How to open an .acsm file?

If you download an .acsm file (usually provided by libraries for ebook downloads) refers to a "Adobe Content Server Message" file. It can (only?) be opened by a special software, Adobe Digital Editions. It is a free download available for both PC and Mac OS.


Via Microsoft Community.

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Google Keep gets new Chrome Extension and works offline

Google Keep comes in handy sometimes, you can use it to write notes or add To-do lists. I sometimes save the links in Google Keep via the share feature in Android to read the articles later. 

To download the Google Keep extension for Chrome click the link here.

Last month, Google Keep launched to help you quickly jot down ideas and keep track of things while on the go with your Android device or on the web. Today, with the launch of a new Chrome app, Google Keep is even easier to access on your computer using Chrome.

The Google Keep Chrome app launches in its own window, so you can create notes, cross out your to-do lists, and attach photos to tasks while you work on other things. And if you don’t have an internet connection, don’t fret: the Chrome app works offline because we all know that ideas (big and small) can be sparked at any time.

A Google Keep video demo

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Google Chrome Extension Button Problem - Blank Screen

This "blank screen with black borders" problem showed up the past few days, whenever I clicked Google+ button or any Extension button, all I saw was a blank transparent window screen like the above picture. I wasn't sure what was causing the problem. It seems this is an ongoing issue and the developers are trying to fix this problem with an update for Dev, Beta and Stable Chrome browser versions. 

I use Chrome 27.0.1430.3 beta-m version in PC with Windows 7 64-bit OS.

One user in Google forum suggested to remove all extensions and enable it one by one.   But that solution didn't work. However, thanks to Google+ user +Fynali Iladijas I was able to overcome this problem. Fynali suggested the following solution:

One advice I have for you is to install Chrome stable as well as Chrome Canary build on the same machine, enable sync-everything in Chrome options, and use Canary build full-time. When things break, switch to stable for that particular task.

That way you can enjoy the bleeding-edge developments (nightly, in fact!), and be assured you have a stable build at hand for that rare occasion...

After I installed the Canary Build, I don't see the above problem anymore, the extensions work fine now.

You can download Canary Build browser (https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/dev/getting-involved/dev-channel) and use either of the Stable, Beta or Dev versions at the same time, we can move from one to another without affecting our Google bookmarks, extensions settings. In Canary build, we can only use one profile at a time however.

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Chec - Sell anything, anywhere. An e-commerce platform for small business

If you want to sell , music, t-shirts and other stuff, then you should try Chec.com. The rates are 3.5% of the total price. After you add the product, Chec gives a link, which you can share in any social site or in your website and start accepting payments and sell products instantly. 

I use Gumroad.com, which is another excellent service, simple to use and add payment codes in websites.

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3 Free O'Reilly Books for Ebook Publishers from Amazon

If you're exploring publishing ebooks or currently publishing then these books are good ones to read and update yourself about ebooks publishing tools and industry.

• What is EPUB 3?
• HTML5 for Publishers   
• Publishing with iBooks Author 

Via +Gary McLaren 

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Rösle Apple Slicer - Best Apple slicer in the market

Rösle Apple Slicer

I saw this report from America's Test Kitchen claiming Williams-Sonama Dial-A-Slice Apple Divider as the best apple slicer, but I noticed they're made of plastic. It might be good one to have but I doubt its durability. But then I saw this Rösle Apple Slicer, which looks similar to Williams-Sonama's but is made of steel and has 5 stars rating in Amazon. This will be great for salads, and fruit plates.

Features of Rösle Apple Slicer:

• Designed and engineered in Germany; made of 18/10 stainless steel
• Special shape and welding of the blade enables a cut all the way through the fruit.
• Fruit segment are individually extracted from the apple/pear cutter
• Wide handle allows you to apply limited hand pressure
• Dishwasher safe, hole for easy hanging from open kitchen storage system.

I will be buying them soon to test how good they're and will update the review here.

Previously I had Oxo Apple corer, which did its job by removing the core perfectly but would love to have this slicing option also

Rösle Apple Slicer

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Square Payment now available in Canada

Square payment is growing big day by day, now they are expanding and is available in Canada. It's great for small and medium businesses, easy to use and much better than PayPal with less hassles to deal with. To get started visit Square's register page: https://squareup.com/register#signup

Square, the company making business easy for everyone, today Announced availability in Canada. Square Enables anyone, anywhere to accept credit cards, run and grow Their business. 

