Importance of a Privacy Policy in Website...?

A privacy policy is one of the most important documents on any website. It details your company's views and procedures on the information collected from visitors.

Although a privacy policy is technically a legal document, great effort should be made to craft a document that is both accurate and easy to understand, obscuring hidden clauses in reams of text is not acceptable.

The main sections are as follows:

Introduction: This section can tell your visitor a little about your organization, and any special information or functions that your website has. If your website has special conditions for collecting information from children (under 16 etc), you should state them clearly in this section.

Information Collected: Visitors have a right to know what information you are collecting. It may be obvious that you are collecting personal details by asking them to complete a form, but you should make it clear. You should also include information logged by your servers, such as hostnames and IP addresses.

Method of Collection: This details the methods you use to collect the information. Is it all automated? Do the forms visitors fill in collect other information, such as the original referrer? All of these questions will help you build a detailed description of how you collect information.

Storage of Information: How is the information stored? If you store information in a database and are located in the UK you may need to register with the government regarding the data protection act. If your servers are in the EU you will need to ask permission to transmit data outside the union, even if it stays within your company. Visitors have a right to know that you will make every effort to store their personal information in a safe and secure environment.

Contact details: Its important to be as transparent as possible, and allow users to contact you if they have a query. You should feature both an email address (or online form), as well as a real world address where a user can write to.

How to Restrict Download of Specified File Types in Asp.Net.

In this post i will show you how to restrict your web app so that .txt (whatever file extensions you want ) files can not be downloaded.

Open your web.config file and register following setting in your web.config

<system.web>
<httpHandlers>
<add verb=”*” path=”*.txt” type=”System.Web.HttpForbiddenHandler” />
</httpHandlers>
</system.web>

FLASH vs JAVA APPLETS.

A side from animated GIFs, another approach has been used to add dynamic effects to web pages: java applets.

One of the most famous is the lake applet.

Unfortunately, java (the programming language for applets) requires programming skills. This means that you can't just start creating your own applets.

Therefore, some programmers have created free applets that allow customization. So instead of learning the programming, people can simply use the already programmed applets.

Again, the lake applet is a good example. It makes a wave effect on any image of any size. But if you wanted to add anything else to the applet you would have to either program it yourself or find a free applet that actually did what you wanted.

Flash movies are in many ways similar to java applets. Small programs that can be embedded into your HTML pages. But unlike java applets, it is fairly easy to create animations in Flash without programming skills.

Applets have often be criticized for "killing" browsers.

Sometimes, java programmers are not as skillfull as one might have wished. Some applets are programmed so they eventually take up all resources on the computer, and this results in "freezing" the browser.

So compared to java applets, the advantage of Flash is:

Flash movies are easier to create than java applets.

Flash movies are more stable in web browsers than java applets.

Note: While Flash has these advantages over applets, there is more to the story. There are things that you can program in java that just can't be done with Flash. But since the focus here is Flash we will not go into the details.

How to install a hard drive on your computer.

So lets get started and install a hard drive:
Unplug the power cable and open up your computer case. Make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on.


Pick the drive bay that you are going to install the hard drive in. You'll want to install it in the farthest drive bay down.

Before you install a hard drive, make sure you set the proper jumper settings. Since we are only installing a single hard drive, set the jumpers as MASTER. The jumper settings are different for each hard drive, so consult your owner's manual so you know which pins to cover up.


Now that you have the jumpers set, it's time to install your hard drive in the computer's case. Secure the hard drive in the drive bay that you selected above with some screws.

First, connect the power cable to the back of the hard drive. Next, connect the ribbon cable to the back of the hard drive. Note that the ribbon cable has 3 connectors, one on each end and one in the middle. Connect your hard drive to one of the end connectors, and then connect the other end connector to the motherboard.

There are two slots on a motherboard that will connect to a ribbon cable. Select the one that is red (like mine) or the one that is labeled with the lowest number. The unused middle connector on the ribbon cable is a "SLAVE" connector that is used when you install a second hard drive.

Plug in your computer and power it on. Your computer should recognize the new hard drive. If it doesn't, go into your motherboards BIOS and search around for the IDE channels, they need to be set to AUTO.

That's all there is to install a hard drive. You can buy a hard drive now that you know how to install one.

Now you should be ready to format the disk with software provided by your hard drives manufacturer and install an operating system.

