True Cycle: May 2007

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Better than Google? Creator thinks so

Google is keeping a close eye on a small, suburban Melbourne start-up that claims to be developing a search engine that improves on the world leader.

MyLiveSearch, which plans to go live as a public beta in a few weeks, is the brainchild of self-taught software developer Rob Gabriel.

Mr Gabriel, 35, says his search engine gives better, more relevant results than the search king because it is a truly "live" search.

Google's search engine works by building a vast index of web pages, via automated "spiders" that crawl through billions of web pages a year. However this represents only a fraction of the enormous, sprawling internet, and the index can never be entirely up to date.

Yahoo! search and (despite its name) Microsoft's Live search work the same way.

MyLiveSearch is fundamentally different. It works through a small browser plug-in. The search terms are put through Google, or other indexed search databases, but those results are treated as "starting points" alongside the user's bookmarks and other popular web hubs.

From there, the live search takes over, crawling through hundreds of web pages connected to those starting points in search of more information relevant to the search.

Mr Gabriel says the results come back in seconds, and are almost always richer, more detailed and more useful than a standard, index-based search. His product can also search the so-called "invisible web" of dynamically-generated web pages that search engines have trouble indexing.

"This has the potential to change the way people search the internet," he said. "Google can't search every page every day (to build its index). The web is so dynamic and changes so often - MyLiveSearch turns your own computer into a 'super-spider' to search it in real time.

"This technology could be snapped onto any of the major search engines and improve them."

A Google business development representative has met with the MyLiveSearch team at least twice - once when the technology was at a very early stage, and again last week after Next made inquiries about Google's interest in the project.

Google did not want to comment on MyLiveSearch, except in general terms.

"We're really keen to support Australian developers and IT entrepreneurs," spokesman Rob Shilkin said. "Google Maps was a small Aussie start-up. And Google itself started as two guys in a garage."

The company has a history of acquiring technology that might help a competitor. In April last year Google bought the rights to an advanced text-search algorithm invented by University of NSW student Ori Allon. Mr Allon, 26, was given a job at Google's headquarters at Mountain View, California.

via brisbanetimes.com.au

Thursday, May 24, 2007

101 Essential Blogging Resources

With the amount of tools and programs cropping up all over the web for every type of person imagineable, its about time that someone wrote a massive list of resources for bloggers. Fortunately, I’ve taken up that responsibility to share with you some of the tools I use in my daily blogging life. Please note that by no means is this a definitive list, so please let me know if you think I’ve missed any out !

Domain Registrars

If you’re starting up on the web, then you’re gonna need an address where people can reach you:

Hosting
Once you’ve got yourself an address, you’re gonna need a house to store all of your juicy blog posts - so grab yourself some server space:

Content Management Systems
These babies are the core of your blog, so choose carefully. Take pricing, customisation and aesthetics into account for this one:

Communication
If you want to be a proper blogger, you’ve gotta communicate with your fans. Instant Messaging and Email are the quickest and easiest ways to do so:

Windows Live Messenger

Research
To be the best, you’ve got to overcome the rest, so find out what your competitors are doing, and beat their blogs at their own game:

Firefox Search Status Extension

SEO for Firefox

tools

Customisation
Standing out from the crowd is very important in this growing blogosphere. Take a look at these tools to help you and your blog look fine:

Statistics
Track your blog’s every move with these statistics packages so you know what you’re doing right and what you should be spending some more time on:

Creating Posts
Your articles are the things that will matter the most above all else. So take the time to spell-check and to make sure that they look presentable:

ScribeFire

Spellbound Spell Checker

Ranking
When it comes down to the crunch, you’ve gotta be the best. So find out if you are with the following ranking tools:

Feedreaders
In order to build a solid readership, you’re gonna have to do some reading yourself. Using a feedreader can cut down on the time you spend going from site to site, and you can have one place where all the latest articles will appear:

Social Media
Using social networking can help market your site to a big audience which is essential for your blog’s growth. Spend some time networking yourself and submit your best articles to find more readers:

