Archive for: November 28, 2007

Google added to its arsenal of mapping functions Wednesday with a beta mobile app that utilizes cell phone tower signals to pinpoint a mobile phone user's location and provide them with information about their surroundings.

"My Location" is part of Google Maps for mobile version 2.0, released this week. The app takes data from cell phone towers and "sifts it through Google-developed algorithms" to get a user's location, Google said.

Once your location is identified, you can use Google Maps to find nearby restaurants and stores and get turn-by-turn directions for your selections. Google stressed that the information is gathered anonymously, and personally identifiable information is not stored, so no one has to know that you spent your Saturday afternoon at TJ Maxx and Applebee's.

"My Location" is available on most smart phones, including color BlackBerry devices, all Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition devices, most Windows Mobile devices, newer Sony Ericsson devices, and some Motorola devices, Google said.

Google is touting this service as a good alternative for those who do not have GPS-enabled phones. "My Location" delivers faster results, provides coverage inside buildings and does not drain battery power as fast as GPS phones, according to Google.

Google Maps for mobile first launched in November 2005.

Also this week, Google added a "terrain" function to Maps. Type in an address and click on the Terrain button, and Maps will provide details on physical features such as mountains, valleys, and elevation levels. I suppose it could be helpful to know that what looks like a straight stretch of highway is actually winding its way into rather mountainous regions, though it does ...

There's a social network for everyone. I've seen social networks about food, social networks for charity and social causes, social networks for your pets, and even social networks dedicated to making your wildest dreams come true. The Auto Log is a social network for your car. You can create a profile for your car, upload photos of it, and customize a horrible background just like on MySpace. Your car can even make friends and compete in "challenges" where it goes head-to-head, virtually, with other cars on the site.

While The Auto Log allows you to meet people, find auto clubs, and connect with car lovers and modders, you can also use the service to keep track of the work and maintenance done to your vehicle, build your auto stats, and keep a personal history of the work you've done to your car.

The Auto Log claims to be the premier social network for car owners and lovers, and given the sheer number of subscribers, that's probably true. You can create a profile for your car complete with the details you'd expect, including its age, make and model; an About Me section; a list of friends; and even comments and flashing animated GIFs to decorate the page. (Nothing's more disconcerting than reading the profile of someone who drives a 1999 Ford F-150 truck and seeing an animated GIF of the characters from "Winnie the Pooh," with "I love my friends" flashing in pink type underneath it.

...

Features From the Microsoft Connect website
Sign in and messaging in multiple locations You asked for it now you have it You can now sign into Messenger from more than one computer at a time up to four at once Simply sign into Messenger from one computer install Messenger on another computer and sign in using the same account Only works if all computers are running Messenger 9 0 Beta Currently enabled only for users whose Windows Live ID country is US or Canada
Signature sounds ndash Pick your own personal sound that your contacts will hear when you sign into Messenger only works if you and your contacts have Messenger 9 0 Beta
Per contact sounds Pick unique sounds for each of your contacts You will be able to tell from across the room who is sending you a message
SPAM Reporting If users send you unsolicited messages or invitations that you consider spam you can block them and report them as spammers If you report a user as a spammer the messenger service will collect this data and put appropriate restrictions on the spammer accounts All reports of spammers are kept confidential
Animated Display Pictures ndash Show your moves Messenger now supports animated gif files as display pictures
Link in Personal Status Message ndash URLs in Personal Status Messages are hot and clickable in the Messenger contact list
Behind the Scenes Changes ndash Architectural changes that modified how things work but shouldn rsquo t have changed how things look
Changes to sign in connectivity presence sending text IM rsquo s voice amp video features
Windows Live Contacts Server ndash wlcomm exe runs in the background to keep your contacts rsquo ...

