RSS keeps users up-to-date by collecting the most recent content from the subscribed sites. It is a big time-saver because the user does not have to visit that particular site each time. It also ensures the user’s privacy because subscription to the site’s newsletter would not be necessary.

A feed reader is a software that gets RSS feeds from sites and generates a display for easy reading. Popular RSS readers include FeedReader, NewsGator, My Yahoo, Google Reader, Bloglines and Amphetadesk.

More information on RSS at WhatIsRSS.

Image source: FTPB

NEW YORK—In a year that saw the release of such best-selling products as the Motorola RAZR 2 V8 and the wildly popular Casio XD-SW4800 handheld dictionary, no personal electronics product launch was more highly anticipated than the November 13 debut of the second-generation Microsoft Zune mp3 player.

The sleek new Zune, whose record-breaking sales have made the Zune name synonymous with “mp3 player,” was so sought-after that thousands formed long lines outside hip, minimalist Microsoft Stores across the country days before the device went on sale. In Midtown Manhattan, the hysteria reached such a fever pitch that some were willing to pay as much as $200 for a spot in line.

“How could you not want one?” said self-described “Microsoft fanatic” Maria Arkin, who, like many others scrambling to be among the first to get their hands on the new Zune, expressed disappointment upon learning that sales were limited to just two units per customer. “It’s amazing. There’s just nothing else like it on the market.”

Continue reading from: theonion.com

NAD Electronics, global leader in manufacturing audio/video components, will debut its Masters Series M4 Analog/Digital Tuner at CES 2008. Based on latest digital technology and featuring sophisticated style and ultimate build quality, the M4 Tuner delivers enhanced sound quality from the input broadcast.

Delivering interference free reception, the easy-to-use Tuner is designed keeping in mind FM, AM or XM broadcasts. In the 40-station preset memory, user can save selected channels either in front panel or through IR remote control. Transparent Audio Tuning technology selects the stations in given area. RDS capable, a two-line dot matrix displays information about channels, stations IDS, songs and artist.

Boasting a high selectivity and capture ratio, the Tuner receives all stations on FM dial with clear reception. Low distortion output is achieved by Intermediate Frequency (IF). Improved Audio Frequency Response, frequency response correction for MPX Filter is the result of double-tuned FM detector. While the interstation tuning noise is eliminated with a Mute button, the noise from distant station is reduced by Blend function.

The M4 Analog/Digital Tuner consists of highly sensitive AM Tuner for AM broadcast. Innovatively designed and reasonably priced at $1299, the M4 Tuner features T/I Burr-Brown operational amps and TI/Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converters.

Source: cybertheater.com

Software giant Microsoft offered to acquire Yahoo in January of this year, only to be rejected in February, saying that Mr. Gates’ company underestimated their value. Now, the company is being more aggressive and set an April 26th deadline for Yahoo to accept its $41 billion proposal, with a warning that if Yahoo still would not budge, they would initiate a hostile takeover for a lower value.

Since Yahoo’s initial rejection of Microsoft’s offer, it began to consider deals with Google, MySpace and AOL, but has not come up with an alternative to Microsoft’s proposal. Microsoft, on the other hand, is determined to do anything to close the deal.

More details at CNN.com.

Image sources: Yahoo, Wikipedia.com

Avoid using dictionary-accepted words, names of persons, places or things and foreign-language words.
Avoid incorporating any personal information in your password (i.e. employee number or birthday).
Make sure your password is made up of at least six characters.
It is recommended to combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters in your password.
Create a unique password for each account that you have.
Do not let a soul know what your password is.

More tips at SecurityFocus.

Image source: VirtualTypingServices

Nigerian scam or 419 – you will receive an e-mail from supposedly one of your contacts who claims that he or she is stuck in Nigeria and is asking for a large amount of money to get out.

Fees for a loan or credit card – a loan or credit card company will ask for a fee upon sign-up.

Lottery scams – you will receive an e-mail telling you that you have won a large amount of money in a lottery and will ask for a fee before you can get your money.

More information on scams at About.com

Image source: Consumer World

Today, Apple’s iTunes has become a phenomenon. There is even a prediction, that it will be the top music retailer before the end of 2008. And this is all happening because of the internet advancement. Picture out what it can do more aside from music downloading.

Online colleges are easy to find. You simply need to go to your favorite search engine, type in the phrase and a whole slew of them will come up. But how can you tell from looking at the site whether it’s a good college or not? Online college degree programs that are of high quality all share five characteristics:

1. Accreditation. This is the most important thing to look for with any program online. You want your degree to actually count for something in the real world.
2. Different degrees. You want to find a school that offers Associates, Bachelors and higher education degrees. One size does not fit all.
3. Specific programs. You probably shouldn’t just get a general liberal arts degree online. Look for programs that give you specific skills in a career field that interests you.
4. Financial aid assistance. A good college helps you pay for your education. Many online programs fail to do this but a good one will help you out.
5. Resources. The Internet offers a sea of resources so there’s no reason that a college online shouldn’t link you to them.

Source: buzzautopilot.com

There was disruption to 70% of the nationwide network in Egypt, and India suffered up to 60% disruption.
UK firms such as British Airways have told the BBC that call centres have been affected by the outage.
Industry experts said it could take up to one week to repair the damaged cables and resume full service.
International telephone calls, which have also been affected, are being rerouted to work around the problem.

Repairs are currently being done as we speak. In the meantime, go out and experience real life for a change.

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