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Unless you have the money to buy a new laptop or PC every six months, you have likely been faced with some of the most common Windows problems. Learning how to detect these three problems and how to fix them will mean you will have a faster and safer computer for far longer.

1. Slow Boot: One of the most common problems faced by computer owners is a slow boot up. One of the best ways to fix this is to change how many programs run during the start-up process. The process is easy. Click Start and Run. Enter ‘msconfig’ into the box and hit enter. The system Configuration utility will appear. Choose the start-up tab and make changes as you see fit. Reboot and you will see the difference.
2. Slow Run: Over a period time, you will see a decrease in the speed of your computer. Many users overlook common maintenance tasks that can make this easier. Regularly defragment of your hard drive to improve your performance speed. You can even schedule this process to make it easier.
3. Pop Ups: If you have seen an increase in the number of pop ups, there is a pretty good chance your computer has a virus. Purchase a top quality anti-virus program and use it. Avoid the ‘free’ programs. These are not as robust.

Remember that you should regularly reboot your computer. It is also a good idea to manually check any Windows updates before installing them. A bit of care is all it really takes to keep your PC or laptop running smoothly for more than a few days.

 

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As you use your computer, you add more files to it; you store pictures in photo books; download your favorite songs; and perhaps even keep copies of your favorite movies. All of this can start to slow down your computer’s performance. You don’t have to delete your files to help your computer operate more efficiently, though. You just need to find a new place to save large pieces of information so that they will not interfere with your operating system.

External Hard Drives

Buying an external hard drive makes it much easier for you to keep all of the files that you want. As long as you purchase a fairly large drive, you can feel free to add HD movies, family pictures, and songs. When you keep your personal entertainment on an external hard drive, you free up resources within the computer. This makes it possible for the operating system to do its job better. Instead of feeling frustrated while you sit at the machine, you will be impressed by its speed.

Eliminate Old Files

Perhaps you don’t want to spend money on an external hard drive, but you still want your operating system to work more efficiently and quickly. You can start by deleting the old files that you never use anymore. You might have listened to that Justin Timberlake album over and over again for a few weeks, but that was five years ago. Maybe it’s time to let it and the other music, movies, and pictures go.

What are some of the old files that simply don’t have any business taken up space on your computer?

RAM

RAM, random access memory, is the number one way to increase your computer’s speed. RAM is what your computer users to store data. Computers typically have around 2 or 4 GB of RAM and you can’t buy a computer today with less (if you see one selling with less, you know you’ll have to add more later). Computers usually only have so many slots for RAM, so you’ll want to check into how many “sticks” of RAM your computer can hold and what types of RAM your computer has in it at the moment so you can upgrade.

Processor

The second way that you can increase your computer’s speed is with a faster processor. Because processors deal with information in a computer, the faster the processor, the faster programs will come up and function and the faster that websites, such as 888 ladies, will appear on your screen. The big thing in processors was dual-core processors, which have two separate processing cores that are used to interpret information. Now there are quad-core and hexa-core processors and who knows how many cores future processors will have. Replacing your processor with one of these faster components will greatly improve your computer’s performance.

There are many more computer components that help with the speed of your computer, but these are the two main ones that you’ll want to consider upgrading.

First off, just know that not every website is safe to view. There are viruses galore on the internet, so don’t get out of control with your clicking. It doesn’t hurt to get a good firewall or an anti-virus program to help safeguard your computer. This is especially important when you have children online. Which leads to the next tip: teach your children about internet safety.

It’s a scary world online for children. Between predators and sites with questionable content, you really don’t want to let your child surf the web alone! You can buy software that will block out bad sites, but the main thing you need to do is just teach your children about the dangers of the internet.

Now, the internet can be just as bad for adults as well. There are millions of time wasters out there, and it’s really easy to just get sucked in. From social network sites like Twitter and Facebook to video sites like YouTube, there’s so much time thrown away online. So, be smart about it! Set yourself a time limit and stick to it. That way, you will avoid just wasting time online.  However, setting aside some time from work-related tasks can be extremely beneficial.  Take some time to visit sites like 888 ladies where you can play a variety of games and relieve some stress.

Lastly, let’s look at online shopping. It really is a wonderful thing, especially when you want to avoid the crowds around the holidays. You can get all your shopping done in one afternoon, without even getting out of your pajamas. You still need to be careful though. Not all sites are safe to use your credit card on. So, if you really want to be safe, use Paypal or a prepaid credit card to do your shopping.

Happy surfing!

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Many people who have owned their computer for a year or longer begin to experience problems with it’s performance. This is very common and if you are experiencing a slow computer than you might want to consider some simple tips to fix it. Your computer isn’t unlike a car. It needs some basic tune-ups every so often to get it back to its tip top form.

The first thing you can do is go into your system tools menu and clean the disk space. Many times your computer is storing things that you don’t need. It’s wasteful and it can harm the integrity of the product. Your best bet is to get yourself on a schedule of cleaning it every month. This will keep it from getting slow.

Additionally you want to make sure that your cookies on your browser. This is in your internet options screen. Took many cookies can create a problem and that’s the last thing that you need. You have to make sure that you clean those every month as well. It will save you valuable time and stress.

Defragmenting your hard drive is another thing that you should be doing every month. Your computer has gaps in its memory that often makes it run slower. This will erase that. Make sure you defragment and allow an ample amount of time to get the job done. It will make all the difference in the world. You have to do your best to keep your computer running at an optimum level.

Tips and Tricks

Playing bingo at respected, well-known sites, such as 888 ladies, will protect your investment and your winnings. Avoid playing games overloaded with players; overcrowded games decrease your winning chances. Playing multiple cards will increase your chances for hitting the jackpot, but be careful not to play too many at once. Trying to keep your eyes on too many different cards may cause you to miss the winning number. Some bingo websites offer gamers the opportunity to play as many cards as they desire, but this can be their downfall when attention is spread too thin. When choosing your bingo cards, don’t pick based on lucky numbers. Lucky numbers aren’t any more likely to be called than any other number.

Playing bingo during the week will increase your odds of winning, but jackpots are generally lower on weeknights. Fewer cards being played increase the likelihood yours will be a winner. If you’re losing repeatedly, take a break. Sometimes stepping away from the game and taking a breather can help you refocus. Have fun while eagerly anticipating your first bingo!

First of all, don’t sign up for email updates from anyone. If you find that you are interested in viewing something, that create time to go to the website and view what it has to offer. That is all that the email is intended to do anyway. When you sign up for another account on any website, always check the box that says “I don’t want to receive email updates and special offers” or something like that. It is important to maintain control over your email.

The second step is to have more than one email account. If you have one email account that you use for personal correspondence, use it only for that purpose. Set up a second account that you can check on a less frequent basis that will allow you to receive, and not miss, any personal emails because you have an account specifically for that purpose. Email accounts are free from Hotmail, Yahoo, Google, and many other providers. They cost you nothing.

If you do these two things you can greatly reduce the time you spend deleting emails and organizing. Of course there are spam blocks and such but remember it’s not spam if you signed up for an account and it will probably get through. Control your account.

All of us would like to have everything we want to do all open at once. Some people may have their homework open a web browser with three or twelve windows, a game, an email program, all open at the same time. And after all that, one wonders why the computer is operating so slowly.

For your computer to operate optimally it is important to only open the programs that you are actually using and that may include closing background applications. It is important that if you web browser is going slower, don’t just close it and restart it. If you have not restarted your computer lately it may be good to do a restart of your operating system. It is important to let your computer reset itself and make sure that it is accessing the information it needs properly. There is plenty going on behind what you see on your monitor. If you are merely a user and not a computer whiz, then play it safe, rather than messing with something you don’t understand. And better yet, learn more about your computer so you can make it function better for you.

Immediately when you open your web browser and start browsing you will be flooded with a variety of sources telling you where one the world wide web you need to go. Today’s tip and trick is to focus your time on the computer and don’t waste it following every link and pop-up that comes your way.

A computer is an important tool that many of us require most days to accomplish the tasks we want to accomplish. When you turn on the computer don’t be one of the people that look up six hours later and wonder what you have been doing with your day. Like any other activity it is good to have a plan of what you intend to do. If you are one that needs a list before you start your work then make a list and stick with it.

