I Love Free Software

Google Owns the Content you Upload to Google Drive?
Google Drive with 5 GB Free Storage Space
Free Privacy Browser Extension: Ghostery
Free Timer Software For Windows: Free Desktop Timer
How To Edit mp3 On Android
Prevent Tracking by Google with GoogleSharing
Free Timer Software To Set Alarms: Cool Timer
How To Find Android Version Of Phone
Free Software To Encrypt File and Text: VSEncryptor
Free Software To Mix Audio

Google Owns the Content you Upload to Google Drive?

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:33 PM PDT

Earlier today I wrote about Google Drive. I was quite happy with this new service from Google. However, my excitement has almost died down now. Reason: I read an article on CNET about Google Drive's Terms of Service, and I am disappointed with those.

CNET analyzed the Terms of Service of Google Drive related to ownership of the content that you upload to Google Drive. You can see complete terms of service here. And the relevant extract is quoted below:

Some of our Services allow you to submit content. You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in that content. In short, what belongs to you stays yours.
When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones. This license continues even if you stop using our Services (for example, for a business listing you have added to Google Maps).

These are quite interesting terms of service. They start by clarifying upfront that content remains yours, and you hold IP rights to them. However, right after that, they start explaining that Google can use the content in any way they want. And the best part is at the end: they can keep using the content even when you stop using the service!

I am quite surprised by these terms. What I understand from this is that any content I host on Google Drive can be used by Google in any way it wants. For example, I might upload my own private video on Google Drive, and find that on YouTube, without me granting a permission for that.

Now, Google might not really want to use the content in the manner that I have described above, and it might just be its lawyers trying to guard against any type of lawsuit. However, the language that has been used in terms of service is quite ridiculous and open-ended.

There have been instances earlier that Google used their far reaching terms and conditions to breach privacy (remember the incidents with Google Buzz?).

There have been alternate takes on interpretation of these terms. Here is an interesting one from a comment on original CNET article:

The fact is, Google does more than Dropbox does. Because they’re hooking Google Docs into this, it means that when I upload a Word document, it can be translated into Google Doc’s own format if I choose — that’s a “translation,” a “derivative work” (a very specific copyright term) that would be illegal if you don’t grant them permission to do so. Some of those rights are clearly necessary, for functionality that’s already in place.
So you can clearly see that they do get the rights to use your content — which can be a legitimate issue. But they don’t “own” it, you still do. If they owned it, you’d have to get their permission to copy it somewhere else or use it elsewhere — but you don’t, because you still own your IP. You’re just giving them a rather large, open-ended blanket permission to do whatever they want to do with it, so long as they can justify it as improving their product, promoting their product (an incredibly vague thing), or to develop any new product — which can be scary, since they could use it for things nobody has even considered yet, and you have no rights to say no.

Personally, I am now not very excited to use Google Drive. If I use it, I would limit the use to things like photos, songs, etc; for which I don't have to worry about they getting out in the public. For my other content, especially documents, I would stick to good old Dropbox.

Let me know what you think of these terms and conditions.

No related posts.

Google Owns the Content you Upload to Google Drive? was originally published at I Love Free Software

Google Drive with 5 GB Free Storage Space

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 07:58 PM PDT

Google has finally launched their anticipated cloud storage service: Google Drive. Google Drive gives you 5GB of free storage out of the box. On top of that, you can increase it to up to 1 TB by going for paid plans.

Google Drive is a lot like Dropbox: You can install Google Drive client on your PC, and then it will start syncing the files on your PC with online storage. You can integrate Google Drive with multiple PCs, and keep files in sync with all of them.

Integration with Other Google Services:

One of the advantage that Google Drive has over Dropbox, or even Skydrive is that integrates seamlessly with other Google services. For example, you can easily attach files from your Google Drive in your Gmail. And any photo or video that you upload to Google Drive is instantly available in Google+ for sharing there.

Google Docs now Resides in Google Drive:

When I opened my Google Drive, I found that it had all the documents that were present in my Google Docs. On the top, there was a message that "My Drive is the home for all your files". This means going forward I can access all my Google docs directly from my Google Drive.

However, biggest advantage of this integration with Google docs is that I can create documents directly in Google Drive via existing functionalities of Google Docs. On top of that, if I already have a document in Google Drive, I can collaborate on those with other people, in the same way I can do with Google Docs.

