Pages

Subscribe:

Ads 468x60px

Social Icons

Friday, January 16, 2009

iPhone apps of the week

iPhone apps of the week

from The Download Blog: Software tips, news, and opinions from Download.com editors by Jason Parker
iPhone(Credit: CBS Interactive)
When I was at Macworld a couple of weeks ago, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I had my eyes peeled for upcoming iPhone apps. Certainly the new 17-inch MacBook and the updates to iWork and iLife were at the top of my priority list, but once I started walking around the show floor, my mind quickly turned to iPhone apps.

There were several on display, but one game at the Freeverse booth from developer Strange Flavour caught my eye immediately. I didn't say anything about it in previous posts because I wanted to wait until it was released to see just how good it was. Hint: The wait was worth it.
This week's apps are both games (big surprise there). One of the games recently made its way onto the iPhone "What's Hot" list at the iTunes Store, and the other game (from Freeverse) was released this morning and is on sale at a reduced price for the next 72 hours.
WordsWorth
You'll never believe me, but I swear I found "words" when I went to make a screenshot!
(Credit: CBS Interactive)
WordsWorth (99 cents) is a challenging and addictive word game in which you make as many words as you can before time runs out by connecting letters together. Once you make a word and hit submit, those letters are removed from the board and replaced with new ones. Like the boardgame Scrabble, each letter has a number value so making words using letters with higher number values is part of the challenge. To add to the tension, some tiles have different 
properties including a multiplier tile (green) and tiles that will explode (red) if you don't finish a round in time. You also can shake your iPhone to get new letters if you can't find any words, but there is a penalty. With excellent graphics, special letter tiles, and a haunting (though repetative) soundtrack, WordsWorth is a great game for anyone who likes word games.
SlotZ Racer
Be sure to let off on the throttle for the turns or your race might be over quickly
(Credit: CBS Interactive)
SlotZ Racer is a slot car racing game for iPhone with tons of tracks, unlockable cars, and a track editor for endless replayability. When the light turns green, use the touch screen to control throttle as you race around the track. Make sure to slow down for curves or (like old-school slot car sets) your car will fly from the track making you lose valuable time. You can choose from three different camera modes including a full-shot of the entire track, a moving camera that follows the action, or a trailing camera that follows right behind your car. Play a single race against the AI or play championship mode to earn trophies and unlock new tracks and cars. You can also play multiplayer on the same iPhone with up to 3 other people with throttle buttons at each corner of the iPhone screen.

Though I've said it before (and I will probably say it again), SlotZ Racer is probably my favorite game for the iPhone to date. If you grew up with slot-car sets or just like racing games, this game is a must-have for iPhone or iPod Touch. The ability to build complex tracks makes it an even better deal. The introductory price for the next 72 hours is 99 cents, but after that, SlotZ will be available for $2.99. It's a steal at both prices, but get it now!

What's your favorite iPhone app? How does WordsWorth measure up against other word games for the iPhone? Did you have a slot car track as a kid? Let me know in the comments!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

"TabCloser Kills Similar Tabs In Fewer Clicks [Featured Firefox Extension]

"TabCloser Kills Similar Tabs In Fewer Clicks [Featured Firefox Extension]
from Lifehacker by The How-To Geek

Firefox only (Windows/Mac/Linux): Firefox extension TabCloser adds a tab context menu item that quickly closes all tabs from web sites with the same domain name.

Once installed, simply right-click on the tab and choose 'Close all hostname.org tabs' to kill all similar tabs. The only irritation is the 'Are you sure?' confirmation message that doesn't appear to have a setting to disable—though it might save you from accidentally closing something important.

Readers using the previously mentioned Tab Mix Plus extension already have the equivalent functionality hidden deep within the settings. To enable, open the Tab Mix Plus Options panel, navigate to Menu -> Tab Context Menu and check the box for 'Close Similar Tabs' to enable the menu item.

