I thought that the following story concerning the future new Microsoft Web Browser IE 9 might be of interest to those who still use IE 6, IE 7 or IE 8.
Just click the following address and you will be brought to the latest news concerning this matter.
Can Internet Explorer 9 Get Microsoft's Mojo Back?
George Freire
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Brief History of Pi (π)
We all know and learned in school, (even those with very little math training), about Pi (π).
Its history is fascinating and many books have been written about it. The following is a short synopsis of its history, which I am sure even those not mathematically oriented will enjoy:
Just click the following address and you'll have it:
A Brief History of Pi
Posted using ShareThis
George Freire
Its history is fascinating and many books have been written about it. The following is a short synopsis of its history, which I am sure even those not mathematically oriented will enjoy:
Just click the following address and you'll have it:
A Brief History of Pi
Posted using ShareThis
George Freire
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
ADVICE FROM PC WORLD'S MR. RICK BROIDA, ON HOW NOT TO SHUT DOWN YOUR PC OR LAP TOP COMPUTER
Dear readers of this blog,
Here is sound advice from one of my favorite computer tech writers, PC World's Mr. Rick Broida:
How Not to Shut Down Your PC .
Here's how to avoid mucking up Windows, why you should use Hibernate and not Sleep:
"Imagine my horror the other day when I saw an otherwise sharp friend of mine shut down his laptop by holding down the power button until the system turned off. Why is that a really bad idea? I'll explain:
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" I cried. "Why'd you do that?"
"What? I was just turning off my PC," he replied innocently.
Sometimes I forget that some of the stuff I take for granted isn't common knowledge. So in case you've been committing this same heinous shutdown crime, allow me to enlighten you.
That is not, repeat, not the proper way to shut down a PC. The proper way is to click Start, Shut down. (I know, it's ridiculous that after all these years Microsoft still forces you to use the Start button to end your computing session.) Alternately, you can press--and immediately release!--the power button, which will either shut down your PC or put it in sleep/hibernate mode, depending on how Windows is configured.
The only time you should press and hold the power button is if your computer is locked up and otherwise unresponsive. A five-second press will usually force a "hard" power-off, after which you should wait another five seconds before turning the machine back on. But if you do this all the time, Windows won't be able to perform its necessary shut-down housekeeping stuff, and ultimately you'll muck up the OS.
Learn Your Laptop Power Settings:
My aunt recently told me about a problem with her new laptop: Whenever she'd step away from it for more than a few minutes, she'd close the lid. Upon returning, she'd open the lid, only to be faced with a blank screen and no response from the mouse or keyboard.
Want to know why? The default lid-closing action for most laptops is to put the system in Sleep mode, and Windows is notoriously bad at waking up properly. That's why I advise most laptop users to use Hibernate mode instead, as it's much more reliable when it comes to waking up.
You see, Sleep (aka Standby) puts your system into a low-power, off-like state, allowing you to pick up where you left off after just a few seconds--in theory, anyway. A PC in Standby mode continues to consume battery power, so it's not uncommon to return to a "sleeping" PC to find that it's just plain dead.
Hibernate, however, saves your machine's current state to a temporary hard-drive file, then shuts down completely. When you start it up again, it loads that file and returns you to where you left off--no booting required.
Both ends of the Hibernate process take a little longer than sleep mode (usually 10-20 seconds, in my experience), but you avoid any of the issues that can arise when Windows suddenly loses power. And as noted, Sleep mode is notoriously flaky. If your system refuses to wake up properly, you'll end up losing whatever documents and/or Web pages you had open. Consequently, I recommend using hibernate most of the time. "
Rick Broida
There you are friends, the above is darn good advice. I bet a lot of you did not know this, did you?
George Freire
Here is sound advice from one of my favorite computer tech writers, PC World's Mr. Rick Broida:
How Not to Shut Down Your PC .
Here's how to avoid mucking up Windows, why you should use Hibernate and not Sleep:
"Imagine my horror the other day when I saw an otherwise sharp friend of mine shut down his laptop by holding down the power button until the system turned off. Why is that a really bad idea? I'll explain:
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" I cried. "Why'd you do that?"
"What? I was just turning off my PC," he replied innocently.
Sometimes I forget that some of the stuff I take for granted isn't common knowledge. So in case you've been committing this same heinous shutdown crime, allow me to enlighten you.
That is not, repeat, not the proper way to shut down a PC. The proper way is to click Start, Shut down. (I know, it's ridiculous that after all these years Microsoft still forces you to use the Start button to end your computing session.) Alternately, you can press--and immediately release!--the power button, which will either shut down your PC or put it in sleep/hibernate mode, depending on how Windows is configured.
The only time you should press and hold the power button is if your computer is locked up and otherwise unresponsive. A five-second press will usually force a "hard" power-off, after which you should wait another five seconds before turning the machine back on. But if you do this all the time, Windows won't be able to perform its necessary shut-down housekeeping stuff, and ultimately you'll muck up the OS.
Learn Your Laptop Power Settings:
My aunt recently told me about a problem with her new laptop: Whenever she'd step away from it for more than a few minutes, she'd close the lid. Upon returning, she'd open the lid, only to be faced with a blank screen and no response from the mouse or keyboard.
Want to know why? The default lid-closing action for most laptops is to put the system in Sleep mode, and Windows is notoriously bad at waking up properly. That's why I advise most laptop users to use Hibernate mode instead, as it's much more reliable when it comes to waking up.
You see, Sleep (aka Standby) puts your system into a low-power, off-like state, allowing you to pick up where you left off after just a few seconds--in theory, anyway. A PC in Standby mode continues to consume battery power, so it's not uncommon to return to a "sleeping" PC to find that it's just plain dead.
