You may not be familiar with the company Tronical but you will know their work because they are responsible for Gibson’s Robot Guitar tuning systems. Well judging by this video it appears that Tronical are about to launch some standalone systems that can be retrofit to pretty much any guitar be it a Les Paul [...]
Category: Social Networking
Google+ cheat sheet
Since there’s been quite a lot of new people getting in to Google+ today, I thought I’d share this ‘cheat sheet’ that’s been doing the rounds. Hopefully it’ll help some of you newbies get better orientated. 
Turn Google+ Into Facebook
The social networking wars have dialed it up to 11 this week, with Google unleashing its highly anticipated (and highly leaked) Google+ social initiative upon the world on Tuesday — to not a bad response, to be honest. So it’s not that surprising that today Facebook countered the + hubbub with its own ‘we’ve got something awesome’ unveiling planned for next week. You crazy kids!
The resemblance between the two social networks is uncanny — my Tweet-length opinion is that Google+ is like Facebook with a more usable, streamlined Photos and Groups interface (and that might be enough to win). Only time will tell.
In the meantime, for those of you who have the decidedly middle class problem of social network fatigue, there is a solution. Thanks to the unlimited creativity of humans, you can now actually make your Google+ look like Facebook, with the Google+ : Facebook Stylish extension or this CSS code.
(Via TechCrunch.)
Meet Your Newest Social Network Google+
After long speculation, Google is officially introducing the company’s Facebook rival today, named Google+. It has a number of unique features to the service. Plus, there is no sign up required for anyone with an active Google account. But is this really the Facebook killer we have been waiting for?
Google+ has five different points of emphasis. The first is Circles, which lets you drag and drop friends into specific groups. Similar to Facebook friend lists, yes, but a lot of the sharing revolves around which groups the user decides to share certain bits of information to.
Building upon Circles is Hangouts, which is really just Google’s fancy term for group video chat. In the stream, users can see who is ‘hanging out’ and decide to join a hangout and participate in a large video conference. Hangouts may consist of random friends or specific Circles of friends.
Sparks is the third point of emphasis, and it stems more from Google search than it does from the social aspects of Google+. In a nutshell, it is a mini search engine. The service encourages the user to search for things of interest and save them in a list. Instead of a standard list of results, Sparks presents different articles or videos the user can watch, read, or share. And using the list of interests, the results for each are accessible again at any time.
Finally, we have two mobile features, available on the Android Market immediately and coming to the App Store soon. Instant Upload plays up the fact that it is a tedious process to upload multiple photos from a smart phone. This feature will automatically upload any photos and videos a user captures and store them in a private album in Google+ for sharing upon the user’s own discretion. Huddle, simply put, is Google’s answer to iMessage. It combines text messaging and chatting into one and allows for group chatting from within the app. Circles plays a big role in this as well.
Those five main features are the stars of the show here. Aside from them, Google+ does provide some more familiar features. A stream shows real-time updates from friends and a hub for sharing statuses, photos, videos, and links. Plus, each user gets an individual profile. The normal bar at the top of each Google product turns black when Google+ is active, and acts as full navigation for the services, profiles, and notifications.
The Google+ project is currently available by invitation-only, but over time Google will roll it out to everyone. So — the question you have been waiting for — is this going to take down Facebook? I think for sure that it has more potential than any other competitor thus far. However, since Facebook reportedly now has 750 million active users, winning the battle will be an extremely long and painful challenge. Google+ is either going to fly or die.
(Via Skatter Tech.)
Happy 30th Birthday, ZX81!
In 1980, British company Sinclair released their ZX80 computer for $199.95.
One year later, they released the new and improved ZX81
. Compared to the ZX80, the ZX81 was much cheaper, at only $99.95, the first computer for under $100. The ZX81 has the same microprocessor and runs at the same speed as the ZX80, but it has a better BASIC programming language and is cheaper to produce, due to having fewer chips and a simpler design.
Although cheap and quite popular, the ZX81 was, well, cheap. The keyboard is a ‘touch sensitive membrane’, a flexible plastic surface with the actual switches under the surface. While easy to clean and water resistant, it is very difficult and slow to type on, because you have to press hard and very deliberately to use the tiny, closely-spaced keys. Touch-typing is impossible. Resourceful users hacked into their system and added their own ‘real’ keyboard, external to the system.