Install RAM memory & give your PC some speed.

It's extremely easy to install RAM memory onto your computer's motherboard. Has your computer been getting sluggish lately? Installing new RAM is a very cost effective way to give your computer some extra juice.

Upgrading your RAM memory gives you the most bang for the buck when attempting to make your computer faster and it doesn't take a specialist to do it.

If you have questions on choosing what type of RAM you need, read my tutorial on it here.

Or if your looking to buy some RAM, I've found some good deals here on computer RAM. So here's how to install RAM into your computer:


First, you need to unplug your computer from the wall and open your computer case to get access to the motherboard.


In order to install RAM you must first locate where your current RAM is on your motherboard and what it looks like. Chances are there are extra slots next to your current RAM. The great thing about most types of RAM is you can leave your current memory in your computer and place your new RAM in the next available slot.

Remove your RAM from its anti-static bag and hold it by the edges. Make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on so that you don't ruin your new RAM.

The next step to install your RAM is to determine which slot to place it into. You want to install your RAM in the lowest numbered slot or the empty slot that is closest to your filled memory slots.

You can only install RAM in one direction. Look on the bottom of the RAM stick. You need to line up the notches in the RAM with the keys in the slot on your motherboard.

Make sure the retainer clips for the RAM are all the way open. Place the RAM in the slot and gently push it straight down with your thumbs. You may have to press hard to "set" the RAM correctly. When you press down hard enough the retaining clips on either side of the RAM will snap into place, making a "clicking" sound.



Before closing the computer case up you should test to see if you were able to install the RAM correctly. Power up your PC and everything should work normally.

Congratulations, I know you did an excellent job on your RAM, or now your ready to install some computer RAM. Now enjoy that extra speed your computer has, you earned it.

If you need to get some computer RAM now that you know how to install it, then search online to get some great deals on RAM memory.

How to Install the Heatsink/Fan.

Installing your CPU's stock heatsink and fan is also a relatively painless process. In some instances you'll have to apply a thermal compound to your CPU before installing your heatsink (which amounts to applying a few drops and spreading a thin layer across your CPU). However many stock heatsink/fans will come with a thermal pad affixed to the bottom of the heatsink (normally a soft gray substance), in which case you won't need any thermal compound.

Find the mounting hooks on the sides of your CPU socket, match them up with the clamps on the sides of the heatsink, and lower the heatsink onto your CPU. Hook the heatsink to the socket, then pull the locking arm until it snaps into place. Different heatsinks will lock in different manners, but they're all relatively easy to figure out. After your heatsink is locked securely in place, you need to attach the fan's power connector to the motherboard's fan header. You'll need to consult your motherboard's manual to find the appropriate header on your motherboard (it should be very near the CPU).

How to Install CPU.

Installing your CPU in your motherboard is a very simple but delicate process. I always get an excited/nervous charge in my stomach when I'm holding the all-powerful and mysterious CPU in my hands, but the process of installing it holds no real mystery of its own.

First you want to unlock the CPU socket. Generally there will be a small plastic or metal arm that lies on the side of the CPU socket. To unlock it, just push it out and then pull it up.

Now you need to align the CPU to the socket. Different processors have different pin layouts on the bottom, but normally one corner will have a diagonal section without any pins that's different from the others (often this corner will be labeled by a small triangle on the top of the CPU). Find the corresponding corner on your motherboard's CPU socket and gently lower the CPU into the socket.

Be aware, there should be no pushing or snapping involved in this process. The CPU, if correctly aligned, should simply fall (gently!) into place.

Now just lower and lock the socket arm, which in turn will lock your CPU into your motherboard.

How to open a computer case.

Although it is relatively simple to open a computer case, if you've never had the need to, then you probably don't know how. If you're don't have a computer case yet, check out my tutorial onchoosing computer cases.

Or you can search online for some good deals on computer cases. Although no computer case is like another, here is a relatively simple and universal way to open a computer case.

If your computer has hardware installed, be sure to disconnect the power cable.


Locate the screws on the rear of the computer (mine are labeled A), there should be a couple on the top and a couple on each side. Remove them.

Now to open a computer case, you need to pull up and towards the front of the computer. It should come off easily. If your computer case is not coming of, look for any screws that you might have missed and remove them.


Replacing the computer case is just the opposite of when you open a computer case.

