MagicJack MagicTalk: Finally, Totally Free Calling with Your PC

Today VocalTec Communications Ltd., makers of the low cost VOIP USB phone device known as MagicJack, have announced unlimited free calling within the United States and Canada starting next week.

The new service, called MagicTalk, is separate from their USB MagicJack device, and requires a free software download to your computer. The software allows you to:

1. Get a free phone number
2. Make and receive an unlimited number of calls in the US or Canada
3. Talk for an unlimited number of minutes

This makes VocalTec Communications (MagicJack) the first true provider of unlimited free calling! (Excluding the few of us who remember dialpad).

MagicTalk also let's you import your old phone number or call internationally by paying a small fee.

MagicTalk will be compatible with Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac O/S based PC's immediately. In September, VocalTec Communications (MagicJack) will also release a version for smartphones including the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, and Windows Phone 7 (yes - that means unlimited free calling on smartphones, too!).

12 New Super Long Battery Life Netbook Computers Released

Today Intel has announced that over a dozen new netbook computers will be available by year's end with super long battery life. These laptops are made possible by their new ULV Atom dual core N550 processor running at 1.5ghz x 2, with a 1mb cache. The chip is remarkable for it's low power dissipation (8.5w TDP). Portable computers which use it run significantly cooler and longer on battery.

AMD's own ULV Neo series chips (competitor to Intel's Atom) are also found in a large number of long battery life netbook computers, and actually preceded the Intel ULV chips.

The longest battery life ULV notebooks now last over 10 hours, and most last no less than 5 hours. There are now hundreds to choose from with screen sizes ranging from 8 to over 14 inches. Thus they're perfect for everything from portable media playing to office and design work.

Click here to see a review list of ULV notebooks on About.com via Google Search...

Firaxis Games Announces Civilization V Release: September 21th 2010

Firaxis Games, makers of the Civilization series of turn based strategy video games for the PC, has announced Sid Meier's Civilization V will be released on September 21st, 2010 (September 24th world wide).

Most notable in their newest edition perhaps are the graphics. According to one source, both resolution and detail have been dramatically improved leading to immersive, realistic worlds.

More notable game improvements include the following:

• Self Organizing Units: each unit type now occupies its own square. Units also positive themselves according to type, with archers and artillery in back, calvary and infantry in front.
• Self Defending Cities: cities can now defend themselves, without having units stationed inside, against small attacks by enemy forces.
• Non Player Civilizations: There are now small city-states which act as their own entities in the game. These can be conquered, destroyed, and partnered or traded with.
• New Grid Design: The map is now divided by hexagonal tiles (rather than 8 sided octagons). Preview players report more intuitive, 'fluid' unit movement as the result.

While not on par with the newest cutting edge games, Civilization 5 certainly requires more from your computer than previous versions. Thus if you have a barely adequate machine for your current version of Civilization, upgrading would greatly enhance game enjoyment.

Basic System Requirements for Civilization V:

• Operating System: Windows® XP SP3/ Windows® Vista SP2/ Windows® 7
• Processor: Dual Core CPU
• RAM Memory: 2GB RAM
• Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free
• DVD-ROM Drive: For DVD-based Installation
• Video: 256 MB ATI HD2600 XT or better, 256 MB nVidia 7900 GS or better, or Core i3 or better integrated graphics
• Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
• DirectX®: Version 9.0c

Recommended System Requirements for Civilization V:

• Operating System: Windows® Vista SP2/ Windows® 7
• Processor: 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free
• DVD-ROM Drive: For DVD-based Installation
• Video: 512 MB ATI 4800 series or better, 512 MB nVidia 9800 series or better
• Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
• DirectX®: DirectX® version 11

And in case you were wondering - yes, higher computer specs will make a noticeable difference. However, the biggest difference in system performance will come from your RAM and video card - as long as you have a dual core Athlon or Pentium class processor running at more than 2 gigahertz.

Microsoft Announces Internet Explorer 9 Beta Release: September 15th

Microsoft has announced Internet Explorer 9 Beta version will be released in mid September. Something millions of current Internet Explorer users can look forward to, the new browser version will feature:

• Faster Javascript
• Faster Graphics (hardware acceleration via DirectX)
• Full CSS 3 support (advanced website designs)
• HTML 5 Video Support (simpler video implementation)
• Open Font Format support
• Support for Windows Vista and Windows 7 (not Windows XP!)

