Thursday, July 17, 2008
Work
Live Mesh Connects Folders and Desktops Across Windows PCs
11:30PM Kevin Purdy | Windows only (for the moment): Microsoft has thrown open the doors to a “tech preview” of its Live Mesh service, a kind of web-boosted version of Lifehacker favourite folder-syncing tool FolderShare, with a bit of remote desktop connection thrown in. Signing up with a Windows Live ID gets you 5 GB of space to store folders you want to keep in sync, either from computer to computer, or with the Live Mesh desktop itself. I explored the Live Mesh space this morning and took a few screenshots, so let’s take a look at what you can do. More »
Organise
Search Internet Explorer Favorites in Vista with a Shortcut
10:05PM Kevin Purdy | If you’ve stored a good number of bookmarks (or, in Windows terms, “Favorites”) in Internet Explorer and need quick access to them, the How-To Geek has you covered, at least in Windows Vista. By creating a simple saved search and creating a shortcut to it (so you or a launcher like Launchy can get at it), you’ll have quick, search-able access to all your bookmarks. Anybody know a similarly simple method to searching favourites in Windows XP? Let’s hear it in the comments. Create a Shortcut to Search Your IE Favourites With Windows Vista Search [The How-To Geek] More »
Fix
Firefox 3.0.1 More Secure and Stable
10:46AM Gina Trapani | In Firefox’s Help menu choose Check for Updates to download Firefox 3.0.1, a minor update that fixes Firefox 3’s most common causes of crashes. This update won’t shouldn’t cause any add-on incompatibilities (but apparently does here and there according to commenters). [via] More »
Design
Google Docs Template Gallery Launches
9:56AM Gina Trapani | Google Docs now offers a gallery of spreadsheet, presentation, and document templates for use in your work. Whether you’re designing a resume, invoice, calendar, or slideshow, there are a few templates here to get you started. Template categories include Business, Calculators, Calendars & Schedules, Cards & Certificates, Letters, Presentation Designs, and more. You can also sort them by how many users each has and user ratings. To use a template in your Google Doc, from the New menu drop-down, choose “From template…” Google Docs Templates [via steverubel] More »
Communicate
9:42AM Angus Kidman | Here’s your intrepid Lifehacker AU editor slurping up some free Wi-Fi at Odawara station late at night while waiting for the bullet train. Impressively, there was actually an open network to be had, which allowed me to approve some more comments about Vodafone’s confusion over its data plans. Note also the modification to easily attach a broadband wireless modem on the back of my trusty Eee PC.Of course, extended usage of someone else’s bandwidth is poor form, but Tokyo offers plenty of options for the traveller seeking connections. In particular, most hotels seem to have worked out that if you’re already paying a small fortune for a room, you shouldn’t have to pay an extra surcharge for Internet access. Australian (and US) hotels would do well to emulate. (Postscript on the perils of boasting: after this went up, I didn’t manage to get a functioning net connection in Tokyo for most of the day, hence the delayed posting of many stories today. Apologies all round!)
More »
Networking tricks for the Tokyo traveller
9:42AM Angus Kidman | Here’s your intrepid Lifehacker AU editor slurping up some free Wi-Fi at Odawara station late at night while waiting for the bullet train. Impressively, there was actually an open network to be had, which allowed me to approve some more comments about Vodafone’s confusion over its data plans. Note also the modification to easily attach a broadband wireless modem on the back of my trusty Eee PC.Of course, extended usage of someone else’s bandwidth is poor form, but Tokyo offers plenty of options for the traveller seeking connections. In particular, most hotels seem to have worked out that if you’re already paying a small fortune for a room, you shouldn’t have to pay an extra surcharge for Internet access. Australian (and US) hotels would do well to emulate. (Postscript on the perils of boasting: after this went up, I didn’t manage to get a functioning net connection in Tokyo for most of the day, hence the delayed posting of many stories today. Apologies all round!)
More »
Organise
Sendible Schedules Email, SMS, and Social Network Messages
8:00AM Adam Pash | Web site Sendible schedules sending messages to contacts in the future over email, text message, or social networks like Facebook and Myspace. Not only can you send messages to anyone on a schedule, but you can also update your status on sites like Facebook and Twitter on a schedule too (you know, to set up an alibi for that perfect murder). The site also has special tools for setting up reminders for sending messages to yourself, options for recurring messages, and a great calendar tool that lists all your scheduled messages. Aside from message sending, Sendible features a robust contact management you’ll probably never use. Sendible is free to use but will cost you an email address to register. Sendible More »
Communicate
Stream Your Digital Music Over the Internet
7:00AM Adam Pash | The Wired How-To Wiki details how to stream music from your home computer or a web host to any PC over the internet. The guide suggests several methods for creating playlists, including M3U, XSPF, and PLS playlists that point to your online tunes and stream them to any application you use open the playlist. Depending on what format you use, you can stream your playlist of choice with anything from iTunes and Windows Media Player to the Yahoo Music Jukebox and more. If you don’t feel like putting in all that effort to roll your own solution, check out other sites and tools like previously mentioned JukeFly, SlimServer, and Orb. Stream Your Music Online [Wired How-To Wiki] More »
Fix
PC Wizard Analyses and Benchmarks Your PC
6:00AM Adam Pash | Windows only: Free application PC Wizard is a portable tool that analyzes and benchmarks your PC. At its most basic, PC Wizard gives you an in-depth look at your hardware and system specs. But the app has a surprisingly rich feature set beyond that, including a password recovery tool for apps like Outlook in the System Information tool and a slew of cool benchmarking tools. The benchmarks measure everything from your processor and RAM to hard drive performance and even MP3 compression speeds. As a cherry on top, PC Wizard is available in a portable version you can carry on your thumb drive. PC Wizard is freeware, Windows only. PC Wizard [via Download Squad] More »
Communicate
Why You’re Better Off Avoiding the iPhone
5:00AM Gina Trapani | If you’re a free software lover who’s concerned about your privacy and the limitations of DRM, you don’t want an iPhone. Amidst Apple’s iPhone advertising blitz helped along by positively bubbly media coverage, the Free Software Foundation calls out the dark sides of the new iPhone. iPhone completely blocks free software. Developers must pay a tax to Apple, who becomes the sole authority over what can and can’t be on everyone’s phones. iPhone endorses and supports Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) technology. iPhone exposes your whereabouts and provides ways for others to track you without your knowledge. iPhone won’t play patent- and DRM-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and Theora. More »
Work
