4 Things You Never Knew Your Mobile Phone Could Do

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

1. Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

Also in Australia , the Australian emergency number 000 can be dialled whilst your mobile phone keyboard is locked. This is another reason why 000 receives so many false emergency calls!

2. Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone.

Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Editors Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a mobile phone!"

3. Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time.

4. How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone!:

star-hash-zero-six-hash

* # 0 6 #

A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

Not only the above, but also in Australia your stolen phone is added to a "Stolen Mobile Phone" database, so if your phone is found later on it can be returned to you.

How to do a Vertical Search in Google easily?

Instead of searching for a term across all pages on the web, search within a specialized field. Google has a number of specific searches, allowing you to search within blogs, news, books, and much more.

Click on the relevant links below to do a Vertical Search using Google in the following areas:


Book Search
Blog Search
Catalogs
Code Search
Directory
Finance
Images
Local/Maps
News
Product Search
Scholar
Video

Few ways to make Google more useful

Browsing the Web Using Google Cache


Google Cache is a great solution if a web page is down. If you're visiting a site and it returns a "404 error message", you can try to do a search on Google for that site adding the cache: operator, e.g. cache:www.google.com.

Check Spelling Frequency with Google


This is a quick and easy way to check the relative frequency of spellings. Query for a particular spelling, making note of the number of results. Then click on Google's suggested spelling and note the number of results. It's surprising how close the counts are sometimes, indicating an oft-misspelled word or phrase.

Translate a Single Word


Translate a single word Google Translate has added a nifty new twist: dictionary translations. For instance, say you're looking for ways to say "drive" en Francais; you can plug it into Google Translate and figure out that there are different ways to use drive, depending on the context.

Phone Number Geolocator (USA & Canada only)

Google Maps mashup Phone Number Geolocator takes the first six digits of a phone number (the area code plus 3) and gives you a close approximation of that number's origin on a Google map. Google has been helping us locate area codes for a while now, but some area codes cover pretty large areas. The NPA-NXX Geolocator goes one step further and narrows the location down to a more specific and accurate estimation.

Now you can easily Configure Outlook 2007 to access Gmail using IMAP

If you'd like to access your Gmail Account from a mail client like Outlook 2007 and not from the gmail website then you have some news to cheerish on - Google has finally implemented IMAP support in Gmail! So you can now easily control the messages in your gmail account straight from your desktop.

For those of you who don't know what IMAP is all about - IMAP actually stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. It creates a permanent connection between your computer and the Mail Server (your Gmail account). The main advantage is that every time you delete a message using your client it is also automatically removed from the web server (Your Gmail account). The other cool thing is that you can use most of the Gmail features such as 'Report as spam' and even 'Star' special messages straight from Outlook (or other email client) with all the actions getting automatically applied on your account.

The list of Clients that Gmail's IMAP is compatible with are:
Outlook Express (on Windows)
Outlook 2003 (on Windows)
Outlook 2007 (on Windows)
Apple Mail
Windows Mail
Thunderbird 2.0

To check whether the IMAP function was already implemented into your account or not, login using your username and password, click on 'Settings' and go over to 'Forwarding and POP/IMAP'. In case the IMAP function is not already there for you, the tab is named only 'Forwarding and POP'.

To enable IMAP in your Gmail account:

1. Log in to your Gmail account.

2. Click Settings at the top of any Gmail page.

3. Click Forwarding and POP/IMAP.

4. Select Enable IMAP.

5. Click Save Changes.

What is the difference between Gmail.com and GoogleMail.com?

I have seen a few people with an e-mail address as Googlemail instead of Gmail - This made me curious. But when I tried to visit the website www.Googlemail.com, I was re-directed to www.Gmail.com . So what's the difference? Theoretically, the names differ, but practically they're the same. This discovery led me research further and this is what the explanation seems to be.