Switching to Mac
There are many reasons you might want to switch to a Mac: design, software, sheer awesomeness. Whatever your reason, you might not yet have your heart set on a specific machine, but don’t worry, I am here to fix that very issue.
Apple have six main product lines for Mac OS X: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro. That’s a whole lotta Mac. But, whether you’re a student wanting a notebook to write essays at Starbucks, or a hardcore, photo/editing user who wants a desktop, there’s a Mac that’s perfect for you.
Today we’ll take you through each of the six product lines and also tell you whether it’s the right time to buy, who each model is best suited for, and where you should purchase from.
MacBook
The MacBook is Apple’s entry-level notebook and their most affordable Mac with a screen (this one starts and ends at 13″). It’s a bit of an outlier in terms of design, with it supporting a white, polycarbonate unibody design. It supports the slighty-outdated but still useful Intel Core 2 Duo clocked at 2.4GHz, with 2GB RAM.
It has the standard array of connectivity including WiFi built in (obviously) and a range of ports including two USBs. It runs NVIDIA 320M graphics, which, for most non-video-intensive or gaming use, is just about fine.
Who’s It For?
If you’re looking to browse the internet and primarily use the bundled software (Safari, iLife etc.) then this will be fine. If you’re going to be extensively utilizing the 2.4GHz processor for heavy processing, it might not be so productive. It’s for people on a budget and those who aren’t too attracted to Apple’s obsession with aluminium. This is certainly a very capable device that should fit 80% of most users needs.
When/Where Is Best to Buy?
Apple last introduced an update to this product in May 2010, meaning there could be an imminent update. It’s probably best to hold fire for a few months if you’re not in a rush. If you’re a student (and can afford to wait a few months), wait until the summer and grab yourself a free iPod touch with the usual ‘Back to School’ offer. Even if you decide to sell the iPad, it’ll knock a few hundred dollars off the overall price.
For most of the products we discuss today, Apple is often the best place to buy from. It’s easy to customise your model, and their prices are often comparable to elsewhere (as they set the baseline standard). Occasionally you’ll see Amazon providing discounts or rebates on older models.
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is essentially the same as the entry-level MacBook but is housed in an aluminium casing and has more room for upgrades. If you don’t feel like the MacBook is strong enough for you, this probably is. A range of build-to-order options are available including capacity for higher amounts of RAM and larger internal storage.
Who’s It For?
For the user who wants a high capacity portable, but where the white MacBook is not good enough. It’s main strength is the wide build-to-order options and the larger screen sizes. Most users will prefer the Pro and is my recommended portable for mainstream use. It is a great, reliable system and one that you can’t go wrong with. Gamers will appreciate the improved graphics card, and you can opt for Firewire on the higher-end models.
When/Where Is Best to Buy?
Like the MacBook, the Pro is due an upgrade and it’s generally accepted this is coming during March or April this year. I’d strongly suggest you wait at least 45 days before buying, if not just to judge the rumors at that time. However, once again, the MacBook Pro is still a great machine and whether you buy now or later, it’ll surely make you proud.
A lot of people buy MacBook Pros and they have a large push in Apple retail. There’s always a wide selection of refurbished MacBook Pros in the Apple Refurb store and the cash-conscious side of you would recommend you check it out first.
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is Apple’s most recent release and (I think) their best designed product by far. While the MacBook Air starts at a lowly-clocked 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, it makes up for that with a fast solid state drives. The MacBook Air also starts at a smaller, 11″ screen size making it a perfect accessory for travelers or students.
Even though it is a very premium product, the 11″ product starts at the same price point as the white MacBook. If you are someone who won’t require a lot of processing power for editing (even though video production is fairly impressive) or a DVD drive, this could be a perfect companion to your computer life, especially if you’ve already got a desktop.
Who’s It For?
The MacBook Air can be a primary computer for the average user with the 13″ screen size. However, it’s most suited to being a secondary machine alongside a Mac or PC desktop. Don’t let the low clock speed or the outdated processor worry you – the SSD more than makes up for it. It’s small form factor also means it’s great for portable lifestyles.
When/Where Is Best to Buy?
