15 New Articles on MakeUseOf |  |
- Cool Websites and Tools [April 19th 2013]
- RocketDock + Stacks Docklet: Not Just A Dock, But A Complete Desktop Organization Solution [Windows]
- Don’t Let Your Camera Collect Dust: 10 Inspiring Ideas For Photography
- Ghost Trick Is A Beautiful, Meticulously Crafted Gaming Experience [iOS]
- Access, Create, and Share Your Google Drive Documents On the iPad [iOS]
- SimilarSites For Firefox Helps You Find More Of What You Like
- Is Rowi The Best Twitter App For Windows Phone?
- A New Pocket Update Makes It Easier To Share Content With Friends [Updates]
- Why You Don’t Have To Use PayPal For Online Transactions: 5 PayPal Alternatives
- Amazing Windows 8 Themes You Need To See
- Apps And Smartphone Equipment To Take With You Into The Zombie Apocalypse
- Everything You Want To Know About The Oculus Rift Dev-Kit
- How To Create A Graph From Raw Data Files In Any Office Product
- The Gadgets And Games Of Kickstarter – 15th April 2013 Edition
- Twitter Launches #music, A Music-Discovery Platform With Spotify & Rdio Integration [Updates]
| Cool Websites and Tools [April 19th 2013] Posted: 19 Apr 2013 09:31 PM PDT
These are just half of the websites that we discovered in the last couple of days. If you want us to send you daily round-ups of all cool websites we come across, leave your email here. Or follow us via RSS feed. The post Cool Websites and Tools [April 19th 2013] appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RocketDock + Stacks Docklet: Not Just A Dock, But A Complete Desktop Organization Solution [Windows] Posted: 19 Apr 2013 08:30 PM PDT
Like ObjectDock, RocketDock also supports docklets, which are small applications that run within the dock. There are a lot of docklets available, but one that I have found to be very useful is called Stacks Docklet, which allows you to access files and shortcuts to programs and applications within folders docked to RocketDock. In this article, I’ll walk you through not only the features of RocketDock, but also how to customize it and make it even more useful than it is with its built-in features. Setting Up RocketDockOnce you download RocketDock and follow the prompts through the installation, which are straight forward, you will see the dock at the top of your screen.
There are a lot of features though that I like to add and remove to improve it. All of these can be accessed through the settings, which is the icon with the hammer on the second from the right side (hovered over in the picture above), or by right clicking the dock and choosing “Dock Settings…”.
There are five main sections in the Dock Settings window: General, Icons, Position, Style, and Behavior. All of these have settings which aren’t too complicated to understand and are also a must to familiarize yourself with. For instance, the General section has options controlling whether RocketDock will start up or not, and if you want to minimize windows to the dock. I will spare you the boredom of reading through what all the settings do – instead, I encourage you to check these out on your own. Finding The Right Theme
Creating a look that fits you is really fun to do, but it takes a lot of time. The look of your dock is compromised of two parts: the skin and the icons. RocketDock comes with a variety of skins, and perhaps one of them will appeal to you. However, there are places all over the Internet that have skins and icons you can download and install. There are plenty of these skins and icons on the RocketDock website, and that is a great place to start. However, another place that’s worth looking into is DeviantArt.com. I mentioned this source in the ObjectDock article, as well. Both of these locations are great sources for wallpapers as well. Below is an image of the skins page on RocketDock.com.
NOTE: Don’t start adding folders and custom icons before adding Stacks Docklet into your dock, otherwise you’ll be making more work for yourself. Adding In Stacks Docklet
Once you find the right theme and icons for your dock, it’s time to add in Stacks Docklet for the final touch. You could say that Stacks Docklet has been around as long as the docks themselves, so there have been a few different locations online where it has been available for download. Now there are truly only two reliable sources. There are also two versions of Stack Docklet. Version one is considered to be more stable than version two, as version two is in beta, although I’m unsure if it’s still being developed further. That said, my experience with both versions hasn’t had any issues. Step 1: DownloadStacks Docklet can be found on the RocketDock website, which contains multiple versions and downloads, or you can get it from the official website, which has only version two. There may be some of you who prefer the first version over the second, since it is said to be more stable. To my knowledge, RocketDock is the only place to acquire the first version.
Step 2: InstallYou have a couple options for installing the Stacks Docklet: the manual way or the automatic way. The manual way obviously has more steps, but if you like doing things yourself and you want control, you will probably prefer that method more. This is actually the only way to install version one. Version two via the official website includes both methods. The automatic installation is pretty simple. Just download the file and launch it, then follow the prompt (pictured below) to install it into RocketDock. It automatically detects which compatible docks you have installed, so all you have to do is select the dock you want to install it into (if you have others besides RocketDock) and click “Install”.
The manual installation is a bit more complicated. When you download the compressed file, you’ll need to extract it with a program like 7Zip and then move the files to their designated places. Version one doesn’t come with instructions to do this, but it isn’t hard – just cut and paste.
For those who don’t have experience in compressed files: If you choose the “extract here” the folder’s contents will be put directly where ever the compressed file is. If you chose “Extract to Stacks Docklet” then the contents (which may or may not already be in a folder) will be put in a folder. My point in saying this is that before moving the folder, check to see what’s inside it. If there’s another “Stacks Docklet” folder inside, you’ll need to move it out, otherwise RocketDock won’t recognize it. For version one:
Cut the newly extracted Stacks Docklet folder and past it into the Docklets folder. RocketDock should automatically detect it and shouldn’t need to be restarted.
For version two, the instructions are available once you extract them:
Step 3: Add Stacks To Your DockNow that you have Stacks Docklet installed, all you have to do is right click on the dock, go to Add Item and select Stacks Docklet. Then right click on the icon and select Icon Settings. Now depending on what version you are using, the window will look different. Version one:
Version two:
It’s at this point that you should know what folder you want to use and the icon to go with it. If you want the stack to display shortcuts to your apps, such as Microsoft Office, Windows apps or any others, I recommend creating a folder and then creating folders within that one for each stack that you want to have. This can be made anywhere, but I put mine in the Program Files folder.
