Shuttling Favorites or Bookmarks between home, work and Hawaii

I have been traveling extensively since the last few months and it has not been very practical to carry my Laptop everywhere I traveled. So I uploaded all my Internet Explorer Favorites and Firefox Bookmarks to Google Bookmarks so that I can access them from anywhere in the world using just a computer with an Internet connection and any Web browser.

However, every time I needed to access these favorites/bookmarks from my Laptop, I had to sign in to Google Bookmarks as I did not maintain a separate list of bookmarks locally on my Laptop. This became too cumbersome and I began looking around for a plug-in or add-on for either Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2 that would synchronize my Google Bookmarks with either Firefox Bookmarks or IE Favorites.

After a very extensive search, I found one Firefox add-on which did not synchronize Google Bookmarks with Firefox Bookmarks but displayed the Google Bookmarks right inside the Firefox Sidebar just like how Firefox Bookmarks are displayed. GMarks lets you add bookmarks to Google Bookmarks using the standard Firefox Bookmark window. You can add bookmarks to either Firefox Bookmarks or Google Bookmarks or both with just one click.

The bookmarks are displayed in a folder tree using the labels. You can have nested labels or sub-folders using a nested label separator of your choice. For example you want to have a folder named Extensions within a folder named Firefox and you have selected > symbol as your nested labels separator then all you have to do is enter Firefox>Extensions in the Labels field.

Other useful features include:

1. A search function that searches not only the bookmarks' details, but also the content of bookmarked pages.
   
2. Filters to apply labels or descriptions to bookmarks matching your query or to batch edit/delete bookmarks.
   
3. Hiding entire labels from view in the sidebar so you only find them while searching.
   
4. Shows not only your Google bookmarks, but optionally your starred Google Reader posts.
   
5. Import your Firefox bookmarks to Google Bookmarks.
   
6. Export your Google Bookmarks to a bookmarks.htm file.
   
7. Optional Bookmark Count for each label.

Another advantage of using Google Bookmarks with GMarks is that you can file one bookmark under several folders using just one entry.

Google Bookmarks with GMarks is also useful for people who need to access their Favorites or Bookmarks from Home and Work computers. There could be many more possible scenarios where it could be useful. Do let me know if you know one.

Download GMarks here.
You can learn to use GMarks and its features here.
If you don't already have a Google Account then create one now here. » Continue reading

Read more on Firefox, Internet, Internet Explorer, Web 2.0, Web Browsers

Google Reader for Mobile Phones - A feature request

In continuation to Amit Agarwal's post "Google Labs Gathering Dust, No New Product Since 5 Months" I would like to add another feature request to Google.

Google has made the web version of Google Reader to imitate Gmail. However, Google is yet to come out with a mobile version of Google Reader similar to that of Gmail. Google reader currently does have a mobile-friendly interface that works within a WAP browser but it requires signing in every time you need to browse your reading list.

Alternatively Google can add Reader capabilities to Gmail itself, like Yahoo! Mail Beta so that all the info (email and feeds) can be found in one place. » Continue reading

Read more on Cell Phones, Email, RSS/Feeds/Syndication

Now anyone can sign up for Gmail from anywhere in the world!

I think I am a little late on this due to the long break. But I feel it invites a lot of debate. Especially because Google has changed its policy overnight.

Eighteen months ago Google said that SMS invitation codes were used to prevent SPAM accounts and now Google has opened Gmail to anyone anywhere in the world without the need of any invitation code, either from a friend or through SMS. It's true that any web based service that monetizes from ads needs more users but then how is Google gonna fight spam now? Have they got any alternative arrangements?

It has been reported that the change did not occur simultaneously across all Google data centers and there might still be some places where the link is yet to appear.

Also another speculation doing the rounds is that Google might launch a paid premium service like Yahoo! But before that could happen it needs to be out of Beta, or is it already out of beta? If yes, then the folks at Google need to fix the graphic. » Continue reading

Read more on Email, Internet, Web 2.0

Getting ideas for blog posts and RSS feed posts

After a long break, I was scanning the web for the latest news and discussions in the blogosphere and looking forward to discuss something on hashout when I stumbled upon this article by Sharon Housley. It gives 10 very useful ways to find topics for your blog or RSS feeds.