The MacBook Air was released just last October so don’t expect an update anytime soon. Now is a perfect time to buy and you’ll get the same deal at Best Buy or Apple. Apple did, however, put a bunch of MacBook Airs on the refurbished store and you can grab a great deal there.
Mac Mini
The Mac Mini is Apple’s small, but powerful, desktop that lacks all peripherals. The minimalist computer houses a 2.4GHz+ Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a user-upgradeable 2GB of RAM. This is the product that was made for PC switcher, allowing them to keep their existing keyboard, mouse and display.
Even if you purchase Apple Bluetooth accessories and a standard monitor, it still comes in at under the entry-level iMac and is a great machine for most users (just like the MacBook).
The Mac Mini also features a removable base, making it easy for you to upgrade the internal RAM.
Who’s It For?
The switcher. The Mac Mini is a fairly-cheap product that will be useful for the majority of users and is great for switchers who already own their own peripherals. If you, however, are lacking a display and accessories, I’d highly suggest the more-powerful entry-level iMac.
When/Where Is Best to Buy?
The Mac Mini is coming up to a refresh (if history is any hint) and I’d suggest you wait off until the summer, at least. I’m sure Apple has some sort of CPU refresh planned, possibly to Intel’s latest processors (the same ones you see in the current generation iMacs).
iMac
The iMac is Apple’s main desktop line and probably their most popular. The machine is an all-in-one Mac that ships with keyboard and mouse, so it’s a great starting point for new Mac users. Most desktop switchers will appreciate the Arrendale processors that start at 3.06GHz, the dedicated graphics and the user-upgradeable RAM which starts at 4GB as standard.
The iMac is my choice as an upcoming switcher due to the high-powered entry level model. It’s also priced at a relatively average range, so it’s worth serious consideration.
Unlike the Mac Mini, the iMac opts for a dedicated ATI graphics card rather than the integrated/shared ones of it’s smaller brother. It also has many build-to-order specs, including the availability of a solid state drive.
Who’s It For?
Anyone. The iMac really suits everyone with it’s large screen and high-performance internals. Apple has packed high performance into style, with an affordable price for the serious user. Whether this is a machine for college, work, gaming or just normal home use, it’s the perfect all-rounder.
When/Where Is Best to Buy?
The iMac, in this form, was released just around the same time as the Mac Mini in it’s current form. Whilst i’d suggest waiting off getting a Mac Mini, I say go right ahead with the iMac. The Sandy Bridge processor delay means it’s unlikely the iMac will see a major update before late this year or into next.
However, there are some rumors of a more ‘affordable’ price point so if you want to hold off, you can.
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is the desktop that I doubt many of you will be suited to. It’s not a prosumer desktop, but rather a straight-out pro desktop. This is meant for the heavy duty user who needs the power of additional cores for intensive applications. If you’re coming from a custom built or highly-powered PC, consider the higher end iMacs over the Mac Pro.
However, the Mac Pro does allow for some serious upgrading in a beautiful case. If you change your specs around a lot, the Mac Pro allows for this with ease.
You may think you need a Mac Pro coming from a PC background, but I highly suggest you buy a higher end iMac first. If it doesn’t fit your needs, then opt to return it under Apple’s 14-day buyer’s remorse and then go for the Mac Pro. This will save you a lot of money without the need to buy a display or keyboard/mouse first.
Who’s It For?
(Probably) not you. The Mac Pro is for really heavy duty users who need that raw power, or at least the ones who need to upgrade a lot. Like I said, the higher-end quad-core i5 and i7s CPUs provide enough power for even the more CPU-intensive users. I suggest you at least try one out and then return it, if it’s not up to your needs. There’s nothing to lose and it may save you significant amounts of money.
When/Where Is Best to Buy?
It’s always a good time to buy a Mac Pro, especially now with the new 12-core monster. And I suggest the Apple Store once again, to try out the machine before you buy. This is super important if you’re willing to make such an investment.
The Types of Users
Most users (or at least the ones who read this site) will fall into one of three categories: the browser (someone whos life is mainly on the web and involves browsing the internet and light app use), the editor (a Photoshop/graphics editor and someone who deals with a lot of video) or the gamer.
