Smartphone users are already well informed about the presence of editing photo application which usually provides vintage styles. Applications such as Instagram and Camera 360 are not peculiar for any smartphone users as the globally renowned top editing photo app. These two applications can be said as the most popular ones when it comes to photo editing and also sharing. However, it does not mean that they are the only ones. There is an outstanding one which provides more editing options, named Pixlr-O-Matic. In the late 2012, Autodesk Inc, the developer company, released and introduced the newest version called Pixlr-O-Matic 2.2.1. This is designed to ease the interest of smartphone users in editing their photos.

This software provides more than 100 effects, almost 200 different borders, and 280 overlays. Thus, this can enrich the creativity of the users during editing photos. With this Pixlr-O-Matic 2.2.1, cool retro effects can be added to their photos and the images with great looking vintage are in hands.

This app comes with many innovative features available, such as:

1. The mood can be adjusted by the color overlays provided. You can simply strengthen the tone, cool it , and add any shades.
2. Add grunge, sparkle, or drama look with the lighting effects.
3. Want to finish off the editing process with frames? Go choose the border style which suits you.
4. Get confused with many effects? Try the random option to make it all in a single swipe. Then the app will select the overlay, border, and effect for you.
5. You do not have to capture a photo first since you can also use the photos in the gallery then start applying the effects. But, if you want to capture a new photo using this app, then you can still choose the various effects from this.
6. Finish with your editing? Go share it to your friends directly through imm.io and Facebook.
7. You can also export the result back to the gallery, saving it in high resolution but it depends on the original resolution of the image.
8. Disturbed by ads? Do not have to worry about them since the developer has removed the use of them and the intrusive permissions.

It only requires 7 Mb space in your phone to install and Android 2.1 or higher version. It is a freeware so the users can install it freely straight from the PlayStore. Then, what if your phone is not smartphone but still want to use this app? Do not worry since this app is also available on Chrome Web Store in your PC and you can make it as the extension in Chrome tab. Thus, what are you waiting for? Go click and install Pixlr-O-Matic 2.2.1 then you can edit photos as easy as counting one, two, and three.

With the development of technology nowadays, people tend to like something which is easy to carry around and something that they can use instantly. It is all because the mobility of people these days are very high, so they need to have devices which can support their busy activities. For addition, the fact that the life is really hectic nowadays has also made the people become more dependent to the technology to help them cope with the busy things of their lives. This is the reason why the computer industries are inspired to create a portable hard drive that would very easy and light to carry around, so the users would not need to take their laptop all the time. Portable hard drive is able to save various data, starts from documents, pictures, videos, music, games and many more. It is also can be attached and removed from PC or laptop when it is needed.

One of the best portable hard drives that you can choose is Lenovo ThinkPad USB 3.0 Secure Hard Drive. This product is very recommended if you need a portable hard drive that is not just useful to save data, but also to secure your data. With the security buttons that available on the front side of this portable hard drive, you can protect all of the data that available inside the hard drive. You do not need to worry for someone will be able to access the data without knowing the password. The security system in this hard drive does not require any software or applications. You are able to directly operate the security system with the numeric keypad that available on the front side of the hard drive. You can read the manual instructions that available inside the box for further explanation.

After you attached it to the computer or laptop and unlock the password, this hard drive will operate just like the other portable hard drives. You can use it to save pictures, videos, documents and the other data. If you insert the wrong password up to five times, you need to restart the computer and removed this portable hard drive from the computer. To try it again, you can reconnect the hard drive to the computer. The capacity of this hard drive is little bit lower than the other portable hard drives. It only has maximum capacity of 690 GB. The original format of Lenovo ThinkPad USB 3.0 Secure Hard Drive is support with Windows system, but you can also reformat this hard drive to be capable with Mac and Linux operation systems. If you want to have this portable hard drive, you can get Lenovo ThinkPad USB 3.0 Secure Hard Drive with price around US$ 190.