The internet is filled with advertising and advertising is meant to draw you in and take a bite. Stay focused on your internet time and even give yourself a limit. If you use social networking, set a time limit before you start. If you need an alarm to tell you when your time is up. Set one. Don’t let the computer rule your day, use it, it’s a tool.

The first option is the size of the task-bar. Place your pointer over the top edge of the task-bar and a line with arrows in either direction will appear. One can left click and re-size the task-bar.  For people that open many applications at once and need to go back and forth between them, you can increase the size of the task bar. This is suggested only for people that have a larger monitor as this will take up more space on your desktop. For those that have a smaller monitor such as someone using a Netbook, you can minimize the task-bar off the screen.

Another option is to include a quick launch for certain programs. To enable the quick launch right click on the task-bar and left click on properties. In this properties menu along with the quick launch are a number of other options. You can add and delete whatever software you would like to have shortcuts to in the quick-launch. Another option listed here is to keep the task-bar on top of the window, another space saving option.

For many people their work space is important to them and with all the menu bars you can quickly reduce your space where you can actually work. Using the tools that customize the task-bar can help you optimize your space. Make sure your computer is working for you not making you mad.

Often, the software that comes installed on your computer already needs to receive updates by the time you receive the computer at your home. The speed and change of computer systems requires that one keeps up with these changes if you intend to stay compatible. Compatibility refers to the software being able to function with the files that are being used today.

You may be happy using Microsoft Office 2000, and that may be working for you. It is important to remember that updating your software is not the same as switching to a new version. Updating software refers to making sure you have the most up to date code in the software you are using. Do you want your older program to work with files produced on newer programs. Sometimes making sure you have the updates will allow them to function.

One of the most important reasons to update your software is security. In order to keep your documents and other files safe it is important to have the most current security information in your system. This is very true for your operating system, web browser and your email program if you use one.

Checking for updates is usually fairly simple and many programs come with an automatic update option. To check for updates in many programs it is done by using the help menu. Keep your programs updated regularly.

• They search the Internet to access sites based on word selection.
• They maintain an index or list of the words they find and where they are located
• They allow the user to look for words or word combinations found within that index

There are different types of search engines that gather information listings; crawler-based search engines, human-powered directories, and hybrid search engines.

• Crawler-based search engines crawl or spider through the web, create their listings automatically, and then make it possible for users to search through what the engine has found. An example of a crawler-based search engine is Google.
• Human-powered directories depend on people for its listing. How it works is that the webpage owner submits a short description to the directory for the site or webpage editors write a description for sites they review, and then the search will look for matches in the descriptions present. An example of human-powered directories includes the Open Directory.
• Today’s search engines more commonly use a hybrid search that is a combination of crawler-based results and human-powered listings. Generally, the hybrid search engine will favor one type over the other. For example, Bing search is more likely to present human-powered listings, but it will also present crawler-based results for more ambiguous queries.

Common Search Engines

• Google
• Bing
• Yahoo Search
• AltaVista
• Lycos
• Live Search

Features for the differing search engines include:

• Defaults
• Boolean capabilities and constraints
• Case sensitivity
• Proximity
• Truncation and stemming
• Limits
• Field searching
• File types
• Stop words
• Sorting
• Filtering

Unsure which search engine to use or the best one for users? The question really doesn’t have an answer as it is based on user preference. The only way to find out which one is right for you is try them out. Luckily, many search engines are free to users or offer free trials so there is no excuse to give them a try!

What Antivirus Software is Intended For

Antivirus software protects your computer against all manners of invaders, such as viruses, Trojans and worms. Malware can enter your computer from clicking on an email file, downloading untrustworthy files or visiting harmful websites. The best strategy for protecting your computer against these issues is to install antivirus software that prevents these malicious attacks.

Quality antivirus software is able to detect the presence of these invaders and block them from harming your computer. A good product demands little attention from you. You simply install it and it runs in the background as you go about your business. When it does detect malicious files, it blocks them and alerts you to them, as needed. You know the quality of antivirus software from its ability to detect all kinds of malware. The best products are those that are continually updated by the manufacturer to recognize any and all types of attacks. Poor quality antivirus software is rarely updated and leaves your computer exposed to malware attacks.

Reasons to Use PC Tools Antivirus

With so many antivirus products constantly entering the market, you’ll want to choose one that is well-known and constantly updated, such as PC Tools Antivirus. This product has many protective layers in place to react to and eliminate malware attacks. It automatically protects your computer and allows you to have peace of mind. With this antivirus software, your entire computer is scanned and you have access to a report of all malware issues and how they were resolved.

Shortcuts

• Ctrl + N – opens the current webpage in a new window
• Ctrl + P – prints the displayed webpage
• Ctrl + I – opens the favorites list
• Ctrl + D – adds current webpage to favorites list
• Ctrl + H – opens the browser history
• Ctrl + B – opens the organize favorites list
• Ctrl + T – opens a new tab
• Ctrl + E – opens search in explorer bar
• Ctrl + W – closes the current window
• Ctrl + F4 – closes the current tab
• Ctrl + tab – moves through the open tabs
• Spacebar – moves down the page
• Shift + spacebar – moves up the page

Navigation Shortcuts

• F1 – opens help menu
• F5 – refreshes the page
• F11 – allows user to toggle between full screen and regular view of the browser window
• Esc – stops page from downloading
• Alt + Home – brings user back to default webpage
• Alt + left arrow – brings user back to  previously viewed webpage
• Alt + right arrow – brings user forward to next webpage
• Page Up – scrolls up through webpage
• Page Down – scrolls down webpage
• Home – brings user to the beginning of the page
• End – brings user to the end of the page

Task Tips

• Want to disable add-ons?  Hold down the Windows logo key + R >  iexplore.exe –extoff
• Want the browser to auto complete website addresses as you begin to type? From the menu select tools > Internet options > advanced > and then click on the box next to use inline AutoComplete
• Need to delete cookies, temporary files, or form data? From the menu select tools > delete browsing history
• Want to print only a part of the webpage displayed? Highlight the text to print, press Ctrl +P, under page range select selection, and then click on print
• Need to zoom in? Select Ctrl plus the “+” key
• Need to zoom out? Select Ctrl plus the “-“ key
• Want to zoom to 100%? Select Ctrl + 0

Here are a few recommendations to prevent loss of data:

• Auto save

Many word processing applications have an auto save feature that can be turned on when creating a document.  Every few minutes the document automatically saves safeguarding the document should the application fail or the power supply shutdown.

• Secondary hard drive

When saving a document in Word, it will usually place the document under the My Documents folder on the main hard drive. This is the worst place for the data because if anything happens to the operating system, the only resolution is to reformat the drive and reinstall the operating system.  Upon reinstallation, everything previously on the hard drive is lost. The best solution is to have a second hard drive installed for documents to be saved on. The hard drive can either be internal or external as it is not impacted by corrupted operating systems.

• Backup

Saving a document or file in one place is not a good solution. Systems break down or get stolen, CDs get scratched, and floppy disks can get erased or copied over. You should always save data on a hard drive and then backup it up by burning the information to a CD, or copying it to a USB flash drive or floppy disk. For important information, the data should be backed up and then stored in a safety deposit box or fire-proof vault.

• Attachments

When receiving email attachments, always run a virus scan before opening it to prevent damage to your system. Also be aware of automatically saving documents that come as attachments. If you do a lot of document collaboration, the email document may have the same document name as one already saved to the hard drive. You run into a problem of overwriting the original document. You can set your email program to save attachments in specified folders.

As a last resort, consider printing important documents. While it means having to retype the information again later, at least you have not lost any content and have to start over from scratch.

You can check your email, do your work, and even play online casino games among other fun things. That’s a great way to get to do the kinds of things you want to do even though you’re far from your home or your office. Of course, a laptop also works great when it comes to sitting around on your couch or reclining on your bed and playing around online. It’s convenient, and the best one for you is out there. If you’re looking for something to use to play online games, make sure you get one with a lot of disk space. Also, get a fast processor and a lot of memory. That way your games will load right and you can play and enjoy.