Hibernate, however, saves your machine's current state to a temporary hard-drive file, then shuts down completely. When you start it up again, it loads that file and returns you to where you left off--no booting required.
Both ends of the Hibernate process take a little longer than sleep mode (usually 10-20 seconds, in my experience), but you avoid any of the issues that can arise when Windows suddenly loses power. And as noted, Sleep mode is notoriously flaky. If your system refuses to wake up properly, you'll end up losing whatever documents and/or Web pages you had open. Consequently, I recommend using hibernate most of the time. "
Rick Broida
There you are friends, the above is darn good advice. I bet a lot of you did not know this, did you?
George Freire
INSTANT WEATHER MAP AT YOUR LOCATION
Technology has no limits in just about every field you can think of!
WEATHER UNDERGROUND is a set-up that will display your area, (anywhere in the world ! mind you), in a weather map fashion with present conditions and weekly forecast just like you see it on TV.
All you have to do is to fill in the name of your town and state, (if you are in the USA), or your town and country everywhere else in the world!
I set-up this program on my computer a few days ago and have been trying it out, selecting places all over the world and it is amazing how it works.
If you want to set it up this program in your computer, (it takes only seconds !), go to:
http://www.wunderground.com/auto/wxmap/
Just click the above or copy and paste to your browser. Once you do it the weather map immediately shows up on your screen. Book mark of set it on your favorites, that is all, you don't even have to download anything!
Have fun and please let me know how it works in your area.
(To our Portuguese viewers, let me tell you I have checked towns such as Braga, Porto, Coimbra, Faro, etc. etc. it all works!)
George Freire
WEATHER UNDERGROUND is a set-up that will display your area, (anywhere in the world ! mind you), in a weather map fashion with present conditions and weekly forecast just like you see it on TV.
All you have to do is to fill in the name of your town and state, (if you are in the USA), or your town and country everywhere else in the world!
I set-up this program on my computer a few days ago and have been trying it out, selecting places all over the world and it is amazing how it works.
If you want to set it up this program in your computer, (it takes only seconds !), go to:
http://www.wunderground.com/auto/wxmap/
Just click the above or copy and paste to your browser. Once you do it the weather map immediately shows up on your screen. Book mark of set it on your favorites, that is all, you don't even have to download anything!
Have fun and please let me know how it works in your area.
(To our Portuguese viewers, let me tell you I have checked towns such as Braga, Porto, Coimbra, Faro, etc. etc. it all works!)
George Freire
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A LITTLE HUMOR TO LIGHTEN YOUR DAY
As you know, kids today are practically born with computers in their hands, therefore it is no wander that so many of them kown more about computers then most of us adults.
A good friend of mine sent me an e-mail that I found so funny, I had to pass it on to you all:
Good morning George,
Thought you would like this joke.
Computer Problem:
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Eric, the 11 year old next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong? He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'
I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'
Eric grinned.... 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?
'No,' I replied. 'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out..'
So I wrote down:
ID10T
I used to like Eric...
A good friend of mine sent me an e-mail that I found so funny, I had to pass it on to you all:
Good morning George,
Thought you would like this joke.
Computer Problem:
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Eric, the 11 year old next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong? He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'
I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'
Eric grinned.... 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?
'No,' I replied. 'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out..'
So I wrote down:
ID10T
I used to like Eric...
The 10 All-Time Greatest Free Downloads and Services
I thought that the following free programs qualified by PC World as the 10 All Time Greatest would be of interest to you.
George Freire
All you have to do is click the following address and then choose whatever serves your needs:
The 10 All-Time Greatest Free Downloads and Services
Posted using ShareThis
George Freire
All you have to do is click the following address and then choose whatever serves your needs:
The 10 All-Time Greatest Free Downloads and Services
Posted using ShareThis
Monday, March 1, 2010
DITTO, CLIP BOARD MANAGER, HOW TO IMPROVE THE "COPY & PASTE" FUNCTIONS
When you "copy & paste" any files, text or any other items on your monitor screen, you copy these first to your clipboard and from the clipboard paste them to wherever you need to.
The problem with this function is that the clipboard only holds one item at a time, regardless of size. You cannot copy file x, file z etc. and then paste these in different areas. You'll have to do each "copy & paste" function ONE AT A TIME...
There is a little free utility program that makes this a lot easier to do, i.e. copy and paste different items to different areas.The name of the program is DITTO Clipboard Manager
Ditto is an extension to the standard windows clipboard. It saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you access to any of those items at a later time. Ditto allows you to save any type of information that can be put on the clipboard, text, images, html, custom formats, .....
Features:
Easy to use interface
Search and paste previous copy entries
Keep multiple computer's clipboards in sync
Data is encrypted when sent over the network
Accessed from tray icon or global hot key
Select entry by double click, enter key or drag drop
Paste into any window that excepts standard copy/paste entries
Display thumbnail of copied images in list
Full Unicode support(display foreign characters)
In order to download this useful program, just go to:
http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net/
Clip the above address or copy it to your browser, that's all you have to do to start using it in no time.
I read about it on "The Kim Komando Show", which by the way I recommend you all to check or subscribe to it free:
www.komando.com
Best to you all,
George Freire
The problem with this function is that the clipboard only holds one item at a time, regardless of size. You cannot copy file x, file z etc. and then paste these in different areas. You'll have to do each "copy & paste" function ONE AT A TIME...
There is a little free utility program that makes this a lot easier to do, i.e. copy and paste different items to different areas.The name of the program is DITTO Clipboard Manager
Ditto is an extension to the standard windows clipboard. It saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you access to any of those items at a later time. Ditto allows you to save any type of information that can be put on the clipboard, text, images, html, custom formats, .....
