Enhance your blog with Apture and Zemanta tools

Image via CrunchBase

Adding rich multimedia content to your blog posts is a powerful way to attract more readers. Recently we have found two products known as Apture and Zemanta Balloons in the market which lets you fill pop-ups with all kinds of multimedia content in your blog. Let’s have a look at them.

Apture:

Apture will allow you to integrate third party content like text, images, videos, music, maps and references from more than 50 sources such as YouTube, Flickr, Google etc and keep your visitors on your blog, instead of sending them away. It is free and easy to install on your blog.

With Apture, you can embed high resolution videos from YouTube or upload your own content like Images, PowerPoint presentations, PDF or Word documents, or Excel Spreadsheets to your blog.

Zemanta:

Zemanta is a semantic web company that’s used by bloggers to add related links to their posts all over the web. Recently it has announced the launch of their “Balloons” service which will allow any blogger or online publisher to integrate multimedia content into their pages. It looks like an Apture word press plug-in but it is open source, semantically smart and standards-based.

With Zemanta Balloons, bloggers and publishers can access database and content from trusted sources such as YouTube, Google and MusicBrainz to allow your readers to access information without having to sign -in to the external sites.

touching article about IPAD: 8 Things That Suck About the iPad

i have found this article, it's interestin.. and i think that these 8 things are sucks...!!1

A lot of people at Gizmodo are psyched about the iPad. Not me! My god, am I underwhelmed by it. It has some absolutely backbreaking failures that will make buying one the last thing I would want to do. Updated

Big, Ugly Bezel
Have you seen the bezel on this thing?! It's huge! I know you don't want to accidentally input a command when your thumb is holding it, but come on.

No Multitasking
This is a backbreaker. If this is supposed to be a replacement for netbooks, how can it possibly not have multitasking? Are you saying I can't listen to Pandora while writing a document? I can't have my Twitter app open at the same time as my browser? I can't have AIM open at the same time as my email? Are you kidding me? This alone guarantees that I will not buy this product.

No Cameras
No front facing camera is one thing. But no back facing camera either? Why the hell not? I can't imagine what the downside was for including at least one camera. Could this thing not handle video iChat?

Touch Keyboard
So much for Apple revolutionizing tablet inputs; this is the same big, ugly touchscreen keyboard we've seen on other tablets, and unless you're lying on the couch with your knees propping it up, it'll be awkward to use.

No HDMI Out
Want to watch those nice HD videos you downloaded from iTunes on your TV? Too damned bad! If you were truly loyal, you'd just buy an AppleTV already.

The Name iPad
Get ready for Maxi pad jokes, and lots of 'em!

No Flash
No Flash is annoying but not a dealbreaker on the iPhone and iPod Touch. On something that's supposed to be closer to a netbook or laptop? It will leave huge, gaping holes in websites. I hope you don't care about streaming video! God knows not many casual internet users do. Oh wait, nevermind, they all do.

Adapters, Adapters, Adapters
So much for those smooth lines. If you want to plug anything into this, such as a digital camera, you need all sorts of ugly adapters. You need an adapter for USB for god's sake.

Update: Why stop at 8? Here are more things we are discovering that suck about the iPad.

It's Not Widescreen
Widescreen movies look lousy on this thing thanks to its 4:3 screen, according to Blam, who checked out some of Star Trek on one. It's like owning a 4:3 TV all over again!

Doesn't Support T-Mobile 3G
Sure, it's "unlocked." But it won't work on T-Mobile, and it uses microSIMs that literally no one else uses.

A Closed App Ecosystem
The iPad only runs apps from the App Store. The same App Store that is notorious for banning apps for no real reason, such as Google Voice. Sure, netbooks might not have touchscreens, but you can install whatever software you'd like on them. Want to run a different browser on your iPad? Too bad!

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad

productivity toolbox: 37+ tools for taking abd getting things done

source: smallfuel

I found this article very interesting...

Last week we talked about how taking action is the first priority of a small business (or just about anything). This week it’s time to go beyond talk and start getting things done.

