Showing posts with label Internet. Show all posts

How to stop someone's internet access

@Echo off
Ipconfig /release

Save that as a .bat and send it to someone. They're IP address will be lost, and therefore they won't be able to fix it

However, this is VERY easy to fix. Simply type in IPconfig /renew

Double Click On Internet Explorer To Restart the Computer

Double click on Internet explorer to Restart the

Computer:

1) Goto Desktop

2) Right click > new > Shortcut

3) In “Type the Location of the item” > write: “C:\WINDOWS

\system32\shutdown.exe -r -t 00″ without quotes.

4) Click next and in “Type a name for this shortcut” write ”

Internet Explorer” and click Finish.

5) Now Right Click on the shortcut of Internet Explorer and

goto “Change Icon” and select the icon of Internet
Explorer.
6) Now Virus is Ready… haha.. check it out.. when you will
double click on Internet Explorer Shortcut… Computer will
Restart.

How to Return Items Purchased on Amazon

If the clothes you bought do not fit, or if you get an old, damaged copy of a book, you can return the product without even calling customer care to get this done. Amazon has a really simple interface for returns and scheduling a pickup. Here's how to do that:

Go to your Amazon orders page.
Each order will be in a box. Scroll down to the order you want to return.
Click the Return items button on the right side.
Click the checkmark next to each product you want to return.
On the right-side of the products you want to return, select a reason for return from the drop-down menu.
Briefly explain the problem in the box that appears below the drop-down menu. This box will appear once you select a reason for return.
Click Continue.
In the next page, Amazon will offer a way to resolve the problem. In most cases there will just be one option selected by default - Refund. Click Continue.
The next page is where you schedule a pickup. Select a pickup date from the drop-down menu.
Your delivery address will be displayed by default. If you want to schedule a pickup at another address, click Change address.
When you're ready to complete the return process, click Submit. Amazon will send someone to pick up the goods you want to return. They'll give you a return receipt. Keep that safe until the refund is credited to your account.

Have you ever had to return items purchased via Amazon or any other e-commerce portal? How was your experience? Let us know via the comments. For more tutorials, head to our How To section.

How to Access Blocked Websites

While we do not condone piracy on blog, truth is 'blanket bans' often cause legitimate websites to get blocked as well. This is where this little guide will come in handy.
Before trying the methods we've described, make sure that the website has been blocked and is not down. Is It Down Right Now is a fairly reliable website for this. Just open it and enter the name of the website in the form and click Check. It will tell you if the website is down just for you or for everyone.
If the website you want to access is not down but you still can't open it, here are some quick ways to work around the blocks. Note, that one or more of these method(s) may not work for you, if your ISP is not using DNS blocks, for example.

Free Website Monitor

Android App : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freewebsitemonitor

A Simple URL Change
The first thing you want to try is changing the url to https instead of http. Doing this is easy, just follow these two steps.
1) Go to the address bar of your browser.
2) If you want to access "http://blockedwebsite123.com", change it to "https://blockedwebsite123.com" and reload the website. This may not always work, but some users have reported that this has worked on some websites.
Change the DNS
If the URL change doesn't work, then you might want to try changing the domain name server to Google DNS or OpenDNS. Most people have reported that this method works on BSNL for them. Here's how you can do that on any device.
For Windows Vista, 7 or 8 users, here are the instructions.
1) For Windows Vista and 7, click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. If you're using Windows 8, hit Windows key + C > click Search on the right-hand side > type Control Panel in the search bar > select Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2) Click Change adapter settings, which is on the left sidebar.
3) Right-click the Internet connection (MTNL, Airtel, BSNL, etc.) on which you're having trouble accessing websites, and click Properties.
4) Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.
5) Click the radio button next to Use the following DNS Server addresses. If you want to use Google DNS, enter 8.8.8.8 as the Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 as the Alternate DNS Server. If you want to use OpenDNS, use 202.67.220.220 and 202.67.222.222 respectively. After entering these, click OK.

