Breathtaking !!!...that's what the pictures that you are about to see are.I know the post does not fit the portfolio of this blog, but could not resist sharing this .
Scientist Antonio Moreano, snapped this ghostly albino whale shark in the waters at Darwin, the northernmost island of the Galapagos in South America.Antonio was amazed to see the 30-foot female beast swimming just below the surface and dived in to get a closer look.According to online magazine Divernet, brave Antonio jumped into the water with just mask and fins to snap the creature as it approached the boat.It is claimed the sighting is the first report of an albino whale shark.Brit dive trip organiser Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler said: "Antonio told us how he had immediately recognised the creature as a whale shark from its size - but thought it must be swimming upside-down to have been so white."
cheers!!!
The Nokia N96 will be going against the Apple iPhone next month. The release date of N96 has been advanced -- it was only expected sometime past October. The N96 has all the right specs to go against the iPhone, which will be officially available on August 22nd.
First things first -- price? Well, the official price of the N96 is currently believed to be around INR 40000, the iPhone will sell for Rs. 31,000 for the 8GB version and Rs. 36,100, for the 16GB version. Although, it would be wise for Nokia to price the N96 significantly less than the iPhone 3G -- it is, after all, Nokia's market share to lose.
On to the comparison then. While the iPhone includes a 3.5-inch screen, the N96 comes with a 2.8-inch one -- the iPhone's is a multi-touch screen, while the N96's isn't. The iPhone seems to enjoy a better footing as far as its user interface is concerned; especially with that 3.5-inch screen. In every other aspect however, the Nokia N96 seems to have an upper hand. - The Nokia N96 has dedicated keys for dialing and SMS. The iPhone 3G comes with a virtual keyboard. - Both devices will come with 16GB of internal memory. However, the N96 supports the microSD format which will allow for an additional 8GB of storage. The iPhone has no expansion slots. - Both devices will support 3G. - The N96 supports Bluetooth with A2DP, the iPhone does not offer A2DP support. Both phones offer WiFi. - The N96 sports a 5MP Carl Zeiss lens with auto-focus and an LED flash. Compare this to the iPhone's 2MP camera. Both support photo geotagging. - Both devices will support A-GPS. The N96 adds value to this feature by bundling maps from three countries along with the unit. India, Singapore and the UAE will come bundled with a 3 month navigation license across eight Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi/NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Pune. - N96 comes preloaded with Wave Secure, a S60 security application that allows consumers to track their handset in the event it is lost or stolen. It also allows them to backup their phone data over the Internet. - Both devices support multimedia features and play videos and music. Here too, the N96 will add value to its proposition: it will come bundled with a full-length Hindi feature film -- Om Shanti Om, 50 music videos, and a mix of 100 Hindi and 100 English songs. - The N96 will also pack along three N-Gage games, with an unlimited license on for the 3rd edition of Asphalt Urban. - The N96 also comes with an additional VGA camera on its face for making video calls. Handy when we do get 3G connections. - The iPhone has the Appstore for third-party applications, while the N96 has the plethora of Apps made for the Symbian S60. If you are wondering which of these phones to pick up, I would suggest waiting a bit until a the nokia is launched and a formal review is available. Which one would you go for -- the iPhone 3G or the Nokia N96? You can book your Nokia N96 at www.nokia.co.in/N96. Note that you will need to pay a pre-order amount of Rs. 4,000. The N96 will be available come September. Cheers!!!
The recently released, Nokia N96 is a 3G Smartphone that comes with a number of features and is definitely a phone of great superiority. The N96 comes with a dual slide opening mechanism that offers a classic look to the phone.The high end Nokia N96 comes with a large 2.8 inches TFT screen that displays up to 16 million colours with a screen resolution of 240 X 320 pixels. The internal memory of this phone is 16 GB and also comes with a microSD memory slot that enables the user to extend the memory up to 8 GB.The Nokia N96 is basically camera and media focused handset that comes with a 5 mega pixel camera featuring Carl Zeiss Optics Tessar lens, auto focus, LED flash and several other settings. The N96 supports video recording, video playback and video streaming. A second camera is discretely provided so that the user can take part in video calling. The N96 comes with built in music player with sound equalizer that supports various formats. It also comes with an integrated FM radio.The Nokia N96 Smartphone is loaded with a number of latest mobile technologies that include 3G HSDPA technology, EDGE technology, WLAN and Wi-Fi technology. Various connectivity options such as Bluetooth and USB connection point are also provided so that the user can connect the handset with other compatible devices for data transfer and download. The user of this phone can easily surf the internet on their handset. To stay in contact with others, the phone comes with various messaging services such as SMS, MMS, email and instant messaging services.The nokia n96 is a true Smartphone integrated with several innovative features. The user of this phone will never be deprived of advanced technologies and will stay connected as well as entertained.