It is almost like Google expanded storage space of Google Docs, and provided a desktop client for Google Docs.

Open Files Directly in Browser:

As Google Drive is integrated with Google Docs, you can open lot of files directly in the browser, without a need to have file opening program installed on your machine. You can use files like .doc, .ppt, .xls, and even formats like HD Video, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.

Powerful Search Features:

Google Drive has the most powerful search features compared to any other online file backup service; because it comes from Google – The search God. You can search files or folders based on names of the files, as well as content. That is simple. More advanced options that it gives are to be able to search in the content of scanned documents, as it uses OCR to read that text. On top of that, Google Drive even identified objects inside the photos, so that gives you an easy way to search for photos.

Store Document Revisions:

If you make any change to your file, Google Drive stores the revisions for last 30 days. This is a feature I had long wished for in Google Docs. Finally, by virtue of Google Drive, I can have this.

Free Storage Space:

As I mentioned earlier, Google Drive comes with 5 GB of free storage space. I am actually a bit let down by this, as I expected Google Drive to launch with much more free storage, at least 20 GB. I had these hopes because its competitors like Dropbox are already offering up to 18 GB of free storage space.

All in all, I like the Google has finally launched Google Drive, and has some really good features, like powerful search. I do hope that as competition heats up, Google considers expanding the free storage space.

Check out this launch video of Google Drive:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Google Drive with 5 GB Free Storage Space was originally published at I Love Free Software

Free Privacy Browser Extension: Ghostery

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

Ghostery is a free security extension for your browser which gives your privacy back in your hands. Its absolutely free to download and use.

Are you really aware that thousands of companies track what searches you make, gather your usage statistics and auction them for money? Yes this happens frequently. You can prevent all of them by using Ghostery! It is a free extension for your browser which is capable of tracking all those networks which are tracking you and can block them. Hence it protects your privacy!

How to use Ghostery?

Ghostery is a very simple and compact extension for your browser. Just download it for free and add it to your browser list of extensions. It is ready to work for you to protect you and your data. As soon as you visit any site Ghostery icon turns blue and it tracks the site to see the presence of any such networks. If found Ghostery blocks them immediately and a number indicating the number of companies it has blocked appears below the Ghostery icon. A momentary purple box appears at the top right corner of your browser displaying the names of companies that are blocked. Additional information about those companies can also be learnt by clicking the Ghostery icon.

Don't forget to turn on automatic blocking because only when it is turned on, Ghostery can block the trackers else it will just show you the list of trackers in that site. Ghostery offers another feature called GhostRank and if it is enabled it sends only the details of new trackers found in the websites you visit (and not your personal information) to Ghostery team so that it can be updated.

Customize Ghostery to your choice:

Ghostery provides an array of customizations. Some of them are:

You can turn on or off automatic blocking.
You can turn on or off GhostRank.
You can turn on or off the purple box and can customize where it appears and how long it appears.
You can unblock a blocked site.
You can turn on or off the bug script sources.
You can turn on or off auto updates.

Compatibility of Ghostery

Ghostery is compatible with the following browsers:

Mozilla Firefox
Safari
Google Chrome
Opera
Internet Explorer

Ghostery extension installs smoothly and works fine. When put to use it gave good results without any problems being reported. It is an extension that every browser must be equipped with to stay protected! Is your browser equipped with Ghostery? If not download Ghostery and use it for free and stay free from your security worries!

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Free Privacy Browser Extension: Ghostery was originally published at I Love Free Software

Free Timer Software For Windows: Free Desktop Timer

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT

Free Desktop Timer is a totally free timer software for your desktop which helps to set alarms in few clicks. As you launch this free timer software, it sits in your system tray and works from your system tray itself. This free timer software even allows you to set the timer and schedule activities like computer shutdown, hibernate and stand by. It comes with a digital clock like interface which shows hours, minutes and seconds in one single interface.

This free timer software allows you to set unlimited number of timers on your computer. For setting the timer, you need to click the upside arrow of hours, minutes and seconds, adjust the time and click the start button. Once you click the start button, it starts the countdown for your specified time, and when the countdown hits Zero, the alarms rings up. For stopping the alarm sound, you need to click on the timer only once. Free Desktop Timer comes with few pre-installed skins, so choose your preferred skin from the available skins.

