Software : In Depth: Intel processors: everything you need to know |
- In Depth: Intel processors: everything you need to know
- Download of the day: Evernote
- Interview: How Intel is bringing adaptive learning to the classroom
- 8 great tools to improve Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
- In Depth: Mac email shortcuts: how to create simple email timesavers
- Big companies may be paying to bypass Adblock Plus
| In Depth: Intel processors: everything you need to know Posted:  Introduction and Core processorsNot so long ago, processors were judged largely by raw clock speed alone, a measure of how many calculations the chip is capable of performing in the space of a second. As megahertz (MHz) speeds have given way to today's faster gigahertz (GHz) processors, however, there's more to consider than just how speedy a slab of silicon can be at doing math. These days, it's all about cores, which have allowed chipmakers like Intel to boost speed by splitting tasks across a number of processors living on the same die. Coupled with software designed to take advantage of multiple cores, such processors can wind up tackling intensive work faster than ever before. However, shopping for a new processor isn't quite as simple as picking the one with the fastest processor speed and the most cores, but we're here to help outline the subtle (and not-so subtle) differences before purchasing your next PC. Let's start with a bit of backstory on what Intel has to offer - but if you're just curious which processors are the fastest currently available, jump straight to the wrap-up to find out.
Intel insideFor the purposes of our discussion, we'll focus strictly on central processing units (CPUs) manufactured by Intel, who is considered the market leader powering the majority of Windows and Mac OS X-based systems available. (Competitor AMD typically costs less, and is therefore more commonly found on budget-priced Windows boxes.) Intel also makes processors dedicated to servers and embedded devices, as well as an increasing number of mobile devices. While these chipsets are classified in many of the same product families - familiar names like Xeon, Atom and Core i3, i5 or i7 - our focus will mostly be on the traditional desktop and notebook CPUs the company is best known for.
Core i3, i5 and i7The most popular Intel processors would be the Core "i" series, now in its fifth desktop generation with the current Broadwell code name. A successor to the Core 2 processor introduced in 2006, the "i" series is broken into three categories that could be generally classified as "good, better and best." Despite their names, Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 do not signify how many processing cores each has - rather, they are simply designations that classify how many stars Intel would assign to a given chip, based upon expected performance. (Intel abandoned the previous star rating system in favor of this numeric designation.) One of the easiest ways to categorize Intel Core processors is to look at how Apple has implemented them into its line of popular notebooks. Core i7 processors are used to power the high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, while Core i5 processors are used in a variety of speeds for the less expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, as well as the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models. Apple doesn't currently utilize the lower-end Core i3 processor in its notebook or desktop lineup, but plenty of Windows OEMs certainly do - if you happen to see an advertisement for a system with a price that appears too good to be true, there's a good chance it may powered by something from the Core i3 family.
What's in a core?At the higher end, Core i7 was actually introduced first in 2008, with clock rates of 1.6GHz at the lower end of the spectrum, currently up to as fast as 4.4GHz. The i7 category actually breaks down into two camps: Processors that consume a more modest amount of power (45 to 130 watts) with quad cores, and those intended for desktop systems (with power consumption between 130 and 150 watts) that add hexa-core and octa-core options (more on that in a moment). The next step down is Core i5, the popular midrange processor lineup Intel first introduced in 2009. With clock speeds ranging from 1.06GHz to 3.6GHz, Core i5 chips are available in dual-core and quad-core configurations with surprisingly efficient power consumption (17 to 95 watts). Last but not least, Core i3 is somewhat of the new kid on the motherboard, introduced in 2010 as a cost-effective, dual-core option capable of between 2.4GHz and 3.7GHz. While the Core i3 may fall short in raw power, it more than makes up for that in low power consumption (between 35 and 73 watts), but generally speaking, this series will be found in budget-priced systems.
