Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
Filed under Latest |
Google Toolbar has been recently updated - only the Internet Explorer version, though - and now includes an efficient Translate feature that will make web browsing easier, even in those websites you can’t understand. The new Translate feature is displayed as one more button in Google Toolbar, and one click is enough to make it detect the language of the web page you’re currently visiting and translate to the language you’ve set as default in the toolbar’s configuration menu.
Google Toolbar works surprisingly well, although the quality of the resulting translation depends on the language pair, and is never going to be as reliable as a translation done by a professional translator. The good thing about it is that it keeps on translating pages as you browse the site, and if you often translate from and to the same languages, Google Toolbar will remember your settings and translate web pages without having to click anywhere. The Translate feature supports 41 different languages and will soon be offered in Google Toolbar for Firefox as well.
But what if you don’t want to install a toolbar? There are other ways to turn foreign texts in something you can more or less understand. One of them is Google’s Language Tools, where you can paste text fragments for immediate translation or type in a web URL to obtain a complete web page translated to the language of your choice, while keeping the original design and layout as much as possible. Another option is using translation software, like the well-respected Babylon.
If you prefer online tools, you can check ProZ.com, where professional translators can solve your doubts, or IATE, a powerful online dictionary with support for all European languages that’s mainly focused on technical terms. Finally, I’d recommend WordReference as an excellent online dictionary with support for six languages, an active user community willing to help you and a special app for the iPhone / iPod Touch.
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
Filed under Latest |
Windows: Are you a Firefox user? If so, you’ll be happy to know your favorite browser has been updated. Firefox 3.5 includes exciting new features such as a private browsing mode, an enhanced Awesome bar, better support for embedded videos, more powerful tools to manage your browsing history and a new engine that makes websites [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
Filed under Latest |
Since first trying Spotify earlier this year I’ve become a firm convert and even more so now that they’ve introduced some handy little features to enhance the listening experience. If you haven’t been using the service long, you may be unaware of everything that Spotify can do. Here are a selection of tips from sharing [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
Filed under Latest |
Switching to a whole new browser is a tough decision, but the launch of updated versions for both Opera, Safari and Firefox may have encouraged you to take the step. In that case, you probably need a way to keep all those precious bookmarks safe in the transition from one browser to another.
Most browsers nowadays [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
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Google Earth has one of the liveliest user/contributor communities around, and there always seems to be people putting the program to new uses. This weekend sees the start of the Tour De France, and if you’d like an interactive map of the grueling route, try this Google Earth file. Zoom in over a mountainous part, [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
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Armalyte was a much loved Commodore 64 game from 1988. That system lacked a version of Gradius, but Armalyte was excellent compensation.
This demo features similar artwork, but the graphics overall have been updated. This is probably a good thing, as the original doesn’t look as it did in 1988! The sound too has been updated, [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
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Cooliris started off as a simple Firefox extension known as PicLens which enabled you to view online photos in a full screen slideshow. After some intensive development and a change of name, Cooliris is much more than just a simple slideshow, and now it also works with Internet Explorer
Cooliris for Internet Explorer not only lets [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
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Language learning is fun, but a challenge. For many, Mandarin Chinese is the most challenging of all, which is why Han Trainer Pro is a very interesting program.
Han Trainer Pro is an educational tool that will enable you to learn new vocabulary, practice your listening comprehension and swat up on your stroke order when [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
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Plagiarism is a problem for all kinds of people - teachers, lecturers and researchers alike. When you are dealing with large amounts of data, weeding out the copies is a nightmare, and that’s where CopyCat comes in.
CopyCat is a small program that doesn’t require installation. As soon as the interface appears, how to [...]
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Elizabeth
Filed under Latest |
The VoIP protocol has caused a total revolution in the way people communicate on the Internet, and Skype is undoubtedly one of the most widely used VoIP clients you can find.
With Skype you can not only have voice chats on your computer – just like telephone, only for free – but also make real phone [...]