4 de enero de 2013

DroidShooting, juego de disparos con realidad aumentada [Android]

disparos realidad aumentada


En Hongkiat han compartido un buen artículo -justo luego de que compartimos nuestras predicciones para el 2013- sobre las tecnologías que podrían tener mucho más protagonismo en el mundo de los videojuegos proximamente. La realidad aumentada cuenta con un espacio en esa recopilación donde se dan como ejemplos del buen aprovechamiento de esa tecnología un par de apps móviles gratuitas: WIKITUDE (iOS y Android) y DroidShooting (disponible para Android).


De WIKITUDE ya hemos hablado en varias ocasiones porque junto a los juegos incluye opciones de interactividad con locales, redes sociales, eventos, información y más objetos; así pues, el turno es para DroidShooting, un juego para Android bastante sencillo pero muy entretenido que hace uso de la realidad aumentada para permitirnos jugar a dispararle a pequeños androides que flotan de un lado a otra de la habitación o el sitio en que nos encontramos.


Al iniciarlo simplemente pedirá un nombre o pseudónimo para registrar el avance en el juego, ya lo demás será empezar a seguir y destruir las oleadas de escurridizos androides valiéndose de la cámara del móvil, la mira, el radar de la esquina superior derecha y el botón rojo de disparar.


Enlace: DroidShooting en la Play Store | Vía: Hongkiat




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Make Sure You’re Clean With These Free One-Time Scan Antivirus Tools [Windows]

It sucks to be constantly bombarded by computer-related threats, whether they’re spyware, malware, viruses, keyloggers, or whatever else. A popular way to combat this problem is to install an antivirus solution that sits in the background and keeps you safe. But no matter what resident solution you’re using, it might not catch each and every infection. That’s where the one-time-scanner steps in.


I am a big fan of one-time-scanners because you can scan whenever you want. Instead of being surprised by a system scan that lags everything down, you can plan your activities and fit the virus scan in where it’s most convenient for you. You may not need a daily defender; instead, a manual weekly scan may be enough for you.


So if you’re looking for the best one-time-scan antivirus and anti-malware tools that free can buy, check these programs out. One of them is bound to fulfill your needs.


Comodo Cleaning Essentials



Available on Windows XP, Vista, and 7 for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.


As a company, Comodo has impressed me quite a bit in recent years. They have over 30 products that are useful for home use, e-commerce, small businesses, large enterprises, and social media. They cover fields from cloud backup to SSL certificates to Internet security to firewall and VPN programs. If it’s Internet-related, they probably have a product for it.


So you can imagine how unsurprised I was when I learned they had a computer cleaning toolkit. The program itself looks simple, clean, and does what it’s meant to do – scan your computer for virus and malware threats and quarantine them.


Suffice it to say that Comodo Cleaning Essentials is not the best scanner available, even in the free software market, but it’s quick and painless. It’ll detect the most serious of threats, but some of the more mundane ones will slip through on occasion.


Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free



Available on Windows XP, Vista, and 7 for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.


Malwarebytes is one of the most popular anti-malware and threat detection programs at the time of writing this article. Every time I search for antivirus and anti-malware related topics, Malwarebytes comes up. I’ve been using it as my primary threat scanner for at least 4 years and I don’t see an end to it anytime soon.


The great thing about Malwarebytes is that the Quick Scan feature is the only scan you need. The Full Scan is, for all intents and purposes, a placebo. If you don’t believe me, founder and CEO of Malwarebytes, Marcin Kleczynski, had this to say in a recent Reddit AMA thread:



We’ve designed the quick scan to detect everything. The full scan is there for people who won’t believe us.



What does this mean for you? You can kiss Full Scans goodbye. No more 20-minute scans! They’ve designed their program to detect malicious threats on your computer all within a 2-3 minute timespan. Color me impressed.


ClamWin AntiVirus Portable



Available on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, and 8 for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.


