Thank you for stopping by my blog. This is my first dip into the blogging trench, started out of my curiosity to know what actually is a blog. I try to put here my readings from various sources; books, blogs, sites. I also grab stuff from here & there and try to showcase it in my own style here. If you'd like my scribblings, please subscribe to my full text RSS feeds.


Currently I am experimenting a few new features on my blog, like Peekaboo and Post Summary; the reason for the slight distortion you see. I am hoping to frame up these soon, please bear with me!




The Gmail team came up with an idea to stitch together a bunch of video clips that all share one element: someone hands the Gmail M-velope in from the left of the screen, and hands it off to the right. All these videos had to include the Gmail's M-velope logo. Put them all together, and they form one long chain of hand-offs. The number of responses was impressive - more than 1,000 videos. Watch all of them here. Google selected some of the best videos, edited them and created a final video that showcases some of the most important values behind Gmail: creativity, collaboration and fun. Check the video here.








Check out this nice symmetrical flash animation. Roll your mouse over the jockeys to trip them! And let the horse reform from nowhere, just like T-1000 in Terminator2: Judgement Day.








Part of the Zurich based Kuoni Travel Group, VFS Global was established in 2001, in Mumbai (India), as a specialist partner for diplomatic missions worldwide. VFS Global serves diplomatic missions by managing all the administrative and non-judgmental tasks related to visa application, enabling diplomatic missions to focus entirely on the key tasks of assessment and interview.

Today, VFS Global serves 16 diplomatic missions in 31 countries worldwide, handling over four million applications (contracted) every year. In early 2006 VFS Global was awarded a 200 million contract (spread over 5 years) with UK Visas to provide visa outsourcing services in 7 geographical regions, covering close to about 70% of UKvisas visa applications globally.



In addition VFS is also the first Indian company to be awarded contracts for visa outsource services by the Government of India. As on date, VFS Global has been awarded contracts to provide outsource service to the Embassy's of India at Beijing, Bangkok & France.

As a reliable partner, VFS Global has always relied on Trust, Technique and Technology to maximise convenience and efficiency for both diplomatic missions as well as the visa applicants.

TRUST
The survival of VFS Global's business depends entirely on the trust diplomatic missions place in them. As a rule, all our business dealings are conducted strictly as per the code of ethics laid down by the client governments.

VFS's authority extends only to the documentation and selection process. The issuing of visas is solely at the discretion of the concerned high commission. To ensure that there are no unethical practices whatsoever, a vigilance and security team closely monitors all interactions with applicants. A clear directive from top management also ensures that no employee attempts to influence any application or seek any favours from diplomats.

TECHNIQUE
VFS Global is committed to provide individually customized solutions to each client government. For every new assignment, a Project Management Team studies the processes of the new client government in micro-detail and proposes customised solutions accordingly. VFS's prior experience with other governments, always serves as a library of best practices for our reference.

TECHNOLOGY
VFS Global has made major investments in software development in order to handle large volumes of applications. They have developed proprietary software systems for passport tracking, database creation and data upload. Their technology support also extends to website maintenance and online appointment scheduling facilities.

They have entered into technical and support agreements with leading IT hardware and software giants to ensure compliance to security policies and also adhere to meeting the stringent norms of diplomatic missions on IT Security and Data Protection. They have contracted with one of the Top 5 global Audit firms to conduct health checks and internal reviews on their systems and procedures so as to ensure robustness and continuous monitoring of the commitment to agreed customer service levels.






As described by wiki, "Infomania is the debilitating state of information overload, caused by the combination of a backlog of information to process (usually in email), and continuous interruptions from technologies like phones, instant messaging, and email. It is also understood as distraction caused by the urge to check email, text messaging and other sources of information, which causes the person to show symptoms to neglect other, often more important things - duties, family, etc. (For instance, a typical symptom of infomania is that of checking email frequently during vacation.)"

The term "infomania" has been used since the 1980's, but has only recently been used as a term for a psychological debility. The term was coined by Elizabeth M. Ferrarini, the author of 'Confessions of an Infomaniac' and 'Infomania-The Guide to Essential Electronic Services'. Ferrarini's 1984 Infomaniac book is the first book about life online. The very first installation of the book appeared in Cosmopolitan magazine in 1982.