Googlemail is not different; it is the mail solution trademark for certain countries where the Gmail domain wasn't available. Let's have a quick test. Open you email account, other than the one provided by Google, let's say Yahoo. Login to yourID@yahoo.com and send a mail to your Gmail/Googlemail account but instead of your domain, write the other name (Gmail for Googlemail and vice versa). Check your Google account. The mail is here, isn't it? That's why I'm saying they are the same, so stop requesting a different domain.

As you know, Gmail is the mail solution provided by Google and released in 2004. Since the official launch of the product, it was till recently available only by invitation, no free registration being allowed. Starting with February 2007, the search giant decided to make it a public beta and made it available for free for all Internet users. Although it was only a private product, Gmail managed to gather a huge number of clients because every user was able to send no more than 100 invites to his friends.

When Gmail was released, Google described the service as the mail solution with the largest file storage size, offering approximately 1 GB. Then, it evolved and received a lot of new features and functions, all of them included in the freeware product available today. Now, Gmail is regarded as the most secure mail service because it is able to filter the spam messages sent from any address. Keep rocking Google!!

How to easily calculate Income tax slab for financial year 2007 - 2008 in India?

Below is all the information for you to easily calculate Income tax slab for financial year 2007-2008 assessment year 2008-2009 as per the Indian Income Tax Department publications.

Taxable income slab (Rs.) Rate (%)
1,10,000 (individuals other than women/senior citizens) NIL
1,45,000 (for women) NIL 1,85,000 (for senior citizens) NIL
1,10,001 - 1,50,000 10% 1,50,001 - 2,50,000 20%
2,50,001 upwards 30% 10,00,000 upwards 30%* *
A surcharge of 10% on income tax is levied where taxable income exceeds Rs. 1 million which makes it effective 33% including surcharge

For individuals resident woman {not being a senior citizen (who is of 65 years or more at anytime during the previous year)}

Net income range income tax rate
Upto 145000 nil
145000 to 150000 10% of (TI-145000) + 3% education cess
150000 to 250000 500+20% of (TI-150000) +3% education cess
250000 to 1000000 20500+30% of (TI- 250000) +3% education cess
above 1000000 245500+30%of (TI-1000000) +10% of income tax Surcharge + 3% of income tax and surcharge

For resident senior citizen (who is of 65 years or more at anytime during the previous year)
upto 195000 nil
195001 to 250000 20% of (TI-195000)+3% edu cess
250001 to 1000000 11000+30% of (TI- 250000)+3% edu cess
above 1000000 236000+30% of (TI- 1000000)+10% sc +3% edu cess For any other individual, every HUF/AOP/BOI/Artificial juridical person
upto 110000 nil
110000 to 150000 10%of (TI - 110000)+3% ec
150001 to 250000 4000+20% of (TI-150000)+3% ec
250001 to 1000000 24000+30% of(TI- 250000)+3%ec
above 1000000 249000+30% of (TI-1000000)+10% sc+3%ec*
ec Education Cess*
sc Surcharge*
TI Toal Income

Individuals-other than senior citizens and ladies

Up to 110000- No Tax
110001 to 150000-10%
150001to250000-20%
250001and above-30%

Ladies other than Senior Citizens
Up to 145000-No Tax
145001 to 150000-10%
150001to250000-20%
250001and above-30%

Senior Citizens
Up to 195000-No tax
195001to250000-20%
250001and above-30%
Investment u/s 80C eligible for deduction from income-Rs.100000

How to easily find Definitions at your fingertips using Google

Looking for specific definitions online has become much much more easy. Whenever you key in a definition, the top search result leads to wikipedia, and there should be an article posted on the query. But what if you need just a two to three line short definition of the word. Well, helps' at hand.Well, Google's glossary search was first launched as a lab project, and it restricts the index to glossaries and other resources such as WordNet and even Wikipedia. To use this option all you need to do is type "define:word," without the quotation marks and the term sought after instead of ‘word’.So if you want to know the definiton of Jason, just type in define:abhishek
Hope this info helps you to better use Google.

