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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Microsoft Virtual Labs

MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8 Lab 3 - Searching and Sharing -  Click the Below link
Mircosoft Virtual Labs


Top 7 Free Operating Systems For Your Laptop / Netbook.

Tired of Windows, Mac OS X, and other Operating Systems paid up gradation and support? Do you feel like trying something new? Or perhaps you want to test the cutting edge in operating system design or find out what the platform of the future is going to be like.

Or you may simply want to try out a system that your friends are using to see whether you can use it for your computer.
This page lists a variety of free operating systems available that you can download and install on your computer. Many of the systems are also open source so you can also tinker with the system, find out how it works, and learn from it. Below are the excellent systems you can download right now.
1, Ubuntu
Most Linux netbook systems seem to be based off of this one in some way or another, so it’s really worth starting with Ubuntu Ubuntu is an operating system built by a worldwide team of expert developers.
It contains all the applications you need: a web browser, office suite, media apps, instant messaging and much more. Ubuntu is an open-source alternative to Windows and Office.
This operating system wasn’t exactly designed from the ground up. It’s a Gnome-based system including most of the standard Ubuntu apps (Firefox, Open Office, F-Spot, etc.) What makes this setup different is compatibility with computer hardware, and a GUI tailor-made to take advantage of the limited real estate laptop screens feature.
2, Fedora
Fedora is the second most popular Linux-based operating system as of early 2010, behind Ubuntu. Fedora is an RPM-based, general purpose operating system built on top of the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat.
One of Fedora’s main objectives is not only to contain software distributed under a free and open source license, but also to be on the leading edge of such technologies. Fedora developers prefer to make upstream changes instead of applying fixes specifically for Fedora—this ensures that their updates are available to all GNU/Linux distributions.
Fedora has a comparatively short life cycle: version X is maintained until one month after version X+2 is released. With 6 months between releases, the maintenance period is about 13 months for each version.
Fedora because it had fairly good support for PowerPC when he used that processor architecture. He became accustomed to the operating system and continues to use it
3, Kubuntu
Kubuntu is an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system using the KDE graphical environment instead of GNOME. It is part of the Ubuntu project and uses the same underlying system. It is possible to run both the KDE desktop (kubuntu-desktop) as well as the Gnome desktop (ubuntu-desktop) interchangeably on the same machine.
The Kubuntu desktop is fully customizable. Originally designed to ease transition for users from other operating systems (such as Microsoft Windows) by allowing a similar desktop layout, the KDE 4 Plasma Desktop incorporates widget-centric modularity that allows the user to incorporate function similar to all other operating systems.
It is also create new functionality not found in other operating system desktops. 3-D effects are available in the standard KDE4 installation.
4, Jolicloud
Do you have a low memory low speed netbook? Then Jolicloud is the best operating system for you. It is a Linux-based operating system that is currently in development and Pre-Final testing.
This Operating system is built upon Debian and Ubuntu 9.10, but is tweaked to be more suitable for computers that have weaker specifications in terms of disk storage, memory and screen size, like netbook computers.
Jolicloud relies heavily on Chromium-based packages for running web-based applications. For Windows-only products it uses Wine.
5 Mandriva Linux
Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrakelinux or Mandrake Linux) is a French Linux distribution distributed by Mandriva (formerly Mandrakesoft).
It uses the RPM Package Manager. The product lifetime of Mandriva Linux releases is 18 months for base updates (Linux, system software, etc.) and 12 months for desktop updates (window managers, desktop environments, web browsers, etc.).
Server products receive full updates for at least 24 months after their release.
6, Crunchbang / Cruncheee
This one’s not exactly a netbook operating system per se, but it can make a pretty good one. Crunchbang is based on Ubuntu but focuses on “speed, style and substance” to quote their website.
Based on the lightweight Openbox window manager, Crunchbang certainly is fast and could run really well on your netbook. I highly suggest trying this out if traditional netbook operating systems don’t work out for you.
It’s worth noting that in 2008, a group of EEE enthusiasts made a custom Crunchbang for EEE users: CrunchEEE. Check out Cruncheee here, but know that it’s over a year out of date.
7, EasyPeasy
Ubuntu Netbook Edition is great, but a lot of things don’t work out of the box. MP3s, for example, can’t be played until you install the codecs.
EasyPeasy aims to be simple by offering propietary applications and codecs out of the box. You’ll be pleased to find MakeUseOf favourites including Skype and Picasa included by default.
One More: Moblin/MeeGo
Moblin Linux is the light-weight Linux distribution Intel developed to run on low power netbooks with small screens and Intel Atom processors. Maemo is the light weight Linux distribution that Nokia developed to run on its handheld internet tablets including the Nokia N900 and N810.

