Codecs for Windows Media Player

For so many years, computer users have preferred to use the media application provided by Windows to play various media like music videos and movies. In fact, they have been used to this player that they do not want to consider using another media player. A lot of people use media-player to organize their music library and give their own ratings. But with the recent arrival of codecs, many people complain about the difficulty of playing their movies or songs with it.

Basically, a codec is standard that is used to play various files. For some people who are not yet familiar with it, the term may sound very difficult but it is not. If you want to play the file, a key is needed. This key is available for download anytime. Once it is downloaded, the player can play all sorts of file. For example, a 3gp file is usually used in different cell phones. If you record a video using your own, you can play it on your windows media player. If you cannot play it, then you need to download the 3gp codec first. You can find many websites which provide codecs. You can also go to Microsoft website since they also provide various codec packages. Windows users can download the latest codecs for free.

One of the most recent codec is AAC or Advanced Audio Coding technology. Although it is not very widely known compared to MP3, this type of codec has better sound quality than MP3. In addition to that, it has a smaller size so you can save as many files as you want. Apple products are generally AAC especially iPad and iPhone. It also has an inbuilt converter for AAc and WMA. If you need to be prepared, you should have an AA codec installed in your PC so that you can always play all sorts of file types. You can get these codecs for free online by just searching for Windows codec packs.

Furthermore, another very important codec for viewing other media such as DVD and MP3 is the AC3 codec. It is widely called as Dolby Digital. It is always the most preferred codec that is commonly used by many theaters and also for DVD productions. If you have experienced watching a movie on your laptop and there was no sound at all, then it is due to the lack of AC3 codec. You can also get this codec for free.

There are several websites which offer codecs download for computer users. If you do not want to go through the trouble of installing the codecs, you can also choose to download another player like GOM and VLC because these players have already pre-installed codecs. If you want to stick to Windows MediaPlayer, you can always download the codecs online because it is always free for all.

If you have a mobile device such as the latest LG Optimus Android-based smartphone you are able to download Windows Media Player as an Android app. This will let you play all of your favorite media on your phone with the same familiar interface that you have on your PC.

The author has spent a lot of time learning about LG Optimus at Vincent O'Neil's website.

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Insurance Software Services - To Provide Solutions To Your Business Needs

Insurance software services have been one of the key factors in driving the insurance industry to what it is today. The services have offered solutions to thousands of organizations, and they have directly had an impact on the bottom lines of various companies. The insurance software applications are smartly designed to resolve complex tasks and activities. Software engineers work with insurance experts for developing the applications for their client companies.

The software may be custom built according to the specific needs of each insurance company.

The software solution companies provide customized applications, which are designed to meet even your unique business needs. Insurance companies are able to manage their high volume client accounts with the help of these software. Technology has surely made our lives a lot easier, and with this type of software, businesses are able to stay ahead of their competition. The working of the insurance companies have sped up manifold the claiming procedure and thus enabling the companies provide speedier and better services to their customers.

The software applications are developed based on the specific needs of their clients. Their collaborative team based approach helps in delivering solutions within the predefined timeframes. Some of the Insurance software services are equipped to handle future problems as well.

Getting the right Insurance management software for your company is quite affordable these days, and you will not have to worry about the expenses. The development companies offer excellent deals and discounts to their clients, in order to keep up with their competitors. They deliver in time and within your budgets. The customized applications efficiently provide various advantages and opportunities.

These types of applications have been in existence for more than 13 years now, and many development companies have increased their business and reputation for delivering quality software. The needs for high-end insurance management software systems are more than ever now. However, these applications require constant updates, and therefore the development teams consistently work with their clients to make the necessary changes.

Gaining a distinct cutting edge through insurance software services is something that most of the companies are looking for. They'll need to find the development company that hires only the best qualified software engineers. These companies are capable and resourceful to provide complex business solutions, by using the most advanced technologies.

Insurance applications are designed by dedicated and recognized industry experts. They look into every minute detail that is required by their clients. Each stage of development process includes advanced, innovative, and business specific inputs.

They work around the clock, as they understand the significance of effective communication for coming up with right solutions. Their engineers work actively with you in each and every stage of the project. Regular status report is given through document management system, which would allow you to effectively manage the business process, and integrate the application seamlessly.

