS capability, you also need a mobile phone application in order to track cargo containers. The following are examples of container cargo tracking mobile phone applications:

TrackThat
gTrax (AIS Vessel Tracking)
Safmarine Freight Tracking App for IPhone
TrackThis

TrackThis has 13 carriers, chief among them FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL, TNT, Aramex, Smartpost, Canada Post, CEVA, DHL UK, UK City Link, and UPS Mail Innovations. TrackThat provides what are called “push updates,” where you receive a notification via your cell phone every time a package or shipment of yours moves from one county, city, or state to another. To access the TrackThis container tracker, you must create a TrackThis account and download the TrackThis mobile phone application.

How does TrackThis work? First, go to the TrackThis website (http://www.usetrackthis.com/) on your IPhone and place your tracking code in the section labeled “start tracking.” You can choose a nickname for your package or not. There are other features on the page, such as deciding whether or not you will track your packages on facebook and twitter as well.

The advantages of TrackThis are that 1) you can track all of your packages in the same place because of the various carriers the mobile phone application can track, and 2) you can track your packages by way of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.

GTrax is another container cargo tracking mobile phone application put out by MIS Development and Refresh Media that tracks cargo containers in sea vessels to aid mariners in ocean shipping. GTrax uses certain antennas to find a commercial vessel in the water and send a signal back to your iPhone as to the location of the cargo container and vessel carrier. Once the antennas find the commercial vessel within the range, the iPhone will show the vessel location via Google maps.

Both TrackThis and gTrax are examples of container cargo trackers that have been turned into mobile phone applications for your Apple iPhone. There are many container cargo tracker mobile phone applications out on the market…but you will not know what they are, how they work, and which ones are best until you get out there and try them. To use the French wishing-well, “Bonne chance!”

Author Box

The article is written by Calvin Scott. Calvin has fascination for new and emerging technologies. He basically wants to transform the landscape of education and learning. Visit his site for container verhuur and zeecontainer huren.

Why Cloud Computing is Just a Pie in the Sky?

Sarv007 — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:37:50 +0000

Cloud Computing is now regarded as the next big stage in the internet development. It’s the internet “cloud” that’s going to enable businesses access a centralized hub in order to run software tools, storage and processing. But it still seems to be a Pie in the sky and the reasons for this belief are many. We shall understand more on this new term and also discuss why cloud computing is utterly impractical.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing moves computation to web in form of a service, which is web-based. Cloud computing is different from grid or utility computing. In Cloud computing, institutions contract with the internet vendors for computational resources. Cloud computing in simpler terms is the use of multiple servers via single digital network. These servers can be accessed through computer, tablet, notebook, smartphone or any other device. Cloud Computing is a process in which storage is done with the help of a cloud server.

How is Cloud computing aims to benefit you?

It’s the software that will always boast of targeting to match up your needs in the first place. You have a choice in the features that you require and also in payment plans. These plans let you begin with a package that covers all the present needs in addition to the ‘additional’ service which reflects business growth. Here are a few things you would like to know about Cloud Computing -

Cloud services aim to afford connection so that you can access crucial business information just anywhere and anytime. Flexibility in operation and secure access through web browser is something that you can’t miss!
Bid farewell to data back-up because now your cloud service provider will be responsible for storing your information in targeted “data centers” with minimal risk of damage. It’s time for you to stay relaxed even when your PC or mobile device is lost or stolen – you know you still have your data backed up!
Cloud services offer you low initial costs and trial arrangements that further enable effective evaluation of applications.

Cloud Computing: Limitations & Concerns

Most of us are aware of this new term because we are already using it as in software used for web-based banking or in income tax. Now, this is a well understood fact that the software does not run on a personal machine – it rather runs in, what you call, “cloud”. Here both your machine and your web browser is a client. But is anyone actually bothered about the OS or database Google is using? As a user, we simply login to the software.

One of the most important points of concern is that Cloud computing is ‘internet-based’. So, the immediate question that arrives next to this is whether the internet connection utilized by this service is actually capable of handling the demands of your applications. People spend good sums of money on the high-end communications for the sake of supercomputers and scientific clusters. These are the networks that actually have low-latency and Cloud computing depends largely on the internet communications infrastructure.