According to ClamWin’s statistics, it is being used by over 600,000 people every day. That should be enough proof that ClamWin is an effective antivirus and anti-malware tool. It comes in an easy-to-use installer, or you can use the portable version instead to take it with you on-the-go and use it anywhere. Plus, it’s open source.


Don’t be fooled by its simplistic interface. ClamWin may look outdated, but it packs a potent punch when it comes to finding and eradicating threats on your computer. Personally, I’ve never seen a free antivirus scanner that detects as much stuff as ClamWin does. In addition, ClamWin’s virus and malware databases are constantly being updated, so you’ll always be catching the latest threats.


One of the greatest aspects of ClamWin (which could also be a downside) is that you have to manually scan each file. Of course, you can scan entire directories if you want, but that means longer scan times as it analyzes each individual file. If you only want to scan certain files, though, ClamWin excels.


Spybot Search & Destroy Portable



Available on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, and 8 for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.


I remember when the Internet was still younger (or at least younger than it currently is) and malware was just starting to wreak havoc. In those days, Spybot S&D was one of the pioneers of anti-malware strategy, and alongside Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D could always be found as a recommendation for virus and malware removal.


These days, Spybot S&D’s performance has fallen by the wayside a bit, being outshined by programs like Malwarebytes and ClamWin. Still, Spybot works well, in my opinion, and the latest version has detected a number of threats that were missed by some of my regular antivirus scanners.


My only regret with Spybot S&D is the lack of a Quick Scan feature. If you want to scan, you need to run a Full Scan, which took 20 minutes on my above-average computer rig.


Kaspersky Security Scan



Available on Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8 for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.


Kaspersky Lab is one of the most well-known security developers and for good reason. They’ve created over a dozen security programs that can be used for personal use, family use, and business use. They’ve specialized in it for years, so you can have faith that they know what they’re doing.


Their program packages will all cost you money (as low as $9.95 up to $179.95) but they do offer a free security scan program that will detect and diagnose potential virus and malware threats. The downside is that it only detects–it doesn’t fix or repair or remove the found threats. For that, you’ll have to purchase one of their programs.


Not the best deal in the world, but their scanning program is good and will catch a few things that other scanners might miss. It’s worth giving a shot.


Conclusion


Again, one-time-scan antivirus programs are meant to be used at your convenience. If you suspect a virus-related issue on your computer, you can boot up the scanner and focus your efforts then. It frees up a lot of resources when you aren’t scanning, reducing the slowdown of your computer.


But be aware that using a one-time-scanner places the responsibility of scanning on you. If you let a virus or malware threat reside for too long and you end up in a situation you don’t want to be in (e.g., spyware infection), then the fault is entirely your own. If you accept that responsibility, then the above scanners will suit you just fine.


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How to Prepare for a Job Interview

A job interview is one of the most drawn-out and intimidating ways of making first impression. However, it’s also your opportunity to get on an employer’s good side, which can give you a distinct edge over even those applicants whose credentials are better than yours. To prepare for a job interview, use these pointers.



Edit Steps



Sample Questions and Responses






Part 1: Before the Interview



  1. Research the company's profile and background. Start by looking into their future goals and plans. Conducting the interview with this in mind will make you seem like a good long-term investment. You should also be ready to talk in depth about the industry, the organization, and the position you are applying for.





    • Learn your interviewer’s name and job position before going to the interview. You may need to call the company to find out.

    • Talk to current employees. Show initiative while getting a feel for the office environment. Learn as much as you can about the company from people who work there.

    • Know as much about the company as possible. You can't change your employment history or your qualifications, but you can work harder than every other applicant by being supremely knowledgeable about the company. Use the company's website, their annual report, and newspaper/business magazine articles to gather as much information as possible.



  2. Think of questions to ask your interviewer. Participating actively during the interview gives a good impression of your level of interest in the job. It's a good idea to come prepared with at least three thought-provoking questions to ask your interviewer. (Avoid asking anything that could be easily answered through a quick internet search, or you will simply come across as lazy.)