Features:
Easy to use interface
Search and paste previous copy entries
Keep multiple computer's clipboards in sync
Data is encrypted when sent over the network
Accessed from tray icon or global hot key
Select entry by double click, enter key or drag drop
Paste into any window that excepts standard copy/paste entries
Display thumbnail of copied images in list
Full Unicode support(display foreign characters)
In order to download this useful program, just go to:
http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net/
Clip the above address or copy it to your browser, that's all you have to do to start using it in no time.
I read about it on "The Kim Komando Show", which by the way I recommend you all to check or subscribe to it free:
www.komando.com
Best to you all,
George Freire
Friday, February 26, 2010
DID YOU KNOW??
I was looking at some past posts and came across this one posted back in early 2009.
Because I think it is obviously of help to all computer users, and I am sure many of you new viewers never saw it, I decided to republish it today.
Here goes:
DID YOU KNOW ?
Here are some tips that will help everyone make their computers work better and faster:
-Windows can significantly slow down its own start as it searches for shared files, folders and printers. In Windows Explorer, you can go to "Tools-Folder Options-View" and disable the feature "Automatically Search For Network Folders and Printers". This will make your start faster.
-Whenever there is a crash or error, Windows saves a memory dump in a file called "Memory.Dump" under the installation directory, (e.g. C;\Windows). This file can be deleted without any problems resulting. This will free disk space that you might need.
-When using an alternate firewall solutions, such as those available in virus protection programs such as Norton and many others, it is recommended to disable the Windows Firewall, otherwise there will be interference between the two firewalls. To do this, go to "Control Panel-Network Connections", open up the connection you use and choose "Advanced-Internet Connection Firewall", (or Windows Firewall , after SP2), and turn it off.
-Lots of visual effects cost valuable computing power and in most cases they loose their luster after a few days...
You can ton down the visual effects by going to "Control Panel/System", under the "Advanced" tab and disabling them to free up valuable computer power.
In Windows Vista, go to "System Properties, click "Advanced " tab, "Preference Settings" tab and under "Visual Effects" click "Adjust for Performance" button and then click OK.
-When Vista is first installed, or on new computers, there is no "Run" command visible in the start menu. If you want it to show there, which is a good thing, go to Control Panel, choose "Task Bar and Start Menu Properties", go to the "Start Menu" tab, click "Customize...", find and check the option "Run Command" and then click OK again.
Windows XP has a command that lets you restore critical system files if necessary. Click "Start/Run" and then type the command "scf/scannow". Windows XP will check through the system files and automatically replace any damaged files. (It may ask you in some instances to insert the Windows CD or the restore CD that came with the computer when doing this.
For today this is it. I hope the above will be of help for your good computing.
George Freire
Because I think it is obviously of help to all computer users, and I am sure many of you new viewers never saw it, I decided to republish it today.
Here goes:
DID YOU KNOW ?
Here are some tips that will help everyone make their computers work better and faster:
-Windows can significantly slow down its own start as it searches for shared files, folders and printers. In Windows Explorer, you can go to "Tools-Folder Options-View" and disable the feature "Automatically Search For Network Folders and Printers". This will make your start faster.
-Whenever there is a crash or error, Windows saves a memory dump in a file called "Memory.Dump" under the installation directory, (e.g. C;\Windows). This file can be deleted without any problems resulting. This will free disk space that you might need.
-When using an alternate firewall solutions, such as those available in virus protection programs such as Norton and many others, it is recommended to disable the Windows Firewall, otherwise there will be interference between the two firewalls. To do this, go to "Control Panel-Network Connections", open up the connection you use and choose "Advanced-Internet Connection Firewall", (or Windows Firewall , after SP2), and turn it off.
-Lots of visual effects cost valuable computing power and in most cases they loose their luster after a few days...
You can ton down the visual effects by going to "Control Panel/System", under the "Advanced" tab and disabling them to free up valuable computer power.
In Windows Vista, go to "System Properties, click "Advanced " tab, "Preference Settings" tab and under "Visual Effects" click "Adjust for Performance" button and then click OK.
-When Vista is first installed, or on new computers, there is no "Run" command visible in the start menu. If you want it to show there, which is a good thing, go to Control Panel, choose "Task Bar and Start Menu Properties", go to the "Start Menu" tab, click "Customize...", find and check the option "Run Command" and then click OK again.
Windows XP has a command that lets you restore critical system files if necessary. Click "Start/Run" and then type the command "scf/scannow". Windows XP will check through the system files and automatically replace any damaged files. (It may ask you in some instances to insert the Windows CD or the restore CD that came with the computer when doing this.
For today this is it. I hope the above will be of help for your good computing.
George Freire
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
MICROSOFT SOLUTIONS CENTER (AGAIN)
Dear Readers,
Back in September 2009 I published a post about the fast help and fixing solutions offered by the "Microsoft Solutions Center".
I know, I know that a lot of you read it, visited this Web page, saw how interesting it was and then.... never used it.
I have had many calls from friends who read my blog and other people who don't, who call me for help and support with their computer problems. Many of these problems can be solved easily by going to this great site, "Microsoft Solutions Center".
Therefore, I decided to republish the post again.(Please make sure you save the address in your "Favorites" so that you can access it fast whenever you need it) Here goes:
We all from time to time have problems related to Microsoft Products, such as :
Widows
Internet Explorer
Office
Email and Messaging
Windows Media Player
Windows Media Center
Such problems may be pretty simple to correct, but many times, such problems can be exasperating because
"Windows" is a very sophisticated program with thousands os hidden files that only those who are true experts can see and somehow debug them.
Some of you may not know that Microsoft has a web site that is extremely helpful and can help you correct such problems.
The site is called as the title above indicates "FIX IT SOLUTIONS CENTER".
The site address is
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_fixit_main#tab0
If you click the above address you'll be immediately be "transported" to this site. Once there, first select the "About Fix It" on the left side tab of the page in order to understand how it works.