There are possible concerns for running applications in the cloud that are data-intensive. Cloud Computing can be a hard achieved dream in a time when high end internet connected HPC sites with several 10 gigabit links are struggling. There are multiple other issues that affect performance in an environment of cloud computing.

Cloud computing can be seen as a pie in the sky, even though it is generating good deal of interest, as its scope is somewhere bogged down by its potential limitations. In future, we might see more modifications in this concept but for the time being it is certainly nothing much more than just a ‘pie in the sky’.

Get Free Cloud Computing eBook- The User’s Perspective.

About the Author:

The above article is composed and edited by Eva K. She is associated with many technology and designing communities including Cell Phone Expert as their freelance writer and adviser. In her free time she writes articles related to technology, mobile applications, cell phones, etc.

Google Maps 6.0 for Android featuring Indoor Mapping

Sarv007 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:45:01 +0000

Introduction

Google Maps have been available for the Android smartphones since the beginning but recently, a new update have been launched and the new Google Maps 6.0 update is now available for the android operating system. This latest update has a major change along with a few minor improvements and this particular update is known to be the most significant update for the application so far as a new feature has been launched which is known as indoor mapping.

Features

Basically, the new version of the Google Maps focuses on indoor navigation and therefore, you can easily find individual departments such as ATM machines, bathrooms, Exits and Entrances in shopping malls, huge supermarkets and large stores. The new update is also designed to show a detailed view on the information of several locations within the top 18 airports in the United States. There are several major structures fully supported by Google maps and these include:

The giant retail store IKEA
The Chicago O Hare Airport
Hartsfield Jackson international airport
The San Francisco international airport
Bloomingdales
Macy’s
Home depot

The manager at Google Maps claimed that this is the major feature worked on in the latest version in the application and the Google Maps was lacking the sole feature. A lot of people usually get lost inside huge shopping malls and retail stores and they can’t get find where they are or can’t find certain places without asking the people nearby. Therefore, this new update provides an ease for indoor locations and now users of the Google Maps can easily locate themselves and find places indoor as well. Currently, the application can give location details and information for over 30 feet from where the consumer is located.

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

Problems faced at early stages

Previously, using GPS indoor was difficult and the main problem was to understand the blue dot stating the location of the user. The 3D environment added to the problems faced by individuals previously in indoor GPS use. Also, there were problems due to the lost signals and GPS was not usually available indoor especially underground and at different stores. However, Google has taken information from several buildings which has led to the increase in GPS strength using the detailed information from various buildings and the floor plans. Therefore, GPS services will now be available in the basement as well on the top floors of a building. Also, the new blue dot in the Google Maps gives a detailed location of where the user is inside the building example in a specific shop.

Conclusion

Google Maps have been making the application more and more useful by including new features such as the street view and by including most of the parks in the application. Now, a fully informative indoor GPS is features. There have been no news for the other operating systems such as the Apple iOS and the 6.0 version of the maps has only been released on the Android operating system as yet. The new Google Maps application also uses a newer layout featuring the new drop-down menu at the top of the main toolbar in order to use the major features.

Author: Crystal J. Briscoe is from Exams Expert. Looking for MCTS Certification help? Let’s take advantage of Exams Expert self paced training and pass your IT exams on first try.

Apple AirPlay: The Remote of the Future

Sarv007 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:31:07 +0000

Apple commenced the development of audio and video streaming with the release of Airtunes in 2004. Then, six years later in fall of 2010, late Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced that Airtunes has expanded and evolved into AirPlay. This new and improved streaming service now enables users with the ability to stream audio, video, and photo content through a Bluetooth or Apple streaming device. AirPlay also transforms your iPhone into a remote by controlling your entire sound system with a few touches.

What you need: The first necessary component of Apple Airplay is a iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, (iDevice) that is running iOS 4.2 or higher. Next, one can choose from a variety of devices, an Airport Express base station, or Apple TV. Also, with the expansion of AirPlay, Apple has allowed third-party developers to design Bluetooth supported sound systems and base stations that are compatible with AirPlay.