Show Command Prompt Window in Full Screen

Most of us will know how to open Command prompt Windowwhile on Window’s desktop screen. Click on start, click on run, type “cmd” and click on ok. Black command prompt window will come up on the screen. Even with Maximize button at the top of the window, Command Prompt window will at best cover half of the screen.
How to make it cover full screen? Well this is really easy. You can easily open Command prompt windows in full screen that will resemble as if you are working in DOS mode. So here goes steps to make it full screen:
Click on start, run and type “cmd”.
Click on ok and command prompt window will appear.
Now Press Alt & Enter keys at the same time.
Bingo! Command Prompt window will be full screen.
To get out of full screen, press Alt and Enter keys again. Alternatively you can also type “exit” at the command prompt for a swift exit. So when can we use this tip? Well, one can use this if monitor is way too small to see things clearly while working in command prompt.

Configure your computer to Turn OFF Automatically

Many times computer is sitting idle because one had to attend some phone call or person at the door. This degrades and reduces the ideal working duration of the computer. Also, this results in wastage of power (electricity). You can optimize energy consumption of your computer by using a power management utility.

Another way to optimize and save power is to configure computer to turn OFF automatically. This is possible with the help of a small utility called ‘AMP WinOFF’. This utility is designed to shut down Windows computers automatically, based on number of different configurations.

You can set computer to turn OFF at certain time like 12:00 or make it go OFF after few minutes or hours. This utility works with Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP and has following features:
Shut down the computer when the CPU becomes idle.
Option for hang up the modem instead of doing a shut down.
Option for set a password to protect the access to the configuration.
Option for capture the desktop and/or execute a program before the shut down.
Option for run the program when starting Windows session, for daily shut down.
Immediate shut down and computer lock from the traybar icon menu.
Option for show an alert window, which allow the cancellation of the shut down.

WinOFF Utility: Click here for more info & download

One very good utility to overcome laziness to shut down the computer. Besides saving power, you will also increase working life of your computer by turning it OFF when not required. One utility to serve lot of causes, what say?

5 Ways to Open docx Word Document Files

New Office & Word application from Microsoft has newer version of format called Docx, which replaces doc format as peviously used. Files with docx format does not open in older office application and only works fine with new version of Office.
Any way to open docx files without installing latest version of Office? Well, there are many way to do so. Following are few online and offline methods/workarounds to read the content of docx format files.
1. Open docx with Older version of Office -If you already have older version of Microsoft Office, then you only need to install compatibility pack over existing install. After this install you will able to read docx files in pre-existing Microsoft Office install - download Microsoft Compatibility Pack
2. Compatibility with Open Office -If you have Open Office installed on your computer, then you need to install Open XML Translator to able to read docx files - download Open XML Translator
3. No Software install, convert files to doc format online -I found this method best to able to read docx files without hassles of installing any software. There are number of online tools to convert docx format into doc.
docx converter
Zamzar
4. Solution for Office installed on Mac - For MS Office install on Macintosh system you need to install Microsoft Office Open XML File Format Converter for Mac - download Open XML File Format Converter
5. Desktop Widget -The Docx-converter Dashboard Widget allows you to convert files right from your Desktop. Simply drag the .docx file you want to convert into the drop area of the widget and the widget will automatically convert the file and save it to the location of the original file - download desktop widget
All the above methods work for docx extension word document files. My favorite is online conversion at Zamzar, it is fast and easy. Best part, you do not have to install any software.