Monetization and Advertising
Whether you want to or don’t, blogs can be a fantastic way to make a bit of dosh, so check out the following ways you can earn yourself some cash online:

Google Adsense

Adwords

Adbrite

Yahoo Publishers Network

Blogs and Forums
These blogs are forums are must-reads for every aspiring blogger, so take some time to browse through the archives and read some threads to make sure that you’ve got all the knowledge about your field and your blog:

Miscellaneous
And finally, here’s all the other tools that wouldn’t in any of the above categories:

The idea for this post came from FreelanceSwitch’s awesome post on 101 Essential Freelance Resources and graphic was designed by JetPacked.

via blogtrepreneur.com

Monday, May 21, 2007

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic 7 7.00.04.15

AntiVir Personal Edition is a software that helps you protect and monitor your PC.

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable virus protection to home-users only.

Avira PersonalEdition Classic constantly and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs (such as viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, hoaxes, worms, dialers etc.), monitoring every action executed by the user or by the operating system and being able to react promptly when a malicious program is detected. Actions include repair, delete, block, rename and quarantine programs or files.

Avira PersonalEdition Classic also features enhanced protection against unknown boot-sector viruses, issuing alerts for boot sectors suspicious formats. Through the permanent update of the detection engine, the protection is ensured constantly: the user can set the product to download any updates when available, thus keeping you clean and safe.

Avira offers:
· Extensive Malware Recognition of viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, worms, etc.
· Automatic incremental updates of antivirus signatures, engine and entire software
· Permanent virus protection, with Virus Guard real time monitoring
· Install and configuration in just a couple of steps, setup to protect your PC in minutes
· Virus protection against known and unknown threats, using an advanced heuristic system
· Scheduler where you can set the scanner to make automatic virus scans or updates on your system
· Forum and phone support, Knowledge Base with virus descriptions available on web site

It also performs Internet updates, and daily opens a window, with an advertisement suggesting the user to purchase AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium

Requirements:

· Pentium I, 133 MHz or better; 30 MB of free HDD; 20 MB of free RAM

Note: In order to involve in charitable projects and to benefit of more features like MailGuard, Adware and Spyware detection, Advanced set-up, etc you may acquire the appropriate Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium license for just 20 Euro. Five euros of every online sale go to the Auerbach foundation that support various social, scientific, cultural or otherwise charitable projects. More info here

AntiVir Personal Edition Download

AntiVir Personal Edition Screenshots

Find Related Downloads

Similar freeware programs

Via Softpedia.com

Partition Magic 8.0

Partition Magic allows you to create, resize and merge partitions on your hard drive without destroying data. Partition Magic helps organize and protect your data, run multiple operating systems, convert file system types and fix partition table errors.

Features:

· Organize and protect the information on a hard drive
· Easy, step-by-step wizards help with performing partitioning tasks
· Preview the effects of partitioning a hard drive before implementing anything
· Safely manage multiple operating systems
· Partition hard drives as large as 80 GB
· Access and partition external USB drives
· Undelete a deleted partition from rescue disks
· Remotely copy, move, delete, and create partitions across a TCP/IP connection
· Create and run scripts to automate common partitioning tasks
· Shred partitions to ensure the security of corporate data on retiring hard disks
· Convert from one file system or partition type to another without losing data
· Supports FAT, FAT32, NTFS, and Linux ext2/Swap file systems
· Support for Windows XP

Notice: This is only small and unfunctional demo version. The full version can be buyed here for $69.95.

Via Soft32.com

Nero Burning ROM 6.6.1.4

Important notice: If you would like to, you can also download Nero 7 Premium Version 7.5.7.0 by clicking -here-.

Nero 6 is an all-in-one CD/DVD recording application suite and more. Once you install the package, you can choose to run the Nero applications independently or from the Nero StartSmart control center. The Nero 6 package contains Nero StartSmart, Nero Express 6, Nero BackItUp, Nero SoundTrax, Nero Image Drive, Nero Burning ROM 6, Nero Cover Designer, and Nero Wave Editor.

