Dropbox

Summary : Dropbox is a free cloud computing service that lets you upload and backup all your files, docs and pics. After creating a free account you can download their software that lets you easily upload your docs that are saved on all your other computers and mobile devices as also on the dropbox website. An easy way to share files with your peers and family! Invite to share and what you save to your dropbox folder gets automatically saved in their computers as well!! Never email yourself a file again! Complete access from anywhere!!

Financial Details :  The Founder of Dropbox,  Drew Houston conceived the idea after repeatedly forgetting his USB drive while he was a student at MIT. Dropbox is based in San Francisco. Dropbox officially launched at 2008's TechCrunch50, an annual technology conference. Dropbox has received a total venture capital funding of $7.2 million from several investors, including Y Combinator, Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners. . According to speculation, Dropbox's valuation is more than $1 billion. TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Business Insider and Financial Post have also speculated that Dropbox's valuation could be as high as $5 to $10 billion. Dropbox's annual revenue is expected to reach $240 million in 2011.

Technical Details :Dropbox server and desktop client software are primarily written in Python. The desktop client uses GUI toolkits such as wxWidgets and Cocoa. Other notable Python libraries include Twisted, ctypes, and pywin32. The software does not use any third-party file sync or version control libraries and was built from scratch.
     The Dropbox client enables users to drop any file into a designated folder that is then synced with Dropbox's Internet service and to any other of the user's computers and devices with the Dropbox client. Users may also upload files manually through a web browser. Through these usages, it can be an alternative to sneakernet (physical transportation of removable media), and other traditional forms of file transfer, such as FTP and e-mail attachments.
     While Dropbox functions as a storage service, its focus is on synchronization and sharing. It supports revision history, so files deleted from the Dropbox folder may be recovered from any of the synced computers. Dropbox's version control also helps users know the history of a file they may be currently working on, enabling more than one person to edit and re-post files without complications of losing its previous form. The version history is limited to 30 days. A paid option for unlimited version history called "Pack-Rat" is available.
    The version history is paired with the use of delta encoding technology. To conserve bandwidth and time, if a file in a user's Dropbox folder is changed, Dropbox only uploads the pieces of the file that are changed when syncing.Though the desktop client has no restriction on individual file size, files uploaded via the web site are limited to a maximum of 300 MB per file. To prevent free users (who get 2 GB of free storage) from creating multiple free accounts, Dropbox includes the content of shared folders when totaling the amount of space used on the account. 
    Dropbox uses Amazon's S3 storage system to store the files; though Houston has stated that Dropbox may switch to a different storage provider at some point in the future. It also uses SSL transfers for synchronization and stores the data via AES-256 encryption.

Security :  Dropbox claims that your files are actually safer while stored in your Dropbox than on your computer in some cases and they use the same secure methods as banks.

The files are backed-up, stored securely, and password-protected. Other Dropbox users can't see your private files in Dropbox unless you deliberately invite them or put them in your Public folder. Everything in your Public folder is, by definition, accessible to anyone. Dropbox employees are prohibited from viewing the content of files you store in your Dropbox account, and are only permitted to view file metadata. They do have a small number of employees who can access user data for the reasons stated in their privacy policy.  A number of physical and electronic security measures are in place to protect user information from unauthorized access.

Who can use it : Any person, at a given time working on/with several computers can use Dropbox  to work more efficiently and effectively. Working on your home computer and work computer is a breeze. No longer will you chained to the burdens of an unreliable USB-jump drive. You can also save your docuemnts in Dropbox and access it via mobile. 

It could also be used as a simple data storage center, a place where u can store your music and listen to it where ever you want. People around the world rely on Dropbox to help them design buildings, compose music, run businesses, write books and even coordinate disaster relief. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a teacher, a photographer or an astronomer, an artist or an activist, Dropbox simplifies your life. 

