I think Google is starting to become even more powerful on the internet, then Microsoft is with software. If there’s a good idea out there that Google hasn’t thought of, then it’s more than likely that they’re going to try to swoop in to steal it. Their newest form of mimicry comes by way of their Knol service.

Wikipedia has pretty much become the “library” of the internet. If you want to know a quick fact about something in the world, then Wikipedia more than likely has it. It’s this fast access to information that has made it so successful. Wikipedia has been so successful in fact, Google has now launched their own version.

I’ve been keeping an eye on Knol since its launch, and so far I’d give it a mixed review. Easily the strongest aspect of Knol is the showing of the authors for different posts. That way you can know who really knows what they’re talking about, along with the ones who don’t. The problem is with this strong feature, there’s a drawback as well. With different posts being submitted, the experience isn’t nearly as streamlined as Wikipedia. When using Wikipedia, the bulk of the information is all on that front page for you to view. While searching through Knol, you have to click through different posts to find certain pieces of information.

So far I wouldn’t prefer Knol to Wikipedia just yet. While Wikipedia might have content issues, it’s still the place to go for that quick bit of information you’re looking for (but I still wouldn’t use it for a research paper).

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

When anything is deemed “free” it’s generally met with a bit of apprehension. But this feeling is almost as easily nullified by the fact that what you’re getting costs you nothing, except your time.

Today Adobe released a free version of Photoshop, called Photoshop Express. While it’s no retail version of Photoshop, this free version does have some things to offer. The editing mode of Photoshop Express is nothing to laugh at. It offers alot of the tools that you need to enhance your personal photos. Just don’t expect to be able to create crazy forum signatures, or to be able to actually illustrate anything.

Photoshop Express Editing Capabilities-
-Crop & Rotate
-Red-Eye Removal
-Saturation
-White Balance
-Sharpen
-Soft Focus
-Tint

There’s quite a few more different editing options, but those are the big ones, and ones you’ll most likely be using. Photoshop Express also allows you to keep a gallery of photos on their site. As of now they are offering 2GB of storage space, which is a pretty decent amount for free photo storage. Your album will the added to then Photoshop Express community. Within this community you can browse other people’s galleries, add them to your favorites and keep up with what they are adding. It kind of seems like a creepy premise, but like any social networking format you have to be careful of what you’re putting out there.

As a final judgement of Photoshop Express, it’s definitely something that is worth your time if you dont have a retail copy of Photoshop. The addition of the gallery and community aspect adds to the experience as well. So far I haven’t run into any technical issues, and it all seems to be running very well.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

It is being reported by WebProNews that Google has launched its’ Visualization API. In Google’s API gallery, you can find all kinds of cool little widgets to spruce up those spreadsheets that tend to be a bore to look at. Instead of using a boring pie chart, you could use a pyramid chart, or a funnel chart .

Here’s a list of different spreadsheet widgets that are being offered:
Motion Chart
Panorama Analytics Gadget
Gauge Widget

Those are just a few of the gadgets, and charts that are available. To view the list yourself and find certain charts you’re looking for, the complete list can be found here.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Have you ever been reading a medical journal, or a heavily technology based magazine, and just didn’t understand half of what they were writing about? A Korean based company, Unichal has devised a solution for you, in a very high tech manner no less.

The Dixau, will help you understand the meaning behind those lengthy words that those intellectuals like to use. Basically, you will plug Dixau into your computer, and when you come across a word you don’t understand you scan its’ image. After scanning, it will cross reference the text you scanned with Google, or Wikipedia or whatever information source you use. Then the information will appear on your screen, with a definition or explanation of whatever you scanned.

As of now you can only purchase the product at Unichal’s website . It’s all in Korean so good luck with your purchase.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!