After that, select the product you are having problems with, (which are all described on that same tab). When you do so, the right side of the page opens up and shows a series of most likely problems that can occur with the product.
If you see in any of the described problems areas common with your problem or problems, click on it and a new page opens. In this page you'll see the steps you need to take in order to solve the problem, BUT EVEN BETTER, you are asked if you want the "Fix It Solutions Center" program to do it automatically for you!!
If you click yes, (and who wouldn't...), like magic the "Fix It Solutions Center" will do it for you.
One word of advice here: You must follow a few instructions, and click here and there for the solution program to run.
Even if you are not experiencing any problems now, I suggest, (just for the sake of familiarizing yourself with "Fix It Solutions Center"), that you go to the site and read the instructions.
I hope this will be, (for those who did not know about it), a great tip that will help you solve many problems that sooner or later you'll be faced with when operating your computer.
George Freire
Back in September 2009 I published a post about the fast help and fixing solutions offered by the "Microsoft Solutions Center".
I know, I know that a lot of you read it, visited this Web page, saw how interesting it was and then.... never used it.
I have had many calls from friends who read my blog and other people who don't, who call me for help and support with their computer problems. Many of these problems can be solved easily by going to this great site, "Microsoft Solutions Center".
Therefore, I decided to republish the post again.(Please make sure you save the address in your "Favorites" so that you can access it fast whenever you need it) Here goes:
We all from time to time have problems related to Microsoft Products, such as :
Widows
Internet Explorer
Office
Email and Messaging
Windows Media Player
Windows Media Center
Such problems may be pretty simple to correct, but many times, such problems can be exasperating because
"Windows" is a very sophisticated program with thousands os hidden files that only those who are true experts can see and somehow debug them.
Some of you may not know that Microsoft has a web site that is extremely helpful and can help you correct such problems.
The site is called as the title above indicates "FIX IT SOLUTIONS CENTER".
The site address is
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_fixit_main#tab0
If you click the above address you'll be immediately be "transported" to this site. Once there, first select the "About Fix It" on the left side tab of the page in order to understand how it works.
After that, select the product you are having problems with, (which are all described on that same tab). When you do so, the right side of the page opens up and shows a series of most likely problems that can occur with the product.
If you see in any of the described problems areas common with your problem or problems, click on it and a new page opens. In this page you'll see the steps you need to take in order to solve the problem, BUT EVEN BETTER, you are asked if you want the "Fix It Solutions Center" program to do it automatically for you!!
If you click yes, (and who wouldn't...), like magic the "Fix It Solutions Center" will do it for you.
One word of advice here: You must follow a few instructions, and click here and there for the solution program to run.
Even if you are not experiencing any problems now, I suggest, (just for the sake of familiarizing yourself with "Fix It Solutions Center"), that you go to the site and read the instructions.
I hope this will be, (for those who did not know about it), a great tip that will help you solve many problems that sooner or later you'll be faced with when operating your computer.
George Freire
Friday, February 19, 2010
INCREDIBLE SPACE SIMULATION PROGRAM
Today we have a new program which is free and of great entertainment especially for those who enjoy space observation and the unknown facts of this Universe:
Welcome to Celestia
... The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Unlike most planetarium software, Celestia doesn't confine you to the surface of the Earth. You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.
All movement in Celestia is seamless; the exponential zoom feature lets you explore space across a huge range of scales, from galaxy clusters down to spacecraft only a few meters across. A 'point-and-goto' interface makes it simple to navigate through the universe to the object you want to visit.
Celestia is expandable. Celestia comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft. If that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy to install add-ons with more objects.
To download this wonderful program go to:
http://www.shatters.net/celestia/index.html
Click on the above, download and install the program; you'll enjoy it for sure.
George Freire
Welcome to Celestia
... The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Unlike most planetarium software, Celestia doesn't confine you to the surface of the Earth. You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.
All movement in Celestia is seamless; the exponential zoom feature lets you explore space across a huge range of scales, from galaxy clusters down to spacecraft only a few meters across. A 'point-and-goto' interface makes it simple to navigate through the universe to the object you want to visit.
Celestia is expandable. Celestia comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft. If that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy to install add-ons with more objects.
To download this wonderful program go to:
http://www.shatters.net/celestia/index.html
Click on the above, download and install the program; you'll enjoy it for sure.
George Freire
Friday, February 12, 2010
Astronauts install space station observation deck
This post is like a continuation of what was offered yesterday. The International Space Station is now 90% completed!
You all have a good week-end.
George freire
Astronauts install space station observation deck
You all have a good week-end.
George freire
Astronauts install space station observation deck
Thursday, February 11, 2010
SPACE STATION FROM DAY ONE
I received an e-mail from a dear good friend concerning the development of the International Space Station since its very beginning just about 12 years ago.
It is absolutely fascinating to see how it developed from the day the first module was in place.
In his e-mail he says:
Watch the pieces come together as they are sent up from Earth. This is the International Space Station (ISS) Assembly diagram, piece by piece. I had no idea the Space Station had grown to this size. This is really cool.......
In order to actually see the development of the Station along the last 12 years just click on the following address
http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/flash.htm
You all will enjoy it, I guarantee!
Have fun,
George Freire
It is absolutely fascinating to see how it developed from the day the first module was in place.
In his e-mail he says:
Watch the pieces come together as they are sent up from Earth. This is the International Space Station (ISS) Assembly diagram, piece by piece. I had no idea the Space Station had grown to this size. This is really cool.......
In order to actually see the development of the Station along the last 12 years just click on the following address
http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/flash.htm
You all will enjoy it, I guarantee!
