....How to..?

Reaction buttons

2009-04-27T16:04:00.008+05:30

Reactions: This widget acts like a mini-poll beneath each of your blog posts and offers the ability for readers to leave feedback quickly.

How to add “Reactions” to your Blogger template

To add this new function to your Blogger layout, you will need to do some simple steps to activate it. Once logged in to your Blogger dashboard, go to Layout -> Page Elements and click the “Edit” link for the “Blog Posts” widget. In the pop-up window, you will see the option to add “Reactions” to your posts:

Tick the check box and edit the labels for your buttons by clicking on the link “Edit” nearby if you want. Then finally save this setting.
Adding the code to your template

Unfortunately, setting up this feature doesn’t simple as Blogger comment form, you need to add some lines of code to your template.

If you are using a default Blogger template with no modifications to widgets or the post layout, nothing more to do because the code is added.

If you are using a customized Blogger template, you will need to add the required code to your template manually. In this case, go to Layout -> Edit HTML in your Blogger dashboard. Make sure the check box “Expand widget templates” is checked. Next, search for the following line of code:

<data:post.body/>

Immediately after this line, add the following section of code:

<span class='reaction-buttons'> <b:if cond='data:top.showReactions'> <table border='0' cellpadding='0' width='100%'><tr> <td valign='center'><span class='reactions-label'> <data:top.reactionsLabel/></span> </td> <td><iframe allowtransparency='true' class='reactions-iframe' expr:src='data:post.reactionsUrl' frameborder='0' name='reactions' scrolling='no'/></td> </tr></table> </b:if> </span>

Preview your template to see the “Reactions” add-on appear beneath each of your blog posts, and finally, save this new addition to your template.

Funny behaviour by Gmail

2009-04-23T15:42:00.003+05:30

I logged in to my Gmail account a few days ago to find my IM cluttered by "service". Normally, service is on a user's list to represent gmail. Then, I could not find many of my regular contacts! When i tried refreshing, I got "Invited" text, which means that a particular contact had been invited by me! Panicky as I was, I suppressed my instinct to fire an email to Gmail and re-signed. Good for Gmail this worked, got back my contact list! Here's the screenshot.

New Widgets to try

2009-04-22T17:04:00.004+05:30

I just love experimenting with new widgets. Though I can't say I'm an expert at it, I think they can easily be tampered with

to suit your needs. Here are some new ones I have experimented with:

1. LibraryThing this is a cool little widget that shows the latest range of books straight from Amazon.com. You can

customize to stand vertical or horizontal as well as try some templates that they have. If you are an Amazon associate, you

can enter your ID in the advanced options- extra moolah if you are into blogging for money. You can see an example of it

here, where it is placed as a horizontal box below the posts. Try it here!

2. FeedJit one of my favorite widget these days. It is real time activity widget which lets you know whose visiting your blog

and from where or which site. See it working here. Try it here!

Blogspot Templates

2009-03-04T19:58:00.003+05:30

A good blog template is a rare find indeed! I've scanned the sites looking for one I like and got very few that are worth it. Any good sites that you recommend?

I'm using this one on my other blog, called Notepad Chaos at Gosublogger. It's a keeper!

You might need to tinker around a little if you use it on Blogspot as its meant for WordPress.

Direct Download linK.

To see it work- check out this demo.

Technote- Text to Speech Conversion

2009-03-03T15:49:00.002+05:30

I am currently on a project where I am required to create training materials for the retail channel. [psst... will soon update about this exciting product that we are in creating right now!]. So, I did what I'm really good at, googled it, of-course! A whole bunch of sites were thrown at me and I tried a few. Below is my review and recommendation:

1. TextAloud: This product by Next Up was just okay. Not too impressive. Came with a 3 day trial and costs about $30. I dint think it was worth the effort because the only "voice" I could use with it was Microsoft Sam, which is as mechanical as they come. The "Natural" voices, which is by far closer to the real human voice, cost a ton.

Worthiness: 2/5
Ease of use: 4/5

2. SwiftTalker: a really easy to use software. Again, the default voice is Microsoft Sam. I downloaded Dian voice for trial. Not of much use though because the voice asks you to register now and again.

Worthiness: 2/5
Ease of use: 4/5

3. ABC2MP3.com: This is by far the best. You dont have to download a thing except the sentence you want! The converted files are in lightning speed and the voices really are better than most.

