Image Preview Adds Lightbox-Style Preview to All Web Sites

Image Preview Adds Lightbox-Style Preview to All Web Sites

Google Chrome: Lightbox is a widely adopted image-preview script—if you've ever clicked on an image and had it fade the background and enlarge the image, that's Lightbox. Image Preview is a Chrome extension that brings Lightbox-style previews to all sites.

Even if you're on a site that doesn't have Lightbox, you can still enjoy that in-tab enlarging of images by downloading Image Preview. Once Image Preview is installed, all images you click on will enlarge within the current tab and provide an in-tab view of the larger image instead of opening the image by itself.

Just like with Lightbox, clicking anywhere on the screen—including the enlarged image—will remove the dimming mask and the image and return you to the normal page. Image Preview is a free extension and works wherever Google Chrome does. Have a favorite extension? Let's hear about it in the comments.

Easy Poster Printer Slices and Dices Your Posters for Standard Printers

Easy Poster Printer Slices and Dices Your Posters for Standard Printers

Windows: If you want to print a large image off your home printer and be able to reassemble it, it takes some enormous photo editing cut 'n crop patience—or a copy of Easy Poster Printer.

Photo by Paulo Barcellos Jr..

LookInMyPC Is a Must-Have Tool for Computer Troubleshooting

LookInMyPC Is a Must-Have Tool for Computer Troubleshooting

Windows only: LookInMyPC generates a complete report of what's going on in a computer—from hardware to software, and everything in between. After playing around with it, this writer wouldn't start troubleshooting a PC without it. I'm not kidding.

Whether you're a tech guru who knows your way around your computer better than the company that built it, or a novice just getting acquainted with your system, LookInMyPC is a free app you'll want to download and run at least once, even before you need its diagnostic help. It's like a big verbal X-Ray of your PC, detailing everything from the brand of network adapter you have to the number of user accounts on your system...

Google Fiber to Deliver Ultra-High Speed, Gigabit Internet to up to 500,000 People

Google Fiber to Deliver Ultra-High Speed, Gigabit Internet to up to 500,000 People

Google just announced a trial program called Google Fiber for Communities that's planning to launch an extremely fast, experimental broadband network in at least 50,000 homes that will deliver speeds up to 1Gb per second ("over 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today").

Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:

  • Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine.
  • New deployment techniques: We'll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we'll share key lessons learned with the world.
  • Openness and choice: We'll operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we'll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.

You have my number, right Google? [Google Fiber for Communities via Official Google Blog]

CreaWriter Is a Distraction-Free Writing Space Complete with Relaxing Ambient Noise

CreaWriter Is a Distraction-Free Writing Space Complete with Relaxing Ambient Noise

Windows: If you checked out the Mac-only Ommwriter and were disappointed that there wasn't an equivalent tool for Windows, you're in luck. CreaWriter is a distraction free writing tool that lets you customize your writing experience...

FillAnyPDF Lets You Electronically Fill In and Sign Any Form

FillAnyPDF Lets You Electronically Fill In and Sign Any Form

Fax machines are going the way of the dodo, yet sometimes there's no easy way to transfer forms back and forth, especially ones that need to be filled out and sent back. FillAnyPDF steps in to fill the gap.

FillAnyPDF is a free web-based service where you can upload any file in PDF, PNG, JPG, or GIF format. You don't need to do anything to your form before or after it's uploaded; the service will do all the heavy lifting for you...

This is an awesome service, by the look of it. There are free professional accounts available to non-profits and companies that "exist to benefit the environment". Bloggers can get free accounts as well, to test the service.

Google Map Buddy Generates High Resolution, Full Size Area Maps

Google Map Buddy Generates High Resolution, Full Size Area Maps

Want a wall-sized satellite view of your neighborhood? A full-page street map of the town you're visiting? Google Map Buddy, a free, portable map maker, grabs data from Google Maps and arranges it exactly how you want it.

Not an elegant tool, according to Lifehacker, but with a little patience you may never need to buy a map again.