Once you choose your folder, then you choose your icon. Like I mentioned before, there are loads of icons available – some which come in a pack and others are individual – the choice is yours. Once you download them (if it’s in a pack, you’ll need to extract them) put them somewhere that you won’t forget, and preferably will be easy to navigate to. Below is the icon window for RocketDock, which is what you use with the first version of Stacks Docklet. The second version just uses a normal “Browse for file” window that we’re all used to. Step 4: And Repeat!I’ll be honest, the process can be slightly tedious at first, but once you finish it’s pretty rewarding. It looks nice and it’s functional – a great combination for organization. ConclusionThat brings me to one last point – organize. The more organized you are, the more useful this method will be. Plain and simple. I’ve covered this topic in an article about how to organize your computer files. I truly believe file organization is the only way to use a computer – otherwise, it really isn’t that productive if you can’t find things quickly, which is what this method in this article is all about. Do you use RocketDock? If so, is Stacks Docklet something you use, or feel you would use? Or do you use something entirely different? The post RocketDock + Stacks Docklet: Not Just A Dock, But A Complete Desktop Organization Solution [Windows] appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Don’t Let Your Camera Collect Dust: 10 Inspiring Ideas For Photography Posted: 19 Apr 2013 08:00 PM PDT
That said, it can also be extremely challenging, and you’ll probably find yourself falling off the wagon a few more times than you’d prefer. We’ve put together a list of 10 projects that you can use to keep yourself shooting through your Project 365, or that you can simply use to shoot on a regular basis. Go to the Same Place Every DayIs there a place you go every day? On your commute, you take a specific metro, get off at a specific station, pass by the same park every day? Pick one spot and document how it changes day by day. By the end of the year you’ll have a fascinating study in how one specific place has changed over time. Or if you live in a busy, dynamic city, you can show just how much one specific place can change from one day to the next. Pick a Lens
Rather than find a specific theme or subject to focus on, why not pick a specific lens? Pick a fixed lens if you really want to challenge yourself. When you’re limited to using a fixed lens, like the 50mm for example, you’ll find yourself pushing yourself to find creative images around you. If you want to get really creative, opt instead for a lens that creates interesting effects like one of the Lensbaby products, or PhotoJojo’s Diana Lens. Connect to the Written WordSongs, poems, book titles, or even stories can be a source of inspiration for photographers. Pick a writer, a poet, or a musician, and use their words as a springboard for your photography. If you’d rather bridge this idea with a daily project, then don’t limit yourself to just one writer or singer – but rather choose a different title, phrase or story as your daily source of inspiration. You can even choose a random word on a daily basis and use that as your point of inspiration. Take a Daily Self PortraitWe’ve seen several fascinating examples of taking a daily self-portrait in the same place and eventually using it to create a timelapse video. Even if you choose to keep the photos private, it becomes a great way to document your own appearance over the years (if you choose to do it longer than one year). This is also a great concept for parents to document their children’s growth, whether for one year or even longer, as we’ve seen done in the past. Pick a ThemePicking a specific theme is another way to make sure that you always keep your eye out for interesting images no matter where you are. Windows and doors are a popular theme that you can find no matter where you are. Another interesting theme that you can opt for is to play with the concept of shadows and light or silhouettes. Come up with a concept that speaks to you, or that is commonly found in your surroundings, and set out to document it as best you can. Pick a photography style
Picking a specific photography style is another good way to find a little bit of photographic inspiration. Opt for taking macro photos only. If you live in a city, focus on street photography or architecture. If you live in a more rural area, go for landscape shots. Even if you don’t want to lug a heavy DSLR around you can still opt for using specific styles with your iPhone – all you need is a lens adapter like the Olloclip 3-in-1 iPhone lens. Go for BokehBokeh is another interesting way to create a photo series that is tied together by a specific thread. Bokeh can be a challenge to get right at first, but setting the challenge for yourself is one way to perfect the technique. Using a 50mm lens can often help matters, making it slightly easier to achieve that bokeh effect with less effort on your part. Pick a prop
Picking a small prop that you can take with you everywhere you go can be a cute way to document all the different places you find yourself. It goes one step beyond documenting the places that you go, by bringing a bit of your own personality into the photo. Choosing your prop will probably be the most challenging part of the project – finding something small, portable, and that reflects your own personality is no easy feat – but once you have it, you can get to taking photos of it around your city, country, or even on your travels abroad. Pick A ColourOne way to create a striking and cohesive collection of photos regardless of their content is with the simple use of colour. Choose one colour and set out to take your photos with the content predominantly one colour. You could even opt for several different series, each one dominated by a specific colour, and then you’ll end up with a striking collection of colourful photos that will look great on your wall. Go on Photo Walks
Dedicate one day a month, or more often if you have the time, to going on photowalks. Finding friends to do this with can be a great motivator and a way to make the experience even more enjoyable. It’s not only a good way to keep yourself shooting, it can also be a great way to get to know your own city better. Pick neighbourhoods you dont’t normally go to, go to a botanical garden, or a museum, or simply wander the streets downtown. Looking for even more inspiration? Be sure to follow these 10 photography blogs which are a constant source of inspiration for any photographer. Can you think of any projects to add to the list? Let us know in the comments. Image Credit: Elliott Bennet, Vinoth Chandar, Kenny Louie, Espos.de, Olatz eta Leire The post Don’t Let Your Camera Collect Dust: 10 Inspiring Ideas For Photography appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ghost Trick Is A Beautiful, Meticulously Crafted Gaming Experience [iOS] Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:30 PM PDT
In many ways Ghost Trick feels more like an interactive story than a game, but it has just enough actual gameplay to keep you entertained between the plot developments. Capcom did a fantastic job of mixing puzzle-based gameplay with a real story in a way that feels fresh. It’s not your standard point and click adventure game, but in many ways, it plays like one. GameplayThe best way to describe the gameplay in Ghost Trick is to call it a puzzle game, but that does not do it justice. You play as a ghost who has just recently passed away. You are able to posses inanimate objects in the world and manipulate them to change what is happening in the world of the living. This is accomplished through the use of “ghost tricks” hence the name of the game. Ghost Trick wastes no time in introducing these concepts and at the very beginning you are told to posses a crossing bar. Once you move your spirit to it, you can cause it swing up, which has an effect on what is happening in the world of the living.
All throughout the game, you are possessing objects and manipulating them to save the lives of other characters and this gives the puzzle gameplay a real sense of purpose and weight. Instead of solving puzzles simply because the game tells you to, you are doing it to save lives, all with the ultimate goal of advancing the story to find out why you were killed in the first place.
When not flipping between the ghost world and the world of the living, you are watching the story play out. Much of the game is spent watching the story, and that’s a good thing. Ideally you will enjoy a game that is heavy on story to like Ghost Trick, but let’s be honest who does not enjoy a well-crafted story that plays out before their very eyes? There is more to the gameplay which also incorporates time travel and moving through large spans of the world, but I don’t want to go into more detail as it will spoil it. Much of the enjoyment from this game comes from learning as you go. Audio & VisualsThe graphics and sound in Ghost Trick are absolutely superb. The hand-drawn art style is perfectly suited to this type of game, and the view of the game shifts dramatically between the real world and the ghost world. The character design is sharp, and each of the new worlds and levels feels fresh and different from the last. Quite simply, Ghost Trick looks stunning.
The music is catchy, without being annoying. The sound effects are sparse in a good way. When something in the game makes a sound, it draws your focus immediately, and it helps keep the game’s dramatic overtones alive and kicking. It’s just another example of how much care went into creating Ghost Trick. No detail was left unperfected, sound included. Game LifeThe game comes with the first two chapters free, and depending how adept you are at solving the puzzles, this should take you no more than a few hours to play through. Individual packs of levels can be purchased for $4.99 each, or as a package deal for $9.99. Depending on how much the story grabs you, the extra chapters are well worth the cost.