In addition to being more standards compliant, Internet Explorer 9 will also feature a new user interface, although exactly how it will look is still a matter of speculation.

Microsoft expects to release IE9 in early 2011.

Read more at their official blog...

Twitter @Anywhere Lets You Tweet from Your Website

Twitter @anywhere service now lets you tweet right from any website you visit.

You can choose 4 different appearances Twitter @anywhere:

1. Auto-Link all Twitter usernames
2. Auto-Link usernames and show a hoverbox (Hovercard) on mouseover
3. Follow-without-leaving buttons
4. Live Tweet Box

If you have Wordpress, it's very easy. Start by registering a free API key at Twitter. You'll need to sign in (click here).

Then simply install a plugin for instant @anywhere features. Click here for a list of Twitter @Anywhere Wordpress plugins.

If you do not have Wordpress or do not wish to use a plugin (huh?), you'll need to add some code. Let's go step by step.

1. Begin by adding the following to your header, inserting your API key (the number) where it says 'YourAPIKey'.

2. Next, choose one of the 4 options, copy the accompanying code, and paste it below the previous code (in your header).

1. Auto-Link all Twitter usernames This option will automatically link all Twitter usernames on your website to their respective accounts.


2. Auto-Link usernames with Hover box In addition to the above, this option will make a 'hovercard' appear when you hover over the username with more information.


3. FollowMe-without-leaving button This option will add a small button for users to follow you on Twitter without leaving your actual website. When clicked, a small pop up window appears.


4. Live Tweet Box Finally, this option lets visitors tweet right from your website!

Twitter has become a quintessential content provider. These tools will enable you to maintain a connection with your audience while not being lost in a sea of tweets.

See updates from Twitter about @anywhere...
If you need additional instruction, click here...

Bill Gates Details Free University Education Online

It's been the dream of techno-hackers for ages: unlimited free professional level education on any topic. And according to Bill Gates it will soon be on the Internet.

"Five years from now on the web for free you'll be able to find the best lectures in the world," he said. "It will be better than any single university."

It's not hard to imagine, given the technology already exists. It's simply a matter of implementation.

The real question is: will it transcend currently available education? Not just in college, but during primary school: k through 12. Will it finally allow us to once again use all our modalities for learning, rather than just one or two?

Either way it will certainly have substantial positive impact upon education, something we've awaited a long time.

Web Search Engines: Good Alternatives to Google, Yahoo, MSN

Since 1998, web search has been dominated by a single term: Google. It has become almost synonymous. We now 'Google' everything: websites, recipes, weather, any question we have. Almost as if it were some kind of oracle.

But has Google become too good? Are we missing something in the cast iron integrity of their results?

The answer is: it is very possible. As any average web searcher knows, there are times Google's results are very repetitive in terms of what the linked pages say. Though relevant and high quality, they can bury less popular content - even if it's unique. And that's not even mentioning censorship - a critical subject whenever dealing with a single source.

So how do we find these 'gems in the rough? Despite a market eclipse by the 'big 3' (Google, Yahoo, MSN), there are definitely a few very good alternatives left.

Cha Cha

Ask Cha Cha any question and a trained human guide will provide you with a high quality answer (it's better than most tech support)! You can also search through pre-existing questions for quick results. This is an excellent choice for newbies and experts alike.

Website: http://www.chacha.com/

Cuil

Cuil is a relative newcomer to web search, claiming to now have the largest index in the world (over 120 billion pages). Theirs is a unique search engine, attempting to 'analyze' the results and reduce repetitive content. This is most noticeable in their Internet encyclopedia - cpedia. Definitely good for 'alternative' search results that you might not find elsewhere.

Website: http://www.cuil.com

EntireWeb

Having undergone several major revisions, EntireWeb is now a serious competitor in the search engine market. Theirs is a mid-size index (over 100 million documents) that prides itself on scouting the best pages and keeping them current. They also offer a visual 'glimpse' of the websites in the results.

Website: http://www.entireweb.com

Gigablast

Gigablast is an advanced search engine that was very popular a few years ago. Today they remain a leader in relevant search results. They are also the leading 'clean energy search engine' - running almost entirely on wind power. As such, their search technology is designed to be as fast and efficient as possible. Definitely try them when looking for an alternative to your usual search results.

