Qtparted Open Source partition Software

QTParted is an open-source partition software utility bundle on Knoppix Live CD. The QTParted utility is more similar with Partition Magic software. So , the usage of QTParted you might find easy to use since you already familiar with Partition Magic.

QtParted utility supports FAT32, NTFS, HFS, ext2, ext3 file systems. now you can resize your partitions, create, shrink, expand and more partition to install another operating system without losing your data.

Read more about QTParted Features

How to use QTParted utility without install knoppix operating system.

Since QTParted come with knoppix live CD, you just need to burn a bootable knoppix CD. After Knoppix boots (type knoppix at the boot prompt), start at the large letter K at bottom left. Select K | System | QTParted to launch the utility. The main window is split into left and right panes. The left lists any hard drives that QTParted detects. Click the drive you want to edit, and QTParted will scan it for partition information, displaying the details in the right pane.

You can resize the partitions (choose Resize options), create a new partition. The tool will write the changes to the drive only after you select File | Commit. After QTParted finished repartitioning your hard drive, click on the K menu, and select restart. Remove your Knoppix CD and that's all.

ScreenShot of QTParted

Me prefer more on opensource software because pay for a commercial license. since this QTParted is supporting Windows and linux file format. i found out is more convience compare to Partition Magic. meanwhile, the partition utility can be booted up when loading Knoppix Live CD without install Knoppix

Read more Via QTParted Home Page

Read How to repartition your hard disk without Reformatting

You can download Knoppix from one of these mirrors.

Google WebTool Kits

Google just release GWT (Google Web Toolkits ) for ajax coding development more easier and more funs to build Web applications like Google Maps and Calendar. Google Web Toolkits is a code generation framework that lets you code Ajax apps in pure Java. all coding development is done on java command and debug on your own AJAX applications using the Java debuggeg tools of your choice.

When you deploy your application to production, the GWT compiler simply translates your Java application to browser-compliant JavaScript and HTML.

Simple notes about Google Web Toolkits:-

• Use your favorite Java IDE to write and debug an application in the Java language, using as many (or as few) GWT libraries as you find useful.
• Use GWT's Java-to-JavaScript compiler to distill your application into a set of JavaScript and HTML files that you can serve with any web server.
• Confirm that your application works in each browser that you want to support, which usually takes no additional work.

GWT can be downloaded from Google Code.

Window media player 11

Windows Media Player 11 has been release to public for download. After install beta release of windows media player 11. i quite impression especially on intuitive interface and value add services on windows media player 11.

Features in Windows Media Player 11 for XP :

• New User Interface
• Support for better synchronization for portable devices
• Album “stacks” of album art
• Indexed libraries with search-as-you-type features
• User controlled downgrade of quality for DRM content to allow for smaller files
• DRM content will contain metadata that shows what the user is allowed to do with the file

Screenshot of windows media player 11:-

Review on windows media player 11 on Cnet.

Download Window media Player 11 from Microsoft

snap.com search engine

Snap.com a ajax serch engine offers an alternative to “text-in, text-out” searching with a site previews. Snap.com has been redesign again and now the ajax search engine is heavily on Ajax features, clustering, and related results, among other things.

some point of snap.com ajax search engine.

• first searching engine including large thumbnails preview of prospective pages.
• broadband search engine ( require broadband connection)
• out-dated web page thumbnail for page preview
• lump together search results financed by advertisers which advertisers web link on top search result.

What others say about Snap.com:

• “…this is definitely an interesting idea but it feels abit sluggish for me as you need to wait for the pictures to load…” — techgurls!!!
• “By combining commercial and noncommercial results in the same column, Snap cleared enough space on its home page to provide a large enough box that will provide snapshots of each Web site that appears in the rankings.” — Yahoo! Finance
• “My quick take is that I’m so used to Google’s dominant interface, I initially got lost using Snap. It takes some time to get the hang of it.” — John Battelle’s Searchblog

Google Music ?

Seem like Google Music rumours is circulating around the globe and google music is starting make their way to publish on web.

