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Mozilla has released Firefox 3.5 Release Candidate 1. According to Mozilla, Firefox 3.5 RC1 was made available for download on June 16, 2009 and the aim of this release is to let Beta testers of the highly popular open source browser, try their hands for the time being. Mozilla had planned to let the public wait a little longer – probably till the end of this week – but no waiting is required anymore, since links to download Firefox 3.5 RC1 are given at the end of this article.

According to the release notes for Firefox 3.5 RC1, “This is the first release candidate for Firefox 3.5, the latest version of the Firefox web browser. As a member of our beta audience, you are being updated to this version to help test and preview the new version before it is release to the general public.”

Codenamed Shiretoko and formerly known as Firefox 3.1, Firefox 3.5 RC1 features a Private Browsing Mode and geo-location abilities known as Location Aware Browsing – just like Internet Explorer 8 and Google Chrome before it. Mozilla claims that Firefox 3.5 RC1 is packed with performance and stability, and comes integrated with a new JavaScript engine, dubbed TraceMonkey. Also, this new version of Firefox has native support for JSON, plus modern web standard elements like HTML5 audio and video tags, new CSS properties, HTML5 offline data storage for applications, JavaScript query selectors and SVG transforms.

Initially, Firefox 3.5 was planned to feature a single Release Candidate, and then move straight to the gold version. However, following the availability of Firefox 3.5 RC1 for Beta testers, Mozilla is already in the process of producing candidates for Firefox 3.5 RC2 and offering them for download via FTP repository and nightly builds. So we can be sure that there will be atleast one more Release Candidate of our favorite open-source browser.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been Torrenting, BitTorrent tools are always evolving and getting better in the process. Here’s a very simple guide that’ll help you get the most out of this constantly changing technology and the way people acquire consumer entertainment.The purpose is simple and straight forward: educate those who may know the basics but haven’t truly gotten the hang of the true capabilities of BitTorrent clients.

For my part, I will use as examples two of the most popular platforms in use: Vuze (formerly known as Azureus) and µTorrent. Both of these application apply two totally different approaches. Vuze has pretty much every feature you can think of, including social networking style file sharing with friends, search tools, a content guide and more. µTorrent is completely opposite: it’s sleek, straightforward and very simple!

Much of what I’ll discuss here will be using the newest features of Vuze, talking about µTorrent at the same time. Also, I’ll try to highlight some standalone applications that can be used to bring some of Vuze’s functionality to utorrent. So here we go.

Here’s the most important thing you can do to get the best possible BitTorrent results. And it's also often looked over by many Torrenters.

1. Find out which TCP/UDP port your Torrent client is using by going to its preferences under the “connection” or “network” heading. Keep the default settings, but you can choose any number you want (read Vuze’s Good Port Choices article) and if you have more than one machine running BitTorrent on the same network, you will want unique port numbers for all of them.

3. All router companies have a different terminology for what you are looking for. Some call it “port forwarding” while others call it “virtual servers” or “port mapping.” The terminology may be different, but it can usually be found listed under an “advanced setting” tab, if there is one. The site Portforwarding.com can help you locate yours if you’re having trouble.

Note: If you are using a laptop and connecting and disconnecting from the network frequently, set up a static local IP address, so you don’t have to switch your router’s settings every time you Torrent.

6. The final step involves setting a limit to your uploading speeds. BitTorrent simultaneously uploads to other peers while you are downloading. To ensure good download speeds, you much upload. You need to make sure that these uploads don’t hog your entire limited upload bandwidth, especially if you are on a cable connection. Cap your uploads to around 20 kbps to be safe. This is a general rule that will ensure faster downloads and will not clog your pipe either. If you are on FIOS, you can increase that a little, but play around to get the value that suits your connection.

Vuze has a tool that helps you auto-configure your speeds as well. It’s still worth experimenting with in the preferences.

Always “Cover Your Ass”

Always be smart and careful when you are downloading stuff that you probably should not. Listed here are some tools and tips to save your from viruses and subpoenas. But do keep in mind, there are no guarantees, so take responsibility for your actions and proceed at your own risk.