    • Ask questions that reflect your interest in future prospects. “Which are new markets the company is planning to explore in next couple of years?” or “What are the chances for professional growth in this job opportunity?” both show that you want to be on the same page as the people you’ll be working for.

    • Ask questions to bond with the interviewer and project your enthusiasm. Inquire about his/her position and background or how long (s)he has been with the company.

    • Ask questions about what is discussed during the interview itself. Though you may be tempted to respond to everything with an “Absolutely!” or a “Sure thing!” to show how competent you are, this will actually make it look like you’re not listening. Show that you are paying attention by asking for more details whenever something isn’t clear. (Avoid asking questions for the sake of asking, though, or it’ll seem like you can’t keep up.)



  3. Practice with a peer. If you have a friend who is also preparing for an interview, consider preparing together. Not only will this give you a way to structure your preparation, but it will also help you get comfortable with giving answers, telling anecdotes, and using appropriate terminology. Practice giving concise, complete answers and maintaining eye contact with the interviewer(s) while you give them. Make sure you aren't speaking too slow or too fast and that your answers are stated with confidence.

    • Get feedback from your peer. Even if you think their feedback isn't on the mark, it's something to consider: We don't always know how me come off to other people, and the actual interviewer could share some of the same concerns.

    • Know basically what you want to talk about before the interview. If you're stumbling and fumbling for an answer on a very basic question, you're not putting your best foot forward. Have your very basic answers down pat, and anticipate some of the tougher questions before you step into the interview.



  4. Anticipate questions from the interviewer. It’s best to prepare for a wide variety of questions by thinking about your own career goals, long-term plans, past successes, and work strengths, but you should also brace yourself for the deceptively simple questions that most employers like to throw at their interviewees.

    • “What’s your biggest weakness?” is a classic canned interview question that many people dread. Answering this question is a bit of a tightrope walk: While you don’t want to be too honest (“I have a really hard time staying motivated”), you won’t fool anyone by trying to spin an obviously good quality into a weakness (“I just can’t bear to do less-than-outstanding work!”). Instead, think of a genuine issue you have as well as ways you have managed to work with/around it (“I’m not naturally a very organized thinker, but I’ve become very organized on paper and in my personal space as a result”).

    • “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is another common question that can take you off guard if you don’t see it coming. Your panicked reaction might be to blurt out, “Working diligently for you, of course!” but unless you are actually trying to get a job in your chosen career, this probably isn’t a good strategy. If you’re going after what will clearly be a short-term job – or even one that lasts only several years – be honest about what your greater aspirations are (ex. going back to school, starting your own business); ambition is a very desirable trait in an employee – to say nothing of honesty.

    • “Why do you want this job?” is so straightforward it can throw you for a loop. If you’re going into a field you care about, you will have a much easier time answering this. However, if, like many people, you’re just trying to make ends meet, you can answer the question by using it as a way of highlighting your skills (“I shine in fast-paced, high-pressure situations and would love to have the opportunity to cultivate my talents here”).

    • “Why did you leave your last job?” is a common question that shouldn’t be hard to answer provided that you didn’t have a major blowout with your previous employer. If you did, be honest (without being bitter or laying blame, as this will make you look ungracious and hard to work with) and try to put a positive spin on things.

    • Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. While you definitely want to seem knowledgeable, don't lie to make it seem like you know something you don't. You probably won't fool your interviewer, and admitting to not knowing something is much more impressive than lying during your interview. If need be, just acknowledge that you do not know the answer but will find out more about it and let them know afterwards.





Part 2: The Day of the Interview



  1. Dress for the interview. As a rule of thumb, you should dress for the interview the way you would for the job itself. (If the job is unusually casual, however, you might want to show up in business-casual clothes to be safe.) Choose subdued colors (blues, browns, grays, black) and make sure that your clothes are lint- and wrinkle-free. Avoid wearing perfume, after-shave, or scented lotion (but do wear deodorant).