Free desktop Timer do not offer a wide range of alarm tones, so you don't have enough choice in alarm tones. It only offers 3 alarm tones, so you can select any of your preferred alarm tones. Try Free Desktop Timer for free.

You would also like to check out free software to get deleted files back.

Some Key Features Of Free Desktop Timer software:

Small in size and easy to use.
Set any number of timers.
Choose your preferred skin from the available skins.
Set timer for automatic computer shutdown, hibernate or stand by.
"On Top" option to keep the timer always on top.
Reset timer with a single click.

Don't miss to check out free software to increase computer speed.

How To Download And Install Free Desktop Timer Software:

Go on to the homepage of Free Desktop Timer.
Click any of the download link among the Zip or exe download link.
If you click the exe download link, an exe file will be downloaded into your system.
Run the exe file and go along with further instructions for installation.

Free Desktop Timer is a very basic and straight-forward timer software to set alarms. You can set wake up alarms or just set reminder alarms for completing a task. Download Free Desktop Timer for free.

Free Timer Software For Windows: Free Desktop Timer was originally published at I Love Free Software

How To Edit mp3 On Android

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Here, are quick steps to edit mp3 file on Android phone and devices. As I like to make ringtones, for that reason editing an mp3 file is my favorite task to perform on PC. But it seems to be a long process if you want to edit mp3 files and then transfer it to your Android phone or any other multi-media phone to listen to it or set it as your default phone ringtone.

Your problem for this will be resolved if you have Android phone with you. You can now easily cut an mp3 and save it on your Android phone. Then you can set it as your default ringtone, your contact ringtone, alarm ringtone or listen to the edited mp3 file on your Android phone or device. So below are the steps to edit mp3 on Android phone.

Steps To Edit mp3 On Android Phone:

Step 1: Login to Google Play Store on your Android phone.

Step 2: Scan the below QR Code with a Barcode Scanner app.

Step 3: If you don't have a Barcode Scanner app, then search for "MP3 Cutter" app in Google Play Store on your Android.

Step 4: Install "MP3 Cutter" app on your Android phone.

Step 5: Launch the app on your Android phone.

Step 6: Tap on "play" like button on the top of the app toolbar to import the mp3 to edit it.

Step 7: Select an mp3 file from the long list of mp3 songs.

Step 8: Now tap on "MIC" type icon located in the app to select the start point.

Step 9: Then play the song and tap on stop button to select the end point.

Step 10: Play the trimmed mp3 to confirm it.

Step 11: Tap on "start cut" option to edit mp3 file and then you can save the file as music, ringtone, notification sound or alarm sound.

This Android mp3 cutter is a nice and smart app to install on Android. You can make your custom mp3 songs and ringtones with this Android mp3 cutter app. Also, you can check an article reviewed by us on MP3 Cutter app for Android.

How To Edit mp3 On Android was originally published at I Love Free Software

Prevent Tracking by Google with GoogleSharing

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

GoogleSharing is a free Firefox add-on which can help you make searches with Google without revealing your identity to Google. It is absolutely free to download and use.

You must be aware that Google knows things about you such as what you search for, what sites you visit etc., but really Google knows much more than this about you! Google knows what search results you clicked, the content of every email you sent or received and if you have deleted it or not, who your friends are, where you live, where you work etc. You will be surprised to know that whether you are logged into a Google account or not still Google can track you. It even knows what sites you reached that you didn't reach through Google, thanks to Google Analytics. Now you really don't want that to happen! Right? Yeah you can prevent it! Just use GoogleSharing and you are protected!

How does GoogleSharing work?

It is a Firefox add-on which also has a custom proxy. Whatever searches you do this add-on recognizes and sends them first to this proxy where it is stripped off your identity and the request is forwarded to Google. The response received is then forwarded back to the user. The proxy server mixes up identities i.e., it assigns your request identity to some other person and any other's identity is assigned to you. The next time you search you are given another different identity. By this way the entire thing is mixed up into one big cluster which is difficult to analyze for Google.

GoogleSharing doesn't record any of your data, nor does it monitor you or your activity. It is GoogleSharing's privacy policy. Since the connection between GoogleSharing and the user is encrypted GoogleSharing doesn't know the content of your requests. All summed up it looks like this! GoogleSharing knows from where the searches are coming from but not the content and Google knows what the content is but not the location from where it is coming!