10 Ways to Download Online Videos

You can save videos or remix them by clipping/appending them or share with friends. Here is the list of services you can use to download and save online videos:
1. YoutubeX:As the name suggests, using this you can download any youtube video. Videos will be saved in FLV format. To play them you need to download and install FLV player, very handy and easy to use video player. You can also convert FLV format file into other formats likes .MPEG using a FLV converter.
In case you want to download and save videos other than those of youtube, then you can use these services: Download MetaCafe Videos, Download Google Videos, Download IFilm Videos, Download MySpace Videos.
2. KeepVid:This online serrvice support number of video sites, huge list there. Also, it showcase top videos on its homepape. In case you do not have any video in mind, simply download those most watched videos and enjoy!
3. Clipnabber:Another easy to use service for downloading online videos. Simple enter the URL of the video that you want to download and then click on ‘Nab Video’. It downloads that videos and renames the file as whatever.flv
4. Vixy: This is a service with difference. Not only you can download the online videos, you can also select the format of the output video. In built converter let you select format of to be downloaded video among MOV, AVI etc.
5. Zamzar:It is one big online file converter service. Besides video file download and conversion you can also perform coversion for images, zip files, audio files, document files etc. Surely can serve to number of file conversion needs.
6. Videoronk:Site gives you list of top videos from Youtube, Metacafe, Dailymotion etc in a very clean format. You can watch those videos or download them.
7. VideoDownloader:This service provide two options. One you use it in traditional way of pasting the url of the video and then downloading it.
Other you can download and install Firefox addon. So, while playing video in Firefox browser hit the icon for the downloader and video will be saved. Simple, isn’t it?
8. DownThisVideo:: First this that you will notice on this website is tag cloud. Good way to find some interesting and cool videos. Besides it also have list of top videos and usual service of downloading videos by pasting the url of the video.
9. kcoolonline: This service supports about 98 videos sites for downloading of online videos. Layout is clean and simple and has the facility to paste the URL of the online video you want to download.
10. MediaConverter:: This service support file conversion and online video download. Seems better suited for Youtube videos. However, you need to create an account before using this service.
Hope above list will be useful in finding the just right service to download your favorite videos. In case you know any other service, please share with me here. In the meantime, enjoy the videos!

Control your Idle status in Gtalk using gAlwaysIdle

GOOGLE Talk does not provide built-in functionality to allow you to control your idle status. There are times when you want to use messenger and be online, but without letting others know about this. Seems like impossible in Google talk, now made possible by gAlwaysIdle.
As gAlwaysIdle states, “your status is your business so it only makes sense that you should be able to control it”. After installing this small application, you get more options in the menu (see pic) that appears on right click on Google Talk icon.
Always Idle, ‘always idle’ lets you appear away even when you are logged in and doing some work like typing e-mails and sending instant messages etc.
Never Idle, ‘never idle’ lets you appear to be at your computer even when you’re far away.
gAlwaysIdle: Website - Download - Support Forum
gAlwaysIdle is a download-able software program designed to augment the functionality in Google Talk. Specifically, it provides ‘always idle’ and ‘never idle’ features. It’s free to download and contains no spyware or adware, as the maker claims.

3 Steps to clear Temporary Files & speed up Windows

One should clear all temporary files, folders etc on regular basis for one simple reason ‘they are all temporary’. On practical aspect, removal of temporary stuff allow computer to start faster and improve its overall functioning speed.
If you are battling with slow system startup or frequent freezing then try out following steps. These steps should improve situation at hand. You can perform these steps even if your system is working fine. These are basic hygiene steps to keep computer running in good shape.
1. Prefetch – These are temporary files and should be removed on regular basis. Click on start, click on run. Then type prefetch and click on ok. Select all files by pressing [Ctrl & A keys] and then hit the delete key.
2. Delete system temporary files – Click on start, run. Type %temp% and click on ok. A window with number of files and folders will appear. Select all the files and then delete them. Please note – some files will not be deleted and you may get an error. This happens when you attempt to delete a file currently in use. So ignore those files.
3. Delete Internet Cookies & Files – Most of us are hooked to internet and are lazy enough to keep internet history files and cookies. Make sure you delete all that stuff on regular basis. To delete temporary stuff in Internet Explorer: right click on the IE icon and click on properties. Alternatively, when IE window is open, click on ‘Tools’ option at the top and then click on ‘Internet Options’.
This will bring Internet Properties window up, click on ‘Delete cookies’ button to delete all the cookies. Now click on ‘Delete Files’, check mark option ‘Delete all offline content’ and then click on ok. Lastly click on ‘delete history’ and then click on yes.
To delete delete temporary stuff in Firefox, open Firefox and then click on ‘tools’ option and then click on ‘Clear private data’. Check all the options and click on ‘clear private data now’ button.
Above steps will make you computer breathe easy and run faster. In case system is still slow then get ready for a big plan with sequential steps: run Anti-Virus/spyware scan, Reinstall windows, Upgrade/add more memory and list goes on…