How to Install motherboard.

You're almost there. All that's left is to mount your motherboard in the case. Remember the brass standoffs we screwed into the case when we started? All you need to do is lower your motherboard into the case, line it up with the brass standoffs and your I/O plate, and start screwing.

At this point, you're practically done. You'll need to attach some of your case's power connectors to the motherboard headers (again, you'll need to consult your motherboard's manual to know which headers do what), but connecting them is a very simple process. After that, your motherboard and CPU installation is complete!

How To Install a CPU Processor

-Installing a new computer CPU can seem a little over your head but it isn't. It's actually easier than many components. The installation will probably take you 10 minutes with no problem. CPUs were all similar up until recently. All AMD CPUs have pins attached to the CPU, Intel socket 478 CPUs also have the pins attached to the CPU. However, the new Intel socket 775 CPUs have no pins on the CPU, only holes, the pins are located on the motherboard itself. Intel chose this path for various reasons, mainly due to the fact the 478 "Prescott" processors produced to much heat.

The AMD and Intel 478 sockets are small square objects with gold pins on the bottom, and a lever to one side. The CPU will simply drop into the socket with the lever up and lock into place when the lever is down. Doesn't get my easier than that.

-AMD Socket (Also similar to Intel 478)

ZIF Socket

-AMD CPU (Also similar to Intel 478)

AMD CPU, notice notch on CPU

-Install-

-First off ground yourself. You do NOT want to allow a static electricity discharge on your new CPU. It will fry real quick! Make a habit out of touching the power supply in the case to discharge any amount of static electricity you may have.

-Unplug computer

-Open Case by removing screws. There are approximately 4 of them to remove.

 

Unscrewing the case

 

Slide case panel off the case

-After figuring out what CPU you have we need to install it. In this tutorial we install an AMD socket 754 CPU and after the new socket 775 Intel CPU.

Socket 754
-First off pull the sockets locking handle into the up position.

Picture same as above. Notice handle in UP position

-Now we want to place the CPU in the ZIF socket. The CPU is notched at one end and is also notched on the ZIF socket. Simply align these.

-Make sure your CPU is matched up with slot and let it fall gently into the slot. If it wont slide in well then check pins on CPU to insure they are not bent. If one is bent you can use a pocket knife to straighten carefully. Be careful! If many are bent, take back to store and get a new one.

-Now with CPU in the socket we need to lock it down. Push the handle all the way down and secure under its retainer.

CPU locked in place

-Now we need to install the heatsink and fan. This is an easy job too tho.

-Around the socket there will be a black device that holds the heatsink down on the CPU, this is called the heatsink retention bracket. The heatsink itself with have two hooks on each side, with one side having a device that locks the hook in place while locking onto the retention bracket. Make sure the device is unlocked but turning it anti-clockwise before starting.

-Hook one side of the heatsink to the bracket and then lower the heatsink on the CPU. The other side of the heatsink should be able to hook into the bracket now also. The heatsink should feel firmly in place but the hooks will be loose. The final step is to move that locking device clockwise till it locks into the retention bracket, this should make the heatsink secure.

Installed HeatSink and Fan

-You're Done!! Good job.. That wasn't so bad now was it. There is only one thing left to do and that is to hook up your CPU fan into a available power connector. Your BIOS should see new CPU and show it to you on the POST process.

Socket 775
-As mentioned earlier Intel's new socket has its pins integrated with the actual socket and are not located on the bottom of the CPU. The new CPUs looks like this:

Look no pins!

-The new socket has a protective cover on it to stop the pins being damaged. This will need to be removed first of all.

Socket 775 with protective cover on.

-Once the cover is off open the lever and lift up the metal flap. This reveals the pins and allows the CPU to be installed.

Socket open and ready for CPU to be inserted.

-As with all CPUs remember to look for the notch in the corner and match it up with the socket. Gently lower the CPU in the socket taking care to not bend any motherboard pins, and then lower the metal flap. Finally move the socket lever to the closed position to lock the CPU in the socket.

Socket closed with CPU installed, ready for heatsink.

-The CPU is now ready for the heatsink to be installed. This board is different in that it doesn't have a retention bracket. The heatsink simply slots into four holes. It is locked into place by twisting the four locking clips. Simply done.

IPO Allotment Status.