Worthiness: 4/5
Ease of use: 5/5

Technote- How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state

2008-12-31T17:33:00.003+05:30

To manually start Windows XP with a clean boot, follow these steps:

Step 1: Start the System Configuration Utility

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. The System Configuration Utility dialog box is displayed.

Step 2: Configure selective startup options

1. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the General tab, and then click Selective Startup.

2. Click to clear the Process SYSTEM.INI File check box.

3. Click to clear the Process WIN.INI File check box.

4. Click to clear the Load Startup Items check box. Verify that Load System Services and Use Original BOOT.INI are checked.

5. Click the Services tab.

6. Click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box.

7. Click Disable All, and then click OK.

8. When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.

Step 3: Log on to Windows

1. If you are prompted, log on to Windows.

2. When you receive the following message, click to select the Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows start check box, and then click OK.

Notes

* You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts.
* The System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode, causing this message to be displayed and the utility to run every time Windows starts.
* Choose the Normal Startup mode on the General tab to start Windows normally and undo the changes you made using the System Configuration Utility.

Step 4: Optional step to disable features
If the clean boot fixed the error, you do not have to perform this step.

Important If your problem is not fixed and you do have to follow this step, it permanently removes all restore points from your computer. The System Restore feature uses restore points to restore your computer to an earlier state. If you remove the restore points, you can no longer restore Windows to an earlier state.

This step temporarily disables Microsoft features such as Plug and Play, networking, event logging, and error reporting.

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.

The System Configuration Utility dialog box is displayed.

2. Click the General tab, click to clear the Load System Services check box, and then click OK.
3. When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.

If these steps helped you start your computer in a clean-boot state, you are finished. If these steps did not help, go to the “Next Steps” section. If you have to return your computer to a normal startup state, go to “Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state”.
Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state
After you used the clean boot to resolve your problem, you can follow these steps to configure Windows XP to start normally.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type msconfig, and then click OK.
The System Configuration Utility dialog box is displayed.
3. Click the General tab, click Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services, and then click OK.
4. When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.

Source: Microsoft article 310353

Firefox- lost bookmarks, history and home page is blank

2008-12-29T21:23:00.002+05:30

I was terrified when I opened my Firefox to see everything BLANK. The history or auto complete in the address bar was not showing up, the bookmarks were missing and the usual home page of google was replaced by a blank page. Trying to subdue my panic, I did a little research.

What does not work:

Restarting Firefox
Restarting the computer
Importing bookmark backup from the profiles folder. You see those fugly files ending with .json- useless!

What to do:

1. Close Firefox completely
2. Open the Firefox profile folder
3. Delete or rename all files named "places.sqlite", including "places.sqlite-journal" and any "places.sqlite.corrupt" files, if found.

When you restart Firefox, "places.sqlite" will be rebuilt and your bookmarks will be automatically restored from the latest JSON bookmark backup; however, your recent browsing history will be lost.

Now you can go to Bookmarks- Organize- Import and backup- Restore- and choose a date [preferably the previous day]

Click here for source.

Computer troubleshooting basics

2008-12-29T17:12:00.003+05:30

Computers can often be daunting to a newbie. It's one thing to have a social networking profile and quite another when you cant get your CD drive to work! For a brief course on computer troubleshooting basics, try this ebook. Click on "Download" link on the page.

Yepo YP 757 F8

2008-12-29T16:01:00.000+05:30

I purchased this mp4 player from rediff shopping. This is a China made imitation of the ipod Nano. I got the one in beautiful bright pink, my favorite color :) I paid Rs.1280 for a 2GB player.

The software is just average. The features are numerous such as ebooks, photos, music, recorder, FM. The photo feature is useless as the screen is too small to see anything clearly. Best suited for low quality pics in less mega pixels.

Sound quality was surprisingly good. I am very disappointed by the user manual though! Its a very shoddy work, needless to mention grammar. And yes, I got the wrong manual. The experimenting is on!

Other notes:

Product Description

1.8" TFT Screen, 65000-color full color display.

Support a variety of acoustic formats: Including music formats such as MP1, MP2, MP3and WAV, etc.

Unique MTV movie function: It is capable of playing MTV movies and music.

JPEG image browse function.

Firmware upgrading function: The latest upgrading software can be downloaded on the Internet to implement the function expansion of this unit.

