This issue really kills me, so i went through some forums after reading something about “pings“.
Considering that the issue is to connect to another friend’s game or chat, it is only logic that this is a network related problem.

According to the guys from TeamXlink.co.uk – see this thread – “All 360 games have a ping limit on them that won’t allow you to join the game if the host’s ping is over 30ms to you.” -”you can help your ping by closing all other apps that use the internet .. msn, aim, torrents etc ..”

If you, for instance, are only allowed to use 1 connection – 1 IP that is, you must indeed close all other apps. In fact, keep your computer offline while playing on the xbox live.

My ISP allows me to use 4 IP’s, which makes things easier. I also make sure that there isn’t any IP conflict between my devices.

So, the solution above is applicable to those gamers who are allowed to use 1 IP address, but if you are allowed to more than 1 and you still have the issue, try the fix anyway.

Hope this helps.

ZoneAlarm ForceField was designed to help you surf safer and without a trace.

No web history and no information is shared anymore with other users, so nothing will be stored on your computer anymore.

With numerous protection layers, Forcefield will shield your computer from the Internet against phishing, spyware and other treats.

Forcefield features and advantages :

• Browse anywhere without a care
• Surf safely on any PC – even public ones
• Secure online transactions
• Bank and shop security
• Private browser
• Dangerous download detector  
• Dodge all evil, uninvited downloads
• Walk away from any machine without a trace
• Advance anti-phishing, anti-keylogger and anti-screengrabber technology.

Be aware that Forcefield is in beta.

If you do decide to install it before the final version arrives, don’t forget to make a restore point.

Platform Windows XP, Windows Vista

Freeware

Firestats 1.3.0 Beta – This is one of the loveliest statistics plugin there is, for WordPress and other CMS platforms.

The new version includes lots of new and great features, and these are my two most favorites:

• Compact old data – Basically, this feature will help you reduce your database size and improve performance.
• The search terms – This is something I’ve been asking Omry a while back about and he included it in this version.

You can now see the exact keywords that people are using to and reach your web site with. Very helpful feature.

Thanks for including this feature, Omry!

There are few more features, so visit Firestats Blog for more info and screenshots , or…see the Firestats Demo.

As you can see, this is a beta version, so be careful. I don’t have a problem testing it, but if you do mind using betas, use the current stable version or wait for the next stable one.

Technorati Tags: Blogging, Freebies, Statistics, Tech Blogs, Technology, WordPress tools, Statistics tools, Web stats, WordPress plugins

Pando – Really great software to share files from your desktop.

Send your files by IM, e-mail or via your IE browser.

Subscribe to lots of channels – Tech, Tv, Comedy…and so on.

File size allowed to be send : 1 GB

Windows 2000, XP, Vista

Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later

YousendIt application with resumable upload. In case you get disconnected, you won’t have to re-upload your files.

Maximum file size : 100 MB

Windows XP and Vista

Pownce is still in Alfa stage and you can only get it at the moment through an invitation.

It also runs on Adobe AIR.

With Pownce you can send messages, files, links, and events to your friends. You’ll create a network of the people you know and then you can share stuff with all of them, just a few of them, or even just one other person really fast.

Maximum file size : 10 MB

Very sweet app if you ask me.

Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS

OnShare- Share files with your friends in total privacy.

I’ve only tested Onshare on my Xp few months back and i have to say that is worth having.

Windows 2000 and XP

If you want a all-in-one file transfer, photo sharing, music streaming and universal messenger, then give a try to qNext – See full qNext features and screenshots.

The thing that i love about qNext is the ability to send e-mails. Simple and clean.

I’ve installed it on Vista and is working perfect.

Windows 2000, 2003, Xp and Vista.

Linux and Mac OS

Technorati Tags: Freeware, Tech Blogs, Technology, Today’s freeware, FileSharing, Desktop file sharing, Vista Freeware, Vista, Windows

Windows 98/2000/Me/XP/Vista

PasswordSafe 3.09- Password Safe is an Open Source (free) tool that allows you to have a different
password for all the different programs and websites that you deal with, without
actually having to remember all those usernames and passwords.

Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP

The Gimp 2.2.17 – multiplatform photo manipulation tool. GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image
Manipulation Program.

Windows all versions, including Vista.

Avant Browser – Just in case you need another browser, with lots of nice features. Is been one of my favorites for long time.

Windows Xp and Vista.

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner - free registry repair software that allows you to safely clean and repair
registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks.

