Three options to optimize communication via web

The web communication area is without a doubt, one of the most powerful of all areas; that has advanced lot in short time, thanks to the technology advances and the complex convergence that characterizes the Internet. We can say that there are many ways to communicate as platforms, but only few of them provide accurate solutions. Here are three of the most popular and used: ooVoo, TweetDeck and Windows Live Messenger 2011.

ooVoo is an application that was thought for VoIP clients, being its main competitor Skype. One of the main advantages that ooVoo has is the possibility of having video conference for up to 6 simultaneous users. It also offers the possibility of creating chat channels between ooVoo users and add them to a website. What´s more, with ooVoo you can record and send video messages up to 5 MB. One disadvantage we might find is regarding audio and video quality which depends on the Internet connection the user has, although this is surprisingly good.

To sump up, ooVoo has a nice interface design in 3D format that together with its technical functionality, offers an intuitive user-friendly platform to the user.

On the other hand, TweetDeck, is an application that allows the integration of social networks such as: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Google Buzz and MySpace, among others. Its creation answered the aim of Twitter users that wanted to read and post tweets in a personalized interface, and even split the screen into as many columns as categories they want. Another feature that stands out in TweetDeck is to shorten the URLs from its interface, with just one click on the link (very useful when tweeting only 140 characters.)

Even thought TweetDeck and ooVoo are two applications for online communications that successfully meet the expectations of their users, without a doubt, Windows Live Messenger 2011, the new version of the popular Microsoft´s messaging client, is the most popular one and stands out for its new functionality. Among them we can find the possibility that users of the new Windows Live Messenger 2011 can synchronize their accounts with social networks (Facebook, MySpace, etc.).

In addition to this, another improvement they have made regarding its interface is that the conversations are no longer in different windows but now the main window includes them, assigning an individual tab for each one. This gives a better control of the conversation organizing them. Another feature we cannot left mentioning is that they added something new to the new format of Windows Live Messenger 2011, the file transfer has come out on top in this new development, as well as the ability to post status updates in different social networks from the same interface.

As we saw before, the options are many and good, but your choice will depend on which is the primary concern you have when communicating over the web, there you will have to choose between: ooVoo, TweetDeck or Windows Live Messenger 2011

Tab Candy vs. Tab Stacking: Similars… but differents

The introduction of the tabs inside browser interface has change the surf web experience once and forever. Thanks to these, you can keep opening content in a window, allowing you to have your area work organized, optimizing your time and navigation. This is why; interface´s browsers designers are paying more attention to these, feautering innovations in order to take advantage of them from the rest of its competitors.

In the try of making the browser tabs having appropriate functions according to the user profile of the different browsers, we have two functions that, without a doubt, have gained a slight advantage over the others: Candy tab for Mozilla Firefox and Stacking Tab for Opera.

To start with, we can say that Candy Tab helps to organize information, bringing together the different Mozilla Firefox tabs by subject, allowing the user to have all the content he is querying organized. Candy Tab allows the groups of tabs created to be moved around the screen and even add them a title. Also by click on a tab, the group will expand, showing the group created.

Stacking Tab is the bar create by Opera and works under a simple concept. Allow you to drag several tabs, one above the other, so that they remain together. To see the groups we have created just double-click on the group you want to see or simply leave the cursor over the tab. Whether the concept that Opera’s engineers managed to develop Stacking Tab is not as risky as the one created by Mozilla Firefox, the logic that handles this one is more intuitive, which implies a different attitude and mental thoughts by users when using one or the other. To know which of the two methods of grouping tabs is the best, we must see if users get used to the logic thought by Stacking Tab.

SmartFTP, FileZilla and Cerberus FTP Server: the most efficient FTP clients

When transfering files from and to a web server we need to take into account some importanta things, between them: stability, easy use and speed. Next, we will see between SmartFTP, FileZilla and Cerberus FTP server which suit best our needs to upload or download files from a server.

SmartFTP

In geneal, FTP clients frighten beginner’s users, though SmartFTP avoid this fear due to its easy use and user-friendly interface.

Well known as one of the best options when managing web sites content or transferring files from and to an external server, SmartFTP is really easy to use and fast.

The ability to establish connections with FTP, SFTP and FTPS servers, make it flexible according to the needs of the users, which combined with other features (graphs, statistics, stability, etc.) makes of FTP a superior client.

FileZilla

This is maybe one of the most intuitive FTP client (by it´s similarity with Windows explorer), FileZilla is the option to consider when managing any type of files in a server.

