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Google has been in the news a lot lately… new technologies, new innovations, new products… It’s all about Google. And that is why I think they are eventually going to take over the world. Well, the technological world, at least… Here are a few recent “waves” (no pun intended) Google has been making:

Google Introduces Real-Time Search Results: If we aren’t overwhelmed enough, Google now has a way to search real-time results. Real-time search brings instant results from stuff that is happens on the web – blogs being posted, live tweets, news articles and web pages being published all streaming to the search engine. Read more from ZDNet or watch the video demonstration.

Google’s Local Business Directory: Sending out QR code window stickers to popular businesses, Google is hoping to build their local business directory. See the SND blog about Building Better Local Businesses with Google Bar Codes.

Google Goggles: Search the web using a picture. Google Goggles, an app for Andriod, searches the web based on a photo you’ve taken with your phone. The application scans data from the photo and translates the material into a web search. Perfect for those “words cannot describe” moments. Read more from TechCrunch about the product.

Google Chrome: This up and coming browser is now available for Mac! Coming third amongst popular browsers, Google’s product is rising quickly. See the SND blog about the Google Chrome Switch: On or Off.

Google Chromium OS: This highly anticipated operating system is open-source and meant to be fast and easy to operate. It’s not yet available officially (looking at a slated 2010 arrival), but you can already play with it. See the SND blog about Google Chrome OS: Light Recap of the Update from Mountain View. Also see the SND blog of Google Chrome OS Out Now (Sort of).

Google Wave: An online communication tool that combines email, instant messaging and all your social networks was an exclusive club that has just opened up to more users. Google describes a “wave” as “both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.” See the really long video demonstration.

Google Public DNS: Google now has a free, global domain name service. Read about what it means to you in this TechCrunch article.

Have I proved my case, at least slightly?

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Continue reading »]]> Google recently released the open source for Chromium OS. Out about a year earlier than the scheduled release of Chrome OS, Google mentions their eagerness “to engage with partners, the open source community and developers.” The project is available here: Chromium OS.

If you are eager to engage with Chromium OS, PCWorld has a few write-ups: Get Chrome OS Now | How to Install Chrome OS from a USB Drive. TechCrunch also has one: Want to Try Out Google Chrome OS for Yourself? Heed PCWorld’s warning though: “changing the boot order means messing with your system’s command prompt and BIOS.” Does patience remain a virtue for you? For those that aren’t quite up to snuff in tech-abilities, hold out ’til next year when official Chrome OS machines are released.

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Google hosted a press event this morning at its Mountain View headquarters to give updates about the Google Chrome OS. If you weren’t able to catch the live stream of Google VP Sundar Pichai and Engineering Director Matthew Papakipos, here’s a light overview.

• Google Chrome OS is open-source.
• There is no target price set yet.
• As a “companion device,” Sundar says, “If you’re a lawyer and you spend your whole day editing docs back and forth, this is not the machine for you. Not yet. “
• Chrome OS will print; an innovative solution is in the works for this.

Google Chrome OS focuses on three things:

1. speed | Sundar says, “We want Chrome OS to be blazingly fast.”
2. simplicity | “Almost everyone knows how to use a browser. So, we want it to feel that way.” 
3. security| “Verified boot”:  every component is signed and checked on boot

Highlights from the demo:

• Seven-second boot time and three seconds to log-on.
• Looks like Chrome with extra “application” tabs. These tabs can be customized to open your favorite applications.
• An “app menu” that functions like a Windows Start Menu.
• Applications open as “panels” that can be minimized. Think similar to the windows on your task bar (in Windows).
• Sundar demonstrates a chess game viewable through Flash illustrating what he says earlier, “Every app on Chrome OS is a Web app. No installing.”