Have fun,
George Freire
Sunday, February 7, 2010
TWO NEW IMAGE/PHOTO SOFTWARE PROGRAMS THAT ARE FREE AND VERY UNIQUE: FASTSTONE IMAGE VIEWER AND PHOTOSCAPE
Today, for all of you who do a lot of photography and video camera handling in your computer, I am bringing two programs that are very, very good and on top of it all, they are free.
Of course these were introduced to me by our friends at PC World, (what would I do without them?), our thanks again for all they have contributed to this blog.
FastStone Image Viewer:
If you only use the photo tools built into Windows, browsing through your photos quickly becomes tedious. FastStone Image Viewer displays pictures lightning-fast and lets you browse through them all in Windows Explorer-style fashion. Run the program, go to the folders where you want to browse, and all your photos are displayed immediately, with very little delay. You'll see thumbnails of them all, and a preview screen. To see any full screen, double-click it.
If all FastStone Image Viewer did was display images, it would be well worth the download. But it does much more than that. You can crop, rotate, and resize pictures, as well as send them via e-mail. You can also create slide shows. And the program will also let you convert between file formats.
One of FastStone Image Viewer's greatest strengths is the wide variety of file formats it supports. It can handle just about any graphic or photo file format you've heard of. In addition, it previews videos as well, so you can use it as a full multimedia viewer, not just for photos.
--Preston Gralla
Photoscape:
This remarkable free piece of software is one that any self-respecting digital photographer needs on his or her PC's hard disk. There's no possible way to begin to describe the wide range of tools and features this one has--there's everything from a file viewer to a photo editor, slide show creator, batch editor, screen capture program, and more. There are some quite original and innovative tools in Photoscape, such as combining multiple photos in a single frame. There's also a small, but extremely useful tool--it will take photos that are in the RAW format used by many digital cameras, and convert them to JPG, so that they're more useful.
Even though this program is free, the creator will take donations if you find Photoscape useful. Pay via Paypal. Given the quality of this software, if you keep using it, consider making a donation.
--Preston Gralla
In order to download above programs go to the following addresses:
For FastStone go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25677/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
For above program here is a sample of user reviews:
"Strengths: Faststone viewer does a superb job of resizing, emailing photos, viewing, renaming, change time stamp, light editing, generating slide shows, etc. The list goes on and on. If you need to do something with a photo, Faststone viewer will probably do it. When you think it does it all, they come out with a new version with improvements.
Weaknesses: None that I can think of.
Overall Evaluation: Faststone viewer is a first rate program. Faststone also has other programs, some free, some shareware. All the programs I have work great and do tasks that I don't find elsewhere."
For Photoscape go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,65533/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
For above program here is are samples of user reviews:
Strengths: easy interface, LOTS of features, free
Weaknesses: none
Overall Evaluation: I accidentally voted negatively on this program. It is actually VERY powerful for browsing through images and making sime changes.
Strengths: Many features in one program, view, rename, screen capture
Weaknesses: None
Overall Evaluation: Very good program to have. I have not worked all the features yet. It has a lot!!!
Strengths: Easy to use. Numerous options for working with photos.
Weaknesses: none
Overall Evaluation: WOW! WOW! WOW! GET IT!!!!!
I hope you all amateur and pro photographers will enjoy these programs, they are both excellent.
George Freire
Of course these were introduced to me by our friends at PC World, (what would I do without them?), our thanks again for all they have contributed to this blog.
FastStone Image Viewer:
If you only use the photo tools built into Windows, browsing through your photos quickly becomes tedious. FastStone Image Viewer displays pictures lightning-fast and lets you browse through them all in Windows Explorer-style fashion. Run the program, go to the folders where you want to browse, and all your photos are displayed immediately, with very little delay. You'll see thumbnails of them all, and a preview screen. To see any full screen, double-click it.
If all FastStone Image Viewer did was display images, it would be well worth the download. But it does much more than that. You can crop, rotate, and resize pictures, as well as send them via e-mail. You can also create slide shows. And the program will also let you convert between file formats.
One of FastStone Image Viewer's greatest strengths is the wide variety of file formats it supports. It can handle just about any graphic or photo file format you've heard of. In addition, it previews videos as well, so you can use it as a full multimedia viewer, not just for photos.
--Preston Gralla
Photoscape:
This remarkable free piece of software is one that any self-respecting digital photographer needs on his or her PC's hard disk. There's no possible way to begin to describe the wide range of tools and features this one has--there's everything from a file viewer to a photo editor, slide show creator, batch editor, screen capture program, and more. There are some quite original and innovative tools in Photoscape, such as combining multiple photos in a single frame. There's also a small, but extremely useful tool--it will take photos that are in the RAW format used by many digital cameras, and convert them to JPG, so that they're more useful.
Even though this program is free, the creator will take donations if you find Photoscape useful. Pay via Paypal. Given the quality of this software, if you keep using it, consider making a donation.
--Preston Gralla
In order to download above programs go to the following addresses:
For FastStone go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25677/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
For above program here is a sample of user reviews:
"Strengths: Faststone viewer does a superb job of resizing, emailing photos, viewing, renaming, change time stamp, light editing, generating slide shows, etc. The list goes on and on. If you need to do something with a photo, Faststone viewer will probably do it. When you think it does it all, they come out with a new version with improvements.
Weaknesses: None that I can think of.
Overall Evaluation: Faststone viewer is a first rate program. Faststone also has other programs, some free, some shareware. All the programs I have work great and do tasks that I don't find elsewhere."
For Photoscape go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,65533/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
For above program here is are samples of user reviews:
Strengths: easy interface, LOTS of features, free
Weaknesses: none
Overall Evaluation: I accidentally voted negatively on this program. It is actually VERY powerful for browsing through images and making sime changes.
Strengths: Many features in one program, view, rename, screen capture
Weaknesses: None
Overall Evaluation: Very good program to have. I have not worked all the features yet. It has a lot!!!
