Category: Internet

I’ve been finding so many cool and creative ways that you can geek out your space lately (crazy swimming pools, hidden garages, secret doorways and hidden pool tables) that I was inspired to keep digging to see what else I could find.

I love a big TV (who doesn’t?) but don’t love the amount of space it can take up. Not to mention, it doesn’t always look so hot to have it looming in plain sight (especially if it’s in the bedroom).  Here are some cool ways you can hide your TV.

This one is really well done–I especially like the blue lighting inside the cabinet. The lift also works very smoothly.

Here’s one that’s not as sleek as the first option, but you’ve got to give accolades for the hidden speakers on the sides. Love those…

Or if you REALLY want to completely hide the TV, this is the way! Of course, you’ll have to sacrifice any under-the-bed storage with this option:

Do you have an innovative way that you’ve hidden your TV? Would love to hear about it! In the meantime, stay tuned for more geeked out TV tricks to come……

For years Google has been the top search engine, gaining more and more market share every month. To challenge that Internet dynasty, Microsoft recently unleashed their latest search engine, Bing. Billing it as the next evolution of live search, Bing looks to challenge Google’s supremacy with new features and style. But Google will not be dethroned easily:

Round 1: Interface

In a world where search engines pages like Yahoo! came with a myriad of bars, apps and articles, Google broke onto the scene with a simple title and search bar, making the engine incredibly easy to use and sleek to look at. This interface hasn’t changed since Google was first launched in 1997. Bing emulated that look but added stylish, interactive images on its homepage.

The real difference comes after the search. Google keeps the single frame layout with search results down the left-side and alternate search suggestions at the bottom. Bing pus its search suggestions in another frame on the left hand side and adds a useful “recent searches” section to record the last several requests. The look is simple, sleek, and functional and can be seen as an improvement on Google. Round 1 goes to Bing.

Round 2: Google Search VS. Bing Search

While sleekness and style are important for any website, for search engines the proof is in the search. Google revolutionized search capabilities with a specific algorithm that expanded normal parameters. The developers have kept the exact algorithm a closely guarded secret for over a decade. If Bing wants to beat Google in the long run it is going to have to match Google’s intricate search capabilities.

In searching “hubble space telescope” on both sites the initial results look fairly similar. Both sites offer a few million hits but only let you access the first 1000. And both display similar top results including the Hubble home page and NASA. But upon further inspection, Bing seems to be missing a few key sites, like links to the ESA (European Space Agency), which is a partner with NASA on the Hubble project.

 

The European sites would be harder for a search engine to find, but also very valuable for any student or hobbyist doing research on the telescope. While Bing does give better results than most other search engines, it still can’t beat Google’s comprehensive results. Round 2 goes to Google.

Round 3: Google Images VS. Bing Images

One of the most helpful tools provided by search engines …

One does not need to be an experienced photographer or spend money on expensive photographs in order to add extra flair, style and panache to an existing website, article or blog. Finding high-quality images on the Internet is quick, simple and free. The 11 websites listed below offer a wide array of quality photographs, images, clip-art and pictures, at no cost.

11 Websites that Offer Free Photographs and Images

Fotogenika.net

• Free for personal, educational and non-profit projects
• Nicely organized by categories
• Cell phone wallpapers
• Slide show format available

PdPhoto.Org

• Stunningly beautiful photographs
• Thousands of free public domain photographs available, unless otherwise marked
• Website requests credit upon use
• Area for visitor comments

Mayang

• Over 3400 free high quality images
• Cite Mayang as source
• 20 image limit per day
• Includes texture library with hundreds of free, high-resolution textures
• Backgrounds, wallpapers and texture maps available

FreeLargePhotos.com

• Over 1700 free images available
• Individuals may use images for personal use if source is cited
• If images are used on a web site, link to to FreeLargePhotos
• Some photographs are available for sale

PublicDomainPictures.net

• Beautiful photographs
• Various symbols and illustrations available
• All photographs are free for personal and commercial use
• Numerous categories

Stock.XChng

• Over 300,000 free photographs
• Nicely organized
• Share photographs with others
• Registration is encouraged
• Use images on websites, presentations, broadcast film and video, cell phones, printed newspapers, books, brochures, flyers, CD/DVD covers, letterheard, business cards. etc.
• Read Terms of Use for further information on licensing and photo restrictions

Public-Domain-Photos.Com

• Over 5000 free photographs
• Free clip-art
• All photographs are public domain
• Images for any purpose, including commercial
• Numerous categories available

Cepolina

• 5800 free photographs available
• Free for private or commercial use
• Also available in many languages

Foto Dewan

• Small collection of photographs (500+)
• All photographs are free for personal or business use
• Free special occasion electronic greeting cards
• Nicely categorized

FreePhotos

• Over 3600 free photographs available
• Requires no link back or credit
• Watermark embedded on photographs until registration is complete

ArtFavor

• 700 JPEG photographs
• More than 200 free fonts
• Over 100 wave sounds
• Free flash images
• Free clip-art

Regarding licensing for photos, it is imperative to comply with the Terms of Use and licensing requirements on each specific website prior to downloading or use of an image. As various websites stipulate different licensing requirements, it is important the user understands and complies with those specific rules prior to usage.

The simple addition of an image or photograph to an existing website or article increases visual dimension …

Plagiarism, theft of website content and copyright infringement is a huge problem for bloggers, web writers and website content producers, most of whom rely on page views and website or blog traffic to earn money on the web.

When a blogger’s blog entry or freelancers or web writer’s article or other website content is copied and posted on another website, blog or forum, this results in fewer page views and less website or blog traffic. Unfortunately, it’s common for a web writer or blogger to have his/her work plagiarized and posted on another website, blog or forum without permission, compensation or authorization.

Fortunately, Google Alerts are a free and easy way to monitor for plagiarism and content theft on the internet.

What is a Google Alert? How Do Google Alerts Work?

A Google Alert is a tool available for free from Google. Internet users can set up a Google Alert for any word or phrase that interests them. Whenever new material is posted on the web, Google searches for the word or phrase. When the Google Alert phrase or word appears in new articles, blog entries, news items, or any other place on the web, this triggers a Google Alert notification, which is then sent out to the internet user.

Google Alerts can be set up in several different ways. Google users can opt to receive Google Alert notifications in real time, as the new material is discovered. There is also a daily and weekly option for Google Alert notifications, where the internet user receives an e-mail containing pertinent notifications once a day or once a week.

Google Alert notifications can also be monitored in real time using an RSS feed instead of e-mails. Select the RSS feed option and new Google Alert notifications will be sent to the Google user’s RSS Reader of choice.

How Can Web Writers and Bloggers Use Google Alerts to Monitor for Plagiarism?

Bloggers, freelancers and other writers on the web can use Google Alerts to look for plagiarism by setting up a Google Alert for their byline or name.

Bloggers and writers can begin by setting up a Google Alert for their name, which must be entered using quotations. Every time an article or blog entry with a byline is copied and posted onto another website, blog or forum, the writer will receive a Google Alert.

A Google Alert set up for the blogger’s or writer’s name is especially helpful in discovering cases of copyright …