This extension could be really useful the next time you get lost 20 tabs deep on Wikipedia doing 'research' when you should be actually doing something productive. TabCloser is a free download, works wherever Firefox does.
TabCloser"

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

"Monitor Microsoft Exchange Server And Outlook Folders

"Monitor Microsoft Exchange Server And Outlook Folders
from gHacks technology news by Martin

Advanced Folders Watch is an add-in for the email client Microsoft Outlook that can monitor folders in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange Server and inform the user automatically if a message matching specified filters has arrived. While the Microsoft Outlook add-in has been designed with businesses and individuals in mind who get a large amount of mail messages per day. The developers of the Outlook add-in are stating that they have designed it specifically to deal with the massive amount of messages of subscribed Newsgroups.

New rules are created using a wizard that is guiding the user through the process. It starts with the selection of one or multiple mail folders in Outlook or the Microsoft Exchange Server. All incoming messages and posts will be scanned for keywords that are defined in step 2. It is possible to define keywords that have to be included in the posts or keywords that do not have to be in them for the Outlook add-in to become active.

The notifications are defined in the last step. Four different notifications are available. It is possible to create a post in a folder, play a sound, create a copy in a folder or to create a notification in the popup window. The popup window is basically a monitoring window that has been created for that purpose.

monitor microsoft exchange server

The add-in is compatible with Microsoft Outlook 2007 and Windows Vista. It will also run on previous versions of Microsoft Windows (tested on Windows XP) and Microsoft Outlook but the specific versions are not mentioned on the developer’s homepage.

Advanced Folders Watch

Monitor Microsoft Exchange Server And Outlook Folders
Tags: email client, email tips, exchange server, microsoft exchange server, microsoft outlook, monitor email, outlook 2007, outlook tips
Related posts

* Thunderbird Filter Additions (0)
* Outlook Tips: Multiple Outlook Instances (5)
* Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.19 Released (5)
* Are You Up For An Email Client With Unique Features? Read On! (16)
* Microsoft Outlook RSS Add-In (4)"

Monday, January 12, 2009

Exclusive Lifehacker Download: Better Gmail 2 Firefox Extension for New Gmail

Exclusive Lifehacker Download: Better Gmail 2 Firefox Extension for New Gmail: "Google updated Gmail, and now we're following up with Better Gmail 2, a Firefox extension that adds features to the new Gmail interface. Like its predecessor, Better Gmail 2 is a compilation of Greasemonkey user scripts that add features to Gmail, but Better Gmail 2 works with Gmail's overhauled interface. We'll maintain the original Better Gmail extension separately from Better Gmail 2, for users still rocking the older version. However, if you've got the snappier Gmail interface enabled and you're ready for some tweaks courtesy of scripters far and wide, hit the jump for the Better Gmail 2 Firefox extension download.


Better Gmail 2 Firefox extension

Version: 0.7.2
Updated: December 10, 2008 (see the changelog for latest updates)
Released: November 8, 2007
Compiled by: Gina Trapani, using scripts authored by various developers, compiled using a modified version of Anthony Lieuallen's Greasemonkey Compiler.

Installation: Click the Better Gmail 2 download button below in Firefox. Click the 'Install Now' button in Firefox's dialog box, and restart Firefox.

download-button1.png
DOWNLOAD MIRROR

You can also download Better Gmail 2 at Mozilla Add-ons, but be warned: Mozilla Add-ons does NOT always have the latest version. The download links on this page will always point to the latest version.

License: Better Gmail is licensed under the GNU General Public License as specified by Anthony Lieuallen's Greasemonkey Compiler. All user scripts are copyright their original authors and maintain their original license as specified by their original author. (User scripts are located in the content/user_scripts folder in the Better Gmail 2 .xpi package.)

What it does: Adds a menu of optional extra features to the new version of Gmail.