" IPO Allotment Status "

Click here

12 Yahoo Chat Commands for Yahoo Messenger.

If you are in the chatroom yahoo! then of course you can use a few basic commands that you can take advantage and make you more comfortable chat in chatrooms, however, here is a collection of yahoo chat command,

/join [room] go to what ever room you wish

/invite [buddys name] sends invitation request

/tell [user] [message] private messages a friend

/follow [user] follows a friend

/stopfollow [user] stop following someone

/stopfollow [yourname] to stop them from following you

/goto [user] enters the room the user is in

/away [off] turn your private messages back on

/think [message] type this to think what you want

/ignore [list] list everyone who you are ignoring

/ignore add [user] add someone to your ignoring list

/ignore [add all] ignores everything going on

Enjoy it....:)

How to Link Your Facebook Page to Twitter.

Over the past few months my blog has received thousands of hits a day from users looking for information on how they can link Twitter to Facebook. The following is a brief collection of links that will help all of you find what you need:

Twitter’s official page on how to add Twitter to Facebook. The Twitter app for Facebook integrates Twitter into your Facebook experience.

Here is the most popular Twitter Facebook Application.

A blog post from a Facebook employee discussing Publishing to Twitter from Facebook Pages.

The Facebook application Selective Tweets. Selective Tweet Status lets you update your Facebook status from Twitter – BUT you can choose which tweets you want – just end a tweet with #fb when you want to post it as your Facebook status – simple!

A nifty Facebook Page that helps you manage your Facebook Fan Pages connection to Twitter accounts.

Hope this helps!

Did You Know You Can Copy and Paste Images Directly into Gmail ?

 I was pretty surprised—turns out you can paste images from the clipboard directly into Gmail with Ctrl+V or the context menu… but only in Firefox 4 at the moment. In Google Chrome, it works a little differently.

Update: after doing a little more testing, seems like if you do this in Firefox, this might not make it through to the receiver properly in some or all cases. It does appear to work with Chrome, however.
Copy and Paste in Firefox

Update: This Doesn’t Work Right. Skip down to the Chrome section.

If you’re in Firefox, you can take a screenshot with the print screen key, with a third-party utility, or with the built-in Snipping Tool in Windows 7 or Vista. Or you can even right-click an image in any browser and choose “Copy Image”.

Then you can either Ctrl+V or right-click and choose Paste…

And just like that, the image will be in your new email.

Copy and Paste in Google Chrome
In Google Chrome, it works a little differently—you can’t copy an image from the clipboard, but you can copy images within Chrome. Just right-click on any image, choose “Copy image”…

And then you can paste it directly into Gmail.

Hopefully it’ll all work seamlessly between all browsers at some point in the future. At least you can drag and drop images to Gmail from most modern browsers.

ASP.NET Question and Answer.

All question and Answer about ASP.NET 

PDF FILE

Cicke here

What is ASP.NET Ajax?

Ajax enables you to build highly interactive and responsive web applications by doing more in the browser.

The ASP.NET Ajax Library

The ASP.NET Ajax Library is an open-source JavaScript library that can be used with both ASP.NET Web Forms and ASP.NET MVC applications.

1.The ASP.NET Ajax Library includes the very popular, open-source, jQuery library. jQuery enables you to easily retrieve and manipulate elements from a HTML document by using a selector syntax similar to the syntax used in Cascading Style Sheets.

2.The ASP.NET Ajax Library includes the Ajax Control Toolkit. The Ajax Library contains more than 30 controls that enable you to easily create rich, interactive web pages. For example, you can use the Ajax Library controls to display HTML editors, auto-complete textboxes, cascading dropdown lists, picture slide shows, and modal popup dialog boxes.

3.The ASP.NET Ajax Library includes a powerful client data access library. By taking advantage of ASP.NET Ajax client templates and client data-binding, you can build a database-driven web application that executes entirely within the web browser.

Ajax in ASP.NET Web Forms

The ASP.NET Ajax Library enables you to enhance ASP.NET Web Forms applications with Ajax. You don't need to know JavaScript to use the controls in the ASP.NET Ajax Library. For example, if you want to add a popup calendar to a TextBox control, you can simply select the Add Extender task option and select the Toolkit Calendar from a dialog box.