Many workers are always on standby to react to incoming messages. Workers distracted by email and phone calls suffer a fall in IQ more than twice that found in marijuana smokers, new research has claimed.

The study for computing firm Hewlett Packard warned of a rise in "infomania", with people becoming addicted to email and text messages. Researchers found 62% of people checked work messages at home or on holiday. The firm said new technology can help productivity, but users must learn to switch computers and phones off.



Losing sleep

The study, carried out at the Institute of Psychiatry, found excessive use of technology reduced workers' intelligence. Those distracted by incoming email and phone calls saw a 10-point fall in their IQ - more than twice that found in studies of the impact of smoking marijuana, said researchers. More than half of the 1,100 respondents said they always responded to an email "immediately" or as soon as possible, with 21% admitting they would interrupt a meeting to do so.

The University of London psychologist who carried out the study, Dr Glenn Wilson, told the Daily Mail that unchecked infomania could reduce workers' mental sharpness.
Those who are constantly breaking away from tasks to react to email or text messages suffer similar effects on the mind as losing a night's sleep, he said.

View more on Infomania:
Infomania
Infomania world
Time to fight back Infomania

source:bbc news







Miro Player plays almost any type of video content available on internet via standard protocols available. This player is 100% Free, Opensource software licensed under GPL. View screenshots of Miro player. A neat demo of the player is also provided to taste it before you can proceed with the download.



Features:

Play Anything:
Play virtually any video - Quicktime, WMV, MPEG, AVI, XVID, and more. Browse your collection, make playlists, stay organized. One player for all your videos.

Internet TV Shows:
Subscribe to any video RSS feed, podcast, or video blog. Explore hundreds of free channels with the built-in Channel Guide.

Subscribe & Download to/from Channels:
Miro has a built-in Channel Guide. Lists more than 1,000 free channels. Subscribe to channels with a single click.

Search:
Search YouTube, Yahoo videos, and Google videos and play what you want.

Torrent Client:
Easily download any BitTorrent file and watch it in the same application.






Check this neat instructional video from iphoneunlocking that shows you how to unlock your iPhone. Though the video is a bit blurred (shot on N95), the process of doing so is clear.








Pay close attention and spot what's wrong in this image.








iPhone...iPhone...iPhone everywhere. Are you nuts? This has been the buzz word going around in circles since it is out for a grab (or even before its release). I got bugged up with it.

Just in time to help me come out of the iPhone mania, I came across iPoor. A strong and potential competitor to the much hyped iPhone. Say Hello to iPoor.

iPoor is a parody of the iPhone created by Steve Nojobs and designed by Jim Whimpey. Take a look at the amazing features of iPoor.



It's Beautiful
The iPoor is the most gorgeous and simple phone ever created. Its beautiful, colourful outer casing is bound to turn heads. The huge pink antenna is not only attractive but functional, providing an astonishing 25 foot range.

Multi-Touch Technology
Move over, Jeff Han. The iPoor features the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse. With over 5 colorful buttons you can touch, or even press multiple buttons at the same time for true, patented multi-touch technology.

Stellar Battery Life
Life just got simpler. No other phone offers the reliability and simplicity of the iPoor. In the package are real maps you can use to easily locate the nearest available iBooths TM in your area. iBooths are now available at malls, restaurants, and other public places near you.

Mind Blowing Phonebook Simplicity
iPoor provides calling simplicity like no other cell phone can. Options range from a green bunny to a dark green bunny to a bear. There are 4 calling options, all of them colorful animals!


Why iPoor???

With iPoor on the scene, buying an iPhone is almost a humanitarian crime against yourself. Do you really want the iPhone's sexy, metallic body when you can have colorful plastic? Do you still want reasons?

It's Cheaper
Using amazing manufacturing techniques, all of the iPoor's amazing features are available at an AMAZING price!

Improves your dating life
iPoor features the Am I Hot Widget (tm), a mirror located in front of the phone.

Increases your IQ by 17%
iPoor goes back to the basics, allowing you to memorize phone numbers and thus increasing your IQ.

Do you need more reasons?


Reviews

iPoor has already caught the attention of some biggies and heres what they have to say about it:

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO: "Incredibly pathetic attempt."

Michael Arringtones, Techcrutch: "I guess it has a better battery life..."