PRICE : There has been a lot of debate over when Nokia N96 will be launched, well that debate is now over, its officially launching in September 2008. Now people are debating over Nokia N96 Price...well if my sources are correct, expectit to cost somewhere near INR 40,000.
VERDICT : It goes without saying that people who'll actually consider buying this behemoth, will also be considering the Apple iPhone. The iPhone has already been launched amidst a lot of technical speculations and lukewarm reactions from the genpop. The n96 is due to be launched in India in september, i would suggest that it's worth the wait...the reviews from across the glode where it has already hit stores are brilliant...but it will be a tad expensive than the iPhone...but then if you can spend 36000 on the iPhone i guess adding another 4000 won't be a problem.
Cheers!!!
The gym at infosys employee care center (above)
The infosys global education center (above) The campus at mysore (below)
The hostel room (below)
The education center (below)
The food court (below)
The employee care center (gym,swimming pools and all that's good at mysore..below)
BUT WHERE ARE THE EMPLOYEES.....
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Take a look at the timestamps in each pic below...
This is what awaits us at infosys.... hope for the best, but prepare for the worst ... cheers!!!
It all started with Chocolate. Five years ago, LG wasn't considered a strong brand in mobile phones. Now, LG phones are everywhere. The launch of the chocolate phone almost two years ago repositioned the once lacklustre company as a design leader. Hoping to maintain its fashionable position in the market, LG has come out with another Black Label Series phone called the LG Secret KF750.
Design
Carbon fibre, fake leather, glass and metal are materials you'd usually expect to find on the inside of a car. Wild and wacky LG has put them on this phone. You'll either think it's an inspired design move or you'll scoff, but we think it looks very swish. It feels satisfyingly heavy, like there's actually something inside of it, which is a refreshing change from the so-light-they'll-snap-when- you-sit-on-them phones we sometimes see.
As with the Viewty, the Secret allows you to shoot video at up to 120 frames per second, which means you can shoot slow-motion videos and you can also speed videos up à la Benny Hill. You can add music by overlaying it on to a video while you're shooting or afterwards to create a music video. Post editing tools also let you add special effects, which are gimmicky but fun nevertheless.
Behind its serious exterior, the Secret is actually a very fun phone.
Another fun feature is the Secret's odd touchscreen; it only works when you activate the 'touch media' menu. Once accessed, you can touch the screen to view photos and documents, listen to the radio and play games or music. It works very well but we think it's a real shame that you can't use it throughout the Secret's user interface, as you can on the LG Viewty, for example.
The Secret has one last piece of unknown knowledge to reveal. It comes pre-installed with a Google package that includes Google Maps for mobile and Gmail, although this could vary based on your network. Getting online is fast over HSDPA (3.5G) and once we had downloaded all our favourite apps, including Opera Mini, we were happily browsing away without any problems. You can even watch YouTube videos but quality will vary depending on your connection.
Performance
Battery life lasted for over two days with moderate use, which is impressive considering the Secret's size. Depending on how much you use the camera, Internet and other features, you may find that the battery runs out much faster. Audio quality from the MP3 player was made better by the fact that the Secret comes with a 3.5mm headphone adaptor so you can use you own headphones.
Conclusion
Life is good, especially when you own a mobile phone that has looks as great as the Secret and all its features, too. Putting aside the annoying fact that you can only access the touchscreen functionality via a special menu,the secret is a pretty good phone.A combination of a solid handset with some fun features means it will keep you sweet like chocolate until your next upgrade.
cheers!!!
The Lenovo IdeaPad U110 looks more like an object of art than a piece of consumer electronics. The tendril pattern etched into its aluminum lid (available in black or red) and the patterned vents on its base both bring to mind an illuminated manuscript or a fine textile. But a laptop it is, and for its $1,899 price tag, the IdeaPad U110 is a pretty good ultraportable. Despite its compact size, the IdeaPad U110's screen and keyboard are comfortable to use for long stretches. Its case is stocked with current-generation components and a decent set of features--though media fanatics should note that its DVD burner is an external drive. The fastidious should also note that the very shine that makes the laptop so appealing is easily dulled by fingerprints. Despite these imperfections, the Lenovo IdeaPad U110 offers a combination of price, features, and performance that's competitive with such ultraportables as the Toshiba Portege R500 and the Sony VAIO TZ150, inside a package of unparalleled beauty.