From now on, you can have the more flexible stuff which you can always use to support you work especially in doing your computing activity since you are offered with the innovation of Toshiba LX830. This innovation is meant to be tablet which can also be used in the form of laptop. It is now possible for you to have those two things to be combined in the most perfect way because this innovation has been created in such a way so that you can use it as a tablet in one time and in some other times, you can simply set the keyboard and mouse to this stuff so you can work with your laptop form of this innovation.

It is totally flexible for you to use it because you do not need to have two different stuffs to fulfill your needs of technology of table and laptop because you can simply get it from just one tool. All you need to do is just to set the extra wireless keyboard and mouse whenever you want to use it as a laptop. There will be the technology of Windows 8 for this Toshiba LX830 which is going to be combined with the touch screen system of this innovation. It means that all of your computing activities will be able to be done in the simpler and in the smarter way through this innovation. You may not be able to find such kind of quality of this innovation from the other products.

Besides, there will be the wider view that you could get from this innovation because this is meant to have the 23 inches of TruBrite HD TFT with 1.920×1.080 pixels which is going to give you the sharper resolution of a screen. By then, you can have the more satisfying view of this tool whenever you want to do your work, paly games, watch videos, or simply to view your memorable photos. Furthermore, there is also the feature of movie player of this tool which is going to let you to watch your favorite movies without you have to face the Blu-ray view when you are in the back of this tool. The design of this innovation is also made in such a way so you will get the most fashionable look of a tablet. By the quality which is described above, then you should have no doubt to go and get this Toshiba LX830 right now to be very yours.

Impacts of video conferencing will show you how much this kind of technology has given its use for our life. It cannot be denied that the existence of this innovation has brought so many kinds of easiness for us in living this globalization era, where everything is required to always be right on time but still qualified. Since this technology offers use one of the most effective ways in communication, which works by facilitating us with the ability to connect us with people so we can simply communicate with them audio-visually, then this is going to be the best solution for us to still be able in having communication with people even if there is no way for us to meet them directly. By this technology, we are still going to be able to get the point of the communication as well as we do it directly.

Considering the way it works, then video conferencing is now commonly used in the form of business. Assume that you are businessman and you have some clients as well as business partners. To hold a meeting might be troublesome especially if you are located far away from one to the other. The time spent to just reach the meeting place is actually wasted. Thus, by using video conference, the meeting can be held with barely any need to go anywhere. However today, you will find that there are so many impacts of video conferencing aside from business. There have been so many people even institutions which also use the benefits of this technology. This technology is used by so many institutions to support the working system of those institutions. For example, in education, you will be able to have the class by using this conference system, while for the health institution, this technology also be able to be used when you want to do the telemedicine or tele-nursing.

Furthermore, for those who have their disability in speaking, this technology will help them in keep doing their communication since they will be able to do their sign language communication with this technology. Considering that there are so many good impacts of video conferencing for our life, then this should be developed more.

Computer network is a system which consists of a group of computers connected one another to share information and power. The types of computer network are divided into three parts. They are:

1.     Based on the location width

a.     LAN (Local Area Network)

This is a local computer network which has very limited area scope. It uses UTP cable or the wireless one. It is usually used in schools, offices, or houses. The advantages of LAN are:

-       Parallel use of equipments, such as printer and CPU.

-       Easy to share data

-       Easier maintenance if the client-server for data management is arranged centered.

b.    MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

This is several LANs which are connected altogether. Media used are wireless and optic fiber. The range scope is around 50 km, depends on what media is used.

c.     WAN (Wide Area Network)

This is a group of LAN and MAN which are integrated each other. WAN leads to high-speed data transfer so that it is possible to have faster and more exact communication and data sharing. The association of WAN leads to internet working, which we usually call ‘internet’.

