Never Run Out of Minutes Again: Make Free VoIP Calls on Android Phones

Android phones with Google Voice can make and receive calls at an extremely disounted rate, but you still need a voice plan to make these calls. Using Google Voice, Android, and Sipgate, you can get around that limitation and make calls for free.

Using Google Voice you can call any number for free but you are not able to receive calls directly to your Google Voice number on your Android phone without a voice plan with your carrier. Using sipgate you can receive any call for free but cannot place calls without adding money to your account. Combining the two services, we will be able to place calls using Google Voice which will automatically call back your sipgate number connecting you to your intended recipient, and we will do all of this using WiFi, 3G data, or EDGE, meaning you will never run out of minutes again.

Sign Up with Sipgate

Sipgate is an extremely useful tool that will allow you to do a lot of the same things Google Voice can do, but it will also allow you to place and receive calls over Wifi and 3G without a voice plan. Sipgate also offers a softphone for your computer and the ability to place calls directly from their website. We will start by signing up for a free Sipgate account.

Note: This is the only step that requires a phone capable of receiving text messages to verify your number. Sending this invitation to my Google Voice number did not work but sending the text to a friends phone and then keying in the code on the sipgate website did work.

Once you have created and verified your account, log-in and we need to get your SIP credentials of your sipgate VoIP phone. First click on settings and then add a VoIP phone on the right. You can name it whatever will make sense to you and add your E911 information for if you ever have to call 911 from this phone.

Once the new phone has been created, hover your mouse over the phone and then click SIP credentials from the drop down.

A new window will pop up and you will need to write down the SIP-ID and SIP-Password that is provided.

Install and Configure Sipdroid

Search the market for Sipdroid and install Sipdroid VoIP + video calling.

Once it is installed, open it up and open the SIP account settings under menu -> settings for the app. Fill in the authorization username and password with the SIP-ID and SIP-Password we got earlier; then change the sever to sipgate.com.

Tap the back button on your phone and then go to the call options to enable Wi-Fi (WLAN), 3G, and EDGE calls if desired.

Once all of this information is filled out, pull down the notification shade and you should see “registered” next sipdroid’s notification along with a green dot showing you are ready to go.

You should double check that you are fully connected to sipgate by logging into your account and checking that the VoIP phone we set up earlier now says online.

Add Sipgate Phone to Google Voice

Log-in to Google Voice and click settings -> add another phone. Enter your sipgate VoIP-Phone number and then click save.

Google needs to verify that you own the number you just added so it will call your sipgate VoIP-Phone and ask you to key in the verification code shown. Because we already set up Sipdroid your Android phone should ring and you can key in the code there.

Once the verification is complete you should see a check box next to your sipgate phone in Google Voice.

Install Google Voice Callback

The last step is to install Google Voice Callback from the Android Market.

Fill out your Google Voice account information, what number you want to call back (your sipgate number), and when you want to use Google Voice Callback (always).

Place a Test Call

You can now place a call using the built in Android phone dialer. When you place the call you will get a popup saying that you are placing the call with GVoice Callback and then your phone will ring because your Google Voice number is calling your Sipgate number.

Answer the phone and then you will be connected through sipdroid to the number you were trying to call.

It took a few steps to get here but now you can send and receive calls with only using data. I am successfully using this on my HTC G1 without a SIM card in the phone over Wi-Fi. I can send and receive phone calls to my hearts content so long as I have Wi-Fi signal and I never have to worry about going over on my minutes again.

Sipgate

Google Voice

Google Voice Callback

Thanks to my friend Dante for helping me figure all this out.

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How to Crack Your Windows Password: The Video Guide

We’ve already shown you how to crack your forgotten Windows password with the Ophcrack live CD, but for those that want to really understand the process, we’ve put together a video guide that will help you visually see how it all works.

In the above video we are able to boot into the live CD, crack our password, and log into Windows in under eight minutes. If you want a more in depth overview on how Ophcrack works make sure you check out the original article here:

How to Crack Your Forgotten Windows Password

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Automate Windows Maintenance Tasks to Keep Your PC Running Like New

With a Windows computer there are several maintenance tasks you should run on a regular basis, though most of us forget. Here’s how to automate the most important maintenance tasks in XP, Vista & Windows 7 and keep your PC running like new.

We'll take a look at automating some of the most common tasks, and while it takes a bit of time to set each one up, once you do you’ll have peace of mind knowing your system is clean and up to date.

