With a massive electronics trade show, and an abundant supply of product announcements, there was plenty of technology to talk about this week that’s also covered in our Online Training Library®.
Secret Windows 7 trick discovered
Now that many of us are becoming more comfortable with the nuts and bolts of Windows 7, the hunt is on for new tricks and hidden functionality. This week, the Web has been buzzing with the discovery of the undocumented “GodMode” feature — an incredibly handy feature for those that like to fine tune their OS settings. By simply creating a new folder and renaming it with a special string, you’ll be able to access every single Windows setting from a single folder. Though not quite as omnipotent as the name may suggests, GodMode definitely beats wading through the endless panels and tabs of the classic Control Panel. Hungry for more Windows 7 tricks? PC World has 25 more to discover.
Just a few of the mysterious powers available in Windows 7 “GodMode.”
More Twitter tools for business
Now that businesses big and small are starting to find the marketing benefits of using Twitter, some are also starting to use Twitter for their customer support and feedback. TechCrunch recently reported about a new start-up called Followbase that’s using Twitter’s API to offer basic CRM (customer relations management) tools. CRM systems are typically used by companies to handle their customer’s technical support, returns and FAQs.
While most CRM systems cost thousands of dollars a year to operate, Followbase comes with a goose egg for a price tag. Customers simply Tweet to a company using the service in one of four standard categories: Mentions, Ideas, Problems, and Questions. While it may not be robust enough for most large businesses, several big name retailers and financial institutions are giving it a shot. Plus, with its simple set up and ability for the entire Twitter community to lend a hand in support, it’s quickly gaining notice with start-ups and smaller companies.
Google’s new phone has Flash
Google stole the spotlight at last week’s CES Show by showing off what it’s calling the world’s first “super phone,” the Nexus One. The new phone, powered by the Android platform, has immediately begun drawing comparisons to the Apple iPhone. However, a recent blog post from Adobe which demonstrates Flash content playing on the Nexus One puts a big plus in the Google column, as well as a big smile on the faces of countless Flash designers and engineers. To the much publicized dismay of iPhone developers, Apple has yet to even hint at when the iPhone will fully support Web-based Flash content.
Make an ultraportable presentation
There’s no disputing that top-tier tools like Apple Keynote and Microsoft PowerPoint make eye-popping presentations a cinch to create. But there are still plenty of horror stories among the road warriors and teleconferencers that need to present under a myriad of unexpected scenarios. While nearly all presentation tools offer hearty HTML-export options, there are still ample limitations around layout customization, and slide navigation. Though it was first offered by the W3C years ago, it appears that HTML Slidy (a tutorial and collection of XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript code) is making a comeback among tech-savvy sites like Digg.com. What’s the reason for the renaissance? Many Web developers are saying that sometimes simpler is simply better.
Facebook get pushy
Even for the most addicted Facebook fan, constantly launching the Facebook iPhone app just to see if there’s anything new can be as monotonous as it is battery-draining. Version 3.1, however, introduces a very handy “push” technology which notifies you of any new content posted to your Facebook account the second it happens. Just choose what type of updates you want to be notified on (messages, wall posts, friend requests, etc.) and a simple alert will appear on your iPhone screen whenever new content is available. Then, simply choose whether to launch the app the view the new content, or opt to ignore it and check it out later.
