Google is planning to take Chrome out of Beta

Techcrunch is reporting that Google is planning to take the Google Chrome, the Google Browser Software for surfing Internet out of Beta. Its to be noted that Google Chrome’s Windows client has been in beta since its roll out 3 months ago, and with the new move will likely spur bundling with Google Toolbar and Google Apps.

 

Google Chrome Logo

Google Chrome Logo

Since last couple of months, Google has been doing lots of things from Discontinuing Lively to adding interesting Gmail Labs features, to introducing integrated voice and video chat on Gmail with Gtalk and also integrating chatting within Orkut.

Download Google Chrome from here.

 

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Gmail Adds Task Management Feature

Gmail earlier introduced Labs and brought with it some very interesting features, then came Google calendar integration with Gmail and now comes another interesting features, Task Management from within Gmail.

Gmail Adds Tasks

Gmail Adds Tasks

Tasks is a way to help you keep track of what you need to do and what you’ve already done.  Official Gmail Blog says 

We put your tasks in the same kind of window as chats, so they’re visible while you’re scanning your inbox, reading mail, or searching (and in Settings, too!). Just pop your list out into a new window to use Tasks outside of Gmail.

To enable Tasks, go to Settings, click the Labs tab (or just click here if you’re signed in). Select “Enable” next to “Tasks” and then click “Save Changes” at the bottom. Then, after Gmail refreshes, on the left under the “Contacts” link, you’ll see a “Tasks” link. Just click it to get started.
  

Here are some interesting tips to get more from Gmail Tasks feature.

Gmail tasks management

  1. Manage your email workflow better by converting emails into tasks: “More Actions > Add to Tasks”
  2. ENTER creates a new task, TAB and SHIFT-TAB indent and un-indent, CTRL-UP and CTRL-DOWN let you reorder from the keyboard, and SHIFT-ENTER toggles back and forth between the detailed view for a task and the main view
  3. After turning Tasks on, turn on Keyboard shortcuts in “Settings > General” and then use “SHIFT-T” to create tasks from your emails – even faster than using the More Actions menu

So what are your views about this feature? Do you think it can evolve to become a RTM killer in the days to come?  My wishlist for this feature to Google would be

1.) Integrate this feature with Google Calendar and other Google Apps.

2.) Create this as a full blown app and also release a mobile client for such an application.

You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vaibhav1981

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Gmail’s phishing alerts warns you of suspected messages.

Gmail’s Phishing alert service warns you whenever you get any message from a suspected source. These alerts are triggered to let the end user know that the message might not be from the person whom he claims to be in the mail. 

Being focussed on helping laymen become tech enthusiasts, i often write about critical topics which everyone needs to be aware of, in general to protect and secure themselves in the cyberworld.

Earlier, i wrote How not to get Phished,Learn from Phil the Fish and Learn more about Phishing which certainly helped readers understand the simple ways of protecting themselves. However, there still can be situtations when you are duped in such a way that you fall prey to such exercises. 

Whenever you get an email in your Gmail mailbox, Gmail does a virus check against it, runs it spam filters to see if it has indeed come from a spammer and also runs a Phishing alert service to alert the user if this is indeed a Phishing mail. 

Gmail Phishing Alert warns you of suspected messages.

Gmail Phishing Alert warns you of suspected messages.

The above figure clearly depicts how Gmail can help you stay safe from Phishing. However, have in mind that Gmail’s service can also be duped by some tricksters. 

Are there any ways to help me stay safe and not get Phished?

In general these are the basic steps you should be following to stay away from Phishing scams :

  • Always go through the URL of the website. A closer look at the URL can certainly give you clues with regards to the fraudulent websites.
  • Never reply to emails asking for your bank account number, internet user details etc. Remember NO BANK asks you for such information. If they do, CHANGE YOUR BANK.
  • The old saying “When in doubt, talk”, holds true here as well. If you are in a doubt about the email/website, just take the phone and call up the call center of the service to get an explanation on your doubt.
  • Forward spam that is phishing for information to spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. Most organizations have information on their websites about where to report problems.
  • Don’t open email attachments sent to you by strangers. Email attachments can have programs which can affect your computers once opened.
  • Always follow steps to a healthy PC. You can read my previous post 4 steps to a Healthy PC to learn more on this.
Recently there has been a spurt in the phishing attacks and therefore this Gmail alert certainly helps users stay safe to an extent. Google also issued a statement recently informing users that the security lapses are not within Gmail but its the Phishing attacks which are responsible.