How it works: A triangle going into a rectangle will appear on any app that utilizes standard video controls. Touch this button and the audio or video will play from any television or speakers that are linked with your device.

Stream video content: One of the major affordances of the AirPlay is its ability to stream video content from an iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV synced television. AirPlay allows for the user to stream video content that can be filmed or downloaded onto the device and wirelessly streams it via the Apple TV.

Development of Applications: Other than streaming audio through your device, more and more video streaming apps are popping up in support of the AirPlay. Some current free audio and video streaming apps compatible with AirPlay are: TED, IMDb, Vevo HD, Discovery Channel HD, and NPR. Top paid apps that run on the Apple AirPlay include; iMovie, EyeTV, Air Video, and Justin.tv.

AirPlay Mirroring: One feature that was added to the AirPlay following the release of iOS5 is AirPlay Mirroring. This enables the user to stream whatever is on their iPhone or iPad 2 through Apple TV to be displayed on the users TV.

Future of AirPlay: The development of the Apple Airplay leaves the user very optimistic about the possible wireless affordances this may allow them, and the future is bright. Some developers are hopeful that in the future users will be able to stream content from their iPhone to a friends Apple TV in a different household. Also, many also hope that all Apple devices will be able to sync wirelessly through AirPlay.

Some things to look out for the future involving the continued development of AirPlay is the possible usage as the iPad as a controller for apps streaming to the television. The affordances of the touch screen on the iPad 2 really lead to endless possibilities of streaming technology made possible by AirPlay.

Overall, the AirPlay is a very innovative development in Apple’s strives to interconnect its users media wirelessly. To even further prove their commitment to this movement, they have dropped the price of the Apple TV to $99. Apple has also opened up to numerous third-party audio companies to help them expand the versatility of AirPlay.

Author Bio: Calvin Scott has shared this article. Calvin has only three interests, Gadgets, Consumer electronics and Blogging. Visit his site for adsl kpn and draadloos internet.

How to Password Protect PDF Files?

Sarv007 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:16:16 +0000

When we send any delicate data through e-mail, like PDF files, you have to make sure that data is encrypted and only accessed by a the individual you want to. You can do this in Acrobat, but obviously you are here for a free trick.

Here is how to apply password to PDF files:-

Download and install PrimoPDF, a free PDF creator.
Open the document or picture you wish to create password protected PDF for.
Print the file. In the print wizard change the printer name from your printer to “PrimoPDF” and click Ok to start the PDF creation process.
In PrimoPDF as shown in the below picture, select the quality of file, we suggest either “Print” or “Prepress” and then click the Change button for PDF Security.
In the Password Security window check the box for “Require a password to open the document” and enter the password you wish to use and click Ok.
Finally, click the Create PDF button to create the password protected PDF.

Alternatively….

You can use PDFProtect. Simply upload your PDF document and specify the password you need to assign to the document. The tool also asks you to retype the assigned password to avoid mistyping.

Note:Use a 14-15 character long password with the combination of letters,numbers and at least one special character like: gi5w+pw8n40bx5d

Create Websites From Your iPhone For Free.

Sarv007 — Tue, 31 May 2011 10:46:03 +0000

The ease of creating websites has evolved from knowing to code web languages, to simply using blog platforms- Blogger, Tumblr. Now we have Zapd- a iPhone based app that lets us create website in 60 seconds from iPhone. It lets you customize beautiful, seamless, and mobile-friendly websites from your iPhone.

Zapd takes one step further from other micro-blogging services, all you need to do is upload photos, select a theme, and then customize content on specific elements of your website. Once published, your website is given a unique URL that you can share online.

While it may not be used by pro designers or bloggers,but it is a boon for light minded people who just want to create a website they can share and market online – for example a local backer wants to market the new cakes he have introduced can use this service . Future Zapd versions will also provide video uploading, premium themes, and custom URLs.