The Lenovo IdeaPad U110 is imperceptibly smaller than one of our favorite 11.1-inch ultraportables, the Sony VAIO TZ150. It gives up 2 inches in screen size to the 13.3-inch MacBook Air, but the U110 weighs a full pound less (when using its four-cell battery). Toshiba's Portege R500, on the other hand, weighs less--just 1.7 pounds--and gives you an extra inch with its 12-inch screen. Aside from its diminutive size and stunning design, the IdeaPad U110 is remarkable in its sturdy construction, thanks to an aluminum cover and magnesium-aluminum case.
The sturdy construction seems to owe something to Lenovo's business-focused ThinkPad line. But the IdeaPad U110 is considerably different from the company's other flagship ultraportable, the $2,476 ThinkPad X300. The latter maintains the familiar ThinkPad DNA--rectangular black case, great keyboard, and such corporate-friendly features as WWAN and a Trusted Platform Module--while still allowing for innovation in design and cutting-edge components. The IdeaPad U110, on the other hand, is focused on the consumer market, and as such gives Lenovo more freedom to experiment with design while still incorporating new technologies. Speaking more concretely, the 11.1-inch, 2.4-pound IdeaPad U110 is considerably smaller than the 13.3-inch, 3.4-pound ThinkPad X300.
The entire keyboard deck on the IdeaPad U110--including the keyboard, touch pad, mouse buttons, and quick-launch keys--is one flush surface, all in a glossy piano finish. At first the flatness of the keys, and the lack of space between them, had us worried about typing comfort. But closer inspection revealed that the keys have a slightly concave surface, and while the keyboard did feel noticeably less than full-size, typing was remarkably comfortable and error-free. Part of the reason: Lenovo extended the keyboard quite nearly to the edges of the system, similar to the HP 2133 Mini-Note, to accommodate larger keys than would ordinarily be found on such a compact laptop. Unfortunately a concession had to be made when it came to the touch pad; the IdeaPad U110's narrow depth means the touch pad sits uncomfortably low on the keyboard deck, and its mouse buttons are part of the laptop's front edge. We were able to complete a day's work with this setup, but would likely want to pack a travel mouse for better ergonomics on lengthy trips. Also, the meticulous among us might be put off by the shiny interior, which easily picks up fingerprints. (Lenovo does include a chamois cloth to help you keep the IdeaPad U110 looking sharp.)
Above the keyboard you'll find another stunning aesthetic touch: a row of glowing orange launch buttons, framed with a curling ivy design evocative of the IdeaPad U110's etched lid. The keys, which include a button to launch an audio manager as well as two keys that launch programs of your choice, appear only when you run your finger across the black panel above the keyboard. To the right of these "hidden" keys sit light-touch volume controls (mute, volume up and down) that are always illuminated. On the far left side are the power button and the Novo button, which provides quick system recovery should you lose the battle against a computer virus; during times of peace the Novo button toggles among different power settings to help you manage battery life.
It's worth mentioning that the IdeaPad U110 is currently available in only one fixed configuration, which simplifies the shopping process but also prevents users from customizing their system with higher-end components, such as a solid-state hard drive (as found in the MacBook Air and the Toshiba Portege R500).
cheers!!!
Here are a few screenshots of the next big thing from Microsoft after Xp...and am not counting vista for obvious reasons...either ways not a lot is know about this nextGen OS from the Microsoft stable.The project was apparently launched in 2000 and codenamed "vienna" and "blackcomb". Have a look at these breathtaking pictures. Click on the images below to see full size images
cheers!!!
After pretty much capturing the market with specialized phone series like the Walkmans and CyberShots, Sony Ericsson is all set to launch Bravia-branded phones with built-in TV tuners. The displays on these phones use Sony's Bravia technology. The Sony Ericsson SO903iTV is intended to be used in a landscape orientation. It has a 3-inch screen, a 2 megapixel camera, microSD card support (huh? No Memory Stick Micro?) and, as mentioned before, a TV tuner with time-shift recording.
The SO903iTV will only be available on NTT DoCoMo in Japan. Release of this phone in other parts of the world is probably not happening, but since other branded phones (Walkman, CyberShot) are available elsewhere, why stop this beast from entrancing the world??!!! Am hoping it hits our shores soon...One reason why it's not being launched here could be the unavailability of 3G tech.
Cheers!!!
Pico Series USB drives are incredibly small, stylish and offer up to 8GB data storage and feature up to 30 MB/s (200X) transfer speeds. Measuring a mere 1.50”x0.50”, not only are they ideal for transporting data, digital images, and presentations, they are also the perfect accessory to adorn key chains, mobile phones, or your neck as a necklace.