If, on the other hand, you are comfortable working directly with JavaScript then you can instantiate ASP.NET Ajax Library controls by using jQuery. For example, the following line of code creates and attaches an Ajax calendar control to an input element with the ID startDate:

$(“#startDate”).calendar();

UpdatePanel Control

ASP.NET Web Forms also includes the UpdatePanel control which enables you to create a better user experience by performing partial page updates. The UpdatePanel hijacks a normal post operation and performs an asynchronous post operation instead. To learn more about the UpdatePanel control, watch the video How Do I Implement Dynamic Partial-Page Updates.

Ajax in ASP.NET MVC

The ASP.NET Ajax Library enables you to enhance ASP.NET MVC applications with Ajax. Many ASP.NET MVC developers are already passionate about jQuery. The ASP.NET Ajax Library extends jQuery with a rich set of over 30 client controls (the Ajax Control Toolkit), a client script loader, and a powerful client data access library. For example, you can create an Ajax watermark control in an MVC view like this:

$(“#firstName”).watermark(“Enter some text…”);

The ASP.NET Ajax Library includes a powerful client data access library that you can use to interact with MVC controller actions. For example, you can use the ASP.NET Ajax Library to retrieve a set of database records from an MVC controller action that returns a JSON result. By taking advantage of Ajax client templates, you can render the database records directly within the browser:

Ajax Helper Methods

Additionally, the ASP.NET MVC framework includes built-in helper methods that enable you to perform asynchronous form posts and partial page updates without writing any JavaScript. For example, theAjax.ActionLink() helper enables you to update a region of a view when you click a link.

Microsoft Ajax Content Delivery Network

The Microsoft Ajax content delivery network (CDN) enables you to easily add ASP.NET Ajax Library and jQuery scripts to your Web applications. You can start using the ASP.NET Ajax Library or jQuery simply by adding a <script> tag to your page that points to Ajax.microsoft.com.

By taking advantage of the Microsoft Ajax CDN, you can significantly improve the performance of your Ajax applications. The contents of the Microsoft Ajax CDN are cached on servers located around the world. In addition, the Microsoft Ajax CDN enables browsers to reuse cached JavaScript files for Web sites that are located in different domains. View instructions for using the Microsoft Ajax CDN.

How to Automatically Delete Spam mail in gmail.

In the current age of unsafe internet ,spammers are sending out spam mails in bulk.Though Gmail’s spam blocker does a real good job of catching the spam but it has a irritating side too.When Gmail catches a spam mail,it also shows the number of unread spam mails in bold which irritates many including me.

So here’s a way you can automatically mark your spam mail as read or delete it in Gmail :-

Go to your settings page in Gmail by clicking on the settings link or visitinghttp://mail.google.com/mail/#settings .Now click on the “filters” tab and click create a new filter.In the field that displays “Has the words:” type in “in:spam”.





Click on the Next button and ignore the warning you get.If you want to mark the mail as read then select the checkbox of “Mark as Read” or to delete it mark the “Delete it ” Checkbox.




Click on create Filter Button and you are done.You can also use filters for various other causes.

Gmail Has a Daily Limit on Sending Email.

Gmail imposes a limit on the attachment size (20 MB) and the overall storage space (6 GB and growing) but there's also a daily quote on sending email. Break the rules and Google will disable you Gmail account temporarily without any warnings.

So while sending an email message to a large group of friends using Gmail, read the following rules to avoid temporary shut-down of Gmail:

Rule 1. If you access Gmail via POP or IMAP clients (like Microsoft Outlook), you can send an email message to a maximum of 100 people at a time. Cross the limit and your account will be disabled for a day with the error "550 5.4.5 Daily sending quota exceeded."

Rule 2. If you access Gmail from the browser, you may not address an email message to more than 500 people at a time. Try adding any more recipients in the To, CC or BCC field and your Gmail account will get probably disabled for 24-72 hours. Error: "Gmail Lockdown in Secton 4"

Rule 3. Always double check email addresses of recipients before hitting the Send button in Gmail. That's because your account will get disabled if the email message contains a large number of non-existent or broken addresses (<25 ?) that bounce back on failed delivery.

Rule 4: This is slightly unrelated but still important - Google will disable your Gmail account permanently if you don't check your Gmail email for a period of nine months. All the stored messages will be deleted and you Gmail address (user name) may be released for others to grab it.

How to Search Mail in Gmail with Operators.