What do you get as a free user: 

• 2GB of Dropbox for free
• Your files are always available from the secure Dropbox website.
• Dropbox works with Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android andBlackBerry.
• Works even when offline. You always have your files, whether or not you have a connection.
• Dropbox transfers just the parts of a file that change (not the whole thing).
• Manually set bandwidth limits -- Dropbox won't hog your connection.
• Invite friends, family or teammates to a folder. It'll be as if you saved the folder to their computers.
• See other people's changes instantly.
• Create photo galleries viewable by anyone you choose.
• Send a link to any file in your Dropbox using your Public folder.
• Bring your files with you when you're on the go.
• Edit files in your Dropbox from your phone.
• Easily upload your photos and videos to Dropbox.
• Share freely with family and friends.
• Dropbox keeps a one-month history of your work.
• Any changes can be undone, and files can be undeleted.
• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and AES-256 bit encryption.

Invite your friends to Dropbox that gives you both extra space (250MB for free)! It is really easy to email your friends from your address book and post to Twitter or Facebook. There is also a link to put anywhere on the web. The more people you invite, the more space you get! If you ever need even more space, you can always subscribe to Dropbox Pro, available in 50GB or 100GB. Furthermore, referrals double to 500MB (1GB for students) per person you invite! But if you need even more than 100GB, or if you run your own business; you should check out Dropbox for Teams, which is designed specifically for educators, non-profits, and businesses. Each friend you refer to Dropbox yields 250MB of free space. In total, you can get up to 8GB for Dropbox Basic accounts (for a total of 10GB), and 16GB for Dropbox Pro accounts (in addition to the amount you paid for already). All your friend has to do is use the link you send to create a Dropbox account through the Dropbox desktop application.  If you're a student, you get double the amount of referral bonuses to 500MB per friend and up to 16GB of extra space for Dropbox Basic accounts and 32GB for Dropbox Pro accounts.

Reception: 

• Dropbox has been praised by many publications—including The Economist, The New York Times, PC Magazine, and The Washington Post—for its simple design and ease of use. It has also received several awards, including the Crunchie Award in 2009 for Best Internet Application; Macworld's 2009 Editor's Choice Award; and it has been nominated for a 2010 Webby Award, and for the 2010 Mac Design Awards by Ars Technica.
• Dropbox has been named as the world's fifth most valuable web startup after Facebook, Twitter, Zynga and Groupon.
• Dropbox has been touted as Y Combinator's most successful investment to date.
• Dropbox is one among the top 10 iPhone apps of all time, according to TechCrunch.
• Dropbox has also been voted among the top 10 Android apps of all time, according to ZDNet.
• Dropbox has been recognized as one of the top 50 emerging companies by TIEcon.
• Dropbox has been called one of the 20 best startups of Silicon Valley.
• Drew Houston of Dropbox was called the best young tech entrepreneur by Business Week.
• The founders of Dropbox, Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi have been named among the top 30 under 30 enterpreneurs by inc.com.

Criticism:

• Dropbox has been criticized by independent security researcher Derek Newton, who has argued that Dropbox's authentication architecture is inherently insecure.
• Dropbox has been criticized by software expert Miguel de Icaza who claims that Dropbox's terms of service contradicts its privacy policy. Miguel de Icaza has said that Dropbox's famous claim "Dropbox employees aren’t able to access user files" is a lie.
• Dropbox has been criticized for not supporting the ability for users to use their own AES-256 keys and for automatically signing in.
• In May 2011, a complaint was filed with the US FTC alleging Dropbox misled users about the privacy and security of their files. At the heart of the complaint was the policy of "deduplication", where the system checks if a file has been uploaded before by any other user, and links to the existing copy if so; and the policy of using a single AES-256 key for every file on the system so Dropbox can (and does, for deduplication) look at encrypted files stored on the system, with the consequence that any intruder who gets the key (as well as Dropbox employees) could decrypt any file if they had access to Dropbox's backend storage infrastructure.
• On 20 June 2011, all Dropbox accounts could be accessed without password for 4 hours as reported by TechCrunch. The error was caused by a code update made at 1:54 pm Pacific Time. The error was detected at 5:41 pm and immediately fixed. Less than 1 percent of Dropbox's users were logged in at that time. All logged in sessions were ended since then. All users with compromised accounts were notified by emails.Dropbox could potentially face a class action lawsuit over this incident. The lawsuit is being initiated by Cristina Wong of Los Angeles and claims violation of the California Unfair Competition Law. The suit has been filed as Wong et al. v. Dropbox Inc., No. 11-CV-3092-LB, (N.D. Cal. June 22, 2011). The suit is scheduled to be heard by U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler.
• In early July 2011 Dropbox revised their Terms of Service several times after first including language that appeared to give them an irrevocable license to any material uploaded. They subsequently clarified that language in response to the maelstrom of criticism and concern that resulted from artists and corporate users with confidential data.