You can justify your beliefs by arguing that Torrenting is mainstream enough to survive on thousands of people seeding very small amounts; amounts that are uploaded while they are downloading; or you could argue about the double paradoxes that arise when contemplating the moral side of consuming vis-a-vis sharing in the grayish black Torrent Market. But that is up to you. To each his own!

3. Use Bluetack IP filter to avoid Torrent criminals: Bluetack maintains a list of IP ranges of known spammers, undercover people like Media Defenders who might bust you, and virus seeders. To add the list to Vuze, go to Preferences > IP Filters and enter “http://www.bluetack.co.uk/config/level1.zip” into the auto fill field.

5. Be Moderate: When you can, watch on Hulu or buy from your favorite artist. Not to mention, the less massive your bandwidth usage, the less likely you are to go beyond your set monthly bandwidth.

Auto-Download Your Favorite Shows via RSS

1. Search your favorite shows in Vuze. Check the orange RSS button under “Subscribe” once you have found the latest episode and added it to your list. You can also use the subscribe function to look at other files in your library and subscribe to those as well.

Stream to Your Game Console or Transcode for Your iPod/PMP/Phone with Vuze

1. Enable the streaming add-on under the “Devices” option in the left pane.

3. The tool also transcodes to iTunes in sizes that are optimized for iPods, iPhones and Apple TV, using the same process as described in step 2.

Now What?

Now you can set up a dedicated torrent machine, either with a spare PC or a standalone NAS box with a built in Torrent client. Then you can use the web-only interfaces to access and manage your downloads from the road.

Since the end of Google Pages, many Bloggers have been constantly facing the problem that I had been facing until recently: where to host the JavaScript files? I tried Skydrive, but apparently they change the URL everyday, making it impossible to link to the .js files.

But not anymore! Today I came across this great article on this really cool blog, Quiterandom.com, that had some really cool alternative ways of embedding the JavaScript files into the blog for those who have no other hosting options. And I am not talking about links to file hosting website, these are 4 really practical methods.

So if you are blogging on Blogger, using the free interface like me and not hosting your blog on a paid server, you must check this article by FernandoC out: Solutions for JavaScript hosting in Blogger

For someone who has been using Windows for 14 years, the idea of changing over to another OS, like Linux for example, can be scary. How will I adapt to the new interface? How long will it take for me to get comfortable with it? Why change in the first place when I can use windows with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back? All these questions are natural and have been around for a while now.

So why change to Linux when Windows is serving your purpose so well? Keeping in mind the various factors that apply to today’s environment, including the global economy, here are 5 very good reasons why you should switch over to Linux.

Reason 1: Freedom of Choice

Using Linux is like a being at a feast at the Hogwarts castle, where whatever you wish to eat would appear on your plate. There is just no end to the choices Linux offers you.

Linux offers freedom of choice concerning which manufacturer you purchase the software from as well as which application programs you wish to use. The liberty of picking the manufacturer means that you have a real choice as far as the type of support you receive. Plus, being open-source software, new manufacturers enter the market all the time to address customer needs.

The other great thing is the choice of application programs you get with Linux, meaning that you can select the tools that best address your needs. For example, more than one popular browser or word processor is available for you to choose from, all free and compatible with Microsoft Office formats.

In other words, Linux lets you choose your kernel, your distribution, your window manager; your desktop... the list is virtually endless.

Reason No. 2: Reliability

The reliability of an operating system is tied to the overall cost. That is to say, greater reliability means less time spent on keeping it running. And as a result of a more reliable system, your productivity will increase. That is where Linux steps in, proven to be one of the most reliable operating systems time and again.

According to a study conducted by IBM to test the reliability of the Linux OS in an enterprise environment, the results were amazing. You can have a look yourself on the IBM Linux Reliability Test Page.

Reason No. 3: Security

It’s not impossible to create a virus to Target Linux systems, but the design of the system itself makes it extremely difficult to become infected. Very rarely, it is possible for a single user to cause local damage to their files by running a virus on their system, though it would be an isolated incidence, rather than something that could spread out of control. Additionally, all Linux vendors offer free on-line security updates.