Advanced search operators are query words or symbols that perform special actions in Gmail search. These operators allow you to find what you're looking for quickly and accurately. They can also be used to set up filters so you can organize your inbox automatically. Some of the most useful operators are listed below.

You can also use advanced search operators by clicking on Show search options beneath the Gmail search box.

Operator	Definition	Example(s)
from:	Used to specify the sender	Example: from:amy Meaning: Messages from Amy
to:	Used to specify a recipient	Example: to:david Meaning: All messages that were sent to David (by you or someone else)
subject:	Search for words in the subject line	Example: subject:dinner Meaning: Messages that have the word "dinner" in the subject
OR	Search for messages matching term A or term B* *OR must be in all caps	Example: from:amy OR from:david Meaning: Messages from Amy or from David
- (hyphen)	Used to exclude messages from your search	Example: dinner -movie Meaning: Messages that contain the word "dinner" but do not contain the word "movie"
label:	Search for messages by label* *There isn't a search operator for unlabeled messages	Example: from:amy label:friends Meaning: Messages from Amy that have the label "friends"Example: from:david label:my-family Meaning: Messages from David that have the label "My Family"
has:attachment	Search for messages with an attachment	Example: from:david has:attachment  Meaning: Messages from David that have an attachment
list:	Search for messages on mailing lists	Example: list:info@example.com  Meaning: Messages with the words info@example.com in the headers, sent to or from this list
filename:	Search for an attachment by name or type	Example:filename:physicshomework.txt Meaning: Messages with an attachment named "physicshomework.txt" Example: label:work filename:pdf Meaning: Messages labeled "work" that also have a PDF file as an attachment
" " (quotes)	Used to search for an exact phrase* *Capitalization isn't taken into consideration	Example: "i'm feeling lucky" Meaning: Messages containing the phrase "i'm feeling lucky" or "I'm feeling lucky" Example: subject:"dinner and a movie" Meaning: Messages containing the phrase "dinner and a movie" in the subject
( )	Used to group words Used to specify terms that shouldn't be excluded	Example: from:amy (dinner OR movie) Meaning: Messages from Amy that contain either the word "dinner" or the word "movie" Example: subject:(dinner movie) Meaning: Messages in which the subject contains both the word "dinner" and the word "movie"
in:anywhere	Search for messages anywhere in Gmail* *Messages in Spam and Trash are excluded from searches by default	Example: in:anywhere movie  Meaning: Messages in All Mail,Spam, and Trash that contain the word "movie"
in:inbox in:trash in:spam	Search for messages in Inbox, Trash, or Spam	Example: in:trash from:amy Meaning: Messages from Amy that are in Trash
is:important label:important	Search within messages that Priority Inbox considers important.	Example: is:important from:janet Meaning: Messages from Janet that were marked as important by Priority Inbox
is:starred is:unread is:read	Search for messages that are starred, unread or read	Example: is:read is:starred from:David Meaning: Messages from David that have been read and are marked with a star
cc: bcc:	Used to specify recipients in the cc: or bcc: fields* *Search on bcc: cannot retrieve messages on which you were blind carbon copied	Example: cc:david  Meaning: Messages that were cc-ed to David
after: before:	Search for messages sent during a certain period of time* *Dates must be in yyyy/mm/dd format.	Example: after:2004/04/16 before:2004/04/18  Meaning: Messages sent between April 16, 2004 and April 18, 2004.* *More precisely: Messages sent after 12:00 AM (or 00:00) April 16, 2004 and before April 18, 2004.
is:chat	Search for chat messages	Example: is:chat monkey Meaning: Any chat message including the word "monkey".
deliveredto:	Search for messages within a particular email address in the Delivered-To line of the message header	Example:deliveredto:username@gmail.com Meaning: Any message with username@gmail.com in the Delivered-To: field of the message header (which can help you find messages forwarded from another account or ones sent to an alias).

Ggggle Buzz off: Disabling Google Buzz.

Google has changed the disabling procedure for Google Buzz. You can read about the change . February 11, 2010 at 12:15 p.m. PT to share a new rollout that Google implemented to better manage (and block) contacts. Also added a note about profile privacy.