Website: http://www.gigablast.com

IxQuick

Ixquick is a highly advanced 'meta' search engine known as IxQuick. They pride themselves on privacy - as they do not record your IP address. They also rate every result - one star for every search engine that chooses it for the first page. Thus, if a result is found on the first page of Google, Yahoo, MSN, and 7 others, it gets a 10 star rating - a sort of 'concensus' between major engines.

Next to Google, this is my personal favorite, and a tremendous alternative for the privacy-conscious among us (if there are any? feel free to comment!)

Website: http://www.ixquick.com

See a list of all current search engines...

Commodore 64 Returns as a Retro Keyboard based PC

As a little bit of nostalgia for the long time computer fans amongst us, a new version of the 'Commodore 64' is being released - by Commodore USA, LLC.

Their all new, all-in-one Commodore 64bit Phoenix PC can be configured with dual or quad core Intel processors, up to 2 terabytes of hard disk storage, and 4 gigabytes of DDR RAM.

Other features include:

• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
• HiFi sound chip
• Four USB ports
• One DVI port
• Removable 2.5" hard drive
• Slimline optical drive (blue-ray, dvdrw, etc)
• Touch pad
• Built in stereo speakers
• Aluminum construction

The Commodore 64bit Phoenix is available with either Ubuntu Linux or Windows 7 pre-installed.

Commodore USA also features several other keyboard based PC's, and will soon be launching a series of low power, low cost, 'computer on a chip' design keyboard computers, netbooks, and tablets.

Click here to see them on the web...

Nvidia 3D Vision Kit: Wireless 3D Glasses Work with Most Video Games

As computers and gaming systems push over 4 gigahertz and 6 processor cores, gamers have come to expect ultra high resolution graphics for their entertainment.

The next logical phase in this development is the third dimension. Video game makers are pushing the envelope of 'virtual' reality to deliver in next generation systems and game titles. Unfortunately, however, there is very little current support.

Enter the Nvidia 3D Wireless Vision Kit. Unlike most 3D systems, Nvidia's product lets you see hundreds of games in high definition 3D. To accomplish this, it uses special software to convert graphics in real time - no need to patch any of your games. It also supports viewing movies and pictures on your PC in 3D.

The Nvidia 3D Vision Kit is wireless; up to 15 feet with an infrared transmitter for accurate viewing and over 40 hours of battery life.

It sells for $199 directly from their website or from participating retailers.

Learn more from their website here...

3D Cartoon Avatars: 9 Easy Websites to 'Cartoonize' Yourself for Profile Pictures

Online social networking has grown rapidly. Millions now display their lives openly for others to see. You, however, are perhaps reluctant. You may want friends to identify you without showing too much. Or maybe you just want to be fun and unique. But how?

Enter 3D cartoon avatars. No, not the movie, but rather a cartoon profile picture based upon your real life portrait.. in a format that you can easily post to your Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or other profile.

The following websites make creating your own 3D avatar very simple. They are:

• Web based (little or no download, widely compatible)
• Easy to use (simple buttons and scrollers)
• Self Publishing (let you download or send right to your profile)

So without further ado, here are 9 easy websites to 'cartoonize yourself' for profile pictures.

Evolver lets you create life like 3D representations of yourself based upon a head shot portrait, and customize your looks as much as you want. Your finished picture can then display just your face or your entire body. You can even animate yourself.

When you're done, Evolver lets you save multiple avatars to your free account. You can then publish directly to your favorite social networks, or download for your own use.

Website: www.evolver.com and www.avatara.com

Similar to Evolver, 3DVia lets you build your own 3D likenesses with a real picture of yourself. And again, it has tools for customizing. 3DVia also lets you publish to Facebook with a single click.

3DVia also lets you create games, programs, and contribute to an online 3d world. These items are easily ignored, however, if you just want a basic avatar.

Website: http://www.3dvia.com/

Meez let's you create a cartoonish, but still 3D avatar using simple online tools. You can represent yourself realistically or ideally. Meez tends to be simpler, faster than the first two, but also less realistic.

Website: http://www.meez.com

MyAvatarEditor lets you create funny cartoon avatars for your profile. Its options are simple, quick, and allow many variations. Give yourself an unusual expression, style, or physique for entertainment value.