FM stereophonic radio: With the powerful automatic search radio stations and manual search radio station functions, it can store as many as 30 (20 for each system) different local radio stations of different frequencies so as to allow you to listen to radio programs freely.

U-disc Function free of Drives.

Alien Space disc mode: By using the tools attached to this unit, you may divide disc of this unit into two, and encrypt one of them to conceal the space, so that this enciphered part will not be seen or read by others. In this way you may hide your secrets.

Record/Replay: You may record and save it as the voice file in a format of WAV and ACT, and you may select section replay or contrast replay to implement the digital replay function in a real sense.

7 kinds of acoustic equalizers: Natural, rock, popular, classical, soft, jazz and DBB.

Multiple playing modes: Normal, repeat one, folder, repeat folder, repeat all, random, intro.

Timing shutdown: You may set the sleep mode and power saving mode, which will facilitate your application.

Full animation menu: The visual animation menus in combination of corresponding display of words make your application easier.

More Product Features
Trademark: YEPO
Model: YP-757-F8
Standard: CE,FCC,ISO9001
Unit Price/Payment: EXW Shenzhen US$15.9 [w/o flash]
Origin: China
Packing: 40sets/ctn, ctn size:405*445*355mm
Min. Order: 100pcs/model for trial order, 1k/model for regular
Transportation: Air
Company: Shenzhen Yepo Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

Product specification here.

Technote- How To keep the blog posts coming

2008-12-24T17:47:00.001+05:30

Here are a few tips to help you keep your blog up and read:

* Create a posting schedule: When you start your blog, commit to posting once a week, or once every two weeks, and block out some time in your schedule to do that. Start with a low posting rate — if you find you have enough time to post more, it will be a pleasant surprise for your readers (as opposed to the disappointment of readers used to seeing you post every day when you start posting every two weeks).

* Brainstorm a hundred post ideas: Sit down with a notebook and write out a hundred (or 50, or 200, or whatever you can — but set the bar high) topics you could write about. Even better, create 100 titles of forthcoming posts. You can even go another step and write quick outlines of how the post might look, When you are stuck for something to write about, pull out your notebook and write one ff your list.

* Write posts in advance: Build up a backlog of three or four (or more) posts. This gives you a cushion in case you find yourself stuck for a topic down the road, and you can also use the post scheduling feature sevveral blogs have (Wordpress.com and Blogger both allow this) to set up posts for the future if you are going to go on vacation or something.

* Tell people your address: Let people know you have a blog. Put the URL on your business cards, add it to your email signatures, put it in your profile on social networking sites, include it when you post to forums, and so on.

* Comment on other people’s blogs: Be an active part of the blogging community. People will see your comments and clock the link to find out more about you. Plus, you’ll make friends in your area of interest.

* Link to other blogs: When other bloggers see you’ve linked to them, they’ll check you out — and may link back to return the favor.

* Write a guest post: Lots of high-profile blogs will publish guest posts from other bloggers to help them get some attention. Check your favorite blogs and see if they have information about contributing — if you can’t find anything, email the blogger and ask.

* Write great content: I’ve saved the most important thing for last. Nobody will read your site if you write poorly, or if it’s boring. Nobody will publish your guest posts, and nobody will link to you.

Technote- How To Make Your Computer Faster

2008-12-24T10:55:00.008+05:30

Follow the steps below and you will see a noticeable improvement in your system.

1.Download Microsoft's Anti-Spyware program here. It's free of cost and it a good protector. Besides this, have one lite anti viru software such as ZoneAlarm.

2.Scan your computer once in every 2 weeks. If you are a regular user, notch the scans to once per week.

3.Delete any spy ware programs from your add/remove. To do this, select Start>Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs. Check all unknown programs against SpywareGuide.com.

4.Go to Start->Run-> type "%temp%" and hit enter. Delete all your temporary internet /installation files. Dont worry, none of your programs or applications will be deleted.

5.Browsers.
For Firefox, type about:config in the address bar. Right click in the window and click New and Integer. In the first box, type privacy.popups.disable_from_plugins. In the second box, type 2. This will prevent Flash popups in Firefox.

6.If you are not too much into appearances, run the windows in its classic theme. Right click on your desktop->Properties->Themes-> select Windows classic and apply.

7.Use light software that take up lesser memory. A good, and free, alternative to MS Office suite is the OpenOffice programs. You can get this free here. There is no fee for buying this or for activating it. You can use all your previous Office files with it.

