January 24th, 2011
Yes, the weather outside is still frigid for a lot of us, but it is soon going to be spring cleaning time, not just for our homes, but for our computers and others gadgets as well. Remember to clean up your PC to keep things moving along quickly.
Here is a simple way to clean your computer up without losing Windows or needing to reformat your computer.
Clean up your Windows Registry – as you add programs and uninstall programs, your registry expands and needs to be cleaned up as well. This area will help speed up your booting time.
Remove background services – when you install a program, it also installs a background service that is not necessary to run. Make sure you are running what you need, not what you don’t need.
Hard-drive issues – a hard drive can become full and will make the time from swapping from main memory to drive very slow. Make sure you are defragmenting your system when it starts to slow down.
Seriously – it seems like something that you only need to do every now and then. But I bet it’s been a loooong time since the last time you cleaned your computer up. Do it, you will be shocked at the difference.
Posted in Computer Hardware | No Comments »
January 20th, 2011
With the recent holidays, people are upgrading, trading up and giving up things. With these ups, and downs, people are in need of making sure life is secure. With new devices or gadgets, come the ideas of new passwords or phrases.
A few tips to help you keep your goods safe:
- Don’t use personal information. These include spouse or children’s names; details such as birthdates or anniversaries; or anything that comes up in casual conversation or a simple web search.
- Mix up your passwords. Though it may get rough to remember them all, make sure that you don’t use the same one all the time. Once someone gets that one, you are stuck.
- Use a passphrase. Pick a sentence that you like and that only you can relate to. This sentence can change easily by taking out all the other letters but the first one of each word. This makes a sentence like “I like pepperoni pizza!” into a passphrase like this: ILPP!.
- Protect your passwords. Never give out your password to any company persons. If you must give it away, ask them to change it and you can change it after them. Protect yourself!
Posted in Google Mail (G Mail) Tips & Tricks, Google Tools, Internet Tools | No Comments »
January 17th, 2011
In order to keep your Droid from being compromised, know a few things about your handheld device.
- How much storage information are you holding? Can you hold up to 32GB of information, which is the standard limit? Make sure you are using the full capabilities of your device!
- What are you using to unlock your phone? Are you making sure no one else can unlock your device? The connect-the-dots pattern screen can easily allow someone to trace your fingerprint smudges and unlock your phone.
Bottom line is use your Droid carefully and be aware of what you are running or capable of running. If you don’t use it to the full capacity, someone else might.
Posted in Droid | No Comments »
January 14th, 2011
Protecting your personal data while using public Wi-Fi can be hard to the non-techie. Thanks to Firefox a new plug-in, called Blacksheep, helps the tech novice protect their internet life from being snooped on by other traffic, while using public Wi-Fi.
Many people worry about when sitting at a coffee shop checking their email and other personal information. Blacksheep is basically an alarm that you can use when you are on local, public Wi-Fi hotspot.
If you are concerned about your public media being stalked by others, this alarm will let you know when someone has gotten into your personal life. No it cannot protect you from identity theft, but it can let you know when someone is peeping into your life.
Posted in Internet Tools | No Comments »
November 24th, 2010
iTunes has started to offer a new social networking site with iTunes 10.
Since they made it to a double digits version, their newest add on to your downloadable store of goods is the social connection through music.
PING allows you to comment on people’s music selections, yes, you can “like” similar to other social network sites. You can follow, comment and view other people’s music and video selections.
If you are a music junkie, and want to know what your friends are really listening to, follow the PING.
Posted in Internet Tools, Social Networking | 2 Comments »
November 22nd, 2010
Windows 7 is finally giving its users a piece of mind. Once we get used to one OS, it is time to upgrade.
Windows 8 has been leaked and people are starting to talk. The most discussed and exciting aspect of Windows 8 is that they are looking to get booting time under 20 seconds.
Competition in the software world is allowing for the demand of what people are asking for. People are using their Android and Google platform phones for all their computer needs making software companies step it up.
With fall comes the newest information in technology. Keep your eyes and ears open to see if Windows 8 is going to be a needed upgrade or if Windows 7 will stick around for a bit.
Posted in Windows 7 | No Comments »
October 14th, 2010
- Disabling icon thumbnails will allow folder icons to load quicker.
- Use Ready Boost to increase your system performance without having to buy and install more memory.
- Visual effects are cosmetic and serve no practical purpose. Disenabling them will have no effect on functionality.
- Set lower priority levels for applications that are rarely accessed and it will give the more frequently accessed priority.
- Run Chkdsk on a regular basis, especially after an incorrect shutdown or system crash. It could cause the system to fail to reboot.
Posted in Windows 7 | No Comments »
October 11th, 2010
I did it again.
You know, that file that you totally thought was trash…but now you need again?
Well, you just emptied your recycling bin in hopes of being more productive and decluttering your desktop.
So, how do you get the file back? Well, we know that it is gone. It is buried in the hard drive, not to be retrieved again…UNLESS you have PC Tools.
For a minimal amount you can purchase PC Tools that can help you recover your deleted data. No More Regrets!
Posted in Internet Tools, Saving Money with Technology | No Comments »
October 6th, 2010
Getting privacy memos at work about Facebook and other social networking sites?
Looking for a new place to escape to in the day to get a little release from work?
According to many, 4chan is the newest site for people to posts comments, questions, and look for answers and friends. The topics range from anime to relationships to jobs.
And you don’t have to worry about being socially or politically correct. These topics are purposely an opinionated posting place.
Can’t say what you want at work about a topic? Find it on 4chan. If you are looking to join a more diverse community than Facebook or LinkedIn, this may be for you.
Due to the simplicity of it, you will not be hearing about this site in a memo any time soon.
Posted in Internet Tools, Social Networking | No Comments »
September 16th, 2010
Back when I was a kid, I always thought a phone where you could actually see the person you are talking to would be incredibly awesome.
These days we all use skype or windows messenger to video chat, but wouldn’t it be great to do it right through your mobile?
Apple is making it happen!
Video conferencing through your phone; your iPhone or iPad or iTouch is all about getting a little FaceTime in with others.
No longer will we need to have Skype on our PCs or mobile device, just jump on your phone and dial away. As long as you have internet on the phone, you can enjoy video conferencing or FaceTime with others.
With this option, everyone can have fewer gadgets for their phones and states will be making new laws for drivers.
No need to text, or send pics via the phone, soon we will have straight FaceTime This gives new meaning to the idea of a video conference call!
Posted in Internet Tools | No Comments »
