Friday, March 2, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Use Android?
6:56 PM
Unknown
Google's Android mobile platform is clearly a lot more open and free than Apple's competing iOS is, but proprietary drivers and data-collecting apps still pose a significant threat to users' freedom.
That's according to the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), which on Tuesday launched a new campaign urging users to take steps to liberate their Android devices.
"Users deserve to have full control over their mobile devices," explained Torsten Grote, FSFE member and initiator of the campaign, in the group's announcement of its new “Free Your Android” campaign. "If your phone runs Free Software, you're in charge. If it runs proprietary software, you're handing control of your digital life to manufacturers and app developers."
'A Threat to Democracy'
Many mobile apps spy on their users without their knowledge, the FSFE points out, citing the Carrier IQ scandal from late last year as an example.
Meanwhile, “convenient solutions for synchronization and data backup trick more and more people into storing all their data on centralized servers run by some profit driven corporation,” the group notes. “Whoever has personal information about us is able to manipulate us. Therefore non-free devices are a threat to democracy and to our society.”
As for the devices themselves, they may be completely locked down or they may prevent users from uninstalling certain apps. Software updates are often available only as long as the manufacturer still has a commercial interest in your device, the FSFE points out.
Three Steps for Freedom
With the help of German privacy organization FoeBuD, the new Free Your Android campaign aims to help users regain control of their Android devices and their data. Toward that end, it offers suggestions in three key areas:
1. The Operating System
In addition to proprietary components and add-ons, some phones also have a locked boot loader that prevents you from booting and installing other operating systems. So, if you're in the market for an Android phone, the FSFE urges you to make sure that the boot loader can be unlocked, and it points to a page on the CyanogenMod wiki that provides a wealth of information on that topic.
The FSFE also recommends Replicant OS, an Android distribution that it says is fully free.
Not many phones can run Replicant, however; for those that can't, the FSFE recommends CyanogenMod instead.
2. The Apps
Because the Android Market doesn't generally indicate whether an app is free software or not--and because it requires a Google account--the FSFE recommends avoiding it. As an alternative, the group suggests using F-Droid, a repository of easily installable free software for Android. An Android client app makes it easy to browse free software applications on F-Droid, as well as to install them and keep track of updates. Also included when available is information about how to donate money to apps' authors.
3. Synchronization
Last but not least, the FSFE recommends several free software alternatives to the services typically used for synchronizing contacts, calendars, and other data with other devices. Among them are ACal, kolab-android, and SSH Daemon dropbear.
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Windows 8
6:49 PM
Unknown
What is Windows 8 Consumer Preview?
Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a prerelease version of Windows 8 that focuses on people and apps and gives you powerful new ways to use social technologies to connect with the people who are important to you. As they day windows 8 is windows reimagined. Windows 8 Consumer Preview is built on the foundation of Windows 7.Windows 8 Install Requirements ?
Windows 8 requires 1 Gigahertz processor, minimum 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of hard disk space. The minimum RAM requirements are 2 GB in case you would like to install the 64-bit version of Windows 8. If your computer does not specify the criteria then you will a error message like the one shown in the image below.New Features In Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Since the launch of windows 8 developer preview, there are many new features that have now added to the consumer preview and they are as follows. Windows 8 Consumer Preview event in Barcelona recently that was attended by partners from Europe and around the world, the company shared some key new updates in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview:Broad range of product changes and improvements. Since the Developer Preview in September, designed to preview the programming platform, Windows 8 has progressed across every dimension. From completing the user experience for touch, keyboard and mouse to refining the development platform, the Consumer Preview improves performance, quality and reliability across all subsystems. With the added features, it represents a more complete view of the capabilities of Windows 8.
Windows Store with new apps. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview marks the beta opening of the Windows Store, which is filled with a variety of new Metro style apps from both third-party developers and Microsoft. During the Consumer Preview, these apps are available to try and experience at no cost to users. The Windows Store will offer personalized recommendations, and Windows 8 gives users the ability to take their apps and settings with them across multiple PCs, making it easy to discover and try new apps while offering developers the greatest opportunity of any platform.
Connecting to the cloud across Windows-based PCs and Windows Phone 7. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview offers seamless integration with the content people care about across their Web services. An optional additional sign-on with a Microsoft account provides access to a host of features, including the ability to roam all settings, use cloud storage, communicate with email, calendar and contacts, and connect to a broad range of services. Your connection to the cloud works across your Windows-based PCs and your Windows 7 phones.
Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5. The best way to experience the Web on Windows is with Internet Explorer 10. The browser has been re-imagined to create a new experience designed specifically for Windows 8devices. It provides an edge-to-edge user interface that is all about less browser and more Web. Fast and fluid, Internet Explorer is hardware-accelerated to enable Web performance.
Can I Upgrade From Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 Developer Preview To Windows 8 Developer Preview?
Yes, is the answer to all the questions above, but please see the information below on what you can keep while you do the upgrade from old windows os version to windows 8 consumer preview version.
From Where To Download Windows 8?
In order to download windows 8 consumer preview, go to this page and for the product keys head to this page. When you download the windows 8 from the link we just mentioned you will download small 5 MB windows 8 setup assistant which will again check your computer hardware requirement and will tell you which of your currently installed apps are compatible and which ones are not as shown in the image below.
Will Your Existing Software’s Installed Work In Windows 8?
In order to find out whether your existing software which are currently installed on your computer work in windows 8, check out this page and search for the software which you trying to compatible with windows 8 as shown in the image below.
or another way as we already mentioned that you can download the windows 8 consumer preview setup utility from here and run it generate the software which may not work in windows 8 as shown in the image below.
How To Get Windows 8 Consumer Preview Product or License Keys?
Some keys you can try when you install windows 8 consumer preview areJGH7R-D6N3C-Y383J-FMJ8W-F3F98
or
NF32V-Q9P3W-7DR7Y-JGWRW-JFCK8
or
DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J
or refer to the keys mentioned in the image below for different language versions of windows 8 developer preview or simply go to this page to get the new keys for windows 8 consumer preview trail.
Can I Directly Download The ISO Image of Windows 8?
Yes, you can microsoft has now allowed to download the ISO image directly from their servers for those who need without the regular hassle of windows 8 consumer setup utility. Go to this page to download the ISO file.Size Of Windows 8 Setup?
Windows 8 is of different size when it comes to 32 bit or 64 bit version, see the table below to know the size.