The vigorous testing procedures of those companies are aimed at eliminating the errors before the applications are put to use. Getting these software applications for your business is as good as hiring experts, and it is lot cheaper.

To know more about insurance software services, insurance software, and insurance management software, They will assist you in every aspect regarding software applications and insurance software services to meet your unique needs.

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The Digital Generation Has Arrived - Does Your Company Cater to Them?

They are referred to as Generation Z or The Digital Generation. Born between 1991 and the early 2000's, this first generation of digital natives is fast becoming your newest batch of customers. What does this mean for you? Is your business ready to satisfy customers who expect all of their communicating, information gathering and purchasing to be done online? Have you ever even heard of DAM software?

If you answered no to any of the above then pay attention. Last year 79% of consumers in the U.S. made purchases online, Internet sales in the UK grew by 18% in a month and in NZ the number of online shoppers doubled since 2004.

So what can you do? It is very easy to say that your company needs to improve its online offerings but what are the practicalities behind making your company's products and services digitally accessible?

The simple answer might be DAM software. The acronym stands for digital asset management. Digital assets are just that, digital non-tangible items, rather than traditional goods and services. These digital assets are stored electronically, on a local hard drive (computer) or online, examples are photographs, music, images, archives, videos and manuals... The list goes on.

DAM software has been developed to sit alongside company websites, to provide a secure place for companies to store digital assets and to act as a user-friendly platform from which customers can search and download them.

Some of the best DAM applications are remotely managed software solutions. The software sits on a network online as opposed to on your own desktop. Your digital assets are uploaded to a server, which your online customers will be redirected to. Usually these applications can be easily customised to look just like another section of your own website. Your customers will not know the difference!

The advantage for your customers is access to a database of your products that is simple, secure and easy to search.

The advantages for you are just as good. You won't need to pay a designer to develop a complicated customised website to host and display your digital assets. What's more, DAM software is designed to be self-run so you will be able to upload and manage your own content instead of paying somebody else to maintain your website. You will be able to set passwords and restrict access to files; you will even be able to keep track of the email addresses of customers who have downloaded your digital assets.

If you have files that you would like to make available to clients online, then you should look into a DAM software solution. You could have your digital files online and available to customers before this afternoon is done.

Original Image created Mosaic DAM Software. Mosaic is a high performance web based Digital Asset Management solution, which can be easily configured to fit with any company brand. Contact Original Image today to inquire about DAM software, PageProof, FTP or Hosting products for your business. http://www.mosaicpics.com/

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Nuance Voice Recognition Gets iOS Mic App (PC Magazine)

In the midst of rumors about Apple adding voice-to-text capabilities to the iPhone 5 and iOS 5, the leader in that technology, Nuance, has announced a major update to its Dragon NaturallySpeaking application.

The new version actually includes an iOS app for iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches that turns any of these devices into a remote wireless mic for Dragon. Like any self-respecting software, the new version also includes a social networking tie-in, making Facebook and Twitter posts simpler.

"As mobile devices and social networks have become a more important part of our customers' lives, they have asked us for more flexibility in how they can use Dragon," said Peter Mahoney, senior vice president and general manager for Dragon at Nuance. "People who have never tried Dragon before will be genuinely impressed with all the ways it lets you interact with your digital world. Those who are already familiar with Dragon will see some exciting improvements that extend its use with social sharing, and add flexibility with microphones and recording devices."

Nuance had already released a free speech-to-text app for iOS, called Dragon Dictation, which lets users speak to send SMS text messages, emails, and social media updates. The app has a four-star rating in the iOS app store and has ranked as a top free app since its release in December 2009. The new Dragon Remote Microphone app will also be free, but is only useful with the Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5 or higher desktop app, which sells for $99.99 in the Home edition and $199.99 in the Premium edition. Premium adds playback of recorded speech command sequences, multiple dictation sources, the ability to control Microsoft Office apps, and more.

With version 11.5 of the Windows-only desktop app, users will now be able to tell their PC things like: "Post to Facebook" or "Post to Twitter." They'll also be able to search Amazon, Twitter, maps, or send an email with similar ease.

The apps interface has also been updated. A new sidebar shows commonly needed commands and a history of those you use frequently. Also made easier are setup and many voice commands. For example, you can now say "bold" followed by the text you want boldfaced, and you can correct or format multiple occurrences of a word or phrase. Finally, NaturallySpeaking 11.5 adds support for several newer mainstream applications, such as Internet Explorer 9, Windows Live Mail 2011, OpenOffice Writer 3.3, and Windows 7 SP1.

