Ashwin's Blog: Know all about Ashwin who is In gear with technology... Exploring the New Dimensions of Technology

This blog has moved to its own domain. Please visit Ashwin's Blog for the all-new Ashwin's Tech Blog and bookmark it. The new site has much more content and some new sections, and you can read about them here and here. You can subscribe to full RSS feeds of all the sections from here. This blogspot site will no longer be updated, except in case of emergencies, if the main site suffers a prolonged outage. Thanks - Ashwin.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Get Windows Vista Beta 2 shipped to your home for free

I have just successfully registered with Microsoft for my free copy of Windows Vista Beta 2 that will be shipped for free to my home.

Participate in the Microsoft Future Assured Quiz and get your copy of Windows Vista Beta 2 shipped to your home by Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/india/offers/vista/quiz.aspx

Just check the following answers:
1 - Vista
2 - Clarity
3 - November 2006
4 - True
5 - Aero
6 - All the above
7 - All the above
8 - 512 MB

Congratulations! You have got all the questions right. To have your gift couriered, please click on the button below and provide your details.

Logged in using my passport account

Submitted the shipping details

Final screen message:
Thank you for taking part in the Microsoft Future Assured Quiz.Your copy of Windows Vista Beta 2 CD will be dispatched shortly.

Now waiting for the courier...

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Convert your e-mail address into URL and stay protected from Spammers

What would you call an address like: http://tinymailto.com/ashwin

Thats a URL of a site on Tinymailto.com with a page named ashwin. Right?

Well... if you thought the same, you are wrong! It's actually my email address converted as a form of a URL.TinyMailto.com let you convert your e-mail address into an URL that is protected from spammers by a captcha test.

You can use a tinymailto URL to put it in public places, like web pages, forum/e-mail signatures, etc. If someone wants to get your e-mail address, the person must pass a Captcha test in order to view and use your e-mail address.This way, you can protect your e-mail address from spammers and web robots (web-bots).

A Captcha test is an image that can be interpreted only by a human.

You can retrieve the email address by visiting the user's page as mentioned.In order to get the e-mail, you must type the letters that appears in the verification image and then click on the "Get e-mail" button.

Above all, this service is for FREE ! So visit here and create one now and stay away from spammers.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Listen to Microsoft's TechNet PodCast's on the go

Microsoft has introduced a new Technet PodCast page under Microsoft Events. We can now currently download the audio of Microsoft webcasts and media content. We can currently access to .wma & .mp3 files of all their best Webcast series they have uploaded. The webcasts are categorized under: Microsoft SQL Server 2005, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Active Directory, Scripting. We can also register to access all podcasts via RSS Feeds for WMA or MP3 format.

We have to register for the Webcast to view online or download the WMV file for offline viewing as well as the PPT. Similarly for podcasts, no registration is required Simply click on the WMA or MP3 link and download !

So download and hear them on the go.

Microsoft PodCast Webpage

PodCast FAQ's

More on Microsoft Webcasts:

Microsoft Events and Webcasts Home Page

Webcast Calendar

Upcoming TechNet Webcasts
On-Demand TechNet Webcasts
Past Support Webcasts
Top 10 Webcasts
Best of TechNet Webcasts
In-Person Events
Live Meeting

Microsoft Support Webcasts

Find an Event or Webcast
Search for in-person worldwide events, live webcasts, and on-demand webcasts.

FAQ about Microsoft Webcasts

MSDN Shows and Webcasts

Monday, August 07, 2006

How To Crack 128-bit Wireless Networks In 60 Seconds

Using KisMAC via Shawn Hogan's Blog

Earn for providing consultancy services on your terms

Are you being approached by many people for consulting? Do you spend time discussing on negotiating fees for your consultancy services? Well, now let you talking do the selling via Ether.

Ether is a free service that allows you to earn money simply by giving advice, providing information or help, technical support etc...

Ether manages the scheduling, communication, financial transaction, billing and credit card payment between sellers and their customers. For this service, Ether charges 15% of the service fee, before transferring the earnings to service providers by direct deposit or by check.

Once you register, you get your free Ether toll free phone number which will redirect and forward the calls to your actual phone number, set the charging price for your service, schedule your available service time and you’re set to earn money when your phone rings.

Once you set up your Ether account, the customers can search for your services and you can promote your service by placing a Ether button on your website or blog. They can call for your service via Ether toll-free phone line plus seller’s unique extension, (888-MY-ETHER + a unique extension to each seller) or simply press the Call button on your website or blog. Both options will prompt the caller to enter in their credit card information (via IVR prompts or a website form) before connecting the call to both the client and the seller. Once your customer prepaid your rate, both parties will be connected.You can also set the time when you will accept the call.

Therefore follow these simple steps:
1. Register with Ether for free
2. Get a free Ether phone number
3. Set your consulting rate
5. Fix the time and day when you will be available for consultancy
6. Earn for talking and providing your expert consultancy services

Check more on Ether website and Ether Blog

Let your site / blog earn you 50% affiliate commission of profit

GoodStorm MeCommerce, a new contextual advertising network that use the ‘pay per action’ (CPA) business model. The webmasters and bloggers get paid when their visitors purchase merchandises such as books, DVDs, and CDs with lead from their websites or blogs. MeCommerce offers a very high 50% of the profits (half of its net profit = half of the profit after product cost price minus from product sales price) from the goods that you sold.

The whole purchase and sales retail transaction is done on your blog or website. By using JavaScript and iframe box, visitors and readers can purchase products such as books and CDs inside the serving box without leaving the website that they’re currently visit.

Also through MeCommerce we are able to use “tags” to select the products that will be displayed on the product serving text box block on the website. Unlike Google Adsense, the colors and sizes of the ads block can be adjusted to best match your site.

MeCommerce says their product serving block can be used on the same page with Google Adsense ads block and is flexibile. We can also use unique marketing techniques for advertising as it is displayed on the MeComerce website's sample blog - “Support my website! 50% of the proceeds on these products go to support this site.”

Currently they are on a beta stage and they will be sending us an email when we can try it out. Therefore keep yourself signed up for the service.

This is what it says: We are inviting a limited numbers of sites to our beta for the next few weeks in order to fine tune the experience. We are aiming for a wider beta audience at the end of August.

MeCommerce

Friday, August 04, 2006

Search your home on Wikimapia

You may have already discovered Google Earth.
Now, Collaboration through Wiki technology, Tagging and Google Maps. When together, what they mean? Well... here's the math: Wiki + Google Maps = WIKIMAPIA

What is Wikimapia all about?
Wikimapia is a new project created by Alexandre Koriakine and Evgeniy Saveliev aimed at "describing the whole planet earth". They have created an excellent way to accomplish this goal. Using a mixture of Google Maps satellite imagery, a "wiki" editing mechanism and tagging, Wikimapia lets anyone add or edit a description for any place on earth (without registering). It also provides a new, unique way of browsing Google Maps satellite images. via

We can now describe the whole world together. Wikimapia allows users to add tag and annotate locations found in Google Maps. We can add / tag, edit any place the way I have done.

(Click image for enlarged view)

I have found my building and tagged it... Conquered Sai Tower !!!