Steve's mother: "Get a real job."

The Wallet Street Journal: "iPoor is the real iPhone Killer."






Camlin Permanent Markers


Holi @ Hostel


Cadburys (Classic)


CenterShock Chewing Gum


HappyDent White


Anti-Smoking Commercial


Glycodin


Fevicol


Fevicol Cliff Ad


XBox







"Book online bus tickets to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Manglore, Calicut, Shirdi, Tirupathi. Volvo bus ticket in Sharma, Neeta, Kallada, Kesineni, Kaleswari, VRL, Prasanna Tours, KPN travels, Konduskar" is their title.

redBus is an innovation from Pilani Soft Labs Pvt. Ltd. setup with the vision to innovate for everyone's convenience.

This startup is the brainchild of a group of BITS-Pilani graduates, one of the best engineering institutes India has. The marketing is headed by an IIM-B Alumni, which needless to say is the best management institute in India. With work experience spanning across various IT majors, team redBus displays vigor both technically and managerially.



redBus employs the best-in-class security and the transactions done through redBus are secure. redBus uses Secure Socket Layers (SSL) data encryption which ensures that the information exchanged with redBus is never transmitted unencrypted thus protecting the information from being viewed by unauthorized individuals. This encryption is done using 128-bit RC4 encryption. In addition the credit card information is processed over secure gateways which are certified by VISA.

I have tested this service for tickets from Hyderabad to Vijayawada and the results are really surprising! It reflects most of the bus services I knew in this region. Neat work I should say! redBus's efforts to ease user interaction is clearly visible, they have effectively implemented the KISS thumb rule. The results are displayed in such a manner that even a layman can easily get thru. The results display the travels, the bus and seating type, timings and the fare. This tabular display can also be filtered by boarding point. One can even choose the seats based on a simple visual lay-out. The user is also greeted by a number of payment options to choose from.



redBus has already won lots of accolades with its simple, timely, up-to-date info and customer centric services. No wonder redBus backs on IIM and BITS-Pilani brains!!!






Captured below is the World Web Map 2007. It is based on the websites world classification carried out by Alexa and ComScore, the major providers of web traffic information. The websites traffic is correlated with the surface of the countries.

Slightly confusing it is, you can view it here in other formats.








In todays e-age, with spyware, viruses, hackers lurking around you; it is very easy for anyone to become a victim of online fraud or identity theft.

I stumbled upon this informative and exhaustive reading on the web that describes how to avoid such a menace. I have shrinked the original article to suit the general mass of netizens.

Here are 10 measures you can take while accessing the internet to make sure your data is safe.



1. Keep your personal and sensitive data off your computer: If you want to keep your personal data (bank account numbers, passwords etc.), refrain from storing this data on a computer. A flash drive can do that for you. If you need to refer to the documents, just plug in your flash drive. If you really want to store same on your computer, then make sure it is encrypted.

2. Avoid saving credit card info, etc on shopping sites: Many web sites today, such as Orbitz, Amazon, eBay, give you the option to save your credit card info so that you don’t have to type in all the information each time you want to buy something. If someone eventually hacks into their database and downloads your credit card numbers, bank account numbers etc., you're doomed! Always refrain from this practise.

3. Do not use the same password for everything on the Internet: You don’t have to keep a different password for every site but definitely not just one. Make sure passwords are different and more complicated thus increasing your password's strength. Just throwing in a number or symbol at the end will make it hundreds of
times hard for a person to crack your password!

4. Always think before providing information when solicited: If you ever get an email that has a link in it that requires any personal information, make sure you go to the web site yourself manually by typing in the address. Half the time links in emails point to fake addresses. And just because a web site exists does not mean it it legitimate! If you’ve never heard of the site before, try Googling before you dig in.

5. Only connect to secure wireless networks if you can: If you have a home wireless network, secure it quickly! Connecting to non-secure wireless networks is inviting trouble. Avoid them!

6. Clear your browser’s cache after an online transaction: Sometimes your browser will save certain information you typed into forms, etc when you are online, so it’s always good to clear that after you’re done. If you get a pop-up message from your browser asking you whether you want it to automatically save your passwords etc., click NO.



