Google – Features As Easter Eggs
Am I the only person who feels like Google drops features into their application like they’re easter eggs?
I recently clicked this arrow in Gmail, and discovered an incredible feature that I don’t think they informed users of (could be wrong).
As it turns out, that’s where they hid the advanced search options. Spoiler Alert – They’re great!
When was this added? I have no idea. It could have been there since the New Gmail Beta, and I missed it.
They do seem to add and change functionality on the fly. I’m cool with it, but I’d like to know that these features exist.
Perhaps Google can put a “something new” call-out on the page, or just draw attention to some of the more obscure features.
Do you know any of Google’s hidden features?
Gpanion > iGoogle (Updated)
I pretty much use Google services for everything these days. It’s tough to admit but it’s true. Their services work damn well, and it is so convenient to have everything in one place (and at this point I still trust them at least as much as any other web company).
With the exception of a few services, I pretty much spend all of my non-work Internet time using Google’s products (except for WordPress, because WordPress rules, and Blogger is only ok).
All of that being said, iGoogle weak; it’s ugly and clunky. That’s why I have switched to Gpanion, and I am really happy with it.
Basically it allows you to drag and drop whatever Google Products icons you want into a nicely designed, easy-to-use layout. Here’s what mine looks like:
If they would only let me add a few non-Google links like WordPress, Pandora, and Meetup, I would be all set.
Update
After contacting Gpanion about the possibility of adding non-Google links, they told me that they plan to have a paid version that will allow users to add other links, as well as other customizations.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t pay for that, but we shall see what else they come up with.
Arm the Iranians with Communication Technology
This is a weapon:
This is a weapon:
This is a weapon:
This is a weapon:
This is a weapon:
Oppressive governments always take two crucial steps to try and crush uprisings.
- Take away the peoples’ guns
- Disrupt the flow of ideas
Before the Internet, anti-government ideas were whispered from person to person, and documented in pamphlets. Today, they are emailed, blogged, and tweeted.
The Internet is a tool of revolution: economic revolution, technological revolution, communication revolution, and social revolution.
Governments know this. It’s why China tries to filter what its people view; why the US wants our web activity saved for two years; and why the Iranian Government has blocked Gmail, sent armed thugs to search homes, and seize satellite dishes as well as cell phones.
February 11th is the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, and anti-government protests are supposed to take place. The Iranian Government is scrambling to prevent them.
Today, my thoughts are with the protesters. Any people who seek to seize freedom from oppressors have my respect. I wish them luck, and hope that they are successful.
10,000 Private Email Accounts on Microsoft Services Compromised
10,000 email accounts on Microsoft services (@hotmail.com, @msn.com and @live.com) were compromised when someone posted the usernames & passwords to a forum. Most of the details don’t matter much, however you can find them on Neowin.
What does matter is if you have an @hotmail.com, @msn.com or @live.com email account, you should change your password immediately. On the outside chance that you are one of the 10,000 people who have compromised accounts, you should take precautions to make sure nothing bad happens with, or to your email.
While you’re at it, you might as well move on over to Gmail. You can learn a ton of fun tricks that Gmail offers at Gmail Ninja Training. Gmail also has “Mail Goggles” (which I wrote about a year ago in my third post… incidentally, it is one of my favorite posts).
Regardless of your email provider, always practice safe computing by protecting your passwords.
Gmail Phishing
Mark from JerseyStyle Photography contacted me this morning about an odd email he received from “Gmail.”
From: Google Email Team
To: Date: Sep 25
Subj: Warning: VX2G99AAJDear Account User,
This Email is from Gmail customer care and we are sending it to every Gmail accounts owner for safety. We are having congestion due to the anonymous registration of Gmail accounts so we are shutting down some Gmail accounts and your account was among those to be deleted. We are sending this email to you so that you can verify and let us know if you still want to use this account. If you are still interested please confirm your account by filling the space below.Your User name, password, date of birth and your country information would be needed to verify your account. Due to the congestion in all Gmail users and removal of all unused Gmail Accounts. Gmail would be shutting down all unused Accounts, you will have to confirm your E-mail by filling out your Login Information below after clicking the reply button or your account will be suspended within 24 hours for security reasons.*
User name: ………………………..*
Password: …………………………..*
Date of Birth: ……………………….*
Country Or Territory: ………………..
Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his or her account within Seven days of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently.
Thank you for using Gmail !
The Gmail TeamG MAI L BETA
This is absolutely fake. It’s a phishing attack designed to steal your password.
Here are the signs that it’s not real:
- Google won’t ask you for your password in an email. No legitimate company will. Ever. Don’t give your password to anyone via email.
- Even if it contained a link to a Google-looking site that asked for your password, I would be skeptical. There are some phishing sites that look very convincing.
- It’s poorly edited. Take the last line alone, “The Gmail TeamG MAI L BETA.” The spacing is all wrong. Google wouldn’t release that.
- It doesn’t make sense. Google has a ton of data storage capacity, they won’t be running out of space.
If you ever get an email like this and are unsure if it’s the real deal, send it my way and I will take a look for you.
Practice safe computing with a health skepticism while reading email.
Special Gchat Smilies
Melissa of My Digital Mind recently showed me the special, hidden Gchat smilies.
I’m especially fond of the “poo,” and the “more cowbell” ones.
"I've got a fever..."
Google Calendar Gets a Green Erlenmeyer Flask
I always thought Erlenmeyer Flasks were cool.
Especially when they are on the top right corner of a Google web app.
That little green flask links to Google Labs. Labs are add-ons for Google applications. Some Labs are fun, while others are practical.
Until yesterday Labs were only a part of Gmail, now they are also part of Google Calendar.
They allow you to customize the program to better meet your individual needs. There aren’t many Labs for Calendar yet, and most of them are more for enterprise users, but there will be more in the future.
If you use Google Calendar, go try the new Labs out. If you haven’t used Google Calendar, go check it out… mine keeps my busy life in order. It always knows where I need to be, even when I can’t remember.