Strengths: Easy to use. Numerous options for working with photos.
Weaknesses: none
Overall Evaluation: WOW! WOW! WOW! GET IT!!!!!
I hope you all amateur and pro photographers will enjoy these programs, they are both excellent.
George Freire
Thursday, February 4, 2010
HOW TO RE-SEND E-MAILS SAFELY AND AVOID ATTACKS BY ECKERS AND INTRUSIONS BY UNKNOWN MALWARE CREATORS
I received an e-mail from one of our Portuguese viewers and friend, Mr. Luis Graça, addressing a matter that many of us pay very little attention to:
How to re-send e-mails to other people in our address book in a secure way and prevent security problems that can affect all of us.
What is the best way to handle this?
A:
When re-sending an e-mail to other people, make sure you remove the names and e-mail addresses of the persons who have already been sent that e-mail. There are several illegal programs on the Internet, that will “catch” all the info shown before and after the @ sign, meaning all the e-mail addresses shown. Those who illegally get this information, sell it to spammers or spread virus containing messages to those who innocently will open such messages.
B:
When sending a message to more than one person, do not use the “To” or “Cc” address boxes; instead use the “Bcc” address box, because this will prevent the e-mail address of the receivers of your message from showing in the message itself. (In order to make the “Bbc” address box to show, you must click the “show Cc & Bcc” command on the right upper side of your message page.
If everybody would follow the simple above rules, we would get rid of a lot of virus containing messages and other electronic garbage that continuously clog the Internet.
C:
Finally, whenever you receive those silly chain letters that promise all kinds of good and happy days if you send them to a number of other people, (but should you not do this, you’ll have many bad luck days ahead), just ignore and trash them. After all we are intelligent adult people, are we not? Nothing will happen to you if you break the “chain”...
D:
Be very careful when receiving messages that include lists of people requesting, or protesting whatever causes, to which you are asked to add your name, address etc at the end of the list and then resend to other people. Some of these are valid, BUT be careful and investigate the veracity of the causes, before you put your name on it and send it to other people.
Thanks for the sound advice, Luis.
I must add that there are many more instances on the Internet where very professionally designed traps are presented to you to fall into, the danger is always there, but if we are a little more careful we may be able to slow down the delivery of spam and the loss of personal important information that others have no business in learning.
George Freire
How to re-send e-mails to other people in our address book in a secure way and prevent security problems that can affect all of us.
What is the best way to handle this?
A:
When re-sending an e-mail to other people, make sure you remove the names and e-mail addresses of the persons who have already been sent that e-mail. There are several illegal programs on the Internet, that will “catch” all the info shown before and after the @ sign, meaning all the e-mail addresses shown. Those who illegally get this information, sell it to spammers or spread virus containing messages to those who innocently will open such messages.
B:
When sending a message to more than one person, do not use the “To” or “Cc” address boxes; instead use the “Bcc” address box, because this will prevent the e-mail address of the receivers of your message from showing in the message itself. (In order to make the “Bbc” address box to show, you must click the “show Cc & Bcc” command on the right upper side of your message page.
If everybody would follow the simple above rules, we would get rid of a lot of virus containing messages and other electronic garbage that continuously clog the Internet.
C:
Finally, whenever you receive those silly chain letters that promise all kinds of good and happy days if you send them to a number of other people, (but should you not do this, you’ll have many bad luck days ahead), just ignore and trash them. After all we are intelligent adult people, are we not? Nothing will happen to you if you break the “chain”...
D:
Be very careful when receiving messages that include lists of people requesting, or protesting whatever causes, to which you are asked to add your name, address etc at the end of the list and then resend to other people. Some of these are valid, BUT be careful and investigate the veracity of the causes, before you put your name on it and send it to other people.
Thanks for the sound advice, Luis.
I must add that there are many more instances on the Internet where very professionally designed traps are presented to you to fall into, the danger is always there, but if we are a little more careful we may be able to slow down the delivery of spam and the loss of personal important information that others have no business in learning.
George Freire
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free
I received an email from PC World, (always good stuff), this time about a program that once you install it in your computer, you will be indeed very happy about. It offers you another level of protection against trojans, viruses, worms, and other malicious code which in this day and age, is always good to have.
Here is PC World editorial review of this free software:
Supplement your regular antivirus program (the one you keep running in the background at all times) with an extra malware scanner, such as Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free.
The free version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware doesn't offer real-time protection (the $25 full version does), making it useless as your first line of defense. But scanning your hard drive with the free Anti-Malware every week or so will add another layer of protection, finding whatever your main program missed. It's like going to another doctor for a second opinion, except that you don't have to make an appointment or a co-payment.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free is extremely easy to use. You load it, check for updates at its prompting, then start the scan. To scan just one drive, file, or folder, right-click it and select Scan.
Not a complete solution by any stretch of the imagination, this version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a free yet valuable addition to your security arsenal.
--Lincoln Spector
Here is what the creators of this software have to say about its use and qualities:
Have you ever considered what makes an anti-malware application effective? We at Malwarebytes have created an easy-to-use, simple, and effective anti-malware application. Whether you know it or not your computer is always at risk of becoming infected with viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and malware that are constantly evolving and becoming harder to detect and remove. Only the most sophisticated anti-malware techniques can detect and remove these malicious programs from your computer. ptagep Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is considered to be the next step in the detection and removal of malware. In our product we have compiled a number of new technologies that are designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start. The Realtime Protection Module uses our advanced heuristic scanning technology which monitors your system to keep it safe and secure. In addition, we have implemented a threats center which will allow you to keep up to date with the latest malware threats.
Activating the full version unlocks realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating. For consumers and personal use, it is a one time fee of $24.95. For corporate and business customers, annual licenses are required, please see our Corporate Licensing program.
