Log into Gmail without typing a password

[UPDATE: This site has been taken down - it was an experiment by Google]

A few sites have mentioned an undocumented method of logging into Gmail (or iGoogle) without typing your password.

Why is that a good thing? Well, if you're using a computer you don't trust (such as in an internet café/hostel/hotel) then a keystroke logger or other malware won't be able to capture your password.

You need to install a QR Reader on your phone - there are lots out there such as Norton Snap QR reader or QRRreader (free). These readers can interpret codes like the one in this article.

To use the system:

1. On the untrusted PC navigate  to http://accounts.google.com/sesame
2. Start your QR reader and point the camera phone at the code that appears on the PC monitor
3. [The first time you do it you will need to link your phone to your Google account]
4. Click the Gmail button on your phone to log in. The browser window on the PC will magically show your Gmail account!

This system also allows you to have a really long (and more secure) password that even you can't remember. Just use this whenever you want to log in on a PC or laptop!

Oh, and Google - we'd love some info on how clicking a browser button on a phone then sends a redirect to the PC in question!

© Andrew Calvin 2012

OnLive Intros Virtual Windows 7 Desktop With Office for iPad - Mac Rumors

OnLive Intros Virtual Windows 7 Desktop With Office for iPad - Mac Rumors:

VERY interesting announcement from OnLive - Windows 7 virtualised on your iPad. This may be one of the biggest steps toward the redundancy of laptops that we've seen.

OnLive have done a good job virtualising games so far, so this is one to watch.

'via Blog this'

Free Skype 'much better' than Labor's $7.2m telehealth grant

Interesting article on how Skype might be more usable than custom video conferencing software for remote doctors.

Of course, it only provides part of the story, but it is often the case that commercial off the shelf software can be far more cost effective than custom installations that offer 5% more for a much greater cost.

I have to say that I find Skype video works as well as Microsoft Communicator, albeit without Active Directory integration (which is required for enterprises). I'd say a GP doesn't need that though.

Free Skype 'much better' than Labor's $7.2m telehealth grant:

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Virtualizing storage for scale, resiliency, and efficiency - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

For you Windows Home Server version 1 users out there who don't want to migrate to WHS 2 (like me), there is hope ahead in the guise of Windows 8!

The features described in this MSDN Blog are similar to Drive Extender, but take them way further. I'm looking forward to seeing how this can be implemented for consumers. One key usage will be twin drives in a laptop.

Virtualizing storage for scale, resiliency, and efficiency - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs:

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Happy New Year from Sydney

Andrew