Even if you don’t elect to buy the additional chapters (it will be hard not to as the story is going to hook you in), there is still a good amount of enjoyment to be had just from the free portion of the game. It’s not the longest game on iOS by any means, and there is not much reason to come back to the game after you complete it but the quality is there, so it certainly gets a pass. ConclusionSeriously, I cannot recommend Ghost Trick enough. It is easily one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had playing a game on iOS. The story is fantastic, and the gameplay is frantic enough to add to the suspense the story brings. It’s free on the App Store with in-app purchases for more chapters, so there really is no reason not to download this game. I promise, you will not regret it. Download: Ghost Trick at the App Store Have you played Ghost Trick? What did you think, any other games with great stories you recommend? Add your opinion to the comments below this post. The post Ghost Trick Is A Beautiful, Meticulously Crafted Gaming Experience [iOS] appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Access, Create, and Share Your Google Drive Documents On the iPad [iOS] Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:30 PM PDT
Google Drive is similar to the popularly used cloud storage service, Dropbox, but Drive includes built-in document creation features that are missing in Dropbox. And though Dropbox integrates with dozens of third-party applications, Google Drive contains convenient document sharing and collaboration features that Google and iPad users should be taking advantage of. For this reason, we have listed the free Google Drive app on our Best of iPad Apps page. Basic FeaturesGoogle Drive is a cross-platform application and service which provides users with 5 GB of free storage space for any type of files, including photos and videos, and you can add up to 25 GB of storage space for $24.99 per year. Google Drive for the iPad syncs and integrates with your online Mac and PC version of Google Drive.
If you already have a Google account, you can get set up with Google Drive by navigating to the online application at drive.google.com. From there you can download the Google Drive client application for your computer, though you do not need to have the computer client installed to use the Google Drive app on your iPad device. To get set up with Google Drive for the iPad, simply download the app to your device and sign into your Google account.
Managing FilesYou can manage files in the Google Drive app in much the same way you manage files on your computer or other devices. The sidebar of the app provides access to all your private files and folders, followed by shared content with other Google Drive users.
The Starred section of Google Drive consists of the selected items you have starred as favorites or most often used, and the Recent section will list all recently modified files. Google Drive does not automatically download and store all of your content on your iPad. Instead you can designate files to be downloaded and viewed offline. This is especially useful if your iPad is Wi-Fi only. To enable offline access, tap on the arrow icon of the selected file, and then enable the Available Offline option.
Notice there is also a feature for sharing and providing access to other Google account users. You can tap on the Access + button and add the names, email addresses, or Google groups for whom you want to share the file with. You are also given options for allowing others to edit the document, leave comments or simply view the document (read-only mode) online or by accessing it on their Google Drive supported device.
There are additional features for files that you can access under the Actions button on the top-right of the app. From there you can also share, rename, remove, and relocate files to another folder.
All of your offline-designated documents can be accessed from the sidebar of the app. The sidebar also includes a section for uploading photos and videos from your iPad to your Google Drive account. Simply tap on the Upload button and then the plus “+” button at the top, and from there provide Google Drive access to your photos and videos. If your iPad uses a built-in camera, you can snap photos from within Google Drive where they will be automatically uploaded to your account.
Unfortunately it is not possible to add documents from other apps on your iPad to your Drive account. And as far as I can tell at the time of this review, there are not many popular third-party iPad apps (like Evernote, Simplenote or WriteRoom) that integrate with Google Drive. Instead there are Drive-enabled apps in the Chrome Web Store that allow you to store data in your Google Drive. Creating DocumentsOne of the advantages of using Google Drive over Dropbox is that it contains built-in document creation features. Tap on the plus “+” button at the top of the app to create a new document or spreadsheet.
The document editor includes a basic menu bar with tools for formatting and stylizing text. The editor also includes a powerful collaboration feature, in which you and other parties (with whom you have shared the document) can type and edit simultaneously in real-time. The people icon on the upper-right will list any current viewers of the document.
Google Drive also indicates when someone is typing or editing a document to which you have given them access. All changes are automatically saved as you type and edit. Unlike the web version of Google Drive, you cannot access the revision history for documents on the iPad app. You can also create spreadsheets on the iPad app, but you can only view presentations, forms, and drawing documents on the device. Google Drive typically syncs and updates files that are added to your account, but you can manually activate the syncing process by tapping on the Sync button on the top right of the menu bar for the app. Download: Google Drive (Free) at the App Store No doubt there will be additional updates and features to the Google Drive app, and as its popularity grows, it will integrate with popular iPad apps. Let us know what you think of Google Drive. Are you starting to use it more than Dropbox? The post Access, Create, and Share Your Google Drive Documents On the iPad [iOS] appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SimilarSites For Firefox Helps You Find More Of What You Like Posted: 19 Apr 2013 04:30 PM PDT
First StepsWhen you first install Similar Sites for Firefox, it will open a new tab to show you where its button is; it will also plug a registry scanner and show an ad:
This is a bit annoying, but no big deal. The important part is the image showing the button for the addon… but it’s actually showing a thumbnail of Google Chrome rather than Firefox. Oops (the add-on is available for Chrome, too). Worry not, the button occupies the same spot in Firefox as well:
Now let’s test it out. Big Sites: The Obvious PicksTo begin testing Similar Sites, let’s try some really big and obvious sites, like CNN.com. What sites would be considered similar to it? To find out, I just had to browse to CNN.com and click the coffee-bean like button (that’s what it looks like, right?). Here’s what Similar Sites had to say:
Well, that’s a very easy test, but Similar Sites delivers. News sources are a matter of personal taste these days, but the addon has no way to tell whether or not I like Fox News. All of the sites on the list were indeed from large, established news publishers. The concept feels similar to StumbleUpon, only it’s based on the specific website you are visiting at the moment. Mid-Range SitesLet’s ramp up the difficulty just a bit by looking at our very own MakeUseOf.com. With over ten million monthly visitors, MakeUseOf is not a small site, but it’s not quite CNN just yet either. Here’s what Similar Sites has to say:
Indeed, the usual suspects show up: Lifehacker and How-To Geek, but also Download Squad, a software blog that has been shuttered for years now. The link is outdated, and when you click it, you’re actually taken to the Huffington Post’s tech section. So, far from ideal. The other sites are fairly relevant. Another interesting case is a subdomain of a large site, which works a bit like a medium website. I decided to try Similar Sites with an article on Time’s Health & Family section about healthy cooking methods and got very disappointing results:
So… SQL Server Central and Palm Grove Rentals are similar sites to Time’s Health & Family Section? I don’t think so. Small WebsitesWith fairly relevant results from both the large and medium website categories, it is time to see how Similar Sites does with tiny, obscure websites. In this case, I’ve decided to try Similar Sites with Chompin’ Through Canberra, a tiny personal blog that I found on page 25 of Google’s search results for the term “Chia pet.” And yes, there’s a chia pet on that page — a Homer Simpson, to be exact. And… surprise, surprise:
Similar Sites came up with absolutely nothing. To me, this is actually a good result. I much prefer this to a bunch of barely-relevant results that the addon feels compelled to add just to have something on the page. If it has nothing good to show, it shows nothing. That makes sense. Performance GlitchesWhen clicking the Similar Sites button, results usually showed up within seconds… except for when they didn’t:
I got this blank screen with the spinning logo more than once when trying to obtain results for MakeUseOf.com. This would not have been a major pain had it not been for one annoying feature: Similar Sites closes out as soon as you click away from the pane. In other words, the only thing you can do when waiting for the addon to load similar sites is just that: wait, staring at the screen. This did not happen every time, but it did happen occasionally. Final ThoughtsSimilar Sites is a useful addon, but can’t hold a candle to a search engine (be it Google, Bing, or even DuckDuckGo). It stays out of the way and gets the job done, and is relatively free of ads and annoyances. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to power-users, who may already know most of the large sites in the niches they’re interested in. Novice users, or users making their first steps in a new field of interest, may find it helpful. What about you? Do you think it’s a useful addon, or would you prefer a tool that always offered results, even for tiny websites? The post SimilarSites For Firefox Helps You Find More Of What You Like appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is Rowi The Best Twitter App For Windows Phone? Posted: 19 Apr 2013 03:30 PM PDT
That's when I even bothered launching it. As a Windows Phone user, I naturally default to the easier native Twitter functionality available in the People Hub when I just need to see what’s going on. However, I was made aware of a new app, Rowi, which has been attracting great reviews. It seemed sensible to check it out and compare with what I was already using. Initially I was skeptical After all, even if the native Twitter integration on Windows Phone wasn’t meeting my needs, I could still use the third party app, which has recently had a visual overhaul to bring it into line with the Android and iOS versions What exactly could Rowi bring to the table? What Features Does Rowi Offer?In terms of features, Rowi probably outflanks the majority of Twitter apps on any platform, and certainly all of those on Windows Phone. Tweets can be sent from multiple accounts, and photos, retweets, direct messages and hashtags are all supported. For those that like to share, e-mail and SMS text options are available, while you can also save tweets to read later with Readability, Instapaper and Pocket.