Website: http://www.myavatareditor.com/

The official website of The Simpson's Movie let's you create custom avatars in the likeness of The Simpson's cartoons. There is a surprising level of customization available, yet every avatar is unmistakably Simpson's.

Website: http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html

Digibody's caricatures (exaggerated figures) have a 'hand drawn' black and white appearance. Definitely a must if you're looking for a simple, cartoonish, humorous twist to your personal appearance. One of the easiest tools to use.

Website: http://digibody.com/avatar-maker/index.php

DoppelMe is perhaps the simplest avatar creator yet. A full figure multi color cartoon with presets for appearance. You can also create a free account to save your avatar and access more advanced features.

Website: http://www.doppelme.com/

Create simple cartoonish, emotional depictions of yourself with Picassohead to share on social networks. These are head-shot only avatars, and you can create a free account to save your work.

Website: http://www.picassohead.com

Digimi is a realistic 3D avatar studio that puts your face on any body - depicting yourself as anyone you wish. Body builder, dancer, sports enthusiast, scientist, et cetera. As such, these are whole body avatars. Sharing your 3d avatar on social networks is also slightly more complex as you must copy the image and then upload manually.

Website: http://gizmoz.com/ and http://www.digimi.com

Whichever design you choose, 3D cartoon avatars are a great way to represent yourself online. From professional to funny and fantastical, there's something to fit any taste.

Click for more online avatar creators and how to information..

Starcraft II Frying Video Cards?

Tales of Starcraft 2 and frying video cards is spreading quickly. But what exactly is happening?

It was first reported within hours of release: gamers losing video cards in desktops and laptops to overheating while playing Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty.

A bug was identified and reported by Blizzard Entertainment which allowed uncapped frame rates in the menu screen of Starcraft 2, and they announced a fix.

Some gamers believe this is the cause of their problems, and went on to say as much. However, evidence indicates these video cards are failing for reasons other than Starcraft 2, and that it simply pushed them over the edge. These reasons include:

• Errors in software drivers for the cards
• Unusually warm operating conditions
• Inadequate PC cooling (due both to design and contamination)

Thus, the primary argument against Starcraft being the cause is simply that a proper hardware setup (design, implementation, & maintenance) usually doesn't fail when pushed, even to its design limits. This is especially true if it hasn't been overclocked.

Of course, substantial controversy surrounding this has erupted.

Thus far, the problem does seem to be minimal, affecting especially those cards that are not certified by Blizzard as compatible.

Read more about Starcraft II's system requirements here...

Kor-FX Immersion Technology: 'Feel' Your Video Games with Emotional 'Surround Sound'

Just when you thought controlling your video games with whole body motion was cool, a new gadget hits the market which brings you even closer to the action.

It's called the Kor-FX, and it's immersion technology actually let's you 'feel' the game, both physically and emotionally.

According to its creator Shahriar Afshar, a visiting physics professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, Kor-FX replicates the method by which your brain feels physical stimulation.

Players feel such things as falling rain, loss of balance, or sudden gforces (from quick movements). You'll even experience a heightening in emotional reactions such as crying and excitement. Shahriar calls this 'emotional surround sound'.

It looks like an oversized set of headphones, and hangs over your shoulders. Vibrations reach your chest cavity synchronized with game sounds, even events which can't always be heard. It works with any appliance that has audio output.

His company is Immerz, and they plan to release Kor-FX before this Christmas for around $200.

Click here to see them on the web...

Google Vs Chinese Government: A Timeline of Censorship

January 2010: It began when a series of sophisticated hacker attacks, appearing to originate from China, accessed the Gmail accounts of multiple Chinese human rights activists. After an investigation, Google "discovered that at least twenty other large companies from a wide range of businesses - including the Internet, finance, technology, media and chemical sectors". Obviously, these were not normal hacking incidents. In response, Google re-evaluated it's strategy in China, and even considered leaving..

March 2010: Shortly thereafter, negotiations between Google and the Chinese government broke down. Google stopped censoring it's .cn search results, instead directing visitors to the Hong Kong version.

June 2010: In an effort to keep their Internet license in China, Google changes their redirect system. Instead, some users see an image based redirect that goes to the .hk portal after clicking.

July 2010: Google remains in China and their licensed is renewed by Beijing (government). Visitors continue to be redirected to .hk unfiltered results.