Specifications:
• Weigh less than 6g
• Up to 30MB/s (200X) data transfer rate
• Fully compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1
• Powered by USB bus - no external power is required
• Durable solid-state storage - 10 years data retention
• Hot Plug & Play – enable you to install and uninstall Pico anytime
• PICO-A: Swivel, water resistant
• PICO-B: Retractable
• PICO-C: Water resistant, rugged
Dimensions:
PICO-A: 38.7mm x 12.4mm x 3.9mm
PICO-B: 31.8mm x 18.8mm x 4.4mm
PICO-C: 31.3mm x 12.4mm x 3.4mm
The Super Talent Pico is currently available in 1-8GB capacities so you can pick a capacity that best fits your budget or requirement. Please note that there are three models, Pico A (Swivel, water resistant), B (Retractable) & C (Water resistant, rugged). Dimensions for each are: PICO-A: 38.7mm x 12.4mm x 3.9mm, PICO-B: 31.8mm x 18.8mm x 4.4mm, PICO-C: 31.3mm x 12.4mm x 3.4mm. Take a peek at them below.
cheers!!!
The i-pods have ruled the PMP roost for what seems an eternity.Last november Microsoft came out with what could have been the first serious alternative to the pods in the concerned segment. But It turned out to be a marketing failure more than anything.Though the ZUNE was a decent player it had it drawbacks and hence could not vow what is even today an i-pod toting world. But all that is about to change,or atleast that thats what people at Microsoft believe.The new Zune is here and in my belief it could very well be the PMP device that shakes the pod foundation.Its too early to decide how good or bad a device it really is.But by the looks of it Apple sure has reason to worry about. With a new design, higher capacity, wireless sync capability, larger screen, and integrated support for audio and video podcasts, the new 80GB Zune ($249) is finally giving everyone a true alternative to the iPod.
Design features:
The 80GB Zune cuts a much slimmer figure than its bricklike older brother. Measuring 4.3 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep, Microsoft shaved some considerable bulk off the Zune's thickness, while nearly tripling its capacity. Beyond its more pocket-worthy form, the two major improvements to the Zune's hardware design are its screen and its navigation pad. With a diagonal measurement of 3.2 inches, the 80GB Zune's luxuriously large LCD screen leaves the 2.5-inch screen of the i-pod classic in the dust.The 80GB Zune's use of an optical glass screen shield (instead of plastic) further distinguishes it from its older sibling, as well as the competition.The Zune's new glass screen not only affords the device a sophisticated feel, but it also provides a more scratch-resistant surface with less optical distortion than the ubiquitous(more common) plastic variety. The second major improvement engineered into the new fleet of Zune MP3 players is a completely unique navigation control that Microsoft dubs the Zune Pad. You can think of the Zune Pad as a cross between a standard four-direction navigation pad and a laptop's touch pad. With the Zune Pad, users can navigate menus by either pressing or sliding their finger in four directions, and select items by clicking on the middle of the pad. The most significant design change to the Zune is an overhauled graphic user interface that no longer looks like a rehash of the Portable Media Center operating system found on the toshiba gigabit s. While the critically beloved "twist" interface of the first-generation Zune remains, the main menu screen has been replaced with stunning, oversized text that takes readability to the next level. tech
Features:
The 80GB Zune maintains all of the original Zune's compelling features and ups the ante with tightly integrated audio and video podcast support, as well as the unique ability to automatically sync content over a home wireless network.With the latest refresh of the Zune PC software, first- and second-generation Zune owners can now enjoy audio and video podcasts with the same ease as their iPod contemporaries. Podcasts now have their own directory within the main menu of the Zune, which is subdivided between audio and video podcasts. The Zune PC software also includes a new podcast tab that allows users to browse through a growing library of podcasts. If your favorite podcast can't be found in the directory, links are provided to both recommend the podcast for inclusion, as well as add the podcast manually by copying and pasting its URL into the Zune software. In the end, podcast downloads, autosync preferences, and subscription management match that of iTunes. In fact, Microsoft takes podcast integration a step further by allowing users to unsubscribe from podcasts directly on their Zune--a great feature for podcast junkies who want to tidy up their podcast subscriptions on the go. The second major addition to the Zune's set of features is the ability to wirelessly sync content from your PC over your home Wi-Fi network. The feature requires a one-time setup to familiarize the Zune with your home network, after which it will remember to look for the network automatically each time it is plugged in for a recharge.Of course, you can always connect the Zune directly to your computer using the included proprietary USB cable, but the wireless option is a neat trick.The Zune's music player supports MP3, WMA, protected-WMA (Zune Marketplace only), WMA Lossless, and AAC music file formats. The inclusion of the high-fidelity WMA Lossless music format on a high-capacity player like the 80GB Zune should make more than a few audio purists very pleased, and the continued support for AAC opens the door for iPod converts. The Zune supports WMV, MPEG-4, and H.264 video formats natively at a DVD-quality 30fps frame rate. Unfortunately, the 80 GB Zune's battery life is only average when held up to a high-capacity competitor such as the iPod Classic. With the Wi-Fi feature turned off, Microsoft rates the Zune's battery life at 30 hours for audio, and 4 hours for video. Final verdict The bottom line is Microsoft's biggest achievement will be overcoming the Zune stigma still lingering from last year's debut. With its beautiful screen, podcast integration, revamped interface, and wireless sync, we believe the latest crop of Zunes should finally take hold as a true iPod alternative. On the down side,The Zune is a PC-only device that requires its own software and still does not support older WMA-DRM9 music files; Zune Marketplace does not offer TV or movie downloads; the USB connection is proprietary; no Wi-Fi music streaming; and the EQ feature has been removed.