With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the best resources and tools available for taking action, getting things done, and generally being productive.

Project and Task Management Tools

Actionthis.com
ActionThis is a web-based service for managing projects and tasks and making sure they get finished. They use your everyday tools to help you get stuff done and go home early. Really nice interface and an elegantly-simple “Plan it, Do it, Improve” methodology.

Actionize.com
Actionize is a nearly complete system of small business tools. They have a project manager, task manager, calendar, and contact manager. Even more than others, Actionize can help with CRM and business communications in general.

Basecamp.com
Basecamp is the project management and collaboration tool from the well-known 37signals. It is an excellent system that I think is both simple and flexible. It’s generally just very good, and I recommend it to anyone in small business.

Clarizen.com
Clarizen is a project management system design with the goal of “Making Projects Real.” They have a decidedly big-business feel, but are priced well within reach of most small businesses.

Productivity Blogs and Websites

ZenHabits.net
Zen Habits is a blog about achieving goals, being productive, being organized, getting things done, and forming useful habits. It is written by the moderately famous (in the blogosphere) Leo Babauta. This is one of my personal favorite blogs.

To-Done.com
To-Done.com is a relatively unknown blog written by a few different people who are interested in productivity and getting things done. The writing is high quality, and the tips are always useful.

Lifehacker.com
Lifehacker is a well known blog that writes about working smarter and living more productively. It has a decidedly techy spin, so make sure you like technology before delving into this one.

43folders.com
43 Folders is a website by Merlin Mann about personal productivity, time management, life hacks, and simple ways to make your life a little better. His site has a blog, forums, and a very active job board.

Lifehack.org
Lifehack.org (not the same as lifehacker.com) is a daily digest of productivity pointers, tips for getting things done, and useful life hacks. This blog is a great read for anyone looking to get more done.

Productivity and Execution Books

Getting Things Done
The book that started the revolution. Getting Things Done is the most famous resource about completing your tasks and checking things off of your to-do list. Written by the now-famous David Allen, it is a must read if you haven’t already.

The 4 Hour Work Week
Another revolutionary book, The 4 Hour Work Week focuses on outsourcing and having people complete things for you. Why is this on a productivity and taking action list? Because having other people do your work has the same result in the end, and it can be a life saver.

Self-Discipline in 10 Days
At the core of taking action and getting things done lies self-discipline. This book is a great resource for those looking to learn more.

The Now Habit
Procrastination is the enemy of productivity. This book offers a strategic program for overcoming procrastination.

Getting Things Done Tools

Vitalist.com
Vitalist is an awesome web application designed to help organize actions and projects online. They use David Allen’s GTD system to create what a lot of people are saying is the best way to keep organized online. I’m pretty close to agreeing with them.

Simplegtd.com
Simple GTD is another web application built around David Allen’s GTD system. They are completely free, and offer a simple way to organize your stuff online.

ThinkingRock.com.au
Thinking rock is another free application for organizing your thoughts with the GTD methodology. This one is a desktop based program.

Nozbe.com
Nozbe is another tool for tracking to-do’s, projects, and next actions. It loosely follows the GTD methodology, and offers a very clean web-based interface.
GTD Gmail
GTD Gmail is a really interesting FireFox extension that helps turn your Gmail account into a GTD tool. You’ll have to check it out on your own—there really isn’t much more to add.

To-Do and Task List Tools

RememberTheMilk.com
Remember the milks is a really cool to-do list web-app with a perfect name. Never forget the milk
(or anything else) again.

Ta-Da List
Ta-Da list is 37signals simple to-do list manager. It has great functionality, a simple interface, and everything you’d expect from 37signals. And it’s completely free too : )

MyToDos.com
MyToDos is another simple and free web application for taking care of your to-do lists and tasks.

ToDoist.com
Todoist is an online task and to-do manager that’s pretty darn easy to use and has a nice interface to boot. Can’t beat it for free.