    • Applicants in banking or wealth management, business, academia, politics, and health-related sectors should show up for an interview in business formal clothing unless otherwise noted. For women, this means a skirt suit or pant suit in a dark color, along with closed toe shoes and subtle makeup. For men, this means a dark-colored suit and tie and dark-colored shoes.[1]

    • Applicants in the service sector are usually invited to wear business casual to an interview, although business formal is optional. For women, this means a simple, knee length dress with conservative shoes (no jeans). For men, this means dark or khaki pants with a collared button-up and leather shoes.[1]

    • If you're unsure of the customary interview clothing expected by the company, simply ask the HR rep or interview liaison. There's no shame in it. There is shame in feeling horribly over- or under-dressed when you show up for an interview.



  2. Show up in the best possible shape. Make sure you know exactly how to get there and just where to park so that you can arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled interview time. Go to bed early the day (or the days) before the interview so that you look rested and healthy on the big day. Bring an extra copy of your resume, CV, and/or references in case your interviewer wants to go over any points with you or neglects to bring their own copy.

    • If the interview is in the morning, be sure to eat a healthy breakfast. This is not just an empty suggestion. A breakfast high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and foods high in vitamin E, such as nuts and seeds, will help improve brain function and leave you feeling more alert and invigorated.[2]

    • Consider exercising before the interview to annihilate stress and increase blood flow.[3] If you're generally nervous or fidgety before an interview, it might be a good idea to work out before your interview. Go hard for an hour, and give your body at least another hour to calm down. Shower after exercising.



  3. Show courtesy to everyone during the interview. This means everyone from the reception staff to the interviewer herself. You never know who has input in the hiring process, and you can only make a first impression once.

    • Look everyone in the eye and smile. Looking people in the eye will telegraph alertness, and smiling will signal friendliness.

    • Speak clearly and say "please" and "thank you." Make sure the people you talk to during the interview can make out what you're saying. Talking audibly, with good enunciation, tells people you're confident, while good manners tells them you're considerate of other people.

    • Don't noodle around on your phone or electronic device while waiting. In fact, leave it in your car. Even though it's practically acceptable, playing around on your phone can communicate boredom and frivolousness (even if that's not the case). Stick with a book or review your notes while waiting.



  4. Be honest. Many people think that an interview is the perfect time to embellish. While you want to structure your answers so that your best, most qualified aspects take center stage, you don't want to deceive or outright lie. Companies do perform background checks, and lying about your experience is simply not worth it.





    • In a pinch, take a cue from politicians. When a politician hears a question they don't like, they simply answer a different question. You don't want to do this all the time, but you can do it in a pinch.



  5. Keep things simple and short. Talking about yourself can be very difficult to well: You're trying to convince someone you don't know that you're qualified for a position without sounding too cocky or pompous. Stick to what you know well, and keep things short and sweet.

    • Structure your answers so that you're talking in 30-90 second chunks. Any less and you're likely to seem unqualified; any more and your interviewer is likely to lose interest in what you're saying. In the "tell me about yourself" question, highlight 2-3 illustrative examples about yourself before wrapping up. [4]

    • Don't use slang or off-color humor during your interview. It's important not to say "awesome" or "rad" during an interview, unless you're interviewing for the local lifeguard position. It's also a good rule to avoid off-color humor; you never know when someone might take offense, and it's best not to risk it.

    • Talk about what other people think you do well. Don't add the preamble, "My friends think I'm a competent social organizer." Just go out and say it with the right touch of confidence and humility. Women tend to underestimate their overall job performance,[5] so be aware of that before you second-guess or undercut yourself, because it's unlikely to get you a job.

    • Don't criticize your former employer. When you're talking about your past experience, be courteous about your former places of employment. Be honest about your experience — what you liked and disliked — but don't indict your former boss unnecessarily. Your class and restraint will shine through.



