Here we have a sneak peak at what Google is working on – a “working” version of Google Chromium OS. (Download Google Chromium OS) The file size (300MB compressed / 700MB uncompressed) can be set up on your computer using VMware or Virtualbox, or can be sent to your thumb drive to be setup and taken around with you to show your friends. The file was provided by GDGT.com. I’m not sure if I’m officially supposed to use this on my website, but I figure I get like 2 hits a day, so what the heck. Also, here are some tips from GDGT:
Helpful tips, if you download it:
To use the vmdk file, open VMware and create a new virtual machine. One of the options will be to use an “existing virtual disk.” (In VMware Fusion, this is the last option below, “use operating system disk” and “use OS disc image file.”)
Make sure your VM is set to use bridged networking, rather than NAT.
The username and password to login to Chrome OS / Chromium OS is your google account!
If you have ever brought a video onto your computer and noticed you can’t play it in Windows Media Player, check the filetype. If it is a .MKV filetype, there are a few options for playing these files. You can download a new media player such as VLC Media Player which is a good media player, and it’s free. The other alternative is to download a plugin/filter for Windows Media Player. The one that is recommended by me (if it matters) is CCCP (Combined Community Codec Pack). “Almost all you need to play .mkv (matroska video) and .mka (matroska audio) files under DirectShow players, such as Windows Mediaplayer, MPC, Zoomplayer and TCMP (see above). To see an updated list of what these packs contain, look at the ReadMe on the site.”
Ever hear of TeamViewer? Neither did I until a fellow programmer brought it to my attention. We work long distances away from each other and sometimes want to see what the other one is working on and teach each other new tricks; with TeamViewer, we are able to do this. TeamViewer is a screensharing and filesharing program that allows users to interact with one another. (Oh yeah, did I mention that TeamViewer is free?)
So what does this software have to do with web development? It’s quite simple really…how many times do you need to discuss layouts with clients and review revision after revision, sometimes trading, up to if not more then, 20 revised layout mock-ups. With TeamViewer, you can simply start a session, share your desktop, and have your client view the mock-up straight from your desktop. Not only can they see the mock-up, the two of you can discuss it over the programs voice-chat options (of course, you could use a telephone too…)
The options available while you’re in control work smoothly. You can maximize the pane that the other computer’s screen is visible in, as well as utilize several smart options from a drop-down toolbar in the center of the window. A big X lets you close the connection, while the Actions button lets you switch whose in control, disable remote input, and reboot remotely. The View menu hides options to adjust the screen resolution, the optimization toward speed or quality, and control multiple-monitor displays.
When you log in, you’re given an access code and a password. Sharing those allows your computer to be controlled by the level you set it to: remote support, presentation, file transfer, or VPN. The TeamViewer servers remember which computers you’ve connected to, so reconnecting to previously shared computers happens faster. TeamViewer also has a Web-based version, for remote connecting to home from public computer. Even the installation process is impressive. Users can toggle admin rights, can opt out of running at startup, and can opt into installing the TeamViewer VPN driver for more secure screensharing. Overall, TeamViewer makes screensharing and file-sharing as fluid and unobtrusive as it should be.
As you surely know by now, Microsoft shuttered Bing cashback at the end of July. They have already launched the new Bing Shopping which is completely free for merchants. Like Google Product Search, it is a must for every merchant to be listed on Bing Shopping. It’s free, so why not? Microsoft is currently allowing new merchants to [...] […]
Finding a reliable hosting company that fits your needs can be tough. As with any other platform, Magento has it quirks and needs to be set up on a decent server. Here are a few of the hosting providers I’ve dealt with and some basic info on their services and pricing. Nexcess: Nexcess, a Magento [...] […]
Any small business eCommerce retailer that has tried migrating from one platform to another, knows how complicated it can get to successfully migrate all your information to a new platform. Recently I tried moving a shopping cart from Zen Cart to Magento… with simple products it’s no big deal. You export. You modify in excel. [...] […]
The latest news coming from Microsoft is that Bing cashback will be retired at the end of the month. In a post titled “A Farewell To Bing Cashback” they say: As part of this “test-and-learn” mentality, we will be retiring the Bing cashback feature, which means that the last day you can earn cashback will [...] […]
When Facebook announced they were launching a “Like” button for the whole internet, you knew you had to get in on it. The Facebook Like button is part of Facebook’s new Open Graph Protocol which allows users to easily share content (including yours) from across the web. For the developers amongst us, you can get [...] […]