Pentium: gone but not forgottenThe Core lineup certainly wasn't Intel's first rodeo - far from it! The company introduced the Pentium line way back in 1993 with a meager clock rate starting at 60MHz (yes, megahertz!) and not a second core in sight until 2005, when the Pentium D/Extreme Edition (EE) served up a dual-core CPU capable of running multi-threaded applications. A year later, the first-generation Intel Core processor would be introduced, and the writing was on the wall for the Pentium lineup, which was finally phased out in 2009. Intel Core and Core 2 CPUs became a big step toward the current Core i3/i5/i7 lineup. Along the way, Intel introduced a dizzying variety of Pentium-class chips, including the MMX (1996-1999), Pentium Pro (1995-1998), Pentium II (1997-1999), Pentium III (1999-2003), Pentium 4 (2000-2008) and the Pentium M (2005-2008).
The rest of the familyCeleron, Atom and XeonWith all this talk about Pentium and Core processors, it's almost easy to overlook three other members of the Intel processor family. Two of them are aimed at less-expensive devices, while the third can be found in some of the most powerful desktops and workstations around. The elder member of the group is the relatively low-powered Intel Celeron, which first debuted in 1998 and eventually wound up getting a fairly bad reputation during the ill-fated "netbook" era. With clock speeds ranging from 266MHz all the way up to 3.6GHz, this single- and dual-core performer is amazingly still a member of the Intel production line, although it has largely been supplanted by the Core i3 series. More focused on energy savings than raw power, the Intel Atom line has found a home in recent years within network-attached storage (NAS) boxes as well as mobile devices, robotics and health care equipment. First introduced in 2008, the Atom line has covered the gamut of clock speeds, from 800MHz up to 2.13GHz. That leaves only the "big daddy" of Intel's processor lineup, the Xeon. Since 1998, the Xeon has been at the core of top-of-the-line PCs such as the Mac Pro, starting out with clock speeds in the 400MHz range and most recently maxing out at 4.4GHz, available in single, dual, quad, hexa and octa-core configurations.
Cores to the maxBy now you might be wondering what all the fuss is over multiple cores. As their names might indicate, dual-core means two cores, quad-core means four, hexa-core means six and octa-core delivers a whopping eight cores for the maximum processing power around. Quad-core is increasingly becoming the norm across the board, while hexa-core and octa-core processors are reserved for the most expensive desktop systems. Generally speaking, the more cores your CPU has, the better the performance it will be capable of - although software and even the type of internal storage can have a big impact as well. (After all, solid-state flash storage is faster than traditional hard drives.) Ultimately, the number of cores will depend upon what you need to do with the system in question. Casual web browsing, email and basic productivity tasks will all perform respectably on Core i3 or even older Core 2 Duo processors, while Core i5 should be considered the absolute minimum for more artistic endeavors such as Adobe Photoshop or 3D modeling software. Hardcore gamers probably have the most to gain from Core i7 processors, although computing tasks like video encoding or editing and music creation will certainly benefit as well.
More than just coresThere are also other considerations when comparing processors. For many chips, Intel uses hyper threading (HT) technology that allows the processor to perform two instructions (or threads) at the same time. The result is performance that approaches that of two separate processor working in tandem. Core i7 processors all support hyper threading with a minimum of four cores, for a combined total of eight possible threads running at the same time. Coupled with a larger cache size and typically more system RAM, and it's not hard to see why Core i7 is quite popular with power users. Other technology like Intel's Turbo Boost allows the processor to dynamically ramp the clock speed up or down when needed. Turbo Boost offers a significant advantage for Core i5 chips - which all include such technology - over Core i3 processors, which do not.
The fastest processors availableWhat's in a number?It's also worth noting that not all Intel Core processor brands are the same, even if they carry the i3, i5 or i7 modifier. There's also an alphanumeric code used to describe the processor model, and each one can tell prospective buyers something about what they can expect from it. For example, an Intel Core i7-4770K model number breaks down as such: The first number after the brand modifier indicates the generation (in this case, the number four equals fourth-generation), followed by a three-digit numeric stock keeping unit (SKU) that helps differentiate each for the retailer. The processor may include one or more product line suffixes. In the above example, the trailing "K" signifies an unlocked desktop model with a CPU capable of performing to peak potential, versus other letters like S or T, which are optimized for "lifestyle" performance or power, respectively. You may have heard Intel processors also referred to by their internal code names. Although you'll rarely see them marketed that way, code names like Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge and Haswell have become part of the tech media lexicon in recent years. The code names simply refer to a newer, higher performance version of the same processor type, rather than an entirely new CPU.