2.     Based on the configuration

a.     Peer-to-Peer (P2P)

In P2P, each computer has the same position and it does not need a centered system. The advantages are the configuration is easy to make, server computer is not needed, cheap installation budget, and does not need technician with such specific ability. On the contrary, it has lower data security, limited computers, and longer maintenance process.

b.    Client/server

It requires a computer which becomes the server to control the network. It has higher data security, unlimited computer quantity, and easier maintenance process. Meanwhile, it also has difficult configuration, expensive installation budget, and needs technician with a specialty.

3.     Based on the used media

a.     Cable

This is used if the are scope is not too broad. The types of cable used are UTP, optic fiber, and Coaxial.

b.    Nircable or wireless

It really assists if it is used in the limited for cables. The media are wireless LAN, infrared, cellphones, satellite, and bluetooth for instance.

Many people always try to find the newest antivirus or malware protection to protect their computers. It may be caused by incompetent antivirus that is freely downloaded from internet. They need a compatible antivirus and malware protection to save their computers from getting trouble. New antivirus or malware protection are not always suitable and competent for our computers, so you have to be selective in choosing any antivirus and malware protection. One spyware that is compatible to your computer is PC tools spyware doctor; this is new spyware protection that is already completed with antivirus. So this spyware protection will work well on your computer.

PC tools spyware doctor is an antivirus and spyware that is designed to secure advanced virus that is purposively wide spread. It also provides you spyware protection to secure your computer from viruses and malware. So, when you download some file from internet and the file brings viruses and malware, this tool is going to secure your computer right away. Thus, it will be even harder for the harm to get through your system. Besides, it also detects some blocks that threat your computer faster than other tools. As you know that block in a computer is dangerous when you want to open some files, so the files cannot be opened. It also makes your computer browse internet faster. If you intend to make an online shop, this is the appropriate tool for you to keep your computer safe from viruses and malware.

You can even scan faster your computer by using this tool. For addition, this tool is completed with cloud system that has compatible ability to secure your computer from viruses and malware as well as dealing with cloud security. It is also available for you to fit it in windows 8. So, you have to use this tool to secure your computer from viruses and malware. In other words, if you want to make your computer become free from any potential harm, you must not hesitate to get this software. PC tools spyware doctor is the best protection for your computer since it is completed with antivirus that will work with the spyware protection.

 The news about Don’t Starve, which is no other but an upcoming new game created by Klei Entertainment, has become a talk since a quite long time ago. Now, those who are curious enough about it should get ready because after passing the beta trial, this game will finally be released officially in the 24^th of April, 2013. The official announcement about price mentioned that the price of this game is $15. Such price is certainly equal to all best things available in it, including best quality unique graphic, music, and more importantly storyline and all quests designed in it.

Don’t Starve is actually a survival game. The main objective should be fulfilled by players is to help the main character to survive in the middle of nowhere. As the name of this game, the player should be able to avoid starving and to fight enemies. The name of this main character is Wilson, who is also known as The German Scientist. He is pictured as a guy with funny hair and pale looking face. Other than this main character, there are some other playable characters available in this game. They are; Willow, Wendy, Wolfgang, WX-78, Wickerbottom, and also Wes. It is rather unique to find out that all playable characters in the game have names which are started with W. At the beginning, all of those characters, except Wilson, should be unlocked first before being able to be chosen to play the game. Well, it is the challenge indeed.

Now, Don’t Starve is closed beta. Therefore, you should not get your expectation too high. It seems that you still need to be patient for a while but you should not think it will be wasteful. Your waiting will surely be worth it. This news is certainly reasonable because the release date of this game nearly comes. Anyone who is curious about this game should be patient for a little bit more like what has been stated earlier. Please be ready to be addicted to this survival mode PC game when it is finally released on the late April 2013. It will surely be awesome.

In today’s world, computer programming is a thing that can be learned not only by adults but also by kids. Early introduction about computer programming for kids like this is certainly good because it can possibly create better human resources with better knowledge for the future. From so many means can be used to introduce the subject to kids, books are considered to be quite effective. The example of such book can be seen in Python for Kids, which is written by Jason S. Brigg. This book is sold for about $34.95 and can be purchased in many books stores.