Sharon emphasizes on writing about unexplored topics and "tackling all of the content that many other publishers find difficult or uncomfortable". But considering the vastness of the internet and the anonymity that it provides, one would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find such topics.

From my experience, I would recommend devoting certain amount of time on a daily basis to read blogs, news, magazines and even watch TV shows in the area of your interest. You might not get an idea to blog about spontaneously, but over a period of time it will surely help. For example, you read a news article about the Cisco-Apple iPhone trademark tussle in the morning and then discuss about it with your peers at work during the day. Now you have not just your own thoughts but also opinions from your pears to blog about. » Continue reading

Read more on Blogging

How to grab the attention of A-list bloggers

I just read a post about the benefits of getting noticed by A-list bloggers over getting to the Front Pages of Digg on Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal, a highly successful and popular A-list blogger.

After reading his post one would surely want to grab the attention of some of the A-list bloggers, but how? Read this post by Darren Rowse of Problogger, another A-list blogger.

Interestingly, I just noticed a new innovative way of grabbing attention of A-list bloggers on both the above blogs, i.e. displaying AdSense ads on the A-list bloggers blog congratulating them and wishing them luck or telling them how much you love them. If you need to see how? take a look at the screen-shot of Amit's blog below.



And here is a screenshot from Darren's Problogger.



Although this method might cost you a bit, it could serve two purposes.

1. Grab the attention of the A-list blogger.
   
2. Bring other visitors from the A-list blogger's blog to your website or blog.

I wonder if that really works, but you could give it a try and do let me know about the results! » Continue reading

Read more on Blogging

Key to professional photography with your mobile phone

You might have the latest mobile phone with a 10 mega pixel camera, but do you have the skill to shoot great pictures? Having a good camera phone is just half way to taking good professional photos, the rest depends on how you use it and it's pro features.

Snap It! by Doug Harman will guide you in taking great pictures with your mobile phone, developing an eye for detail and working within the limitations of your camera phone. It does not only cover the basics of photography, but also teaches you to make optimum use of your gadget. Not just that! It easily slips in to your pocket just like your camera phone so that it is handy just when you need it.

The book begins with Camera phone features and composition to ensure that you get your basics right. Doug Harman then highlights other essential features such as zoom lenses, sensors, pixel count, etc. that will aid you in achieving professional-looking images. He packs hundreds of simple tricks like shooting indoors & outdoors, composition tips etc., which are explained through sections like Basics. The fun chapters to read are the ideas on capturing parties, people, holidays, pets and arty shots. The information on transferring your photos using Infrared technology, Bluetooth or WiFi proves to be extremely beneficial too.

The book is well balanced in terms of text and visuals. Though at times the text seems to get repetitive, for example in topics like macro photography and beaming. And talking about images, not all do justice to photography. Photos are not at their best, especially while addressing topics like landscape photography, shooting animals and portraits. But the commendable aspect about the book is that every featured photograph has an explanation, which helps gain a better understanding of the subject and the situation it was taken.

Remember, camera phones too can be an equally authentic means of visual documentation. So, whether you are an advanced photographer or a novice, following the simple guidelines in Snap It! will help you take better pictures. You will not get the detail and high quality prints like digital camera, but they will help you capture those candid moments and share them instantly with family or friends. So, grab this book as soon as possible and start experimenting with your camera phones.

Buy Snap It! at Amazon.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Amazon, Doug Harman or his Publisher at the time of writing this article and will not get a penny for the sales of this book. » Continue reading

Read more on Cell Phones, Photography

How much TV do you need?

As new sets become home theaters, you have questions

What is stereo in/out?
It's a must if you plan to hook up the set to your stereo or home-theatre speakers.

What's an S-Video input?
It delivers a better picture than the older "video input." It's key if you plan to plug a DVD player or game console into the set.

What are component-video inputs?
They produce a clearer picture than S-Video -- worth it only if you're going to use a DVD that has a component-video output. Component video splits colour and brightness signals, a process that makes the picture more vivid.

What's a comb filter?
It keeps a picture crisp by separating brightness and colour portions of a video signal. Older sets use glass comb filters. New, pricier models come with 3-D digital comb filters. » Continue reading

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