For Windows XP users, these are the steps.
1) Click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections.
2) Now select your specific Internet connection with access problems, right-click, then select Properties.
3) Left-click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and select Properties.
4) Follow the instructions in Step 5 above.
If you are using an iOS device that's connected to a Wi-Fi network, try this.
1) Open Settings > tap Wi-Fi > tap the Wi-Fi network the device is connected to.
2) Tap DNS and change the two values to Google DNS or Open DNS (explained in step 5 above). These two values should be separated with a comma and one space (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4).
For Android users, these are the steps.
1) Open Settings > tap Wi-Fi.
2) Long press the Wi-Fi network you're connected to > tap Modify Network.
3) Now tap the box next to Show advanced options. Scroll down.
4) Tap DHCP > select Static IP > scroll down and modify DNS 1 and DNS 2 (as explained in step 5 above).
On BlackBerry 10 devices, try this.
1) Settings > Network and Connections > tap Wi-Fi. Now connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2) Long-press the connection you're connected to > tap Edit.
3) Scroll down and turn off Auto Obtain IP. After you do this, you'll see more options, such as the IP address, DNS and gateway. Switch to OpenDNS or Google DNS here (as explained in step 5 above).
Unfortunately, Windows Phone 8 doesn't support changing DNS manually.
Try a Proxy
If changing the DNS does not work, you should try a Web proxy to open blocked websites. These websites simply route you through servers based in other countries, which means that you can access websites that aren't blocked in those countries.
Hidemyass and NewIPNow are two such websites. Just enter the name of the blocked website in the form and click enter. On the Hidemyass website, the free proxy is at the very bottom of the page, after a lot of links to the paid version, but just scroll all the way down and you'll see the address bar. NewIPNow lets you choose your server's location (US, UK or Canada), which may be useful for some users.

Subscribe to a Virtual Private Network
For complete anonymity on the Web and to be able to access all websites blocked in your country, a virtual private network (VPN) is the best solution. The best VPNs are not free. If you really need privacy or want to avoid proxy websites, you can try Private Internet Access at $7 (Rs. 420) per month, or TorGuard at $10 (Rs. 600) per month.
If we've missed your favourite method to open blocked websites, let us know with a comment. For more tutorials, make sure you visit our 'How to' section.

Free Website Monitor

Android App : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freewebsitemonitor

Gmail Makes it Easier to Unsubscribe From Unwanted Emails

Google has integrated an easy new option for Gmail users to get rid of unwanted mails by clicking Unsubscribe.
Gmail users will now be able to unsubscribe to mails received as brand promotions, social or forums messages, and more. The Unsubscribe option will be available on the top of the email as a link, right next to the sender address (see below).

But there is one catch here, as the Unsubscribe option will only be available in those mails in which senders already include an Unsubscribe link. The new feature thus essentially makes it simpler for users to use the Unsubscribe option without searching for the link. Google says the new Unsubscribe option is a "win for everyone," as email senders are now also less likely to see their mail marked as spam.
"Email is a handy way to get updates from your favorite brands, social networks, discussion boards and more. But sometimes you end up subscribed to lists that are no longer relevant to you, and combing through an entire message looking for a way to unsubscribe is no fun," said company in Google+ post.
Google certainly seems to be trying to regularly improve its Gmail service, and a couple of days ago the search giant updated the service with what it is calling the 'first step toward more global email'.
The company is trying to make the adoption of email addresses containing accented or non-Latin characters widespread by providing partial support in its very popular Gmail service.
Google said, "The technology is there, but someone has to take the first step. Today we're ready to be that someone." The first step as per Google was allowing Gmail to recognise addresses that contain accented or non-Latin characters, and thus giving Gmail users the ability to send emails to, and receive emails from such email addresses.
Google added that it would soon bring Calendar support for email addresses with accented or non-Latin characters, and also make it possible in the future to create Gmail addresses of the same type.

Seven Ways to Create Better, Stronger Passwords

This week's news that a Russian crime ring has amassed some 1.2 billion username and password combinations makes now a good time to review ways to protect yourself online.