Troubleshooting and Getting Help: If something breaks inside Gmail after you've installed the Better Gmail 2 extension, chances are it is related to a specific script or skin. To hunt down the source of the problem, de-select every option in the extension, and refresh Gmail. Is the problem still happening? (It shouldn't be.) Then, re-enable one feature, and refresh Gmail. Is the problem happening? If so, contact the developer at the script's homepage listed in the About tab. If not, repeat for each script and skin you use. Once you hunt down the problematic script or skin, you'll know who to contact about the problem. Remember, this extension is a compilation of work by various developers, so to get help, narrow down the problem to the particular script and contact its developer for help.

IMPORTANT: Better Gmail 2 only works with the NEW Gmail. (You're using it if there's an 'Older Version' link on the top right of your Gmail.) If you are NOT using the new Gmail version, grab the original Better Gmail download.

To view Better Gmail 2's enabled features and get more information on each, in Firefox's Add-ons dialog, click on Better Gmail 2's Preferences dialog.

See screenshots of some of the features in action:
General Tab

Inbox Count First—See unread message count first on Gmail tab title:

Macros (? for help)—Adds keyboard shortcuts. Press ? for help:

Macros Modified (h for help)—Adds keyboard shortcuts, modified by Sewpafly. Press h for help:

Show Collapsible Calendar and Reader—Adds your full Google Calendar and Reader account to your Gmail page.
Messages Tab

Add Row Highlights—Highlight message rows as you roll over them:

Attachment Icons—Adds attachment filetype icons:

Filter Assistant—Appends an easy filter creation button on a message:

Show Message Details—Display the full details of the top messages in a conversation:
Compose Tab

Bottom Post in Reply—Inserts cursor after the quoted message in plain text replies automatically:
2compose-bottompost.png
Sidebar Tab

Folders4Gmail—Lists labels in a folder-like hierarchy:

Hide Spam Count—Hides Gmail's Spam message count:
3sidebar-hidespamcount.png

Usage: Once you've installed Better Gmail 2, go to your Gmail account to see the enhancements. To turn a feature on or off, visit the extension's Preferences dialog (from the Tools menu) and select or deselect the appropriate checkboxes. Refresh Gmail to see the changes.

Credits: Better Gmail is a compilation of user scripts written by several Greasemonkey scripters. The full list of Better Gmail user scripts and their authors is as follows:

* Add Row Highlights
Highlights the letter rows in the new Gmail when you hover over them with the mouse cursor
By stasnikiforov
* Attachment Icons
See from your inbox what kind of attachment an email has. (inspired from the Gmail skins extension)
By Moktoipas
* Bottom Post in Reply (Plain Text only)
Inserts cursor after the quoted message in plain text replies automatically.
By Henrik N. and Rob Wilkerson
* Filter Assistant
Appends an easy filter creation button on a message.
By Ming (Amos) Zhang
* Folders4Gmail
Lists labels in a folder-like hierarchy.
By Arend v. Reinersdorff
* Folders4Gmail (for Redesigned skin)
Lists labels in a folder-like hierarchy using a darkened arrow better for use with the Redesigned skin.
By Arend v. Reinersdorff, Modified by St. John Johnson
* Force Encrypted Connection (https)
Forces Gmail to default to a secure connection.
By Mark Pilgrim
* Hide Chat
Hides Gmail's Chat box in the sidebar.
By Diego Barros
* Hide Invites Box
Hides the Gmail invites box on the sidebar.
By stasnikiforov
* Hide Spam Count
Hides Gmail's Spam message count.
By Arend v. Reinersdorff
* Inbox Count First
See unread message count first on Gmail tab title.
By Jon Ramsey, Gina Trapani
* LabelLinks4Gmail
Label your labels as well as your email.
By Benjamin Paige III
* Macros (? for help)
Adds keyboard shortcuts. Press ? for help.
By Mihai Parparita
* Macros Modified (h for help)
Adds extra, customizable keyboard shortcuts and macros for Gmail 2.0. Press h for help.
By Mihai Parparita, modified by Brent Nef
* Show BCC Automatically
Always show BCC field when composing to a message in Gmail.
By Gina Trapani
* Show BCC (Ctrl+Shift+V)
Show BCC field when composing to a message in Gmail by pressing Ctrl+Shift+V.
By Gina Trapani
* Show CC Automatically
Show CC field when composing to a message in Gmail automatically.
By Gina Trapani
* Show CC (Ctrl+Shift+C)
Show CC field when composing to a message in Gmail by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C.
By Gina Trapani
* Show Collapsible Calendar and Reader
Adds Google Calendar and Reader below your inbox (all three are collapsible); see integratedgmail.com for full extension with more options.
By Michael A. Balazs
* Show Editable Subject
Always show editable subject field when replying to a message in Gmail.
By Gina Trapani
* Show Message Details
Display the full details of the top messages in a conversation.
By Michael Lieberman