5 Free Anti Spyware Software to protect your PC

There are number of premium software that provide protection from spyware for a price. However, there also exists some very good FREE options for the same. Here are 5 best free software for protecting your system from spywares.


1. Spybot Search & Destroy - One of the most popular Freeware for protection and remove of spywares. It detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat. Spybot S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don’t want them to see what you have been working on. Also works with Windows Vista operating system. [ website - download ]


2. Windows Defender -This Microsoft software is one of the fastest growing product. It is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. [ website - download ]
3. SpywareBlaster -Another free option for protection from spywares, adware, browser hijackers, and dialers. It also restrict the actions of potentially unwanted sites in Internet Explorer. [ website - download ]


4. Spyware Terminator - This software provides free and comprehensive protection from Spywares, adwares, browser hijackers etc. Spyware Terminator offers the ability to download and install updates automatically. [ website - download ]


5. Ad-Aware -Another popular free option for spyware protection for the system. It detects and removes Trojans, worms, spyware, and other malicious programs. Also, repairs damage left by malware. Also offer free software updates support. [ website - download ]


If you do not have any anti-spyware software installed on your system, make you install one today!

5 Free Anti Virus Software to Protect your PC

A virus can create havoc in your computer. One need to ensure that computer is protected from virus attacks. Besides having an anti-virus software, you need to ensure it is updated regularly to protect computer from new viruses.
There are premium paid options like Norton, Mcafee. However, in case you do not want to spend any money and get good level of protection from viruses then following are the software you need. Here goes the list:


1. AVG Anti Virus Free Edition - AVG Free is one of the free solution available at no cost to home users and provides good detection capability. Basic features include: Easy to use, low system resources, automatic update functionality, real-time protection as files are opened, virus Vault for the safe handling of infected files. / website / download


2. Avast Home Edition - Avast! 4 Home Edition is a full-featured antivirus package designed exclusively for home users and non-commercial use. Basic features include: antivirus kernel, automatic updates, simple User Interface, P2P and IM Shields Integrated, virus Cleaner, network Shield Support for 64-bit Windows, web Shield Internationalization etc. / website / download


3. PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition -With PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your PC and personal information. It automatically checks for frequent updates against the latest threats. / website / download


4. ClamWin -ClamWin is a Free Antivirus program for Microsoft Windows. ClamWin Free Antivirus comes with an easy installer and open source code. Basic features include: Scanning Scheduler, automatic downloads of regularly updated Virus Database, standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer, adding to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically etc. / website / download


5. Avira Anti Virus -Good option for your PC to protect from viruses. Personal edition comes free with features like protection against viruses, worms, Trojans, expensive dialers and phishing. It also detects and deletes rootkits. / website / download
Make sure you have an Anti-Virus software installed and updated on your computer to protect important data.

Convert and Download Videos from Youtube

Youtube does not need any introduction, once a while you are logged on to this site to watch and share you favorite videos.
There are many ways to download videos from Youtube site, but most involves downloading and installing some third party software.
Here is the simplest method to accomplish this task of downloading videos on Youtube. Log on to site : http://www.vixy.net/ and then type the URL of the video you want to download.
Make a quick selection of format type from drop down and then hit the start button. Service on this site allows you convert a Flash Video / FLV file (YouTube’s videos,etc) to MPEG4 (AVI/MOV/MP4/MP3/3GP) file online.So, now you know the easiest way to download, ever so watched and dear videos at Youtube!