A special tiny thing that is really important (we especially remind it every time you establish connection) is the ability that FileZilla has to store data connection to a server (username, password and port). This allows us to automatically connect in each new session.

The most expected for an FTP client is the transfer speed and FileZilla has nothing to envy other similar programs. FileZilla speed is also reflected when we just drag files to the destination folder and the transfer start immediately.

The features and merits this software offer are many. That´s why FileZilla FTP client is perhaps the most widely used among webmasters.

Cerberus FTP server

Power and speed are summarized in a handy tool, that’s Cerberus FTP server. Its connection stability is a guaranty, although in the worst of the cases, Cerberus FTP server allows resume broken transfers without losing the data already loaded.

Being able to connect from multiple platforms, the administrator responsible for Cerberus FTP server can manage multiple connections, restrict IPs and limit the maximum time.

To make the task easy to Cerberus FTP server Manager, the program also generates statistical graphs on transfers.

While all three alternatives have common features, both SmartFTP, FileZilla and Cerberus have their own advantages, so you can decide what will be the most suitable for each user requires evidence, choose and try.

How to improve Windows 7 experience with 7stack

Some of Windows 7 functions make it similar to a Mac. One of these characteristics is the task bar, which had already been modified in Windows Vista. However, something that Microsoft didn’t take into account when it created the task bar was the possibility of creating customized shortcut menus. This is where 7stack comes into play.

This is a simple application with which we can create customized menus and pin them to the task bar so that we can access the most frequently used programs, folders and documents more easily. In addition, 7stack fits Windows 7’s elegant interface.

7stack is highly customizable and it enables us to create shortcut menus in a few simple steps. Although it is very easy-to-use, there’s something we must do before running the program that is not previously stated. This refers to the creation of a folder where we must include the shortcuts we want to use in the customized menu.

Once this has been done, in 7stack’s window we can indicate which is the folder where the shortcuts are located and define some options such as the title, icon, view mode, size, ect.

7stack far exceeds the users’ expectations. The only detail that could probably be improved is the possibility of selecting the programs, documents or folders from its interface without the need of creating a folder in advance.

Undoubtedly, 7stack is an improvement for Windows 7’s users that is very useful since by means of a few clicks we will be able to open a document or application while working in any other application without having to use Windows Explorer or filling our desktop with icons.

Different options we can use to chat with our contacts from Facebook outside the browser

In the past few weeks, Microsoft has announced that Windows Live Messenger’s new version will support Facebook chat. This news has been received with enthusiasm by the fans of this social network. However, the service itself is not a novelty at all. There are client applications, like Digsby, Pidgin and Trillian Astra, just to name a few, that already do this.

One of the most common options when it comes to choosing an alternative messaging client is Digsby. A classic among social network enthusiasts, this application allows simultaneous access to Facebook, Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger chat rooms, among others. In addition, we can change the settings of its interface so that it connects us to other e-mail accounts and even watch the updates of our contacts, friends and followers, depending on the social network. Though not very complete, its interface is very organized and it separates the different services clearly. Its only drawback may be that we must register in order to use its services, although they are free.

Another program with which we can chat in Facebook without using the browser is Pidgin . This multi protocol client app doesn’t offer any functions beyond messaging. This characteristic makes Pidgin simple than the rest of the programs of this kind. Its interface is extremely simple and functional, though it offers different theme options. An advantage of Pidgin over other programs is that it enables us to set different types of commands and notifications according to the contact. For beginners, the fact that Pidgin doesn’t include Facebook chat installed by default can be considered a negative aspect. However, the add-on that enables it gets installed automatically.

Finally, Trillian Astra is a desktop application with which we can not only connect to Facebook chat, but also numerous social networks and messaging services. In addition, we can see the news of our wall and the messages we receive by e-mail. Trillian Astra enables us to carry out statistical studies about our friends’ connection trends and a conversation history. On the other hand, it has a modern interface, it includes numerous skins for us to choose and it organizes the conversations in tabs within the same window. Undoubtedly, the looks is a strong point of this application, although at first it may seem chaotic because of all the information it provides. As Digsby, Trillian Astra requires that you register.

As we have seen in this brief description, there is already more than one program that can do what Windows Live Messenger’s next version will do: chat in Facebook from our desktop. If we focus on managing the contacts only for chat, we will probably choose Pidgin . However, if we want to have extra functionalities and we want to combine the different social networks we may choose Digsby or Trillian Astra.