Conclusion

There are a number of great operating systems worth trying out. I’ve only highlighted a few of the pack leaders worth checking out, but there’s a lot more beneath the surface if you’re willing to dig.










How to create QR Codes

A QR code is an easy solution to transfer content to your smart phone. You can represent QR content to a variety of applications like QR Code for Website, YouTube Video, Google Maps Location, SMS Message. This square shaped 2D code or QR (Quick Response) Code makes easy transfer a long URL or a particular function to your Smart Phone.
Your smartphone need QR Code Reader app to scan the QR code. Point your smart phone’s camera at the code to read its contents. Your QR Code app will do the rest of job

Fortunately most of the QR Code reader apps are free and we listed couple of them. Here you can see the QR code for Technical Tips website.
Please see this QR Code and you can scan with your phone and Like our site with your Facebook account.
You have to create a QR code for your Website or any other functions. Once you create QR Code, you can email, print, or publish in magazine or website for your customers. Let us introduce three online tools for creating QR codes available as free that covers lot of functions for your requirement.
This site offers you to make free QR code for Website URL, Text, Phone Number and SMS.
For a paid version, it offers QR Management (QR MGMT) which provided tracking, analytics, changeable QR Codes and support to business customers.
This tool is coming with a couple of cool features. You can create QR Codes for your Business Page, Social Media Actions like Scan to Like on Facebook, Scan to Follow on Twitter, Scan to Check In on FourSquare, and more.
This one can use to create QR Code to Scan a QR code to instantly connect to a Wi-Fi network, even one that is password protected.
This site gives you wide range of features like QR Codes for Website URL, YouTube Video, Google Maps Location, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, FourSquare, App Store Download, iTunes Link, Plain Text, Telephone Number, Skype Call, SMS Message, Email Address, Email Message, Contact Details (VCARD), Event (VCALENDAR), Wifi Login (Android Only), Paypal Buy Now Link.
If you subscribe from their website, can also specify image size and resolution, and choose from 6 raster or vector output file types and 4 error correction levels.
Once you create QR Codes for your requirement, test it with a couple of scanner apps and make sure you are getting expected result. Once you confirm the QR code, download it and publish wherever you want.



All About iPhone Serial Number.

Your iPhone serial number provides interesting information about the device. Serial number tells you about the device manufacturing date, warranty and even some time easy to recognize a fake iPhone from the serial number.

Here is the step to describe how to locate your iPhone serial number. It is good to note down serial number to refer in future.
iPhone serial numbers come in the form WW011XXXYYZ which can be read as follows.
WW = Factory and machine ID
0 = Year manufactured (simplified to final digit, 2011 is 1)
11 = Week of production
XXX = Unique identifier
YYZ = Color, model and size
While the last 3 digits of iPhone serial number can be read as following:
VR0 (iPhone 2G Silver 4GB)
WH8 (iPhone 2G Silver 8GB)
0KH (iPhone 2G Silver 16GB)
Y7H (iPhone 3G Black 8GB)
Y7K (iPhone 3G Black 16GB)
3NP (iPhone 3GS Black 16GB)
3NR (iPhone 3GS Black 32GB)
3NQ (iPhone 3Gs White 16GB)
3NS (iPhone 3Gs White 32GB)
A4S (iPhone 4 Black 16GB)
A4T (iPhone 4 Black 32GB)
For example, the serial 79151XXX3NS is from factory 79 (presumably Foxconn), was manufactured in the 51st week of 2011, and is a white 32GB iPhone 3G.”
And finally you can check the warranty on apple site here.
Note:
*This format is not applicable for CDMA iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.
*If the first two digit iPhone serial number that stands out is 5K, which has been widely believed to be indicating a refurbished iPhone (reconditioned iPhone). You won’t get a new iPhone with serial number which starts with 5K.