If you want to download and install the program in your computer, go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,83075/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
Click on the above address, or copy and paste on your browser.
I have installed it in my computers and I can tell you that it works really well.
George Freire
Here is PC World editorial review of this free software:
Supplement your regular antivirus program (the one you keep running in the background at all times) with an extra malware scanner, such as Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free.
The free version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware doesn't offer real-time protection (the $25 full version does), making it useless as your first line of defense. But scanning your hard drive with the free Anti-Malware every week or so will add another layer of protection, finding whatever your main program missed. It's like going to another doctor for a second opinion, except that you don't have to make an appointment or a co-payment.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free is extremely easy to use. You load it, check for updates at its prompting, then start the scan. To scan just one drive, file, or folder, right-click it and select Scan.
Not a complete solution by any stretch of the imagination, this version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a free yet valuable addition to your security arsenal.
--Lincoln Spector
Here is what the creators of this software have to say about its use and qualities:
Have you ever considered what makes an anti-malware application effective? We at Malwarebytes have created an easy-to-use, simple, and effective anti-malware application. Whether you know it or not your computer is always at risk of becoming infected with viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and malware that are constantly evolving and becoming harder to detect and remove. Only the most sophisticated anti-malware techniques can detect and remove these malicious programs from your computer. ptagep Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is considered to be the next step in the detection and removal of malware. In our product we have compiled a number of new technologies that are designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start. The Realtime Protection Module uses our advanced heuristic scanning technology which monitors your system to keep it safe and secure. In addition, we have implemented a threats center which will allow you to keep up to date with the latest malware threats.
Activating the full version unlocks realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating. For consumers and personal use, it is a one time fee of $24.95. For corporate and business customers, annual licenses are required, please see our Corporate Licensing program.
If you want to download and install the program in your computer, go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,83075/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
Click on the above address, or copy and paste on your browser.
I have installed it in my computers and I can tell you that it works really well.
George Freire
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Raise Your Windows IQ: Advice for Newbies
I know, I know that the majority of you dig "most" of what Mr. Rick Broida clearly explains in the following well written article, however even me enjoyed reading it and brush up my brain knowledge of Windows with some of the real helpful stuff he tells us.
Just click the following and enjoy:
Raise Your Windows IQ: Advice for Newbies
George Freire
Just click the following and enjoy:
Raise Your Windows IQ: Advice for Newbies
George Freire
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
DEFRAGGLER, FREE AND VERY GOOD DEFRAGMENTATION UTILITY
Again from PC World comes another recommendation for a free utility that you cannot beat even with similar paid for programs!:
Piriform Defraggler will remove those pesky, tailed, Muppets from the your hard drive once and for...oh wait. Well, it won't do that, but it will defragment your hard drive, and it offers some features that the free defragmentation utility including in Windows does not.
First off, it's faster and prettier. The latter is important since, with large hard drives, you'll be staring at it--or any defragmentation tool--a while. Second, it has a number of nice features which can make disk maintenance...well, not fun, but easier and more focused.
For example, Defraggler will show you all your fragmented files. You can click one to see where on the disk its various pieces lie, or defragment just that one. This can be useful when dealing with very large, performance critical files such as databases.
Piriform Defraggler shows your disk layout in the traditional "large mosaic of colored squares" fashion, and the colors leap and bounce around as various sectors are read from or written to. This offers no improvement in functionality over Windows line graph style, but I find it more interesting to watch. Aesthetics matter.
Piriform Defraggler is free, fast, marginally more interesting to watch than the default, and has useful additional features. What's not to like?
Note: This program is donationware. It is free to try, but the author accepts and encourages donations towards further development.
--Ian Harac (PC World technical writer)
In order to download and install this little jewel go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,72958-order,4-c,harddisk/download.html
Click above or copy and paste to your browser.
You'll enjoy and use it a lot.
George Freire
Piriform Defraggler will remove those pesky, tailed, Muppets from the your hard drive once and for...oh wait. Well, it won't do that, but it will defragment your hard drive, and it offers some features that the free defragmentation utility including in Windows does not.
First off, it's faster and prettier. The latter is important since, with large hard drives, you'll be staring at it--or any defragmentation tool--a while. Second, it has a number of nice features which can make disk maintenance...well, not fun, but easier and more focused.
For example, Defraggler will show you all your fragmented files. You can click one to see where on the disk its various pieces lie, or defragment just that one. This can be useful when dealing with very large, performance critical files such as databases.
Piriform Defraggler shows your disk layout in the traditional "large mosaic of colored squares" fashion, and the colors leap and bounce around as various sectors are read from or written to. This offers no improvement in functionality over Windows line graph style, but I find it more interesting to watch. Aesthetics matter.
Piriform Defraggler is free, fast, marginally more interesting to watch than the default, and has useful additional features. What's not to like?
Note: This program is donationware. It is free to try, but the author accepts and encourages donations towards further development.
--Ian Harac (PC World technical writer)
In order to download and install this little jewel go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,72958-order,4-c,harddisk/download.html
Click above or copy and paste to your browser.
You'll enjoy and use it a lot.
George Freire
Sunday, January 24, 2010
WINDOS XP AND VISTA START MENU ENHANCER
From our friends at PC World, here is a useful simple program for you XP and Vista users:
The Windows Start menu is a mildly useful tool for running programs and accomplishing other tasks. But what if you want something more than merely a mildly useful tool? Then get this program, which despite its name works with both Vista and XP. It puts all of your programs and important folders within easy reach, so that you can launch them quickly. It also gives you fast access to turning off, rebooting, logging off, and switching users.