Interacting with other tweets is easy thanks to a horizontally scrolling context menu offering view, retweet, favorite, profile and other options. Location can also be displayed in your tweets, while Bing translate is provided for you to read anything posted in a foreign language. You can also reorganize the app's home screen by sorting the order of the main views as well as adding custom Twitter searches/filters. How Easy Is It to Tweet?The most important feature of any Twitter app is the ability to send a tweet. Users want this function to be easy and efficient – hardly a surprise! With Rowi, the process is a case of tapping the + symbol to create a new tweet, entering your update and then either tapping the send button (a bird, naturally) or first adding a photo before sending. This part of the process is pretty quick, but unfortunately the app itself can tend to lag, depending on the speed of your connection.
So, tweeting is simple, and thanks to the clear, well-organized user interface, the app is generally easy to use. Your profile can be viewed and new accounts added by tap-and-holding the top-left area of the display, although for the latter you will need to go through the Twitter authentication process. Push Notifications and Creating a Custom FilterWith Rowi you can instruct the software to send notifications to your Windows Phone Start screen whenever you receive a mention or direct message in Twitter. This is particularly useful, with the results displayed on a live tile positioned in the preferred portion of your Start screen or across the top of the screen. This function can be activated by opening the menu up on the standard Twitter view and select Notifications. From here, select whether you want mentions and messages to display as a live tile or toast (so-called because the notice “pops up”).
If you want to use the live tile option, head back to the Windows Phone apps list and tap-and-hold the Rowi tile, where you should tap Pin to Start. The tile can be sized either as 4×2, 2×2 or a 1×1 item, with the largest displaying the most information.
Meanwhile, the same menu opens access to the Configure home screen tool, where the Timeline, Mentions and Messages screens can be reordered or deleted by tapping. Most importantly, via the + symbol you can create a Twitter filter, prompting the app to search for topics you're interested in and add the results as a new screen. Is Rowi the Windows Phone Twitter App for You?Head to the Windows Phone Store to find out more about and purchase Rowi for $1.49 (£1.29). Note that there is a free version, Rowi [Lite], which offers all of the same features but also includes ads and removes push notifications. As to whether you should buy it or use the free version – well, it's up to you, but I would certainly recommend this app as a hugely functional replacement for any other that you might be using on Windows Phone. It does everything you might expect of a desktop app, plus a bit more, and you would be selling yourself short if you didn’t at least try the free version. For more social networking apps for Windows Phone, see our Best Windows Phone Apps list. The post Is Rowi The Best Twitter App For Windows Phone? appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A New Pocket Update Makes It Easier To Share Content With Friends [Updates] Posted: 19 Apr 2013 03:00 PM PDT
As with other newsreader apps such as Instapaper, Pocket’s new Share Menu includes buttons for sharing selected articles to over a dozen different social networks (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit) and apps (e.g., Tweetbot, Mail, and Twitter for iPhone). A new Send to Friend menu item includes a shortcut that lists recent friends you shared content with, making it easier to share with them again on any network. But according to Pocket, users still share content via email twice more often than social networks. The new feature makes this much easier, letting you highlight text in an article and add it as quoted text in the email you send.