iPhone 5 Vs Samsung Galaxy S3

iPhone 5 is finally launched from Apple and no more room for rumors. Let us go through two awesome products here iPhone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3. It is a battle between iOS and Android, the best Mobile Operating system in the world. Let us go through more technical details to reach into a decision for your next purchase.

Apple and Samsung did very good job to launch cute products iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3 into market. Apple changed it’s design from iPhone 4 to iPhone 5, more slim and toll in form factor, and additional changes in head phone and communication cables. Please go through the specifications below for more details.






Iphone 5
Galaxy S3
CPUQuad core A6Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9
Voice commandSiriS voice
Video recording1080P HD video1080P HD video
Operating SystemiOS 6Android OS, v4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Display
  • 4-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
  • 1136 by 640 pixel resolution 326ppi.
  • 4.8-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
  • 1280-by-720-pixel resolution at 306 ppi
New and other featuresTime shifted multiplayer gaming, Lightning connector, Passbook.
iCloud, FaceTime, AirPlay
Dropbox (50 GB storage), MicroSD card slot, DLNA, Wifi hostspot. FM radio with RDS
InternetLTE & HSPA+, 100MbpsLTE & HSPA+
Wireless
  • LTE
  • HSPA+
  • UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz);
    GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
  • CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)4
  • 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
  • LTE
  • HSPA+
  • UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz);
    GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
  • 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
Camera
  • 8-megapixel camera
  • 3264 X 2448
  • Panorama mode
  • LED flash
  • Video recording, HD (1080p) up to 30 frames per second with audio
  • HD FaceTime Camera.
  • 8-megapixel camera
  • LED flash
  • 3264 X 2448
  • Video recording, HD (1080p) up to 30 frames per second with audio
  • Front camera 1.9Mp HD.
Location
  • Assisted GPS and GLONASS
  • Digital compass
  • Wi-Fi
  • Cellular
  • NFC
  • Assisted GPS and GLONASS
  • Digital compass
  • Wi-Fi
  • Cellular
Power and Battery
  • Talk time: Up to 8hrs 3G talk time,Upto 8hrs of LTE or 3G browsing,Upto 10hrs of Wi-Fi browsing
  • standby time: 225 hrs.
  • Talk time: Up to 11 hours on 3G, up to 21 hours on 2G (GSM)
  • Standby time: Up to 590 hours
SensorsIntegrated touch sensors in the display.
  • Three-axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
  • gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Compass
  • barometer
Dimensionsheight:123.8mmx
width:58.6mmx
thickness:7.6mm
weight:112gms
height:136.6mmx
width:70.6mmx
thickness:8.6mm
weight:133gms
Price$199 for 16 Gb, $200 for 32 GB, $399 for 64 GB. with Contract

Finally iPhone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3 are on your table. iPhone 5 launching with a couple ofhardware and accessories changes from its previous version. SIM Card size reduced to Nano size from Micro size. Charger / Communication cable connector size considerably reduced and no of pins changed form 32 pins to 8 pins. Fair enough to reach into a decision to select from the two awesome products iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy 3.


How to check iPhone Fake or Not

Do you ever think that you brought a fake phone? Or did you see a cheap deal for iPhone and you suspect that it is a imitation of iPhone? You can identify a genuine iPhone from a fake iPhone. Please follow these guides to make sure you are buying a real iPhone.
Touch Screen: This is one of the easiest way to identify a fake iPhone. The real iPhone comes with a glass touch panel, where the fake one may be plastic. If you apply slight pressure on the iPhone screen and if you can see some color changes on that spot while pressing, that is fake iPhone. The second thing is the sensitivity of the touch panel. The sensitivity of a fake iPhone screen will be lower. It may take mare attempts or pressure to react with your finger movements. If your iPhone reacts with a Metal or Plastic styluses, it is not real. The real iPhone will not work with Metal or Plastic styluses.