The main idea can be found in this book is actually a fun and playful way to introduce computer programming for kids. Well, if you realize it, the fact that technology has become so important nowadays, the earlier you let your children to know and become closer to the technology such as computer programming is surely better. The main type of programming used as the subject of this book is known to be Python version 3 programming language. By reading the book as well as practicing all lesson told in it, there are several things that kids can learn. For example, they can learn about how to use data structures, especially the ones which are fundamental or basics. For advanced learners, the ability to create games and also animations can also be obtained from the knowledge shared in the books. In short, this thing will not only let your children become even brighter and skillful but they can also find some fun in dealing with it.

The book about computer programming for kids like this is certainly beneficial. First of all, it can give such advanced yet understandable knowledge about programming to them. Other than that, practicing what are told in the books can also make kids to be able to use their free time by doing something beneficial and also developing like computer programming. Certainly, purchasing this book is suggested for parents to do, as long as they know whether computing is a field that their kids love more if compared to any other hobbies that they also love to do in their daily.

So far, internet provides us wide varieties of use; you can use internet for anything you want in your life. You can communicate with your friends, you can open online shop and you can sell your stuff through internet. The one that gets more attention than others is e-commerce; a breakthrough in trading. E commerce is one of the most popular activities chosen by society. It is an effective way for you to promote your business through internet. You can get more advantages by promoting your business through internet.

When you promote your business through internet, you can grab more people to deal with your business. It would be great if you have the ability to promote well. As well as in the real life, when you go to promote your business, then you need some words that are interesting to attract people attention to read your ads and then buy or use your product; that is the essence of e commerce; how to grab people attention toward your business through internet. The advantages of this kind of business are that it is more effective and cheap, you do not need lots of time to do so, and instead, you can spend your leisure time to make your e commerce. It is cheap; Of course, you do not need much money to make your e commerce interesting; you just need to explore creativity.

So, this is the time for you to use internet as your way to promote your business. Without any doubt, once you have given this kind of marketing way to deal with your business, there are so many benefits you can get. You can find internet everywhere; when you are in work, when you are at home, and even when you are in business. Internet gives you lots of opportunities to gain more advantages. Do not ignore the use of internet if you have a business, it is the best way for you to promote your business. E commerce is just the one of the effect of telecommunication development through internet. So, your product will be successfully promoted by internet.

Mobile Operating Systems (OS), also known as platform, is a program which controls hardware, such as cellular phones, smartphones, tablet PCs, PDAs, and other mobile devices. There are many mobile OS which is sold in the market and is used by people around the world. We often heard iOS, Android OS, Java OS, Symbian OS, and so on. Here are the top 5 mobile OS which is owned by renowned companies in the world.

1.     Apple iOS

This is a mobile OS owned by Apple Inc. It is developed only for its products, such as iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and iPod Touch. It has more than 500,000 applications in App Store. Also, it got the best-selling mobile devices in 2011. It becomes the former for other mobile OS which brings multi-touch interface: slide, switch, and buttons. The new Apple products in the market are the newest version of iPhone4 and iOS5.

2.     Android OS

This is designed for smartphones and tablet PCs. This Linux kernel-based, developed by Open Handset Alliance, is under the name of Google. In 2010, it got the best-selling smartphone with the range of 200 million devices. Since many independent developers compete to create this technology, it makes Android developed fast. Since 2008, Android successfully released many versions. They are Cupcake, Eclair, Donut, Froyo, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Gingerbread. Many Android smartphones are controlled with more affordable price than iOS. That is why many people in the world like this product.

3.     Symbian OS

This is an operating system which has requirement only for 2.5G and 3G cellphones. Some companies which use this OS are Nokia, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson while Nokia is the highest investor. Thus, no wonder that many Nokia cellphones use Symbian OS.

