Google's Hidden Dictionary -1

Everyone knows that Google is a search engine! But then, did you know that Google has a Hidden Dictionary? Well, you may have noticed that when you're searching for a word, Google will offer a link to Web definitions of your word. This is part of Google's hidden dictionary!
Let’s say that you want to know the meaning ,the definition ,synonym of the word GREEDY.
Go to Google and type in the word greedy.
Click the Google search button.
Your results will show up.
You will also see a link for definition. Now Click definition.

Another page will open up with the Dictionary Meaning, Thesaurus,Antonyms,Word Tutor,Translations,Best of the Web and even Shopping for the word GREEDY.





But then , if you are only interested in finding a quick dictionary style definition of greedy, use the syntax define:
Like this - define:greedy
Type in and click Google Search.

If you want the definitions in other languages too,there are options.
For,instance, if you click on German, the results will show up in German!


What if you are not a good speller?Do not worry! Google will still suggest an alternate search, just as it does for regular Web searches. Like if we type in define: gredy, Google will helpfully ask you, "Did you mean: define: greedy."

How cool is this? :)


Copyright © 2008-2009 Laila Rajaratnam. All Rights Reserved. Read more Entry>>

Download Podcasts To PC Using iTunes

Podcasts which are recorded radio or TV programs can be downloaded to your computer for free using Apple’s iTunes. You can subscribe to a show using iTunes and automatically receive new episodes as they become available. There are many thousands of free Podcasts available in the iTunes Store, which cover many popular TV and radio shows around the world. The podcast's download time , depends on your Internet connection speed.

Here's how you do it:

1. Download Podcasts

Open ITunes.
Click iTunes Store link in the left pane.


Click the Podcasts menu item on the main screen.
Look at the Categories menu, and choose either audio Podcasts, or video Podcasts.
Click on a Podcast thumbnail picture for more information, or look at the Top 20 Podcasts on the right-hand side of the screen.
Click Power Search option in the Quick Links menu to search for a particular show.
Click on a show and click the Get Episode button.

2. Subscribe to Podcasts

Choose a show and click on the Subscribe button.
All future episodes will now be automatically downloaded to your iTunes Library.

3. Play Podcasts in Your iTunes Library

Go iTunes Library.
Click on the Podcasts menu item in the left pane (under Library).
The downloaded subscribed episodes will appear in bold.
Double-click on an episode to access it directly in iTunes.

To unsubscribe , highlight the show in your library and click the Unsubscribe button at the bottom of the main window.

That's it! You're done! :) Read more Entry>>

What Is A Podcast?

Podcasts are news now! You hear about podcasts, here, there and almost everywhere! :)

So, what is a podcast?

Firstly, the name Podcast comes from ‘iPod’ and ‘broadcast’ , but then, an iPod is not required to listen to podcasts . Anything that plays MP3 is fine to listen to podcasts ! Once the podcast is downloaded, it's just an MP3.

Now what exactly is a podcast?

A Podcast is:

1. An audio file that you create in a mp3 format.
2. It is your own radio or talk show that you publish and share with others around the world !
3. You upload it to a server like your website or blog, along with an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed.
4 Your listeners download the podcast using one of numerous programs that allows your audio file to be retrieved automatically.
5. Finally,your listeners get to listen to the podcast at their convenience in their own iPod or MP3 player.

In a nut shell - A podcast is an audio file posted on the web ,which is delivered to listeners via a RSS feed( a subscription service).Thus, podcast is merely just a RSS feed that contains an MP3 or audio file!

Here are some of the motivations to start a podcast:

• Do you have the urge to reach out to to people around the world? Well, start a podcast!
• Want your own talk show but you don’t own a radio station or work at one? Well, start a podcast!
• You’re a musician and you want to promote your Band .Well, start a podcast!
• Want to share Industry ,organization , investor and sports news? Well, start a podcast!
• Want to tell Stories to children or the visually-impaired? Well, start a podcast!
• Are you a writer and you want to interest people by offering a few spoken pages?Well,start a podcast!

The options and motivations are many. Whatever, you can become a podcaster!

Just as Blogs have made journalists out of Bloggers, so have Podcasts made Radio celebrities out of Podcasters.

Now you have an idea about what a podcast is all about!

Copyright © 2008-2009 Laila Rajaratnam. All Rights Reserved. Read more Entry>>

Create Radio Playlist In ITunes

Want to create Radio Playlist in iTunes? Yes, you can create Radio Playlist and listen to streaming audio in iTunes, all day long! Though Apple’s iTunes is basically used to purchase music, synchronize with iPod and iPhone, burn CDs and rip music.. you can also listen to live streaming music from your favorite radio stations.