Or view the demo:

The entire concept seems pretty neat. It’s true, most of my computer work is done on the internet: browsing, researching, reading, watching, listening, blogging… blogging… did I say blogging? Anyway, I’m still not sure I want my computer operation to be completely internet-based. Sometimes it’s nice to hit the other items on my task bar to see a window that isn’t Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer. It’s almost like an escape, you know? Perhaps I’m just not prepared for the inevitable future (where Google has succeeded in Pinky and the Brain‘s plan to conquer the world). What are your thoughts? Hit that comment button and share them with us!

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Continue reading »]]> I thought I would continue the theme of freeware (okay, maybe it’s not a theme with just one article on free/entry-level programs) with a list of other useful programs. Um, wasn’t the economy getting better? Or did I hear the rumors wrong? There seem to be layoffs happening left and right. I guess it gets worse before it gets better, as the saying goes, eh? Hopefully this list will start the path to better…

FREE WEB APPLICATIONS
Mozilla Firefox: Close on the heels of Internet Explorer, Firefox just celebrated it’s fifth birthday. Firefox is fast, more secure than Internet Explorer, available across multiple platforms (Windows, Macintosh and Linux) and also has advanced bookmarking capabilities. It remembers yours recently closed tabs (in case your mouse accidentally clicked the “x”) and also restores your sessions after a crash. If that’s not enough, Firefox also comes with exciting customizations and Easter eggs.
Find it for download here: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox.

Google Chrome: An up and coming browser, it just might be faster than Firefox. Developed from scratch, it was designed with the modern-day user in mind. It has a clean, simple interface and “lightens” your computer load. If you are switching to Chrome, it will automatically detect your previous  browser and prompt you to import those same settings and bookmarks. PCWorld gives a good write-up of the product. Eventually, there will also be Mac and Linux versions.
Find it for download here: http://www.google.com/chrome.

FREE GRAPHIC and IMAGE APPLICATIONS
Jing: Aside from being a cleverly disguised marketing tool for Screencast.com and Camstasia Studio, Jing is actually a nifty lil’ screen capture program. The program appears as a yellow sun that clings to the top of your monitor: super neat design. When activated, the sun spurs three flares, each accessing a certain function of the program: capture, history and settings. Jing also allows the ability to enhance your image captures. Simple things like text, frames and arrows can be added without having to use another graphic editing program. There are a few annoyances and limitations… like how it only captures video to a Flash file unless you buy the Pro version or have Camstasia Studio. It also adds a Jing ad at the end of your video file. And so far, I have found it difficult to find a program that will successfully convert the Jing-created Flash file to another video format. But as a free program, I can’t complain too much. CNET has a great video review for the program if you are itching for more insight.
Find it for download it here: http://www.jingproject.com/download.

Wisdom-soft ScreenHunter: Another screen capture program, ScreenHunter does not record any video. However, it’s fantastic for images. It’s a simple, quick and easy to use program. ScreenHunter captures in three different modes: a rectangular area, an active window or the full screen. A simple hotkey makes for easy on-the-fly capturing and it even has a timer to delay the capture, just like a regular camera. For more ease and convenience, it also automatically names your captured files.
Find it for download here: http://www.wisdom-soft.com/sh/sh_free.htm

Other applications: Mashable has great list of free graphics programs. It includes graphic editing programs like Paint.net and GIMP which top more lists created by others.

OFFICE APPLICATIONS
OpenOffice: Think… an open source Microsoft Office. You know, like how people respond better and love things created by other people who are similar to themselves? A package of programs similar to Microsoft Office, OpenOffice is developed, translated, supported and promoted by an international community of its own users. Although I haven’t personally used it myself, it’s topped a few best free app lists. OpenOffice describes why you should use their product here.
Find it for download here: http://www.openoffice.org.

Google Documents: Immerse yourself in a world that Google dominates. Complete the circle of Google products you use with the web-based program that replaces your word processor, spreadsheet program and presentation creator. It’s simple, mimics Microsoft Word and Excel (I have yet to test any presentation documents) and is integrated into your GMail. I sometimes find it a good solution to my laziness: just a couple of clicks and edit (or view) that attachment within your web browser. Why bother opening up another program when you just want to see something real quick? Take a Google Docs Tour to learn more.
Start using it here: http://docs.google.com.

