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Showing posts with the label Tips and Tricks

The Digital Iron Curtain: Is Iran About to Crash the Global AI Boom?

 For decades, the "Middle East crisis" was a headline about crude oil, tankers, and the price at the pump. But as of March 2026, the stakes have shifted from the engine to the motherboard. While the world watches drone strikes over Isfahan and naval skirmishes in the Persian Gulf, a more quiet, more lethal war is being fought over the very building blocks of the 21st century: semiconductors. The "Digital Iron Curtain" is falling, and it isn't just dividing East and West—it’s threatening to starve the global AI revolution of its most basic needs. The Helium Hostage: Why the Strait of Hormuz is the New Silicon Valley We’ve long been told that the South China Sea is the "front line" of the chip war because of Taiwan’s dominance in fabrication. But the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran has revealed a terrifying bottleneck: The Middle East is the lungs of the semiconductor industry. To make the world’s most advanced 3nm chips, you don’t just need engineers;...

Facebook Privacy Basics, Guides, Howtos, tips and tricks

Please click on image to expand. Facebook have just released something called 'Facebook basics' -- which will function as a guide in helping people know and understand how Facebook works. There are a lot of helpful little tips and tricks like -- how to block someone, how to unfriend, what happens when you create a new status update and how to use the status update settings. All in all a very nice and simple guide, just the thing people need to help them navigate the Facebook ocean. [ Please check it out here ]

Google has a tool to test if your website is Mobile Friendly

If you have a website or a blog, you're definitely concerned if all your content is being indexed and displaying on mobile search results. Google has made it very clear that if your website is not mobile friendly, it would directly result in suboptimal rankings. Website and Blog owners cannot afford to let this happy. People using the internet have moved on from traditional PCs to tablets and mobile phones. You can run a check using a Google tool to evaluate and diagonze the mobile friendliness of your website. If all is well, you get the message -- Awesome you website is mobile friendly. If it's not, there are a lot of helpful resources to make sure it gets there. [ Check it out now ]

Gmail Blue - The Blue Inbox for you

Gmail Blue might have been a joke but its's now a reality. If you want to stay closer to nature while working on Gmail and your Inbox - maybe reflect on the ocean, mountains or the moon, while you work. You should try Gmail Blue. Gmail Blue is a Chrome Extension that once installed turns your entire Gmail experience blue. It's still the same old mail but everything turned blue. you click on compose and it's blue, you type and it's blue again. Nothing changes just the colors - it might not be for everyone, but if this is something you fancy and you would like to have a blue inbox, this is extension is worth trying out. In Fact, the folks over at Google say that it was one of the original concepts. many other colors were tried like orange and brown. Brown was a disaster but blue survived. Gmail just celebrated its 9th birthday and with it comes the release of blue. Click the link below to add the extension to chrome and have fun in blue. Moon-child that you are. Get the G...

Mailbox App for iPhone: How does it work

Mailbox the new iOS app is now available for free at the Apple iTunes store. You can get it for free; however there is a waiting list or reservation list, you would need to join. The App is available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. With the app you can get an easy to use Inbox that works like a breeze. Currently available only for Gmail, the app radically transforms your Inbox into a clutter free zone and you can handle all you mail with only the swipe of your thumb. it is easy to use and has already become popular. So don't waste time, just go and download the App right now. Mailbox for iPhone and iPad - How does it work. 1. You would need to first download the app on to your device. 2. add the various email addresses you use. 3. you now get a unified Inbox where all your email is visible. 4. You can choose to browse through all of them or jump into individual accounts 5. Tap on any message to view it - swipe right and the color changes to green if you would rather archi...

Twitter Photo Filters: How to apply and use

Last week Instagram pulled Twitter cards support from its App, which means that users who take a photo and share the same on Twitter . Will only be able to share a link and not the photo as users are used to. So sharing a photo with Twitter followers will not share the photo but a link to the photo. Followers will need to click on the link to view the image. Twitter on the other hand have released their own Instagram type of photo-sharing program which allows you to add filters to your photos before sharing on Twitter. The enhancement a product of Aviary -- brings to you the classy filters, Instagram users are used to. There are 8 photo filters and effects for you to use on your photos -- ranging from black & white to vintage. You can make use of these filters and effects to create stunning images and share with your buddies on Twitter. How to use Twitter's Photo Editor and add filters to Twitter images 1. You will need to Twitter App for iOS and Android -- since the app is Mo...