4.     Blackberry OS

Although its position is moved by the presence of Android OS, the prestige of Blackberry OS still shines. This is developed by Research in Motion (RIM), a company based in Canada. It was once booming with push-email service and the most successful smartphone in the market. Although Indonesia is the highest Blackberry products selling, but RIM still does not want to invest in here yet. RIM still prefers to establish the company in Malaysia, which has far lower product selling, to Indonesia.

5.     Palm OS

It was first introduced in 1996 which was developed for PDA mobile devices at the beginning. It then was developed with graphical user interface-based touch-screen technology. The characteristic is shortcuts menu interface. The products which use this Palm OS are HP Touch Pad and Palm Treo Smartphone.

Mobile computing technology is the new kind of technology that makes people able to work with computing activities in easier way. Different with many years ago, when people need to stay at one place and cannot easily move the computer device, now people are already able to do their computing activities anywhere at any time they want. This technology is really helpful, especially for working people, considering the high needs of mobility of people these days. Sometimes, they need to organize some data before they arrive at the office or attend certain meeting. Or they just simply need to control their business matters from place that far away from their office. This technology will prevent the changing location matters become a serious problem for them.

The mobile computing technology that can be found on laptop, tablet and mobile phone nowadays will make people able to write and edit some documents, creating presentation, send videos or pictures, reply some email or access some data anywhere. Even this excess can be profitable for you, does not mean that this technology does not have any bad points at all. First, the power of mobile computing device is only rely on its battery power. When you do not have a chance to recharge the battery before you done with your work, you cannot continue the works. You need to wait until you find electricity source to recharge the battery.

Second, typing in mobile computing devices, such as tablet and mobile phone, can be a difficult matter for some people. The small and the touch screen technology of the keyboard can be a serious problem for people that do not familiar with technology. Third is security problem. When you organize your data using public network, the security of your data is not guaranteed. The last one, mobile computing technology can distract the focus of some people when they driving a car or walking on the street. It can cause an accident if the users cannot hold their desire to quickly finish their works even they are still driving a car or walking in the crowded street.

Computer device, or now also commonly known as personal computer (PC), consists of two major parts. The first one is hardware and the second one is software. Hardware is the main part of computer systems which can be touch with your hand, such as monitor, keyboard, mouse, data storage and CPU. Without complete hardware that needs to be installed, your computer would not work properly. Different from hardware, software cannot be touched with your hand. Software could be a symbol, application, programs or idea. Like what has been stated before, computer consists of hardware and software. It means that we cannot use computer without only one of those things. We cannot use computer with only hardware or only software.

Usually, computer hardware consists of 10 main parts such as monitor, motherboard, CPU, RAM, power supply, expansion cards, hard disk drive, optical disk drive, keyboard and mouse. Except monitor, keyboard and mouse, all of the hardware components are located in one place named computer case. And among all of those components, motherboard becomes the most important part inside computer system. Without this component, your computer will not able to operate because motherboard is the place where CPU, RAM and the other peripherals get connected. Motherboard or also known as mainboard is a large rectangular printed circuit board. It is a place where you can find most crucial electronic components which support the computer system, such as memory, CPU and integrated peripherals. Integrated peripherals which can be integrated on the mainboard are disk controllers, integrated sound card, integrated graphics controller, IrDA controller, USB 2.0 controller and fast Ethernet network controller. Each type of motherboard has different specifications and also supports different processors. If you want to make sure your computer can perform better, you should not hesitate to upgrade your motherboard and also the other components.

