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Is File Sharing Illegal?

With all the news about illegal downloading, many computer users understandably worry about file sharing using software like Ares Galaxy from the open source Ares software. Specifically, they wonder whether file sharing is legal or illegal. It turns out that there are no laws that prevent people from sharing files, unless, that is, the files are protected by copyright law.

Legal File Sharing

Some forms of file sharing are perfectly legal. For instance, Unix users often modify and share the source codes of software that they use. Since these programs have no copyright protection, internet users can feel free to share them with whomever they please.

This means that file sharing programs are not, in themselves, illegal. uTorrent, Napster and other file sharing programs like aresgalaxy have legitimate uses. You can even sign up for web-based file sharing that allows you to upload large files and distribute them through links. There is nothing illegal about any of this activity.

Illegal File Sharing

Once someone shares copyrighted material, though, the law has been broken. This applies to a wide range of information, including music, books, movies and software. When users share these files, they participate in pirating. Legally, there isn’t much difference between distributing DVDs on the street and distributing them through the Internet.

Sharing or downloading copyrighted files illegal can have harsh consequences, including jail time and fines. If someone catches you sharing their files illegally, then you could face civil and criminal charges. In civil court, the copyright owner can sue you for damages. Depending on the type of file that you share, you could face damages as high as $150,000 per instance. In criminal court, the government can fine guilty parties up to $250,000 and send them to jail for up to five years.

Given the sensitive nature of copyright law, it makes sense to protect yourself from civil and criminal suits by paying attention to the type of files that you share. This will help ensure that you keep your file sharing activities legal.

Filed Under: Internet, Software Tagged With: Copyright, Filesharing, Napster

What’s Next? A Mysterious Road of Photo Technology Advancement

Remember those Polaroids? There was always a certain nostalgia with them. And what about the easy-to-use 35mm? We can’t seem to get enough of digital, megapixel this, megapixel that, plus countless convenient features you’d find on some of these cameras. The list goes on and on. But one question remains: what could possibly come next? When you look at photo technology compared to other technologies, it’s fairly cut and dry. Advancements are merely reinforcements of the same technology used over and over again. So, really, it begs the question….

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and remember how fun it was to wait for that Polaroid to show up. It was almost like magic. Shaking it back and forth sort of had a cool look to it, too. And then you had those crazy 35mm cameras and the odd ability to completely mutate your pictures by exposing the film to actual light. Very cost heavy, though, having to constantly buy new film!

But then you get digital. And enter the all-powerful megapixel. That’s where the power is. Raise your hand, though, if you’ve noticed one thing about the media industry regarding photography: it’s that we’re somehow STUCK on the megapixel now!

Seriously, what’s next? It was almost a decade ago when the megapixel numbered to about 3 or 4 on a camera, and now it’s all the same stuff, only they tacked on even more megapixels, making the picture even clearer than before. Has technology really dropped to a dead halt? Is there really no advancement left? Will the sky indeed turn pink with pigs flying above the buildings? Maybe so. That would be a scary time.

Who knows what will happen. It’s the future, right? Really, the sky’s the limit. It just so happens that particular facet of the media industry is more open-ended than anything else. And in a way, that makes it that much more exciting….

Filed Under: Digital Media, Internet Tagged With: Camera, Mass media, Polaroid Corporation

The Best Photo File Sharing Service for You

When looking online you will see that there are dozens of file sharing programs out there. Each has a specific service or function that they may be best at. When looking for the best file sharing service for yourself there are many things you must take into account the two most important being what is it that you are trying to share and with whom. If you are looking for the best photo file sharing services here a few that may best suit your needs.

Flickr

Whether you personally use it or not it is almost a guarantee that at some point in time you have been directed to the Flickr web site after clicking on a photo or link. Operational since 2004 it was bought out by Yahoo and has millions of users. There are two versions available for users; a professional paid service or a basic free photo sharing. It is an online based service, meaning all your files are uploaded to a server and stored remotely. If you choose to make your photos public then they can be accessed by anyone however you do have the option to make them private where only you and those you invite to view you photos can see them.

Picasa

Picasa, a Google service, is another favorite photo sharing service although it is not web based. The application must be downloaded on to your computer. From there you can organize, edit, store and upload your photos online. You can edit, organize, share your photos, as well as create collages and movies. It also allows you to easily upload your photos to your blog if you have an eblogger account.