Windows 2000, 9.x, Me, XP, Vista

PhotoScape - complete photo editing suite that includes image
browsing/viewing, photo editing, picture page printing, photo resizing and
renaming, and even RAW conversion.

98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista

Technorati Tags: Blogging, Education, Freebies, Freeware, OpenSource, Security, Tech Blogs, Technology, Today’s freeware, Vista, Windows

31 Bayesian Spam Filters for Windows

8 Bayesian Spam Filters for Linux

12 Bayesian Spam Filters for Mac

+

Top 10 Free Spam Filters for Windows

Technorati Tags: Blogging, Freebies, Freeware, Linux & OpenSource, Privacy, Security, Tech Blogs, Technology, Windows, Anti-Spam filters, Bayes Filters, Bayesian Filters

Memory problems? Maybe L8r will help you.

L8r is an online app, that lets you send e-mail reminders to yourself and not only.

From L8r.com

• prepare up to five year’s worth of happy birthday emails
• remind your friends one day before the Bloomingdale sale
• remind yourself to buy flowers on your wedding anniversary
• impress your boss by “sending” email at 11 PM (and showing up at 8 AM next day!)

The free user have a maximum of 3 scheduled messages. Paid version has lots more to offer. See L8r Pro.

This app is just what i needed, considering the fact that i forget to do lots of things .

The only worry i have is, what if i forget to use L8r as well to send reminders to myself? :S

Update

Tips from friends – Thanks Dave!

A similar app to L8r is forLater, which is completely free, and no account needed.

Just bookmark it and keep sending reminders to yourself.

That’s it!

Technorati Tags: L8r, Reminders, ToDo, Online apps, Blogging, Freebies, General, Recommended Links, Tech Blogs, Technology

Nearly one in every three Xbox 360 consoles fail, according to retailer reports. The failure rate is as high as 33%.

How about 4 out of 5 in my case?

By several metrics, the Xbox 360 is the most successful console so far of this generation. Despite the startling pace of the Wii, the Xbox 360 still has the most consoles sold worldwide and the longest list of games and exclusives…….

Read the rest of the article on DailyTech.com – Retailers Estimate Xbox 360 Failure Rate High as 33 Percent

Technorati Tags: Blogging, Gaming, Tech Blogs, Technology, XboxLive, Xbox 360

Clicky Web Analytics 2.0 is one of those very impressive real time statistics tracker, with a very simple and clean interface intended for bloggers or owners of small web sites.

There’s a lot that Clicky can do, compared to other online statistics trackers.

• Gives you a very detailed insight about your visitors.

IP address, web browser, operating system, geo-location, language, and
screen resolution, as well as every action they made on your web site
(page views, file downloads, and outbound links).

• Custom Data Tracking

Track custom data on a per session basis for your visitors.(see web site for more)

• Api

Allows you to extract a wide range of data from your web site traffic
to analyze, store, manipulate, or display within your own web site or
application…etc

• Outbound links tracking
• File download tracking
• Stats via RSS
• Spy view

..and so much more.

See here the full features of Clicky.

To see what it really has to offer, hit their front page and scroll down. There’s a comparison chart too.

For the WordPress users, there is also a plugin – Clicky WordPress plugin.

The Basic account details : Free, up to 3 sites, up to 1,000 average daily page views per site. Limited feature set.

Now, i have an account on Clicky myself, and i am really impressed by it.

If you care to know your visitors and what they want, then i recommend you get a Clicky account.

Enjoy it!

Technorati Tags: Statistics, Blog statistics, Worpress plugins, Stats trackers

Adobe Digital Editions - Read and manage your eBooks and other digital publications.

Fresh Feed Reader - Ajax rss reader running on Adobe AIR. There are lots of other .air apps on the Fresh reader download page.

Vispa – Tweak your Windows Vista for better privacy, security and performance.

Spybot Search and Destroy 1.5 beta- keep the spyware and adware off your system.

iQ-Notes – Sticky notes app for Windows XP and Vista

Vocabula – Improve your vocabulary skills .

A bit help for this software. After installing it, choose a user name to enter,then visit the web site to download the Definition files. Save the file to your disk. Open Vocabula and from File choose Import, and install your definition file.

You’re done!

Final Burner free – Burning software for Windows 2000, XP and Vista.

KompZer - A modified version of NVU html editor.Working on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS 9, Mac OS X

EssentialPIM Free 1.95 – Keep all your data in one place and stay organized. There is also a portable version of EssentialPim free to download.

Technorati Tags: Blogging, Education, Freeware, General, Internet, OpenSource, Software, Tech Blogs, Technology, Today’s freeware, Vista, Windows