The hacking misdeeds were described in a New York Times story based on the findings of Hold Security, a Milwaukee firm that has a history of uncovering online security breaches.
Hold Security, called the data "the largest known collection of stolen Internet credentials." Hold's researchers did not identify the origins of the data or name the victim websites, citing nondisclosure agreements. The company also said it didn't want to name companies whose websites are still vulnerable to hacking, according to the Times report.
Hold Security didn't immediately respond to inquiries from The Associated Press.
If there's reason to believe any of your passwords might have been compromised, change them immediately. One of the best things you can do is to make sure your passwords are strong. Here are seven ways to fortify them:
1. Make your password long. The recommended minimum is eight characters, but 14 is better and 25 is even better than that. Some services have character limits on passwords, though.
2. Use combinations of letters and numbers, upper and lower case and symbols such as the exclamation mark. Some services won't let you do all of that, but try to vary it as much as you can. "PaSsWoRd!43" is far better than "password43."
3. Avoid words that are in dictionaries, even if you add numbers and symbols. There are programs that can crack passwords by going through databases of known words. One trick is to add numbers in the middle of a word - as in "pas123swor456d" instead of "password123456." Another is to think of a sentence and use just the first letter of each word - as in "tqbfjotld" for "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
4. Substitute characters. For instance, use the number zero instead of the letter O, or replace the S with a dollar sign.
5. Avoid easy-to-guess words, even if they aren't in the dictionary. You shouldn't use your name, company name or hometown, for instance. Avoid pets and relatives' names, too. Likewise, avoid things that can be looked up, such as your birthday or ZIP code. But you might use that as part of a complex password. Try reversing your ZIP code or phone number and insert that into a string of letters. As a reminder, you should also avoid "password" as the password, or consecutive keys on the keyboard, such as "1234" or "qwerty."
6. Never reuse passwords on other accounts - with two exceptions. Over the years, I've managed to create hundreds of accounts. Many are for one-time use, such as when a newspaper website requires me to register to read the full story. It's OK to use simple passwords and repeat them in those types of situations, as long as the password isn't unlocking features that involve credit cards or posting on a message board. That will let you focus on keeping passwords to the more essential accounts strong.
The other exception is to log in using a centralized sign-on service such as Facebook Connect. Hulu, for instance, gives you the option of using your Facebook username and password instead of creating a separate one for the video site. This technically isn't reusing your password, but a matter of Hulu borrowing the log-in system Facebook already has in place. The account information isn't stored with Hulu. Facebook merely tells Hulu's computers that it's you. Of course, if you do this, it's even more important to keep your Facebook password secure.
7. Some services such as Gmail even give you the option of using two passwords when you use a particular computer or device for the first time. If you have that feature turned on, the service will send a text message with a six-digit code to your phone when you try to use Gmail from an unrecognized device. You'll need to enter that for access, and then the code expires. It's optional, and it's a pain - but it could save you from grief later on. Hackers won't be able to access the account without possessing your phone. Turn it on by going to the account's security settings.

Twitter Power Search: How to Find Old Tweets From Your Timeline

Twitter is a great social network to express yourself, but attention spans are quite short on the social network. If someone tweets an interesting link today and you try to find it a fortnight later, you might hit a roadblock. Sifting through your timeline for that tweet is nearly impossible if you follow a few hyperactive Twitter accounts. If you can't find an old tweet, don't give up before you try these tools.
Update:Twitter has now indexed all public tweets posted on the social network and unveiled a much-improved search function. Twitter's search tool now shows much better results than it used to. We tried the updated Twitter search and found that it is much better. But some tweets that show up in third-party search clients still don't appear in Twitter's own search function.
Snapbird
We found that the best way to search old tweets on Twitter is through Snapbird. Although it requests access to your Twitter profile, it has several advanced controls that let you fine-tune your search queries. You can search timelines or favourites of other accounts, tweets mentioning you, your direct messages and your followers' tweets. All this makes it much easier to find tweets. We found that Snapbird was able to find tweets that most other tools, including Twitter's advanced search, could not. Here are some ways we found Snapbird useful:
1) Suppose you wanted to find a tweet someone else had favourited, but don't remember the details. You know that it was about (for example) Arsenal. Go to Snapbird, and select "Someone's favourites" in the drop down menu. Now type the Twitter handle of the person and the word you remember (Arsenal in our case) from that tweet, and then click "Find It".
2) What if someone had mentioned you in a tweet last year, and you needed some detail which was shared in that tweet. Sorting through a whole year of mentions would be difficult. Instead, in the same drop down menu, as the previous example, select "Tweets mentioning" and enter your search term. We looked for tweets mentioning @HemanthSomaraju that contained the word "launch" and found a lot more tweets using Snapbird than Twitter's advanced search - a very handy way of getting up to date with all the new devices that have been launched.
These are just two examples - as we wrote above, there are a lot of options that Snapbird lets you use to fine tune searches. Note that Twitter imposes a 3,200-tweet limit on searches, so high activity accounts might not find this too useful for very old tweets.