AUDIO/VIDEO PLAYBACK APPLICATIONS
Windows Media Player: Honestly, I haven’t played much with audio/video playback programs. I’ve always used the pre-packaged Windows Media Player and lived by the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” motto when it came down to it. Laziness is to blame. But Windows Media Player automatically searches for proper codecs and plays everything I need it to. When it doesn’t, Quicktime usually does the trick. Windows Media Player also syncs to my mp3 player automatically. It basically comes down to the simplicity that I’m satisfied with the program and have no need for a change. Even after playing with iTunes, I think I still prefer Windows Media Player.
Find it for download here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/default.aspx.

Winamp: Okay, there was another time where I succumbed to downloading another playback program. But, it was only because Winamp was all the rage and it’s hard not to conform to what everyone else around you is doing. It’s been more years than I want to admit, but I remember Winamp being a great program. It was quick to load, small (unlike the giant interface Windows Media Player opens up with), simple and customizable (skins are fun!). It still seems to be that way now, but with more features and abilities from the last time I’ve used it. And since it tops a few lists as well (see below for some links), I’d say Winamp is still raging. Check out a full list of current features.
Find it for download here: http://www.winamp.com/media-player.

Other applications: To be a bit more helpful, here are a few lists I scrounged up to assist you in making a more informed media player choice.

Do you have any free programs that  you use regularly? Favorites? Black lists? Share your experiences with us. Hit that comment button, we’re aching to hear more from our readers! Also check out a couple of similar articles: My Favorite Free and Open Source Software | Our Freeware Recommendations.

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Continue reading »]]> Seriously.  Who owns, personally owns, all the software they need?Nevermind want. No one does. No one I know at least.  Adobe, Microsoft, Corel all rock. Of course.  They’re great.  But they might as well be Pretty Pony  Design Software, as far as my home computer endeavors are concerned.

Thank god for freeware. There is some pretty damn impressive software out there of no charge, that can handle most of our domestic computer needs competently, if not sometimes a little awkwardly. Here’s a list of some of my favorites, plus some popular ones I’ve heard good things about. Check into when your 30-day Adobe Whatever CS4 trial is up.

1. GIMP [freeware graphics editor.] It is amazing this is free. If don’t have PhotoShop or an Adobe equivalent, and have been screwing around in Microsoft Paint (futile, isn’t it?) for 4 hours, then go Gimp. Gimp was originally developed by two students in 1995 at Berkeley as a semester-long project. Since then, it has steadily improved and expanded, spawning numerous variations, sister programs, derivatives, and is now, by far, the most powerful freeware graphics editing program around.

2. Audacity [free audio recorder and editor]. Audacity is a digital audio editor and recorder; the best freeware substitute I’ve found for recording and editing audio.  It was developed by a grad student at Carnegie Mellon University, and released in 2006. It supports multiple tracks, each individually editable, and imports and exports most kinds of sound formats.  It also includes noise removal tools, loads of effects, an unlimited undo, and the capacity to change speed without changing pitch.

3. Paint.net [freeware graphics editor]. If you’re looking for something a little simpler, this is a totally decent graphic-editing program,  I used to use all the time. Originally developed in 2004 at Washington State University as an alternative to Microsoft Paint, it has evolved to support many graphic design tools including layers, blending, transparency, and plugins.

4. Blender [free 3D graphics application]. Blender is a powerful 3D graphics application, and does loads of stuff; here’s the list. It can be used for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, water simulations, skinning, animating, rendering, non-linear editing, compositing, and creating interactive 3D applications. This one I’ve only heard very highly spoken of, having never used it. It was developed by an animation studio that went bankrupt, and released the code for $100,670.00US.