  6. Be personable. Try to come off as a genuinely likable person if you can. If you're cynical, pessimistic, and absolutely disabused of any faith in humanity, try to tone it down during the interview. Being personable is about getting the interviewer's emotional side to like you and believe in you. Employers don't always hire the candidates most qualified for the job, but rather the candidates they like the best.



Part 3: After the Interview



  1. Shake hands with the interviewer and exchange pleasantries. Try to invest some feeling into the handshake and pleasantries, even if you think you bombed the interview. The interviewer should give you a time frame for when to expect to get a callback, if applicable.

    • Hold your head high and keep your cool. Your emotions are probably teetering at the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, but try to stay measured. Project a cool confidence — not cockiness — and walk out of the interview with your head held high.

    • If the interviewer does not tell you when they will contact you if you're a good fit for the position, it's appropriate to ask, "When can I expect to hear back from you about the position?" This will prove important later on.



  2. Send a thank-you letter to your interviewer and/or liaison. Now is a good time to thank the person you interviewed with, even if it's just a formality. You can say something like:





    • "Dear [interviewer's name], Thank you for the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you. I remain very impressed by [interviewer's company], and invite you to contact me if you have any further questions. I look forward to hearing from you about this position."

    • If you missed any important points in your interview you wanted to stress, you may include one or two in the thank-you letter. Keep the points brief, and tie them into a discussion point that you or the interviewer made during the interview.

    • If you received any help in getting the interview, follow up with appropriate parts of your network. Inform them that you received an interview, are grateful they helped you in your career search, and would be eager to help them in the future.



  3. Follow up with the interviewer at the appropriate time. You should have received some information about when you could expect to hear back from the employer. The standard time is about two weeks, but it can depend. If you've waited past the designated callback date — or the callback date wasn't set and it's been two weeks — follow up with the interviewer in a short email. You can say something like:

    • "Dear [interviewer's name], I interviewed at your company [at such and such date], and am still interested in the position if it hasn't yet been filled. I'd greatly appreciate any information you might have about my candidacy. I look forward to hearing from you."

    • While you can't control your past experience or the way someone measures you against someone else, you can control how much of your time you dedicate to showing the interviewer you really want the position. Don't be needy, and don't be greedy, but be persistent and courteous. You'll work harder than at least half the other candidates, and it could be the decisive factor in getting a job offer.





Edit Video



Edit Tips



  • Start preparing for the interview well before the interview day. Thorough preparation is a prerequisite to success in any interview. Ideally, start preparing about a month before the interview. If that isn't possible, start preparing as soon as you are able.

  • Don’t be afraid to be confident. Set your mind to why you are the best candidate for the job. If you truly feel that way, it's likely you'll pass the sentiment on to your interviewer.

  • When you are introduced to the panel of interviewers, shake hands firmly with each person, create eye contact with each person & say that you are pleased to meet them, and smile as you say so.

  • If the venue is far from your place of residence, stop in the washroom when you arrive to reset your hair, tie, etc.

  • As you are about to enter the interview room take 2 or 3 deep breaths to calm your nerves. You will do better if you are relaxed and have a calm mind.

  • Your preparation for the job interview should be taken seriously. The competition against another candidate with a better qualification is fierce. Preparation helps you keep what's in your mind, and not slip it when you're in a most uncomfortable position. An interview is the key before a company hires you, so you better discover how to sell yourself before meeting with the prospective employer.

  • Don't munch on junk food while waiting for the interview. You wouldn't want to offer a crumb-covered or sticky hand to the interviewer.

  • Don't play with your chair while waiting to be called.



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Automatically Sync SD Card Directories To DropBox With DropSpace [Android]

If you’re anything like me, the new year is a time for refreshing and changing things. Something I like to do for my phone is to check if there’s now a better way of doing things, so I don’t get stuck using old clunky tools when something better has cropped up. As a result, I’ve just removed a huge amount of apps and replaced them with things that work much better.