Now you can manage your blogs easily thanks to Live Writer, Thingamablog or Post2blog

As a consequence of the increase popularity of websites like Blogger or WordPress, it is becoming more common for us internauts to take an active role in the Net, creating our own blogs. To make it easier for us to manage them we can make use of certain desktop application Live Writer, Thingamablog and Post2blog.

Thingamablog helps us to manage a blog from scratch and it’s perfect for beginners. You only need a registered account for Thingamablog to log in and it will enable you to carry out any task. Editing, publishing and programming your blog’s posts won’t be a problem if you have Thingamablog.

As regards Post2blog, we can say it is a complete application that, unlike Thingamablog, enables us to administer already existing sites. Just provide Post2blog with your account details and it will enable you to manage the posts from your system’s desktop. It has a code assistant and even an Ad sense tool for our website.

Last but not least, we have Windows Live Writer, which belongs to Microsoft’s Live Essentials suite. This editor enables us to administer our blogs in full. It supports most websites and it can even be synchronized so we can add videos to our account in that website and add it to our posts later. In addition, although it already includes numerous tools, we can also add plug-ins.

Thingamablog, Post2blog and Live Writer are excellent tools for blog management. These applications were developed for making it easier to manage the contents and will enhance our blogs by providing tools that aren’t usually available in the blog’s source website. They all share similar characteristics so the choice will depend more on our personal taste than in their functionalities.

Keep your folders safe with Folder Security, Folder Lock or Folder Protection

Hardly ever can we be sure that nobody will access the information we save in our folders or change our PC’s settings. Whether it is because we share the PC with others or because of unexpected interferences, our files are not safe. However, we can use programs like Folder Security, Folder Lock or Folder Protection.

These applications will keep our data safe. Folder Security, for instance, will enable us to hide a folder and its subfolders with a few clicks by assigning it a password. If you want to be able to access the folder again, you must use Folder Security. It is very easy-to-use and it completely integrates to Windows context menu.

Folder Lock, on the other hand, doesn’t hide the folders but creates a copy in a private folder. To access it, you must unblock it in Folder Lock. In addition, this application offers encryption methods so as to prevent it from being corrupted. As Folder Security, Folder Lock integrates to Windows context menu.

Finally, Folder Protection differs from the other two in that it leaves the folder in view of everyone but it locks it with a password so that it cannot be accessed. It is not as convenient as the others when you need to lock a folder for the first time, since you must do it manually, but it is very useful for re-locking a file after we edited it.

These are 3 different alternatives. Folder Security and Folder Lock offer the advantage of hiding the protected folders completely and the latter gives extra protection thanks to its encryption tool. On the other hand, Folder Protection locks access to the data. The choice will depend on our needs.

Applications for e-books

The market of e-books is surely going through a potential growth both in the production of new titles like in distribution, and is even larger than the traditional book market. Along with this period of growth in the editorial market, different software companies have released applications for reading this type of documents. eBooksWriter Lite, eRead, ExeBook Self-Publisher, My Ebook Library, BookReader and Bucharchiv are the most complete and widely used ones.

eBooksWriter Lite

With this application we can create e-books fast and easily. On the other hand, the executable file created can be viewed in any computer without the need of special programs. eBooksWriter Lite also has an assistant with settings options that will help the product look as professional as possible.

An important detail to be taken into account is that eBooksWriter Lite includes security measures that allow us not only to enter passwords but also to disable copy options, or set an expiration date to the document.

eRead

With eRead you can view e-books comfortably since it offers multiple options to enhance the user experience.

In addition to the double or simple page options, eRead has a powerful zoom tool that zooms in up to a 600%, allowing us to enjoy those tiny detailed in graphics.

Thanks to the fact that eRead features full screen view mode, for example, we can leave behind the problems of complicated readings in the PC.

ExeBook Self-Publisher

ExeBook Self-Publisher is an application that can compile image and text in one file and create a professional and easy-to-read e-book.

ExeBook Self-Publisher works with its own code (GAL), which is very similar to HTML code, so in order to import data we will have to convert them to this format. However, the files created with this application are self-executables so we don’t need extra applications to view them.

BookReader

Specially designed for optimizing e-book reading, Book Reader enables you to configure parameters such as font color and size, background color and other options.

One of BookReader’s outstanding features is auto-scroll, by which the document is scrolled down as you read. It also enables the user to mark the text and it remembers where he left the text the last time he opened it. BookReader also provides the user with a cataloguer that helps him locate an e-book fast and easily.