With Lavasoft rsquo s encryption technology you can securely store or send files by e mail knowing that your private information is safely locked and will never fall into the wrong hands Take control of your sensitive information by keeping it away from prying eyes only the correct password can unlock files you encrypt With convenient file selection and easy to use functions Lavasoft Digital Lock is a natural addition to the privacy tools you use regularly to ensure your digital security
nbsp Key Features
Secure your files and sensitive data with strong encryption that supports several encryption algorithms including the new AES standard 256 Bits
Conveniently select files for encryption with a simple right click drag and drop functionality or by browsing for a file
Create encrypted e mail attachments that can be sent to recipients that do not have Digital Lock installed only the correct password is needed to unlock encrypted files
Benefit from the Digital Lock 39 s ability for multiple encryption of selected files encrypt a file more than once and use different combinations of passwords and encryption algorithms for added control
Full shredding functionality means you have the opportunity to shred the original file after completing a successful encryption
Store and send files the way you choose with an encryptor that supports your security needs and individual way of working nbsp

You may shred your sensitive documents in a paper shredder but if you fail to shred the digital version you are still vulnerable to identity theft and fraud Information you erase by using your computer 39 s quot delete quot key is intact and easily recoverable Prevent theft of your private information by permanently removing unwanted files Lavasoft File Shredder ensures your privacy by using military and government approved security standards to overwrite any files or folders that you designate to delete At home or at the office shred your digital files with the same ease and certainty as you shred papers in a paper shredder Convenient file and folder selection means that Lavasoft File Shredder is a natural addition to the security tools you use on a daily basis
nbsp
Key Features
Permanently remove any sensitive digital information from your computer such as Word documents Excel files PowerPoint files music files videos photos and more
Select a file to be shredded with a simple right click or browse for a file or folder
Detect and remove quot previous versions quot automatically saved and hidden by Windows Vista
Shred everything in your recycle bin with one easy click of a button
Conveniently shred files by dragging and dropping them into your desktop quot shredding bin quot
Shred all your temporary files left behind on your computer
Clean up your computing history Use the quot Shred all free space guide quot to clean your computer from all old deleted files and folders that are still stored on your drives
Document the files that have been permanently removed with a qualitative reporting option
Supports the Department of Defence DoD shredding algorithm using ...

Build the security you require ndash get both the Lavasoft File Shredder and Digital Lock in one easy to use application Securely store information or remove it for good from your PC with the Lavasoft Privacy Toolbox giving you full control of your digital documents Get the most for your money with savings of over 30 percent compared to buying both products separately
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Key Features
Choose to encrypt files for safe keeping or shred documents you want to permanently delete with Lavasoft 39 s Digital Lock and File Shredder integrated into one program interface
Take full control of your files and folders with the easy to use functions of the Privacy Toolbox
Includes all of the functionality of both the Lavasoft Digital Lock and File Shredder to give you total command over your digital information

Most new Intel computers with Realtek drivers can use the more frequently updated Realtek AC97 and High Definition Audio drivers found in our driver section This file exists for those who have trouble with that driver on their Intel board and it has not been updated since March 2007

Installs the audio driver for Intel reg Desktop Boards with Intel reg High Definition Audio and the Realtek codec WHQL certified

CuteFTP Professional is a software tool for transferring files between your PC and remote computers anywhere on the Internet securely and efficiently over multiple Internet protocols Its built in Connection Wizard will walk you through connecting to an FTP site in seconds and its user friendly interface will have you transferring files in no time even if you are a beginner Whether publishing a Web page downloading the latest digital images software and music or transferring high volume files between branch offices

CuteFTP Professional provides simple yet powerful tools for tackling the complex challenges of data management and helps achieve HIPAA GLBA and Sarbanes Oxley compliance

VisualRoute helps determine if a connectivity problem is due to an ISP the Internet or the web site you or your customers are trying to reach and pinpoints the network where a problem occurs VisualRoute 2005 is available in five specialized editions enabling on demand connectivity analysis from a single computer a remote customer desktop a remote server or multiple points on a global network

FlashGet formerly JetCar is specifically designed to address two of the biggest problems when downloading files Speed and management of downloaded files If you 39 ve ever waited forever for your files to download from a slow connection or been cut off mid way through a download or just can 39 t keep track of your ever growing downloads FlashGet is for you FlashGet can split downloaded files into sections downloading each section simultaneously for an increase in downloading speed from 100 to 500 This coupled with FlashGet 39 s powerful and easy to use management features helps you take control of your downloads like never before

FlashGet displays download progress in ranks of glittering dots but its acceleration is not as pronounced as most Its inability to start a download without confirmation makes for slow starts We ran into difficulty locating configuration settings a problem aggravated by a help system that apparently belongs to an earlier version Nonetheless the software managed and categorized our sample downloads efficiently FlashGet supports over 30 languages