August 2010: Google reports another "block in their services, raising questions whether the Chinese government was responsible. Google is currently uncertain as they continue investigating the issue.

ACTA: Dreadful New Global Laws Subvert Government, Nullify Constitution, Threaten Privacy, Control Your Data

For the last few years a secret, sweeping new set of International regulations known as ACTA has been in development. ACTA seeks to restrict the way information and products are distributed and redefine currently existing copyright laws.

According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), ACTA would impact multiple aspects of copyright law, the judicial system, and the role of congress in the United States alone. Among these include, but are not limited to:

• Require Internet service providers (ISPs) to disconnect individuals accused (not convicted) of repeated copyright infringement
• Require ISPs to hand over their subscribers’ identities to copyright owners without any due process or judicial oversight
• Require ISPs to make potentially expensive modifications to their networks in an effort to prevent copyright infringement
• Prohibit the U.S. Congress from reforming the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which makes it a crime to defeat copy protection even when making a copy is perfectly legal
• Require all countries to implement DMCA-like laws for their own populations, without the benefit of fair use or other legal exceptions that provide a modicum of protection for speech
• Threaten potential innovators with outrageous financial penalties for copyright infringement
• Criminalize even non-commercial uses of copyrighted materials.

As news has broke regarding ACTA (Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement), it's negotiators have accelerated the process to finish by the end of 2010. There has been little or no room for input from most of those affected.

Even now, The United States and other governments world-wide are preparing for the opportunity to enforce these new regulations. But the EFF and other civil rights organizations are confronting the issue head on drafting proposals and letters to relevant political parties for their dedication in protecting the freedom of individuals to their privacy and right to innovate.

Learn how you can participate...

Learn more about what ACTA is...

More news about ACTA...

Starcraft II Released: Impossible to Pirate?

The long awaited sequel (10 years!) to Blizzard Entertainment's Starcraft real-time strategy game has been released, much to the delight of gamers everywhere.

Unlike online games of yesteryear, however, Starcraft 2 will not be compromised by cracks or piracy any time soon. Blizzard has incorporated a unique 'server based' antipiracy system in which the software of each player's game client is verified by security experts. This means if you cheat, you'll be disconnected and deleted.

There has been a small cost, however. In order to further reduce the demand for Starcraft piracy, Blizzard has also changed offline playing ability. Offline campaigns still exist, but you must disconnect from the Internet, wait for the game to prompt for offline mode, and access it with your battle.net credentials. Then the game uploads your stats when you go back online.

LAN features, however, have been eliminated. Whether they did this to make a pirated version useless or for other reasons is unknown.

Read more about Starcraft II's anti-piracy measures here...

Apple Magic Trackpad: New Multi-touch Trackpad

Apple has announced the release of its long awaited Magic Trackpad <a href="http://computertalent.com/glossary/multi-touch/">multi-touch</a> <a href="http://computertalent.com/glossary/touchpad/">trackpad</a>.

The devices features wireless <a href="http://computertalent.com/glossary/bluetooth/">Bluetooth</a> connectivity, large size (7.4 x 5.6 inches), and AA battery power.

The available 'touch' gestures include scrolling, rotating, zooming, and more. You can perform various functions using two, three, and even four fingers at once. 'Clicking' is performed through two 'rubber button feet' on the bottom: by pressing down on the touchpad.

The Magic Trackpad sits very well next to Apple's wired and wireless keyboards and works with OS X 10.6.4 (snow Leopard) or later.

<a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/152968/2010/07/trackpad_slideshow.html" target=_blank">See pictures of Apple's Magic Trackpad here...</a>

Alleged Mariposa Botnet Hacker Arrested in Slovenia

The mastermind of the largest 'botnet' network in the world was arrested today, July 28th 2010. A 23 year old hacker from Slovenia known only as Iserdo.

The Mariposa botnet, Spanish for butterfly, infected over 12 million computers in over 190 countries.

Created by the DDP Team (Días de Pesadilla Team – Nightmare Days Team in English), the Mariposa Botnet was used to generate money in a number of ways, including:

• Renting to other criminals
• Theft of passwords, credit card numbers, and more
• Changing rank of websites in search engines (SERPS)
• Displaying pop up advertisements

Various law enforcement and computer security experts came together from around the world to form the Mariposa Working Group (MWG). However, the DDP Team used Virtual Private Networks (VPN's) to hide their IP Addresses, making tracking extremely difficult.