7. Make sure anti-virus and anti-spyware are installed and up-to-date: Anti-virus programs like Kaspersky Anti-Virus or free programs like AVG are good. Suggested is that you also have an anti-spyware program also installed. Many anti-spyware applications are available for free on the web and they are good too.

8. Turn off your computer or on standby when you’re not using it: If your computer is on, then a hacker, virus, or anything else possibly can harm your computer. Make sure you turn off or put your machines into sleep mode when not used. Why open it to attack if you’re not using the computer?

9. Make sure the URL has an HTTPS instead of HTTP: The S makes all the difference! This means that the communication between your computer and their server is secure and encrypted. Passing unencrypted data over the net = making your data public.

10. Use a secure Internet browser when you are online: Firefox is considered more secure than IE and that’s what a number of sites also have tested. IE 7 has more security features than ever before, but it still has lots of holes too. Using a secure browser can help protect against browser hijacking etc.

source:online-tech-tips







If you ever wished you run multiple instances of your favourite IMs' on the same machine, this is the perfect solution. No big hacks required nor you ought to be a geek. Simple but effective tricks listed below can solve this maze.

Advantages of such a hack? I leave it to your imagination!

Google Talk

1. Point to the application launch icon (either in your programs list or the shortcut on your desktop)
2. Right click to get the Google Talk Properties pop up window
3. Replace contents of the target text box with "c:\program files\google\google talk\googletalk.exe" /nomutex (include the quotations and spaces as well)
4. Click OK and you're done

Now you can launch multiple instances of the GTalk messenger.

Yahoo Messenger

1. In the RUN command box, type in regedit and hit Enter to open the registry editor
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Yahoo > Pager > Test
3. On the right pane, right-click and choose New > Dword value
4. Rename it as Plural.
5. Double click on it and change the Base to Decimal
6. Type 1 in the value text box. Exit the registry and you're done

Now you can launch multiple instances of the Yahoo messenger.

source:gaurav sharma @ gaufire







Long back I received a mail from one of my friends. This had an xls attachment and a swf game embedded in it. The game is to kill, or swat for the light hearted, mosquitoes! No...not at your home, here on the web. Just another silly and kiddy pastime flash game. Mind ya...it is addictive and kills more time than the mosquitoes you'd kill (lol)!


All this time I didn't know how to extract the swf from the xls. Only today I came across this interesting and educative post which made this task as easier as 1-2-3. And to top this, I always had problems enbedding objects in my posts. Thats when I blindly dug up Digital Inspiration; blindly coz I knew there would be a solution for this problem. Enjoy the game.







Microsoft has many small and useful utilities hidden in XP. These tools are handy and very powerful. XP users seldom know these tools and their abilities. If harnessed in a controlled fashion, these utilities can relatively boost your machine(s).


WARNING: EXCERCISE EXTREME CARE WHILE HANDLING THESE UTILITIES


1. Character Map = charmap.exe (very useful for finding unusual characters)
2. Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe
3. Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (view contents of Windows clipboard)
4. Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (troubleshooting tool)
5. DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)
6. Private character editor = eudcedit.exe (allows creation or modification of characters)
7. IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (create self-extracting / self-installing package)
8. Mcft Synchronization Manager = mobsync.exe
9. Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (basic version of MediaPlayer)
10. ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32.exe
11. Object Packager = packager.exe (packing objects for insertion in files, appears to have comprehensive help files)
12. System Monitor = perfmon.exe (very useful, highly configurable tool, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about any aspect of PC performance, for geeks)
13. Program Manager = progman.exe (legacy Windows 3.x desktop shell)
14. Remote Access phone book = rasphone.exe
15. Registry Editor = regedt32.exe [also regedit.exe] (for hacking the Windows Registry)
16. Network shared folder wizard = shrpubw.exe (creates shared folders on network)
17. File siganture verification tool = sigverif.exe
18. Volume Control = sndvol32.exe
19. System Configuration Editor = sysedit.exe (modify System.ini & Win.ini just like in Win98!)
20. Syskey = syskey.exe (secures XP Account database – appears to encrypt all passwords)
21. Mcft Telnet Client = telnet.exe
22. Driver Verifier Manager = verifier.exe (utility to monitor the actions of drivers)
23. Windows for Workgroups Chat = winchat.exe (an old NT utility to allow chat sessions over a LAN, help files available)
24. System configuration = msconfig.exe (used to control starup programs)
25. Group Policy Editor = gpedit.msc (used to manage group policies, and permissions)
26. Local Users and Groups = lusrmgr.msc (useful in renaming Administrator)
27. Certificate Manager = certmgr.msc (used for encryption and certificate management)
28. Device Manager = devmgmt.msc