We compiled the scripts using Anthony Lieuallen's Greasemonkey Compiler, and modified the output of the compiler to include multiple scripts with the ability to enable and disable individual scripts.

Changelog:

* Version 0.7.2: Due to Gmail's launch of built-in themes, removed Skins tab entirely; to get the Redesigned skin, install Globex's Google Redesigned extension; Updated Folders4Gmail and Gmail Integrated (also available as a more robust, standalone extension); Added Firefox 3.1b2 compatibility.
* Version 0.7.1: Removed GmailAgenda (use the Gmail Labs Agenda gadget instead); Changed the Show BCC shortcut to Ctrl+Shift+V to stop interfering with the Show Bookmarks dialog; Updated the Redesigned skin to all embedded images; Included the Show Collapsible Calendar and Reader item in the General tab; Included Show Editable Subject script.
* Version 0.7: Updated GmailAgenda and Redesigned; Added Folders4Gmail for Redesigned and LabelLinks4Gmail.
* Version 0.6.1: Added the GmailAgenda user script (check off 'Show Agenda' in the General options tab); Updated Gmail Redesigned style. Thanks, Jeff!
* Version 0.6: Updated Modified Macros to its latest version (Thanks, Brent!); Added Gmail Air Skin; Reinstated the Force Encrypted Connection script (for Gmail Apps users who haven't yet gotten the built-in version).
* Version 0.5.3.2: Updated the Redesigned skin to version 2.0; Updated the Filter Assistant; ; Removed Force Encrypted Connection (Gmail now has this built in); Migrated code base to new multiscript compiler template engine; Removed HTML Signatures because it is now its own standalone extension and the script in Better Gmail is buggy and no longer supported. To get the signatures you set up in Better Gmail, go to about:config and filter to bettergmail2.pref.youremailaddress (where youremailaddress is your email address), right-click and choose 'Copy Value.' Be warned the HTML will be escaped. Alternately, you can reinstall version 0.4 to copy your signatures to a text file for re-entry in the HTML Sigs extension.
* Version 0.5.2: Updated the Redesigned skin—You must clear Firefox's cache to get rid of the 'white bar' in your Google Apps account; Removed Gmail mailto: link rewrites—this is the best way to set Firefox to use Gmail as your email link handler; Added the Hide Gmail Chat style.
* Version 0.5.1: Updated the Redesigned skin; Updated icon to current Greasemonkey monkey.
* Version 0.5: Updated the Redesigned skin; Added Show CC and BCC scripts; Removed One Click Conversations (due to reports of browser lockups.)
* Version 0.4: Added Firefox 3 compatibility; Re-added and update Filter Assistant; updated Grays and Blues skin (with Grays and Blues redux); Added bottom posting; Added Compose tab; Added HTML Signatures; Added Gmail Redesigned skin.
* Version 0.3.5: Fixed/Updated Folders4Gmail and Hide Spam Count; Made Firefox 3 Beta 5 compatible.
* Version 0.3.4: Added secure updates; Added Firefox 3 Beta 4 support.
* Version 0.3.3: Removed Google Reader Integration which was causing an inbox loading bug; Restored Macros Sewpafly Mod; Restored Hide Spam Count; Updated Gmail Blue Skin; Made Firefox 3 Beta 3 compatible.
* Version 0.3.2: Updated Folders4Gmail, Macros, and Google Reader Integration; Removed Hide Spam Count, Macros Sewpafly and Quota Graph, which are not yet compatible with Gmail's recent code changes.
* Version 0.3.1: Fixed and restored Gmail Compose To script; Changed default help key text for Sewpafly Macros mod to h.
* Version 0.3: Removed Compose To (no longer works in new Gmail); Added One Click Conversations, Hide Invites Box, Google Reader Integration, Rollover Highlight Messages, the Gmail Blue Skin and Grays and Blue Skin; Added Skins tab.
* Version 0.2: Added Folders4Gmail, Spam Count Hide, Macros Sewpafly Mod and Gmail Quota Graph. Split interface into 3 tabs (from a single 'General' tab) to accommodate new checkboxes. Submitted to Mozilla Add-ons.
* Version 0.1: Released.