TuDuMo.com
Tudumo is a small and downloadable program that helps you manage to-do’s and other tasks. It can handle the GTD system as well.

Time Tracking and Management

GetHarvest.com
Harvest is the self-proclaimed world’s best time tracking software, and I wouldn’t say that’s far off. Time is money, and it’s crucial for a business to know how its employees (and owners) are spending their time. Harvest is designed and built for small businesses.

MeeTimer.com
MeeTimer is probably the most useful FireFox extension I’ve ever seen. It tracks how much you browse the web for work, and how much you’re goofing-off (you can specify which sites count as work). This will either seriously depress you or increase your productivity ten-fold.

SlimTimer.com
SlimTimer made the list because of their slogan&mdashMake love not timesheets. Other than that, it’s a simple web-based time tracker. Create tasks, time your work, run reports.

ClockingIt.com
ClockingIt is a free web application that will keep track of your tasks and the time you spend on them. It’s really well designed, and fully featured, considering it is available for free.

Toggl.com
Free online time tracking, not much more, not much less.

Calendars and Scheduling

CalendarHub
A well designed web based calendar that you can use privately, with a group, or even publish to a website. It looks a lot like Google Calendar, but it definitely has some unique benefits. I specifically like that they make it easy for you to publish on other sites like a blog or company homepage.

Google Calendar
The ten-thousand pound gorilla happens to have a really nice calendar application. In Google’s typical style, it is well designed with a clean and very usable interface. The crown jewel is complete interactivity with Gmail and other Google apps.

Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling is a neat web application that lets your clients or customers schedule appointments with you online. It can even handle the billing aspect as well—with complete PayPal integration. If you rely on scheduled appointments for business, you should really check this out.

Jotlet.net
Jotlet is just like any other web based calendar with one exception; they allow you to customize the calendar with your company logo and branding. You can even integrate it into your own website.

Planning and Goal Setting

PlanHQ.com
PlanHQ is a beautiful web application that helps companies manage and update a business plan. It is designed for start-up teams that are constantly creating and updating goals, and they even include some task management to help you reach those goals.

StartupBusinessSchool.com
Startup Business School is a great resource for new small businesses (old ones too, I suppose) who need help writing a business plan and defining goals and targets. They have an easy to use system that asks you questions and outputs a completed plan at the end.

JoesGoals.com
Joe’s Goals is a free online habit tracker, meaning they can keep track of how often you meet or break your goals. This website is great for repetitive tasks that can be monitored over time.

Motivation

WorldOfInspiration.com
World of Inspiration is a site that’s 100% focused on inspirational quotes. Their layout is very clean and really showcases each day’s new quote. You can get quotes via RSS or email too.

20 Motivational Hacks from ZenHabits.net
This is a specific post from Leo Babuata of Zenhabits on 20 different ways to keep yourself motivated. It’s an excellent post and a recommended read for all.

PickTheBrain.com
Pick the brain is a blog about general self improvement, and they have an excellent section on motivation.

That’s all folks… for this list at least. I’m sure there are dozens of other great productivity tools out there just waiting to be discovered, but frankly I’ve spent a huge amount of time on this already : )

Feel free to drop a link in the comments if you know of any other good small business productivity resources you recommend.

php ftp class

usage of the class - get a file

require("class.ftp.php"); //include library

$f=new PHP_FTP('ftp.somesite.com', 'username', 'password'); //specify
connect info

$f->get('html/test.txt', 'c:/php/ftp/blah.txt'); //yes, tested on Windows

$f->kill(); //optional destroy class method

?>

Usage Example - Send a file

require("class.ftp.php");

$f=new PHP_FTP('ftp.somesite.com', 'username', 'password', 21); //optional port as 4th arg

$f->send('c:/php/ftp/blah.txt', 'html/test.txt'); //yes, tested on Windows

$f->kill();

?>

Usage Example - how to test for completion

if(!$f->send('c:/php/ftp/blah.txt', 'html/test.txt')){

echo "File sent
successfully!";

}else{

echo "Error
sending file.";

}

?>

you can download it here