Photo bucket

Of the three photo services mentioned in this article Photobucket is the oldest. It continues to be a viable option by continuously upgrading service and options. It allows users to create slideshows and has an easy user interface.

Filed Under: Digital Media, Internet Tagged With: Flickr, Google, PhotoSharing

Digital Media: 3D TVs

: Image via Wikipedia

As we enter our next decade, advances in the digital era are unfolding at a rapid pace, and some of the more highly advertised recent digital media advancements are 3D televisions. Available across the board in brand, size and quality, 3D TVs can bring 3D worlds to life while offering HDTV in non-3D programming. The advancements behind 3D television are fascinating, so let’s take a look at the story behind 3D TVs.

How Are 3D Programs Made?

The base for 3D programming is dependent upon the filming. To make a 3D program or movie, directors film from two or more different angles, or stereos. These stereos are then combined to make the picture appear to be 3D. Some systems require viewers use 3D glasses to watch the program; without the glasses, the program appears discolored and/or fuzzy. The three techniques that use 3D glasses to project the image are called anaglyphic 3D, polarization 3D and alternate-frame sequencing, and these techniques offer better control in larger formats. TVs that use these techniques may be larger and the images may be sharper than the TVs that do not use 3D glasses.

3D viewing is possible without glasses through autostereoscopic 3D, also known as auto 3D. With auto 3D technology, multiple angles are filmed and combined to produce a 2D image with depth, which is projected from the television as a 3D image. The TV on which these 3D programs can be displayed uses special lenses in the TV to make the program appear to be 3D. However, the autostereoscopic 3D TVs being introduced often offer the best quality image in small-sized TVs.

Although huge advances have been made in 3D TV viewing, the 3D glasses may be around for a while longer. Until advancements in auto 3D allow for high-quality, large-screen autostereoscopic 3D images, the choice between quality, size, and 3D glasses will exist.

Filed Under: Internet, Software Tagged With: 3D television, Stereoscopy, Television

6 Ways to Enhance Your Google Search

: Image via CrunchBase

A lot of people have discovered how great it is to use Google as their search engine. However, there are things that can be done when you are searching to make the search even better. Here are some of the ways that you can search more efficiently on Google.

Either/Or – Usually when you search in Google, you’re going to get the pages that contains all of your words that were in the search box. However, if you want to narrow it down, you can use “|” symbol, which is known as the pipe and is found atop the forward slash on your keyboard.
Quotes – When you want something specific searched for, such as an exact phrase, you can put the phrase in quotes. This is going to search for that exact phrase whereas not using the quotes is going to give a broader search.
Not – If you have a phrase or term that you don’t want included in the search, you can use the “-” symbol. This is going to include the searches that have your other words but not the word that you put after the symbol.
Similar – When you use the “~” symbol, you can tell Google to search for terms that are similar. An example would be “~strange car accidents.” This would bring back things like “weird car accidents” and “unusual car accidents.”
Advanced Search – For those times when you have trouble remembering these rules, you can simply use the advanced search and it will give you the same options.
Define – This is going to give you the definition of the word. For example, “define: chocolate” would give you a list of the definitions of the word chocolate.

These are just a few of the things that you can do with Google search beyond putting your word or phrase in and searching for it. Searching with Google is much more than you expected.

Filed Under: Internet, Software Tagged With: Google, Google Search, Web search engine

Choosing Streaming Video

Computer technology has come a long way since the first monster-sized computer. From a heat-producing, room-sized machine to a necessity in nearly every home, computers have become a staple of life for many families. With the ability to communicate via chat and to post pictures and videos online, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with loved ones.

Streaming video is a relatively new technological means of data transfer into a steady stream, or video. Video streaming is becoming vital as the Internet continues to grow. There are many types of streaming media applications, and choosing the right one for your PC depends on your needs and preferences. The following open source programs are free and may work for you:

§ VLC media player handles TV cards, DVDs, web streams, (S)VCDs and audio CDs. This open source software is virus free and user-friendly.

§ Another cool multimedia player is Media Player Classic. This player is styled like the old-school players but performs like new technology. This one player easily replaces four or five players that most video watchers use.

§ If you are a minimalist who likes software with low memory footprints, then you might want to look into KM Player. This open source software plays multiple file formats and is even powerful enough to play damaged and incomplete AVI files.