When it works, motherboard is generally air cooled with heat sinks. If you put the wrong or insufficient cooling tools, it can cause damage to the internal parts of motherboard and it can also lead a crash to the computer system. Mainboard that you can find these days has various sizes depends on which company that produce the mainboard. In laptop or notebook computers, you will generally find a highly integrated motherboard which has smaller size or customize size. That is why the mainboard inside laptop computer is more difficult to upgrade and it cost more expensive when it’s needed to be repair. A little damage of motherboard’s components on the laptop, can lead you to a replacement of the entire motherboard. Besides insufficient cooling, motherboard can also become damaged from the other factors such as accidentally drop the computer case or laptop, electrical surge like lightning storm, temperature fluctuation and improperly manufactured power supply.

I haven’t check my Google Reader for over a month, and this is what it looks like. :o

First of all, I apologize to everyone that’s been waiting for my return to update this blog. Well, I am back now, but got some bad news, as some of you have figured a long time ago, is that I will stop updating Googlified.

“OMG, Haochi, why are you doing this?!?!?”

Well, I love this blog and I love doing this very much, albeit I don’t love/like/admire Google anymore - the bigger reason behind this whole thing, plus that life sucks (and wonderful at the same time - which I am learning to appreciate it) that wouldn’t allow me to have 48-hour days. Life gets overwhelmed at times and sacrifices needed to be done so that’s that, there aren’t a lot to be said.

So What Now?

The Internet without Googlified will still be the Internet, there are many great blogs and communities that talks about Google on the Web. I will still participate in the discussions, just not publishing them on this blog, that’s all. I do (shamelessly) admit that there are many great things about this blog that you will miss, but well, c’est la vie I guess.

I am not sure what to do with this blog yet, but one thing I am sure is that I will keep this blog online for another couple of months and wait till then to decide. As for the OVER NINE THOUSAND unread items in Google Reader, I will just “mark as read” them all. :D

Also, I have a personal blog, if you are interested, go ahead and subscribe it. :)

And for those who have never seen a photo of me, see below, I am radiating love and peace.

Due to the mountain of school works and (final) exams I am having toward the end of this school year, I will not be able to update this blog this week. In the mean time, you can checkout the blogs on the right (click here if you are reading this in a feed reader).

Also, I got into a car accident today, but I am fine, still in one piece, no scratches or anything. Thanks for asking. And yes, I am blowing soap bubbles in the above picture (outside of school), and yes, it is fun.

The Google LatLong Blog announced several updates to the images of Manhanttan used in Google Street View. Among the updates, I find their new move to blur out people’s faces to be quite interesting.

We’re also taking this opportunity to test our new face-blurring technology on the busy streets of Manhattan. This effort has been a year in the making — working at Street View-scale is a tough challenge that required us to advance state-of-the-art automatic face detection, and we continue working hard to improve it as we roll it out for our existing and future imagery.

They are probably putting Neven Vision (an image recognition technology Google acquired two years ago) in use. Pascal from the GoogleWatchBlog said that the pictures are “a bit out of focus, even if there are no people,” and those new images are indeed a bit blurry when zoomed-in, despite Google claiming that they are now “sharper.” (I am probably comparing apple to orange, so please correct me if I am wrong.)

May 12, 2008 - a sad day for the whole community of Google Street View Stalkers (G.S.V.S) that will always be remembered.

Today’s Mother’s Day (in the U.S., and many other countries) and well, you know what to do (and it’s never too late). Orkut also have a special logo to celebrate the holiday.

In the U.K., Google’s celebrating the birthday (May 12) of Florence Nightingale, who is known as “The Lady with the Lamp”.

Florence Nightingale, who came to be known as “The Lady with the Lamp”, was a pioneer of modern nursing, a writer and a noted statistician. [Wikipedia]

[thanks to Pascal]

Last week, the Google Mac team released Vidnik, a “simple program for using the built-in camera on your Mac to create movies and upload them to YouTube.” It’s pretty easier to use and offers many functions like using the program to record video (or just drag & drop existing videos) and upload them as video comments.

Mambo on the Google Blogoscoped forum commented that, “I’ve just tried it out. To be honest, I think iMovie ‘08 does a much better job. It’s just as easy to use, but offers more flexibility, and flawless YouTube integration.”