One big aspect of this overhaul is the backup system, which can be quite streamlined thanks to some great apps. Most importantly, I think you’ll love to check out a tiny, immensely useful application called DropSpace. It has one goal – to watch for changes on your SD card and upload any new files to DropBox. Yet with such a simple premise comes great power. You’ll love what you can do with this fantastic tool!


What Can DropSpace Do?


Obviously, there is already an official DropBox application which does two-way sync and allows for browsing of files in the cloud. Why would you want another app? The answer lies in automation. DropSpace will automatically upload files from any folder you choose whenever they are changed, rather than requiring you to put it into the DropBox folder. This subtle difference in usage will allow you to do some really neat things, especially when it comes to backups. You may find both apps are useful to you, but the DropBox app can’t yet replace DropSpace’s functionality.



If your brain isn’t already ticking over with fantastic ideas for using Dropspace, here’s a few good ones:



  • Automatically upload photos.

  • Upload downloaded files immediately.

  • Upload backups from Tasker or Titanium straight away.


I think you get the idea – this app could be very useful. Especially if you use applications like Titanium to back up your favourite phone settings to SD, or an app like Tasker to back up its own settings to SD. As soon as those backups get to the SD card, DropSpace will ensure they are safely duplicated off the device for you. Now, that’s an effective backup system at work!


Grab DropSpace & Tasker Plugin For Free


Get your free, tiny copy of the DropSpace application from the Google Play Store now. While you’re there, pick up the companion DropSpace plugin for Tasker if you’re a Tasker fan. Then you’ll be able to add DropSpace as an action in a Tasker task.



Setting up DropSpace is really easy. All you do is log in to DropBox, choose exactly which folders DropSpace should monitor and set the interval for checking the local directories. If you wish, you can manually sync whenever you like, too. Logs are kept, so it’s easy to check if things are running as you expect.



It should also be noted here that DropSpace can only sync files from your SD card to DropBox, not the other way around. In effect, it’s only a one-way sync. One exception is if the file on DropBox is newer than the one on your droid, you can choose to have the local file replaced. However, if you add new files to DropBox they will not be transferred to your Android device.



More Of The Best Android Apps & Games


If you’re on the lookout for some more great apps, check out MakeUseOf’s Best Android Apps and Best Android Games for some ideas. You won’t be disappointed!


So, what will you be using DropSpace for? Keep the ideas flowing – I’m sure everyone will benefit from them!


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Google Helps You Keep Your New-Year Resolutions With A New Interactive Resolution Map [Updates]

Happy new year! Do you have a new-year resolution yet? If you’re looking for ways to make sure you’ll achieve it, Google is here to help. As part of its end-of-year Zeitgeist 2012 project, Google has now launched an interactive new-year resolution map. Each colorful dot on the map represents a resolution someone in the world has made, and you can read those resolutions in their original language and in a translation.


Unlike many other Google services, you don’t have to sign up or use Google+ in order to add your own new-year resolution. All you have to do is write your resolution for 2013, fill in your postal code and your country, and if you want, also choose a category. After hitting submit, your resolution will appear on the map after 24-48 hours, which hints at some kind of moderation – a logical step considering there’s no sign-up.



There aren’t too many resolutions on the map at the moment, but more are probably added all the time. Using the menu on the right, you can filter resolutions by category, and choose which language they’re translated to. You can have the resolutions translated to any language supported my Google Translate, so you can read them in your native language.


While the map itself feels very polished, the resolutions themselves, or rather, their translations, are very simple and human, so don’t be surprised when you see things like “I go to yoga” or “living with my boyfriend”. It’s all part of the fun!


Google have also collected a whole lot of useful tools for keeping track of your goals and making your resolutions a reality.


What’s your new year resolution for 2013?


Source: Google Blog


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