Memory Space and Battery: The real iPhone has no memory space or card slots. It comes with one SIM card slot on top, and the batteries are not replaceable by the user, means the battery is not easy to take of from the iPhone with a sliding door. If any iPhone coming with these features, they are not real iPhones.
Touch Screen Size: If you get a chance to open and see the iPhone before you buy, please measure the screen size with a ruler. It should measure exactly 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters) for iPhone4. If you see a lower or higher size, that is the bad apple.
iPhone Back Panel: Fake iPhones are coming with plastic back cover. The original iPhone coming with Metal panel and Glass back panel in iPhone4 models. The back of your iPhone should always list a model number, and IC ID, and the phrase “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.” If you have an iPhone with any other color except black or white, it is not real one.
iPhone Icons: When you turn on iPhone, genuine iPhone will display four rows of icons with a black background. So many fake iPhones are coming with a clouded back ground.
Serial Numbers: You can get the iPhone serial number here. This post tells you all about iPhone serial number. If you see any change in the format code, be careful. Also you can check your iPhone warranty in apple website, the link also provided here. If you enter the serial number and it’s not recognized by the site, you can assume that you got a bad apple.
Menus and Apps: There should have some changes in menus in actual iPhone and fake one. You can’t see any busy hour glass or any delay while opening a new genuine iPhone. If you see these busy icon or unusual deal to open an apps, that is from a fake iPhone.
A couple of points to take care:
  • When you turn on the fake iPhone, it will not give you a slide to unlock option.
  • The iPhone menus may be different the icons are almost similar to original one.
  • The music player and video players appearance may be differ than the original one.
  • Fake one may not have auto turn off screen while calling.
  • The auto rotate feature may not come with fake one.
Always try to buy from Apple store or an authorized retailer, will be a good choice to get a genuine iPhone.

3 Free ways to make Anonymous Call from Your PC

There are a couple of free websites that offer free phone calls. These can be used to make free anonymous phone calls from PC. These services are absolutely free to make calls and you can keep your number private.

Please refer this article for making free calls from iOS,AndroidWindows based phones. If you really want to change your number to a different number please refer here.
Google Talk:
Google is offering free unlimted calls to US with Google Talk Service. There is no need to install additional software or no payments need for this service. You need only a gmail account and mic and speaker with your PC.
The receiver can see incoming call from (760)705-8888, that is the default number displaying for all Gtalk Calls.
This is free but powerful service that allows you to make phone calls for free without registering. The sound quality is pretty good compare to other free services.
The site is offering this service for Pranking friends, Being super-sneaky, Finding your phone, Finding your friend, Ordering Pizza, the possibilities are infinite.
Calling AMerica is the web based free call service can be utilized through your broad band connection.For registered users, this service provides unlimited number of calls upto a 15 minutes of duration. This duration limited to 2 minutes for noregistered users.
The service supported by add service which displaying at caller end. The sound quality is not bad and offering free calls to 3-4 countries.


iPhone as portable hard disk for your Windows

Imagine a situation that you want to carry some important files for your business trip. You are already taking your 16GB or 32GB iPhone or iPod with you. Well, then you do don’t want to worry about an another hard disk for carrying your important files. You can use your iPhone as a hard disk to carry those files with you.
Think about another situation that you want to keep some secret files with you, keep it in your iPhone. You don’t want to put it in your computer, anybody can hack your computer files by online or offline. Whatever the reasons, you have one simple solution. Use your iPhone as an external portable flash drive.
iExplorer is a wonderful free application, which help you to use your iPhone / iPad / iPod as an external hard disk. Once you install this application in your laptop, you can connect your iDevice into it and use as flash drive. You need Windows PC with Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP, iTunes 9 or later and A USB Connector for the iPod device.
Once you connected your iPhone to PC, you can create folders in to iPhone drag and drop files into iPhone. Another feature is that you can dig into iOS folders, you can drag and drop files from your iPhone to your computer or vice versa. There is no need to install any application into your iDevice. You can see your iOS files, can see apps folders, and in media folder you will be able to see your recorded voice memos, pictures and videos.
If you’ve taken pictures with your iPhone’s camera and want to view them without using any ofApple’s software, iExplorer lets you preview and transfer all image files directly from the device. your photos, videos, apps files. Copy files to and from your iPhone, iPad or iTouch using a simple drag and drop interface.