Of course, this Radio playlist cannot be synced to your iPod or iPhone, but then, you will be able to enjoy live streaming audio from your fav radio playstations! Just remember that instead of adding music tracks, we are going to add radio stations. That’s it!Nothing more!:)

All you need is Apples ITunes software version 7or above.

This is what you have to do:

1. Create a Playlist.

To create a list of your favorite radio stations, you first need to create a blank playlist in iTunes.
Open Itunes, click File > New Playlist .
Or Click the + Button at the bottom left of iTunes.
Type in a name for the playlist.


2. Add Radio Stations

Click on the Radio menu item in the left pane (underneath Library).
A list of categories will be displayed with a triangle next to each one.


Click on a triangle next to a genre of your choice to see what radio stations are available.
Double-click a radio station to begin listening to it.
Drag it to your playlist if you like it.
You're done!


3. Check and Use Your Radio Station Playlist

Click on your newly created playlist in the left pane of your screen (underneath Playlists).
Check that all the radio stations you dragged and dropped are in the list.
Click Play button at the top of the screen.



Enjoy your unlimited supply of free music - 24/7 ! :)


Copyright © 2008-2009 Laila Rajaratnam. All Rights Reserved. Read more Entry>>

Transfer iTunes Library to Another Computer

Do you have a huge collection of music and movies in your ITunes library which you want to transfer to a new computer? Well ,it is really a breeze to transfer your collection to a new computer.

There are three options for moving your iTunes library

1. Use iTunes Backup

ITunes has a built-in back up tool in File menu. Open Itunes.
Just go to File - > Backup to Disc.

That’s it!

By this method you can back up your full library to CD or DVD. All you need are blank discs, Cd/DVD Burner and some time. But then ,if you have a huge library, it may not be the most practical way to back up, as you may require many CDS or DVDS

However, it is a good idea , to back up only your “Purchased Music” playlist , as iTunes Music Store tracks cannot be re-downloaded. The “Purchased Music” playlist is like other playlist – just right click the playlist and click the burn icon to burn. Use “Data” mode, of course.

2. External Hard Drive

Hard drives are another good iTunes backup option. Just connect your external hard drive to your computer.

Open Windows Explorer and go to your iTunes music folder.
On Vista it's C:\Users\your.username\Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music.
On Windows XP it's under Documents and Settings.
On a Mac, it’s just called ‘Music.’

Copy the iTunes Music folder to your external hard drive, and then plug the hard drive into the new computer. Make sure iTunes is installed on the new computer as well, and just copy the contents of the iTunes Music folder from your external hard drive to the new computer .Or maybe to your old computer in case you have had a crash.

3. iPod Backup Software

The easiest ways to move your iTunes library is by using software to copy the contents of your iPod to a new computer. There are a number of iPod copy or iPod transfer programs available for free.

Done! Read more Entry>>

IPod / IPhone to PC Music Transfer

Lets say -

Your hard drive crashed, wiping out iTunes as well, but your iPod still has a copy of your music collections.

What do you do? Well, copy the music from your iPod to your computer!
Are you sure? I was under the impression that you cannot move your music from your iPod back to your PC. Well.. things have changed and now there are software programs(freewares as well as sharewares) that allow you to copy music from your ipod to your computer.
Before you use the software to copy your iPod library to the PC, you'll need to install iTunes.

When iTunes is installed, you will need to change the setting.

Go to the Edit menu -> iTunes Preferences.
1. Select Advanced Tab.
2. Check the box next to "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to the library."
3. Click OK to close iTunes preferences.

You can choose anyone of these following freeware programs , download it and install it.

1. iPod PC Transfer 3.7(http://www.ipodpctransfer.com/)
   

2. iPod Copy Master ( http://www.ipodcopymusic.com/ )

3. iPodAid(http://www.ipodaid.com/ipod-to-computer-transfer.html)

Open the program.Here I have used IPod PCTransfer.
When you connect your iPod to the computer, the program will automatically detect the iPod and read it contents.


The contents of your iPod will be displayed in the program's window .
1. Click the "Select All" button to select all the music in your iPod which you plan to transfer to computer.
2. Click the Export button to start transfer music from iPod to computer.
3. Relax, make yourself a cup of coffee and wait till the transfer is finished automatically.

Note-You can also select one song at a time if you only plan to copy just a few songs .

These softwares support all types of iPod inlcuding iTouch and iPhone. Read more Entry>>