Bucharchiv

With Bucharchiv you can manage your book collection, whether they are electronic or traditional books, since it has numerous functionalities.

Bucharchiv can carry out Internet searches to complete the missing information of the e-books in our library. It also features numerous fields that can be customized that allow the user to enter the content he wants.

Bucharchiv allows you to assign catalog codes to locate the books more easily and they can be made up of both numbers and letters.

Find here the best option for editing images and photos

When it comes to editing, improving or fixing images and photographs, there are many softwares available, from the basic ones to the most professional options. The editor in fashion is and will always be PhotoShop, but there are numerous alternative applications of high quality and with the best tools for editing images and photos. PhotoScape, JetPhoto Studio and Focus Photoeditor are our best recommendations.

PhotoScape

PhotoScape is considered an important option by most famous photographers and one of the most widely used tool pack for editing and managing images.

Undoubtedly, PhotoScape stands out from others like JetPhoto Studio, Focus Photoeditor and even PhotoShop for being fast. However, it is true that its functions cannot be compared with those of its competitors.

The magic in PhotoScape relies in combining speed with enough, though not complex, tools. That’s why, if we need to carry out basic retouches or view and order our photos fast, PhotoScape would be a great choice.

JetPhoto Studio

JetPhoto Studio has it all. We say so because JetPhoto Studio manages to differ from the rest. Apart from making the necessary retouches to the photos, it can also organize them in a calendar or even place them geographically since it can integrate to GPS (JetPhoto Studio also supports Garmin and Magullan devices).

It can assign key words to the photos when organizing them so that we find them more easily. JetPhoto Studio also allows us to create customized albums. What’s more, we can publish the albums in the Internet and put them in sync with our project in the computer so that every time we make a change, it updates the online version automatically. Versatile, convenient and fast: it’s JetPhoto Studio.

Focus Photoeditor

Focus Photoeditor is a plain photo editor since it doesn’t offer any management options like JetPhoto Studio or PhotoScape, but it is worth noting that it’s highly efficient and fast for making slight retouches.

Its options are not at all limited. Focus Photoeditor is one of the most widely used tools for beginners and professionals since it has a wide range of customizable brushes, design patterns, filters, etc.

In addition, you can work with layers for more elaborated and complex jobs. This is an essential tool offered by Focus Photoeditor and it is perfect for adding color effects, transparences, shades, or anything you want within the dozens of editing tools.

There are plenty of tools for photo management and graphic design, but only few of them combine the most requested tools while being fast and easy-to-use. That’s why if you need to organize your photos in albums or calendars and make some retouches, PhotoScape or JetPhoto Studio will be the best choices. On the other hand, if you need to work on design aspects in detail, then you should go for Focus Photoeditor.

The best alternatives watching 2010 World Cup South Africa in the PC

Nowadays, technologies offer multiple options for us to keep up with the soccer World Cup South Africa. One of them is the possibility of watching the matches live from South Africa online though video streaming applications. Within these programs we can mention TvAnts, SopCast and Uusee as the most complete and widely used.

TvAnts

TvAnts is a video streaming application based on P2P networks for transferring data that can reach numerous users, which ensures a better and more efficient service since the more users who connect, the higher the quality of the content and the faster it is to access it.

TvAnts is very easy-to-use since it offers a list of channels the user can access by double-clicking. In addition, it applies P2P technology to the channels so as to achieve a better streaming.

TvAnts’s performance has improved greatly since it has fixed problems, changed and added new features in every new version, which has made it one of the most popular applications for online live streaming among users.

SopCast

Its long list of sports programs: we can find matches from the Champions League, the Italian or Spanish League, the 2010 World Cup, apart from offering other worldwide sports events, including motor racing, basketball, swimming and tennis, among others.

SopCast is based on P2P network and it distributes files in a completely decentralized way, which optimizes the streaming and guarantees a higher playback quality.

SopCast is really easy-to-use and its settings can be customized. It allows the users to create their own channels and broadcast them through the Net, apart from allowing them to monitor the transfer quality. SopCast also features IP address encryption.

Uusee

Uusee is an application that has been in the beta development phase until its stable version was released to the market of online TV softwares. Uusee is based on P2P networks, which ensures a higher image quality when playing the contents in the PC.

Uusee’s only drawback may be that its interface is in Chinese, which makes it really hard for users who don’t speak this language to understand how to use it. However, it can be used intuitively since the elements are arranged in its interface in a way that is similar to other applications of the kind.

If you have the right links, with Uusee you can enjoy thousands of movies and different sports events that are not available in your country.