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14Dec/090

Google is getting ready to take Street View indoors

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Greetings Readers!

The other night, I was catching up on some recent episodes of KenRadio that I had fallen behind on and picked up a nugget that nobody seems to have noticed.  What is that nugget you ask?  Apparently Google is getting ready to take Street View indoors with "Inside View".

According to Andy Abramson, author of the popular blog VoIP Watch, Google is working on an unannounced addition to Street View that will give users the ability to check out the inside of public buildings or publicly accessible buildings.  What kinds of places?  Abramson says they are going into buildings like a hotel lobby, restaurants, libraries, clubs, bowling alleys, pizza parlors and various other places that people go.  Abramson says the Google team working on this new product came into his hotel, the Intercontinental San Francisco, and began shooting 360° panoramic photos of the hotel lobby which was when he found out about this new product which he called "Inside View."

To me, this sounds like a bit of a censoring nightmare for Google, having to censor the faces of everybody in these public places so they don't get sued, but I really like the concept.  I would love to be able to know what a place looks like before I go there.  I tend to book all of my hotel stays online but I am never able to see a picture of the lobby or anything to get a feel for how nice a hotel is which would often make a big difference in where I stay.  It will be interesting just how far this gets taken and what kinds of places the cameras get to go.  This feature has a ton of potential and many possibilities for what it can be used for.  I can't wait for Google to announce it.  I wonder when that will be...

If you want to hear it from Andy Abramson himself, go to the 19 minute mark on Thursday, December 3, 2009's edition of KenRadio.

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14Dec/090

5 Tools to Prevent Laptop-Related Injuries and Eye Strain

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Greetings readers!

Once again, Global Geek News fan, Eric Lo, has contributed another helpful tip in the form of a list of 5 tools to prevent laptop related injuries and eye strain.  This is a great list for those suffering from laptop related issues or might suffer from them in the future thanks to a nice holiday gift.  Without further delay, here is Eric's tip:

The increased use of laptops has resulted in greater computer-related injuries. Ergonomics experts warn about laptop related injuries. Laptops are inherently unergonomic because keyboard and monitor are fixed together - if the keyboard is in a suitable position for the user, the screen is not and if the screen is optimal the keyboard isn't. In addition, the portability of laptops makes it worse by allowing the user to use it anywhere in bed and on the floor in all kinds of incorrect postures under a poor lighting condition. Users are more vulnerable to computer related injuries and health problems such as Repetitive Strain Injury, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, eye strain, blurred vision and back pain when they are using a laptop than a desktop computer. You may want to take additional safety precautions and tools when you're using a laptop. The five following tools help you prevent injuries and enhance productivity while using a laptop.

  1. Text-to-mp3 conversion tool. You can use text-to-mp3 software to convert long documents, emails and blog articles to mp3 files, which you can listen while resting eyes, commuting or doing chores. Here are some free online text to mp3 file converters. www.vozme.com (choose Female voice option for better sound quality). SpokenText offers both free online conversion and a Firefox plug-in at www.spokentext.net (requires a registration). Another alternative is Next2Go www.text2go.com (US$25)
  2. Speech recognition. You can control the computer and browse the web or have your computer compose email or write a document with your voice instruction while resting your hands and even eyes. Windows Vista and 7 have built-in speech recognition function. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuAH1WzVkEI&NR=1 (demo), www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLj4k3x0E0E (demo)
  3. Break reminder. Taking breaks are essential in computer-related injury prevention. You can try break reminder software for laptop, which is uniquely optimized for laptop users. www.lalarm.com/en/health_alarm.htm (free for personal use)
  4. OLED (organic light emitting diode). OLED is an eye-friendly and paper-like display technology. OLED doesn't have eye-annoying backlight like LCD does. Laptops equipped with OLED are coming soon- finally next year. Meantime, anti-glare filter can be used to reduce glare from the glossy laptop screen.
  5. External keyboard and mouse. An external keyboard can fix the laptop inherent unergonomic problem. It would be even better if the keyboard is ergonomically designed.

I work on a laptop for usually around 8 hours a day so I know that I will definitely be using some of these tips!  As a general rule, it is best to take a 10-15 minute break away from any screen every hour or so to best help you eyes.  If you know anybody suffering from laptop related problems, be sure to pass this post along to them!  Thanks Eric for continuing to send in your excellent tech tips!

If you would like to send in your own tech tips, e-mail them to me at pcnerd37@globalgeeknews.com

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12Dec/090

7 Free Must Have Programs to Protect Your Laptop

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This tip comes in from Eric Lo and and is a great list of free software for protecting your laptop or netbook.  If you are getting a new laptop or netbook for Christmas, you definitely need to check out this list.  If you are getting one for somebody, you should link them to this list as soon as they get it fired up!  Eric's tip:

Traditional computer security measures are not enough to protect your laptop and netbook. You have to pay attention on various laptop related security risks such as insecure public wireless network, laptop theft, laptop search, about which you don't worry with your desktop computer. Whether your laptop is stolen or not, your privacy can still be at risk by simply traveling with your laptop. The Homeland Security Department and other authority can search your laptop to look for evidences on any illegal activity and illicit materials stored on your laptop such as unlicensed songs, movies, software or unlawful images of children. However, good laptop security does not necessarily cost you money. Here are 7 easy-to-use, useful and free software that can help you protect your laptop, your sensitive data and your privacy.

  1. Encryption. TrueCrypt is a trustworthy encryption program that can protect your data against unauthorized access. www.truecrypt.org
  2. Backup. Cobian Backup is a backup program that can protect your data against loss. www.cobiansoft.com. An alternative is Mozy free edition, which is an online backup software with 2 Gbytes space. www.mozy.com
  3. Antivirus. AVG free edition provides protection against viruses, spyware and other malware. free.avg.com/ww-en/download-free.
  4. Firewall. The built-in Windows firewall can protect your laptop against hackers while you're online. (but make sure it is configured properly)
  5. Alarm. LAlarm is like a car alarm for your laptop. The software can help prevent your laptop from theft, and can also recover and destroy your data in the laptop in case of theft. www.lalarm.com
  6. Tracking. Prey is laptop tracking software that can locate your laptop if it is stolen. www.preyproject.com
  7. File shredder. Eraser is a data sanitizing program that can permanently delete sensitive data such as passwords, Internet  browse history, personal information from your laptop. www.forensicswiki.org/wiki/Eraser

I have never tried Cobian Backup, but if you are looking for more storage than you can get with Mozy but don't want to pay a monthly fee, I recommend using Amazon's S3 data storage.  I find it is far more economical for myself because rather than a monthly fee, it is just $.15/GB transferred.  Considering how much I back up a month, it tends to be the best deal for me.  Also, when it comes to antivirus, I am an Avira AntiVir person but I have always heard great things about AVG.  Anyway, make use of this tip!

Thanks Eric!

If you would like to send in your own tech tips, e-mail them to me at pcnerd37@globalgeeknews.com

Follow Global Geek News on Twitter and listen to the latest Global Geek News Podacast!

 
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