I understand that Google making this Google music is against their rival like Yahoo Music. until today, i also never heard official information from Google side.
Thanks for Garett Roger from Zdnet giving some information about Google Music

• "Google Music" is not going to be the final name. There are a few names on the table, including "GMusic" and "Google Tunes". I can't say either is a huge improvement.
• Google Desktop will have an interface for the music thing, with a search and media player built-in.
• Name Censored was sketchy on this part, but he was fairly sure that Google will reformat Google Video Player for all media. It should be able to play video and music, and maybe integrate Google Pictures with a picture viewer similar to Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.
• all music video previews on GMusic or whatever will be ".gvi" format, and that for copyright reasons the files would either be un-downloadable or cut to 30 seconds. I'm hoping for the former, I want to be able to see the whole video.
• All music videos will have their own section in Google Video.

For me, This Google music rumours still no reality and unknown. so, what we can say just wait only and start to see some confirmed information about Google Music services.

Web Browser features that at opera only

Opera 9 has been launch recently. i also checking out of opera web browser features, Here is a nice article that i found at Google Operating System has a writeup about 10 features that you find at opera browser only.

Link :- 10 features you will found only at opera

About :Opera 9

Download Skype 2.5 Beta

Skype 2.5 beta just release recently.

Some of the new features -

• Ability to send sms on mobile phone
• Shared group contacts and introduce friends
• Easy payment on skype credit
• Viewing outlook contacts
• File resume after skype restart
• Call normal phone easily with SkypeOut
• Create social space for video conferencing

Download Skype 2.5 Beta

Skype ScreenShot:-

Gmail New Pictures features

After Google Press Day, Google Gmail also announce new services call " Google Pictures " on Google Gmail. At Gmail's "What's New" page has changed and tells us of a new feature that will be launched shortly.

This features will be available all user by slowly roll out to gmail user like similar like google chat did.

Here is some information from Google pictures about:-

Gmail pictures allow you to put a face to a name, by showing user-selected pictures when you roll over a name in your inbox, Contacts, or Quick Contacts list. You can choose your own photo for yourself and for your contacts, suggest a photo for a contact to use, or see what your friends have selected for themselves.

Gmail pictures can be configured to show to all users who you email or who email you, or they can be limited to only those users who are able see when you're online. You can see a full list of users who can see your online status from the All Contacts tab of your Contacts page – they'll be listed with a colored ball next to their name.

windows live messenger for download

Finally windows live messenger is open to public for download. now you no need to subscribe the invitation perviously for downloading windows live messenger.

The windows currently available on windows operating system and can be downloaded at ideas.live.com.

My exprience on current live messenger compare to msn messenger 7.5.

windows live messenger has a nicer interface which more cleaner design compare to msn messenger 7.5. meanwhile, it also can perform offline message features like skype and yahoo ( msn messenger 7.5 can't perform ).

The best part is windows live messenger can perform color customization on windows messenger template. In addition, windows live messenger can call local phone and mobile phone like skype. But the VoIP phone just limited on eight country only.
More information requirement and features via Windows live messenger official site

Google translator boomerang

Google translator boomerang is an application that using google translate service to translate text wording to other language. This google translator boomerang currently is supporting with 9 language like german, spanish, french, italian, portugues, chinese,japanese and korean.

Try to examine how well the translation of your text really matches with your intentions. You might be surprised to learn how your words may come across in another language.

Download Files:- Google translator boomerang.

Windows Desktop 3.0

Microsoft just release the windows desktop search 3.0 only but this version still on beta testing.

the sad thing is this version does not include an end-user UI, but i expecting next release have includeing the end user UI.This release is for the Engine Preview ONLY. It allows applications like Outlook 2007 and OneNote 2007 to be indexed so that the content within those applications can be quickly searched.