5. OpenOffice [free word process0r, spreadsheet application, presentation program, and others]. OpenOffice is a popular application suite that basically does all the same stuff as Microsoft Office, as well as a few other things. It supports all Microsoft Office formats, and as of March 2009, over 80 languages.  The source code was released in July 2000 in hopes of weakening Mircrosoft’s grip on the office application market. To Microsoft’s Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access, OpenOffice offers Writer, Calc, Impress, and Base, respectively. It also includes a vector graphics diagramming tool, and an equation/formula creator/editor.

7. CamStudio [free screen capture program]. CamStudio is a screencasting program. This program is about as simple as they come. It has no editing capabilities though, so don’t mess up. If all you need to do is capture screen activity and audio in AVI and AWF format, then go with this.

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for now, but I am sure more will come to me; I’ll try to remember to come back and post them.

(We can tweet you posts like this)

Add your own freeware recommendations in a comment. Thanks.

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Continue reading »]]> With the upcoming release of Windows 7 on October 22nd, you may be thinking about upgrading your operating system. In the past, Microsoft often confused customers as to which Windows edition to choose by not providing logical feature upgrades between editions, and by offering too many different SKUs. With Windows 7, Microsoft is simplifying the process of choosing which edition is right for you.

This time around, the Windows versions are logically designed so that each more advanced (and expensive) edition includes ALL of the features of the less advanced version. Unlike with Vista, there will be no need to decide between features that were available in a lower version but not in the more advanced edition. For instance, Windows Media Center was available in Vista Home Premium, but not in the more expensive Vista Business. With Windows 7, all of the editions build on the edition below it.

The three retail versions of Windows 7 that will be available in the U.S. are Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. Let’s compare the main differences between these three versions.

Windows 7 Home Premium

This is the edition that will satisfy the needs of most personal computer users. It’s retail price is $199.99, with an upgrade available for $119.99. Home Premium includes every major feature that the home or small business user would typically need. Major components include:

-Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap for simplifying navigation and customization of your desktop

-home networking through HomeGroup

-64-bit capability

-Windows Media Center for managing and sharing all of your media, as well as recording live TV (including HD)

Windows 7 Professional

I like Microsoft’s move to go back to the naming convention of the most popular version of Windows XP….Professional. Selling for $299.99 with an upgrade for $199.99, Windows 7 Professional does pack on a few extra features that do justify its price. Professional includes every feature found in Home Premium, plus:

-Windows XP mode for running older programs in a virtual XP environment

-Domain Join for connecting to business networks quickly and easily

-Automatic Backup that is improved in Windows 7 to easily and automatically recover lost files

Windows XP mode will be the biggest factor in driving sales of Professional. Many older programs will not work on Windows 7 without this mode, and if you are holding on to old software that you love, Professional may be for you. It is also a no-brainer for people that need to log into their company’s network remotely.

Windows 7 Ultimate

With a price just $20 higher than Professional (for both the retail and full versions), Windows 7 Ultimate does not come with any revolutionary features that you can’t live without. The main differences between Ultimate and Professional are Ultimate’s ability to switch between 35 different languages on the fly, and its integration of BitLocker. This technology protects your data on your internal drives, as well as external flash drives and other portable storage devices.

I guess if you are multi-lingual and can’t decide which language you like best, Ultimate could be for you. Otherwise, it’s not worth spending the extra money. Technologies like TrueCrypt are free and open source, and will handle data encryption just fine.

I hope this overview gives you an idea of which version of Windows 7 to purchase in October. For a more detailed look into each version, check out the official Windows 7 site.

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Continue reading »]]> Late last night, Google posted a new blog entry announcing their plans to develop a Google Chrome Operating System. A natural progression following their successful Chrome Browser, the Google Chrome OS will be their attempt to re-invent what an operating system should be. Their aim is to create a lightweight, open source OS that is designed around the web.

Just like the Chrome Browser, the Chrome OS will be focused on simplicity and speed. Google wants you to be able to start up your computer and be on the web in mere seconds. They want to re-structure the underlying architecture of the OS and go back to basics. Their goal is to keep the OS out of your way and to have it just work like it should. It will be safe from viruses and will perform updates automatically. They also want your data to live in the cloud, where it will be accessible from anywhere, no matter what happens to your computer.