They were caught when the gang leader connected to the botnet command center from his home computer in a frantic attempt to wrestle control back from the security team.

Learn More about the Mariposa Botnet case here...

Government Terminates 73,000 Blogs in Cybersecurity Act

In an unprecedented move, the federal government has ordered the immediate termination of 73,000 blogs at Blogetery.com.

The reason? BursetNET says a "link to terrorist material" and a "hit list" were found on one of the blogs.

"Simply put: We cannot give him his data nor can we provide any other details. By stating this, most would recognize that something serious is afoot."

Further information leaked from emails sent by BurstNET implied Blogetery.com may have been shut down "due to material hosted on the server".

After a recent article by the Washing Post regarding previous materials of this sort, there's no telling where it came from.

One thing seems certain, however: federal authorities will be using newfound intellectual property enforcement power to shut down many websites.

Learn more about why it happened here...

Learn more about possible political implications here...

World's Cheapest Laptop: $35 Tablet Computer from India will Revolutionize Education

In response to MIT's and Marvell's $100 laptop, the Indian government has announced design plans for a $35 dollar supercheap laptop (tablet computer).

Students in the developing world have an incredible need for access to today's Internet, and this device could be the answer.

India's tablet PC will be based on the Linux open source operating system (which is free) and feature web browsing (with support for Adobe Flash) , word processing, and video conferencing.

It also contains USB ports and a memory card in place of the traditional hard drive, as it is a 'cloud computing' device (with access to the Internet for extra storage and features).

India is excited about offering the laptop as early as 2011, with possible plans to sell it abroad and subsidize costs.

Click here to watch a video announcement..

Read more about the PC here..

Indian Institute of Technology

USB 3.0 Released: Faster Transfer Speeds for Portable Storage

The release of the USB 3.0 standard earlier this year means we can now enjoy faster USB transfer speeds for flash drives, external hard drives, Solid State Disks (SSD), and other portable storage.

Current USB 2.0 speeds (most modern computers and portable storage) run at 480 Mbps (megabits per second). USB 3.0 will be as much as 10 times faster!

This means downloading or uploading pictures, video, music and other files in seconds, rather than minutes. It also means running more applications right from your flash drives.

However, the changeover will not be instant. While DIY and high performance computer builders have access to the hardware now, those purchasing average computers from local retail stores will have to wait, perhaps more than a year, before USB 3.0 becomes universal.

Find out more about USB 3.0 here...

Xbox Kinect: Exciting New Way to Play Video Games (Using Your Whole Body!)

Taking the concept from the Nintendo Wii a step forward, Microsoft has announced the release of a totally new way to physically interact with video games: by using your entire body.

(Youtube Video)

It's called Xbox Kinect, and it uses a camera system to put you inside of video games. This is done by analyzing your motions via computer algorithms. By moving in certain ways, you can control yourself within the game.

At first, only some titles will be compatible with the new system. But as time goes by, its almost certain popularity will attract increasingly more game producers. Future titles like Halo, EA sports, Call of Duty, and others are certain to join in on the fun.

Is this the first step towards virtual reality? Decide for yourself.

Learn more about Xbox Kinect here..

Click here to visit Xbox Kinect on the web...

6 Durable USB Drives for File Transfer or Backup

The need for lots of secure storage is as omnipresent in the digital world as in your every day surroundings. Enter the durable USB drive. Unlike 'floppy disks' of yesteryear, these new super flash based solid state USB drives hold thousands of your files for years at a time without fail.

Here are 6 such drives with various levels of water resistance, shock resistance, and warranty.

LaCie ExtremKey

The latest in a recent series of 'durable USB storage drives' to hit the market (due in August 2010), LaCie ExtremKey is the most rugged to date. A 2mm thick shell composed of a unique metal alloy called zamac makes it almost impenetrable:

• Withstand pressure from a 10 ton truck
• Watertight to 100 meters
• Withstands over 5 meter drops
• Withstands temperatures from 392°F to -58°F (!)

Their claims are backed by military testing: MIL-STD-810F.

Click here to visit their website and watch a test video...

Corsair Voyager and Voyager Mini

Among the first 'durable USB drives', the Voyager (and Voyager Mini) is encased in a rugged rubberized housing making it both water and shock resistant.