Price:
You can get it online and shipped for free(mostly) for around $240 - $250
Cheers!!!
Now, here is a program that needs no review...let the pics speak for themselves.The latest version of the media player promises a better than ever interface and user experience...check it out: 
Microsoft Windows XP plays a very cool and soothing tune during installation. It is a pleasant little tune that you’ve probably never heard before ...the reasons could be:
1. You were not present when windows was installed on your machine( branded PC's)
2. 99% of the time... either the sound drivers are not yet installed or the speaker is disconnected
If you HAVE heard it before chances are you haven't heard it again...as this tune i talk of plays once and is never ever heard again.Its a 5 minute long tune.But this tune is there on your machine waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
To hear what you’ve been missing, just follow these:
Make you way to
C:\WINDOWS\system32\oobe\images
and look for a file called "Title.wma" or possibly "Windows welcome music.wma".
All you need to do is find the name and hover your mouse on it and it'll display the format and size details so that you can identify it correctly.
Copy - paste it to wherever you want or just leave it where it is.
It is around 2.56Mb in size. Just double click the file and this will open Windows Media Player, or your default player and it will proceed to serenade you with a more than 5 minutes of music. It's up to you to repeat it.
Do post your comments on what you thought about it.
Have fun.
cheers!!!
Now you can get anything you want from GOOGLE ...and i am not referring to google search.I found these amazing tricks that tweak the way google search works and provides us with very specific results rather than a mixture of junk that google usually throws up.
But be warned you'll need to be very specific in what you want (the keywords) and their spellings...else the results will be total junk.
Found these tweaks to be great for images and music...for movies i couldn't get satisfactory results.
Any way do give it a try...
Here's what you got to do:
Below is a list of codes for each category . All you need to do is type them in your address bar and hit "go" or press enter.A dialog box will appear asking you for your desired stuff...fill it up (ensure that your spellings are correct)...and voila ...see the magic.
Please note : If you copy directly from below and paste it ...then only the first line gets pasted...so a better way will be to copy the text ...then paste it into a text editor(notepad etc.)...make it a long one line statement ...then copy this statement into the address bar.It is not possible for me to give it directly in that form due to constraints of blogger posting...sorry for the inconvenience.
SONGS
javascript:Qr='';if(!Qr){void(Qr=prompt('ENTER ARTIST OR SONGNAME:',''))};
if(Qr)location.href='http://www2.google.com/ie?query=%22parent+
directory%22+%22'+escape(Qr)+'%22+mp3+OR+wma+OR
+ogg+-html+-htm&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=
active&sa=N'
MOVIES
javascript:Qr='';if(!Qr){void(Qr=prompt('ENTER MOVIE NAME:',''))};
if(Qr)location.href='http://www2.google.com/ie?query=%22parent+
directory%22+%22'+escape(Qr)+'%22+avi+OR+mov+OR+mpg+-html
+-htm&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=active&sa=N'
e.BOOKS
javascript:Qr='';if(!Qr){void(Qr=prompt('Enter Author name OR Bookname:',''))};
if(Qr)location.href='http://www2.google.com/ie?query=%22parent
+directory%22+%22'+escape(Qr)+'%22+pdf+OR+rar+OR+zip+OR
+lit+OR+djvu+OR+pdb+-html+-htm&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe
=UTF-8&safe=active&sa=N'
IMAGES
javascript:Qr='';if(!Qr){void(Qr=prompt('ENTER IMAGE NAME:',''))};
if(Qr)location.href='http://www2.google.com/ie?query=%22parent
+directory%22+%22'+escape(Qr)+'%22+jpg+OR+png+OR+bmp+-html
+-htm&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=active&sa=N'
APPLICATIONS
javascript:Qr='';if(!Qr){void(Qr=prompt('ENTER Application NAME:',''))};
if(Qr)location.href='http://www2.google.com/ie?query=%22parent
+directory%22+%22'+escape(Qr)+'%22+exe+OR+rar+OR+zip+-html
+-htm&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=active&sa=N'
GAMES
javascript:Qr='';if(!Qr){void(Qr=prompt('ENTER GAME NAME:',''))};
if(Qr)location.href='http://www2.google.com/ie?query=%22parent
+directory%22+%22'+escape(Qr)+'%22+exe+OR+iso+OR+rar+-html
+-htm&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=active&sa=N'
These codes are basically java scripts which will be executed by the browser.