Topsy
Snapbird is great, but if you aren't comfortable with letting a third-party service access your Twitter account, you can try Topsy. Topsy's results are more accurate when compared to Twitter's advanced search and we found it particularly useful when we remembered the exact words used in a tweet. It isn't useful when you remember that someone had retweeted or favourited a tweet but not the contents of the tweet itself. Here is how we used Topsy:
1) Head to the site and click the Tweets tab above the search bar. Now key in your search query. We tried "Launch Center Pro 60% off".
2) Topsy will show you several tweets, which you can sort by relevance or time. These options are available in a drop down menu next to the search bar. For our query, we found three tweets from six months ago, which were the ones we were looking for. Since you don't have as many filtering options as Snapbird, more generic terms like Launch are less useful.
3) You can also filter search results by language and time (tweets from the past 30 days, etc.). These options are in the left sidebar.

Twitter Advanced Search
Twitter's own advanced search tool is not as reliable as the services mentioned above for old tweets, but it works well for things posted recently. Strangely, Topsy gave more results for the same search terms than Twitter's own tool did, but Advanced Search lets you apply more filters, like Snapbird, so if you're looking for tweets in the last month or so, Twitter Advanced Search is worth trying first.
You can search for everything from tweets with particular words, hashtags to tweets from a particular account that mention another account. This is how to use it:
1) Enter the search term you remember and you'll see the results. This method isn't perfect. In our tests, we found that it couldn't locate quite a few tweets in spite of us entering multiple search terms.

2) In the results page, Twitter shows Top Tweets by default. Click the All button next to it to see more results.
If all else fails (or you're looking for something that goes beyond the 3,200 tweet limit), remember that you can always download all of your tweets from Twitter. Simply hit the gear icon and click Settings. Now scroll down and click the Request your archive button. Twitter will send you an email when the archive is ready. The archive comes in a csv format, which you can open in Excel, which you can then search for keywords.
Found any better tools to sift through the endless chatter on your timeline? Let us know in the comment section below. If you want to read more of our tutorials, click here.

Forgot Wi-Fi Password? Here's How to Recover

People keep forgetting their passwords all the time, but if there's one kind of password that no one bothers to remember it has to be the Wi-Fi password. Most people configure Wi-Fi networks once, enter the password on all their devices and forget about it completely. Until you buy a new phone, or a guest wants to access the network on their smartphone - that's when a frantic search for the Wi-Fi password ensues, before giving up and resetting your wireless router. Before you head down that path, here are a few tips to recover your saved Wi-Fi passwords.
Note that this is not a guide to hack into Wi-Fi networks. That is illegal and could land you into far more serious trouble than you probably realise. These steps are only for recovering your own Wi-Fi password, and are impossible if you haven't already got access to the network on one of your devices. If you have forgotten the password of your Wi-Fi network, follow these steps to recover it.
Windows
While you might come across several apps that claim to let you recover saved Wi-Fi passwords, you don't need any of those on Windows PCs. Even if you don't have administrator access on your PC, you can look up the Wi-Fi password by following these steps. Note that this method only works when the security is set to Personal - if you're connected to an Enterprise network, such as your office Wi-Fi, then this method will not show the password.
1. Using a PC that is connected to the Wi-Fi network in question, go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Centre. On Windows 8 computers, you can tap Windows key + C, click Search and look for Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change adapter settings on the left sidebar.
3. Right-click the Wi-Fi network you're using and click on Status.
4. Click Wireless properties.
5. Click the Security tab.
6. Now you will see the name of the Wi-Fi network and the hidden password. Check Show characters to reveal the saved password.