Automate Cleaning Up Your Hard Drive

If you want to make sure you have plenty of space on your hard drive, and get rid of old files you no longer need, you can schedule Disk Cleanup to run in Windows 7 or Vista, which gets rid of plenty of temporary files and other stuff that doesn’t need to be around anymore.

You can setup Disk Cleanup in XP as well as a Scheduled Task. The process is easy following theScheduled Task Wizard in XP.

If you really want to keep your system automated, however, you can setup the freeware CCleaner tool to automatically run every night, which will clean up more than just the regular temporary files—CCleaner can even clear out your browser history, applications caches, and more.

Note: you’ll want to make sure that you don’t select any toolbars during CCleaner installation, or get the slim download from the optional downloads section.

Automate Backups to Keep Your Data Secure

The most important task Windows users need to do is make sure your data is backed up—that way, no matter what happens to your PC, you can always get to your files, even from another PC. If your PC is completely dead, you’ll be able to restore those files onto your new computer and get right back to whatever you were doing.

Local Backups

Windows 7 includes an easy-to-use, wizard-driven Backup & Restore utility in all versions, which includes creating a system image. For more on which files to backup, check out The Geek’s guide toWhat Files you Should Backup on Your Windows PC.

The Backup & Restore utility included in Windows 7 allows you to set a schedule from daily, weekly, or monthly. The choice is up to you, but if you backup on a regular basis, you’ll be glad you did.

If you have Windows Home Server, backing up your computers is very easy to configure and automate. You can set it to backup on a regular schedule and also have WHS wake up your machine to back it up at night.

Online Backup Services

If you want to be really thorough with in your backup strategy, having redundant backups onsite and offsite is a good thing. There’s plenty of commercial backup services, like Mozy and Carbonite. They both work the same way, pushing your data up to their servers and making it available for download from another PC, or allowing you to restore individual files that you might have deleted.

Automate Disk Defrag to Keep Your Drive Running Smooth

The cool thing with Vista and Windows 7 is that Disk Defragmenter is scheduled to run by default at 1 AM every Wednesday, so it’s something you no longer have to deal with. You can customize the defragmenter schedule if you want, but there’s probably no reason to change it.

If you’re still on Windows XP you can get the same feature by creating your own Windows 7 style auto defrag using Task Scheduler. There’s no reason to have to remember to do it manually, and really no reason to waste money on a commercial defrag utility that does it automatically when you can set it up yourself.

If you’ve got multiple hard drives in your XP machine, you can also setup a batch file that will defragment multiple hard drives at once.

Automate Disk Checking

The chkdsk.exe utility in Windows allows you to scan your hard drive for errors and fix them as well, and this task can be automated with the command-line and Task Scheduler as well, though it’s going to require rebooting your PC in order for it to work, so it’s probably best to just trigger this one manually every so often.

If you do want to schedule it to run automatically, you can simply create a new Task Scheduler job that runs chkdsk.exe with the parameters from our guide to check disk. Then go to the Actions tab of the job in Task Scheduler, and add another action to run after the chkdsk command, and specify shutdown as the command. This will run the chkdsk command, and then run a shutdown afterwards. Make sure to use /R as the argument so that Windows will reboot and run chkdsk, and not just shut down. You may also want to check the box to make sure that Windows doesn't reboot you while you're doing something. You can head to the Conditions tab, and make it only start if the PC has been idle for a while.

Note: Windows will automatically detect when your drive has a lot of problems and prompt you to check the disk, but that doesn’t mean running it manually is a bad idea once in a while.

To manually trigger a disk check for the next time you reboot, right-click on your local drive and select Properties. Then select the Tools tab and under Error-checking, click on the Check now button.

Make sure to select both Check disk options, and click Start.

Unfortunately it can’t start while you’re using your PC, but you can schedule it to run during next restart.

The next time your machine is restarted, Check Disk will run and detect and fix errors automatically. Keep in mind this process can take quite a while depending on the size of your drive and the amount of data on it. For more, check out The Geek’s guide to Check Disk in Windows.

Automate Windows Updates to Keep Your PC Patched

Although it should go without saying, an important task you can make run automatically is Windows Updates. You can configure Important and Recommended updates to download and install automatically, or just download and you choose which ones to install.

For more, check out how to make Windows 7 Update display recommended and important updates.