Your Internet connection has to be fast, too. You can’t ignore that. If it’s slow, you aren’t going to be able to do much with your game, and you may lose out on money (and fun) because you can’t make the kinds of bets and moves that you’d like to make. Avoid all of that by getting a fast Internet connection, and set it up to be password protected so that other people can’t get access to your information.

• Goals

Make a list of why you want to obtain computer training. Have you purchased a computer with loads of software applications, but don’t know how to use them? Perhaps you want to further your education, advance your career, or find new job opportunities. New learners need to take things slow and take basic courses to absorb the information, while advanced learners may need to take refresher courses or specific training.

• Type

When it comes to computer training there are several offerings.

• Computer based tutorials – self-study interactive
• Instructor-led training
• E-learning/Online – self-paced interactive
• IT boot camps – accelerate and high-focus training

Consider your learning style and try to match the best type of course offering to meet your training needs.

• Reputation

Is your goal to obtain certification upon completion of courses? Evaluate the reputation of the organization or institution that the courses are completed through and make sure they are accredited and licensed.

• Instructors

Computer training courses should be taken with experienced and licensed instructors. They should be professional and a have a tremendous background in technology.

• Technology

You get what you pay for, so make sure that the technology offered in the classroom or computer lab include computers, software, equipment, and other materials that are current and are of industry standard.

• Experience

A course that offers only book work and little hands on will not give you the training and experience you need. Make sure that more than 90% of the course is completed with hands-on experiential training.

• Time

If you don’t have the time to take a course, then don’t consider enrolling. Learning to use a computer requires the user to make the time for learning, hands-on application, simulations, and practice.

• Take-home

The most important aspect besides the training course itself is the take-home materials. This is more than just the certificate to place on your wall or show to your employer. The take home materials should include manuals, assignments, training discs, assessments, and additional learning aids.

The buttons on the toolbar include:

Back – displayed as a back arrow with or without the word “back”. It allows the user to navigate to the previous page viewed.

Forward – displayed as a forward arrow with or without the word “forward”. It allows the user to navigate forward to the next page after navigating back.

Stop – displayed as a red circle with an “x” in the middle. When a page is taking too long to load, the page is experiencing issues, or the user opened it in error, the stop button hinders the page from loading.

Home – displayed as a picture of a house. When the user is finished with a browser search clicking on the home button will bring the user back to the default web page.

Refresh – displayed as a note with double arrows in a circle. When a page displays an error or the most current version of the webpage is not displayed, the refresh button is depressed allowing the page to reload.

Search – displayed as a globe with a magnify glass. It opens the default search for text or search page located in the address/URL field.

Print – displayed as a picture of a printer. It will print the current page displayed on screen.

Favorites – displayed as a file folder with an asterisk (*). Also known as bookmarks or hotlists, users can save previous search results or websites for future use. Clicking on the favorite button will open a list of bookmarked sites for easy retrieval.

Mail – displayed as an open envelope. It allows user the ability to open their email program to read, send, or delete messages.

Help – displayed as a circle with a question mark in the center. Clicking on the help button will allow the user to find Internet Explorer help or online support for issues. Simply click the help button, type in a question or topic, and a list display of results populate.

• At Work

Skilled employees are an asset to an organization, which is why many employers offer tuition reimbursement for courses completed by employees. As an added bonus, larger organizations have in-house training departments with computer labs or contractual agreements with online learning centers to offer computer training to employees for free.

• Libraries

Have you checked out the library lately? They have shelves full of software and books available to teach users everything from application basics through computer programming; all it takes is a library card and a few hours of time. Materials can be checked out for up to three weeks allowing the patron the opportunity to utilize the materials at their own pace.

While at the library, don’t forget to check the computer lab calendar. Many libraries offer free or minimal fee courses to patrons ranging from basic computer skills such as the Internet and email to advanced classes in Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Career Centers/Temp Agencies

Are you unemployed or underemployed? Most local state unemployment offices have career centers that offer classes in resume writing, interviewing skills, and computer skills for free. If you sign up with a temporary agency, they too have career centers offering courses in computer training to make candidates more marketable.

• Schools

Check out the local school district and community calendars. You can often find classes offered in the evenings or on weekends in the school’s computer lab or community center instructed by licensed teachers for minimal fees.

Also consider contacting your local community college or alma mater. Many colleges have job centers that offer to students and alumni free skills and computer training to help them obtain jobs during and after graduation.

While at the community college, check out the recent course catalog. Computer courses are offered for in-state tuition prices or less when taken for credit or audited.

• Online

Type in the words “free computer training” in any search engine and thousands of results will appear including hits from Microsoft to HP. However, a trusted and favorite site worth mentioning is offered by Goodwill Community Foundation called GFC Learning.org. They offer over 750 free online lessons and 250 videos which allows computer users advantage to learn at their own pace.

What is Instant Messaging? IM is a form of real-time communication via direct text between two or more individuals using a computer or other device, along with shared software clients. IM is an effective and efficient form of communication that allows for immediate acknowledgment and reply.

Many companies have their IT administrators block the access to IM services such as Yahoo , Skype, or MSN via the network, as they believe employees are spending less time working and more time chatting. Most IM clients require a download client in order to be accessed, however it is only good if you are chatting with other members on the same network.

To chat without any hindrances, consider utilizing one of the following free web-based online IM services:

• Meebo

Meebo is the popular web IM service as it supports and works with Yahoo, MySpace, Facebook, MSN, AIM, and Jabber. Its features include group chat, applications for iPhones, and support for file-sharing, video chat, and more.

• Nimbuzz

Widely known as a client for cell phones and iPhones, Nimbuzz features include calls, group chats, file-sharing, video chat, and more IM options. The best feature is network information sharing; Nimbuzz allows you to access all your IM networks using only one username and password.

• imo.im

imo.im shares the same features as Meebo and Nimbuzz, but currently is the only web-based service to support Skype. Besides great support for voice and video chat, it also features buddy chat options including starring frequent chat buddies, renaming and reordering buddy lists, and search buddy list options.

• KoolIM

Known as the web-base service for small networks, KoolIM supports the standards plus Gadu-Gadu, ICQ, Jabber, Xfire, and more. Its key features are embedded client chat, popup client chat, and the ability to function behind a firewall.

• eBuddy

eBuddy supports a large number of IM services including Facebook, MSN, Yahoo, MySpace, GTalk, and ICQ. Its features include new window chat, tabbed contacts and chat lists, plus chat history.

As you can see, there are many free web-based IM services available.  Still unsure as to which one will meet your needs, then why not give them all a test drive.

Keep these tips and helpful suggestions handy when deciding on the best laptop to buy:

• Display

The size of the laptop display area requires the user to determine how the computer will be used. If it will be used to replace of a desktop model and be connected to an external monitor, a 12” LCD is sufficient. LCDs of 14” or larger is recommended for heavy computer usage to decrease eye strain.

• Operating System

One operating system is not better than the other. Like your current operating system and applications? Then select the same for your laptop.  Unsatisfied with your current operating system or would like to know about more options, consider reading reviews highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of Windows and MAC.

• Battery

If you travel often, use your computer at multiple locations, or have unstable power supply than a longer life battery is the best option. Keep in mind that the battery usage time reported by most manufacturers takes into consideration the computer running at its lowest settings.

• Memory

The rule of thumb on memory is, the more you have the more efficient the computer will run. Determine how much memory you can afford, the options for upgrading in the future, and the added costs for buying memory later vs. sooner.

• USB Ports

Consider how many external peripherals you will be connecting to your laptop. Connecting to a printer, wireless mouse and keyboard, and external monitor will use up all you available ports requiring a USB port replicator to be purchase for added ports.

• Drives

Always consider purchasing a laptop with the most hard drive space especially if your computer is to be used with multiple applications that require saving data files and images.  Also look into the costs of purchasing an external hard drive for backup storage as part of your laptop bundle. Buying now could save you money over purchasing later.

• Cards

Don’t forget to think about the video, sound, and network cards for your laptop. If you do a great deal of gaming or anything with video imagery, a high memory video card is required.  Plan on using your computer for video conferencing, streaming, or sound editing, then a higher quality sound card is worth the added costs.