Recipients will receive an email with a link to the article, and if they are Pocket users, they will also be notified right in their Pocket app. When another Pocket user shares with you, the content will likewise appear in your Pocket inbox. The Pocket update also brings enhanced notifications, so that in addition to email, you can now choose to receive a personal notification right on your phone or tablet when a friend shares with you. Pocket is available for iOS, Android, Mac, and as a Web app. Head over to Pocket to get the new version. Source: Pocket Blog The post A New Pocket Update Makes It Easier To Share Content With Friends [Updates] appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Why You Don’t Have To Use PayPal For Online Transactions: 5 PayPal Alternatives Posted: 19 Apr 2013 02:30 PM PDT
There are many reasons why you might not like PayPal. For one thing, it's such a big service that it's prime meat for hack attempts and scam attempts. Similarly, ever since PayPal grew into an enormous international service, people have been experiencing a decline in service quality. And who can forget the PayPal account freezing horror stories? PayPal is not the be-all end-all of online transaction services. But even so, PayPal is convenient, widely accepted, and established. There are many PayPal competitors out there, but none of them have the same ubiquity or prominence. By switching away from PayPal, you may be gaining in some respects but you'll also be losing out in other ways. If that's okay with you, then keep reading! WePayOverview: The first time I heard about WePay was when I stumbled across GoFundMe, one of many services that help with online fundraising. They trusted WePay enough to make it their default money handler over PayPal for US users. As it turns out, WePay is used by over 250,000 merchants and they've processed over 1.5 million transactions. WePay accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and more. What's Good: WePay has an extremely fast setup process that'll have you ready to go in less than a minute. There are no contracts or tricky fees: 2.9% + $0.30 for credit card payments and 1.0% + $0.30 for bank payments. In terms of security, they're sharp: first-class security credentials that they test every day for vulnerabilities. And, most importantly, WePay has excellent customer service (rated 9 out of 10 by its users). But on top of the usual transaction features, WePay has a few more things to offer. You can embed an HTML WePay button right onto your website which you can use to collect payments. WePay also has a page builder which you can use to create a fully functional online store without any technical expertise. Check out Angela's WePay review if you haven't already. Overall: B+ SkrillOverview: Formerly known as MoneyBookers, Skrill is a money service that stretches internationally when it comes to reach. With more than 10 million users in over 200 countries with support for more than 40 currencies, you can be sure that Skrill is a force to be reckoned with. In terms of sheer size, Skrill may be the closest to PayPal. What's Good: The international support is definitely a thumbs up. Skrill allows you to deposit and withdraw money instantly all while keeping your information secure. For personal users, Skrill's fees sit at 1% for sending money (caps at $0.50) and no fees for receiving money. For merchants, there are a few processing fees per transaction but they are competitive with other similar services (standard rate is 2.90% + $0.29). For US users, deposites and withdrawals are free. For international users, deposits and withdrawals are mostly free but may incur processing fees depending on the method. When you want to take your funds out, you can opt for a physical check, a direct deposit into your bank account, or a MasterCard debit card that you can use in tandem with an ATM. Overall: B+ DwollaOverview: Dwolla is similar to PayPal in that it's an online peer-to-peer transaction service, but unlike PayPal, Dwolla requires both sender and receiver to have a Dwolla account; if you receive money and don't have an account, you'll need to create one to access it. It's a small inconvenience, but otherwise pretty similar to PayPal's system. What's Good: The first thing that sticks out to me about Dwolla is the transaction fee. Most services will charge a percentage-based fee, but Dwolla has one simple rule: a $0.25 fee per transaction unless the transaction is less than $10, then the fee is waived. Transactions take a few days to process, though you can subscribe to an Instant Transaction feature for $3 a month. Dwolla is available as a mobile app for iPhones and Androids, too, which makes it extremely easy to check your account and transfer money no matter where you are. Overall: B+ Google WalletOverview: A few years ago, Google combined their Checkout service with their Wallet service. Both services were meant to track your payment information and to facilitate e-commerce transactions. If you're a customer, Google Wallet may be exactly what you need; if you're a seller, there's a Business version for accepting payments. What's Good: On any site that accepts Google Wallet, you can use your Wallet account to make payments. The Wallet account tracks all of your credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards in one convenient location, so purchasing items online becomes easy. All of your data is secure, obviously. If you're a seller, Google does not charge any transaction fees for accepting Wallet payments. For in-store purchases, Google Wallet can transform your phone into your wallet. If you have a device with the Wallet app and NFC capabilities, you can simply tap your device on the store's NFC reader and pay instantly without hassle. Overall: B PayzaOverview: Formerly known as AlertPay, Payza has grown into something of a force over the past decade. It's a great PayPal alternative for both personal users (transfer money, purchase items) and business users (process payments, send invoices). And if you need an international solution, Payza is global with offices all around the world. What's Good: Payza is supported in over 190 countries and over 20 different currencies. Money transfers can be performed through wire transfers, bank transfers, money orders, or credit cards. Payza money can be withdrawn through wire transfers, bank transfers, physical checks, or prepaid Payza cards. Payza has a simple fee structure that you should be aware of before committing to the service. Overall: B- ConclusionSo for quick reference, here are the most viable alternatives to PayPal that I've found in order of rating:
All of these services are great and they're all used by many people, which means that none of these are horrible choices when it comes to finding an alternative to PayPal. However, it ought to be reiterated that there really isn't a perfect PayPal alternative; no matter which one you choose, you'll always be missing out on something. Have you switched away from PayPal? If so, what are you using now? Are there any other services that could work as a PayPal alternative? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments. The post Why You Don't Have To Use PayPal For Online Transactions: 5 PayPal Alternatives appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amazing Windows 8 Themes You Need To See Posted: 19 Apr 2013 02:00 PM PDT
Many of these themes also include custom desktop backgrounds and icons that you can use if you like them. They don’t just change your desktop’s colors — they change the look of the window buttons, the appearance of interface elements like buttons, menus, checkboxes, and much more. How to Install and Use Desktop ThemesLike previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 doesn’t support third-party desktop themes out of the box. You’ll need to patch some system files. This isn’t is scary as it sounds — all you need to do is download and run UltraUXThemePatcher. You’ll be prompted to reboot your computer after running the installer. You can now download and install third-party themes, which have the .theme file extension. To install them, place them in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes directory on your computer. They’ll appear in the standard theme window — right-click the desktop and select Personalize to view your installed themes and switch between them. They’ll appear in the Installed Themes section. You can also double-click a theme’s .theme file to apply it once it’s installed.
Note that many of the themes below also include icons, which must be installed separately. Some themes include other system modifications, such as Ribbon Disabler, which disables the new ribbon in the File Explorer. Such themes will look ugly if you don’t disable the ribbon, as they don’t change its appearance at all. Read the theme’s readme file or download page for further instructions on setting up each specific theme. Some themes also include custom Start button images, which can be used by Start8 and other Start menu replacements for Windows 8. BaseBase uses a dark taskbar and window borders along with light main area, drawing attention to the content of your windows. It also includes a variety of high-quality background images for your desktop wallpaper, which rotate automatically by default.
SimplexSimplex offers a simple, light theme with minimal window buttons. It requires a third-party tool that makes its window borders transparent, offering transparencies that aren’t possible on Windows 8 without such third-party hacks.
Royale 8Royale was a Microsoft-created theme for Windows XP. If you miss that Windows XP look, you may want to try Royale 8, a port of this Microsoft-designed theme to Windows 8. It’s not as easy to create themes that mimic Windows 7 or Windows Vista because Microsoft removed the code that allows for Aero-style transparency.
PlatinumMany theme-creators create themes that mimic other operating systems, bringing foreign looks to the Windows desktop. Platinum is a pack of themes inspired by Mac OS X. If you prefer that Mac look but find yourself using Windows 8 for some reason, give one of these themes a try. It also offers OS X-style icons, which you can choose to install.
Work for Windows 8Work for Windows 8 is another theme with dark window borders. Unlike Base, it uses more gray colors and gradients, reducing the contrast between the borders and content. It ships with a flat-color background, emphasizing that the Work theme is for getting down to work.
WhiteDiorWhiteDior is one of the more popular themes available. It’s very high-contrast, offering almost solid-white window themes paired with a black taskbar and a black line at the bottom of each window. The minimize and maximize buttons are invisible until you mouse-over them, which demonstrates just how aggressively minimalist this theme is.
areao4.8areao4.8 has a slate-colored taskbar and titlebar along with bright blue window buttons. It uses a gray background with bright blue elements for its content areas, and even bundles a set of included icons that fit the theme. Like Base, it includes rotating wallpaper images.
GlowThe Glow theme offers a brighter theme with more use of white and gray gradients, contrasting with many of the darker themes available for Windows 8.
Dark8Some people just like dark themes. If you’re one of them, give Dark8 a try. It’s different from the other dark themes above because it goes full-on dark, replacing even the typically-white content areas with dark backgrounds and gray text. It’s definitely not for everyone, but some people will love it.