source:Swizzy's Hideout







A CAPTCHA is a type of challenge-response test used in computing to determine whether the user is human. "CAPTCHA" is an acronym for "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart", trademarked by Carnegie Mellon University. A CAPTCHA involves one computer which asks a user to complete a test. While the computer is able to generate and grade the test, it is not able to solve the test on its own. Because computers are unable to solve the CAPTCHA, any user entering a correct solution is presumed to be human. A common type of CAPTCHA requires that the user type the letters of a distorted image, sometimes with the addition of an obscured sequence of letters or digits that appears on the screen.

Get to see here some of the craziest CAPTCHAS in use on the web.



































Have you seen more wierd CAPTCHAS? Show the world...






When you make a search on Google, your IP address, the time, and what you searched for is stored on their database(s) forever and this information can be used in a court of law against you. Google will willingly allow authorities to consult their database.



When you search on Google through Googlonymous, it is Googlonymous that goes on Google and does the act for you, the only IP address that Google will see is the IP address of Googlonymous's server. Googlonymous does not keep any record who searched for what. So this way, it is completely impossible to retrieve your identity. You can search for whatever you want without a care in the world, 100% anonymously.






Who doesn't know Gmail? It is a global and popular email provider with superb ease of use. After all its from the master's hat, Google; which stands as a synonym for optimized technique or rather optimization.



For those who haven't yet switched over to Gmail, find below a whopping list of utilities, or better said, tips n tricks that can be associated with Gmail.



FIREFOX EXTENSIONS

Gmail Manager: Manage multiple Gmail accounts, receive new mail notifications, view unread messages right from your browser statusbar. The Gmail Manager Firefox add-on obviates the need to keep your Gmail open in a tab all the time by displaying your email info in a statusbar pop-up.

GmailThis: Excellent browser bookmarklet that lets you quickly forward highlighted text on any webpage via Gmail.

Better Gmail: Integrates features of 10 Greasemonkey scripts into one firefox addon. These include: Google Reader integration, Mac-like skin, GCal integration, Fixed font and more.

GmailSkinz: Powerful firefox addon with lots of cool features: change Inbox color , Add Google IG modules, insert images from Picasa albums, insert smileys, make navigation menu horizontal, hide unnecessary page elements, and more. Minor problems exist.

CustomizeGoogle: Removes ads, switches you from http to https, hides the spam counter, quick contacts box, invite box and forces fixed font

Gspace: Multi-platform firefox addon that turns your Gmail account into powerful online storage tool.

Gmail Search: Search your Gmail account directly from the firefox search bar.

GcalQuickTab: Toggle between Gmail and Google Calendar with keyboard shortcuts.

GTDInbox: Turns your account into flexible and feature-loaded ToDo-management service (GTD = Getting Things Done)

DragDropUpload: This handy extension lets you quickly attach one or more files to your emails by dragging them over the “Attach a file” link.

Google Toolbar: Official Google toolbar featuring one-click Gmail messages search.

FireGPG: integrates contextual menu with some useful functions: Encrypt, decrypt, sign, etc. Read more on how to use it here.



GREASEMONKEY SCRIPTS

Gmail Super Clean: Clean and distraction-free Gmail. Looks great.

Gmail Spam-count Hide: Hides spam count link.

Google Reader Folders: Adds a little box that lists the folders on Google Reader along with the number of unread items in each one.

Google Reader Integration: Complete integration of GReader into Gmail.

Google Calendar Integration: Integrates GCal agenda into Gmail.

Conversation Preview: Lets you quickly preview message contents right from the main inbox window.

Saved Searches: Create ’saved searches’ (aka smart folders) and display them in the separate box in the navigation menu. Clicking on a search executes the saved query.

Folders4Gmail: Allows you to create nested labels (i.e. labels and sub-labels).

Gmail Date Search: Adds a ‘Search by Date’ button to Gmail’s search form.

Label Colors: Color menu labels to make them stand out better.