      Our Rating : 9.5/10

Chevrolet Beat Vs. Maruti A-Star

Hello Everyone, 


Mr. Vinay wanted to buy a hatchback under 5 lakhs and he had shortlisted Chevrolet Beat LT and Maruti A-Star Zxi. His concern was mileage, comfort, power and Budget. The following table compares the two cars.

Feature	Chevolet Beat LT	Maruti A-Star Zxi
Engine	1.2 L	1.0 yL
Power	80.5	67
Mileage	18.6	19.5
Automatic Climate Control	Yes	No
Seat Lumbar Support	Yes	No
Rear Window Washer	Yes	No
Length	3640	3500
Width	1595	1600
Height	1520	1490
Ground Clearance	165	170
AntiLock Breaking System	No (Optional)	Yes
Anti Theft Alarm	No	Yes
Airbags	No (Optional)	Yes
Price	Around 5 Lakhs	4.90 Lakhs

Other points to consider: (Consists of test drive reports by me and few others that I fetched and complied from other sites)

Chevrolet Beat: Chevrolet Beat has a powerful and silent engine. The pickup is good and the accelerator and breaks are sensitive. At low revs the Beat is incredibly refined and near-silent at idle. It has a perky throttle response, which is useful in stop-and-go traffic but depress the throttle more than halfway and you instantly notice the lack of mid-range punch. It’s not a particularly effortless motor but if you work it hard, it will deliver respectable performance. The car is Effortless to drive within city and handles well in the highways too. The suspension is well-tuned for comfort and ride quality is supple over most road conditions. The gear box is fairly smooth. Beat has a funky styling inside & out. Unique superbike-inspired speedometer. The design of the car has prioritized rear leg room over boot space and hence the boot is quite small compared to its counterparts. The tyres are small and puny for a car that looks this amazing. The seat lumbar support provides comfortable seating position.

It does not have a keyless entry, height adjustable drivere seat and the small rear window creates a claustrophobic ambience at the back but in time you will get used to it.There’s storage place and cubby holes everywhere. A spot below the drivers side air-vent (plus a coin holder too), you can slide your hand into the door pockets, 1 liter bottle holder on each of the front doors, two cup holders below the center console, a spot for your cell phone below the climate control knobs, and a single bottle holder for rear passengers.

The car is nippy within the city, yet the handling is at best sedate at speed. Straight line stability is fine and safe enough, but sudden lane change manouveurs will see the tyres squealing easily. Body roll, too, is noticeable in fast corners. If you shift by the rpm meter, you will miss the conventional rpm gauge. The car has a digital RPM meter which does NOT turn red (at the redline), a minor issue. Speakers are just fine. The car had a mini USB port and you will need to purchase a mini USB to USB convertor which costs around 300 bucks. But I heard that the newer ones come with a USB port.

