Tech site Z-oc.com has written up a simple yet powerful tutorial on how to use Gmail to manage all of your email accounts in one fell swoop.
It's more than a matter of simply assigning forwarding rules willy-nilly, obviously - you get to set up a whole email management system. By the time you are finished with this, all your email can be actually managed from within Gmail with the domains kept separate but controlled inside of your Gmail workspace.
Web 2.0 tracker Mashable.com has compiled a monster list of fifty different methods by which you can track your website traffic.
We've posted about various stats packages here at Lifehacker, and there's even more goodies to choose from on this list. Anything from web site visualization, to blog and RSS analysis, to various ways to track market research data is covered here. It's a very comprehensive and well done list - do you see anything missing, oh mighty stats hounds? Let us know in the comments.
Google Translate has added a nifty new twist: dictionary translations.
For instance, say you're looking for ways to say "drive" en Francais; you can plug it into Google Translate and figure out that there are different ways to use drive, depending on the context.
Windows users who dive into *nix without first researching the operating system are in for quite a shock. The complete lack of a C:\ drive can send Windows switchers into a tailspin. Thankfully, IBM developerWorks does an excellent job of explaining the structure and organization of the *nix filesystem and the perks of the *nix naming conventions.
Many directories in the UNIX file system serve a special purpose, and certain directories are named per long-standing convention. In this installment of the "Speaking UNIX" series, discover where UNIX stores important files.
The Indie Tribune weblog gives the skinny on how to re-theme Windows XP to look like Ubuntu Linux. Not a whole lot of productivity with this tutorial, but it is thorough. The tutorial demonstrates how to replace practically every aspect of Windows to make it resemble Ubuntu starting with the theme and rolling through the boot screen, logon window, icons, explorer theme, and the Firefox theme. This'll give you the look of Ubuntu without giving up Windows. Thanks, JuventusCadillac!
Our first featured submission from the Shortcut Screencast Contest comes in from Jason, who cut together a demonstration on how to create a custom Windows toolbar for quick access to frequently-used folders and files. Hit the play button to check it out. Nice one, Jason! You've just scored an autographed copy of Lifehacker the book. Want in? Here's how you can win one of your own.
The Ubuntu documentation project has a writeup on how to install Ubuntu on PlayStation 3. In case you didn't know, the swanky PS3 allows you to install alternative operating systems with relative ease. The tutorial demonstrates how to partition the PS3's hard drive and install any flavor of Ubuntu including: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu. When you're done with the process, you will still be able to play your PS3 games and watch Blu-ray DVDs like normal and run Ubuntu -- although not simultaneously. Please note that you will not be able to watch Blu-ray DVDs under Ubuntu.
This is a new one one me: you can move Firefox browser tabs between windows by dragging an dropping. So when you want to watch that YouTube video in a separate window, open one and drag the tab to it. Here's more on working with groups of tabs in Firefox.
Linux only: Open-source app Desktop Data Manager is a clipboard manager, download manager, and advanced screenshot capturing app rolled into one. Desktop Data Manager actually installs three separate programs: DDM Screenshot, DDM Download, and Desktop Data Manager. DDM Screenshot and Desktop Data Manager are both impressive applications.
Desktop Data Manager is a clipboard history manager very similar to Klipper for KDE. Specifically, it tracks your clipboard histories. Histories? As was discussed a few days ago, Gnome has a primary clipboard (that copies everything highlighted) and a "normal" clipboard that manages everything you manually copy to it. DDM tracks the two clipboard histories separately and also tracks images that have been copied to the clipboard. Here's what I love about DDM the most.
DDM Screenshot brings Mac's ability to capture only a section of the screen. DDM Screenshot creates crosshairs that capture only a portion of the screen. Prior to saving the screenshot, DDM provides a dialog for choosing the format of the picture and to specify a filename. DDM has earned a permanent spot in my startup programs. Ubuntu users can grab a pre-compiled version of DDM at getdeb. All other users need to grab a copy of DDM at the project homepage. Desktop Data Manager is a free download for Linux only.