GMail Attachment Icons: Adds attachment icons to emails, letting you see what kind of attachment an email has (HTML ,JPG, PDF….). Note: ‘Attachment icons’ isn’t a standard Greasemonkey script, it’s an addon for a similar Firefox extension known as Stylish. However it should work with Geasemonkey as well.

GmailTo: Forces all ‘mailto’ links to open in GMail.

Fixed Font Toggle: Adds a font toggle button so that messages can be viewed in a fixed-width font.

Gmail Macros: Adds extra keyboard shortcuts to Gmail (i.e. “t” for move to trash, “r” for mark as read, “p'’ for mark as read and add to archive…etc). Read more…

Gmail Encrypt: Encrypts your messages to prevent unwanted people from reading it. Just in case someone intercepts it while it’s on the way.

SSLGoogle: Forces Gmail, Google Docs and GCale pages and their intra-links to open via secure connection (HTTPS).

Signature Float: Moves your email signature to the top of the message rather than the bottom.

Attachment reminder: Reminds you to attach a file to your Gmail, based on whether you have the word attach (ed, ment, etc) in the body.



DESKTOP PROGRAMS AND WEB APPS

GmailDrive (Win): Adds a new virtual drive (’Gmail Drive’) to ‘My Computer‘ folder. Drag’n drop files on top it to store them in your Gmail account.

gDisk (Mac): Mac alternative for the above mentioned GmailDrive.

Gmail ToDo: Handy desktop application that allows you to quickly add and save todo’s in a ‘ToDo’ label in your Gmail account.

FlipMail: Free service for forwarding some/all of your emails to your mobile (US Only).

Gmail Loader: Cross-platform (Win, Mac, Linux) tool to help you load all your old message archives from other email accounts into Gmail.

Icon Generator: Minimize spam exposure by getting an image for your email address and safely publish it wherever needed.

Blogsigs: Lets you auto-include the title of your latest blog post in your email signature. Works with Gmail.

GMail Mobile: Access Gmail from your mobile.

Google Talk: Google’s IM service which is fully integrable with GMail.

You’ve Got Gmail: Gmail plugin for Trillian (IM client)

Unblock: Web-based proxy for accessing Gmail from places where it’s blocked (work, school)

iPhoto2Gmail (Mac): Allows you to instantly email images from within iPhoto. Send either original or optimized (resized) image versions.

MailPlane: A full fledged mail client for Google Mail and Mac OS X. Mail client combining best of Gmail with Mac’s simplicity anduser interface. It’s still in beta.

GmailFS: Mountable Linux filesystem which uses Gmail as its storage medium



GMAIL NOTIFIERS

Windows: GMail Notifier, GTray, Notifier2
Mac: GMail Notifier, GCount, Gmail Growl 2.0
Linux: KCheckGmail
Firefox: E-Mail Notifier Toolbar, Gmail Notifier



GMAIL'S HOW TO

HowTo: Build advanced Gmail filters and persistent searches. Here.
HowTo: Import your archived emails into Gmail. Here.
HowTo: Access Gmail account of someone who dies. Here.
HowTo: Force Gmail notifier to use SSL (instead of HTTP). Here.
HowTo: Import contacts from Hotmail to Gmail. Here.
HowTo: Redownload Gmail messages into outlook. Here.
HowTo: Backup your Gmail messages using Google Groups. Here.
HowTo: Create Google Calendar events from Gmai. Here.
HowTo: Set Gmail as default mail client in Ubuntu (without any additional software). Here.
HowTo: Sync. Google Calendar and Gmail contacts to your desktop. Here.
HowTo: Use rich HTML email signatures straight from Gmail (req. Better Gmail extension). Here.
HowTo: Manage all your email account with Gmail. (Excellent guide for folks with several emails.) Here.
HowTo: Back up Gmail with Fetchmail (Windows). Here.
HowTo: Configure and access Gmail on Mozilla Thunderbird. Here.
HowTo: Use Gmail over IMAP and tag your mail, too. Here.
HowTo: Sync. Micr. Outlook, GCal, Gmail, iPod, and mobile phone. Here.
HowTo: Encrypt and sign Gmail messages using FireGPG extension (see above). Here.
HowTo: Work with Gmail Attachments like a PRO. Here.
HowTo: Attach and send blocked file types, i.e. ‘*.exe’. Here.
HowTo: Find that ’someone’ who gives away your email address to spammers. Here.
HowTo: Gmail on Home Linux Box using Postfix and Fetchmail. Here.