Corsair notes their drive has been "baked, frozen, boiled, dropped, and even run over by a SUV" in third party reviews and continues to function.

Click here for their product website...

Patriot Xporter

Not to be outdone, the new Patriot Xporter is a high performance USB drive that is also durable. The housing is water and shock resistant, and the drive is backed by a lifetime warranty.

The Patriot Xporter XT also has among the fastest transfer rates in the industry for large USB drives at over 30mb/s (200x).

Click here for their website...

Sandisk Cruzer Titanium

The Cruzer Titanium series is a practical every day USB drive combined with a rugged metallic housing and a sliding plug. This gives it a characteristic shock resistance without being hard to buy: price or location.

Click here to view their product...

SuperTalent PICO

Among the tiniest of the tiny, the PICO comes in a variety of metallic housing styles with shock, water, and dirt resistance. A special design completely isolates the sensitive electronic components within the housing, exposing nothing. Additionally, it weighs only 6 grams! And rated for 10 years data retention.

Click here for more...

Verbatim TUFF-'N'-TINY

True to its name, TUFF-'N'-TINY measures just 1.19 x 0.5 inch, and 0.06 thick! It's also resistant to dust, water and static discharges, backed by a lifetime warranty.

Click here for their website...

Ultimately your choice should be determined by your normal operating environment. Extreme conditions necessitate the larger, more durable models (LaCie ExtremKey and Corsair Voyager). Every day wear (sports, work, and sometimes more) is easily met with the Patriot Xporter or Sandisk Cruzer Titanium. Finally for keychain-convenient uber mobility, try the SuperTalent PICO or Verbatim TUFF-’N'-TINY.

Surveillance Technology and Privacy: Is Your Gadget Spying on You?

As we warp into an almost science fiction future, new technologies dominate our lives: Computers. Cell phone. Digital Cameras. Navigation. And much more.

While our 'always connected' society offers many rewards, perhaps it's time we cast light upon what's been lurking in the shadows - surveillance technology that dooms privacy.

The technical terms are reminiscent of an Orwellian novel. Surveillance technology, digital spying, predictive behavior technology. Whatever you call it, the pattern is clear: we're losing our privacy to technology at an alarming rate.

Today, almost every new gadget to hit the market has some kind of storage or connectivity. Insidious in this is the fact that these devices can store shocking amounts of personal data about you. And it's not just the Internet. Navigation devices and cell phones know your every move. Security cameras in common places can recognize your face and store it in a remote database. Even store bought merchandise now comes with electronic tracking tags.

This begs the question: is your gadget spying on you?

Click here for the top Ten Ways We Are Being Tracked, Traced, and Databased by technology we trust...

Tip: Increase Website Traffic Free by Using Forums

When making a new website, among our first questions is: "How can I get people to visit?" Whether your website is for business, personal reasons, or blogging, web traffic is one of your most important considerations. It is unfortunate then that so many of us struggle with this. But getting web traffic is actually remarkably simple. You can:

• Buy advertisements (Newsletters, Banners, Text)
• Get links from other websites (try asking)
• Write articles and distribute them freely

Or increase your website traffic for free with forums!

There are forums for almost any topic you can think of, and most of them are completely free. You simple go, sign up, and start reading or typing to others. Unlike a chatroom, every conversation is saved.

This technique is one of my favorite. There are 5,000 steps to increasing your website traffic with forums:

1. Find a forum related to your website. For example: if your website is about dogs, type "dog forums" into your favorite search engine.

2. Register for free. Forums require that you create a free account (usually by clicking 'register'). Then enter a nickname and your email address. Be sure to check your email a few minutes after and read the message which comes - also check your junk mail folder.

3. Create a profile. After registering, you can enter some information about yourself including a 'signature' - a place to put a link back to your website. This is the most important part. Most forums have instructions to help with this.

That's it, you're almost done! Now the only thing you have left to do is start using the forum. Try to read a little bit first, make sure you understand the forum's rules and are familiar with the topic being discussed.

Then you can contribute by 'posting' - responding to other users or creating your own discussion. This is when your signature will appear with your link.

Other forum members will see your link, click on it, and visit your website! It's also a great way to have fun while learning as much as you can about your favorite things.

Here is a great video overview about increasing your website traffic free with forums. Click here to view it (Using Forums For Traffic & Help)...