But be careful with these ... A friend of mine and i have examined these scripts for hints of phishing... found it to be safe...Still i'll advice you to use these scripts when you are not logged in to any of your e-mail , orkut etc etc accounts
Have fun.
Cheers!!!
Now, what you are about to read may make you think that the author ( thats me) is:
a delusional mad scientist,or
a soothsayer,or
a freak...wannabe sci-fi author(which trust me i am not!!!),or
or hopefully, a "guy-whos-got-a-point"
whatever view you may take i am certain,one way or the other,you'll like what you read.
So what is the deadliest virus ever?
answer :
It's something thats in our face every time we use the net , it is every where and percolates the net like water through sponge (interesting metaphor, never mind!!!)...
It's our beloved GOOGLE...
What?
How ?
Why?
read on...
Thanks to Gmail, Google knows who you are e-mailing, what you are saying and it will store all your e-mails forever.
Thanks to Google Talk,Google knows who you are talking to and who your closest associates are.
And if Gmail and Google Talk were not enough, because of Orkut, Google knows who sits in your circle of friends.
Thanks to Google Search, Google knows what you are searching for on the Web, including the news, type of images and newsgroup access.
Thanks to Google Video, Google knows what kind of risqué videos you like to watch.
Thanks to Google Finance, Google knows what stocks and businesses you are interested in.
Thanks to Blogger, Google knows what you rant about and what rants you like reading.
Thanks to Google Maps, Google knows where your house is and where you are going.
Thanks to Google Calendar, Google knows who you are meeting with, where you are going, and what you are busy doing.
Thanks to Picasa, Google even knows what you, your family, and your best friends look like.
Best of all, thanks to Google Desktop, Google has access to all your documents, images, files, and everything else on your hard drive.
And when Google displays customised adverts based on the e-mails you receive and searches you make, and you happen to click one of them, Google knows the kind of things you are interested in.
Get my point!!!
This , understandably , will sound absurd/bullshit...but it sure is something to think about.
How much does the common man really know about the going-ons of google...Stop and think and maybe then you'll realize how blindly, you and i, trust google with everything (figuratively speaking) about our lives.
Does your answer not make GOOGLE the deserving candidate for "virus of the century"!!!...think.
But , sadly , the fact remains...even after realizing all this we( and this includes me also) will continue using google and each of their service for "in google we trust"...sad but true.
Cheers!!!
(sarcastically)
*The views that i have expressed above are merely an afterthought. They are by no means intended to malign/insult/bring to disrepute any person/organization.
I write this lest this may be my last post on this blog(hopefully not)...
cheers!!!
( no sarcasm)
Have you ever seen something like this before?
i have , and it totally freaked me out. I got this message when i tried to open explore after installing real player. I couldn't open explorer or my computer.
Now , what exactly is this DEP...read on to know.
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a set of hardware and software technologies that perform additional checks on memory to help prevent malicious code from running on a system. In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, DEP is enforced by hardware and by software.The primary benefit of DEP is to help prevent code execution from data pages. Typically, code is not executed from the default heap and the stack. Hardware-enforced DEP detects code that is running from these locations and raises an exception when execution occurs. Software-enforced DEP can help prevent malicious code from taking advantage of exception-handling mechanisms in Windows.
