Windows 8 will not have a Start button

Microsoft's latest build of Windows 8 will come without a start button. User should be prepared to not have that handy start button that users have gotten used to. Build 8220 will be the final version before the Beta release, now know as the Consumer Preview debuts before the end of this month. This according to a report by 'The Verge'. Users of Windows are familiar with the start button located at the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Clicking on this button would give users the options to open files and folders, Apps and a general path into he heart of their PCs.


The Start button was introduced with with Windows 95 nearly 15 years ago and the new 'Windows 8 Consumer Preview' will do away with it. Pics of the build were leaked on the internet and show a super-bar without the Start Button Orb. According to sources close to The Verge the start button corner will now have something called a hot corner. Hovering with your mouse or swiping with your fingers will bounce you back and forth between the Metro UI and desktop mode. The 'Super bar' first introduced with Windows 7 will remain. With its ability to pin desktop apps.
Source: The Verge 

Google's new program will pay users to browse the web

Google has launched a new program called Screenwise. The way it works is that you would need to sign-up for the program and install a Chrome Extension in your browser. This extension will monitor the sites you visit and how you use them. This information will be sent to Google and they will use this data to study user behavior on the web. 


What's in it for you? As soon as you sign-up you get an $5 Amazon.com Gift code, if you stay with the program you will get an additional $5 Amazon Gift Card every 3 months. You can get up to $25 in amazon Gift coupons. To be eligible you would need to be over 13 years of age, have a Google account and be ready to use the Google Chrome Browser. Not surprisingly new sign-ups are currently on hold due to the large response received till now.


There is also another program which has not yet been launched by Google. This is for people who would allow Google to view their browsing habits as an open book. This will involve hardware as well, a special device will need to be attached to your broadband router. This device will monitor all the computers in your home and track all the browsing activity of your home computers. This program will compensate participants $100 for signing up and $20 a month for up to a year. 


Screenwise was launched by Google in order to help the company improve its products and services.
Google Screenwise

How to use Email to convert files into various formats

Image Credit: Zamzar screenshot

So let's say you have an image a document, music, ebook, compressed, CAD format or video. You would like to convert it into another format. A good example would be that you want to convert a PNG file into a JPG file, if you did not have a converter on your system you would have to upload it to an online converter service and once it is ready you would need to download it. This is all a tedious and long process which would also take up a lot of bandwidth if you have a large file to convert. With ZamZar there is no software to be downlaoded. The team at ZamZar have come up with an easier solution, you can now convert your files by simply emailing them to the team and receive a quick reply with the link to the converted file. ZamZar has long been known as a online file converting solution and this new feature takes things to a whole new level.


How to convert files by email Using ZamZar
1. If you like a list of file formats supported, check this link out.
2. You need to send the file to a ZamZar email ID. It works like this if you want the file to be converted into a JPG format the email ID you would need to send the file to would be jpg@zamzar.com. Likewise if you want it to be converted into PDF format, the email ID to send your file to would be pdf@zamzar.com.
3. You will receive a email link ot your converted file.


It also works on SmartPhones and so if you get an email with a file attachment that won't open on your iPhone, Android phone or other SmartPhones. Email ZamZar with the file format you want to view and get it converted instantly. Good for people who are on the go and you can now use your mobile phone to send an email and convert a file.
Convert files via email with ZamZar

OneShare.es Send Private Info That Self-Destructs after being read once

OneShare.es is a web app that allows you to send personal and sensitive data that self-destructs after the recipient have viewed it once. You might be wondering you need this service. Consider this - you email your spouse the ATM number of your debit card. After viewing the number you are not sure whether the email was deleted. Was it left open on his or her desk and others could have viewed it. You are never really sure, maybe you need to send some sensitive data to your colleagues and you would rather not have anyone else view apart from the recipient themselves. This web tool can get the job done. After the person views the data once it automatically self-destructs. In addition the data is sent across in encryption mode and no one can read it or find out what it is.


OneShare.es: How does it work
1. Visit share.es on the web
2. Click on the link 'Create One Now'
3. Enter the info you want to send such as 'Passwords' or 'Account Information'
4. Click on create link
5. Copy and paste the URL with the link provided into your email or you can also send it as in 'IM". There is an iPhone and Android App available.
6. You're done


You can send the link either via email or send it as an Instant Message. So the next time you need to share info like passwords and account info, try this service to ensure once the message it viewed it will automatically self-destruct. 
OneShare.es

Send a techie heart this Valentine's Day

We've got the perfect gift for you to send out this Valentine's Day. especially if you are a Math Geek and would like to share the love using a formula. The formula itself is not a simple one and if you are not a math person it all seems confusing. Let is not hinder you though, for the formula once entered into Google will bring on the screen an amazing blue heart in a circle. The formula has not been generated by Google but some cleaver user came up with it and this is sure to become the most gifted formula this Valentine's Day.


How to get the Google blue heart with the math formula
1. Go to Google.com
2. Enter this equation into the search bar

sqrt(cos(x))*cos(300x)+sqrt(abs(x))-0.7)*(4-x*x)^0.01,sqrt(6-x^2), -sqrt(6-x^2) from -4.5 to 4.5

3. Click enter and see what happens.

Madonna's Israeli fans create Facebook page asking their PM to hold off attack till after May 29th

With all the verbal exchanges happening between Israel and Iran over the Iranian nuclear program. Most Israelis are worried that their PM Benjamin Netanyahu might launch a strike against Iran in the near future. To make their voice heard, there is a Facebook page asking their PM to delay any attack plans till after the 29th of  May. If you click the about link on the page this is what is says: Netanyahu, No! no to war with Iran, untill Madonna's tour visit to Israel in may 29th. Clicking on the Info link on the page you get this message: War of any kind is bad, we call or leaders, prime minister Netanyahu and Barak, to avoid any attack of any kind against Iran or whatever, at least until Madonna's tour visit in Israel. god save the queen. 


The page is quiet simple and has not been able to get a large number of 'Likes'. As of now it is  179 likes and has 10 people talking about it. There is however a lot of conversation happening and each post has a lot of comments. The discussions are heating up with people who like the idea and others who don't. Most do not like the idea with one user saying  'I say hit the Madonna concert on the way to Iran....two birds....'
The Facebook page (Madonna and not war)
Source: Haaretz.com

Google to launch free cloud-storage service called 'Drive'

Image Credit: Briankeithmay.com

One of Silicon valley's hottest startups is set to get some serious competition. There has been a lot of speculation about Google's GDrive, a free storage which will live in the cloud. Like Dropbox which offers 2 GB of Free storage and can be used as an extra drive on your PC. Google's new service is going to be called simply 'Drive'. It will function like an extra hard-drive on your PC and sync all the files you store on that drive in the cloud. This means no matter where you are and what system you are using, all your files will be accessible to you wherever you are. People using multiple devices to access the internet and all their date has given rise to 'Cloud Computing'. Google's famed GDrive will rival other cloud-storage services like iCloud from Apple, which lets users store all their data in the cloud and Dropbox which now has more than 45 million users. Dropbox also saves over 1 billion files every few days. 


The rise of cloud-storage services is driven by the need that people need to be on the go and not burdened with large cumbersome gadgets. Once you store all your files in the cloud they are available wherever you are, all you need is a simple internet connection. Google Drive is set to launch in the next few months and will offer free storage to uses. For those users who need larger amounts of free storage there will be a pay per store option. This service will especially come in handy for those users who would like to store and share their photos, videos and large files all in one location. 
Source: WSJ