Friday, December 31, 2010

Stupid Windows Trick: just start typing to jump to a specific file in Explorer

Lots of the Windows tips and tricks I've picked up over the years are the result of facepalm moments. For example, I went years before finding out that you could right-click the Start Menu's programs list to sort by name. These moments of 'duh' prompted me to share some of these Stupid Windows Tricks, and today I've got another one that probably took me way too long to figure out.

If you open Windows Explorer and want to jump to a file, and you already know its name, you can jump to it simply by typing. As soon as the window in my screenshot opened, I typed m-a-n -- and by then, Explorer had highlighted my Mango image. You've got to type rapid-fire, though. If you're too slow, Explorer will think you quit your original attempt and started a new one. If I paused too long after the m, for example, it would jump to a file beginning with a when I continued.

Is this going to boost your productivity? Probably not, but I actually find myself doing this on a semi-regular basis -- though probably because I think it's kinda cool.

Stupid Windows Trick: just start typing to jump to a specific file in Explorer originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/17/stupid-windows-trick-just-start-typing-to-jump-to-a-specific-file/

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'70s Home Carbonation Gadget Sodastream Gets Re-Imagined In Sleek Concepts [Video]

The ability to make soda out of plain old tap water still impresses me, but let's face it: the Sodastream contraptions don't match our sleek modern kitchens, do they? These designs, from a German competition, definitely fit the bill. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/_yj0Wh-WClA/70s-home-carbonation-gadget-sodastream-gets-re+imagined-in-sleek-concepts

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News flash: everything on the Internet is hackable

This weekend, Gawker Media had its primary database compromised. In this monstrous breach, not only did 1.5 million users have their privacy breached and email address stolen, but they also had their passwords cracked. In a day and age where the currency of our email address and password -- and thus our identity -- is only superseded by our bank details, it's fair to label the Gawker breach as abominable.

Like all major disasters, though, this hack serves a higher purpose: it's now blatantly clear that you should not trust a website with sensitive details about yourself. There have been other hacks, of course; higher profile hacks (like the TJ Maxx debacle), with millions of credit card and social security numbers vanishing into the ether, causing billions of dollars of damage.

But they pale in comparison to the Gawker hack for one reason: it directly affected a huge swathe of the noisy, foot-stomping and petulant tech blogging minority.

Continue reading News flash: everything on the Internet is hackable

News flash: everything on the Internet is hackable originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/14/news-flash-everything-on-the-internet-is-hackable/

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Epistle is a Dropbox-syncing, minimalistic text editor for Android

epistle

I've got a serious text editor fetish, and as such, it extends across devices. I've been on the lookout for a simple text editor for Android for a while now. There's complex software, with tagging support, SimpleNote sync and lots of other bells and whistles, and at the other end of the range there are really simple editors with no sync functionality at all.

And then I found Epistle. I've just started testing it, but so far I'm pretty excited about it. It's as simple as can be, with just one extra: it supports Dropbox sync, and the sync appears to work well. You create a note on the device, and it instantly appears in a Dropbox folder called epistle right at the root of your Dropbox. Update the note on the desktop, and it's updated on the device.

Epistle's two main disadvantages at this point are that it doesn't let you pick a Dropbox folder manually but just adds a folder to your Dropbox root, and that it doesn't support right-to-left languages such as Hebrew and Arabic. Other than that, it's a fairly strong contender in the "simple editor" category.

Epistle is a Dropbox-syncing, minimalistic text editor for Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/13/epistle-is-a-dropbox-syncing-minimalistic-text-editor-for-andro/

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5 perfect computery Christmas gifts for your mother, father or family elder

Let's be honest: if you're reading Download Squad, you're in the 99th percentile when it comes to computer technology. You probably know how to touch type, or send a file across the world at the speed of light, and in all likelihood you own one of the big three video game consoles. Like all things that you've grown up with and come to rely on, though, you don't realize just how lucky you are to have high-tech gadgets in your life.

Don't worry, I'm not going to go on about the malnourished kids in Sub-Saharan Africa and how you ought to feel thankful for food and good health this Christmas. Instead, just take a moment and think about what life would be like without a computer, without an Internet connection -- without LOLCATS.

The sad truth is, only the last couple of generations have attained computer mastery. Your parents might use computers, but as a means to an end, not as a tool. I don't think I've ever heard my mother say she likes Microsoft Word, but it gets the job done. You and I both know that technology can be so much more than that. It can become an extension of our everyday life -- and there's no reason your older relatives should miss out on the fun!

I've compiled a list of five items that can all massively improve a nascent computer user's enjoyment of technology. Some are cheap, and some are expensive -- but do your parents a favor and buy them something from this list this Christmas.