Hardware-enforced DEP
Hardware-enforced DEP marks all memory locations in a process as non-executable unless the location explicitly contains executable code. There is a class of attacks that attempt to insert and execute code from non-executable memory locations. DEP helps prevent these attacks by intercepting them and raising an exception. Hardware-enforced DEP relies on processor hardware to mark memory with an attribute that indicates that code should not be executed from that memory. DEP functions on a per-virtual-memory-page basis, usually changing a bit in the page table entry (PTE) to mark the memory page.The actual hardware implementation of DEP and marking of the virtual memory page varies by processor architecture. However, processors that support hardware-enforced DEP are capable of raising an exception when code is executed from a page marked with the appropriate attribute set. Both Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Intel Corporation have defined and shipped Windows-compatible architectures that are compatible with DEP. 32-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 utilize the no-execute page-protection (NX) processor feature as defined by AMD or the Execute Disable bit (XD) feature as defined by Intel. In order to use these processor features, the processor must be running in Physical Address Extension (PAE) mode. The 64-bit versions of Windows use the NX or XD processor feature on 64-bit extensions processors and certain values of the access rights page table entry (PTE) field on IPF processors.It is hoped that all future 32-bit and 64-bit processors will provide support for hardware-enforced DEP. Microsoft continues to work with processor vendors to encourage the adoption and development of DEP technologies.
Software-enforced DEP
An additional set of DEP security checks has been added to Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1. These checks, known as software-enforced DEP, are designed to mitigate exploits of exception handling mechanisms in Windows. Software-enforced DEP runs on any processor that is capable of running Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1. By default, software-enforced DEP protects only limited system binaries, regardless of the hardware-enforced DEP capabilities of the processor.The majority of applications will not encounter a problem with DEP. However, when an application does encounter a problem with DEP, a Data Execution Prevention message is presented to the user, alerting them to the problem. The Data Execution Prevention message indicates that a DEP problem occurred with the application and provides the ability for the user to learn more about DEP and optionally disable DEP for the application that was closed. The Data Execution Prevention message is presented immediately before a Windows Error Reporting window, which provides the opportunity to submit a report about the DEP problem to Microsoft. On Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, the Data Execution Prevention message will be presented the next time an Administrator logs onto the system interactively. The behavior is changed on Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 from Windows XP with Service Pack 2 because Windows Error Reporting is configured in queued mode by default. Queued mode causes error reporting messages to be queued until the next time an administrator interactively logs onto the system.
For further and in-depth analysis of what DEP is all about, do check out the following links: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352 http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_tips566.html
Personal experience: I experienced this problem when i installed real player on my pc. This was on the eve of my sisters board computer practicals and i was caught cold by it. I could'nt open "my computer" or "explorer" etc etc.It totally freaked me out.So take my advice: DO NOT PANIC!!! After i read about it on the net (i was able to open firefox and use the net)...i understood what exactly this thing is and honestly was quite relieved that such a thing exists and keeps my pc safe.After that all i did was uninstalled real player completely (with all its additional features) and my pc was back to normal... Hoping you never encounter this problem, and even if you do well you wont be caught cold like i was... cheers!!!
A web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows
individuals and organizations to provide their own websites accessible via
the World Wide Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a
server they own for use by their clients as well as providing Internet
connectivity, typically in a data center. Webhosts can also provide data
center space and connectivity to the Internet for servers they do not own
to be located in their data center, called colocation.
Type of hosting
Internet hosting services can run Web servers; see Internet hosting services.
Hosting services limited to the Web:
* Free web hosting service: is free, (sometimes) advertisement-supported web hosting, and is often limited when compared to paid hosting.
* Shared web hosting service: one's Web site is placed on the same server as many other sites, ranging from a few to hundreds or thousands. Typically, all domains may share a common pool of server resources, such as RAM and the CPU. A shared website may be hosted with a reseller.
* Reseller web hosting: allows clients to become web hosts themselves. Resellers could function, for individual domains, under any combination of these listed types of hosting, depending on who they are affiliated with as a provider. Resellers' accounts may vary tremendously in size: they may have their own virtual dedicated server to a colocated server.
* Virtual Dedicated Server: dividing a server into virtual servers, where each user feels like they're on their own dedicated server, but they're actually sharing a server with many other users. The users may have root access to their own virtual space. This is also known as a virtual private server or VPS.
* Dedicated hosting service: the user gets his or her own Web server and gains full control over it (root access for Linux/administrator access for Windows); however, the user typically does not own the server. Another type of Dedicated hosting is Self-Managed or Unmanaged. This is usually the least expensive for Dedicated plans. The user has full administrative access to the box, which means the client is responsible for the security and maintenance of his own dedicated box.