How to create a secret or Pinterest private board

Pinterest always had one feature that was lacking. The ability to create private boards that are visible to only people you invite. Up until now all boards created on Pinterest have been public and if there was one feature Pinterest uses wanted it was this -- the ability to create private boards meant only for certain people who you want to share these boards and pins with. Once a private board is switched from off to on it is a one time thing and stays permanent. As of now you can create only three secret boards. Can I convert existing boards to secret boards? This is not possible as pins from these boards might have already been shared on the site. What happens when you add a pin to a secret board? It will not show up on Pinterest and will remain totally secret only visible to people who you have invited to view the board. Where do I find my secret boards and pins? They are found at the bottom of your Pinterest profile What if I have used up my 3 boards? If you want to create a new ...

BoxCryptor for Windows 8: Encrypt and store your files in Microsoft Skydrive

BoxCryptor is one of those service which is a must use thing especially if you want to encrypt and store your cloud files. If you are a regular user of DropBox, Google Drive or Microsoft's Skydrive. This is one service you need to find useful if you're storing sensitive data in the clouds. By encrypting and storing a file you can be assured your privacy and safety are protected. We have previously written about BoxCryptor and its many benefits --  now that it is ready for Windows 8  and Windows RT. The app is available to download for free and once you download and install the app -- it is quiet easy to setup and run. Giving you an extra level of protections for all your Windows 8 files, you are going to store in SkyDrive. Once you have your files stored securely -- you can then download the same files decrypt and use them as you normally would. Decryption happens locally on your system. BoxCryptor for Windows 8 is available for free and can also be used on Surface and other t...

Gmail New Compose: How does it work

Gmail was first launched in 2004 -- 8 years ago. But it is only in 2012 that Gmail surpassed Hotmail as the most popular email service provider. eMail as such is very sticky and people take a long time to change from one service provider to another. However long it took it is finally time to congratulate the folks over at Google for this tremendous feet. In addition to becoming the largest eMail service provider. Google's Gmail now has an all new compose experience (Compose Gmail in a new window) -- which focuses more on the message you need to send rather than other decorations hanging around. The whole thing looks like an empty box (think notepad) with the ability to quickly compose and send multiple emails all at once. Something that has not been available till now in Gmail. With the old compose you can compose only one message at a time. With the new compose in Gmail -- you can write multiple emails to multiple people all at the same time. If you would like to know how to you ...

How to upgrade to Windows 8 [Guide]

Windows 8 is finally here and available to download and install for $39.99 - for the Windows 8 professional edition. If you are currently running Windows 7, Vista or Windows XP on your PC, you can now upgrade to Windows 8. You can either upgrade to Windows 8 online or order the DVD. Your internet connection will need to download the 2.05 GB Windows Installer. Once you're ready with all of this, you can begin your upgrade to Windows 8. You will now be required to go to the Windows 8 Microsoft site and scroll all the way down and click on on the Get Windows 8 link. You can now download Windows 8 pro for $39.99 or get it shipped to you for $69.99. Now that you're ready 1. Download and run the upgrade assistant program by going here or directly from here . This program will run a check on your system and tell you what software programs are not compatible. Once you're satisfied that all is right, you can go ahead and click the upgrade link from right within the installer. 2. Y...

How to search Google for movie trailers and showtimes

Google Search has always been innovative and keeps adding those extra tips and tricks that make them cool. You can now use Google to find the latest movies playing in your area along with their official trailers. These are the official trailers uploaded to YouTube. When the video opens it does not open in YouTube but a Google UI -- so when you finish watching one trailer, click the x mark on the right-hand side of the screen to watch the next one. So the next time you are wanting to go watch a movie. You might want to do a quick check on Google, watch the trailers and then decide which movie you would like to go and see. Google Movie Trailer Search -- How does it work. You can start you movie trailer search by searching for let's say, Showtimes NYC. You will get a list of movies along with the trailers. You can watch the trailers and then decide which movie you want to see today. Clicking on the movie name link will take you to a brief about the movie, photos, IMDB and a list of al...