The brand of the computer does not mean as much as the other considerations offered by the different manufacturers. When buying a laptop don’t forget to compare add-on accessories and compatibility, warranties, customer service and service ratings, system support, and system upgrades and ability.

Instant Messaging

IM is a type of text-based real-time communication service that enables you to converse with two or more individuals via a personal computer or other devices over the Internet. It alerts you when individuals in your contact list are online and available to initiate chat sessions.

IM features include:

• Real-time chat
• Chat rooms and private chat
• Link, file, image, and video sharing
• Live voice chat over the Internet
• Content streaming

The most popular Instant Messaging services on the market include AIM, Windows Live, and Yahoo! Messenger.

Virtual Worlds

Virtual Worlds bring online chatting to a new dimension. Its users create customized avatars and a virtual location, allowing other users to inhabit and interact in a 3D world.

Virtual World features include:

• Text
• Avatars
• Visual gestures
• Graphical icons
• Sounds
• Voice commands

Virtual Worlds of interest include World of Warcraft, Second Life, Moove Online, IMVU, and 3DChat.

Social Networks

Social network services connect individuals via a site or platform that focuses on building and creating relationships with other individuals that share common interests or activities.

Social network service features include:

• Profiles
• Pictures
• Groups
• Upload and streaming of videos
• Private chat rooms
• Forums
• Blogs

The most popular social networks include Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol is the delivery of media and voice communication sessions using any of the transmission technology or methodology over an internet protocol network.  The benefits of this include the reduction of communication and infrastructure costs. The system is flexible and can facilitate the following tasks or services:

• Transmission of multiple phone calls over a single broadband connection
• Secure calls utilizing standardized protocols
• Requires only a fast and stable internet connection to a VoIP provider
• Integration of services including conferencing, video chat, data or file transfers, and the management of contact lists.

1. Email Chatting
One of the easiest ways to keep in touch with someone is by using the chat function through your email. First, you need to make sure that you are using the same email program that the other person is. Whether it’s Yahoo mail, Gmail, or any other email program, you have access to the chat function. Once you log into your email, check your contacts to see if anyone you know is online. If they are, just send them a quick chat and you are on your way. It’s a really simple and quick way to talk to someone. Social network sites like Facebook also have similar chat functions. Once you log in, you can see which of your friends are online, then it’s as simple as sending a message to strike up your conversation.

3. Chatting With a Cell Phone
One of the great features that the Android phones have on them is the ability to use your email chat. By utilizing this function, you can send unlimited chats to someone logged into their email account, and you won’t be charged for texts. It’s a great way to keep in touch with those who might not have an unlimited texting cell phone plan.

4. Face to Face…or Rather Screen to Screen
There are loads of programs out there that allow you to video chat. All you need is an account with the provider and a webcam. With services like Skype, you have the option to use their free service, or you can pay a couple of cents per minute for their other plans. It’s a great way to keep in touch.

New or Used

Analyze the pros and cons of purchasing a new computer system versus one that has been refurbished. Traditionally a refurbished computer is one that has been previously owned and examined by the manufacturer for defects or other issues before reselling to a consumer. When buying a refurbished computer do the following:

• Inspect the system for any signs of damage by examining ports and running the operating system
• Make sure the operating system and all programs installed on the system come with CDs and manuals
• Obtain a warranty for the system to guarantee maintenance or replacement

Operating System

Most people purchase a system with an operating system they are already familiar with using. Unsure which one is right for you? Then consider reading reviews on the advantages and disadvantages of different operating systems including Windows and MAC.

Components

To configure a system, you need components. Take into consideration your system requirements when deciding on the following:

• What type of case do you want; tower or desktop? Consider desk configuration, space, and later upgrades to system.
• Do you require additional CD media to burn CDs or DVDs?
• Does the hard drive have enough space and the correct amount of speed? Will you need additional external or internal hard drives?
• What type of memory does the system come with? Can it be upgraded easily and what are the costs?
• What type of processor does it have? Check out all the options available.
• Are you using the computer for gaming or high graphics? Does the video card GPU and memory meet your specific requirements?
• Plan on editing or mixing sound? Are the sound card capabilities sufficient?

Considerations

It is impossible to say which brand of computer is better than another as everyone has an opinion. Instead, take a look at the extra options offered by the manufacturers:

• What add-on accessories are available, the costs, and are other accessories compatible?
• Check out the return policy and other warranties that come with your system
• What kind of service and support is available to the consumer? Are there costs involved and are they available 24/7?

Buying a computer requires quite a bit of research and consideration, but taking the time now will save you both time and money later on.

A computer user can find shortcut keys in any program application by looking for underlined letters in the drop down menus. Software packages such as Microsoft share the same shortcut keys throughout their applications.

Here is a list of the most common shortcut keys for IBM compatible systems:

• Cntrl + A

Selects all text on the page for ease of copying, highlighting, deleting, or changing font

• Cntrl + B

Bolds selected text

• Cntrl + C

Copies selected text to the clipboard

• Cntrl +V

Pastes selected text from clipboard into document

• Cntrl + Home

Places your cursor at the beginning of the document

• Cntrl  + End

Places your cursor at the end of the document

• Cntrl + S

Saves the document

Ever wonder what F1 – F12 on your keyboard are and what they do? These are forms of keyboard shortcuts called function keys. They vary between operating systems, but Microsoft Windows users enjoy the simplicity of their tasks.

• F1 – help key
• F2 – rename
• F3 – search
• F4 – opens find window
• F5 – refresh
• F6 – moves cursor to address bar
• F7 – spell check
• F8 – opens Windows startup menu
• F9 – sends email or opens toolbars
• F10 – activates menu bar
• F11 – makes application full screen
• F12 – opens save window

Another type of shortcut is a desktop shortcut. Desktop shortcuts are icons used to represent a program, file, folder, or document that are save to your computer’s desktop. They make it easy to locate and launch an application with just a double-click of the icon.

To create a desktop shortcut:

1. From the desktop, right-click where the shortcut should be displayed
2. A menu will appear requiring you to select “new” and then the option “shortcut”
3. Enter the path for the application or select “browse” to locate it
4. Once the path has been entered, click “next” and then “finished”
5. Your new shortcut icon is now on your desktop

Using shortcuts make computer usage quicker, easier, and more fun to use.

Common Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows

With more than 85% of the market share, Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system for personal computers.

• UNIX

This operating system is used heavily for academic and engineering environment workstations and for servers for businesses.

• Linux

Linux is a widely adoptable system for use with embedded systems and servers. It is used in a wide variety of devices including wristwatches and supercomputers.

Operating systems perform tasks in order to recognize keyboard input, send output to display, keep track of directories and files, and control peripheral devices including printers and disk drives.

For larger systems and networks, the responsibilities of an operating system include making sure that the different users and programs running simultaneously do not interfere with one another and ensuring the security against unauthorized users from accessing the system.

Computer operating system applications often times fall into more than one of the below types:

• GUI

Also known as Graphical User Interface, GUI uses keyboard shortcuts and arrow keys, windows, menus, and icons to open, move, delete, etc. files. Examples include Windows 98 and System 7.x

• Multi-user

The operating system does exactly what the name implies; multi-users utilizing the same computer programs at the same or differing times. Examples include Linux, UNIX, and Windows 2000.

• Multiprocessing

This operating system supports and utilizes multiple computer processors. Examples include Linux, UNIX, and Windows 2000.

• Multitasking

Multitasking is an operating system that permits more than one program to run at the same time. Examples include UNIX and Windows 2000.

• Multithreading

This operating system allows different parts of a single software program to run in tandem. Examples include Linux, UNIX, and Windows 2000.

An operating system provides a platform for which other applications can run and these applications must be written to run on top of the selected operating system. Therefore, the choice of operating system is determined by the applications the user plans on running on his system.

1. Downloading Free Trials
When you are starting out playing computer games, you might not know what types of games catch your interest. So, one of the best sites you could visit is popcap.com. Here you will find a huge variety of different games, and you can try them all out for free. All you have to do is download the game, and you get a 60 minute trial for free. If you don’t like it, simply remove the program from your computer. If you happen to like it, then you can pay for it. It’s a really simple way to get to know what games you enjoy.