Automate Antivirus to Check Definitions & Scan Your Computer

Another important security task is making sure your Antivirus protection is up to date and runs automatically. Each program is different, but most provide the option to keep definition files up to date and scan automatically. For instance it’s easy to setup in our favorite Microsoft Security Essentials.

Note: of course, most anti-virus applications are set to automatically update their virus definition files, but you should double-check to make sure.

Anti-Spyware

If you’re using another Antimalware utility to compliment your Antivirus software, make sure it’s set to find its latest definition files and scan automatically. Keep in mind though, with most of the free versions of Antispyware apps, you’ll need to purchase a license to get real-time protection, automatic updates, and scanning.

Automatically Keep Drivers and 3rd-Party Software Up to Date

Another important task to automate is checking for the latest hardware driver and other app updates. There are a few good programs that will do it which we’ve previously covered such as Secunia Personal Software Inspector. It will automatically check for software updates at startup and provides continuous monitoring.

To automatically keep your hardware drivers up to date, try a program such as Device Doctor,Slimdrivers, or any of the other non-free utilities out there. They will complete driver scans and make sure that your drivers are updated.

Note: One thing to keep in mind with Device Doctor (or really any application) during installation is to skip installing the worthless Ask Toolbar.

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This guide should definitely get you started in figuring out which maintenance tasks you want to setup to run automatically. While there certainly seems to be a lot to keep up with if you’re a Windows user, setting tasks to run automatically will free up some time so you get get to work and get things done.

What about you guys? What Tasks do you set up to run automatically and what methods do you use? Leave a comment below and lets us know!

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Help Protect Your PC

Chances are, your computer is connected to the Internet. And if it is, you know how fun and useful the Internet can be. But it's also a popular place for unfriendly users who might want to spread viruses or gain access to your computer. Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains features that help make your computer more resistant to threats from the Internet.

Use these built-in features for safer computing

• To let you see your computer’s security status at all times, the new Security Center monitors your essential security settings and warns you when your computer might be at risk.
• To help defend your computer against attacks from the Internet, Windows Firewall is on by default.
• To make sure you receive the very latest critical updates in response to worms and viruses, Automatic Updates is easier to turn on and use.
• To provide enhanced protection when using wireless connections in public places, you can take advantage of features that help protect your computer from other computers on the same wireless network.
• To help reduce your exposure to harmful programs and viruses, Internet Explorer has several new security features.
• To make it safer to read e-mail messages, Outlook Express automatically blocks images and takes advantage of the enhanced security settings in Internet Explorer.

Take these extra steps as further precautions

The features listed above work together to make your computing experience more secure and enjoyable. But there are other things you can—and should—do to help protect your computer (and the computers of those you communicate with) from attacks coming from the Internet.

The use of antivirus software, handling e-mail messages with great care(especially when they contain attachments), and careful selection of the Web sites you visit are key to helping you keep your computer more secure. When you do these things, you become a better computer user by taking your computer security into your own hands. You also help prevent the spread of viruses to other computer users.

For more information about protecting your computer and your privacy online, visit the Microsoft Security and Privacy Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/) and the Microsoft Protect your PC Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/).

Microsoft cares about your privacy. For privacy information about this software, click here.

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Security Center

What's new for security

The Security Center

Use the Security Center to check your security settings and learn more about how to improve the security of your computer with Windows Firewall, Automatic Updates, and antivirus software.

Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall is on by default and helps protect your computer against viruses and other security threats, such as intruders who might try to access your computer over the Internet.

Automatic Updates

With Automatic Updates, Windows can routinely check for the latest important updates for your computer and install them automatically.

Internet Explorer

Enhanced security settings warn you about viruses and other security threats that can spread over the Internet. Internet Explorer can block certain Web site features and give you a warning, so that you can decide whether it’s safe to proceed.

The pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer

The Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker lets you stop most browser windows that Web sites pop up without your permission, giving you more control over your Web browsing experience.

Outlook Express

Enhanced security settings help you identify and delete potentially harmful e-mail attachments, which can contain viruses.

Data Execution Prevention

Data Execution Prevention works with your computer's processor to help prevent viruses and other unauthorized programs from running on your computer.

Other useful information:

Frequently asked questions about security features

Find the latest security information from Microsoft online

Find security solutions for IT Professionals and network administrators on TechNet

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Protect Your Computer With Firewall

Helping to protect your computer with a firewall

Why you need a firewall. A firewall is a protective boundary between a computer (or a network of computers) and the outside world, where people or programs might try to access your computer without invitation. Hackers commonly use software that scans the Internet looking for computers with unprotected Internet connections. This software sends a very small message to your computer. If your computer does not have a firewall, your computer will automatically answer the message and thus announce that it is unprotected. But if you have set up a firewall, it will receive such messages and not answer them, so hackers won't even know that your computer exists.