The user friendly interface gives you easy access to data, audio, or video CD burning. You can convert audio CDs to audio files, encode audio files with a large variety of extensions, copy CDs, back up files, restore back-ups, burn images, or erase CDs. All usual formats are supported. In case you want to burn DVDs, you also have a carefully selected array of options you can choose from. It's possible to make data DVD's, make MP3 or WMA DVDs, copy DVDs, backup files, restore backups, or burn previously saved images.

Pluses: CD/DVD overburning is supported. The Nero package contains some nice tools, such as access/seek times calculator, system information viewer. You should be able to do transfer rate testing, DAE quality evaluation, and to view CPU usage and burst rates. You can also control the each drive's speed or you can create CD/DVD labels and covers. Nero 6.6 supports for the first time burning short Lead Outs. Thus one can save up to 80 seconds when burning, having 12 more MB of storage.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: You can use Nero to burn Video, Photo, Data, or Audio CDs and DVDs, to backup CD/DVDs into image files, or to mount previously created images. All these features make Nero an extremely comprehensive and reliable suite.

100% clean - Nero Burning ROM - certified by soft32.com

Free Download Nero Burning ROM | Screenshots

Via Soft.32.com

Counter-Strike 1.6

Counter-Strike Publisher's Description

Steam v1.0 Client including Counter Strike v1.6

Counter-Strike 1.6 is a MOD for Half-Life that is set in a teamplay mode.

Steam is Valve's new way of getting games into your hands ASAP. Games like Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and Counter-Strike Condition Zero are all being made available through Steam.

Steam games are automatically kept up-to-date with the latest content and revisions. Steam also includes an instant-message client which even works while you're in-game.

At its core, Steam is a distributed file system and shared set of technology components that can be implemented into any software application.

Features:

· Play the latest Valve games (like Counter-Strike 1.6 )
· Get automatic updates (no more patching!)
· Chat with friends, even while you play
· Find the best servers & find your friends' games
· Receive Steam-Only special offers

Via Soft32.com

Yahoo! Messenger 8.1.0.244

Yahoo! Messenger is a fully featured online communication tool. Its setup integrates the Yahoo! Toolbar which provides anti-spy, pop-up blocker, and quick access to other Yahoo! services (mail, photos, search, etc). With Yahoo! Messenger you can send instant messages, call computers, call a phone number, send a mobile message, or sign in to Yahoo! Mail.

You can edit your current status or change your picture. It's also possible to create your own avatar, which is displayed next to your name in your friends' contact list. Sharing your webcam or seeing other people who enable their webcam is easy. If you don't want anyone to see when you are online you should log on using the "Invisible" status. Nobody, except the people you select, would notice you are around. Messages are sent to your friends regardless of their online/offline status. Depending on your network configuration, you should also be able to use this instant messenger for sending files.

During instant messages you have the possibility to customize fonts, send emoticons and audibles, and select IMVironments. Everything is provided for you to have a great time while chatting with your friends. The Inside Yahoo! window provides quick links to news, finance, personals, movies, horoscopes, etc. You also get notifications of new emails and voice messages in this window. If you don't like this feature, you can turn it off from the program's preferences.

In version 8, the "Content Tabs" in the "Preferences" window has been removed. Now "Yahoo! Plug-ins" are available. So far you can install about 15 plug-ins like Music LAUNCHcast, Answers, 360, eBay, iTunes, Amazon.com, Finance, Calendar, Weather, and others. It's easy to stay up to date with new music, movies, sports results, and other stuff that may be of interest to you.

Pluses: On first run, Yahoo! Messenger will look in your Yahoo! Address Book and Microsoft Outlook for new contacts or for people who are using Messenger but are not in your list of contacts. This is done in order to complete your contact list.

The good news is that you can now add any Windows Live Messenger user to your contact list. After installing Yahoo! Messenger, simply click on the link "IM with Windows Live (MSN) Messenger", follow the instructions, and you'll be able to chat with Windows Live Messenger users.