To find out more about Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5 or to purchase and download the software, head to the Dragon NaturallySpeaking Web site. Look for a full rated review of the software on PCMag.com in the coming days.

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Microsoft releases Kinect software for developers (Reuters)

SEATTLE (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp made available on Thursday a Windows 7-compatible test version of the software behind its hit Kinect motion-sensing game device, in the hope that developers will invent a host of "hands-free" features for standard PCs.

Microsoft's Kinect, launched last year, is a sensing camera and microphone device that plugs into the Xbox 360 console, allowing users to play games purely with gestures and voice commands.

The hugely successful device is seen by some as a blueprint for future computing, and was immediately attractive to hackers who devised ways of making it work on standard computers.

Microsoft was at first hostile to such attempts, but by releasing a beta version of the Kinect software development kit is showing that it is interested to see what developers will make of the technology.

The software kit, which Microsoft insists is for noncommercial use at this point, can be downloaded at http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/kinectsdk/ .

(Reporting by Bill Rigby, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

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Why Send Encrypted Emails?

Email isn't secure

E-mail has become an indispensable communication tool for individuals as well as businesses. And many times, emails contain confidential and sensitive information that must be protected against eavesdropping. Email messages are often transmitted in plain text over the Internet without any form of email encryption. Sending unencrypted emails through the Internet is like sending postcards through regular mail-anyone that has access can read or modify its content.

While the email protocol used in sending emails via the Internet is capable of supporting encryption, it doesn't have any reliable way to guarantee or enforce end-to-end encryption. Even services like Gmail that support encryption between your computer and their service can't guarantee your message will be transmitted securely between their mail server and your recipient's mail server. This is because if the recipient's mail server doesn't support encryption (which it often doesn't) Gmail is forced to fallback to transmitting your message in plain text. The same goes for essentially all personal and corporate mail environments.

Perhaps even more alarming is copies of your messages are typically stored unencrypted on your computer, your company's or host's mail server, each recipient's mail server, and each recipient's computer. While transmitting your message normally takes a fraction of a second, once your message is stored it normally sticks around for years. This provides multiple opportunities for unauthorized access to your email messages and raises legitimate privacy concerns. A good email encryption solution will use powerful cryptography techniques to ensure your messages are both stored and transmitted securely, and that only you and your recipients have the capability to decrypt your message data.

The problem with traditional email encryption

Traditional email encryption solutions require at least a moderate degree of computer expertise to implement. There is software to purchase, download, and install. There are encryption keys to generate, publish, and maintain. And what do you do when one of your recipients uses a different encryption technology from your own? Do you purchase, download, install, and configure their solution in addition to your own or do you require them to purchase, download, install, and configure your solution?

How to easily send encrypted emails

If you use a locally installed email program such as Outlook, you can protect your email messages by downloading a free Secure Add-In for Microsoft Outlook that will allow you to send and receive encrypted emails within your Outlook account. There are also other email encryption services that allow you to send private emails for free without downloading software or the use of encryption keys and works on any email client or web enabled device.

If your emails are not encrypted, its content is exposed and anyone read or modify it. It is up to you to protect yourself and your data. A quick rule of thumb to follow is: Encrypt data that would be problematic if others have access to it. If you need to send confidential or proprietary data, send encrypted emails.

Than Nguyen is an Internet consultant specializing in Internet Technology and helping businesses implement strategies and tools to increase productivity and profitability. Send secure encrypted emails for free at https://www.sendinc.com/

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Yahoo! helps find smartphone 'apps' (AFP)

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – Yahoo! has begun helping people navigate the sea of applications available for Apple iPhones or mobile gadgets powered by Google-backed Android software.

App Search for personal computers and a free AppSpot program for smartphones were crafted to help people find what they seek at Apple's online App Store or the Android Market.

"Together, they take the guesswork out of finding apps that fit your life," Yahoo! said in a blog post.

"App Search and AppSpot allow you to zero in on any app by showing matching app titles with a full comprehensive description, price, overall star rating from users and screenshots in one spot."

The App Store boasts more than 425,000 of the mini-programs for Apple gadgets, while the Android Market was reported to have about 200,000 and growing.

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