§ BS Player is another option. This all in one media player can handle all sorts of file formats including AVI, ASF, MPG, WMV, AVCHD, WAV, MP3, and YouTube’s FLV.

§ SHOUTcast allows users to create and broadcast their own Internet radio stations. Users can listen to music and broadcast audio-visual files at no cost.

Streaming video can benefit businesses in many ways. Product promotion or demonstrations via streaming video may increase sales and consumer confidence. The technology has revolutionized other industries. Real estate agents can now produce virtual tours of listings, allowing prospective buyers to gain a preview into homes without leaving their home. The technology has helped in education, as well. Many universities and colleges offer online courses with lectures and laboratory videos to help students get a better grasp on what they are learning. It’s nearly like being in a live classroom.

If you’re looking for a new way to share information, consider streaming video.

Filed Under: Digital Media, Internet Tagged With: DVD, Streaming media, YouTube

Pictures Have The Last Word

Face it! Please excuse the pun, but visibility is key these days. A faceless name simply won’t cut it. Similarly, substituting an ‘avatar’ or domestic pet in place of your physiognomy won’t save you from being depicted somewhere on the internet. Almost always, the few who choose not to advance their social standing and career prospects via social sites are forced to give in. Better, after all, to have control of how you are portrayed than get any nasty surprises when others upload images of you.

Sharing and broadcasting images of our buddies, family members and acquaintances is one of the most enjoyable of the IT innovations over the years. The capacity for embarrassment is mostly outweighed by the reassurance that we are one of the crew, accepted and included, even though we may cringe at some of the undignified poses that other people have captured.

Software that gives users the facilities for photo-sharing is hugely popular. Anyone who has woken up to the burgeoning world of social networking knows about the importance placed on the power of the visual image.

There are free software applications out there for anyone to use, like Photobucket, Flickr and Imageshack. Each offers hosting for still images, videos and slideshow presentations. Photobucket is the creation of IT entrepreneurs Alex Welch and Darren Crystal who spotted a gap in the market for providing a user-friendly central store-place, not on the user’s own hard drive. For those with the time and enthusiasm, editing or customizing those photos in amusing or thought-provoking ways is an added benefit laid on by hosting sites. Users can upload image albums to a whole range of locations, among the most popular being Facebook and MySpace. Photos can be sent to mobile phones, getting an instant reaction from friends and family. Sites even exist that offer a daily journal option where you can upload a photo of yourself during every day of your life. Watch yourself age in slow motion!

Filed Under: Digital Media, Internet Tagged With: Imageshack, Photo sharing, Photobucket

FAQ

1) I want to set the heading text for the photo album. How can i do this ?

create a “heading.txt” file with the heading you want on the first line and copy to the album folder.

2) I want to change the default image shown on the index page ?

In the heading.txt file, add the filename you want to display as default to the second line. (first line should be the heading)

3) Can I add comments to each picture ?

Yes. To add comments to each picture, create a “pics.txt” file under the album folder. The pics.txt file should look something like this..

pic1.jpg; my comment here for pic 1
pic2.jpg; my comment here for pic 2
pic3.jpg; my comment here for pic 3
pic4.jpg; my comment here for pic 4
pic5.jpg; my comment here for pic 5

The filename followed by a semi colon and the comment you want to add.

Note that the pics.txt file should go on the same directory where you have your pictures. Each folder can have its own pics.txt and heading.txt file.

4) How will I set the picture order displayed in the album ?

To specify the order of pictures, just add the pics.txt like explained above to your album folder. The comment is optional. If you only want to specify the picture order,just specify the filenames in the order you want. (one filename in each line)

pic4.jpg
pic1.jpg
pic3.jpg

From a Dos Command prompt, you can easily create a list of filenames in a directory and pipe the output to a text file by …

c:\ dir /A-D /b > pics.txt

5) What mode are the pictures displayed ?

phpPictureGallery supports three modes.

a) Thumbnail view
b) Film Strip view
c) SlideShow

Note: In the thumbnail mode, the thumbnails are automatically generated and placed under a ‘thumbs’ folder.

6) What image formats does phpPictureGallery support?

Currenly phpPictureGallery supports only .jpg format. (Gif support was removed in GD after 1.5 version)

7) Can I customize the start page so the user is taken to the film strip mode instead of thumbnail view ?