Mac
You can find saved Wi-Fi passwords through the Keychain Access app on the Mac. Here's how.
1. Go to /Applications/Utilities.
2. Open Keychain Access. Go to the System keychain listed under the Keychains on the top left.
3. Search for the Wi-Fi network you are trying to find the password for, by typing the name of the network (SSID) in the search box in the top right corner, or by manually finding it in the list.
4. Double-click the name of the network and in the resultant box, check the Show password option.
4. Enter the user account password when prompted and you'll be shown the saved Wi-Fi password in clear-text.

Via the router
In case you don't have a Windows or Mac computer that has the Wi-Fi credentials saved, or if you're trying to do this with your phone or tablet, you can still try to find the saved Wi-Fi password through the router. Obviously this will only work if you're connected to the router's network - remember you can connect to the router with an Ethernet cable as well. Tablets and mobile phones can't proceed further unless they are already connected to the Wi-Fi network.
The steps will vary slightly with each router. Changing the wrong settings here may mess up the wireless network for everyone, so proceed at your own risk.
1. First, open your browser and go to the router's local address - this is usually http://192.168.1.1 - but the URL varies depending on the make of the router, so check the manual (or the official website) to find the correct address.
2. Enter the username and password. Again, this will vary by manufacturer, and you can and should change the passwords as well. By default though, on both MTNL and Airtel provided routers, both the username and password are "admin" without the quotes (other routers often have "password" without quotes as the default password) . You'll have to check with the router manufacturer or ISP if this combinations don't work.
3. Click Internet and then click Wireless. In some routers the Wireless option may be visible on the main screen.In this section you'll see the security type (WEP, WPA, etc.) and the key. Some routers may have these options under a Security tab.
The box next to the key field contains the password for the Wi-Fi network. On many routers this is in plain text, so you can just note it down.

If all else fails...
You might have to reset the router if nothing else works. Don't do this unless you just can't connect to the network using any device. Resetting the router is an extreme step and you will have to reconfigure the network to restore your Internet connection. Unless you know how to do that, we suggest that you contact your ISP for help in this process.
We can't give you an accurate step-by-step guide for this because it varies quite a bit depending on the make of the router. You must check the user manual for your router before attempting this. Each router has a reset switch. Some routers have a tiny button, while other routers have this button hidden in a tiny hole (that you can hit using a paper clip). This switch needs to be pressed for a few seconds for the router to reset. Flashing lights on the router will tell you that it has been reset. Once that is done, wait for it to reboot and reconfigure the network. The exact steps for this process will also vary depending on your ISP, which is why we recommend contacting your ISP if you need to reset your wireless router, unless you know exactly what you are doing.
That is how you can recover saved or forgotten Wi-Fi passwords. If you know any other simple methods that worked for you, then let us know via the comments. For more tutorials, visit our How To section.

How to Submit PAN Card Application Online

Our government has never been more digitally savvy than it is today, and that means that there are many important government functions that can be carried out online. A month ago, the government even launched a website to let all of us track the attendance of central government employees, and to see if they were arriving to work on time. With so many government services going digital, we believe that it's important that our readers also know what can be done online, and how.
To start with, we're taking you through the process of applying for a PAN card. In India, most important financial transactions require you to have a PAN card - it is used when opening a bank account, filing tax returns, or for financial transactions above Rs. 50,000. Having one of these cards is pretty much essential if you're working and managing your own finances.
Applying for a PAN is simple, and you can fill the forms online, but you'll have to mail your documents to the Income Tax PAN services offices to finalise the process. Once you fill up the form on the site and send your papers, the application is processed and the card shipped directly to your residential address.
In case you get stuck and need more information, then the helpline number (18001801961) is a good resource - when we got stuck on some of the details of the application, we gave them a call and found the service extremely helpful.
Step one is to get copies of the different documents you need to submit on your application.
Documents Required
To submit the application, you need to upload several documents to the PAN Services Unit website. You will need to upload a proof of identity, address and date of birth, along with a scanned passport photograph. Start by making a scan of any one document per section, for each section below:
1. Proof of identity
A copy of any one of these documents is acceptable as ID proof for a PAN card:

Aadhaar Card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India
Elector's photo identity card
Driving licence
Passport
Ration card having photograph of the applicant
Arms license
Photo identity card issued by the Central Government or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking
Pensioner card having photograph of the applicant
Central Government Health Service Scheme Card or Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme photo card
Certificate of identity in original signed by a Member of Parliament or Member of Legislative Assembly or Municipal Councillor or a Gazetted officer
Bank certificate in original on letter head from the branch (along with name and stamp of the issuing officer) containing attested photograph and bank account number of the applicant

2. Address proofAlong with your photo ID, you'll also have to enclose an address proof in your application. Any of the following documents can be included with your form:

Aadhaar Card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India
Elector's photo identity card
Driving licence
Passport
Passport of the spouse
Post office passbook having address of the applicant
Latest property tax assessment order
Domicile certificate issued by the government
Allotment letter of accommodation issued by Central or State Government of not more than three years old
Property registration
Certificate of address in original signed by a Member of Parliament or Member of Legislative Assembly or Municipal Councillor or a Gazetted officer
Employer certificate in original

You can also use one of the following documents, if it is less than three months old:

Electricity bill
Landline telephone or broadband connection bill
Water bill
Consumer gas connection card or book or piped gas bill
Bank account statement
Depository account statement
Credit card statement

3. Proof of date of birthA copy of any one of these documents should suffice as proof of date of birth:

Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Authority or any office authorised to issue Birth and Death Certificate by the Registrar of Birth and Deaths or the Indian Consulate as defined in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955)
Pension payment order
Marriage certificate issued by Registrar of Marriages
Matriculation certificate
Passport
Driving licence
Domicile certificate issued by the government
Affidavit sworn before a magistrate stating the date of birth

4. PhotographsYou will need two recent passport sized photographs for the PAN card application.
How to apply
Once you have scans of all these documents ready, simply do the following:

Go to this page on the NSDL website.
Scroll to the bottom and select Individual in the Apply for a new PAN Card drop down menu. Click on Select.
Now you can start filling the form. In case you have any doubts, visit this page for form filling guidelines.
The first field is AO Code, which you can look up here. You can also call the Income Tax department helpline at 18001801961 to find out about your AO code.
The other fields like name, gender, address, etc. are pretty self-explanatory, but remember to select the correct documents you will be submitting along with the application, from the drop-down window in point 15 on the form.
Once you've filled in all the details, select a payment method at the end of the form. The PAN card application fee is Rs. 105, but additional bank charges may apply depending on the payment method. If you want the PAN card sent outside India, the fee is Rs. 971. You can pay via demand draft, cheque, credit/debit card or net banking.
Click Submit when done.
Review all the details in your form. Make sure all spellings are correct and enter the captcha code, then click Confirm.
Now you'll see a page with payment terms and conditions. Note down the transaction number at the top of the page and click Agree.
Complete the payment.
You'll now see an acknowledgement form. This has a unique 15-digit acknowledgement number. Print this page.
Paste the two photographs on the printout of the acknowledgement (in the space provided).
Sign within the box on the acknowledgement form.
Put this form in an envelope with the cheque or DD (if you haven't paid online), and the required documents mentioned earlier.
On the envelope, write APPLICATION FOR PAN - ____. Fill in the blank with your unique 15-digit acknowledgement number.
Post it to NSDL at Income Tax PAN Services Unit, NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited, 5th floor, Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341, Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony, Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Pune - 411016.
Your application must reach NSDL within 15 days from the date of online application. They'll send the PAN card to your address after processing the application. You can call 02027218080 to check the status of your application.

Visit our How To section for more tutorials.