Windows only: Freeware application Jpeg Enhancer attempts to restore low-quality JPEG images mired by artifacts and blotchy pixelization to a better state.
To be perfectly honest, I don't imagine that there are many cameras these days that are creating many real JPEG compression problems (and those who care probably shoot in RAW), but I've actually got a handful of pictures from my first less-than 1 megapixel camera that could potentially find some good use with an app like this. Your results may vary (don't expect to go from blotchy to crystal clear), but it is a very simple tool that anyone could use to try improving low-quality images. Jpeg Enhancer will cost you an email address, Windows only. If you've had luck with a different simple tool, let's hear about it in the comments.
DIY web site Instructables walks through how to transport yourself anywhere through the magic of green screen using a free Windows application called WAX. It actually seems like a pretty simple process, so if you're a home movie maven, it might be worth a look to spice up your videos.
A user of the Linux Mint forum demonstrates the two-step process of installing Microsoft Fonts. What are these "Microsoft fonts?" A little known fact to non-Linux users is that Microsoft fonts are (surprise, surprise) proprietary, and hence are not installed in most Linux distros by default. Back in the day when Microsoft gave a crap about interoperability, they released a reusable package of fonts that could be integrated into most any operating system. Well, that package is still used in Linux today to install the following fonts:
Andale Mono
Arial Black
Arial
Comic Sans MS
Courier New
Georgia
Impact
Times New
Although you can make do without Microsoft fonts, there are occasions when they are handy to have installed. This process will install the Microsoft fonts into pretty much every app you have installed -- including OpenOffice. If you're looking for a more streamlined way of installing these fonts you can also install them using Automatix.
The Webs Best explains how you can tweak your Linux system for better performance. The tutorial includes several performance tweaks, but one particularly useful and easy tip is to reduce your "swappiness." Swappiness is the variable that determines when your system stops using internal memory and switches to using the hard disk as virtual memory, similar to the page file concept in Windows. Since your hard disk is considerably slower than internal RAM, reducing your swappiness and forcing your system to use internal RAM can result in considerable performance increases.
You can reduce your swappiness from the terminal with one command.
sudo sysctl -w vm.swappiness=10
The command shown above is not a permanent fix. However, if you are satisfied with the performance boost, The Webs Best explains how you can make it permanent and do a whole lot more. Although the guide is written with an Ubuntu slant, you can perform these tasks on just about every distro.
Windows Vista users: You can easily restore previous versions of a recently used file by right-clicking on the file and navigating to the "Previous Versions" tab. Gina touched on this feature as it pertains to directories in the Windows Vista Beta, however, this restoration technique can also be applied to individual files.
You're revising an important document and realize that the content you deleted an hour ago is information you still need. Are you out of luck? Do you have to recreate it? If you're running Windows Vista Ultimate or Business editions, you could be in luck. These editions of Windows Vista include a shadow copy feature that enables you to access or restore previously saved versions of a document.
In case you didn't catch it in the block above, the shadow copy feature is only available in Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Business.
During the next week or two, I plan to launch a significantly expanded and updated 2nd edition of my popular Power Tips & Strategies for Mind Mapping Software e-book. You can get sneak peek at the cover to the right! I just have a few more small pieces to finish up, and then I need to proof it to make sure that it's the best it can be. I'm excited at the wealth of resources that I've been able to include in this update, including:
20+ case histories: In the surveys I have conducted, one of the things that came through loud and clear when I asked about the needs of mind mapping software users is that you really want to see examples of other people's maps, and to learn why they designed them the way they did. So I solicited "case histories" from my readers, and a number of you generously responded. These "how to" pieces add a whole new dimension to this e-book!
Interviews with leading experts: My position as the leading reporter of news and trends in the world of visual mapping software makes it possible for me to be in regular contact with some of the best and the brightest minds in this software genre. I have tapped their ideas and strategies in a series of fascinating Q&A interviews, which are also new to this e-book.