Some cool features:

Create websites from your iPhone for free.
More than a dozen themes available.
Reorder elements within themes.
Edit from anywhere.
Share to Facebook, Twitter and email.
Similar tools:

Learn Magic Tricks Through Video Tutorial

Sarv007 — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:35:43 +0000

Magicians have to go through a lot of training before they can trick you. If you are interested in becoming a magic tricks performer, then you need to get trained by a magician or create tricks of your own. One good place to start is INTERNET, where you can find video tutorials on how to perform various magic tricks. For this there is a great site we have reviewed below.

YuDo Magic is a simple website with video tutorials on how to perform various magic tricks. The site does not serve to expose magic tricks but as a tool for magic performing enthusiasts. To fulfill this purpose the site makes only a few tutorials viewable; visitors can view the rest only after they upload a magic trick video of their own; this ensures that video viewers are actually performers themselves.

In addition to magic trick videos, the site provides a forum to its users where they can interact with each other to share advice and expertise.

Convert Photos To Cartoons Online For Free

Sarv007 — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 08:55:15 +0000

The ‘cartoon effect’ often produces fun results when applied to photographs. Normally to apply the effect you need to have a good photo editing application installed on your computer. But thanks to Photo to Cartoon websites, you can now apply the cartoon effect to your photos online for free.

1.Photo To Cartoon Online: Apply cartoon effect to your photos

Photo to Cartoon Online is a simple and free to use web app that lets you apply the cartoon effect to your photos within your browser. All you do is point to the image stored on your computer and then select the level of detail you want in your final picture. When the final image is produced, you can save it to your computer in JPEG image format.

2.ConvertToCartoon: Turn A Picture To A Cartoon in One Click

The tool accepts photos in gif, jpeg, jpg, png, bmp, or xbm formats. The screenshot above shows one of my pics in the cartoon format. There’s no registration required and you can upload the pictures and convert them right away.

3.FaceMaker: Make Cartoon Face of Yourself

FaceMaker lets you create cartoon face of yourself and others. You can create as many cartoon faces as you like, print them out and easily share them with friends.

4.beFunky: Cartoonize Your Photos and Videos

Awesome online application that lets you easily cartoonize photos and videos. Turn videos into cartoons, create digital painting out your pictures, create animated avatars and more.

What online tools or softwares you have been using?

Generate Good Unhackable Passwords.

Sarv007 — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:17:17 +0000

In the internet environments keeping a good password is one of the simplest things that can keep you from having your identity stolen, or being framed at work for actions that you did not do.

Now to make a good password you will have to utilize the entire Keyboard, and all keys. Using special characters and both upper and lower case alpha-character within your password will change the breaking time from hours to day or even weeks.

It might be difficult to come up with a strong password at your own, there are some websites which makes it easy for you to have a strong unhackable password.

Here are some online tools for creating mind boggling password:-

1.Passplex is a free to use web tool.

Its function is to generate a password according to the parameters you enter. You can choose a password length from 8 to 16 characters. You can also optionally include numbers and/or special characters in your password. A ‘complexity level’ lets you choose how complex you want your password to be; you can choose levels from 1 to 5. Passwords can be refreshed to view new ones using the blue refresh arrow next to the password field.

2.Easy Password Generator – Memorable Strong Password Generator

This neat memorable strong password generator makes your desired password hard to guess replacing certain alphabets with numbers or special characters. You can also specify if you want a lowercase, an uppercase or an alternating case password. If you think your password is still too weak, try the Secret Random Password Generator or the Encrypted Password Generator. The Encrypt Password Generator lets you encrypt as well as decrypt a password.

3.PassPub : Online Password Generator

Simple password generator that generates a number of secure passwords that are easy to remember. There are 3 types of memorable passwords you can generate: (1) Easy to remember keyboard combinations, (2) Chemical elements, and (3) Passwords that are easy to read – these passwords use alternate vowels and consonants, suffixed by a 3-digit number.

4.Password Chart : Secure Password Creator

The Password Chart is a secure online password creator that lets you easily generate strong passwords and quickly access them later using the provided password chart. It may sound a bit complicated, but it isn’t.

Here is how it works:

gmail

(3) If you need to lookup your password later or create a new one then simply go to your password chart.