Bump your phones and share files.

Imagine a situation you meet your friend after a long time and you want to share some family photos. Or you are attending a conference and you want to share your contacts each other. There are several ways, you can text, email each other or note down and add to your smart phone contact list later.
Well, none of them not an easy solution in this smart phone world. There is an application that will help you to transfer data between your smart phone easily. Bump, the popularmobile sharing app that lets users exchange photos and information by bumping their smartphones together. (iOSand Android). The only step you have to do is open Bump apps, hold your phones, and gently bump your hands together. Done !

You can share your contacts each other, share photos with your friends and family, you can find mutual friends with people you bump from your social networks and phone contacts.
You can bump and share your date with your friends in two different ways. The first method is select what you want to share and then go for the Bump. The second method is to connect and then decide what you want to share. To connect each phones, you simply hold your phone in your hand and bump it against another. The bump app will pair up phones that felt the same bump.
Bump is extremely useful for sharing contacts, photos, and connecting with people on social networks. It can also come in useful for sharing the odd calendar event.

Convert MS Office to PDF

MS Office 2010 is coming with inbuilt feature to convert MS Office document to PDF file. MS Office formats like Word, Excell or PowerPoint can convert to PDF using this inbuilt feature. MS Office 2011 Mac version provides the same feature to convert to PDF. You can convert MS Office to PDF in MAC operating system or Windows OS with MS Office.

Microsoft published and add-in for MS Office 2007 users. You need to download this plugging from this link and install on your PC if you are a MS Office 2007 user. Once you download and install the add-in please follow the steps below for the tutorial to convert MS Office to PDF conversion.

MS Office 2007 to PDF:
  • Please download the add-in from Microsoft Site here.
  • Download the file by clicking the Download button and saving the file to your hard disk.
  • Double-click the SaveAsPDFandXPS.exe program file on your hard disk to start the Setup program.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
  • After you install this download open the document you want to save as PDF.
  • Select Save or Publish to PDF or XPS from the Office or File menu.


MS Office 2010 to PDF:
  • Open the document you want to save as PDF.
  • Select Save as from Office or File menu.
  • Select Save as type to PDF.
  • Type the required file name.
  • Click on Save button.


MS Office 2011 (MAC Version) to PDF:
  • Open the document you want to save as PDF.
  • Select Save as from File menu.
  • Select Save as type to PDF.
  • Type the required file name.
  • Click on Save button.


This MS Office add-in / feature allows you to convert almost all Microsoft Office formats to PDF that includes Microsoft Office Access, Excel, InfoPath, OneNote, PowerPoint, Publisher, Visio and Word. 