Other updates: I have added more tips, and have significantly expanded the resources section with all of the latest tools, resources and "best stuff" that you need to be an effective visual mapper.
I can't wait to share this updated and expanded e-book with you. Those of you who have already purchased the first edition (and those who submitted case histories) will receive this new version for free - my way of thanking you for investing in this resource guide.
Please watch this blog for more details on the launch of this e-book - I'll post a message here as soon as it becomes available!
The developer of MindVisualizer released version 1.3 of its mind mapping software on June 27th. It features a number of minor improvements, including:
Task and GTD (Getting Things Done) property support for topics.
Users can download an additional 7500+ clip art images from the MindVisualizer website
Pack and/or Email - the ability to pack up the map with all linked files into a single zip file and send to others via an e-mail attachment.
In addition, version 1.3 includes a number of bug fixes. For the last 3 months, this developer has released an average of one update per month - fairly impressive for a new application.
The NoHeat weblog details how to get easy access to your personal browser's bookmarks from any computer.
All I do is go to the Bookmark Manager in Firefox and export my bookmarks. Then I email myself the bookmark file with Gmail. Once you receive your email you click on the view attachment button in Gmail. This opens up the html document where-ever you are—even on your mobile device.
Where you can, I'd recommend syncing your bookmarks with Foxmarks or a full Firefox sync, but it's not a bad idea to email your bookmarks to yourself for access through your email at any browser and for backup purposes.
If you do not know, I am a real advocate of Mind Mapping. I map everything, and I mean everything!
I also run a Mind Mapping blog, MindCert.com, aimed at Computer Certifications such as the CISSP, CEH, and Cisco Certifications.
I have previously posted about MindMeister, a rather cool Web2.0 Mind Mapping application that is free. [...]
If you do not know, I am a real advocate of Mind Mapping. I map everything, and I mean everything!
I also run a Mind Mapping blog, MindCert.com, aimed at Computer Certifications such as the CISSP, CEH, and Cisco Certifications.
I have previously posted about MindMeister, a rather cool Web2.0 Mind Mapping application that is free. [...]
The developers of MindMeister, a popular web-based mind mapping tool, have just announced a very cool tool that can help you to capture your ideas quickly, and automatically forward them to your default MindMeister online map. It's called GeistesBlitz, which is literally translated as "mind flash" - a sudden insight or idea.
This applet is available in versions for the Mac OS X Dashboard and the Windows Vista Sidebar. It sits on your desktop, waiting for you to type and submit your ideas, which it handles without having to open a browser or log you in to your MindMeister account. Ideas are inserted in a special branch to top left of the central topic of your map. In principle, this tool sounds something like GyroQ, a tool that captures your ideas and sends them to the MindManager map that you specify.
MindMeister also announced the availability of a Quicksearch Extension for Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox, which adds a form field to the top right-hand corner of your browser, which can also be used to send your ideas to your default MindMeister map.
Unfortunately, I'm still running Windows XP, so I can't try out GeistesBlitz - how about a version for Yahoo Gadgets, guys? Still, I think the idea is very cool, and is a sign of the awesome innovation going on in the world of web-based mind mapping tools!
The developer of Mindomo recently announced that it has launched a premium version of the popular web-based mind mapping application, which is now out of beta testing. The premium version, available for a US$6 per month subscription, includes the following features that are not included in the basic version:
Unlimited number of private maps
It is advertisement free
The connection to the Mindomo server is done over a secure https connection
Exporting mindmaps to Mindmanager format - not available for free users anymore
Encrypted map storage
The developer pointed out to me in an e-mail that map encryption is done with a password inside the browser before sending the data to the server, so only encrypted data is being sent from the user's computer to Mindomo's server. This makes it impossible for anyone (including the developer, who has access to the server) to view the content of the maps.
Please click here to view a comparison chart that clearly demonstrates the difference between the basic and premium versions of Mindomo.
Tech site Z-oc.com has written up a simple yet powerful tutorial on how to use Gmail to manage all of your email accounts in one fell swoop.