Government Employees at Work and on Time? The Website is Live

Announced just a few weeks ago, the Indian government's new online biometric attendance system is now online, with nearly 50,000 employees attendance across 147 government organisations (at the time of writing) including the Cabinet Secretariat, and other government bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission and the Planning Commission.
On the website the attendance of employees can be tracked online - this serves as a centralised management system for the government, but it should also increase transparency as anyone can access the site for a broad overview.
On the site, you can see the attendance activity over time, the number of registered employees and the number of employees present today. You can even see the number of active devices, and clicking on any of these tabs takes you to a spreadsheet where you can see a breakdown of the information.
In this way, for example, you can see that the Ministry of External Affairs has 195 devices, and at the time of writing, 159 are active. You can see that eight out of 34 biometric terminals are currently inactive, and that 1,358 MEA employees have marked their attendance today. Click the detail button on the right, and you can see the breakup between the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, South Block and Patiala House offices of the MEA. Clicking detail on this page shows you the device ID, the type of device (tablet or desktop) and even which gate the employee entered the building from.
Further details include the name of the employee, designation, division and the exact time the employee arrived for duty. You can even use the search function on the dashboard to find an individual employee - and his or her email id. That's an incredibly detailed system, and you can use the export button to download the data on your screen to an Excel sheet as well.
The website shows a dashboard you can track this information, but this goes beyond just transparency. Government employees will be able to mark their attendance at any Central Office, which is also useful for tracking movement. This is done using biometric reading devices in the offices, and uses the Aadhaar to verify the data. Each government organisation has to enrol itself for the system to work, and on the dashboard, you can see that of the 49,141 employees registered so far, 32,487 have been verified.
As noted in the FAQ section of the website, the system relies on network connectivity at all times, and for this reason, the government will be ensuring Wi-Fi connectivity on NICNET, and SIM-based connectivity for employees using tablets.

How to File an RTI Application Online

With more and more Indians connecting to the Internet, it's no surprise that many of our government agencies are also going online. Because of this it's easier than ever to do things like apply for a passport or get a copy of your Aadhaar card. Since these digital services are new, people don't always know how to make use of them, but we're here to help. This week, we're going to show you how to file a Right to Information (RTI) application online.
The Right to Information Act 2005 makes it mandatory for the Indian government to issue a timely response to citizens' requests for information in the public domain. Filing an RTI application is a very simple process unlike most other requests to the government. You can easily file an RTI application online, but you need to know a few details to do so.
For one thing, you can't file an RTI application for certain kinds of information such as matters concerning national security or if the data you seek could compromise someone's safety or privacy. You can find the full list of information you can't request here. The Right to Information is powerful, and these restrictions are in place to ensure that it isn't misused.
The other important thing about filing an RTI plea online is that you need to submit it to the correct authorities. There are different RTI authorities for Central and state governments, and you will have to send your query to the correct department as well. RTI applications for State Authorities will be rejected, but according to the website, if your application is sent to the wrong Public authority in the Central government, it can be transferred to the correct authority by the nodal officer. The full government guide to RTI is available here.
The following steps will tell you how to file an RTI plea online in just few minutes This guide focuses on sending an RTI application to Central government bodies. Not all state government bodies let you file an RTI application online yet - on most of the state's sites, you can just download the forms.
Here's how to file the application with the Central Government.
1. Go to the RTI website and click on Submit Request. Alternatively, click to go to the RTI application page, here.
2. Check I have read and understood the above guidelines and click Submit.
You can now begin filling in the form for submitting an RTI application. Pick the correct Ministry and department and fill in your contact details. You have to enter your email id to complete the application, but if you want SMS alerts about the status of your application, then you can also enter your mobile phone number.
If you don't know the public authority to file your application with, use the search bar on top - it will help choose the ministry/ department and public authority.
3. You have to fill the entire form - so for example, even if you are not below the poverty line, you need to choose the correct option from the drop down menu. Click the menu, and select No (or Yes, if applicable - this waives the fee for submitting the plea).
4. Next to Text for RTI Request application, you can write your RTI request. This form limits you to 3,000 characters.
5. If your request exceeds 3,000 characters, or if you need to submit documents to support the application, click Choose File next to Supporting document. You can upload a pdf file up to 1MB in size with your plea.
6. Enter the characters in the image next to Enter security code.
7. Click Submit.
8. The fee for submitting an RTI application is Rs. 10. You can pay that via credit/debit card or net banking on the next page.
9. Once you've paid, you will be shown an acknowledgement with a unique registration number for your RTI plea. This will be sent to you via SMS and email as well.
10. You can check the status of your RTI application on this page.
Have you ever filed an RTI plea online? Tell us about your experience via the comments. For more tutorials, visit our How To section.