GMAIL SHORTCUTS

Secret keyboard shortcut for deleting messages (Digital Inspiration).
Shortcuts for Special Gmail Labels (Google System Blog) - for ultra quick navigation.
Gmail Shortcut List: Handy, printable list of keyboard shortcuts for the Gmail (National University of Singapore).

More than enough reasons to switch over to Gmail...!!!

source:makeuseof







Most people would love an iPhone, especially for FREE. That’s why many companies are offering free iPhones as a promotional offer.

Contests and promotional offers range from only entering your email to participate, to create a video, picture, write, and attend conferences.

Of course, there’s nothing free about these offers. The catch is they want you to do an action, which can range from creating an account on ebay, buy DVDs, or subscribe to a magazine. The good news is many of these offers don’t require you to purchase anything (e.g: creating an account on ebay) but you’ll need to refer many friends. They get money from those sponsors, so they can afford to send you an iPhone.



Bottom line: It’s worth it if you have many friends to spread the fire!


Put together here is a list of sites and companies, such as Google and Threadless, currently offering free iPhones. Many of them are contests and giveaways.


GiftMonkey

GiftMonkey will give you a free iPhone if you live in the USA or some cash to buy it if you live outside of the USA. Residents of many countries are accepted, and many offers are free. Example of an offer that doesn’t require you to purchase anything is creating an account on eBay.


Gmail Threadless Contest

The Gmail Team in collaboration with Threadless.com has launched a new contest where submitters are asked to create the ultimate Gmail T-shirt design. You’ll also be able score designs you think have the most potential by visiting the Threadless website.

How to win: Submit a T-shirt design idea which you think embodies the Gmail personality most, the theme is “Connect”.

Prize: Prizes of the contest are an 8GB iPhone, a Jawbone Bluetooth headset, a $400 gift certificate from JetBlue Airlines, some fun Google products or $1,500 in cash.

When does it end? The contest will close at 11:59:59pm CST on August 16th, 2007.


Tapatap’s iPhone Giveaway

To help launch the iPhone version, taptap is holding an ”I Wanna Win an iPhone” contest.

How to win: Enter an original photo or artwork showing why you should win Apple’s new iPhone. Get creative and invite your friends to vote for you. The most popular entry wins.

Prize: An iPhone and gift certificates.

When does it end? Contest ends August 15, 2007 at 11:59pm PST


Jeans.com iPhone Contest

Jeans.com will choose a winner from the first 5,000 Jeans.com Members to win an iPhone, and will also choose a winner to receive a pair of premium jeans from the Jeans.com store.

How to Win: To enter a name into the iPhone giveaway, the person must be a Jeans.com member. The member will then enter his or her e-mail along with the e-mail of 5 friends.

Prize: An iPhone.

When does it end? Winner will be featured on Jeans.com on August 15, 2007


Apple Show iPhone Giveaway

How to win: Just place a link to the ApplePhoneShow.com on your blog or web page. Then send us a registration email (to applephoneshow@gmail.com) with the URL and your contact info (name, address, phone and email.) The URL must be a primary page on your site, not a hidden page. The Apple Phone Show will be the sole judge of link acceptability.

Prize: 8GB Apple iPhone

When does it end? August 30, 2007


Bootcamp for Beginners and Vision 2007 Conference

How to win: All Bootcamp for Beginners and Vision 2007 Conference attendees who register before Friday August 17 will be entered into a weekly drawing for an iPhone. (The iPhone Prize does not include AT&T service subscription necessary to use the iPhone.)

Prize: Four 8GB Apple iPhone mobile digital devices, one per week for four weeks.

When does it end? You are eligible to win an Apple iPhone if you register before midnight Pacific Time, Friday, August 17, 2007.


Win 1 of 5 iPhones from Profy

How to win: Write a guest post about Web 2.0 (news, commentary, tips, rating about your personal Web 2.0 experience, etc.) for Profy and send it to iphone@profy.com. If your post is found Profy-worthy and is qualified for the competition, we will let you know when the post is published.

