Sunday, January 29, 2006

Trying the new Kaspersky

I'm trying out the new Kaspersky personal anti-virus software. I have allready installed it, and run a scan. It found nothing suspicious, and for that I thank AVG. Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0
Is trial-ware, which means at the end of 30 days I get to pay $39.95. I don't like to spend money when I don't have to. So I'll stick with a perfectly good product, AVG and then I'll send them a donation. I don't believe we should have to pay directly for online security. Internet Service Providers should build in security. But that is a needle in a haystack argument for someone else to debate.

I did surf Beta News today looking for some cool new Betas to try out. Found a couple I might try. You might like them...
One is a calendar that sits on your desktop and you add events to also it reminds you of the event. Not sure...according to the description it sounded easy to use. Rainlendar home page
Betanews review/download

Also found this free email server program...not sure but it sounds like I could run my own email server. Not sure if this is a good idea or not but I might give it a try
It's called hmailserver
Betanews review

well enjoy!
"D"


Saturday, January 21, 2006

How do I speed up my computer? (part 2)

Slow computers suck! (part 2 of 2)

Finding specific information about your computer can be difficult. Unless you have the proper tools for the job, then it can be a few clicks away. I recommend a freeware utility program called Everest Home by Lavalys.
This program when installed will tell you everything you (or tech support) would need to know about your computer.
Download at Majorgeeks
Download at Softpedia
Download at Old Version

1. This information will come in useful when you decide to upgrade your computer memory. Now you could just crack open the case and hope you get the right stuff or you can take it in and pay someone to upgrade it. But why when this upgrade is easier then brushing your teeth. You need to know what type of memory you have and how much you can install total. Then you can head to the computer store and pick up your new memory upgrade. Once you have it, follow the instructions on the box...unplug computer...open case....plug in new memory....close case...start-up new faster more powerful computer and grin!

2. Deep cleaning of files and registry.
This is where it might get a bit dangerous. I recommend a program called Easy Cleaner by Toni Arts. This program will allow you to eliminate tons of stuff you didn't realize you had. (ran it on Josh's computer and recovered 715mb of space)
The problem is that sometimes it eliminates some files that may be used rarely. Then you will get an error and then (in my experience) the file was recreated and the problem solved itself.

an excerpt from Toni Arts site "EasyCleaner is a small program which searches the Windows registry for entries that are pointing nowhere. EasyCleaner also lets you delete all kinds of unnecessary files such as temps and backups. You can search for duplicate files and you can view some interesting info about your disk space usage! You are also able to manage startup programs, invalid shortcuts and add/remove software list."

I like the results produced from this program and I have no problem recommending it to others.

Other than the few suggestions I have made you should defrag your hard drive regularly and occasionally run disk clean-up.
Have fun and stay safe.
"D"


Monday, January 16, 2006

How do I speed up my computer?

Slow computers suck! (part 1 of 2)
Computers are like finger prints...no two are the same.

But computers do have things in common. Computers that are used to surf the internet get "dirty". They collect "internet dirt". Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to avoid this "dirt".
So we do the best we can until the dirt piles up to the point we can't stand it anymore. This is when we search "fix my slow computer" and a lot of "internet dirt" hides near the search for "fix my slow computer"

You need the tools to do the clean-up job yourself. These tools are free! You don't need to hire someone to service your computer, just the proper tools and some common sense and you will be able to speed up your own computer in no time.

Tools and how/why to use

1. Multiple anti-spyware programs. These try and stop most of the dirt and they also try to get rid of some existing dirt. I use these programs...
a. Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)
b. Ad-Aware Personal
c. SpywareBlaster 3.5.1
d.
Spybot-S&D
e. ewido anti-malware

2. Avoid using bloated antivirus programs that tend to slow down your computer stick with free ones with limited options (do you really need to dissect the virus? no just stop the damn thing)
a. AVG Anti-Virus Free
b. AntiVir

3. Start-up. (Windows)
controlling which programs start/run when your computer starts will vastly improve speed.
a. check your "program list" look for a folder called startup. Delete anything in there that you don't want to start automatically.
b. also...click start/run and type msconfig then click ok. Find the startup tab and click it. Here you will find most of the programs that start when your computer starts. (some of these are required for your computer to work) Here is a very good list that contains a huge amount of "program startup ID information" If you deselect any you will be prompted to restart.