The Back Story: In January of 2008 I gave a presentation on how Better Gmail came about. If you're interested, here are the transcript and slides of the talk, called 'Crowdsourcing a Better Gmail.'
Better Gmail Q&A

What version of Better Gmail should I be using?

If you can see a link on the top right of your Gmail that says 'Older Version,' you are using the NEW Gmail interface and should use Better Gmail 2. Otherwise, you are using the old version of Gmail and should install the original Better Gmail.

Why did you split Better Gmail and Better Gmail 2 into two separate extensions?

The user scripts Better Gmail includes either support the new Gmail, the old Gmail, or both. Since Gmail's upgrade to the new interface is not linear—not all users have it, and users who do can opt out of using it with the 'Older Version' link—it made sense to maintain these two extensions separately instead of overloading a single interface with lots of 'old only' and 'new only' information. Presumably Gmail users are interacting with one version of Gmail, so you can pick which Better Gmail you need.

Should I uninstall the original Better Gmail after I install Better Gmail 2?

Yes—if you're not accessing a Gmail account using the older interface, there's no need to keep the original Better Gmail extension installed.

Will the original Better Gmail ever go away?

When Google phases out the older version of Gmail, we will halt development on the original version of Better Gmail and only support Better Gmail 2.

Can you include a script that does Insert-Your-Dream-Gmail-Feature here?

If the script exists, there's a good possibility I can include it in Better Gmail 2. Include a link to the user script in the comments below. If the script does not already exist, post your request to user script authors at UserScripts.org.

Why did you remove/update a feature from the extension?

If a script you love was removed from the extension, chances are it's because it has a bug. Check the Changelog above for a complete description of updates from one version to the next. If a particular script is causing a bug, feel from to contact the script author about it. Click on the script's home page from the About tab in Better Gmail 2's options, or from the list above.

Better Gmail 2 keeps Gmail from working for me entirely, but disabling the extension fixes it all. What do I do?

If this happens, here's what to do: enable Better Gmail 2, but de-select all the options in the extension. Gmail should load for you. Then, one by one, select an option, and refresh Gmail. Chances are one script stopped working which got in Gmail's way. Simply de-selecting this feature from the extension should fix the problem, until I'm able to issue another update.

Help, I can't see my Gmail Contacts!

If you have the original version of Better Gmail installed, but you're using the new version of Gmail, your Contacts area may load as a blank screen. Disable or uninstall the original Better Gmail to fix the problem.

Bug reports and feature requests: Got a favorite Gmail Greasemonkey script you'd like included in Better Gmail? A bug, a critique, a suggestion? Leave a comment here. Newcomers, here's how to get a comment login.
Read More: Exclusive Lifehacker Download, Better Gmail, Downloads, Firefox, Firefox Extensions, Gmail, Greasemonkey, Lifehacker Code, Top, User scripts"
 
Blogger Templates