2. Online Free Play
If you don’t want to download anything to your computer, you could also select a game from PopCap’s online selections. These games are always free, and you don’t have to make any commitments or changes to your computer to be able to play them. Granted, there’s a lot less selection when it comes to online only games, but it does save you time trying to download games.

3. Play Against Others
One of the really fun advantages to playing games is you can play against people from all over the world. Whether it’s a card game like poker or blackjack, or a classic game like Yahtzee or Uno, there’s a lot of fun to be had playing games against other online players. This is also really helpful if your family tends to get a little heated while playing the actual games together. You won’t have to worry about family fights online!

Depending on the size of your business, you may also need salespeople, back-end people who pack and ship merchandise, and front-desk people to help customers. You may need office space and a showroom, or you may be doing all of that online. Either way, setting up your business will be a big hurdle. Once you get past it, you may think you’re in the clear, but you also have to keep your customers happy. One of the ways to find out how to do that is through the Internet.

Use surveys and other tools to judge customer satisfaction. Find out what your customers want and need, and make sure that you’re staying on top of any problems that they’re having. You can’t change every little thing just to please a few customers, but you should look for trends in complaints and make sure that you’re taking care of any big problems or issues that a lot of customers are mentioning. That can help you stay relevant and keep your customers from going to your competitors – all because you bothered to ask what they thought.

Follow these guidelines for user and computer protection:

• Establish Internet ground rules with your parents that include permitted sites to visit, how much time can be spent on the computer, and what you are approved to do or say
• Create an online ID that does not use your real full name. Instead create an online ID that is a nickname, hobby name, or even a pet name such as Fluffy123
• Create a profile that has minimal information. Never share your birth date, address, phone number, or real name with online chatters
• Be aware of who may be in the chat room with you. Never give out where you go to school, locations of favorite hang outs, or local destinations.
• Never share a picture of yourself or anyone else
• Leave the chat if you see or read anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Do not share your email address to chat privately with anyone
• Report any offensive, unwanted, mean, or threatening messages to a parent.
• Be suspicious of anyone asking too many personal questions and discontinue chatting with them.
• Never agree to meet or meet with someone that you have met online
• Treat others with the respect that you would like to be treated with
• Remember that any information you share online on social network sites can be viewed by others.  It can affect you in the future when trying to gain entrance into college or obtaining a job.

Social Networks are wonderful places to meet fun and interesting individuals from all over the world. Just remember to proceed with caution for it to be an amazing experience.

There are several different types of electronic infections to be aware of:

• Virus

An infected piece of data those piggybanks onto real programs. Every time the program is opened, shared, or update the infection multiplies and spreads.

• Email Virus

This type of infection attaches itself to email messages. It has the ability to replicate itself and automatically send itself to individuals in the victim’s contact lists. Some viruses require the recipient to open and double click, while others launch just by being viewed in a preview pane.

• Trojans

Trojans are computer programs that state they are one thing (such as game) but once opened run havoc around your computer including damaging or erasing your hard drive.

• Worms

Using computer networks, a worm is a piece of software that looks for security holes to infect and duplicate itself.

The key function of antivirus software is to keep your system virus-free and running smoothly. Knowing your system requirements before purchasing a software application will ward you against making a purchase that is more or less than your system needs.

Top 5 Antivirus Software

• BitDefender Antivirus 2011
• Norton Antivirus 2011
• F-Secure Antivirus 2011
• Kaspersky Antivirus 2011
• ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4

Here is a list of other things to look for when choosing an antivirus software application:

• The ability to remove and detect all spyware, viruses, and any malicious activities
• Must have real-time scanning options to detect and defend real-time threats
• Requires regular daily uninterrupted updates that can be automatic or manual
• Must be easy to configure and run scans with ease
• Requires accelerated applications/tools with the option to run in the background
• Should provide customer assistance including after-purchase support, FAQ, help options, and other support related to the product

You can also protect your system by avoiding programs or attachments from unknown sources, removing preview pane from your email, never clicking on emails from unknown parties, and running your antivirus software daily.

Computer won’t turn on

• Make sure that there really is a problem before panicking.
• Verify that both the computer and monitor are on. Sometime it can be as simple as not pressing the power button hard enough or long enough to turn the system on.
• Examine the power cords, cables, and connections to insure that that are securely plugged in. Loose cables and connections often times are the problem.
• Examine the power strip or surge protector to make sure it is plugged in, on, and working. The function of the surge protector is to take the electric jolt and protect your hardware.
• Unplug the power supply and plug something else into the electric outlet to insure there isn’t an issue with the outlet. Don’t forget to check the circuit breaker to make sure it is in the “on” position.

Can’t log onto the Internet

• Check the connection to make sure the cable didn’t become loose.
• Check the modem to make sure the lights are flashing and the signal is working. It may require a reboot.
• Contact your service provider to see if there is a service outage.

Everything is frozen

• Check the computer, mouse, and keyboard connections.
• If system is still frozen, click the Num Lock key to see if the light goes on and off. If it doesn’t then you know the system is completely locked.
• Reboot the computer.

Application freezes or stops working

• Press the ctrl + alt + delete keys at the same time to open the control panel and review the task manager.
• Review tasks to see if anything is showing as “not responding”. Follow the prompts to shut down the application.
• If the application is showing as “responding”, try pressing the ALT+F4 keys to close the frozen window.
• If all else fails, trying rebooting the system.

Blue screen appears

• The only option is to reboot the system by pressing ctrl + alt + delete at the same time two times in a row.
• If the system does not shut down, turn it off manually at the power switch by holding the power button down for 5-10 seconds. Wait for the system to shut down completely, count to 20, and then restart the machine.
• If issue persists, then there is a more serious problem with the computer requiring technical support.

Before you make a purchase, here are a few things to consider:

• Read reviews and compare products

If you are making a purchase of an item that you are not familiar with or there are many selections take the time to read reviews. Product reviews usually list product features along, side-by-side comparison of similar products, pros and cons, and consumer ratings.

• Compare prices

If you know what product you want to buy, consider doing an online search to compare prices. There are many consumer sites such as PriceGrabber that will not only compare prices from over thousands of merchants, but also list shipping costs and taxes, product information, customer reviews, and merchant ratings.

• Locate discounts & deals

Can’t decide which merchant to purchase from as price and rankings are the same? Why not look for unadvertised merchant deals, coupons, or discounts. A popular site to check out is Deal of the Day which offers coupons and discounts available for hundreds of web merchants.

• Check out auctions

Merchants are not the only places to find great deals on products. Check out online auctions such as eBay which offers new and used collectibles, books, and other merchandise.

The advantages of buying online vs. shopping in the store include:

• 24/7 shopping convenience
• Ease of comparison price shopping
• No pressure to make a purchase
• Large selection of items
• Instantly know when an item is out of stock or backordered
• Online merchants supply consumers with full product descriptions, dimensions, and pictures, product reviews, consumer ratings, and other supplemental product information.

The disadvantages of buying online include:

• Risk of fraudulent purchases
• Potential of identity theft or computer hacking if making purchases through unsecure sites
• Lack of personal attention from experienced sales personnel
• Mistakes when placing an order or when an order is shipped
• Lack of full cost disclosure until the final checkout process

Online shopping can be a lot of fun, just make sure you make purchases from merchants you can trust and check terms and conditions of sale before committing to make a purchase.

Many bloggers want to get out a message, share useful information, or try to sell products and services which require traffic to the blog site.  Here are a few proven ways to increase traffic and obtain followers for a blog:

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization is a process for improving the prominence of a blog or website in search engines using unpaid search results.

• Make sure your blog is search engine optimized by using keyword rich content. This means identifying a few keywords about the article that have a high chance of being indexed by Google or other popular search engines.
• Setup the blog to repeat the keywords that you want to target in order to setup a pattern that will establish a theme. Keywords should be included in blog names, post titles, the page URL name, and category names. Don’t forget to use blog tags for additional optimization.
• Update or ping during optimal times by checking your website statistics.
• Make sure your site feed is turned on and you are using them to promote your blog
• Interlink your site by utilizing the site map option and features
• Make frequent blog posts with content rich information

Social Media Optimization

Social media optimization is executing changes to enhance the effectiveness of a site so that it is effortlessly linked to, extremely noticeable in social media searches via custom search engines, and often included in relevant posts on blogs and other communication resources.