Initially, Google’s focus will be on the netbook market. They have been quietly talking with manufacturers for the past few months to strike up OEM deals, and they already have netbook manufacturers on board. A completely different project from Android, which was designed for phones and mobile devices, the Chrome OS is being built for everything from netbooks to powerful desktops. Because it will be open source, this could dramatically lower the cost of buying a new computer.

Should Microsoft be worried about the Chrome OS gunning for Windows? Definitely. While it will take years for Chrome to gain any kind of major foothold in the OS arena, consumers definitely want more from their computers and are eager to try something new. Just look at all the hype surrounding the upcoming Windows 7 release. Vista was completely underwhelming, and it’s lukewarm reception left a huge hole in the OS market. Both Apple and Microsoft are releasing new operating systems this year, but neither one will deliver anything revolutionary. They are both just incremental improvements over prior versions. Google Chrome OS has a good chance of shaking things up and will generate plenty of buzz. Microsoft hasn’t ever really faced a serious threat to Windows. If anyone can change that, it’s Google.

Microsoft recently launched Bing, which was directly aimed at taking market share from Google search. It is only fitting that Google would immediately take a shot at the core of Microsoft’s business, Windows. I have a feeling these two companies will be battling on all fronts well into the next decade. As consumers, competition like this can only be beneficial, with new technology innovations and lower prices.

This announcement from Google was just a teaser of what is to come. They don’t expect to start shipping the Chrome OS on netbooks until the second half of 2010, but the open source code will be available well before then. This will give software developers lots of time to create new apps for the Chrome OS. Google’s goal is to have its applications based in the web, using the latest web technologies. This is the future of computing, and Google will be on the forefront.

For more details, check out the Official Google Blog. Stay tuned for more on the Google Chrome OS this fall.

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Continue reading »]]> A new movement has started in the world of database programming. A small group of programmers and start-up companies are developing new ways of managing large amounts of data. They claim that relational databases like MySQL are too constrictive and slow, and they are developing their own ways of dealing with all of their data.

Many of these new data stores are open source, and they’re starting to get noticed. Extremely large companies like Amazon and Facebook have developed similar data storage solutions in-house, but these individual programmers and small companies are trying to do similar things.

More and more start-up web companies are looking for data storage alternatives to an SQL database. Too time consuming and costly to develop themselves, new NoSQL alternatives like Hypertable, Hadoop, and Dynomite are compelling solutions. Experimental and new platforms like these are often a perfect fit for new companies that have nothing to lose.

One of the main advantage to a NoSQL solution is the fact that they can run on clusters of cheap servers and are easily scalable. While relational databases like SQL offer many benefits, a faster and lighter solution will often be all that is needed, which can save you a lot of money.

Large enterprise companies are reluctant to adopt any of these NoSQL solutions right now because they are new and lack the support of something like SQL Server. Most companies are set up to work with relational databases and they have no reason to change that at the moment. An article on Monash from yesterday lays out both sides of this argument and makes some good points.

For further reading, check out this great article on Computerworld.

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Continue reading »]]> Licensed, paid for software is great for large applications and complex tasks. But what about all the lightweight, small programs you use for simple, specific jobs? The amount of free and open source software available for download grows larger every day, and here is a list of some of my favorites.

1. Firefox

Hands down the most popular browser among the tech-savvy, Firefox combines speed, security, and unique features that you won’t find in other browsers. Add-ons are available for free from 3rd parties to help you customize your browsing experience. If you do any kind of web development, you know just how much better Firefox is than Internet Explorer. Firefox is a must download for anyone on any computer system.

2. WinSCP

This is hands down my favorite ftp client. It’s free, simple to use, and contains some great features. You gotta love open source software that does its job better than paid versions.

