World’s Most Stunning Data Centers

Who says there can’t be any art in technology? Here I present, some visuals of the most expensive data centers in the world.
Pictured above and below, its the Microsoft’s top-secret data center – it surely is a piece of Art. Physically real, yet still beautiful !

Sweden’s Largest ISP:
This underground data center has greenhouses, waterfalls, German submarine engines, simulated daylight and can withstand a hit from a hydrogen bomb. It looks like the secret HQ of a James Bond villain.

And it is real. It is a high-security data center run by one of Sweden’s largest ISPs, located in an old nuclear bunker deep below the bedrock of Stockholm city, sealed off from the world by entrance doors 40 cm thick (almost 16 inches).

And here is what it used to look like:

Quite a difference, isn’t it?

Pics via 1 , 2

Use WiseStamp to add your Social Networking Signature – almost anywhere

Ever wondered how to add HTML signatures to your favorite webmail service? Well, now here is a way great way to add personalized signatures.

WiseStamp is a FireFox extension that lets you add a personalized signature on any webmail service such as Gmail, Yahoo, AOL mail, and Hotmail. If that wasn’t super enough, it also allows you to add your signature to just about any webpage (as long as it supports HTML), such as Google Docs, Zoho Docs, etc.

But what really makes this plug-in cool is its integration with your social media plug-ins. You simply enter links to your social media profiles in the boxes provided and WiseStamp does the rest. Underneath your signature it will put a logo of the social media network on which the person reading your mail can simply click to view your profile. You can add your instant messaging handles too.

If you’re a blogger, you’ll love this part. Add your blogs RSS feed URL and WiseStamp will automatically enter your last post into the signature! Super Cool.. Isn’t it? If you don’t have a blog, you can do the same with your last Twitter update!

On top of it, you have 2 styles of signatures to configure to. You can create separate Personal & Business signatures as required.

Just download the WiseStamp Firefox extension and start making up your dream signature.

Take a Video Tour on how to use it:

Google Chrome now available for Mac and Linux

Great news for Mac & Linux users. Google Chrome can now be downloaded to be used on Mac & Linux systems.

This is basically a Developer version and Google recommends NOT TO DOWNLOAD, unless, you are a developer, as the browser can crash.

Google Chrome for Windows has been in use for a while now.
If you are looking to install Chrome on a USB stick, check out Portable Google Chrome.

Download Link for Mac
System Requirements: Requires Intel CPU and Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later

Download Links for 32-bit and 64-bit Linux
System Requirements: Requires 32 or 64 bit Ubuntu 8.04 or later, or 32 bit Debian 5

Screenshot of Google Chrome for Mac OSX

Screenshot of Google Chrome for Linux

A Beta version of Google Chrome for Mac & Linux users is coming shortly ..

Expanding…

Personas For Firefox – Dress Up Your Browser

Ever wondered being able to change the colour and style of your Firefox browser at the click of a button, well thanks to the wonderful team at Mozilla Labs as its now possible. Personas are the new fantastic feature for Mozilla Firefox, change your browser to suit your current mood, feelings or personal taste without downloading individual skins. Personas are the new “light-weight” skins for internet users, offering simple designs that are simple to change when desired. All the changes to your browser are applied instantly with no restart required!

Getting Started With Personas
Personas are the newest feature straight from the Mozilla Labs. Personas are lightweight, easy-to-install and easy-to-change “skins” for your Firefox web browser. This latest feature has been introduced for several reasons:

* Themes today are hard to find, create and install.
* Who likes using the same theme everyday? Personas allow you to change your theme instantly.
* Personas can easily reflect your mood, feelings or hobbies.

Make Your Own Personas For Firefox
Firefox has always been an open source brower, meaning anybody can contribute to making firefox a better overall browser. Personas are no different and all the themes are designed by you the users. Anybody can make a personal Persona it is literally that simple.

Make a Persona featuring you, your favorite color, favorite past-time or even your pet! The options are endless. Personas can even be set to private if you don’t wish to share your personal styles.

Download Personas Add-on
View Personas Gallery
More: Fashion for Firefox

Secure Yourself Against Conficker Worm

Windows OS users across the globe have been worried sick about the Conficker worm striking back on April 1,09.

Anti-virus and security solutions providing companies like Symantec, F-Secure, Avast! and others are however singing a relieved tune. That’s because they say they’re prepared to tackle it.

What’s this Conficker worm anyway?
The ‘C’ variant of Conficker worm, aka Downadup or Kido, infects Windows machines (XP and Vista) and disables them to get security updates or patches from Microsoft and from other vendors. According to Symantec, the creators of the worm will also start using a communications system that is more difficult for security researchers to interrupt.

(Image source: Wikimedia)

How will Conficker harm users?
While nobody knows what exactly Conficker will actually do, most likely, the worm will be used to create a botnet that will be rented out to criminals who want to send SPAM, steal IDs and direct users to online scams and phishing sites.

What can be done to protect a computer from this worm?
First of all, update your anti-virus software. Especially on April 1, make sure that it’s actually running when you start your computer. Secondly, make sure that you have the latest Windows security updates.

You should know:
1. Changing the date of your system will not help avoid this worm.
2. Keeping your computer shut on April 1 will also not help either.
3. The only way to get past this worm is by updating Windows and your anti-virus software.

Conficker History
The ‘B’ variant of the Conficker worm had created ruckus around January this year. By February, it had affected over 9 million Windows users worldwide. Perturbed by the virus, Microsoft had even announced to pay reward of $250,000 to any individual who’ll find out the culprits behind Conficker.

Last words
Before this April 1 — Don’t be a fool, download the security tool.

Some resources are listed here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/962007
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_153464.htm
http://www.411-spyware.com/conficker-worm-removal
http://community.mcafee.com/showthread.php?t=225901