Reason No. 4: Cost

This is what everything comes down to in the end, doesn’t it? And so it is between Windows and Linux. Which is cheaper; keeping in mind the time and cost involved in learning Linux as well? I think this may have been the case with earlier, less user friendly versions of the OS, not today’s Linux. Besides, one would face the same scenario when migrating from XP to Windows Vista or Windows 7, both newer versions of Windows based on technologies newer and unfamiliar to the end-user. The basic look is the same though. You would still recognize the taskbar, start menu, left click and right click mouse functions, notification area, drop down menus, keyboard shortcuts – basically the same things you need to know for any version of Windows. So this removes the first fear – the fundamentals of modern Windows and modern Linux are same as far as basic interface and usability is concerned.

Moving on to the burden on your pocket: I personally think that nothing beats the $0 price tag on every Linux installation, not to mention the $0 cost of OpenOffice, and pretty much every other Linux app you need. Compare that to Microsoft and do the math yourself; in today’s economy I can assure you it won’t take you long to figure out what saves you more money.

In conclusion, people have come up with countless other reasons for switching over to Linux, and Windows supporters have countered as many as possible with their own propaganda of why not to switch to Linux. If you have read this, Linux supporter or Windows supporter, do add your input to the comments sections, adding in any reasons I might have missed or correcting me if you think Linux is not for home users but only for geeks.

Nokia unveiled their third NFC-enabled handset – the Nokia 6216 classic – at the 3rd Annual WIMA conference. The new phone is the first attempt by the world’s largest mobile phone maker at making a SIM based NFC device, which allows mobile operators to integrate NFC services into the SIM card itself.

NFC technology, or Near Field Communication, is a short-range wireless communication that enables exchange of date between devices over about a 10 cm range. The connection between two NFC enabled devices is established under a tenth of a second. Due to its shorter range, NFC provides a greater degree of security, compared to Bluetooth.

NFC technology is an upgrade of the existing proximity card standard (RFID) that brings the interface of a smartcard and a reader into a single device combination. It allows the seamless sharing of data between digital devices – like paying bills wirelessly or using cell phones as an electronic travelling ticket – on existing contactless infrastructure already in place for public use in transportation and payments.

The new Nokia 6216 classic combines the security of SIM transaction authorization with the ease of NFC contact less payments. This will make the Nokia 6216 classic one of the very first wireless devices that will enable the users to use it as a replacement for credit cards.

The role of the smart card will be taken over by the SIM card with the introduction of the new Nokia 6216 classic. This will enable the users’ credit card information to be stored on the SIM card securely, and all that will be required would be a wave of the device in front of a contactless terminal, enabling quick payments and simple ticketing services.

A compatible NFC SIM card is required to take advantage of this technology, along with a service subscription and installation of an appropriate secure application.

Apart from the NFC technology, the Nokia 6216 classic also features 3G support, a 2 megapixel camera, a 2-inch QVGA display, a microSD slot and stereo FM radio.

The Nokia 6216 classic is expected to be available in select markets in the third quarter of 2009, with a projected retail price of 150 euro before taxes and subsidies.

It all started 20 years ago when Japan’s Nintendo Co. launched the iconic Game Boy, the legendary handheld video game player that introduced and immortalized characters like Super Mario Bros. and Pokemon; and sold over 200 million units globally.

20 years ago, when the Game Boy was introduced this week in April 1989, Chinese students had just started amassing in the Tiananmen Square, Motorola had come out with Motorola MicroTAC personal phone, the smallest mobile phone at the time, and NATO had recently celebrated its 40^th anniversary.

Back then, video games has recently moved from arcades into family living rooms. The Japanese children were playing Nintendo’s Family Computer or “Famicom” games on their TV sets.

Priced at 8000 yen – $80 at today’s exchange rate – the Game Boy was the first portable console with changeable game cartridges and marketed under the slogan: “35 hours of games in your pocket with just four batteries.”

Nintendo, a Kyoto based company, started out in 1889 as a card game maker and later moved into toys in the early part of the last century. In 1983, the company launched the famous Famicom, called the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. The secret behind Nintendo’s success is the company’s understanding of the young public, a consumer group not targeted earlier by bigger groups like Sony.