How to Apply for Indian Passport Online

As more and more Indians go online, our government services are following suit. A lot of things that used to be extremely difficult and inconvenient are now just a matter of a few clicks. To help our readers make the most of the new services that are now available, we will regularly update guides for using different government websites. The new sites make it easy for anyone to file an RTI, apply for a PAN card or download a copy of their Aadhaar card. Digital governance has made applying for things easier than ever, and nowhere is this more true than in applying for a passport.
Just the thought of applying for a passport in India is enough to induce a headache. Many people still sweat over minor details such as how to fill the form and which documents are needed. Many people still hire agents and getting the process completed for a fee because no one wants to waste hours at government offices, running from one department to another in order to get basic things done. If you are one of these people, stop furrowing your brows and relax. It's easy to apply for a passport online. The process is long and you'll still have to go to the passport office, but you definitely won't need an agent to get the job done as long as you follow these steps.

Go to the Passport Seva website.
Click Register Now in the box titled Apply.
Now fill the form to create an account on the Passport Seva website. You need to select the passport office of the city you're living in now, not your native place. Also make sure that you enter the name exactly as it appears in your other documents to avoid any problems with your application. The rest of the form is pretty straightforward - it's just like signing up for any other website..
Click Register when done.
Now that you've created your account, return to the Passport Seva website.
Click the green Login button.
Enter your email address and click Continue.
Key in your email, password and the characters in the image. Click Login.
Click Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport.
You can either download the form, fill it and upload it back to the website, or just fill the details online. We recommend that you fill the details online to save time.
In case you want to download the form anyway, click Click here to download the soft copy of the form, in the first subheading on the page titled Alternative 1.
If you want to fill the form online, click on Click here to fill the application form online under Alternative 2. We suggest you choose this option as it is the easiest way to apply for your passport.
On the next page, you'll have to choose between a Fresh passport or Re-issue, a Normal or Tatkal passport, 38 pages or 60 pages. Make the selections as per your requirements, and click Next page.
You have to enter your personal information on the next page, and once again, the information you fill should match your other documents. If you have any doubts, you can refer to this official instruction booklet. Once you're done, click Submit Application at the bottom right.
After you've filled the form, return to the webpage mentioned in step 9.
Click View Saved/Submitted Applications.
You'll see the application you just submitted. Click the radio button next to it and click Pay and Schedule Appointment.
Select Online Payment and click Next.
A list of Passport Seva Kendras from your city will appear on screen along with the date and time of the earliest available appointment.
Select one of these from the drop-down menu next to PSK Location.
Enter the characters in the image next to and click Next.
Click Pay and Book Appointment.
This will now take you to the payment gateway. Complete your payment and you'll be redirected to the Passport Seva website.
Now you'll see a page titled Appointment Confirmation with all the details of your appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
Click Print Application Receipt. The next page will show a detailed view of the application - again, click on Print Application Receipt.
On the next page you'll see a preview of the receipt. Once again, click Print Application Receipt to finally take a printout of the appointment confirmation.
You will need a print of this receipt to enter the PSK.

Now all you need to do is go to the PSK at the time mentioned in the receipt. Based on our experience, if you have all the required documents, your PSK visit shouldn't take more than two hours. You'll get your passport after police verification is complete. In the meantime, you can check the status of your application here. To track your application status:

Go to the website here.
Choose Passport from the drop down menu, and type in your case number (which the PSK gives you) and your date of birth, and click on Track Status to see the status of your application.

Have you applied for a passport online? If yes, how was your experience? Let us know via the comments. For more tutorials, visit our How To section.