Sure, its easy to do too. By default, when you point to index.php, phpPictureGallery displays your pics in thumbnail mode. To display in filmstrip mode, your url must have filmview set to 1,

For slideshow, use something like below..

when you have multiple directories (with more than one gallery) you have to pass the directory name and filmview.

I installed phpPictureGallery, but i’m getting this error: Fatal error: Call to undefined function: imagecreatefromjpeg() in /images/thumbnail.php on line 63 what should I do ?

You need GD enabled on the server to have image functions work with php. If you’re running on win32, edit the php.ini file and uncomment the line that reads,

extension=php_gd.dll

and make sure you have the extension dir set correctly, see below for example. extension_dir =

If you don’t have GD, get the library from here.

9) I found a bug, what should I do ?

Make sure you have read this FAQ completely before reporting a bug.

Please try to fix the bug if you can. If you fixed a bug, you can check in the code in cvs. or email it to me at . Otherwise, post your bug report in the forum. I will try to reply to your problem asap.

Cheers!

Filed Under: Internet, Software Tagged With: Command Prompt, Filename, Text file

Digital Media and Data Recovery

: Image via Wikipedia

Electronic media that works on digital codes is digital media, such as computers and mobile phones. The digital media is also used for storing data in an electronic way. Not only does it save space but it is also cost-effective. There is a lot of digital media on the internet today, in the form of audio content, text content, images and video content.

However, since the medium of storage is electronic, loss of data can happen anytime due to several reasons. This is the reason why there has been an increase in the number of data recovery companies. Data recovery companies use technological tools and devices to extract information from damaged devices. The scope of data recovery companies extends beyond mere lost data recovery.

The best of these companies can recover any digital data, no matter when it was stored. Many large businesses and corporations hire recovery companies to retrieve data from their servers. These days, recovering data from digital cameras is also popular. Other devices from which data can be recovered are video recorders, iPods, cell phones and even video game systems.

Selecting a Digital Data Recovery Company

A reliable, experienced and efficient digital data recovery company will charge more than unreliable companies. But the main thing to keep in mind is that data recovery cost should not be the prime concern. Try to find reliable and experienced data recovery companies from online sources and references. Data recovery takes time, so don’t expect miraculous work. In fact, companies that promise “instant” or “quick” data recovery services are not worth your time and money, as they probably are not performing a thorough and accurate job.

Remember that digital media devices are not everlasting. They can develop problems and lose your precious data. The best way to retrieve it is to call a data recovery service company. It is better not to try retrieving the data yourself if you are not experienced in doing so.

Filed Under: Digital Media, Internet Tagged With: Data recovery, Digital media, IPod

Stay Connected with Your Pals with Media Sharing on the Web

Image via CrunchBase

Who doesn’t want to share the best moments of life with near and dear ones! Humans, being a social race, are tightly connected with each other sharing good and bad times together. The Internet has helped us share our ‘stuff’ with each other being a common platform accessible to everyone regardless of physical locations. Using the Internet as a platform, we can make use of a variety of websites and programs like the vlc media player or xvid codec from the xvid player to share various forms of digital media, such as photographs, videos, audio clips, music, documents, and any other kinds of files.

In the current generation of the Web (a.k.a. Web2.0), several popular media sharing platforms have evolved on the Internet and have huge followership from all over the world. For instance, Youtube, Metacafe, Dailymotion etc. are few websites that allow you to share videos that you like, you have recorded yourself, or are just fun to watch. Similarly, Flickr, Picasa etc. are the dedicated websites that allow you to upload the pictures of your choices to share with everyone out there on the Internet.

Whether it’s an audio clip or something that might appeal visual sense of the viewers, there is available a media sharing website today that allows you to share it. Websites, such as 4shared, Rapidshare, and many others provide advanced support for almost every kind of file sharing. You can transfer and share files of any size with anyone connected to the Internet from anywhere in the world.

With several websites dedicated to file sharing, sharing the digital media has become as easy as sending an e-mail. It neither costs you a penny nor does it require any specialized skill to be able to share your digital media files in any format. All it takes to get closer with your loved ones that are situated at a distance from you is an Internet ready computer and a browser to upload and download the files, photos, videos, audio clips, etc you need to share.

Filed Under: Digital Media, Internet Tagged With: Dailymotion, Flickr, Metacafe