Until the advent of Game Boy, video games industry was mostly concentrated with fight games, two-player games or games against the console. Game Boy brought in a gaming revolution with the introduction of games ranging from Tetris to the adventures of Pikachu and its Pocket Monster friends.

Twenty years later, with the evolution of Technology and gadgets becoming smarter and smaller by day, Nintendo has kept up with the pace. In 2004, the company introduced the dual screen, better known as DS, portable console – having sold 100 million units worldwide already.

The Nintendo DS, apart from boasting popular games, also features study applications, restaurant guides, dictionaries and various other functions. It has been a success to the point where some primary schools in Japan now use it to teach English and Japanese kanji characters.

Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata reportedly said recently that "it's a grand vision to have every student at every school using a DS.

"It will take time and energy to reach that goal because the DS has been viewed by teachers as an enemy for a long time."

Mozilla Firefox, considered to be the safest browser, but proven otherwise often, has recently received 12 bug fixes, four of which have been given the highest threat rating.

The advisory also includes two fixes with a rating of “High”, two as “Moderate” and four minor vulnerabilities. Some of the flaws identified are dangerous to the point that firms are being urged to automatically, or if need be, manually update all their users to the latest version of Firefox.

One of the flaws identified is with the way JavaScript may be exploited within mail applications. The advisory recommends that JavaScript be disabled until a version containing a fix for this problem is available.

“We strongly discourage users from running JavaScript in mail,” Mozilla advised in response to the flaw. “Without further investigation we cannot rule out the possibility that for some of these an attacker might be able to prepare memory for exploitation through some means other than JavaScript such as large images.”

Another flaw identified and fixed in Firefox is for corrupted memory code that can be exploited to run arbitrary code. Other issues concern compatibility problems with new technologies from rival companies. Mozilla’s advisory concerning this issue warns that, “Some web pages (such as mlb.com) do not properly detect if Silverlight is installed and will not function properly.”

Mozilla is expected to launch a full, new version of Firefox sometime later this week. Firefox 3.0.9 is currently available for download at Firefox.com for Windows, Linux and Mac.

A brand new version of the super hit strategy game DEFCON is all set to make its way to the Nintendo DS. If things go as planned, the game should be out before the Thanksgiving weekend.

The indie multiplayer strategy game was originally launched for PC back in 2007, giving gamers a chance to be part of a global nuclear conflict.

DEFCON is developed by Introversion, a UK based developer, who announced earlier that it is now looking for a publisher for the finished Nintendo DS version of the game. An earlier deal with publisher Pinnacle seems to have gone sour, reverting the rights of DEFCON back to Introversion.

"With the DSi flying off the shelves recently, we believe that there will be particular interest in a finished DS product with such a great track record, especially as the RTS/Strategy sector is so poorly served on the platform," commented Introversion Director Mark Morris.

DEFCON is a classic Action/Strategy title in the PC gaming world, with a Metacritic score of 84 and an average User Review on the site standing at 8.7.

The Nintendo DS version DEFCON comes with full touch screen controls.

The idea that the residents of this world will be walking around and living their lives with the world in their pockets may have seemed far fetched when Back to the Future first came out. Even 15 years ago, when I was just starting high school and Google wasn’t even heard of, who could’ve thought that everyone could have access to satellite images of literally any place on the globe sitting at home in front of their computer screens?

But technology has gone a step further this time. With Google Earth App for iPod Touch now available, the world has become even smaller than your computer screen and can now fit into the palm of your hand.

This great app for your iPod Touch lets you zoom in to view buildings and streets in virtually any location in the world, fly over mountain peaks, glide over the beautiful blue oceans, or just go through the thousands of amazing panoramic photos of places all across the globe. But the best feature by far is the ability to zoom in on your current location and see what is around you from a totally different perspective, one you have never experienced before.