Several extra plugins and features are provided. LAUNCHcast radio comes with lots of online radio stations to choose from. You can select a favourite radio station as "My Station". Yahoo! Games enables you to play Chess, Pool, Backgammon, Word Racer, or other games with your friends, while at the same time talking to them. Yahoo 360 blogging community is a way to keep connected with friends and family using blogs, pictures, and more.

All menu buttons and the skins are customizable, subject to change according to your preferences. The default skin in this version is Maverick Blue. If want to change this skin, you should access the "Change skin" submenu of the "Messenger" menu.

Drawbacks / flaws: In some network environments you may discover that you are not able to send or receive files.

In conclusion: One of the best online communication tools. I have used Yahoo! Messenger for a long time and I almost always was satisfied with it. Download now and explore its full potential!

version reviewed: 8.1.0.209

100% clean - Yahoo! Messenger - certified by soft32.com

Free Download Yahoo! Messenger | Screenshots

Via Soft32.com

Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player

Flash plays small, fast multimedia buttons, as well as interactive animations, flying logos, and graphics created in Macromedia Flash. This player is very small, takes only a short time to download, and is a great starting point for experiencing multimedia on the Web. Flash also supports high-fidelity MP3 streaming audio, text entry fields, interactive interfaces, and more. All Flash formats can be viewed with this latest release.
Flash Player is practically an Internet standard when it comes to viewing multimedia content on the Web. Animations and graphics created for the player are often engaging and well executed. The new features in the Flash 6.0 format promise to make these multimedia experiences more exciting than ever.

Via Soft32.com

Vista Transformation Pack 6 Final - FREE DOWNLOAD

I’m pretty sure you must know and have seen Windows Vista before. It looks really nice for major GUI updates. Many people who have seen it wish to get Vista-style looks for their operating system. It might sounds stupid to say this since you all know what it is but just bear it

This program will transform your Windows user interface to ultimate Windows Vista alike looks that everyone will never notice it’s the same old Windows XP (or 2003).

Vista Transformation Pack gives to your Windows XP system the fresh and cool look of Microsoft's new operating system: Windows Vista. The pack changes most of the system icons, skins and toolbars and also adds new enhancements to your desktop such as a dock bar or a different system tray clock

You sure will be surprised if you hear this. From now on you can update Vista Transformation Pack without uninstalling and you can even integrate Vista Transformation Pack into Windows setup files. (Still experimental, though but most of them are fine enough to be implemented)

This release has a lot of update covering from build 5472 so you’ll get much more icons update and much better visual styles and WindowBlinds skin, with bugs from earlier release fixed. Let’s see the changelog for more details below.

Here are some key features of "Vista Transformation Pack":

· Boot screen
· Welcome Screen / Logon Screen
· New msstyles files (visual styles)
· New desktop and file icons
· New toolbar icons
· Progress Dialogs
· Sounds scheme
· System Tray icons
· New Wallpapers
· Windows Media Player Skins

What's New in This Release:

· Added additional Vista related applications:
· |-thoosje's brand new Vista Sidebar
· |-VisualTooltip (Taskbar thumbnail view and also have docking mode)
· |-Styler with Kaye Irene's Vista Perfection X4 Styler Toolbar
· |-Blaero's Start Orb (fix cutting edge start orb in msstyles)
· |-Stianu89 and Blue Eyes' Vista Live Messenger RC skin
· Added applying Vista setup screen transformation in setup integration
· Added browsable System files source for uninstallation so user can restore original system files from setup CD during uninstallation
· Added display configuration for the best view of machine's display
· Added fixing file's PE checksum after resource patching to keep files more secure
· Added Launch & Maintenance Center in transformation destination in case user already have transformed the system
· Added missing modifype.exe for Windows XP operating system
· Added partially x64 support for Vista visual stuff but not for system files (experimental)
· Added option to reserved updated system files after uninstallation or not
· Added skipping system file verification patch on setup integration
· Added Vista RTM system applications transformation:
· |-Photo printing wizard
· |-Remote Desktop Connection
· |-Volume Control
· |-Windows Task Manager
· |-System Restore
· |-Connection Manager
· |-Windows Update Client
· |-Media Center
· Fixed bugs caused by deleting important files from integration after transformation
· Fixed bugs in file-patching engine for uxtheme.dll and resources data
· Fixed missing files during the installation caused by setup integration
· Fixed resources patching failure during setup integration
· Fixed themes uninstallation problem (Themes still exist)
· Fixed user picture's frame border disappearance in logon screen
· Fixed uxtheme.dll patching system (now I use patched files to avoid possible patching problems)
· Removed additional boot screen resources removal
· Removed manual transformation and let user decide to modify system files or not instead
· Removed un-neccessary system files operations
· Removed unattended transformation and servicces stopping for Norton Antivirus and System Restore (obsolete)
· Updated license agreement dialog (User must click "I accept" radio button before clicking Next button)
· Updated system files transforming method to use PendingFileRenameOperations trick
· Updated updating the transformation to act like never applying the transformation before
· Updated Vista RTM boot screen
· Updated Vista RTM icons
· Updated Vista RTM logon background
· Updated Vista RTM screensaver
· Updated Vista RTM sounds scheme
· Updated Vista RTM system dialogs
· Updated Vista RTM wallpapers
· Updated visual styles
· |-Changed theme'structure to be the same with different shellstyles
· |-changed visual stylees' name to match with Vista RTM
· |-Fixed CaptionButton alignment problem when maximized in Vertical shellstyle WindowBlinds theme
· |-Fixed ToolbarBackground sizing mismatched from real Vista style
· |-Fixed shellstyle background color mismatch in some areas
· |-Updated frame border in Windows Aero visual style
· |-Updated StartGroupToolBarButton
· |-Updated TaskBandButton back to default ones
· |-Updated TaskBandGroup's backgroun and button... [ read full changelog ]

Softpedia guarantees that Vista Transformation Pack 6 Final is 100% FREE, which means it is a freeware product (both for personal and commercial use) that does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.

This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean, therefore it can be installed with no concern by any computer user.However, it should be noted that this product will be retested periodically and the award may be withdrawn, so you should check back on this page from time to time.

Vista Transformation Pack Download

Vista Transformation Pack Screenshots

Find Related Downloads

Similar freeware programs

Via Softpedia.com

Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger) 8.1.0178 Final

Ta da! It’s the next-generation MSN Messenger. Along with everything you already love about Messenger—your contact list, emoticons, instant access to your friends—there are brilliant new ways to connect and share your photos (and other stuff). As always, Windows Live Messenger is free to download Messenger and use most of its features.

Call their phones. Call their PCs.
Call your friends' mobile or landline phones. It's affordable, both within the US and internationally. And calling someone's PC is always free.

See them on the screen
Show and tell: Grab a webcam and start a video conversation within minutes.

Share stuff
Set up a Sharing Folder with a friend. Drop in photos and other stuff, as many as your computer can handle. See your Sharing Folder even when one of you is offline.

Now: Talk to your Yahoo! friends, too
The world's largest IM network has just gotten bigger—and better. With Windows Live Messenger you can now connect with your Yahoo! IM contacts. Forget about using multiple accounts to talk to your friends—IM them all with Windows Live Messenger.

Here are some key features of "Windows Live Messenger":

· Talk to your Yahoo! friends, too
With Windows Live Messenger, you can now connect with your Yahoo! friends. Forget about using multiple accounts to talk to your friends. You can do it all directly from Windows Live Messenger. The world's largest IM network has just gotten bigger—and better.

· PC-to-PC Calling
Speak your mind: Have a high-quality voice conversation using PC-to-PC Calling. Free.

· Even better video conversations
Those old science fiction movies with TV phones? That's what the new Messenger will give you, only better: live, full-screen (640x480) video.

· Sharing Folders
Drag a file onto a contact’s name. You’ve just created a Sharing Folder. Now you and your contact can get to all the files in the folder any time, even if one of you is offline.

· Text message their phones
See a little mobile icon next to a friend's name? Just right click to send a text message.