• Increase link ability to your blog by having both static and non-static information
• Make sure site is easy to tag and bookmark with the use of quick buttons, relevant list of tags, and using suggested notes for a link.
• Create permalinks to reward inbound links
• Submit content to other relevant sites to help content travel
• Encourage others to use your content or share content using RRS feeds
• Consider offering RRS feeds through email for those who prefer email over blog posts
• Make useful comments on other blogs and they will allow you to include your name and blog for linking
• Submit your blog URL to all the different search engines

The most important things to do is to keep posting, work on quality content, buzz about your site, and have patience.

Options & Setup

Online bill paying falls under two types of services; bill pay by bank and bill pay by service provider.

• Online bill paying by bank

Online bill paying by the bank is a service that sends out money via transfer or check from your bank account to whoever you request.

The setup for this service is quite easy. All that is required is a copy of the bill from the service provider. From the bank’s online bill pay website, you will be required to fill out the name of the service provider, account number, and other pertinent information. The information will auto populate into a form and on a monthly basis (or however often the bill is due); the user is required to enter the amount and issuance date. The bank will then either print and mail a check or transfer the money from your bank account.

• Online bill paying by service provider

Online bill paying by the service provider is a service that allows the user to transfer money electronically to directly pay a specific service provider.

To setup the service, the provider requires a copy of a voided check, bank and account information, and authorization to withdraw funds. As soon as the service is setup, the user enters the amount to be paid with payment date and the service provider initiates a withdrawal from the user’s bank account.

Automation

Automatic online bill pay or ACH debit makes paying bills easier. By signing up for this type of service through your service provider, the payment happens automatically via electronic transfer meaning bills are paid on time.

ACH debit is popular due to:

• No checks are required
• Payments are electronic saving postage
• Payments are automatic and requires no scheduling or remembering of due dates
• Payments are posted to the account immediately so late fees are a thing of the past
• Reduces the need for paper copies of statements and bills

Online bill pay makes paying bills easier, faster, and reduces lost payments.  Consider enrolling in an online bill paying service today!

1. ShareThis
This is a really great addon that lets you share webpages through email, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc. Now, many websites already have a similar function on them, but you will always run into those that don’t. And, as luck would have it, those are probably the websites you want to share.

2. ieSpell
Now, if you aren’t the best speller in the world, than this is the addon for you! This allows you to spell check your entries on any website that you want to enter text on. It’s a great way to prevent a spelling blunder and the subsequent embarrassment.

3. Videoronk
If you are one of the many people that love searching for videos online, this will be a great addition to your browser. Videoronk allows you to search eight of the top video sharing websites at the same time. It will save you time and frustration trying to find that laughing baby video you love so much.

4. IE7Pro
This is the be all, end all of Internet Explorer addons. This addon allows you to do a variety of different things that will make your browsing so much easier. It also contains a few of the features mentioned in the previous addons in our list. First, a powerful AD blocker. This is great if you just can’t stand all the pop-ups that seem to filter through other pop-up blocking programs. Another great feature is Grab&Drag. Here, you are able to navigate through the webpage by simply holding the left click button, and dragging the webpage around. It’s a great way to avoid the overused click-wheel.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a fairly user friendly program. There are just a few things that you need to learn to get yourself started. So, here’s a helpful list to get you on your way.

1. Adding Slides
Unless you plan on fitting all of your presentation on one screen, you should start off with adding more than one slide to the presentation. This is super simple. All you have to do is right click on the picture of the existing slide located on the left-hand side of the screen. Then find the option that says “add slide.” That’s it!

2. Formatting Slides
Once you have your blank slide, you need to format it in a way that will be useful to you. Whether you need a lot of text or just a big picture, there are lots of options to suit your needs. Simply right click on the slide you are working on, scroll down to “layout,” then pick from the different formats they have available. You can always go back and change it if you find that it’s not working for you.

3. Adding Sounds, Graphics, Designs, etc.
There are lots of fun things that you can add to your presentation to keep it interesting. First, pick yourself a slide design. There are many different colors, fonts, and other design elements that will give your slide a little something extra. You can also add sounds and other animation properties that will make your presentation fun and interesting. For example, if you are giving a report on cows, you could have a “moo” sound play whenever you add a new element to the screen.

4. Things to Avoid
One last thing to keep in mind is that less is more! It will get a little annoying and distracting if you have constant sounds and flashing lights going during your presentation. Keep it simple, but still allow yourself to have a little fun!

First off, there’s the issue of selection. Mac has only a couple of options out there for you, while PC has a plethora of different laptops and desktops to suit just about anyone’s needs. This really helps when it comes down to an issue of money.

Macs cost more by far, but you are getting a really good quality machine for your money. It’s not like they are just giving a $500 laptop a $1300 price tag. If you were to buy a PC that has similar specs to the Mac, the price wouldn’t be far off at all. But, if you’re buying a laptop for a student or just simply don’t have the green for a Mac, then PC gives you a great selection of lower priced computers that will fit your needs just nicely.

If the performance of the machine is a big factor, the race is neck and neck when it comes to operating systems. Mac has been known to have a smooth running OS, but Windows 7 is really keeping up with the OS X 10.6 that Mac’s use. There are far less problems and quirks with Windows 7 compared to Windows Vista.

One clear edge that Mac has is security. The majority of viruses out there seem to be focused on Windows PC’s rather than Mac’s. So, if you don’t want to be bothered with running program after program to protect your computer, than Mac might be the better choice for you.

Whatever your choice may be, the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to do a lot of research before slapping your credit card down for a purchase.

When you are having trouble connecting to the internet, it can get extremely frustrating. We use the internet for so many different things that when we lose access to it, we are really in a bind. Everything from checking email, doing homework, or even will come to a screeching halt when we lose an internet connection. So, here are a few different things to check out before you completely panic.

1. Are the cords plugged in?
It sounds like a stupid thing to check, but sometimes a loose cord is all it takes for you to lose connection. Check all cords on your computer, modem, and router. By doing this first, you could save yourself a lot of hassle and embarrassment later on.

2. Check multiple sites
Sometimes the actual problem isn’t your personal internet connection, but it’s the website you are trying to visit. Websites go down for maintenance all the time, so it could easily be the root of the problem. To avoid this, make sure that you check quite a few websites before you start to worry. Also, try to use more than one internet browser. Some pages load better in Firefox than they do in Internet Explorer, and vice versa.

3. Check the Router and the Modem
The router and the modem are the two most likely culprits if you are having a connection issue. So, be sure to take a look at both. Check to make sure that there are lights blinking on both devices. If you don’t see lights on one or the other, that is most likely where your issue lies.

4. Is anyone else having trouble?
Sometimes, internet service just goes out. It could be anything from a power outage to problems with the service provider. So, if you have checked and adjusted everything and just can’t figure out what’s wrong, check with your neighbors. If others are having the same issues, it’s time to call the company.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a really great tool, and not just for people giving a presentation in a board meeting. Granted, that’s one of the main functions of the program, but you shouldn’t have to limit it to just that. There are loads of different things you can use PowerPoint for, so here are a few to get you started.

1. Fun in the Classroom
What better way to get a child’s attention than to have a fun, animated presentation of the material they need to learn. PowerPoint gives you the ability to add different sounds and animations to the otherwise boring text. If you are learning about Beethoven, you could add a few snippets of his music to portions of the presentation. By doing this you will be able to keep kid’s attention more easily.

2. Scrapbooking
It sounds a little silly, but using PowerPoint for scrapbooking is simple, easy, and it looks great too. It will allow you to have your pages on your computer, readily available to show to friends and family. How cool would it be to be able to pull up your scrapbook on the computer and show everyone a cute slide-show of memories. Plus, it’s really easy to add new slides, rearrange the slide order, and edit previous material.