It's more than a matter of simply assigning forwarding rules willy-nilly, obviously - you get to set up a whole email management system. By the time you are finished with this, all your email can be actually managed from within Gmail with the domains kept separate but controlled inside of your Gmail workspace.
Web 2.0 tracker Mashable.com has compiled a monster list of fifty different methods by which you can track your website traffic.
We've posted about various 
Google Translate has added a nifty new twist: dictionary translations.
For instance, say you're looking for ways to say "drive" en Francais; you can plug it into Google Translate and figure out that there are different ways to use drive, depending on the context.
Windows users who dive into *nix without first researching the operating system are in for quite a shock. The complete lack of a C:\ drive can send Windows switchers into a tailspin. Thankfully, IBM developerWorks does an excellent job of explaining the structure and organization of the *nix filesystem and the perks of the *nix naming conventions.
The Indie Tribune weblog gives the skinny on how to re-theme Windows XP to look like Ubuntu Linux. Not a whole lot of productivity with this tutorial, but it is thorough. The tutorial demonstrates how to replace practically every aspect of Windows to make it resemble Ubuntu starting with the theme and rolling through the boot screen, logon window, icons, explorer theme, and the Firefox theme. This'll give you the look of Ubuntu without giving up Windows. Thanks, JuventusCadillac!
The Ubuntu documentation project has a writeup on how to install Ubuntu on PlayStation 3. In case you didn't know, the swanky PS3 allows you to install alternative operating systems with relative ease. The tutorial demonstrates how to partition the PS3's hard drive and install any flavor of Ubuntu including: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu. When you're done with the process, you will still be able to play your PS3 games and watch Blu-ray DVDs like normal and run Ubuntu -- although not simultaneously. Please note that you will not be able to watch Blu-ray DVDs under Ubuntu.
Linux only: Open-source app Desktop Data Manager is a clipboard manager, download manager, and advanced screenshot capturing app rolled into one. Desktop Data Manager actually installs three separate programs: DDM Screenshot, DDM Download, and Desktop Data Manager. DDM Screenshot and Desktop Data Manager are both impressive applications.
Desktop Data Manager is a clipboard history manager very similar to Klipper for KDE. Specifically, it tracks your clipboard histories. Histories? 
DDM Screenshot brings 
Windows only: Freeware application Jpeg Enhancer attempts to restore low-quality JPEG images mired by artifacts and blotchy pixelization to a better state.
To be perfectly honest, I don't imagine that there are many cameras these days that are creating many real JPEG compression problems (and those who care probably shoot in RAW), but I've actually got a handful of pictures from my first less-than 1 megapixel camera that could potentially find some good use with an app like this. Your results may vary (don't expect to go from blotchy to crystal clear), but it is a very simple tool that anyone could use to try improving low-quality images. Jpeg Enhancer will cost you an email address, Windows only. If you've had luck with a different simple tool, let's hear about it in the comments.
DIY web site Instructables walks through how to transport yourself anywhere through the magic of green screen using a free Windows application called WAX. It actually seems like a pretty simple process, so if you're a home movie maven, it might be worth a look to spice up your videos.
The Webs Best explains how you can tweak your Linux system for better performance. The tutorial includes several performance tweaks, but one particularly useful and easy tip is to reduce your "swappiness." Swappiness is the variable that determines when your system stops using internal memory and switches to using the hard disk as virtual memory, similar to the page file concept in Windows. Since your hard disk is considerably slower than internal RAM, reducing your swappiness and forcing your system to use internal RAM can result in considerable performance increases.
You can reduce your swappiness from the terminal with one command.
Windows Vista users: You can easily restore previous versions of a recently used file by right-clicking on the file and navigating to the "Previous Versions" tab. Gina touched on this feature as it pertains to 
During the next week or two, I plan to launch a significantly expanded and updated 2nd edition of my popular 
The NoHeat weblog details how to get easy access to your personal browser's bookmarks from any computer.
The developer of Mindomo