See you next yearMuch like the notebooks, desktops and mobile devices they power, Intel releases new processors on a near-annual basis, so whatever you purchase today will no longer be cutting edge a year from now. With that wisdom in mind, a notebook or desktop powered by an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 is likely to be the best investment, unless the buyer is capable of shelling out thousands of dollars for something with Xeon inside and plans to use it for several years. Rumors have been spreading that Intel plans to expand the popular Core series with something called i9, but to date the chipmaker seems content squeezing every bit of potential out of the Core i7 series, which offers the closest thing to future-proofing we're likely to get from a CPU. One last piece of advice: No matter which computer you decide on, go with the fastest processor you can afford. After all, adding more memory or swapping in a larger SSD or hard drive is relatively easy compared to replacing the CPU, an option that really only exists for those building a system from scratch anyway.
Speed trioSpeed curious? Here's a look at the top three fastest Intel processors powering desktop and notebook computers, ranked according to 3DMark benchmark scores. Desktop:1. Intel Core i7-5960X (12540) 2. Intel Core i7-4960X (12480) 3. Intel Core i7-5930K (12440) Notebook:1. Intel Core i7-4870HQ or Intel Core i7-4860HQ (8430) 2. Intel Core i7-4940MX (7170) 3. Intel Core i7-4930MX (7070) |
| Posted:  Evernote is much more than just a note-taking app; it will help you get organised and work on your ideas and projects wherever you find yourself. Why you need itKeeping your notes, thoughts, reminders and to-do lists together and organised can be a ticky business, especially if you want to use them across multiple devices or take them with you. If that sounds like a familiar problem to you, give Evernote a try. It helps you collect useful information in the form of 'notes', which can be text excerpts, pictures, voice memos, web pages (or web page sections) or handwritten messages. With all your notes in one place, easily editable and readily shareable, organising your tasks could not be easier. One of the best features of Evernote is that your notes will work on any device. So you could create a shopping list on your home computer before leaving the house, then edit it on your phone once you get to the store. Or if inspiration strikes when you're away from your computer, you can create a note then refine your thoughts when you get home. This functionality makes for a seamless experience where you can create and edit your notes wherever you are. The standard version of Evernote is completely free, but there are Business and Premium versions should you need more. These give you extra functionality, such as a presentation mode to convert your notes into slides, PDF editing, extended sharing features and more. Key features
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| Interview: How Intel is bringing adaptive learning to the classroom Posted:  In the KnoIntel acquired California-based education-focused startup Kno in November 2013. Since then, the company has developed the multi-device platform of the same name in a bid to improve teacher performance, foster student engagement and drive learning success in the classroom. John Galvin, vice president and general manager at Intel Education, says that the philosophy of the team spearheading Kno harks back to Intel founders Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce, who placed education high on the company's agenda from the start. Intel is now using Kno to faciliate adaptive learning in the classoom, using analytics to measure student performance and engagement in a way that allows them to select topics that they are interested in. It has also launched the Intel Education Access Point, an enterprise-grade router designed to provide connectivity to student and teacher devices both inside the clasroom and out thanks to 3G support. TechRadar Pro spoke to Galvin at the BETT 2015 expo to find out more. TechRadar Pro: Why is education a big deal for Intel? John Galvin: The team we have working on education goes back to our founders -- Gordon Moore and Rober Noyce -- who felt that education was important. Part of what we do as a manufacturer is crazy hard so it's in our best interest to teach people science and math and critical thinking skills. It's also become as much a social endeavour for us, investing in our communities that we go into. Over the past ten years as a company Intel has invested about a billion dollars in education. That's not just pure dollars - that's putting time, equipment and going in working and training teachers. That's really how do you transform education. Three years ago I looked at what we were doing and what was happening in education, and felt it was time for us to make a big change. Education was starting to go through a transformation. It wasn't just about bringing computers and technology into classrooms, it was also how they were being used. Teachers were essentially incorporating computers into a full day's lesson plan and encouraging students to go out and search for information rather than what had been happening before that, which was put your tablet or notebook away -- the "lids down" story. TRP: Tell us about