3. VLC Media Player

This lightweight media player can handle almost anything you can throw at it. It will play pretty much every type of media or streaming file. Want to rip CD’s or DVD’s? It can handle that. You can also convert your videos to iPod formats. VLC can do it all, without any bulky back end software.

4. Fences

Stardock Fences is a cool little program that organizes your desktop. Hide your desktop icons with a single click when you don’t need them so your amazing background shows it’s full potential. Organize all of your files and icons into labeled, shaded groups so you always know where to find your programs for quick access.

5. Trillian

Trillian is the ultimate instant messaging tool. It’s what we use for inter-office chats here at SoftwareMedia. It supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and IRC, all in one convenient location. Chat with all your friends and colleagues, no matter what service they use. There are tons of extra features as well, like file transfers and group chats that actually come in handy.

I know there are tons of great, free software programs out there, but these are the ones I seem to use most often. What are your favorite open-source apps?

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Continue reading »]]> The on-going battle between RealDVD and Hollywood is almost over. Last Thursday, federal judge Marilyn Patel heard the closing arguments from RealDVD, as well as lawyers from the MPAA and the 7 major movie studios that brought the case against RealNetworks. She is expected to give her ruling at any time.

Back in September, the sale of RealDVD software was halted when this case was filed against RealNetworks. RealDVD is a $30 program that allows users to play DVD’s and copy them to their hard drives for a digital backup of the physical DVD. Major movie studios feel that this software could be misused to make illegal copies of DVD’s, so they blocked the sale of the software.

The funny thing about this whole case is the fact that RealDVD is similar to dozens of other software programs on the market right now that let you copy and save DVD’s for personal use. I guess the movie industry had to pick 0n somebody to get the ball rolling in the area of blocking personal freedoms and fair use of copyrighted content. The movie studios would benefit enormously if a consumer is forced to spend another $20 on a fresh copy of a DVD because they scratched their original copy.

I thought this argument was already settled. The music industry gave up this fight a long time ago, and as a result consumers are free to copy CD’s to their iPods and make back up copies on their hard drives. This may be the only reason people still buy CD’s; to have a physical backup of their digital music. The movie studios should learn from this and realize that consumers will still buy their movies, even though they will not be tied to a piece of physical media.

It’s unfortunate that this lawsuit only singles out RealDVD. This case has been a major blow to the sales of their new software. However, even if RealNetworks loses this case, the movie industry will have done nothing to prevent the copying of DVD’s.

A quick Google search for “dvd ripper” or “copy dvd” results in links to a large variety of free software programs that will help you rip any DVD, no matter how good the security encryption is. I doubt any serious DVD pirate would fork out $30 for a ripper like RealDVD when he could get the same functionality in a free, open source program. RealDVD is marketed at legitimate users that want to play their purchased DVD’s on their personal computer, without the need to carry around a bunch of movies on discs.

Open source software developers and hackers love the challenge of breaking the latest security measures aimed at stopping illegal disc copying. For this very reason, no DVD security system will ever work. The movie studios are always on the defensive in this battle, which cannot possibly result in a victory for them. If a software developer is smart enough to come up with a new security system, you can bet someone out there is smart enough to break it.

If the movie industry wins this case, it will be a major blow to your personal rights regarding the use of purchased digital media. Other companies that make similar software, like Nero, will also have to fear a lawsuit. This will only further push the DVD copying industry underground, and it will not stop a single DVD from being copied by users that wish to do so. It is just too easy to get around copy protections on DVD’s.

The time is coming, in the very near future, when most people will not buy physical media to watch movies. iTunes already revolutionized the music industry, and similar movie download and streaming services will do the same for the movie industry. They need to embrace this change, and give consumers the freedom to enjoy movies in whatever form they choose. There should be no law stating that I cannot copy a movie that I purchased from a DVD to my iPhone.

To stay current with the latest news surrounding this case, bookmark the RealDVD litigation page. I am definitely looking forward to the verdict in this case and discussing its future ramifications.

Via Yahoo! Tech.

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