But it’s not all about just sight seeing from an aerial view; it has lots of practical purposes as well. For example, you can use Google Earth app to search for cities, businesses, local destination points, tourist spots, attractions, historical places of interest, and a whole lot more. And the best part is, you can use Google Earth app to do all this around the world, making it your most essential travel companion, no matter where you are headed.

The graphics on this amazing application are – for the lack of a better world – amazing! It may seem that creating a decent 3D rendering on such a small device would be hard, but the folks at Google have outdone themselves with the Google Earth for iPod Touch app to the point that you can compare it the desktop version we are all so fond of. The close-ups are especially impressive, and all you have to do is look at some of the more nature based images to know exactly what I am talking about.

It is available in various languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Swedish, French and a number of others, making Google Earth app for iPod Touch for everyone. What’s more is that it is even compatible with iPhone, adding another level of functionality to an already amazing program. But the topper is that it is totally free. What else can one ask for?

Google Earth for iPod Touch can be downloaded from the iTunes page, either by search for “Google Earth” in the search engine or by going to http://www.phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=293622097&mt=8. There, click on the “Get App” button. In the resulting pop-up, enter your Apple user name and password. Once you enter that, just follow the step by step instructions and you’ll be done in no time at all.

The Google Earth app for iPod Touch is definitely one of the best applications to be released by Apple. With the desktop version of the program already a huge success world-wide, one can predict its success in this form as well in the days to come.

The best thing about Firefox is the way it lets you do whatever you like with it. If you love the fox as much as I do, and have shunned all the other browsers for Firefox like I have, but cant help being frustrated when sometimes it slows down because you have 40 tabs open in four different windows, or you can't afford to upgrade your RAM to a reasonable amount yet (like me), here's something that will cheer you up. It doesn't matter if you are a computer rookie or a seasoned veteran in this field, these few easy-to-do tweaks will really get Firefox performing just as fast as you want it to; probably even faster. By tweaking the way Firefox handles some caching functions, you can improve the page load speed and even free up the RAM it is hogging while minimized. Do not fear if you have never touched your configuration file before, just follow these simple steps and you'll have it done in no time. I'd still suggest you grab a pen and jot down the settings that you change, incase you are not happy with them and may want to revert back to the default settings. Reduce Firefox's RAM Usage for Its Cache Feature 1. Type “about:config” (without quotes) in the address bar of your Firefox and press Enter. 2. Find “browser.sessionhistory.max_total_viewer” 3. Set the value to "0" (Zero) Cut Down Ram Usage to 10 MB when Firefox is Minimized 1. Type “about:config” (without quotes) in the address bar of your Firefox and press Enter. 2. Right click in the page and select “New” > “Boolean” 3. In the pop-up box that appears, enter “config.trim_on_minimize” and hit Enter 4. Select True and press Enter. Increase the Page Load Speed of Firefox Normally the browser makes one request to a web page at a time. When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading. 1. Type "about:config" (without quotes) in the address bar of your Firefox and press Enter. 2. Find and Set “network.http.pipelining” to “true” 3. Find and Set “network.http.proxy.pipelining” to “true” 4. Find and Set “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests” to some number like “10”. (Meaning that it will make 10 requests at once.) 5. right click anywhere in the configuration window and from the pop-up menu select: “New” > “Integer” Name it “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” Set its value to “0” (Zero) This value represents the amount of time the browser waits before acting upon the information it has received. If you are using a broadband connection, your pages will load faster now. Get Even Faster Web Browsing (totally optional) 1. Type "about:config" (without quotes) in the address bar of your Firefox and press Enter. 2. Right click in the window and choose “New” > “Integer” or “String” 3. Enter “network.dns.disableIPv6” in the pop-up box and set value to “false”. 4. Repeat step 2, and enter “content.notify.backoffcount” in the pop-up box and set value to “5”. 5. Repeat step 2 and enter “plugin.expose_full_path” and set value to “true”. 6. Repeat step 2 and enter “ui.submenuDelay” and set value to “0” (Zero).