Intel's education team and how it's encouraging the use of tech in the classroom. JG: We formed an entirely new team which is the only vertically integrated team at Intel. We work on multiple verticals at Intel but that's typically from a sales focus and how we deliver products as part of a solution. We take much more of a holistic solution approach that's end-to-end. We design devices for use within a classroom that are ruggedised, water resistant, dust resistant and can stand up to student use every day over the course of a few years. We work on applications to be able to make that into an education experience -- so scientific applications, reading, writing and arithmetic. About a year ago we acquired a company called Kno, which allows us to deliver a digital curriculum. We also work with the publishers to be able to deliver the content in a very meaningful way. Teachers can control the content going out to devices and have the ability to take a flat PDF and work with the publisher to make it a very rich and engaging application.
Kno also has an analytics platform so we can capture about two-hundred data points about the student, how they can engage with the data, and then map that to their assessment results. It means that the teacher can essentially get a real-time dashboard about how students are performing and do essentially real-time remediation that's required, or advance students based on what they're fascinated with, so it's a very different approach for us. The final aspect is how we prepare the teachers for technology coming into the classrooms. As a company we've trained over 14 billion teachers around the world, and we continue to train and engage with them and help them develop their digital lesson plans. TRP: Is Kno platform cloud-based? JG: It can be, but that's not how we use it because a lot of schools that we work with don't have great connectivity. Even in the UK, when you get to a classroom, there's not necessarily connectivity there for 30 or more students to access content and have a good experience. We support cloud and advise schools on how to implement a cloud architecture, and we work very closely with Google on Chromebooks and are a big supporter of them. We developed a Chromebook ourselves that Lenovo is taking to market. Most of the applications are designed to be able to work in an environment where there's either low or no connectivity. That's one of the three areas we're really focused on. We recently announced the Intel Education Content Access Point, and it's really three devices in one. This was based on an ideation session we did around a year-and-a-half to two years ago now, where we recognised that in emerging markets there's really no connectivity, but in mature markets it's low connectivity.
Although there are lots of access points that are being used in education, often schools won't put in an enterprise access point, they'll put in consumer access points that can't withstand all of those students trying to get information at the same time. So we designed an access point that will handle fifty or more students, and there's also storage in the device. If a teacher has set up their curriculum where they're going to tell their students to go after a piece of content, they don't have to go out to the internet. They can just go out to this device. It's going to look and feel to them like they're going to go out to the internet to get it, but in fact they're just getting it off a local device. It has 3G integrated, so when we're going into this no-connectivity markets, teachers can use 3G to download the content into the device, and it has six hours of battery life. TRP: Was the plan to always push it into developed markets? JG: When we developed it, we saw it predominantly going into emerging markets, but as we pilot it and talk to teachers, we found that mature markets want the device too. I've been talking to a teacher who has been talking about her science classes and school district, and more and more are doing studies outdoors, so they're taking their science classes outside. She said that she took the access point with her and students could access everything they needed for a true outdoor classroom. Adapting to learnTRP: How are you building out your adaptive learning platform? JG: Another focus area for us with Kno is the analytics engine, which allows us to build out a model where we're not just capturing behavioural data, as we can do that today -- we're also integrating assessment within the platform in real-time allowing us to essentially build a true understanding of the student and how they engage with the material. That means a student can get instant feedback. TRP: How does that change the way students are taught? JG: We all have things we're fascinated by, and the way a lot of courses are created today, you don't get to pursue your fascination -- you have to move with the class at that pace. We think there's a model where if students can pursue the things they're fascinated by, they're going to excel and do better. TRP: That's what happens at A-level education in the UK -- you pick several topics and study them. Does this apply to lower age groups? JG: Yes -- we are talking younger students and in real-time. So it's not necessarily picking a course to study. For example, I could be studying cellular structure and think it's really