Stay tuned for Part 2
Detailed cleaning info and memory upgrades information.




Is Juicyfruiter a spammer?

I recently received a comment from "Juicyfruiter" on a blog that I operate .
Here is that comment
" At 9:33 AM, lucyclinton0625 said...

I read over your blog, and i found it inquisitive, you may find My Blog interesting. My blog is just about my day to day life, as a park ranger. So please Click Here To Read My Blog

http://www.juicyfruiter.blogspot.com "

If you were to visit this blog you would find it less than "inquisitive" I don't even think it's informative.

Really all it does is display some templates that I have modified for Blogger and some links to things I found useful for my blogs.

In fact judge for yourself if you find it "inquisitive" I'll retract my "spammer" comment, I may even apologize.



"D"




Saturday, January 14, 2006

Control the sound volume with a wheel mouse

Description...

Volumouse provides you a quick and easy way to control the sound volume on your system - simply by rolling the wheel of your wheel mouse.
It allows you to define a set of rules for determining when the wheel will be used for changing the sound volume. For example: You can configure Volumouse to use your mouse wheel for volume control when the Alt key is hold down, when the left mouse button is down, when the mouse cursor is over the taskbar, and so on...
When the conditions that you define are not satisfied, your mouse wheel will be used for the regular scrolling tasks, exactly as before.

This super small program rocks! Site/Download


Backing Up Your Browser's Favorites/Bookmarks

January is a good time to clean-up your computer and back-up important files. One easy but important item to back-up periodically is your browser's "Favorites" (when using Internet Explorer) or "Bookmarks" (when using Firefox, Safari, or Netscape). Here's how to export and save these files:

Exporting Favorites From Your Internet Explorer 6.0 Browser When Using Windows XP Home Edition

1. With Internet Explorer open, click your cursor arrow on the "File" menu and drop down to "Import and Export." The Import/Export Wizard will start.
2. Click on the "Next" button.
3. Choose "Export Favorites" from the list of actions to perform and click "Next."
4. Select the "Favorites" folder for exporting and click "Next."
5. Choose a destination for your exported favorites by clicking on the "Browse" button. Give the exported favorites file a name and select a destination for it.
6. Click the "Save" button and then click on the "Next" button.
7. Now click on the "Finish" button.

Exporting Bookmarks From Your Firefox 1.0 Browser When Using Windows XP Home Edition Or Macintosh OS X

1. With Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on the Bookmarks menu and drop down to "Manage Bookmarks." The "Bookmarks Manager" window will appear.
2. Click your cursor arrow on the "File" menu and drop down to "Export." The "Export bookmark file:" dialog box will appear.
3. Give your file a name and select a destination for it.
4. Click the "Save" button. Close the "Bookmarks Manager" window.

Exporting Bookmarks From Your Safari 2.0 Browser When Using Mac OS X

1. With Safari open, click your cursor arrow on the "File" menu and drop down to "Export Bookmarks." The "Export Bookmarks" dialog box will appear.
2. Give your file a name and select a destination for it.
3. Click the "Save" button.

Exporting Favorites From Your Netscape 7.2 Browser When Using Windows XP Home Edition Or Macintosh OS X

1. With Netscape Navigator open, click your cursor arrow on the "Bookmarks" menu and drop down to "Manage Bookmarks." The "Bookmark Manager" window will appear.
2. Click on the "Tools" menu and drop down to "Export..." The "Export Bookmark File" dialog box will appear.
3. Give your file a name and select a destination for it.
4. Click the "Save" button and then close the "Bookmark Manager" window.


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