ZIP and RAR support now available in the Google Docs Viewer

Downloading files that you only need to preview can create unnecessary clutter on your computer. While you can already use the Google Docs Viewer to view over 15 different file types in Gmail without downloading them, today we’ve added support for archive file types ZIP and RAR. Now, if someone sends you a ZIP or RAR file in Gmail, you’ll be able to view its contents from within your browser by clicking on View.


This will bring up a view that includes all of the files in the archive, the file types, and the size of those files.



When you hover over the list you can activate a menu by clicking the “Actions” button. You’ll be able to View items supported by Google Docs Viewer and Print (PDF) those that we offer PDF support.Save to Google Docs and Download appear for all files.



ZIP and RAR archives that are embedded inside other archives also work. For example, if you have a RAR file inside a ZIP file (like in our example above) you can just click on that file to access the embedded archive.

Go ahead and try the feature by viewing a ZIP file

This feature extends to Google Docs for mobile, too. For each viewable file (including embedded ZIP or RAR archives) there is a link to view.

We hope this removes the need to download full archives when you only need to work on select items. We’re always adding more file types to the Google Docs Viewer -- let us know what file types you’d like to see support for next in the forums.

Screen2Avi, Free Screen Recording Software

Windows users have many options when it comes to taking screenshots of windows, areas of the screen or the whole screen. There is not nearly as much choice when it comes to recording video. Only a few freescreen recorders are available, We Game orCamtasia come to mind.

Screen2Avi is another lightweight free program to record avi videos. The program is available as a portable version and installer. The application uses tabs to configure thescreen recording session. Available for selection are fullscreen, predefined and custom dimensions for the video.

It is not only possible to select the recording dimensions, but also the position of the recording frame. You can select one of the nine fixed positions like center left or bottom right, or define a custom position on screen. There is unfortunately no option to directly select a program window for recording. The only option to record a window is to use the custom positioning to set its position on the screen. The position and dimension are shown with a green frame directly on the screen.

All installed video compression codecs are available for selection under video. This is also the location where the frame rate of the recording is defined.

Screen2Avi can record audio, but that feature needs to be enabled separately. 
The program supportsonly audio recording from external sources like microphones, it cannot record the system sound directly.
You can select audio devices available on the computer.

The output path for the screencast is defined under General. Other available options are enabling or disabling the mouse cursor or configuring hotkeys to start pause and stop the recordings.

A click on the red recording button starts the recording. It is usually easier to use hotkeys (F1 start, F5 stop) than the buttons in the program window, especially when recording in fullscreen.

Screen2Avi has a few usability issues, like the previously mentioned audio recording limitations or selection of windows. It is nevertheless a handy tool for users who need to create a screen recording, especially if they can live with those limitations.

Windows users can download the screen recording software Screen2Avi from the developer website. It is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the Windows operating system. The developers have uploaded a tutorial to their website that walks new users through the configuration and creation process

Gmail Login

There are basically two ways to log intoGmail. Either by using the Gmail web interface that is available for most users at gmail.com or by accessing Gmail remotely using desktop or mobile email clients. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

A Gmail login at the website is not bound to a specific location, users can be anywhere and access their email account if they have a connection to the Internet there. Remote clients, like the desktop email programsOutlook or Thunderbird, on the other hand offer other advantages. Emails can be accessed even without an Internet connection for one. They can also be stored locally and not on a remote server, which provides access to them even if no Internet connection is available.

One of the main problems users of the Gmail web interface face is that there is not a good way to switch Gmail accounts or log into two accounts at the same time. The second problem can easily be fixed with the privacy modes that most web browsers come with (or plan to implement). Privacy mode work independently from the rest of the Internet browser which means that it can be used to log into Gmail separately.

gmail login

The Greasemonkey script Google Account Multi-Login is another possibility. While it does not offer simultaneous gmail logins it provides an easier way to switch between gmail accounts directly in the web interface.

Gmail Account Login Troubleshooting

A user with login problems has to access the situation in detail.

• Is the Gmail website loading?
• Are username and password of the email account accepted?
• Does the Gmail page list an error message?

There are certain “best practices” when dealing with log in problems at the Google Mail website (the correct url is actually https://mail.google.com). The first is to ensure that the website is loading properly. This can be done by clearing the Internet cache or trying another web browser to access the Gmail homepage.

Open your favorite web browser and enter http://mail.google.com/ into the address bar. Is Gmail loading or is the page showing an error message or remaining blank? It may help to clear the browser cache and try again, or to use another web browser to log into the email service. Browsers to try includeFirefox, Opera or Google Chrome. Chance is that a firewall, router or computer virus are blocking access to Gmail on the computer.

A last resort would be to try another computer to see if the Google Mail website opens on that PC.

A forgotten username and password on the other hand, or usernames and passwords that are not accepted by the Gmail login page usually require filling out a help document to make Gmail resend the data so that the gmail account can be accessed once again.

The cannot access my account page aids the user in retrieving the relevant account information.

Direct Links

• Gmail Homepage with login form, go here.
• If you forgot your password go here
• If you forgot your username go here
• If your account has been compromised go to the account recovery form here

Further information are available at the Gmail login page at the Login Helper website.

Gmail users need to assess the situation in detail, before they can troubleshoot it. The guide should have made it clear that there are different possibilities why a gmail account cannot be accessed by a user.

Google users who have fixed their gmail login issues are encouraged to share their experience with other users to aid them in resolving the login issues on their end.

Updates

Google has introduced the new 2-step verification option to improve the security during log ins. The new feature utilizes smartphones that generate or receive a temporary code that needs to be entered during the Gmail login. This basically adds a second layer of defense to the sign-in process so that attackers need to get hold of the username and password as well as the one time code. Gmail users can configure the 2-step verification under their Account Settings. It is recommended to add a backup phone or backup in case the phone gets lost or stolen.