Prize: 5 iPhones.

When does it end? From June 18 to September 9th.


iLounge Giveaway

How to win: To enter, simply submit a photo of your iPhone(s) in front of a landmark or other notable location.

Prizes: iLounge is offering ten Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headsets as prizes.

When does it end? The contest will run until August 10, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.


15 iPhones Giveaway at Bodog

How to win: Play Let ‘Em Ride at Bodog Poker game.

Prizes: In addition to 15 iPhones there will be a weekly random draw for $50 iTunes gift cards (5 per week) and $25 cash (5 per week) deposited into your Bodog account (30 of each to be awarded in total).

When does it end? Contest begins at 6pm EST on June 29th and will run for six weeks.


Expired Contests



Rev2s win an iPhone Giveaway

How to Win: You can enter just by leaving a comment on the blog. Easy, right?

When does it end? August 5th, 2007. The winner will be announced on the 15th August, 2007.

Prize: An iPhone and $50 via Paypal to a random blogger who links to the post.


Engadget iPhone Giveaway

How to win: Just leave a comment telling us what you’re most looking forward to about your shiny new device. The prize is open to US entrants only.

Prize: 8GB iPhone

When does it end? Contest is open until 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, July 1st.


Insanely Great Tees

How to win: submit a funny 30-second iPhone ad which includes the phrase “I’m an iPhone.” Readers can the vote on the entries and eventually choose a winner.

Prize: a $500 gift card to the Apple Store in-leiu of the actual device.

When does it end? The deadline for entry is 11:59PM on May 7th, so all you amateur directors and actors better get cracking.


Team sugar iPhone

How to win: Subscribe to the Team iPhone Contest Group and then Write a Blog Post (300 words maximum) on why you like TeamSugar so much, your favorite features, etc.

Prize: An iPhone.

When does it end? Friday, July 20 at 5:00 pm, PT.


iPhoneFreak Apple iPhone Contest

How to win: To participate in the contest, you must tell us, as part of the comments, why we should all buy an iPhone or why you agree or disagree with what we have posted.

Prize: iPhone

When does it end? June 20th.


iLounge offers 4 iPhones

How to win: Submit your photograph in one of two categories - People or iPods.

Prizes: Two 8GB iPhone top prizes, two 4GB iPhone second prizes, or two $100 iTunes Gift Cards.

When does it end? Entries are due by May 20, 2007, and winners will be announced on June 1.


Gizmodo iPhone Giveaway

How to win: Create or design an original invention (emphasis on original - no recycled projects please) and send in a sketch, render, mockup, blueprint or some kind of image plus a description detailing your invention to contests@gizmodo.com with “Made in Eureka” as the subject.

Prize: one free Apple iPhone.

When does it end? Contest ends July 10.


Things You Should Do iPhone Contest

How to win: write a post on your website about some great place you think belongs on the Things You Should Do list. You email me the link to your post to enter the contest.

Prize: iPhone

When does it end? All submissions must be received by July 5, 2007 at 5:00 pm PDT.


Jason Calacanis’ Mahalo iPhone contest

How to win: create the most entertaining/helpful/fun search results. You can post the results to your blog or send them in by email.

Prizes: 3 iPhones

When does it end? Midnight on July 13th


Viddlet free iPhone contest

Prize: two 8Gb iPhones during the month of July.

How to win: Sign up for a free user account on Viddler.com. To be eligible, entries must be completed and received on or by the closing date of the draw. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. All entries shall remain the property of the user.

Contest ends: July.


LOOPRumors iPhone

The LOOPRumors iPhone contest ended on June 12. We contacted the winner, and finally heard back today! I guess not everyone checks their email as often as we do. Congratulations to Caroline N. from La Mesa, California! We got in touch with her and told her she’ll receive a complimentary 8GB iPhone on June 29th. The service contract is not included as part of the prize.



Should you know of any companies and sites offering iPhones, please let me know so that I can improvise this list.


Updation(s)


08.August.07
What did you eat today?

Prize: An 8Gb iPhones or Canon TX1 HD Camcorder.

How to win: Step 1: Record a video about what you ate or drank today.
Step 2: Upload it to Viddler. Tag it with MealToday. Add it to group.
Step 3: Do it again tomorrow!

Contest ends: August.







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