* Managed hosting service: the user gets his or her own Web server but is not allowed full control over it (root access for Linux/administrator access for Windows); however, they are allowed to manage their data via FTP or other remote management tools. The user is disallowed full control so that the provider can guarantee quality of service by not allowing the user to modify the server or potentially create configuration problems. The user typically does not own the server. The server is leased to the client.
* Colocation web hosting service: similar to the dedicated web hosting service, but the user owns the colo server; the hosting company provides physical space that the server takes up and takes care of the server. This is the most powerful and expensive type of the web hosting service. In most cases, the colocation provider may provide little to no support directly for their client's machine, providing only the electrical, Internet access, and storage facilities for the server. In most cases for colo, the client would have his own administrator visit the data center on site to do any hardware upgrades or changes.
* Clustered hosting: having multiple servers hosting the same content for better resource utilization.
* Grid hosting : this form of distributed hosting is when a server cluster acts like a grid and is composed of multiple nodes.
* Home server: usually a single machine placed in a private residence can be used to host one or more websites from a usually consumer-grade broadband connection. These can be purpose-built machines or more commonly old PC's.Some ISP's actively attempt to block these servers by disallowing incoming requests to TCP port 80 of the user's connection and by refusing to provide static IP addresses.
How to Select Cheap Web Hosting?
1. Reputation: I would stongly suggest to look for a reputed shared
web host. Someone who is in the indutry for few years and have a few
hundred thousand sites hosted is going to be a better bet than a web
host started yesterday. Checkout the web hosting reviews and hosting
forums.
2. Support: Look for someone who responds to the supports tickets fast
and is available 24/7 on toll free lines in case of an emergency. Some
cheap shared web hosts are known to have a poor customer support.
3. Resources: Now a days, every cheap shared web host oversell. So
you are most likely to get more than what you need.
4. Price: Shared web hosting has become cheap over the years. Why
pay a premium when you can get it cheap?
5. Features: Do they offer cPanel? Then you must get most of what you
need. Still checkout the web host provide all the features you need: mysql
databases, .htaccess, add on domains, script installer, ruby on rails and
so on.
Top Rated Web Hosting sites :
HostMonster : $6.95 pm, 300 GB Space, 3000 GB Transfer Unlimited domains
http://www.hostmonster.com/
Hostgator : $6.95 pm, 350 GB Space, 3000 GB Transfer 1 domains
http://www.hostgator.com/
Happy hosting,
cheers!!!
Definition:
Help Desk Software is the product behind many companies' provision of technical support services to their customers; it is accessed by staff fielding support calls or emails and taps into the company's problem resolution knowledgebase. It also logs and tracks users' requests for help.
The importance of the help desk cannot be over-estimated. The help desk is now a core and vital part of a successful business. It is a central point through which problems are reported and managed. Help desk users can be external or internal (or both) but where ever the users are coming from the smooth operation of the help desk is fundamental to the smooth running of an enterprise selling technical goods or services.
Traditionally, and prior to helpdesk software solutions, help desk functions involved a call being logged, numbered, and allocated to a person/team in "first line" support (see also process management). Failing a resolution is it escalated to second/third line support. When the problem is resolved the "ticket" is closed. During the time the ticket is open there may be need to add updates, log further issues, or track contact with the user.
There is of course a lot of repetitive work there and problems that have simple solutions and/or problems that appear on a regular basis still go through the same process and use employee time. There is therefore a good case for using an intelligent help desk software solution.
Regular problems can be dealt with by a knowledge base. Further, with help desk software other problems can be handled more efficiently, an audit trail maintained, and help desk staff freed up for more useful tasks. Having a good help desk software package is also good management practice for the feedback it provides into areas where there is scope for improvement.
Increasingly companies are using remote access applications to resolve users' technical problems. Windows XP, for example, allowed remote diagnostics that saved engineers visiting a customer's premise to deduce the fault.
Software such as BOSSAssist, Microsoft Remote Desktop, PcAnywhere, IBM Tivoli and Dameware are just a few of the many such programs around.
WHAT DOES SPAM FILTER DO?
Everyday spammers find new routes to try to get into your email inbox. Most spam consists of unwanted advertising, but some can transmit viruses, adware or spyware on to your computer and cause problems. Of course, it is also extremely annoying to go to your inbox and have to look through a whole list of emails to find one legitimate email.
An effective anti spam program can solve many of your email problems. Not only do they block unwanted spam but they can also organize your emails into folders, so your inbox only includes wanted email.
So, what does a quality spam filter do exactly?
Spam filter software should be easy to use and offer the desired level of customization. All of the programs offer a variety of features, but they are not all compatible with every email service. Therefore, it is important to look for a program that offers great features and works with your email service.