Block someone on Facebook chat without deleting them

This is a quick guide on how to block people on Facebook chat. The most important reason people want to know how to do this is to appear offline to some people while at the same time being able to chat with others. Also while blocking them you do not need to delete them as friends or anything like that. This is a simple block which allows you to chat online with friends on Facebook you really want to chat with while appearing invisible to others you don't want to chat with. How to block someone on Facebook chat without deleting them or unfriending them. What happens when you block someone on Facebook Chat. 1. Simple - you will not appear online to people who you block. You status will always be offline with the grayed out icon.  How to block friends on Facebook Chat. 1. Login to Facebook 2. Click the Cog Icon above or below you chat window 3. Click on Advanced settings. 4. Under 'Turn on chat for all friends except. Start entering the names of friends you want to appear offlin...

What happens when you block someone on YouTube

YouTube  is one of those places that looks like the wild west. Especially the colorful comments you find mostly everywhere. In fact in can get so annoying that users sometimes actually disable commenting on their videos. It adds up however to creating quite a vibrate community. God help those however who upload videos the can be stupid, the community will respond by showing no mercy. Sometimes if you have a YouTube channel and maybe upload videos there is a possibility of someone harassing you and you want to block them. Maybe you do not have a YouTube channel but are still harassed by a certain someone, you can block that person. So what happens when you block someone on YouTube When you block someone on YouTube They will not be able to make comments on your Channel They will not be able to make comments on your Videos They will not be able to send your private messages They will not be able to contact you in any way on YouTube They will not be able to subscribe to your channel They w...

YouTube: How to join videos together

New new YouTube video editor has some amazing features and part of it is the enhanced ability to join two YouTube videos together and create a whole new one. If you are new to YouTube video uploads you must keep in mind that this can be done only for videos you own and upload to YouTube. So once you have your video editor page opened on YouTube, you can combine any number of videos together. You can also add a cool transition between videos if you want. This is good if you need a transition from one clip to the other. If both the clips represent part 1 and part 2 you obviously don't need the transition tool. YouTube: How to join, merge or combine YouTube video clips and movies together. 1. Login to YouTube 2. Go to www.youtube.com/editor or click on this link to go there right now 3. You see a list of all your videos on the dashboard 4. Below which you see the gray bar with the square which says - drag videos here to begin editing. 5. Drag the first video into that box and then th...

How to send SMS Text Messages from Gmail

You can now send a text message or an SMS (Short Messaging Service) to any of your Gmail contacts right form within your Gmail chat box. This means you can log-in to your Google Chat and in the chat box all you need to do is to type the number you want to send an SMS or text to and start communicating via SMS. This was a feature not available for sometime but now Gmail users get to enjoy this service. How to send a Text or SMS in Gmail 1. Login to your Gmail account 2. If you contact is online click the chat box and once that opens click on more. From the drop-down choose Send Text SMS. You will not need to enter your contacts phone number and save it. Once that is done you're ready to start chatting with your pals using Text or SMS as it is called. Just enter a number and started Texting In the text box available in the chat, which says search chat or SMS. You can enter a mobile or cell phone number. Google will automatically figure out the country and the code. Once you enter the...

How to set Twitter to ask for personal information and not just username before a password reset

This is just a simple tip to ensure you keep your Twitter safe and not loose control of it. When you normally use Twitter and want to reset your password - you will be required to just enter your username login to your account and change your password. All very quick but if you are on a public computer or share a computer it might be advisable to add an extra step before your password can be reset. This is to ensure one extra level of safety, since anyone viewing your profile on Twitter can see your username and might be able to guess your password. This of course if just an assumption - you password might actually be much stronger and difficult to guess. Well, whatever might be the reasons and you want an extra level of security before your password can be reset here is how to do it. You can set Twitter to ask for personal info before a password reset can be done. How to ensure Twitter asks for your email or phone number before resetting your password 1. login to Twitter 2. Click on t...