Continue reading 5 perfect computery Christmas gifts for your mother, father or family elder

5 perfect computery Christmas gifts for your mother, father or family elder originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/13/5-perfect-computery-christmas-gifts-for-your-mother-father-or-f/

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Your Stapler Doesn't Have To Be Boring [Video]

I was one of those kids who always got excited about the start of the school year because it meant a bounty of new office supplies. To think how different 7th grade would have been with these fabulous Zenith staplers! More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/O11QvMKsE68/your-stapler-doesnt-have-to-be-boring

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Mozilla slips up and posts old user database online, but you should be OK

Mozilla logoOn December 17, a partial database of addons.mozilla.org (AMO) user accounts was found on a public Mozilla server. Mozilla was quickly notified by a security researcher via the Bug Bounty program, and the database was quickly removed. Don't panic, though: you should be OK.

The file only contained inactive user accounts that were encrypted using older, no-longer-secure MD5 password hashes. All current AMO accounts are encrypted much more securely, and those accounts remain uncompromised. Mozilla is also fairly certain that they can account for every download of the database file, so there is likely little or no risk to the users involved -- but just in case, if you use your AMO password on other sites, you may want to change it. Incidentally, if you were one of the 44,000 people on the list, Mozilla should have sent you an email detailing the breach.

As always, it's vital that you use different passwords for every service you use; that way, if one database is breached, you are still relatively safe. KeePass is excellent, as is LastPass.

There's a little more information on the Sophos Naked Security blog, but really, there isn't much else to it. We're now left to wonder how a database of names and passwords was left on a public server...

Mozilla slips up and posts old user database online, but you should be OK originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/28/mozilla-slips-up-and-posts-old-user-database-online-but-you-sho/

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Opera 11 downloaded 6.7 million times on day one -- thanks to the power of bacon

While Opera 11's warm reception had a lot to do with a greatly improved browser and a very loyal fan base, the boys in Oslo had one clever trick up their sleeve which they saved for launch day. And with nearly 7 million downloads in 24 hours, you've got to hand it to Opera: they know how to tempt a geek.

How'd they do it? By dangling delicious bacon in front of Reddit users. You've got to admit, the Opera 11 Web advert is at least as enticing as those Evony ads -- you know which ones I'm talking about.

As for those of us who already tried Opera 11 and knew it was a solid browser... well, if you're like me, you're probably just craving some sizzlin' hot bacon right about now.
Curse you, Opera!

Opera 11 downloaded 6.7 million times on day one -- thanks to the power of bacon originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/17/opera-11-downloaded-6-7-million-times-on-day-one-thanks-to-bacon/

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App Launcher for Chrome is like a start menu for Web Store apps

If opening Google Chrome's new tab page just to fire up an app feels a bit too clunky for your liking, check out a new extension from Google itself: App Launcher.

Once installed, you'll have access to a drop down menu which lists all your apps in alphabetical order -- unlike previously reviewed AppJump Launcher, which doesn't appear to list them in any particular order. Google's offering also features built-in search -- which could be handy if you've been able to find a whole pile of apps you decided to keep installed. Keyboard navigation is supported as well, allowing you to arrow up and down and tap enter to launch.

The extension currently lacks an options screen -- which would be a great place for Google to slap in another missing feature: hotkey support.

Install App Launcher for Google Chrome

App Launcher for Chrome is like a start menu for Web Store apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/app-launcher-for-chrome-is-like-a-start-menu-for-web-store-apps/

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Skype for iPhone brings video calls over 3G

Skype for iOS 3A little sooner than expected, Skype has just launched a new version of its iOS app [iTunes] that enables Skype-to-Skype video calls, via Wi-Fi or 3G.

Those lucky enough to have an iPhone 4 or 3GS, or 4th generation iPod touch, will be able to make two-way video calls with any other Skype user, including desktop and laptop PC users, and presumably other mobile Skype users on Android or BlackBerry.

This software update also affects the iPad and third-generation iPod touch, but they can only receive video, rather than send it.

The big news, of course, is that Skype is allowing video calls over 3G. It remains to be seen what the mobile operator's response will be, once people start making use of free, high-bandwidth video-to-video calls. We always figured that the Wi-Fi-only restriction of FaceTime was enforced by mobile operators, rather than Apple!

Skype for iPhone brings video calls over 3G originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/30/skype-for-iphone-updated-to-version-3-video-calls-over-3g-now-p/

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Wheego Whip LiFe grabs up EPA certification

Yes! Another reason to write about the darling and awesomely-named Wheego Whip LiFe! This time, it's good news indeed, as the all electric micro-car has received EPA certification. The cars, which are priced at a reasonably affordable $32,995 (or $25,495 after the Federal tax credit), are now simply waiting for final approval from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration before they can roll into dealerships. It looks like the cars will ship at the beginning of the year now, with production well underway for the past few months. We'll take two, please.

Wheego Whip LiFe grabs up EPA certification originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/xqT7WkELy5Q/

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Cenabo Makes Gathering Office Lunch Orders a Breeze [Webapps]

Whether your planning an event or just ordering food for a large number of people, Cenabo is a webapp that helps facilitate this tedious task to save you some time. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Tr0UYRAEf-Y/cenabo-helps-you-gather-large-meal-orders-online

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