Here’s a rough idea of where you might fit into Apple’s product lineup:
The Browser
MacBook
MacBook Air
21.5″ iMac
Mac Mini
The Editor
Mac Pro
i5/i7 iMac
15″+ MacBook Pro
The Gamer
i5/i7 iMac
i5/i7 Macbook Pro
Quad-core Mac Pro
(Via Mac.AppStorm.)
9 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft From Your Online Activities
If you have ever experienced identity theft yourself or even know someone who has, you know the experience can be a harrowing one. Criminals can open accounts in your name and impersonate you for a multitude of reasons – none of which are good. While thieves have been performing identity theft for a long-time offline the volume of personal information found online is astounding and these days a would-be identity thief only needs to log in from the comfort of his or her home to do their misdeeds.
That leaves the burden upon you to protect your personal information while using the internet. The only perfect way to protect yourself online and prevent identity theft is to not use it at all, but since you are reading this, I will assume that you are pretty net savvy and spend a good deal of time online. Let’s go over some tips to protect and prevent identity theft online.
1. Watch out for Phishing Websites
A Phishing website is one that presents itself as a legitimate business website however in reality is a fake one looking for your information. They may look for a username and password but also could be looking for your name, social security number, address, and other personal information. Be vigilant if a site asks for the following information:
- Social Security number
- Credit card number
- Bank account number
- Driver’s license number
- Home address and phone number
- Health insurance id or information
The request for information could be legit (for example, if you are applying for a credit card); but if it was unsolicited that should be a big red flag. If you have a question whether the site is a real one for a company, visit the organization’s main web page and call their number to ask.
2. Use an Anti-virus/Anti-Malware Program
Backdoors, keyloggers and other nefarious programs can allow entry to your system and they can be installed in any number of ways. The only way to be sure to protect against them is to install both anti-virus and anti-malware; vendors these days often have solutions which include both. For a current list of our top recommended anti-virus and anti-malware programs, check out MakeUseOf’s 10 best anti-virus programs.
3. Use OpenDNS
While OpenDNS is a great way to speed up your internet connection it also has a feature that is less sexy but definitely more practical. That is that OpenDNS makes a great content filtering solution which can alert you when you visit a website which has been marked as dangerous by the awesome Phishtank service.
4. Unique Passwords for Every Website
Another method criminals may use to obtain your personal information is by logging into your email and other online accounts and glean information from there. That is the reason that it is so important to maintain password security across all of your online accounts. Generating a secure password is the first step to prevent identity theft by keeping your accounts secure, and then Lastpass or Keepass will assist you in remembering them.
5. Shop Only at Reputable Websites
While one of the reasons that the internet is so great is that you can find sites that sell about everything, how do you know that a company will keep your information secure? You might check to see if the site is safe using one of the link checkers we mentioned or run it by the Web of Trust who also provides a browser plugin.
6. Don’t Divulge Too Much Personal Information via Social Media
Social media is great and I use it all of the time, so please don’t get me wrong. But be careful how much information you give out to the general public while sharing what you are eating. I’ve seen people check into banks occasionally on FourSquare; this is bad because it lets anyone know who you use for your bank and makes you an easy target for identity theft. The private information listed above should never be divulged on social media sites as well as other information people could use to obtain that private data from you.
7. Monitor Your Credit Profile
Part of being vigilant about identity theft is making sure someone doesn’t already have your information and is using it – the sooner you catch it the better. If you are in the United States you can get a Free Annual Credit Report, if you are in another location your country may offer a similar service.
8. Secure Your Wireless Network
There are a number of reasons to secure your wireless network and one of the main ones is to reduce fraud and identity theft. If you leave your wireless network open (not securing it with WPA encryption) and without a password, not only can an attacker use your network without your knowledge but can also view your website usage. This can allow them to easily build a detailed profile of you (and your family) and the websites you visit. Even if some information is encrypted (your credit card number for example) many sites do not encrypt login information and just the website names alone can help give an attacker information about you. Adding a password to your wireless network protects against this.
9. Only Download Software From Reputable Sources
Similar to only shopping on reputable sites, you should only run software that come from known sources. If you download games/screensavers/warez/cracks from disreputable websites they may include backdoors and trojans that your antivirus may or may not catch. The sites mentioned above are a start but always be aware and of course keep your antivirus updated especially if you frequent those websites.
(Via MakeUseOf.com.)
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