cool and want to learn more about it. How do I go down a path where I can get more information on it, where I can essentially turn the camera on my device into a microscope and start capturing things in real-time? We think that there's a benefit to being able to create an environment where students are able to pursue what they're interested in and are getting real-time feedback on things they may not be able to demonstrate real-time comprehension on. You can then get a view of that information in a different way. That's activating it for the student but also providing tools for teachers and younger students, while providing tools for parents so they can work with their children and help coach and bring them along. TRP: What other companies are you competing with in the adaptive learning space? JG: We have looked across the ecosystem and of the players who want to work in the adaptive learning space, nobody has completely put together a roadmap today that demonstrated they are able to do it. We know from putting our own roadmap together that's not something we can do on our own. We have to work across the ecosystem to do that, working on standards, so it doesn't matter which publisher is involved -- the student should have the same experience across all of their material. It's also about working with software vendors. The adaptive learning model isn't just about interacting with the content, it's also about what you're doing when you're going out and Googling the information. What are you Googling, and how does it relate to what you're studying at the time? It's an area that we're pretty excited about. We've been working with academics in the US who have done some amazing work in this area. Now the ability to take what they've been doing in their labs and bringing it into a product is pretty exciting to them. We're working with a couple of universities -- the University of Washington has done some amazing things around adaptive learning on mathematics specifically. We've also been running pilots in the Nordics in the state of Minnesota and Washington. We're now talking about taking them to countries where we've done some really big installations. I think we're going to have some incredibly interesting results that we'll be able to scale around the world -- and we're just getting started. TRP: Devices in general but specifically Windows 8 tablets have been falling in price in the consumer space. How is this changing the way technology is used in the classroom? JG: That's impacting education for sure. The prices are coming down which is a good thing for students because budgets within schools aren't growing, so as price points come down it means more students can get devices, and what we envision as a one-to-one learning model with every student having their own computing device becomes more possible. But there is a threshold -- we've seen examples around the world where schools have bought incredibly low-cost devices and it's just not made for a good experience. The devices didn't hold up as they were designed more for light consumer use rather than being used all day within the classroom. That's why when we design devices and work with our customers on designs, they're rugged designs. They can withstand the seventy-centimetre drop test, you can pour a glass of water on them. They hold up much better than an average consumer device. We're big proponents of let's bring the price down so more students can get them, but let's not propose that devices are so low it won't be a good experience. TRP: What are some of the biggest challenges for Intel when it comes to succeeding in the UK education market? JG: I think one of the challenges in the UK is the way that it's structured -- it's a very decentralised market which means that we need to influence school-by-school in terms of what they're going to purchase. We partner quite a bit with multinationals and are starting to work more with distributors and key education resellers so that we can really get the scale and share our solution story at a school level. Globally, we're trying to talk to teachers more and influence them in regards to other solutions that we offer. I think if we're successful doing that, then it solves a big problem in the UK as we're able to get to teachers who influence the purchasing decisions in their schools. |
| 8 great tools to improve Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Posted:  Whisper it quietly, but Windows 8 does not deserve all that wailing, gnashing of teeth and tearing at hair. There's a lot to like about it – particularly when you strip out the frankly awful Metro part of it. And with all the recent talk of Windows 10, we thought we'd take a look at how you can turn Microsoft's latest release into the OS it should have been. So join us as we reveal the best free tools for smoothing the sharp edges of Windows 8 and 8.1 by restoring missing features and hiding the less palatable parts of Microsoft's brave, but failed experiment. Install these and you'll wonder what the fuss was about. Classic ShellRestore the Start menu to Windows 8 with this essential tool. The biggest mistake Microsoft made with Windows 8 was losing the Start menu. The Quick Access menu (press Windows key + X) just isn't the same, so why go without when you can get a perfectly functioning Start menu for free with Classic Shell?