Here is what microsoft say about windows desktop 3.0 :-

Windows Desktop Search 3.0 enables fast search on your PC using indexing technology. It helps you to find your documents, email, music, photos and other items. The search engine in Windows Desktop Search (WDS) 3.0 is a Windows service that can be used by applications such as Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 to index application content and deliver instant results when searching within an application. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

This release is an Engine Preview of WDS 3.0 Beta. It contains the WDS 3.0 engine only and is meant to support searching from desktop applications such as Microsoft Office Outlook and OneNote 2007. Since this release does not provide a full desktop search experience, users of earlier versions of Windows Desktop Search should not upgrade to this release unless directed to by Outlook 2007, OneNote 2007 or another application. The next beta release of WDS 3.0 will include end-user UI to allow searching over all indexed content from a single place.

Link to download windows desktop search 3.0 link. this link direct you to the microsoft pages and describe the requirement, overview and how ti install.

SoonrTalk - Skype mobile application

SoonrTalk is a mobile application product that allows users to make skype calls from standard mobile phone. SoonR’s make skype calls by access Skype application on your home PC through your browser and initiate a call with a contact or contacts. SoonR will then call your cell phone from that PC (using Skype Out credits),and call the contacts via normal skype calling.

Here is some review from TechCrunch about soonrTalk:-

Co-founder and VP Marketing Song Huang showed me the product in action and set up a call with a few key strokes on his cell. It works great.

SoonR is free, and will be launching premium services in the future (such as a feature that allows SoonR to work even if your PC is powered down - SoonR will cache the data you want to be able to access).

Here is some screenshot describe the interface of SoonrTalk:- ScreenShot Link

Opera Mini Browser

Opera Company recently just launches opera browser 9.0. but now, Opera released a mobile browser call " Opera Mini 2.0". Opera's mini browser is using Small Screen Rendering™ technology to provide access to the Web. It has all the features expected of a browser, and more, such as bookmarks, browsing history, and ability to split large pages into smaller sections for faster browsing.

Here is summaries of features on Opera Mini 2.0 :-

• skips the initial text message requirement which straight pointing the mobile user to content services provider.
• download files such as MP3s and images to their phones.
• speed-dial bookmark capability that allows users to assign two-key codes that will open up a Web page
• quick horizontal and vertical panning when browsing backwards or forwards
• change browser's visual skin.

Here is some of the useful resource about opera mini 2.0

1. Demo of opera mini browser 2.0
2. Product Campaign of Opera mini browser 2.0
3. Information on Opera mini browser 2.0.

Sphere - Blog Search Engine

Sphere a brand new blog search open widely to public yesterday. Sphere normally categories into three major part like blog search results, featured blogs, and related media. meanwhile, Sphere also include a nice features stated below:-

• custom range histogram;
• a "sphere it" bookmarklet
• top queries this hour/ this week;
• RSS
• expanded related news articles coverage

You can review more information on features explanation on TechChurch.

TechChrunch also stated that the design is developed by adaptive path. See their essay on the project here.

Sphere is totally differ from technoarti which it has iits own algorithm to determine to calculate the popularity of the blogs. Calculation is based on ithree major factor like links in/out of blog; meta data around the blog (average length of posts, post frequency, etc; and a semantic analysis of the posts themselves).

Here is some comment that give by Micro persuasion:-

However, it's missing several key features - authority rankings, mobile search, tag search and the ability to sort through results in different languages. Worst of all there's no link search. So I can't tell if someone is linking to me using the phrase "this guy" or "Steve says." This last point is unacceptable. (Update: It has link search. You need to use the phrase "SphereIt:")

Still, I like Sphere a lot and I am wholeheartedly recommending it. It's drop dead simple to use and it has some nice features. If it adds a few more it can be a serious contender to T'Rati. The key here is going to be speed. How fast is Sphere vs. T'Rati. I see no way to ping them, which is not a good sign. We should run it through some benchmarks.

For me, i agree with Micro Persuasion comment on sphere. Sphere still having need improvement. perhaps, in future, we can see more features coming out from sphere

Google SketchUP

Google on friday has release a new services call Google SketchUp for free. This SketchUp services is available on Windows 2000, XP and XP pro platform. meanwhile, Google has announce that MAC version will be release soon.