Finding More Desktop ThemesYou can find many more desktop themes for Windows 8 in deviantART’s Windows 8 Utilities section. This section also includes a wide variety of other user-created customizations for Windows 8. Windows 8 and previous versions of Windows can also use customized mouse cursors if you feel like tweaking your Windows 8 desktop even more. Have you found any other awesome desktop themes for Windows 8? Leave a comment and share them! The post Amazing Windows 8 Themes You Need To See appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apps And Smartphone Equipment To Take With You Into The Zombie Apocalypse Posted: 19 Apr 2013 12:00 PM PDT
Smartphones will not suddenly become useless slabs of plastic and glass after the era of the undead arrives—its utility as a supreme information resource will, ironically, provide the most important weapon in your arsenal against the damned. However, keeping your smartphone running while all hell literally breaks loose can challenge even the savviest of technicians. This article explains how to keep your smartphone packed with the information and apps that that will save you when the zombie apocalypse comes screaming through your streets. Top Four Myths of the Zombie Apocalypse
The EquipmentYour equipment should protect your gear, be lightweight and minimal.
In short, keep your kit as lightweight as possible. Also remember to keep sensitive electronics in water resistant packaging. I’ve heard that unlubricated condoms make excellent water-proof containers. In my experience, though, if you’re expecting only rain, using a lined, rugged backpack combined with double-bagging your electronics provides an effective solution. The ApplicationsOsmAnd: MakeUseOf user, Jeh, turned me onto OsmAnd earlier this year—it’s easily the best offline map program I’ve used to date. In particular, OsmAnd’s ability to access detailed offline maps, while also giving navigation directions, puts it nearly on par with Google Maps—however, purely as an offline map, it’s better than Google Maps in that it packs in a greater selection of useful features. I highly recommend checking OsmAnd’s settings and installing “voice data“, which will enable voice guidance.
For additional information regarding offline navigation, check out my article covering several alternative offline maps. For the iPhone, there’s Stay, which offers both travel guides and offline maps. For those of you with tablets, you may want to check out my article on going offline with your tablet. EZPDF Reader: A good PDF reader will give you the most utility, considering that it will allow you to access a huge volume of data. Having a good PDF reader can make the difference between knowing first-aid and not knowing it. Soldiers throughout history have relied upon field training manuals. There’s no reason you shouldn’t either. For more information on PDF readers available on Android, check out this discussion in the Answers section. Wi-Fi Talkie (lite version): This app doesn’t require an internet connection or cellular towers to communicate with others. This app, if installed on at least two phones, can facilitate both voice and text chat using ad-hoc mode. Simply install the app on both the dialing and receiving phones to get started. Here’s the iOS version.
The app, however, possesses some limitations—first, it won’t dial friends who roamed outside of Wi-Fi range. Second, Wi-Fi inherently drains more than your phone’s other wireless data transfer features, although pound-per-pound it’s a more efficient data transfer medium. They simply must be connected to your local Wi-Fi network—however, the app can operate as a wireless hot-spot, which your friends would connect to. Serval Mesh: The Serval Project aims to provide an uninterruptable communication technology operating independent of any central infrastructure. In the event of a sudden collapse, the Serval Mesh app, once finished, will provide essentially a Wi-Fi walkie-talkie, an offline map, a chat client and a file transfer service.
Scanner Radio: This app allows you to scan police broadcasts. It won’t provide much use after civilization collapses, but it may give you an early warning on the impending disaster. First Aid – American Red Cross: The ARC’s first aid app offers a wide array of life-saving tips. Additionally, it’s totally offline, lightweight and functional. Army Survival Guide FM3-05.70: This guide comes packed with important survival information, ranging from exposure to the elements to methods of finding edible food. Its most salient features include a search tool, index and total offline access.
It’s also a remarkably lightweight app. The guide does not start on boot and doesn’t run your battery down by accessing network resources—a necessity when power becomes a precious commodity. The eBooksBelieve it or not, you can download a huge number of survival books, for free. While these texts were not written specifically to defend against legions of cannibals, much of the information contained within may save your life, regardless of the kind of disaster. For example, the Ship Captain’s Medical Guide provides information on applying first aid to the injured. The guide covers over a dozen subjects pertinent to injury, treatment and other disaster related situations. Another awesome PDF for handling emergencies is the UNHCR’s Handbook for Emergencies. It covers the essential subjects that refugees need to know in a major diaspora-causing disaster, such as a plague of flesh-eating bacteria. Or perhaps a bacterium causing a plague of flesh-eaters? Several other recommend reads:
ConclusionContrary to what film teaches us, cell phone technology provides the single best item in your possession for surviving the zombie apocalypse (or really any disaster). Keeping it stocked with the right apps, gear and data will make the difference between finding a meal or becoming a meal. Any additional suggestions for surviving the apocalypse? Let me know in the comments. Image Credits: Zombie via Shutterstock.com; Apocalypse via MorgueFile.com; Yellow Eyed Zombie via Shutterstock.com The post Apps And Smartphone Equipment To Take With You Into The Zombie Apocalypse appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Everything You Want To Know About The Oculus Rift Dev-Kit Posted: 19 Apr 2013 11:00 AM PDT
Still Waiting?Me too (3241 here!). Shipping is slow, but they are going out. To find out your position in the queue, head over to oculusVR.com/sales and enter the email address you ordered with. You’ll receive a link to check your status, but you’ll need to do this each time as there’s no way to create a password. For a rough idea of actual shipping status, check out this community-made spreadsheet and add your own information using this form.
Hardware RequirementsThe display output is 1280 x 800, but this is required at a minimum 60FPS with v-sync enabled; the consumer version will be even more demanding. Right now, you’ll need a high end graphics card to run most games – there isn’t much overhead added by the Rift itself, but running games in 3D simply requires a decent rig. If you’re curious about what’s actually inside, iFixit has already published a full teardown.
Wear Glasses? Don’t StressThe Oculus comes with a variety of lens cups – the standard A set are for those with 20/20 vision or are longsighted (since the Oculus is focussed at infinity). Set B and C are for those who need to correct near-sightedness, though at a set prescription they’re not going to work for everyone, especially for very strong prescriptions. In addition to that, you can wear glasses as is (assuming they’re not huge) – the screen itself can be moved forward or backward to accommodate.
If you are expecting to change the eye cups often, take heed of Reddit user evolvedant’s warning about always changing with the Oculus face plate up.