YouTube: How to blur faces in your video

Now this is one enhancement that is going to be a delight - the ability to blur faces within your video. many times you upload videos to YouTube and maybe you shot the video on the street or some-other public place or venue. People's faces have accidentally come into your video and for sure no one wants to appear in a video without first, agreeing to do so. There maybe many reasons for wanting to blur out faces in your video. Previously you would have needed some editing software to get the job done. When many YouTube video creators are amateurs with little or no access to costly video editing software this is of great help. YouTube is also the first place for citizen journalism  - these videos are great but the privacy of individuals also need to be respected. Therefore the ability to blur out the faces of people in your video is important. If you're a parent and would like to post a video of you kids game, you could also use this technology if you want to blur out faces of th...

How to find a lost phone when it's on silent around your home, apartment or office

Image Credit: Discovery You know how many times you switch your phone onto silent mode and leave it somewhere in your house or apartment and forget where you left it. There are apps to help you trace your lost phone which we have already written about. How to find your lost iPhone and how to find your lost Android phone . Missing cell phones and mobile phones are always a problem and the site apartment therapy has a simply solution to find your phone it is misplaced somewhere close by. The solution is simple and yet useful - you can use your speakers. You know how, when listening to music on your computer and you get a call, your speakers start to buzz. Finding your lost phone which is on silent can be traced using your speakers. If you still have boombox speakers with long chords. You can walk around your room or apartment with one of those and whenever it gets close to your phone which is ringing it will start to buzz. To start the process you would need to call your phone and then ...

How to rearrange Google black bar navigation options [Chrome]

You know how when you open Google or Gmail or many other Google products. You get this black bar on top of the page. Sometimes there are options that you use more often then the ones that are permanently stuck there. You usually see search, images, maps play etc. now these might not be your most used Google services. You might want to have videos or reader over there. Some of these services are in the drop-down menu and can be quiet a pain when your working fast. You need to go to the drop-down menu click it and then go to the service you want to. With Big G Black Bar Sorter - a chrome extension all you need to do is to install the app and then simply drag and drop options in the Google navigation bar. You can also drag and drop options available in the drop-down menu. It's also fun to see how you can just pull a menu out of the black bar drop-down and fix it as a permanent link on the top right within the black bar.  How to rearrange the black bar menu options in Google  1. You wi...

How to make a photo collage using your Google Drive photos

We have already covered how to make a Instagram photo collage , how to create a Facebook cover with your Instagram collage photos and how to create a Twitter background with Instagram collage photos . One of the Apps we mentioned was GetLoupe, a  launch partner for the Google Drive API announcement at the Google I/O Conference. One of the key things that can be accomplished now is the ability to create a photo collage using all your photos available in your Google Drive . So if you already have Google Drive you can start right-away. If you do not have Google Drive the cloud storage app from Google you can get it right now by going to google.drive.com .  Creating a photo collage can be great fun and it seems to be fast becoming one of the fun things people are doing online. Once you create a collage you can then share it with your friends or just share it privately. To get started creating a Collage from pics, photos or images available in your Google Drive you would need to go to GetL...

How to read random status updates on Facebook from people who are not your friends

Image Credit: Gizmodo The idea of this post came from a websites that is all over the news for the last 24 hours. The site is called WeKnowWhatYouredoing.com . If you wondering how this works well it uses the open Facebook graph to randomly pull public Facebook  status updates from people who should not be posting that kind of stuff. An example of an update that you should not have on your Facebook status is that 'You're Hungover'. The reason for this is that your Boss might be on your friend list and you have not set your privacy settings right. Another status update could be about 'people hating their boss' when you do not like you boss you do not update it as a status message, for all your colleagues and boss to see - might cost you your job. So if you go to the app you can see who is hungover and who is doing things like drugs etc. These are things you do not put in your Facebook status updates. The founder of the site says this was created to let people know th...