· Your two-way, super-powered address book
With Windows Live Contacts, whenever your contacts update their information, it will also be changed in your Messenger address book. Instantly. (Your Windows Live Mail address book will be updated, too.)

· Windows Live Alerts
Headlines, sports scores, traffic, or just about anything else you want to keep up with—get pop-up notifications of things as they happen.

Requirements:

· Computer and processor: Multimedia PC Pentium 233 MHz process (500 MHz recommended)
· Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista
· Memory: Minimum 128 MB of RAM (256 MB recommended)
· Hard disk: Up to 50 MB of hard disk space for installation, 15 MB to run the program
· Display: Minimum 800 x 600 screen resolution
· Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 SP1 or later must be installed on your computer, though it does not need to be your default browser.
· Internet connection: Internet functionality requires dial-up or broadband Internet access (provided separately). Local or long-distance charges may apply.

This download is marked as adware because it displays advertisement banners or other type of commercials while running.

This software product was tested thoroughly and was found to contain some third-party components which prevent it from being marked as 100% CLEAN or 100% FREE. Details follow below.

Displays advertisement banners

MSN Messenger 8 Download

MSN Messenger 8 Screenshots

Find Related Downloads

Similar freeware programs

Via Softpedia.com

DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15

DVD Shrink is a software application that allows you to backup your DVD disks. You can use this software in conjunction with DVD burning software of your choice, to make a backup copy of any DVD video disk.

DVD Shrink does not burn DVDs! The output from DVD Shrink is saved as files on your hard drive, which you can then burn to a DVD-R using separate burning software, such as the software provided with your DVD-R drive.

Why Use DVD Shrink :
Most DVD titles are designed to prevent you from making copies.

The first preventative measure is encryption. Most DVD titles are encrypted, which prevents you from either copying them to your hard drive, or if you manage to do so, being able to play the resulting files. DVD Shrink overcomes this problem with built-in decryption algorithms.

The next problem is not so easy. Most DVD video titles are simply too large to fit, without modification, onto a single recordable DVD-R disk. DVD Shrink overcomes this problem by modifying or "shrinking" the data from your original DVD.

DVD Shrink provides two ways of shrinking your DVD disk. These are re-authoring and re-encoding. You can use one, or the other, or for maximum "shrinkage", both combined.

Last but not least, why use DVD Shrink? Because DVD Shrink is FREE!

Softpedia guarantees that DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15 is 100% FREE, which means it is a freeware product (both for personal and commercial use) that does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.

This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean, therefore it can be installed with no concern by any computer user.However, it should be noted that this product will be retested periodically and the award may be withdrawn, so you should check back on this page from time to time.

DVD Shrink Download

DVD Shrink Screenshots

Find Related Downloads

Similar freeware programs

Via Softpedia.com

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Whipped for two beers

Norwegian-Iranian Mamand Mamandy had a brutal meeting with police after drinking two beers while on holiday in Iran.

"It's getting better now, but I am still in great pain," Mamandy, 35, told Aftenposten.no. "My brother is a doctor, and treated me after the whipping. I was in great pain and could not sleep."

Mamandy, a Kurd, explained that he was visiting his mother in Baneh, Iran in April when he was arrested by police.

"We were on an outing with family and friends, six or seven in the evening, and were having a barbecue and enjoying ourselves. Altogether I drank two beers. The police happened to drive by," Mamandy said.

He said that he was immediately arrested and taken to the police station where he was sentenced to 130 lashes. This sentence, for beer drinking, was carried out publicly according to news agency Iran Focus.

"I received 130 lashes on the back of my body. Police whipped me," Mamandy said. He came to Norway as an asylum seeker in 1999. He lives in Drammen with his wife and they are awaiting Norwegian citizenship.

Mamandy traveled home to Norway shortly after his punishment and has been since treated by his family doctor here.

Aftenposten.no has been in contact with the Foreign Ministry, who said that they had not been contacted by Mamandy or his family in connection with the matter.

Via aftenposten.no