3. Schoolwork
Kids are assigned presentations all the time in school. By introducing PowerPoint early, they will be able to master it and use it readily. Using PowerPoint will also give a very prepared and professional appearance to your child’s hard work. Plus, they are going to have to learn it eventually, so why not get some practice in now?

4. Learning at Home
If a computer savvy mom were to put together a fun arrangement of slides to help her child learn the alphabet, the child will have a lot of fun. The animation and sounds will keep their attention, and they will actually want to use the program.

First off, let’s take a look at Facebook. It is an extremely user friendly site that allows you to add people as “friends.” You then post what are called status updates to the site for everyone to see. There are many different things that you can do on Facebook. For instance, there are a ton of different games that you can play. Some games require you to send and receive gift between friends while others are simply just for online play. One of the nice options that non-gamers have is to completely block certain games all together. That way, if you have someone sending you hundreds of requests and you just don’t want to play the games, you can just block it. Another great feature is photo sharing. This is a quick and simple way to share your precious pictures with everyone.

Now, Twitter is a little bit different. Here, you mainly get to post status updates called “Tweets.” It’s a bit like describing what you are doing just about every minute of the day. Some choose to update less, but there are definitely those who just want you to know that they blew their nose. You can request to follow certain user’s Tweets, while other people will request to follow your Tweets. That’s about it. There are no games to play or pictures to share, other than your profile picture. You can follow Tweets from celebrities as well, which can definitely make for some interesting Tweets.

Here’s a few tips to help get you started.

1. Downloading Free Trials
When you are starting out playing computer games, you might not know what types of games catch your interest. So, one of the best sites you could visit is popcap.com. Here you will find a huge variety of different games, and you can try them all out for free. All you have to do is download the game, and you get a 60 minute trial for free. If you don’t like it, simply remove the program from your computer. If you happen to like it, then you can pay for it. It’s a really simple way to get to know what games you enjoy.

2. Online Free Play
If you don’t want to download anything to your computer, you could also select a game from PopCap’s online selections. These games are always free, and you don’t have to make any commitments or changes to your computer to be able to play them. Granted, there’s a lot less selection when it comes to online only games, but it does save you time trying to download games.

For those of you that haven’t jumped on the Windows 7 bandwagon, there are many different features that Windows 7 has that you should be aware of. It may just give you that last little push into getting Windows 7.

First, one great feature is the thumbnail preview. With this tool, you are able to hover your mouse over any of the application icons on the taskbar and look at a real time picture of the window. Also, when you use this with Windows Media Player, you are able to change tracks and manage the music currently playing. This is a great tool for managing your desktop and has been significantly improved over the Vista version.

Another great feature that Windows 7 has is Aero Snap. With this, you won’t have to worry about trying to resize your windows perfectly. If you want to have two windows open side by side, simply click and drag one window completely to the left, and drop it. Then do the same with the right. Then you will have two perfectly sized windows on the same screen. You can also maximize a window by dragging it to the top of the screen, and minimize it by dragging it to the bottom of the screen. It’s a great way to quickly and easily manage the windows on your desktop.

Lastly, let’s take a look at a really fun and still useful function that Windows 7 has. It’s called the Aero Shake. By clicking the left mouse button on an open window and shaking it back and forth, you are able to minimize every other window on your screen and you’re then left with just the original window open. It’s great when you just get too many things open and need to simplify a bit. I just wish it would work with my actual desk as well!

Now, many people out there just want to stick to the basic Internet Explorer program to do their internet surfing. But, there are many other programs out there that do the same function, but give you a a few more features than Internet Explorer does.

First, let’s take a look at Mozilla Firefox. One great feature that Firefox has is a session restore function. Any browser you use is going to crash at some point, it’s simply unavoidable. But once the crash occurs, Firefox gives you the option to restore all tabs and windows that were previously open. It’s wonderful if you are trying to do research for a project or even compare prices while online shopping. It really saves you a lot of time. Another benefit to Firefox is the fact that initial start up and page loadings tend to go a little bit quicker than Internet Explorer.

Next, let’s take a look at Google Chrome. This is a pretty user friendly browser. When you first open it up, you are taken to a screen that has nine different pictures of websites that you have recently visited. These will change according to what sites you have viewed lately, so it’s a really great tool to use if you visit the same sites over and over. Plus, it definitely beats fishing for a site in a list of bookmarks.

One thing that Firefox and Chrome both had that Internet Explorer lacked was tabbed browsing. But, those days are long gone. Tabbed browsing is so much more convenient than having a thousand different windows to search through, and Internet Explorer has now jumped on the tab bandwagon.

The main thing to keep in mind when choosing a browser is to keep yourself up-to-date on new features and tools. Firefox and Chrome used to have a clear lead over Internet Explorer, but there have been some recent updates that have kept IE in the browser game.

One of the really great benefits to online shopping is that you are able to shop around quickly and easily. For example, if you wanted to check the price of a video game with all your local stores, you could spend a whole day driving around, parking, getting kids in and out of the car, etc. It’s a waste of your time and it’s also a waste on gas. So, the easiest way to compare prices online is to type the name of the product into a search engine like Google. They have an option for Google shopping, so by clicking on the link, you will be able to view the prices of many major websites and stores in mere seconds. After that, you just navigate to the page and buy it!

Another great benefit of online shopping is you get to avoid all the crowds. This is really great during the insane Christmas shopping season. You can avoid lines, the pushing and shoving during a Black Friday sale, and all the other crazy things that happen during the holidays. You don’t even have to get out of your pajamas to be able to get online and shop. It’s simply wonderful.

Lastly, you don’t have to worry about items being out of stock. Granted, not everything you want will be in stock online, but at least you didn’t spend the whole day, running around town to try and find one certain item. Plus, it’s really easy to just bookmark the page, and check in on it later. Then, as soon as it’s back in stock you can snag one up!

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Whether you are a starving college student or just someone on a budget, it’s extremely hard to come up with hundreds of dollars to pay for all the many computer programs you really need. So, here are a few programs out there that are completely free, and are able to be used in place of other, more expensive versions. Think of it as buying generic rather than name brand!

1. Open Office
Using a programs like those from Microsoft Office are absolutely essential these days. It can be used for so many different things, that it’s really hard to try and go without it. So, if you cannot afford it, Open Office is a great alternative. It performs just about every function that Microsoft’s version does, but it’s completely free. Granted, it takes a little bit of getting used to just because the layout is different, but it’s well worth the time and effort.

2. Picasa
Now, Adobe Photoshop is a wonderful program. There are so many different things that you can do on it, and your pictures always come out looking wonderful. But, if you can’t afford the hundreds this program costs, then Picasa is a great substitute. It can’t quite do everything that Photoshop can, but it can help you make many essential changes to your pictures that you would otherwise have to do without. To be completely honest, Picasa is actually a little more user friendly than Photoshop is, so it may just be a great program to start out on before you jump into Photoshop.

3. SpyCatcher Express
If you can’t go all out and fork over the money for Norton, there are still ways for you to protect your computer. SpyCatcher Express is a great, free program that help you to remove all sorts of spyware. It’s a very user friendly program, so even the most novice if users could handle it.

People can be connected in so many ways these days. Whether You like to text message, email, or use chat online, it’s really easy to keep in touch with those you love. Here are a few great tools you can use, just in case you need any more options.

1. Email Chatting
One of the easiest ways to keep in touch with someone is by using the chat function through your email. First, you need to make sure that you are using the same email program that the other person is. Whether it’s Yahoo mail, Gmail, or any other email program, you have access to the chat function. Once you log into your email, check your contacts to see if anyone you know is online. If they are, just send them a quick chat and you are on your way. It’s a really simple and quick way to talk to someone. Social network sites like Facebook also have similar chat functions. Once you log in, you can see which of your friends are online, then it’s as simple as sending a message to strike up your conversation.

3. Chatting With a Cell Phone
One of the great features that the Android phones have on them is the ability to use your email chat. By utilizing this function, you can send unlimited chats to someone logged into their email account, and you won’t be charged for texts. It’s a great way to keep in touch with those who might not have an unlimited texting cell phone plan.

