Aviary Photo Editing now Available for Facebook

I’m a long time fan and user of the online Aviary image creation and editing tools.  Aviary recently launched  an app for editing Facebook photos.  After giving it a test-run (see images below) it is the most effective editor for Facebook photos I’ve seen yet, and very simple to use.

It’s certainly no replacement for Aviary’s  advanced apps ,  but it can be a great additional resource for those times when you’re just looking to do some quick fixes or add some effects without any fuss.

Features

  • 10 stylistic photo effects
  • 20 infinitely reusable stickers
  • 4 one-click auto enhancers
  • Tools for lighting (brightness, saturation, contrast)
  • Tools for cosmetics (red-eye, whiten, blemish)
  • AND MORE!

Aviary for Facebook Effects Panel

Straightforward user interface, makes editing a breeze

Image straight from my HTC Incredible2

Image uploaded to Facebook before using Aviary

The lighting isn’t great and the colors are off.

Image after applying some one-click enhancements and the “San Carmen” special effect:

Image after editing with Aviary for Facebook

Not a replacement for Photoshop, but overall good results for quick photo sharing

My Wishilist:

I would love to see better color control and the ability to dial-back the intensity of the one-click adjustments.

Try Aviary for Facebook for yourself

See also Mashable’s slideshow that walks you through the basics

Mozilla Releases Firefox 10

Mozilla Releases Firefox 10 Update

Today Mozilla released Firefox 10 Update of its open-source web browser, available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.  Version 10 includes a handful of new features and improvements.

The most notable change for the average user is a minor adjustment to the browser navigation bar – an auto-hiding forward button.  The forward button is now hidden until you navigate back.

Behind the scenes are several bug fixes, streamlined add-on support, and  support for full screen APIs.  allowing developers to build Web experiences that leverage the entire screen. Full-Screen API enables developers to create full screen games, immersive video experiences and rich presentation sharing

One of the notable vulnerabilities addressed in Firefox 10 could open users to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks because the browser did not properly run a security check when calling untrusted scripting objects, said Mozilla.

“The fix enables the Script Security Manager (SSM) to force security checks on all frame scripts,” noted in this advisory.

Mozilla also fixed several bugs that caused Firefox crashes, including one traced to a recent Java update that Apple shipped to users last year, that caused many Firefox fans to jump ship in frustration.

Of special note for web designers and developers, version 10  adds a scratchpad using the Eclipse Orion code editor and new Page and Style Inspectors that will provide detailed CSS information.

Anti-aliasing for WebGL content will smooth out rough edges, and CSS3D Transforms will bring 3D animation to 2D objects.

Firefox 10 also marks the debut of the “Extended Support Release,” intended for enterprises that don’t want to deal with the hassle of supporting a new browser update every six weeks. ESR releases receive no updates apart from necessary security fixes, and will change versions once every seven releases, making the next release due around November.

More about ESR can be found at this ESR proposal page. This Extended Support Release will be developed parallel to the regular release cycle of six weeks, which Firefox adopted as part of its rapid release strategy, last year.

If you are on the release channel already, your Firefox will be updated to version 10.  Alternatively, you can download Firefox 10 here .

Read More About it:

Mozilla Blog

Firefox Features

Firefox Tour -Become a Firefox Expert in 8 Easy Steps

Features Desktop Add-on Hotfix

Firefox 10 Release Notes

Open DNS Announces DNSCrypt

Credit Card Theft

DNSCrypt is a piece of lightweight software that everyone should use to boost online privacy and security.  It works by encrypting all DNS traffic between the user and OpenDNS, preventing any spying, spoofing or man-in-the-middle attacks.

It should be of particular interest to you if you frequently surf the web on open Wifi networks at coffee shops, airports, hotel lobbies, and the like.  These types of public networks are notoriously insecure, and make it easy for cyber criminals and ISPs alike to see what you’re doing online and spy, spoof and conduct Man in the Middle attacks.

DNSCrypt encrypts, or hides, the communication between your computer or tablet and Open DNS servers while you’re browsing the Web.  What?!  You are not using OpenDNS  servers? OpenDNS can help speed up your Internet service, make it more reliable, and improve your security.

Read more about DNSCrypt here

Currently as of this writing, only available for the Mac, a Windows version is on the way:

Download DNSCrypt  (mac only at the moment).  Be advised this technology is currently in preview mode and updates will likely be made as more users test it in the wild.  But I think it’s a step in the right direction.

Building Authority for Your Website Takes Time

This Internet marketing infographic by Vertical Measures guides you through the key tactics that can be used to build authority for your website. These tactics fall into three major categories; link building, social media marketing and content marketing.

The Authority Building Machine also warns against using black hat practices that could land a website in search engine jail, a place that is not easy to escape. So stay on track and have fun!

Infographic: The Authority Building Machine
Internet Marketing Infographic by Vertical Measures

Spooktacular Wallpapers

hauntedmansion

With Halloween right around the corner,I thought I would pull together a collection of desktop wallpapers for you to use to decorate your computer screens. Enjoy your treats.

Here are some spooky and fun desktop wallpapers collected from across the web to help you get into the Halloween spirit.

American Greetings

Ticked-Off Kitty

Read More→

Microsoft’s YouTube Channel Gets Hacked

Microsoft YouTube Channel Hacked ScreenshotMicrosoft’s YouTube channel has been usurped by a malicious user.  All of the official videos, including recent ad campaigns, have been removed from the account. In their place are short clips soliciting advertisers. (note: as of this writing these short videos have now been removed, and the account appears to be back in the proper hands).

Although there are no details yet, several sources are speculating how this user gained access to the account. Based on a cryptic message left on the channel, some have postulated the user established the channel back in the early days of YouTube, as a squatter on the corporate brand.  Microsoft then likely requested the channel be turned over to them.  Years later the user comes back to YouTube and finding his old email account still linked to the channel, uses YouTube’s account recovery tools to regain access to the account.

A cryptic message posted to the channel reads:

I DID NOTHING WRONG I SIMPLY SIGNED INTO MY ACCOUNT THAT I MADE IN 2006 :/

WE ARE SPONSORING SUBBOX US AND MESSAGE US TO GET AN UPLOAD !

This is the second high-profile YouTube channel to be hacked in the past week. Sesame Street’s YouTube channel was hacked last weekend, leaving its normally family-friendly content replaced with pornographic content.
At this time it is unclear where the security flaw lies.  Is it a YouTube security hole or was an employee with administrative rights to the account careless with the password?

Gmail Set to Launch New User Interface to Help Battle Information Overload

Things to look forward to in the new interface:

  • An action bar that uses icons instead of text labels
  • A completely new interface for conversations
  • Profile pictures next to contacts
  • A flexible layout that adapts to any window size (will be useful when viewing on smartphones and tablets
  • Display density options like in Google Docs
  • Re-sizable chat/labels sections
  • New high-definition themes
  • An updated search box that includes advanced options.

The video was unintentionally made public and has now been taken down but a mirror copy exists (linked to above).  Screenshots can be seen at “Google Operating System- Unofficial News and Tips About Google”

 

Social Media Etiquette

The Internet affords us a myriad of tools to connect and share all types of  information — inane to useful.  Almost as fast as we can think a thought or observe an event; we can share it online.  But should we share every little thing?  How often to you pause to consider future implications of what you are about to share?  Do you consciously manage your online image?

This video by FGSquared gives some great common sense advice.