Firewalls can be either hardware or software. A hardware firewall is a piece of equipment that you physically connect to your network. It monitors all aspects of the communications that are sent and received, and inspects the source and destination address of each message that it handles. This provides security in helping to prevent intrusions to your computer or network. A software firewallperforms a similar function by using a program inside your computer instead of an external device.

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) has a software firewall that's built in and turned on for you. This firewall, called Windows Firewall, is turned on by default so that a level of protection is in place right away. It monitors communications in the same way a hardware firewall does. Windows Firewall restricts information that comes to your computer from other computers, giving you more control over access to your data, and providing a line of defense against people or programs that try to access your computer without invitation. Regardless of whether you choose to take advantage of the Windows Firewall or another firewall available to you, keeping the firewall turned on and updated is one of the important keys to helping to protect your computer's security.

Hardware and software firewalls can be used on the same computer. By default, Windows Firewall is enabled on all connections.

Click Related Topics for information about how to:

• Understand how Windows Firewall works.
• Enable or disable Windows Firewall.

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Protect Security with Automatic Update

Why use scheduled updates to help protect your computer?

If you have not turned on Automatic Updates, your computer is more vulnerable to viruses and other security threats. When you turn on Automatic Updates, Windowsroutinely checks the Windows Update Web site for high-priority updates that can help protect your computer against attacks. High-priority updates include security updates, critical updates, and service packs.

Scheduled updates offer:

• Convenience

  You don't have to remember to visit the Windows Update Web site or other online security sites to get updates. And you don't have to choose which updates are most important for protecting your computer—Automatic Updates looks for security updates, critical updates, and service packs, and installs them on the schedule that you set.

• Reliability

  Updates are downloaded behind the scenes whenever you're connected to the Internet. The downloading process doesn't interfere with other downloads or interrupt you while you work. If you disconnect from the Internet before updates are fully downloaded, the download process will continue the next time you connect to the Internet. Don't forget, however, that updates must be installed to take effect. When you schedule updates, Windows automatically installs them for you, unless you choose to be notified and then install them yourself.

• Up-to-date software

  You set the schedule for Windows to install new updates. This means thatWindows is routinely checking for and installing any important updates that your computer needs. Even if you choose to be notified and install updates yourself, you still learn about important updates as they are released. By scheduling updates, you can quickly and easily keep your computer up to date—without thinking about it.

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Windows Keyboard Shortcut Overview

General keyboard shortcuts

Press	To
CTRL+C	Copy.
CTRL+X	Cut.
CTRL+V	Paste.
CTRL+Z	Undo.
DELETE	Delete.
SHIFT+DELETE	Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
CTRL while dragging an item	Copy selected item.
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item	Create shortcut to selected item.
F2	Rename selected item.
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word.
CTRL+LEFT ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
CTRL+DOWN ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph.
CTRL+UP ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	Highlight a block of text.
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document.
CTRL+A	Select all.
F3	Search for a file or folder.
ALT+ENTER	View properties for the selected item.
ALT+F4	Close the active item, or quit the active program.
ALT+Enter	Displays the properties of the selected object.
ALT+SPACEBAR	Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.
CTRL+F4	Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
ALT+TAB	Switch between open items.
ALT+ESC	Cycle through items in the order they were opened.
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F4	Display the Address bar list in My Computer orWindows Explorer.
SHIFT+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
ALT+SPACEBAR	Display the System menu for the active window.
CTRL+ESC	Display the Start menu.
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name	Display the corresponding menu.
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu	Carry out the corresponding command.
F10	Activate the menu bar in the active program.
RIGHT ARROW	Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
LEFT ARROW	Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
F5	Refresh the active window.
BACKSPACE	View the folder one level up in My Computer orWindows Explorer.
ESC	Cancel the current task.
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive	Prevent the CD from automatically playing.

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

Press	To
CTRL+TAB	Move forward through tabs.
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through tabs.
TAB	Move forward through options.
SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through options.
ALT+Underlined letter	Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.
ENTER	Carry out the command for the active option or button.
SPACEBAR	Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Arrow keys	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.
F1	Display Help.
F4	Display the items in the active list.
BACKSPACE	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.

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