Maruti A-Star :  ASTAR , The sporty car, is an excellent option for people looking for second car in family. The engine is refined and is sufficiently powerful to provide a good and fast pickup.Smooth shifting gearbox is sweet to engage and the ratios are even, except for the awkward gap between the 2nd and 3rd gears. The 3rd gear had a play right from the beginning, which still does not work the right way. Sometimes it engages when you have to shift gears in quick succession for acceleration. On rough roads, even in 2nd gear it speeds quickly and you have to control its acceleration by braking which means you will have to keep shifting between accelerator and brake. The second gear it is little sluggish. Third gear is powerful. Overdrive is a beauty but we rarely get to use it in city. Steering wheel feels slightly sluggish and the car does not respond to direction changes as well as one would expect but one can ignore it. The air-conditioning and heating is very good.  

As far as the comfort, design and convenience is concerned, Maruti A Star is equipped with a standard climate control AC, Power windows, integrated audio system with 4 speakers, front and rear power windows, power steering, manual lock at the centre, remote fuel filler and folding rear seats. To secure the driver and passengers the car is loaded with a lot of passive and active safety features that include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, front seat belts pre-tensioners and force limiters, immobiliser, child proof rear door locks, security system, etc.The interiors are loaded with good quality plastics, best fit and finish in a maruti car and the 2-tone grey interior looks good for a tiny car. one major irritant was the red illumination of the dashboard. Small speedometer and dinky tachometer are design disasters. Absence of a tilt steering and seat height adjustment again is a disadvantage. Headroom is OK but your head may hit the roof if it is driven at a high speed over a pot-hole. Rear legroom is very less, makes it feel that you are sitting in a claustrophobic cabin

For a factory fitted unit in ZXI with 4-speakers, it sounded pretty good. it is mp3/wma compatible and also comes with an i-pod auxilary input jack.. steering wheel feels slightly sluggish and the car does not respond to direction changes as well as one would expect . The side view sometimes become a challenge.

Comparing the price, features and looks I would rate Chevrolet beat 8 and Maruti A star 6 on a scale of 10. The only thing that is in favor of A-Star is the brand name and slightly lower price but that is negated by the stunning looks of Chevy Beat.

Folica

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Body Building

Fitness freaks welcome! Prospective freaks, look in! This is the definitive site for you to learn the best body building tips and tricks. Follow real people in their journeys of transformation, professionals in their routines, and much more! Know what to eat, what to do, where to go, how to do, how much, and all that jazz! Get your own custom fitness regime made. Make a journal or photo-blog on the site of your own progress! Share, exchange, learn and empower! Get motivated and start building!!

Shelfari

Its social networking for books! Literally. Log in, create an account for free and get ready to explore the universe of books. Build virtual bookshelves of the titles you own or have read. You can also rate, tag and review books ,invite friends, discuss with friends, join groups and communities, and everybody is discussing just books! Sort books listed in your shelf into currently reading,  already read, planning to read, wish list, currently owned and favorites. So people in your friend list can view them, recommend similar books, books of the same author, and you get to know what your friends are reading. Its just mind-blowing the amount of exposure it gives to various kinds of books of all times, genres, authors and publications .Book junkies - Shelfari.com is your one stop site.

Tube Mogul

TubeMogul.com - A one of a kind and probably only brand-focused and internet video marketing company that caters to video advertisement needs of clients.The PlayTime video advertising platform (that now claims to reach 700 million internet users) was built for branding - for marketers that want to influence a consumer's path to purchase or trial by creating awareness. Video analytics and reporting help clients monitor their campaigns' success.  So if your organisation wants to air ads on the internet (just like TV),  TubeMogul will help you do just that. Not only that, it also provides multiple add-on services, so that you know who views your ads, on which sites, so you can even precisely aim for your target audience on the internet. A great site as internet advertisment and marketing is the present, and is definitely going to be the future!

Live Score

For all the latest scores on all the sporting events happening all over the world, log on to livescore.com. Catch the scores updated as the match unfolds, be it Football, Cricket, Hockey, Tennis or Basketball. All International match scores shown as it happens.You can also choose a country and view scores of national or local level matches taking place there. No reviews, no commentry,no videos. Just the score, so that you can follow all the games that are happenning at the same time!!