Top 10 Worst Computer Viruses of All Time

As with the dawn of many new technologies throughout history, the Internet has brought both great possibilities and potential catastrophe.

This has already been demonstrated repeatedly throughout its still short life (15 years for most people). Some of these possibilities which have come to pass include:

• Chatting with thousands of people in forums
• Realtime online video conferencing sessions
• Purchasing almost anything online
• Conducting business exclusively online
• Conducting real transactions in 3D virtual worlds

And last but not least, spreading the worst computer viruses of all time.

As with biological systems, electronic 'viruses' a.k.a. computer 'viruses' are capable of causing widespread havoc in a very short period of time. As of 2010, they have been responsible for a combined total of hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.

Who would have thought in 1980 that a few lines of text could have such impact throughout the world? Very few people, I suspect.

Let's have a look, then, at the top "10 Worst Computer Viruses of All Time", including not only virii, but also trojan horses and worms.

Click here to see the worst computer viruses...

Facebook Face Detection Knows Who's in Your Photos

In an apparent effort to help users more easily identify people in uploaded photos, Facebook has released new facial recognition, or face detection, technology.

According to Facebook, the goal of this new technology is to eliminate the "tedious process" of clicking on faces of people in your photos. Instead, Facebook now has them selected automatically.

Currently, you must still type the person's name (in the photo). However, we predict in the near future Facebook will automatically identify and tag people in your photos (from a database photo tagging users helped build).

Read more at the Facebook blog...

Google Chrome 5 Web Browser Released

Version 5.0 of Google's Chrome browser was released today. Upgrades include faster performance (including faster javascript execution), web based drag-and-drop support, and now even support for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

In case you haven't yet heard of Google Chrome, it is a quick-loading alternative to Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox with a unique and simple tab-based interface. It is rapidly growing in popularity.

Read More at the official Google Chrome blog...

Apple iPhone 4 Release: Facetime Video Chat, Retina HD Display, 802.11n WiFi

Apple has announced the release of their new iPhone 4th generation. With sleek glass faces and polished shiny stainless steel edges, you can expect it to continue impressing your friends. Also impressive is the array of new features, including:

• Facetime Video Chat in WiFi mode

• Front and Rear Cameras with LED flash, 5 megapixels, 5x digital zoom, true HD recording

• New HD display (960x640 resolution, 326ppi, 800:1 contrast)

• A4 processor from the Apple iPad

• Upgraded gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass

• 25 percent thinner

• 7 hours talk, 6 hours browsing, 10 hours WiFi, 10 hours video, and 40 hours music.

Despite all this, Consumer Reports claims Apple is still struggling with reception issues. Apple claims the issues are software related and can be fixed with an update. Read more about the Antenna issue here... Read more about the Apple iPhone 4 release here...

Albert Gonzalez - Largest Credit Card Database Hacker in US History

In the largest computer hacking case in United States history, Albert Gonzalez was sentenced to 20 years of prison and fined $25,000. His crimes include assisting two Russian co-conspirators in stealing more than 130 million credit cards from 250 retail store databases. Heartland Payment Systems, Inc - among the largest payment processors in the U.S. - was among the targets.. along with 7-eleven and Hannaford Brothers Co. 

Gonzalez's method of attack is known as 'SQL injection', and unfortunately it is an industry wide vulnerability. 

His reason for committing the crimes? "curiosity and addiction."

Today, almost all purchases made with your credit card involve the Internet or a database - whether they are made online or in stores. So despite these crimes buying online is actually no less safe than brick and morter since the only way someone can see your number online is by hacking complex computer systems.

Now See This: Facebook Sharing Your Information with Other Sites

Facebook has yet again raised the issue of privacy amongst its users. This time it's being called 'Beacon in Reverse' - with the proposed changes enabling users of other websites to view your Facebook data. 

Facebook connect, the service currently used with third party games and applications, will be updated to include automatically sharing "general information about you to pre-approved third party websites and applications that use platform at the time you visit them". And unlike their previous privacy policies, this one will require you to 'opt-out' if you don't want it.

And this is probably the most controversial part. A great many of Facebook's users already find navigating their privacy and other settings overly complex - thus most choose to ignore them. Will their userbase tolerate another dramatic change to privacy which will result in even more sharing of their data?

See the proposed changes in their entirety..