SketchUp is particularly well-suited for users interested in creating 3D models of structures, such as houses, sheds, decks, home additions and woodworking projects, according to Google.
Google is also launching a Web site called 3D Warehouse, where SketchUp users can store and share their designs and collaborate.

you can upload your models to Google Earth. So that's how Google is going to add 3d buildings for all the towns not currently included (only 38 major cities are in there now).

The fee-based version is intended primarily for professionals, while the free version is aimed at hobbyists.

Google release free version of sketchup is to match Google's misson to make information " accessible and useful"

More information resource:-

1. Digital lifestyle info
   
2. ComputerWorld

E-book web directory

Here is a website directory offer all various type of online books. The website call 2020ok.com. from what i can see.the website has a bunch of online books sector. roughly more 20 categories.

Thinkfree - web based office suite

Thinkfree is a web based java / Ajax office suite. ThinkFree Office consists of three parts: Write for word processing, Calc for spreadsheets, and Show for presentations.

Advantages of online thinkfree is inexpensive way to access most Microsoft Office documents; excellent spreadsheet and word-processing applications; spreadsheet program skillfully handles Excel calculations and formatting.

however, this thinkfree is supported with online ads but you will get 1GB of space to use.
Thinkfree also stated that:-

it's "impressive" and its word processor has "has all the features most people will ever need

More information : - ExtremeTech

Site Review :- ThinkFree

Internet Explorer 7 beta v2

Microsoft just announce Internet Explorer 7 Beta version 2. This IE version is comptabile only on windows XP SP 2 and windows 2003. meanwhile, They’ve also announced toll free phone support to support products for users and receive feedback bout IE v7 Beta 2.

The english language is released first and later just follow up other langauage within three weeks.

IE Blog Statement say

We acted on a lot of the feedback and bug reports from the previous public releases. In particular, I feel good about changes we made based on reports from web developers around some CSS behaviors, application compatibility feedback, reliability data (yes, we do analyze the information that comes when you click “Send Error Report”), and user experience feedback. People on the team will post additional details about changes over the next few days.

Main features update on IE 7 is

1. Quick tabbing like firefox or other major web borrowers.
2. RSS reader built on browser.
3. improvement CSS rendering.

Here is the sample of IE 7 screenshot from techchurch:

You can download on this link : Internet Explorer 7 beta version 2 on Microsoft Site

More information about Internet Explorer : IE blog

MSN lose, Google Win on search engine market

According to audience measurement firm Nielsen//NetRatings on Internet searches engine usage.

No.1 Google Share market has been increase from 47 to 49 percent. The nielsen/netrating firms also trust that google will sure pass over 50 percent marks within this year.

No. 2 search engine provider Yahoo finished March with a 22 percent share of the Internet search market, up about a percentage point, according to the report.

For MSN, MSN share market has been drop from 13 percent to 11 percent.

The reason for MSN's miserable March, and whether the customers who are no longer using MSN were instead at the Web sites of Google or Yahoo, couldn't immediately be learned from Nielsen.

Yahoo and Google gains were based on their newer features, like video search and previewing Web pages.
For more information: - search engine share market report

Huge update on Google earth satellite images

Today, i read through the google earth blog. i found out that google earth recently uploading a huge amount of satellite image and updating their database. This means new high resolution data for all of Germany, many places in Europe, the new 3"/pixel data for Las Vegas. when you zoom to lowest level map, you will see a the Earth's land masses will look more green because Google is now using a dataset from a company called TrueEarth.

Here are some blog entries with details on the changes:

• Big update 23-Mar-2006 - TrueEarth update, Germany, tropical islands, and more.
• Maldive Island group - beautiful hi-res islands - see in Google Maps
• Las Vegas, Nevada - 3 inch/pixel data - see in Google Maps
• Stonehenge - now in high-resolution - see in Google Maps
• Big update 18-Apr-2006 - Most of western Europe gets updated.