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Konfabulator for Windows 1.8 released

It is definitely worth the wait. Be sure to visit the Widget Gallery to download the latest and greatest widgets. I tried DesktopX earlier but I didn't like it too much. Konfabulator feels more stable and it looks just great.

Download Konfabulator for Windows

 

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New Microsoft search goes "live"

MSNBC reports that Microsoft debued its new search technology today:

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. finally debuted its own Web search technology on Thursday, hoping to challenge Google Inc.’s long dominance of the field with results tailored to a user’s location and answers from its Encarta encyclopedia.
 
Google signaled that it is ready for a fight, announcing Wednesday that it would nearly double the amount of Web pages available to search through its site.

The Microsoft search engine, offered in 11 languages, will initially be available on a special “test” site. Gradually, some users visiting Microsoft’s MSN site may find that the existing search bar uses the new search engine, said Adam Sohn, a director with the company’s online division.

But a full rollout, perhaps with new features, isn’t expected until early next year

I guess the “special test site“ is beta.search.msn.com

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A real USB Thumb Drive

In all senses of the word! Someone molded a plastic thumb on a USB drive.

It went for $39.95 to the only bidder on eBay (link).

Via [Gizmodo]

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ImSmarter

IM Smarter is a neat idea. No software to install on the client; you just point your IM client to the IM Smarter proxy server and it takes care of everything. It proxies your messages to the people you're chatting with and saves the log on the server so you can access them later, no matter which client you used. It also adds a handy reminder feature. Just send  "remind me in 10 minutes to do something" or "bug me" and the proxy will set up a reminder:

Even if you sign off and sign on somewhere else, the system will let you know when it's time to remind you. If you're logged off at the time of the reminder (or not logged on through the proxy), the system will hold on to the message and show it to you when you next log on.
We like to call this system "microscheduling", since it's for things you'd never formally schedule or put on your calendar. Think of it like having hundreds of labelled eggtimers without having all the ticking driving you insane. :)

My problem: I already use a http proxy at work to connect to the internet so I can't use the IM Smarter proxy :-(

Via [BoingBoing]

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Cool tool: Daemon Tools

Daemon Tools for Windows is a great little utility. It allows you to load the majority of ISO images (.iso, .cue, .nrg, …) as a virtual CD/DVD on your PC.

Great for:

• DVD production. You can load the image file created by your video production software and view it in a DVD player on your computer without burning it first


• Software survival kit. Carrying around loads of CDs which I usually do not need, but it's an emergency when I do, is a pain. So I usually rip the CDs to .iso images and then burn them all on a DVD as files and load the iso with Daemon Tools when I need them. One DVD fits tons of .iso images as very few CDs are completely full.

 

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StarWars III trailer

The teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith  premieres worldwide in the early afternoon today  (US time). It will be available for high quality QuickTime to members of Hyperspace.

It will also screen in front of  The Incredibles movie starting Friday in US/Canada.

The rest of us will have to wait until Monday, November 8th when it will be posted on StarWars.com for all to enjoy. 

Cool Or What?

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USB card reader (16 in one) for 14.98

LIDL Italy sells the SilverCrest 16 in one USB 2.0 card reader for 14.98 euro

Technical info at the SilverCrest USB reader site.