You can also follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vaibhav1981

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Cheers

Vaibhav

[How To] Convert PDF to Word files for free

Often we are on the lookout for free software which can help us convert our PDF to Word Documents for Free. This post talks about the two ways which you can employ to convert your PDF files to word documents for free. 

1.) Use Gmail 

Gmail can be used to convert your PDF files to Word documents for free. All you need to do is send the PDF to your Gmail account, click on the link which says ” View as HTML “.

Convert PDF to word for free using Gmail.

Convert PDF to word for free using Gmail.

Once you have the HTML, save it.

Open the HTML using a word document and you have the PDF Converted to word. 

2.) Use a free service like convertpdftoword.net

Convertpdftoword.net is a free service which allows you to convert your PDF Documents to word files. All you need to do is the following:

Convert PDF to word

Convert PDF to word

  •       Select the pdf you would like to convert.
  •       Click on the link which says ” Convert and Download”.

What other free softwares or services do you use for converting your PDF’s to Word or other office document formats? Do share in your comments and i will update your entries with a backlink.

Also read: Kingsoft Office 2007: Microsoft Office comes free

[How-To] Send and Receive Faxes over the Internet for FREE

Recover lost wireless network key using WirelessKeyView

 

Do stay tuned to Technofriends for more, one of the best ways of doing so is by subscribing to our feeds. You can subscribe to Technofriends feed by clicking here.

Cheers

Vaibhav Pandey

Recap of this week’s best posts

This post contains five articles which got the most user attention this week. Click on the links below to check out the entire post.

1.) Gmail Launches Voice and Video Chat: This post includes interesting news about the launch of Video chat over Gmail.

2.) [How-To] Detect memory leaks in Javascript : This post introduces readers to the concept of circular referencing in Javascript and how it causes Memory leaks. It then introduces an extremely useful debugging tool JavaScript Memory Leak Detector  which can be used to detect memory leaks in Javascript. 

3.) What is OpenID and how to use your Gmail account as OpenID: This post introduces the concept of OpenID and how your Gmail account id can be used as an OpenID.

4.) Default Password List for various Routers: If you are one of those who seems to be looking for the default password of a router, this post should be of help. This post contains listing of default password of various routers. Particularly useful if you often find yourself helping others with their setups.

5.) Searching for Source Code? Try these 6 websites: Are you a developer or a programmer looking out for Source code examples? If yes, this post is of great help. It lists 6 Websites which can help you search for a source code sample in any language based on various filters. Worth checking out.

Do stay tuned to Technofriends for more, one of the best ways of doing so is by subscribing to our feeds. You can subscribe to Technofriends feed by clicking here.

Cheers

Vaibhav Pandey

Gmail Launches Voice and Video Chat.

Gmail, the email application from Google, now allows users to do both voice and video chat using a voice and video plugin. This is an interesting move by Gmail which earlier allowed users to have fun with more emoticons and invisible mode for Gtalk inside Gmail.

Gmail Video Chat

Gmail Video Chat

The Official Gmail blog says

All you have to do is download and install the voice and video plugin and we take care of the rest. And in the spirit of open communications, we designed this feature using Internet standards such as XMPP, RTP, and H.264, which means that third-party applications and networks can choose to interoperate with Gmail voice and video chat.

Once you install the plugin, to start a video chat, just click on the “Video & more” menu at the bottom of your Gmail chat window, and choose “Start video chat.” You’ll have a few seconds to make sure you look presentable while it’s ringing, and then you’ll see and hear your friend live, right from within Gmail.

The below embedded video also gives a clear view about the entire action. For those of you checking out this post on reader, click here to see the video.

 

So now go ahead and Talk face to face right inside Gmail with free, high quality video and audio.

Also read: What is OpenID and how to use your Gmail account as OpenID.

[How-To] Create Group Mailing Lists in Gmail.

Logging into Gmail using HTTPS

[How-To] Send empty body messages in Gmail

 

You can also follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vaibhav1981

Do stay tuned to Technofriends for more, one of the best ways of doing so is by subscribing to our feeds. You can subscribe to Technofriends feed by clicking here.

Cheers

Vaibhav