It's also customizable so that you can change the size of the menu, for example, as well as decide which power management buttons to display (Switch, Logout, Stand By, Reboot, Hibernate, and Turn Off). You can also have the power management buttons either at the top or bottom of the screen.
--Preston Gralla
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM:
Vista Start Menu was specifically designed to replace the often confusing menu in Windows XP and Windows Vista. For your convenience, the interface has been developed with human psychology taken into account. Solve tasks in a simpler and quicker way. Vista Start Menu offers many new features not available in the system Start menu. You can start a program or open a document in a couple of keystrokes, without having to take your hands away from the keyboard. Easy-to-use zooming allows those with large monitors and people with poor eyesight to work with comfort. If you have many programs, they will all fit onto the screen because you will be able to stretch the Start menu and resize it any way you like. Vista Start Menu supports tabs and each menu item can contain any number of them. Start searching the Internet or your local computer right from the Start menu with just one keystroke. Those who use the extended version will also be able to use the features of one-click launch and quick un-install. Start working with pleasure.
All you have to do to download this program copy and paste or click the following address:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,61290-order,4-c,desktop/download.html
Enjoy it!
George Freire
The Windows Start menu is a mildly useful tool for running programs and accomplishing other tasks. But what if you want something more than merely a mildly useful tool? Then get this program, which despite its name works with both Vista and XP. It puts all of your programs and important folders within easy reach, so that you can launch them quickly. It also gives you fast access to turning off, rebooting, logging off, and switching users.
It's also customizable so that you can change the size of the menu, for example, as well as decide which power management buttons to display (Switch, Logout, Stand By, Reboot, Hibernate, and Turn Off). You can also have the power management buttons either at the top or bottom of the screen.
--Preston Gralla
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM:
Vista Start Menu was specifically designed to replace the often confusing menu in Windows XP and Windows Vista. For your convenience, the interface has been developed with human psychology taken into account. Solve tasks in a simpler and quicker way. Vista Start Menu offers many new features not available in the system Start menu. You can start a program or open a document in a couple of keystrokes, without having to take your hands away from the keyboard. Easy-to-use zooming allows those with large monitors and people with poor eyesight to work with comfort. If you have many programs, they will all fit onto the screen because you will be able to stretch the Start menu and resize it any way you like. Vista Start Menu supports tabs and each menu item can contain any number of them. Start searching the Internet or your local computer right from the Start menu with just one keystroke. Those who use the extended version will also be able to use the features of one-click launch and quick un-install. Start working with pleasure.
All you have to do to download this program copy and paste or click the following address:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,61290-order,4-c,desktop/download.html
Enjoy it!
George Freire
Monday, January 18, 2010
WHO WAS VISITOR # 2000?
I just checked the blog. As of this hour 2004 people have visited.
Who was # 2000? as you know there is a little surprise waiting. Send me an e-mail if you think you are the one.
George Freire
Who was # 2000? as you know there is a little surprise waiting. Send me an e-mail if you think you are the one.
George Freire
Sunday, January 17, 2010
MAKE YOUR COMPUTER BOOT FASTER
As you all know and experience, all versions of Windows, (including Windows7 although this version is somewhat faster), take forever to boot. The more programs you have installed the slower your computer becomes at startup, the reason being that many of these programs force Windows to run them immediately when you startup your computer.
Many weeks ago I mentioned in this blog a free utility application that can really help your computer startup much faster. It is called "STARTUP DELAYER". I don't know how many of you saw the post and took advantage of it. For those of you who did not, here goes:
What it does is simple:
First it shows you a list of all the programs that are started at the same time by Windows when you boot your computer, (a situation that creates a slow down, like 10 people trying to enter through the door at the same time).
Second, it gives you the power to select these programs and make them start not all at the same time, but spaced out in a time frame also selected by you. You do this by dragging each program in the list to a bottom white bar. For each program you drag down, you will see a line representing the application. Then by sliding the line to the left or right you can decrease or increase the time delay for the application to start. Very easy to do.
The end result is a much faster and smoother start-up of your computer. To give you an example, in my computer, I have 10 applications that otherwise would be started all at the same time. By using "Start Up Delayer" these apps are started spaced out 10 seconds one after the other. My computer now starts-up much faster that before.
"Startup Delay" is free and very easy to install. It also has a "help" button that explains in detail how the program works. It works with Windows XP, Vista and 7 !!!
I strongly advise you all to download it from:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/startdelay.html
Simply click the above address, or copy and paste to your browser; it takes only a minute or two to get it installed and going.
You'll be very happy with the results and your computer will startup much faster.
George Freire
Many weeks ago I mentioned in this blog a free utility application that can really help your computer startup much faster. It is called "STARTUP DELAYER". I don't know how many of you saw the post and took advantage of it. For those of you who did not, here goes:
What it does is simple:
First it shows you a list of all the programs that are started at the same time by Windows when you boot your computer, (a situation that creates a slow down, like 10 people trying to enter through the door at the same time).
Second, it gives you the power to select these programs and make them start not all at the same time, but spaced out in a time frame also selected by you. You do this by dragging each program in the list to a bottom white bar. For each program you drag down, you will see a line representing the application. Then by sliding the line to the left or right you can decrease or increase the time delay for the application to start. Very easy to do.
The end result is a much faster and smoother start-up of your computer. To give you an example, in my computer, I have 10 applications that otherwise would be started all at the same time. By using "Start Up Delayer" these apps are started spaced out 10 seconds one after the other. My computer now starts-up much faster that before.
"Startup Delay" is free and very easy to install. It also has a "help" button that explains in detail how the program works. It works with Windows XP, Vista and 7 !!!
I strongly advise you all to download it from:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/startdelay.html
Simply click the above address, or copy and paste to your browser; it takes only a minute or two to get it installed and going.
You'll be very happy with the results and your computer will startup much faster.
George Freire
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