The Apple iPhone 3G is known for its many distinctive features like multi-touch capabilities, true GPS and countless rather awesome apps – all bundled up in a sleek, slim and sexy design. The only feature of this great phone that doesn’t meet the expectations is its built-in camera. Reviews of the second generation iPhone also showed disappointment at the fact that Apple chose not to upgrade the average 2.0 megapixel. It still has no setting options, no video recording capability and even no picture-messaging feature. And on top of that, you have to hold the phone at least 18 inches away from the subject to let the iPhone camera focus properly. Considering the price-tag on this phone, it is a little hard to believe. The word on the street is that the next iPhone will be loaded with a 3.2 megapixel camera, but how will that benefit you NOW if you are an iPhone owner?

Here’s some good news for you: you can enhance your iPhone’s unsatisfying camera with some really cool photo apps and a variety of iPhone camera add-ons currently available. Using these, you can expand and extend your shooting range, take photos with a flash and avoid blurry pictures by utilizing an iPhone friendly tripod stand.

PCMAG has compiled a really cool list of 8 Handy iPhone Camera Add-ons, which I am listing here for you.

1. FastMac iV for iPhone

Price: $99.95

Camera phones usually take really bad quality pictures in low-light setting. But FastMac’s iV for iPhone comes with a built-in flash. The multi-purpose LED light serves as a flash for taking photos and a flashlight for helping you in the dark. What’s more, the iV is also a battery charger. It charges your phone with its 31---mAh “TruePower” battery and gives you up to 24 hours of talk time.

Another great thing about this add-on is that it is compatible with both iPhone generations, and can be traded in for upgrading to future iV versions incase you buy a newer iPhone.

2. Gorillapod Go-Go!

Price: $29.95

The Joby Gorillapod Go-Go! Is a flexible tripod for mobile devices, including the iPhone. Tiny enough to fit into your purse or pocket, this amazing tripod is made up of articulating ball-and-socket joints that can be bent and twisted into any shape. It comes bundled with a suction-cup clip, adapter screw, and 3M high-bond adhesive clips.

3. Wide-Angle Lens for Apple iPhone First Generation

Price: $15

If you own the original iPhone, then this Meritline.com’s wide-angle lens is made for you. Just place the plastic cover, with the lens attached, over the top of your iPhone and magnify your subjects to 0.68X.

4. Apple iPhone 3G Mobile Phone Telescope

Price: $19

This really cool add-on by Mobile Brando lets you extend the reach of your iPhone 3G’s camera with a 6X zoom feature. All you have to do is attach the included crystal case – which has the lens attached to it – to your iPhone 3G and you will be able to adjust the telescope’s focus as well.

5. Griffin Clarifi

Price: $30.99

The Clarifi from Griffin Technologies is not your ordinary polycarbonate iPhone 3G case. It’s a whole lot more. This add-on comes with a built-in camera lens for snapping photos from just 4 inches away. Just slide it into place, with the Clarifi lens over the iPhone’s built-in lens and notice the difference in your photos’ color accuracy and picture detail.

6. Magnetic/Detachable Fish-Eye Lens

Price: $20

USB Fever offers three varieties of lens for your iPhone or iPhone 3G. The first in this line is the Magnetic/Detachable Fish-Eye lens. This is a great lens for capturing wide-angle shots. It is placed over the iPhone’s camera and attaches itself to the phone with a magnet. For that purpose, it comes with a magnetic adhesive ring, since the phone itself is not magnetic.

7. Magnetic/Detachable Telephoto (2X) Lens

Price: $17

The second in the line by USB Fever, this cool lens magnifies an image up to 2X.

8. Magnetic/Detachable Wide Angle + Macro Lens

Price: $17

The last in the line of magnetic lens by USB fever, this lens provides you with a wide angle image at 0.67X.

PCMAG has also come up with 22 Ways to Make your iPhone a Better Camera; a very interesting and essential read if you are an iPhone owner.

After the success of Street View, Google Maps is now offering a Webcam layer. Just click on the "More" button on the top right of each map next to the "Traffic" button, and it shows you thumbnails from public webcams from around the world as tracked by Webcams.travel.

It doesn't show you the actual video, just the most recent still image captured by the webcam. This can be a very useful feature when you want to actually see the traffic on a major highway yourself, or how the tides look like at the beach.