Your benefits

You can securely and transparently search Google's services including Images, Maps, Products, News and Search Engines without Google being able to track you! But this anonymizing is not possible with Gmail because when you login automatically your identity is revealed.

GoogleSharing is a handy add-on which facilitates and secures your identity while you are using Google services! When put to use this add-on ran smoothly and provided good satisfying results wihtout causing the browser to crash or slow down. So why don't you try GoogleSharing and stay protected!

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Prevent Tracking by Google with GoogleSharing was originally published at I Love Free Software

Free Timer Software To Set Alarms: Cool Timer

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Cool Timer is a free timer software which allow users to set wake up alarms or allows them to simply use it as a countdown timer or a stopwatch. This timer software basically includes 3 modes of functionality which are countdown, wake up and stopwatch. So you can easily switch between these modes and use any of these modes in the same interface. Wake up mode basically serves as an alarm clock and wakes you up from sleep. Cool Timer is basically a 99 hour timer that allows you to set countdown timer to a maximum of 99 hours.

This timer software has got a small and straight-forward user-interface which can be customized, as you can change the skin color as well as the colors on digits and buttons. This free timer software includes few pre-installed alarm sounds or you can even add any of your favorite sound file in formats like WAV, MP3 or MIDI to this software. Add your favorite sound file in any of these supported formats, and use it as your alarm sound.

You can even add message to your alarms, so when the alarm rings up, it displays the message entered by you in that particular alarm. This timer software is lightweight and lets you choose between small and big window size, by default it comes with a small sized Window, if you prefer big sized window simply switch to it from options button. Try cool Timer for free.

Also, check out free software to animate pictures.

Some Key Features Of This Free Timer Software:

Use it as alarm clock, countdown timer or stopwatch.
Add your favorite sound files, and use them as alarm tone.
Supports sound file formats like MP3, WAV, MIDI.
Change the color of buttons, background and digits.
Add message to alarm.
User friendly and simple interface.
Choose the window size between small and big.
Minimize to tray with respective button.

You would also like to check out free software to watch TV on PC.

How To Download And Install this Free Timer software:

Open the homepage of this free timer software and click the "Download" button.
An exe file of Cool Timer will be downloaded into your system.
Run the exe file and follow further instructions of installation.

Cool Timer is a smart software which can be used as a countdown timer, alarm clock or as a stopwatch on your system. Download Cool Timer for free.

Free Timer Software To Set Alarms: Cool Timer was originally published at I Love Free Software

How To Find Android Version Of Phone

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:00 AM PDT

Here, are few steps to find current Android version on phone. The working of your Android phone totally depends on the current Android version installed on your phone. The higher the version, the more updated your phone will be.

Also, searching and installing apps on Android depends on the current Android version installed on your phone. All the apps In Google Play Market are separated by their Android version support. There are multiple apps which support Android version 1.6 and up, 2.1 and up, 2.2 and up, 2.3.0 and up, 4.0 and up and the like.

So if you want to install any app on your Android phone, you need to know the Android version of your phone and the Android version supported by the app. For having information about Android version on your phone, you need to follow some basic steps below.

Steps To Find Android Version Of Phone:

For Sony Ericsson And Samsung Android Phone:

Step 1: Tap on the home settings menu on your Android phone.

Step 2: Tap on "About phone" option in the settings menu.

Step 3: Now look for firmware version on your Android phone.

Step 4: You will see the current Android version of your phone.

For HTC Android Phone:

Step 1: Tap on the settings menu on your HTC Android phone.

Step 2: Tap on "About Phone" option in the settings menu.

Step 3: Tap on "Software information" option in settings menu.

Step 4: Tap on "Android Version" option in software information menu.

Step 5: Now you will see Android version displayed on your Android screen.

Now you can manage the apps and other features according to the app version of your Android phone. Also, you can update your Android version if you find any updates available. Just know your operating system and manage it easily on your phone.

Also, check out how to install non-market apps on Android reviewed by us.

How To Find Android Version Of Phone was originally published at I Love Free Software

Free Software To Encrypt File and Text: VSEncryptor

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

VSEncryptor is a free encryption software to encrypt file and text with any file format. All the encrypted files and texts are password protected, if you have to access the encrypted file again, then you need to retain the same password, which you have entered while encrypting the file or text.