Just remember to remove Classic Explorer and Classic IE9 during setup so only the Classic Start portion is installed – once it's in place, click the Start button on the Windows desktop to set it up. The end result is a perfectly functioning Start menu in the guise of Windows 7 or XP – whichever you prefer. VLC Media PlayerPlay video DVDs (and just about any other video format) in Windows 8. Windows 8 dropped support for DVD playback – apparently the licensing costs aren't economical with more and more people switching away from traditional platter-based movie watching. Codswallop says we, seeing as VLC Media Player lets you watch DVDs (and indeed just about any other video format you can throw at it) for free.
Once installed, just pop your DVD in the player and VLC Media Player will do the rest. One tip – make sure you choose Tools > Preferences > Video and set Deinterlacing to Automatic for the best quality picture. XBMC LiveRestore your PC's media centre functionality with this brilliant tool. Missing Windows Media Center? No fear, XBMC Live (now known as Kodi) is the perfect replacement, providing you with a configurable and TV-friendly frontend for all your media: photos, video and music. You don't need to store your media locally either – if it's stored on a DLNA-compatible media server, then XBMC Live can access it too.
Better still, pair it with MediaPortal and a suitable TV tuner stick and you can also use XBMC Live to watch and record live TV, ensuring you don't miss out on any of the functionality taken away by those spoilsports at Microsoft. Metro UI TweakerTweak various Windows 8 settings to suit your personal taste. Metro UI Tweaker helps tame Windows 8 in four ways: first, it allows you to disable the new Start screen if you really hate it, ensuring you'll always boot to the desktop. Conversely, if you're a fan of the Start screen, but missing certain functionality, then the app also allows you to add selected power options back to the Start screen as well as your choice of application or file.
Most of these features are redundant after changes made in Windows 8.1, but there's one final bonus: the app's ability to remove the ribbon from File Explorer – perfect for those who prefer the old way of browsing their files and folders. System ExplorerGive the Windows Task Manager a shot in the arm with this powerful tool. Windows 8's Task Manager is a vast improvement on what went before – click More Details to access its full gamut of features. But if you want to go even further, then System Explorer is the perfect complementary tool, filling in gaps still missing from Task Manager.
One of its best features is the ability to run a security scan of individual processes or all running tasks, comparing them with an online database to verify you've not been compromised. It also colour-codes intensive processes, helping you identify resource hogs more quickly, and consolidates tools and options spread out over multiple tabs in Task Manager in a more user-friendly environment. ListaryFrustrated with Windows Search? Listary puts all your files at your fingertips. The built-in Windows search tool has never really inspired, but Windows 8 managed to go backwards, removing the unified search tool in favour of a category-based option. Five minutes with Listary, however, and you'll never look back. It works with File Explorer and any program's Open/Save dialogue, placing a handy – but discreet – search bar at the bottom.
Simply type what you're looking for into here and Listary will find matches across all your drives breathtakingly quickly. It's also packed with other time-saving features, like the ability to switch an Open/Save dialog to the folder you've currently got open in Windows. And with access to Favourite folders and past searches, what's not to like? FreeFileSyncKeep files in sync across two directories – just like Briefcase (but better). It had its flaws, but the Windows Briefcase could be useful at times, particularly in a pre-network age when keeping two folders in sync could be tricky. The Briefcase has been dropped from Windows 8, and while you can restore it with a Registry tweak, it doesn't work as it should.
Thankfully there's a better alternative: FreeFileSync makes the whole process of file and folder synchronisation much easier. It works with USB thumb drives as well as over the network, can copy locked files and automatically detects moved and renamed files and folders for hassle-free sync. It'll even allow you to store older versions of files you've updated (or deleted), just in case you need them. VirtualBoxDon't leave your old programs behind with this virtual machine. Windows 8 drops the compatibility XP Mode found in Windows 7 Pro, which allowed users to run older apps and hardware in a virtual instance of XP if they refused to play ball in Windows 7. Thankfully, VirtualBox gives you this functionality – and then some – in all versions of Windows 8.