My colleague Molly Wood called it a privacy nightmare, but to many, Google's new social-networking tool Buzz is at its root an unwanted, unasked for pest. The way some of us see it, we didn't opt in to some newfangled Twitter system and we don't particularly want to see updates from contacts we never asked to follow creep up in our Buzz in-box. Call us what you will, but for curmudgeonly types like us, Buzz isn't so much social networking as it is socially awkward networking. We tried it, we didn't like it, and now it has to go.

Here's how we silenced Buzz from the desktop:

Step 0: Don't disable Buzz--yet

The automatic reaction is to scroll to the very bottom of Gmail and click the words "turn off buzz." But all this does is remove active links, leaving your profile still publicly available, along with any public buzzes you might have made while trying Buzz out. In fact, you're still technically following people, and they're following you. Not OK.




Disabling Buzz isn't enough. My previous buzzes are still visible to anyone looking for them.



Step 1: Purge your profile

One way to find your profile is to go to http://www.google.com/profiles and search on your name. Next, permanently delete buzzes in the public timeline by clicking the "Delete" tag. Then get to work unfollowing those that Google has "helped" you automatically follow.




From your profile, (1) click the hyperlink first and then (2) manually unfollow individuals.



However, it's as if the Buzz team never envisioned anyone would want to completely opt out. You'll need to unfollow individuals one by one, which takes some time if Google subscribed you to a long list of followers. Despite what it said in our profile, we had to keep loading pages to unfollow a big chunk of friends.

Also take a moment to make sure that your profile isn't broadcasting anything you don't want it to. Click the "Edit Profile" link to the right of "Contacts" and "About me" to give your profile a once-over.

Note: If your profile was never public (and if you never experimented with Buzz), you'll have fewer privacy concerns. However, if you are getting rid of Buzz, it's a good idea to scan your profile to make sure you're not exposed on anyone's automatic list of followers.

Step 2: Block your followers

If you're serious about removing traces of yourself from Buzz's public record, you'll need to make sure you're invisible to others as well. Go back to Buzz in Gmail (if you already disabled it, you can turn Buzz back on at the bottom of the page to complete this step.) In the absence of an obvious "block all" button, we manually blocked each individual by clicking their picture from the list of followers and then selecting "Block."

Blocking: Another option.

At noon PT on Thursday, we noticed that Google rolled out a better interface that includes some management tools you can use to more easily block users. Prior to that, we noticed a few leftovers that were still visible in our public profile because we weren't previously able to access their profile tab. Thanks to Google's tweak, we unblocked them in a hurry.



Blocking someone won't alert them and you can always unblock them later if you change your mind about Buzz.




A Thursday tweak adds drop-down tools to better manage followers.


Step 3: Disable Buzz in Gmail

Now it's safe to disable Buzz in Gmail, thus removing the offending links and updates from your eyes.




Last step: Unplug Buzz in Gmail.

How To Backup Your Gmail Account To Your Hard Drive.

We all know The Google backs up regularly and runs some of the biggest redundant data centers in the world, but do you really trust your emails from your long lost girlfriendattachments of your trip to that sci fi convention important work emails and attachments with them?

Wouldn’t you feel safer with a backup of your own?

Of course you would young Admin! It is one of the rules I preach daily as a Network Administrator.

BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP! He who laughs last usually has a backup…



Enough beating around the bush – the tool is called simply GMail Backup Download and guess what it can do?

Wow you guys are on the ball today! Yup it can backup your entire Gmail account including attachments to a local folder on your computer. That is backup entire Gmail account on your hard drive. Ready to check it out? The GUI version of this is WINDOWS ONLY but there is also a command line version that works on Linux and Mac.

The installer version 0.44 is 4.4 MB and can be downloaded from here (Windows, Linux or Mac). The Windows download is directly available here. After installing it you can launch it from your start menu.



This is as simple as it gets guys. Easy as….well easy as typing in your username and password and clicking a few buttons.



You will have a full local copy (or a backup filtered by date). These messages are able to be opened in Outlook Express or similar email programs – and get this they will retain all their attachments! This is a glimpse of the file structure Gmail Backup creates. As you can see in the screen shot below it used the path I specified in the GUI and if I had folders created in my account it would have created those sub folders as well.



It gets even better. You can restore your local emails right back to Gmail with the click of the restore button. Awesome!



Is anyone using another method to do this? (Yes this is done via IMAP but it does not require any technical knowledge other than clicking and installing.) Let us know in the comments!