Other links:
50 Tricks to Get Things Done Faster, Better, & More Easily

Warholizer: Turn digital photos of you and your friends into pop art!

2008-12-23T21:41:00.000+05:30

I found this very nice online photo tool which "warholizes" your image. Here are a few samples of what it can do. Use it here.

Top Digital Cameras Ranked by Frequency of Use

2008-12-23T21:33:00.000+05:30

Here is a useful listing of top cameras by Big Huge Labs.

Top Digital Cameras Ranked by Frequency of Use

Sony Cybershot DSC T20

2008-12-23T17:53:00.001+05:30

Picture Quality: 4.5/5
Ease of Use: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Shutter Speed: 3.5/5
Battery life: 3.5/5

Pros: macro settings, user interface, design, light weight
Cons: havent yet come across any
I fell in love with the T20 the moment I laid my eyes on it! T20 is a sleek, credit card sized camera with a slide lens design. I asked a friend to get me a black one from Singapore and have never been
more happier with any other camera. Its an 8.1 MP with 3x optical zoom with Carl Zeiss lens of course.

What I love best about about the T20 is its amazing ability to take out of this world macro pictures! It truly brings out the details from even the most mediocre of things. It has 2 macro settings, the macro and super macro. I am sure both will treasured by macro photo enthusiasts. Besides macro, it has a host of other automatic settings such as snow, fireworks, moonlight, etc. You can also record unlimited videos with sound depending on your memory card.

It has a big and beautiful LCD display screen with a very user friendly interface, that is common to most Sony digital cameras. It is an ideal point and shoot camera for beginners up to experts. Face Detection technology, a double anti-blur feature, high ISO sensitivity are some of its other additions.

In layman terms, go for it if this is your first digital camera or if you want a great gift for your family or close friend.

Technote- How to Create a Rule in Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2003

2008-12-23T17:51:00.000+05:30

Outlook is an easy to use client that can be used for POP emails.
Today's howto- How to Create a Rule in Outlook 2007.

Step1
Evaluate your messages. Open Outlook 2007. Identify messages that fit particular criteria, such as common senders, subjects and email groups. Think of any other patterns of emails that you might receive in the future. You will create rules based on this evaluation.

Step2
Open the Rules dialog box. Make sure you are in the folder to which you want the rule to apply. From the menu, select "Tools," then "Rules and Alerts." You will see either an empty box, if you have never created a rule, or a list of rules in the order that they will be run. Active rules will be checked.

Step3
Select a template. In the "E-mail Rules" tab, click on "New Rule." Under "Step 1: Select a template," select the task that you want Outlook 2007 to apply to the relevant messages. Options include moving messages to folders based on various criteria, deleting messages, flagging messages for follow-up and alerting you when specific messages are received. You can also use a blank template to create your own customized rule.

Step4
Pick the appropriate conditions. Choose which conditions you want to apply under "Step 1: Select condition(s)." In "Step 2: Edit the rule condition (click an underlined value)," select the appropriate highlighted value and provide the required information. For example, to select a sender, select from the Contacts list or enter an email address in the field next to "From ->," then click "Ok." Select "Next >" to continue.

Step5
Choose the appropriate actions. Under "Step 1: Select action(s)," click on the actions that you want Outlook 2007 to run on relevant messages. Under "Step 2: Edit the rule description (click an underlined value)," select the appropriate highlighted value and enter the required information. For example, to select a folder, select from the list. To create a new folder, click "New…," enter the folder name, select its location, then hit "Ok." Click "Ok" at the actions dialog, then "Next >."

Step6
Identify any exceptions. Under "Step 1: Select exception(s) (if necessary)" choose any exceptions that you want Outlook 2007 to. Under "Step 2: Edit the rule description (click an underline value)," select the appropriate highlighted value and enter the required information. Click "Ok" to close the dialog, and then click "Next >."

Step7
Finish the rule. In "Step 1: Specify a name for this rule," enter an appropriate name. Under "Step 2: Setup rule options," decide whether to run the rule immediately on the indicated folder, whether to turn the rule on and whether to create the rule for all accounts. The latter option will be grayed out if you do not have more than one active Outlook profile. Hit "Finish." At the "Rules and Alert" dialog, click "Ok." Your rule will run on new messages that arrive in the assigned folder.