Google Pack

Old news but not too many people seem to be using Google Pack. Google created a download for Windows XP that allows you to install a collection of free software, 'Google Pack' which includes automatic updates for each piece of software. Before you install you are given the option of which software you want to install.

The software include in the Pack include;

Google Earth - 3D Earth browser
Picasa - Photo organizer
Google Pack Screensaver - Photo screensaver
Google Desktop - Desktop companion
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer - Search toolbar
Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar - Web browser
Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition - Antivirus utility
Ad-Aware SE Personal - Antispyware utility
Adobe Reader 7 - PDF reader
Google Talk - Voice and IM application
RealPlayer - Media player
Google Video Player - Video player
GalleryPlayer HD Images - Images

Check Google Pack out for yourself at http://pack.google.com

Save on Line Rental

The savings you can make by using VOIP are big. Here is a trick to save even more money on line rental if you are living in Australia. If you do switch to a VOIP service I suggest you ring your phone provider straight away and ask them if they can reduce your line rental. You can cut your line rental to around $20 a month; however, should you make any calls using the land line they cost more than usual.

Below are some Australian VOIP options;

Fresh Tel - http://www.freshtel.net/
My Net Phone - http://www.myfone.com.au/
Engin - http://www.engin.com.au/
Ace Communications Group - http://www.acecommunications.com.au/
Skype - http://www.skype.com (Cheepest Option)

Mobile - Google Search / Personalised News

If you’re on the road and like news on the go, you can now perform Google searches, check on the latest Google news headlines, as well as access your personalised Google home page on your mobile phone. Type the URL below into your mobile phone browser and once the page is served you will be provided with a search, news link and personalised home link. There is also a mobile search option which serves up mobile phone optimized pages in the search.

http://www.google.com/xhtml

If you don't have a Google account yet, post your email address and I'll send you an invite.

Anonymous Web Browsing - Tor

Some of you would have heard of this before but is a new bit of software to me. Most of us have heard of anonymous web surfing, using anonymous proxies available on the internet, but Tor is something a bit different. It is designed to prevent sneaky buggers from monitoring your internet usage patterns, by sending TCP/IP traffic down alternate internet through a network of virtual tunnels. It also masks your location, so let’s say you are overseas and connect to a client’s web server; the snoops in that country will not be able to identify you as someone working overseas for a particular company.

I can see the attraction to the security conscious amongst us. If you fancy reading a bit more about this piece of software check the link below;
http://tor.eff.org/overview.html.en

Why not give it a try. You have nothing to loose except your ability to be snooped.