Square's free Mobile Card Reader plugs into the headphone jack of an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Square Register is the free app That allows anyone to safe and secure credit card payments with one simple, low transaction rate of 2.75% per swipe, with no hidden fees. Funds are available the next business day, Eliminating the wait for cash flow. 

Canada is Square's first market outside the U.S.. Over 2 million Individuals and businesses businessman can accept credit cards with Already Square, and Square is processing over one billion U.S. $ 8 in Annualized payments.

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Cardiograph - Measure Heart Rate App for Android

Cardiograph Screenshot

There are a number of apps that measure heart rate in Android Play Store, but Cardiograph is one of the comprehensive app that is available in the market. It is also available for iOS at this iTunes links here (iPad app, iPhone app).


Once you install the app, follow these three steps to get an instant heart rate reading.


Step 1. Power on the device by tapping the START/STOP button.
Step 2. Gently place the tip of your index finger over the camera, so that it covers the lens completely.
Step 3. The readings will appear after a few seconds. The heart-shaped bars indicate measurement accuracy.

According to Mayo Clinic:

"For an adult, a normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute. For a well-trained athlete, a normal resting heart rate may be closer to 40 beats a minute. For healthy adults, a lower heart rate at rest generally implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness."

The lower the heart beat rate, it is better. 

Just like all other apps, this may or may not be the accurate heart rate measurement but gives you a good idea about your heart health.

How to use Cardiograph

Here is the video demo:

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Google Docs adds New Research Tool Feature for Citations and References

Now you can add Wikipedia links or cite any web page in your document with the new Research Tool from Google.


To begin select the word you want to add a reference link and then click "Ctrl + Alt + R" in PC or "Cmd + Opt + R" in Mac to open the research tool. You will the research tool as shown above on the right side of the document you are editing. You can also alternatively open the Research Tool from the Tools menu.


Under each link, when you hover over the link, you will see "insert link" as shown below, click the insert link to make the reference selection. 


You will see two other features, one to preview each of those links before adding, the second is to use the link as a citation and it will appear at the end of the page as footnotes. 

You can search every page in the internet or search images or search quotes based on the drop down menu at the top of the research tool. 


The research tool is a valuable tool for students and writers alike and now you can do all this without leaving the page.

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Migrate Data with Ecquire Productivity Tool For Businesses

Ecquire is a Google Chrome extension and a good productivity tool for businesses. Whenever you encounter a contact in Gmail, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, you can add their data easily to SalesForce, Highrise, MailChimp or Google Docs with a touch of a button, instead of copy and paste.


Move your data from:

* Gmail
* LinkedIn
* Facebook
* Twitter

And with one click, store it in:

* SalesForce
* Highrise
* MailChimp
* Google Docs

Migrating data to Google Docs is free but for unlimited data migration to others, Ecquire charges a nominal fee of $5 a month.

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QREncoder - A Good QR Tool for Mac

A simple tool to create QR codes in Apple Mac and share it with others easily:

With QREncoder you can encode: 

* an email address
* a http address
* a phone number
* a SMS message
* a free format text 

Mac App Store - QREncoder

Via Tuaw.com.

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Google introduces a new Android app for Google Offers

It is not yet Groupon, but Google Offers is growing in size and in various cities. The difference between Google Offers and Groupon, is sellers can create their own offers without having to give a large share of their profits to Groupon, which in the end helps customers with great prices. Now you can check out Google Offers with an app in Android phones.

Official Google Mobile Blog: Today we’re announcing our new Google Offers mobile app, that allows you to discover, buy and redeem your favorite deals on the go. The free app will notify you about all the great Offers that match your interests. You can purchase offers in just a few clicks and even redeem paperlessly with select merchants.

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Download Free Ebook - Android Applications & Android Market

Android Applications & Android Market Ebook (PDF) is a nice starting point for developers in Android market, gives tips how to register, tools necessary to build an app and add apps to Android market.

The download link is here.

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Business Productivity Apps for Android Smartphones

Productivity on your Android Mobile - 10 Tips & 40+ Apps

View more presentations from Sara Rosso

Sarah Rosso has nice recommendations for productivity apps for Android phones. Watch the slides to see some of the important apps for business.

You can download these apps from the Android Market or from the Amazon App Store.

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Make Your Website Faster With Google's Page Speed Tool

Google has a new tool called Page Speed to check whether the website you have is fast or not. If it is not fast, it gives good suggestions like the results below to improve your website.



It is a nice web design tool for developers and website owners. 

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