It lets you install an older version of Windows (anything from 98 to Windows 7), meaning it's more flexible than XP Mode. All you have to do supply your own copy of the older version of Windows and your old favourite apps will be accessible once more. |
| In Depth: Mac email shortcuts: how to create simple email timesavers Posted:  Automator is one of those apps that, for most Mac users, lurks in the Applications folder and never gets used. It has a cool robot icon, but as soon as you launch the app, it immediately asks which type of document you want to start with (from a selection of eight). Whatever you click, you're then faced with a column featuring dozens of actions, from a variety of categories. It doesn't have the intuitive, welcoming feel of Apple's more popular apps. The thing is, Automator is as cool as its icon promises it to be. Once you get the hang of it, you can use the app for creating workflows and miniature apps, which can save you time when performing repetitive tasks. In this walkthrough I'll show you how to use Automator to quickly create an app that sets up a new email to a friend, which can be stashed in your Dock, ready for clicking at a moment's notice. I'll also show how to use Apple's Preview to create an icon from a photo that will fit right in with your other icons. Start small, build confidence, and the sky's the limit - as is the amount of time you'll save in the long run! 1. Get startedLaunch Automator and select New Document from the initial window. Automator's main window appears; select Application, then Choose. This means that whatever you now create in Automator will be saved as a standalone application.
2. Add an actionThe Automator sidebar contains a number of predefined actions, organized into categories. On selecting one, the available actions are filtered. Click the Actions button, then Mail from the Library. Drag New Mail Message to the workflow pane on the right.
3. Create an appDecide on whatever defaults you'd like for your message and add them. To just create an app that will start a message to someone, type their email address in the To field. Go to File > Save, name your app, and save it to /Applications, giving it the file format Application.
4. Test your appDrag your app to the Dock and then click it. It opens a New Message window, populated with the details you entered. However, the app's icon is a generic Automator one. We want to make something more personalized, but which still fits with OS X Yosemite.
5. Get some imagesIn your Applications folder, select an app with a circular icon and go to Edit > Copy. Launch Preview, go to File > New from Clipboard. Go to File > Export, and save as a PNG. Close the original icon and open your saved PNG. Find a personal image and open in Preview.
6. Crop your portraitOpen Preview's Markup Toolbar (using the relevant button), and select the Elliptical Selection tool. Hold ß and drag a circle. Fine-tune its position; always hold ß when resizing, to retain its proportions. When satisfied, click Crop (and Convert if asked to do so).
7. Resize and pasteGo to Tools > Adjust Size. For Yosemite, make the width 830 pixels (for Mavericks icons, 870 is better), and click OK. Select all, then Edit > Copy; then paste the portrait onto your icon doc. Drag it into the center and position with cursor keys.
8. Use your new iconSelect your app in Finder, and go to File > Get Info, to bring up its info window. Deselect everything in Preview and then select all and copy. Back in the Get Info window, select the generic icon and paste your replacement. The icon and preview will update.
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| Big companies may be paying to bypass Adblock Plus Posted:  Adblock Plus users expect to see zero ads when surfing the web, but there are always some that slip through - including ads from big companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon. And that's because these companies are paying Adblock Plus to be whitelisted and ensure their ads still appear, reports Financial Times.
We heard these same rumors in 2013, when reports said Google was paying to be put on the Adblock Plus "acceptable ads" whitelist. The list is meant to let "non-intrusive" ads slip through the Adblock Plus filter, and it's reportedly free for small businesses, while larger companies like the aforementioned have to pay to get through. According to the latest report, that practice is ongoing, and if anything more big businesses have jumped on board. It's unclear how much they're paying, but it sounds like a significant amount. Now the adholes who use Adblock Plus have to ask themselves: is this the type of advertising you want to support?
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