What Games Can You Play?There are a number of demos that come with the dev-kit, including the Tuscany environment made by the Rift team themselves, and Epic Citadel (no snow, sadly) from the Oculus UDK. In terms of compatible games, Team Fortress 2 is the launch title – start the game from the command line with -vr parameter. Inside the game you can use the console to rotate through a variety of control modes until you find something you’re comfortable with. This is the best gameplay overview I’ve found yet Hawken – a free to play mech shooter – has promised support and been prominently demoed at conferences. Many have said the experience of flying makes this the best Oculus experience yet, while the ability to look around the cockpit without actually turning the whole lumbering mech gives a clear competitive advantage. Given how easy it is to integrate Oculus support into Unreal games, expect a lot of Indie titles to include support – this Steam Greenlight collection of Oculus enabled games is already quite full! I’m particularly looking forward to The Gallery, which is currently seeking funds through Kickstarter. That’s about your lot for now (at the time of writing). Remember – the whole purpose of this kit is to get developers making the games – this is not a consumer version and you shouldn’t expect anything more than basic demos right now. Keyboard Sucks – How Else Can I Move Around?An Xbox controller is the cheapest way to get rid of that mouse and keyboard; but for the ultimate VR experience, you’ll want to buy a Razer Hydra. The Hydra consists of two Wii-like remotes for each hand, wired to a base station. It uses magnetic fields to detect the exact physical location of the remotes in relation to the spherical base, giving you accurate 3D manipulation. To celebrate the launch of the Oculus, the Hydra is currently on sale (50% off) until April 25th, bringing the price down to £55 of them UK pounds, or $100. Grab your coupon here. What might happen if you combine a Kinect with the Oculus? This. I need MOAR
Are you excited yet? You should be. The sci-fi dream of a VR future has finally begun, and I’m so glad I can be a part of it. There are but a few great revolutions that happen in every generation; I’ve been there for the start of home computing, and then the internet, and now this. Show your appreciation by sharing this post and spreading the word about the Oculus revolution! The post Everything You Want To Know About The Oculus Rift Dev-Kit appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How To Create A Graph From Raw Data Files In Any Office Product Posted: 19 Apr 2013 10:00 AM PDT
The technique to accomplish this involves installing the Office Web Components add-in. Furthermore, you just need to configure a few things inside of the Office application that you want to use to import the data, and you’re ready to start automating your reporting work. I’ve covered some of the elements that we’re going to use in this article in previous VBA articles here at MakeUseOf. A few of those included passing data between applications with the clipboard, exporting Outlook tasks to Excel, and sending Emails from an Excel script. What I’m going to show you is how to combine Office Web Components with text file scripting to create a seamless, automated stream of data from a flat text file on your computer into your Office product (in our case Excel). You can use this same technique – with a few small modifications – in Word, Outlook, or even PowerPoint. Any Office product (or any other product for that matter) that has a VBA back-end for developers, will allow you to use this technique. Importing and Charting Data From FilesBefore you can get starting using embedded charts and reading from data files, you’ll need to enable a few things first. In this example, I’m going to show you how to enable these features in Excel, but the process is nearly identical in every other Office product. First, before you can do any VBA development, you need to enable the developer tab in the toolbar (if you haven’t already). To do this, just go into the Options menu, click in “Customize Ribbon” and enable the “Developer” tab.
Back in Excle, you’ll now see “Developer” show up in the menus. Click on it and click on “Design Mode”. Then click on “View Code” to see the VBA editor.
Inside the editor is where you’ll need to enable the references that you’ll need for the code I’m going to give you to work. Make sure you’ve installed the Office Web Components add-in before you do this, otherwise the Microsoft Chart object won’t be available.
If you’ve installed Office Web Components, then the DLL file is called OWC11.dll, and it’s stored in c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web components\11\ Click the checkbox for the “Microsoft Office Web Components 11.0″ reference, and also don’t forget to select “Microsoft Scripting Runtime” as well, which will give you access to read or write from data files. Now that you’ve added the reference, it’s time to add the actual chart to your sheet. In Excel, you can add controls by clicking on “Insert” in the Developer menu, and clicking on the little tools icon in the corner under “ActiveX Controls”.
Scroll to “Microsoft Office Chart 11.0″ and click OK. We’re finally getting down to business. Here’s what the MS Web Component chart looks like embedded into a spreadsheet. It’ll look the same embedded into a Word document or anything else.
Dim fso As New FileSystemObject Dim fnum Dim MyFile As String Dim strDataLine As String Dim xVar() As Variant Dim yVar() As Variant Dim intNumOfLines As Integer MyFile = "c:\files\MyData.txt" fnum = FreeFile() Open MyFile For Input As #1 intNumOfLines = 0 Do While Not EOF(1) intNumOfLines = intNumOfLines + 1 Input #1, strDataLine Input #1, strDataLine Loop Close #1 ReDim xVar(intNumOfLines) ReDim yVar(intNumOfLines) Open MyFile For Input As #1 intNumOfLines = 0 Do While Not EOF(1) Input #1, xVar(intNumOfLines) Input #1, yVar(intNumOfLines) intNumOfLines = intNumOfLines + 1 Loop Close #1 This code basically runs through the data file twice – the first time to dimension the arrays so that they are the exact length needed to store the data, and then a second time to read the data into those arrays. If you don’t know what an array is – it’s a variable or a storage area that will contain a long list of values that you can access by using the order that the value was stored in array. The one loaded third would be (3), for example. Now that you have two of these arrays loaded with all of the values from your data file, you’re ready to load those values into the chart that you’ve already embedded. Here’s the code that does that. With Sheet1.MyChart .Clear .Refresh Set oChart = .Charts.Add oChart.HasTitle = True oChart.Title.Caption = "My Data Values" 'oChart.Interior.Color = "blue" oChart.PlotArea.Interior.Color = "white" Set oSeries = oChart.SeriesCollection.Add With oSeries .Caption = "My Data Values" .SetData chDimCategories, chDataLiteral, xVar .SetData chDimValues, chDataLiteral, yVar .Line.Color = "blue" .Line.DashStyle = chLineDash .Line.Weight = 2 .Type = chChartTypeLine End With oChart.HasLegend = True oChart.Legend.Position = chLegendPositionBottom End With It’s the “Sheet1.MyChart” that connects the code to the actual chart you’ve embedded. It’s based on what you named it. This will be the case when you embed it in Word, Powerpoint, or any other Office product. You won’t be referring it using “Sheet1″, but instead whatever element holds the Chart in that case, such as “document1″ in Word for example. The code above then sets up the labeling and coloring of the graph, and then loads the values using the “.setdata” method for both x and y values of the 2 dimensional dataset. Once the above code is done running, the following graph will appear. This data is straight out of the text file. The only drawback here is that the data files would need to be two dimensional only if you want to use the code above. You could add more values to the data set, but you’d need to modify the code above to read in the third value each time through the loop, and then duplicate the “SeriesCollection.Add” section to create another series and then add it to the chart in the same way. It may seem complex just reading the code above, but once you’ve done one of these, it’s a piece of cake to modify it for whatever your needs are. You could use the same chart and similar code to create a bar chart, a scatter chart, or any other chart type you want using this same object. It’s versatile and flexible – and it’s a powerful tool in your arsenal if you’ve a fellow fan of automation for greater productivity. Play around with the code above and see if you can auto-load data into your applications. What creative uses can you think up for this type of automation? Share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below! The post How To Create A Graph From Raw Data Files In Any Office Product appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Gadgets And Games Of Kickstarter – 15th April 2013 Edition Posted: 19 Apr 2013 09:30 AM PDT
Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation? It's impossible to know before the money starts flooding in – or doesn't So pop some popcorn and grab your mouse. We've got some Kickstarters to watch. The Up-And-ComersCamelot UnchainedI'm sure that some jaws hit the floor when this project was announced. It's a new MMO concept under development by City State Entertainment, a new studio co-founded by MMO legend Mark Jacobs. He was heavily involved with the popular PvP game Dark Age Of Camelot before moving on to the unsuccessful Warhammer Online. Now he's ready to give the genre another go with an ambitious project that asks for a whopping two million dollars. And you know what? After a week, Camelot Unchained is over halfway there. Flowstorm
Flowstorm is a racing game with a unique twist. Instead of putting you in a car on a track, the game focuses on spaceships and tightly knit courses that aren't linear. Your goal, as a player, is to navigate these courses as quickly as possible while also avoiding traps and hazards. The game aims to offer longevity through challenge (much like Super Meat Boy and VVVVVV) and will include multiple goals to spice up gameplay. For example, once you're happy with your speed-run, you can go back and try to complete the level using as little fuel as possible. Flowstorm has a modest $50,000 goal and about three weeks left to meet it. Skydog
Over the last month and a half we've been following Guardian, a router project that is still on our contender's list. The problem with that project is its $358,000 goal, so someone has come along with a similar project that asks only $75,000. Skydog, like Guardian, aims to craft a router that pairs with an intuitive mobile app that can change network status, block specific websites or track usage. The lower goal seems to have earned Skydog some love, as it's already matched the funding received by Guardian despite the fact it's been live for just a couple days. The ContendersDuo
This is a real nail-biter. Duo, a project which aims to craft a high-performance 3D camera which is affordable and accessible to do-it-yourself types, currently sits at just over $50,000 of its $110,000 goal. There's just less than two weeks to go, so the project has just less than half of its funding now that it's halfway through. If you're interested in the idea, go pledge – your money could make or break the project! Guardian
The long, slow saga of Guardian is almost at an end. The project hopes to create a revolutionary Wi-Fi router which can be easily controlled from a smartphone app. But its creators stumbled by asking for an incredible $358,000 and giving the project a two-month timespan. Currently, funding sits at under $50,000 with less than 10 days to go. Picsu
Picsu is a power supply that inserts into a PC's optical drive bay. It doesn’t supply power to the PC, but instead supplies power from it – which can then be used for low-power hobbyist and enthusiast electronics. Combined with custom software to manage the power supply, Picsu looks like a decent tool, but perhaps a niche one, as the project has managed only $1,200 of its absurdly small $5,200 goal. The LosersFOPYDO
This project was an attempt to create a portable scanner that takes advantage of your smartphone. Just set it up, place your phone into the stand, and scan away! The project died at less than $5,000 of its $50,000 goal, however, so it appears FOPYDO failed to inspire. MakeUseOf reader Garris Rugo pointed out that a similar project, Scandy, was successful late last year – which probably robbed FOPYDO of its thunder. Prizm
What was that noise? Ah, it was just the sound of Prizm landing well short of its $200,000 goal. This project hoped to create a convenient home automation hub that would work with multiple devices and could be controlled by touch, smartphone or tablet. This idea has been tried by several projects over Kickstarter's history, and most have met a brick wall. Activity on the Kickstarter's comment section indicates Prizm will go forward at a smaller scale. Sandboxr
I'm personally sad that this project didn't make its goal because I pledged to it. The idea strikes a chord with the table-top gamer in me. Unfortunately, the project – which was launched to help Sandboxr afford a new industrial-grade 3D printer – reached only $23,082 of its $125,000 goal. The start-up plans to continue, but its full launch will be delayed in the search for more traditional funding. The WinnerSmushbox
Smush wins! This affordable SMS automation box for small businesses already had half of its goal when we first reported on it and now, with a week left, the project is $7,000 above its $20,000 target. Backers who pledge $225 or more will get early access to Smushbox. That's great if you're a small business – you'll be able to send automated SMS notifications, such as receipts and confirmation messages, like those usually received only from a major corporation. The post The Gadgets And Games Of Kickstarter – 15th April 2013 Edition appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twitter Launches #music, A Music-Discovery Platform With Spotify & Rdio Integration [Updates] Posted: 19 Apr 2013 08:30 AM PDT
The release comes as little surprise following speculation and leaks about the discovery platform that have seeped out over the last month. The service is already live on the Web for users in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, who can access #music by pointing their browser to music.twitter.com or by downloading the free Twitter #music iPhone app from the App Store.
Just like Vine, #music uses existing Twitter accounts so there’s no lengthy registration process. Once authorized, #music looks for artists you are already following which appear in the Me section, while recommendations based on these tastes appear under Suggested. Two other tabs, Popular and Emerging, list currently trending artists as well as “hidden” talent currently being Tweeted about.
I tested the app with Spotify and once paired with the iPhone app, it is able to play music completely within the app. The browser version, however, still requires the Spotify desktop player to be open on your local machine as there is not yet a Web version. The grid-based layout is sharp and quite pleasing visually, and previews load virtually instantly. Twitter has announced plans to introduce the service to more countries “over time”, and also plans to launch an Android app. Look out for a detailed look at the new service here on MakeUseOf very soon. View/Download: Twitter #music / Twitter #music for iPhone Have you tried Twitter #music? What did you think? Source: Twitter Blog The post Twitter Launches #music, A Music-Discovery Platform With Spotify & Rdio Integration [Updates] appeared first on MakeUseOf. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Online shopping and online purchases have grown into something so important in many of our lives that it's strange, at least for me, to think of a world where it doesn't exist. PayPal is one service that really pioneered that world, especially in terms of purchasing without needing a credit card, debit card, or gift card. But are there any viable alternatives if you don't like PayPal?
Windows has always had an active community of enthusiasts who customize everything about it, including its desktop theme. Although Microsoft tries to prevent this, Windows 8′s desktop can be 
Technology failing to work remains the most ridiculous genre trope of the zombie apocalypse. We’ve seen many disgusted protagonists sneeringly discard ominously “dead” phones: That’s because people in movies do not know much about technology.
The future is here – the Oculus Rift has finally begun shipping. It’s early days yet, but if you’re one of the lucky few who backed or pre-ordered the dev kit, here’s a collection of resources, videos, and information on everything we know about the Oculus so far. The excitement is unbearable though, so apologies in advance if you just can’t wait after reading this.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability to just open up an Excel spreadsheet or a Word document, and without having to do anything at all, data gets read directly out of a text or CSV data file and loads directly into a chart embedded onto your spreadsheet or Word document? This is a form of automation using Office products, because if it’s possible to automate the charting of data in Office, just think of the possibilities. You can automatically load data into a chart for a report that you’re putting together for your boss – no data entry required. Or you could load data into a chart directly into an email in Outlook.
Perhaps you haven't heard, but there is this nifty website called 
Twitter has released a new service called #music which uses tweets and artists’ Twitter accounts to help users discover more artists that match their tastes. The service uses iTunes to deliver short previews of each song along with a link to purchase, and you can also connect your Spotify or Rdio accounts to listen to full tracks that way instead.
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