    Friday, September 28, 2012

    Scientists plan to sail on lakes of Saturn's largest moon Titan



    After the successful landing of 'Curiosity' rover on Mars, scientists now plan to navigate the seas of Saturn's largest moon, Titan.
    According to scientists presenting their proposals at the European Planetary Science Congress, this outlandish scenario could soon become a reality.
    The new project, called the Titan Lake In-situ Sampling Propelled Explorer, proposes a boat-probe, propelled by wheels, paddles or screws.
    The probe would land in the middle of Ligeia Mare (the biggest lake, near Titan's north pole), then set sail for the coast, taking scientific measurements along the way. The mission would last around six months to a year.
    "The main innovation in TALISE is the propulsion system," Igone Urdampilleta, a member of the TALISE team said.
    "This allows the probe to move, under control, from the landing site in the lake, to the closest shore. The displacement capability would achieve the obtaining of liquid and solid samples from several scientific interesting locations on Titan's surface such as the landing place, along the route towards the shore and finally at the shoreline," Urdampilleta said in a statement.
    The TALISE concept is being developed as a partnership between SENER, a private engineering and technology group and the Centro de Astrobiologia in Madrid, Spain.
    This mission concept is the result of a 'phase 0' study. In the following phases the feasibility study and a preliminary mission architecture would be realised to consolidate a possible technical proposal for future space science mission call.
    Titan is one of the most Earth-like bodies in the Solar System. With a thick atmosphere, a diameter between that of Earth and the planet Mercury, and a network of seas, lakes and rivers, it is in many respects more like a planet than a moon like Earth's.
    The satellite's atmosphere is made up largely of nitrogen (like Earth's), is rich in organic compounds and hydrogen cyanide, which may have played a role in the emergence of life on Earth.
    The Cassini-Huygens mission, which studied Titan extensively in the 2000s, confirmed that lakes, seas and rivers of liquid hydrocarbons (similar to household gas) exist, covering much of the satellite's northern hemisphere.
    Although it eventually landed on solid ground, the Hugyens lander was designed to be able to float for a short period.

    US drones will soon be overtaken by new wave of robots

    File photo: A US 'Predator' drone passing overhead at a forward operating base near Kandahar, Afghanistan. The US military's current fleet of drones will soon be overtaken by a new wave of robots that will be faster, stealthier and smarter -- operating virtually without human intervention, experts say September 26, 2012. The Pentagon is investing heavily in 'autonomy' for robotic weapons, with researchers anticipating squadrons of drones in the air, land or sea that would work in tandem with manned machines -- often with a minimum of supervision. (AFP photo)


    WASHINGTON: The US military's current fleet of drones will soon be overtaken by a new wave of robots that will be faster, stealthier and smarter -- operating virtually without human intervention, experts say.

    The Pentagon is investing heavily in "autonomy" for robotic weapons, with researchers anticipating squadrons of drones in the air, land or sea that would work in tandem with manned machines -- often with a minimum of supervision.


    "Before they were blind, deaf and dumb. Now we're beginning to make them to see, hear and sense," Mark Maybury, chief scientist for the US Air Force, told AFP.



    Unmanned aircraft are now overseen by "pilots" on the ground but as the drones become more sophisticated, the role of remote operators will be more hands-off.



    Instead of being "in the loop," humans will be "on the loop," said Maybury, explaining that operators will be able to "dial in" when needed to give a drone direction for a specific task.



    "We're moving into more and more autonomous systems. That's an evolutionary arc," said Peter Singer, an expert on robotic weapons and author of "Wired for War."



    "So the role moves from being sort of the operator from afar, to more like the supervisor or manager, and a manager giving more and more of a leash, more and more independence," he said.



    Despite the dramatic advances in technology, the American military insists humans will remain in control when it comes to using lethal force.



    But the next generation of increasingly capable drones will stretch man's capacity to control robots in battle, generating unprecedented moral and legal quandaries.



    "These (technological) responses that are driven by science, politics and battlefield necessity get you into areas where the lawyers just aren't ready for it yet," Singer told AFP.



    Over the next decade, changes in computing power will enable teams of hi-tech drones to operate virtually on their own, or as "robotic wingmen" to piloted aircraft, said Werner Dahm, the Air Force's former top scientist.



    At a testing range in the Arizona desert, Apache helicopters are flying together with unmanned choppers in experiments the Pentagon believes will serve as an eventual model for future warfare.



    "We're not far away from having a single piloted Apache or other helicopter system and a larger number of unmanned systems that fly with that," said Dahm, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Arizona State University.



    "These require very high levels of machine reasoning. We're much closer to that than most people realize," Dahm told AFP.



    The new technology has turned the US Air Force's doctrine upside down. For decades, the military trained pilots to face an enemy "alone and unafraid," flying deep into hostile territory to strike at a target and then return home.



    Now the Air Force is planning for scenarios in which different tasks would be divided up among manned and unmanned "systems," with drones jamming enemy air defenses, tracking targets and assessing bomb damage, while piloted warplanes oversee the launching of bombs and missiles.