VSEncryptor doesn't need you to have any professional knowledge about computer to use this program. This free encryption software is designed with an ease of use. You can easily drag and drop to this Editor box.

Supports a variety of multiple encryption algorithms such as:

AES 128 bit Encryption Algorithm
AES 192 bit Encryption Algorithm
AES 256 bit Encryption Algorithm
RC2 Block Encryption Algorithm
RC4 Block Encryption Algorithm
DES Block Encryption Algorithm
Triple DES Block Encryption Algorithm

This free file encryptor also provides command line based interface. Mostly this program is compatible for all operating version of Windows.

Key Features Of This Free Tool To Encrypt File and Text:

Provides command line based interface.
Supports multiple variety of encryption algorithms.
Designed with an ease of use.
All files are password protected.
Supports multiple languages.
Integrates the program to the shell context.

Copies encrypted text to clipboard.
Provides the information about the last accessed date, creation date and file size.

Supports multiple short keys

It's totally free of cost.

How To Install VSEncryptor on your PC:

Visit the webpage to download this free encryption program to encrypt file and text.
Click on the download link.
An *.exe file would be downloaded to your PC.
Execute the setup on your PC.
Proceed with further instructions to install this encryption program to encrypt file and text.

VSEncryptor is an excellent tool to encrypt file and text on your PC. This tool to encrypt file and text is password protected, which makes your data confidential and secure.

Go ahead and try out this free file encryptor.

Free Software To Encrypt File and Text: VSEncryptor was originally published at I Love Free Software

Free Software To Mix Audio

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 07:00 AM PDT

Here are 5 free software or applications to mix audio files. With the help of these software you can easily mix audio files and create your own song mixes and play them in parties. These software are completely free and offer an easy and straight-forward way to mix audio. Apart from just mixing audio, it even allows you to edit audio and add effects to audio in several ways. Download these software to mix songs for free.

Anvil Studio

Anvil Studio is a free software which allows you to compose, record and mix audio using MIDI format. This free software allows you to mix effects of violin, cello and vocal for creating mixes like never before. You can easily mix audio tracks to a single .WAV file. The mixes which you create using this free software are attractive and sounds like professional sound mixes. Apart from mixing songs, you can even compose your own music and later on save it. Anvil Studio even allows you to record music effortlessly. Download Anvil Studio for free.

Read more about Anvil Studio or try it here.

Audacity

Audacity is a completely free audio editor which comes with a feature to mix audio. You can mix unlimited number of music tracks and create your own rocking mixes. As it's a free audio editor, you can edit songs in several ways and further you may even add several effects to an audio file for making it attractive. You can even record audio and digitalize recordings from minidiscs, vinyl records or cassette tapes. This free software to mix audio is presently available for Users of Windows, Mac and Linux.

Read more about Audacity or try it here. Also, check out free software to access computer remotely.

Myna

Myna is a free online audio editor which lets you mix audio online on your browser. It's powerful and capable enough to mix multiple tracks online. This free online audio editor comes with an option to mix up to 10 tracks together in a go. You can easily create song mixes and later on download it to your desktop with the respective option. This online editor offers several ways to edit songs and allows you to even add several effects to an audio. As it's an online audio editor, there's no need to download or install anything. Try Myna for free.

UltraMixer2

UltraMixer2 is a free DJ software that lets you mix audio songs and create your own rocking mixes. Apart from mixing songs, you can add various DJ effects for making mixes attractive. This free DJ software supports several audio formats like WMA, AAC, WAV, OGG, MP3, etc. It's an easy to use DJ software which comes with straight-forward and user-friendly interface. The good part is that it works with Windows, Mac and Linux as well. Try this free DJ software and create professional mixes effortlessly.

Read more about UltraMixer2 or try it here. Don't miss to check out free DJ software for Windows.

Virtual DJ

Virtual DJ is another one of the most popular and of course free DJ software to mix audio songs like professionals. Using this free DJ software, mix your favorite tracks and create amazing mixes effortlessly. This free DJ software delivers excellence in audio mixing and offers an easy way to mix audio. It's a fully packed DJ software which even allows you to add several DJ effects to your song mixes. Mix small audio clips and create rocking mixes for gatherings or parties. Download Virtual DJ for free.

Read more about Virtual DJ or try it he re.

Free Software To Mix Audio was originally published at I Love Free Software

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