4. Face to Face…or Rather Screen to Screen
There are loads of programs out there that allow you to video chat. All you need is an account with the provider and a webcam. With services like Skype, you have the option to use their free service, or you can pay a couple of cents per minute for their other plans. It’s a great way to keep in touch.

Laptops are really great! You can go anywhere and have your information with you. But, you do have to be very careful when it comes to using a laptop.

For instance, laptops can get very hot, almost to the point of burning your skin. So, to keep your laptops temperature down, there’s a few things you should keep in mind. First, the processing speed. Many laptops have an energy saver setting on them, which will reduce the processing speed of your laptop. By using this setting, it will not only keep the temperature down but it will save your battery as well.

Another thing you need to be careful about is how you transport your laptop. If you don’t transport it properly, then it’s really easy to drop it. Once that happens, you risk losing all your information and damaging an expensive piece of machinery. So, a laptop sleeve is a must. If you want to go a step further, you could get a good backpack or carrying bag for your laptop. It’s relatively inexpensive and will save you from having to buy a new computer.

Along with transporting your laptop safely, you need to be sure that you keep it away from others. It’s really easy for someone to snatch your valuable computer away if you aren’t paying attention. So, be sure that you keep it in your hands at all times. Even setting it down and turning your back for a few seconds is plenty of time for someone to grab it and run. You should also pay attention to who is looking at your screen when you are working. It’s really easy to steal someone’s bank information, credit card number, and passwords when they are able to just glance over your shoulder while you’re working.

The biggest thing to remember is to just use common sense when using a laptop.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Having the convenience of wireless internet is a beautiful thing! No matter what type of device you want to use to connect to the internet, as long as your signal is broadcasting you can get connected. But, there are a few pitfalls to having a wireless router broadcast your expensive internet service. The first problem, and the biggest one, is others trying to mooch off your signal.

Internet service can get pretty pricey these days, so to save a few bucks some people help themselves to a wireless signal that belongs to someone else. If you don’t take the proper precautions and set your system up carefully, you may just have someone sharing your bandwidth with you.

The easiest precaution you can take is to make sure your internet signal is password protected. It’s a simple deterrent that will successfully keep out many internet thieves. One thing to keep in mind though, is to make a complex password and change it often. If you use the same password for everything from your cross platform graphical ftp or email service or choose something common like a birthday, then your password could easily be hacked. The best thing to do is to make a nonsensical password made up of letters, numbers, and symbols. This way, it’s not so easy to guess your password.

There are a couple more things that you can do to keep your internet secure. One is to use a secure, reliable ftp server and another one is to not broadcast the signal publicly. Basically, your SSID (or the name or your wireless network) will not show up when someone searches for wireless signals in their area. To access it, you will have to provide the exact name of the SSID when trying to search for it.

Buying a new computer is a very stressful experience. Unless you know everything there is to know about computers, you will have some reservations and a lot of questions when buying your computer. So, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

1. Laptop vs. Desktop
This is the biggest, and probably the easiest, question to answer. So, the main thing to remember here is to think of how you will be using your computer. You should also think about your internet situation at home. Do you already have a wireless router? If not, you will have to plug in your laptop whenever you want to go online, so you might as well have a desktop.

2. Shop Around and Compare Prices
There are specials on computers all the time. So, you will really benefit from doing a few price comparisons instead of just impulse buying. You should also look at in store specials as well as online specials. Some stores give different discounts online that you won’t be able to find in the stores, and vice versa.

3. RAM
One critical thing to look at when buying a computer is the RAM, or random access memory. You basically want to get as much as you can afford, because this helps your computer run faster. When your RAM is used up, your computer will start to run a lot slower than if it was available. Another thing that will help your computer’s speed is the processor. So, if you want your system to run as smooth as possible, be sure to look at processor speeds and RAM closely.

4. Hard Drive
One thing that you really don’t need to worry too much about is the hard drive capacity. They have external hard drives available to store all your information, so if you have to cut one corner, then the hard drive capacity is it.

You don’t have to work in an office to find ways to use Microsoft Excel. There are thousands of things that you can use this great program for! Here’s just a few to get you interested.

1. Finances
Managing a family budget can be really hard these days. A lot of people are struggling and having to tighten their belts, so let Excel help you do that. Start off by listing all the monthly expenses that you know you have. Mortgage, credit card bills, utilities, cable, etc. Then, as you go through the next month, list all of your other expenses. For instance, gas for the car, grocery shopping, eating out, even down to the laundry soap you buy. By doing this, you can see exactly where your money is going every month, and you can find ways to cut back.

2. To Do Lists
It sounds a little funny, but it’s great to use Excel to make to do lists. Make one column the to do item, then you can other columns for a goal date for completion, an actual completion date, and a column for progress you’ve made so far. This is great for students to use to keep track of their school assignments. That way, nothing will fall through the cracks.

3. Friend and Family Tracker
We all have our little address books to keep track of friends and family, but it is so much easier to use Excel for this task. You can format each of the columns to display your input correctly, like dates and phone numbers, which will save you some extra typing when you enter the information. Also, you can use up as much room as you need. So if you want to enter birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, likes and dislikes, kids names, where they work, email address, and whatever else you can think of. It’s just a really great way to keep everything organized.

It seems like no matter how much memory you get for your computer, you always use it all up. Back in the day, no one would even think that they could use one gigabyte of memory, and these days that’s a fairly small amount. Here’s some tips to help you manage them memory on your computer.

First, make sure that you are only saving the things that you actually need. If you graduated from high school ten years ago, you honestly don’t need that term paper from your English class anymore. So, periodically go through all your documents and files to make sure you actually need the things that are taking up space.

Next, avoid saving more than one copy or something to your hard drive. You want to make sure that everything on your computer is backed up, but your hard drive is not the place to do it. The more memory you have taken up, the slower your computer will perform. So, one option is to buy an external hard drive for your computer. They are relatively inexpensive, small, and hold tons of stuff. For instance, they have a two terabyte (or 2,000 gig) hard drive now. So, this is the perfect place to store all of your pictures, movies, and other large files that are eating up your internal hard drive.

Another good way to store your files is to burn them to a DVD. DVD’s hold about 4 gigs of information, so you can fit a lot of pictures on one DVD. This is also a good way to share pictures with parents, grandparents, and other relatives. Another option similar to DVD is using a USB drive to store information. They are portable and very convenient, and 64 gig capacity models are pretty readily available these days.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure that you test out the backed up files before you delete the originals!

Adobe InDesign is one of my absolute favorite computer programs. It is a very versatile program that you can use for many different things.

First off, it’s great to use for designing cards. If you don’t like buying commercial greeting cards, but you don’t like to hand make them, then this will be just great for you. It’s really easy to learn how to lay out different elements and design your card. It also keeps things in the place you put them. You don’t have to worry about placing one element, then having it shift because you placed something else next to it.

Another great use for InDesign is designing business cards. You don’t want a run of the mill basic design when you are trying to promote your business, so InDesign can help you give your card that little extra something. Plus, you can also design pamphlets, flyers, and other promotional materials in a snap.

One other really great benefit to learning about InDesign is that it will help you learn about other Adobe products as well. For instance, a lot of the options and controls available on InDesign are also available on Photoshop. So, if you are able to learn and master them in one program, you can transfer that knowledge to the others.

Now, the program is rather expensive unfortunately, but it is a great investment. Plus, Adobe offers a free 30 day trial period for any of their programs. This is a wonderful perk because it gives you plenty of time to learn the in’s and out’s of the program, test out what you may use it for, and see if you even like it. That way, it makes it just a little bit easier to spend the extra cash. While you’re at it, try out all the other products Adobe offers, then you can purchase the programs in bundles rather than separately.

First off, pick a site you want to use to do your blogging. There are quite a few out there, so do a little research and find one that will suit your needs. You may also want to take into consideration your level of computer skills. There are sites like blogspot.com where all you need is an email address to get started. Then you get to choose a layout from the many they already have set up. You can customize the look to compliment the type of blog you are doing. They have so many different designs that it’s hard to choose just one. So, you also have the option to change whenever you’d like.

Next, just start posting. You can always edit your posts and remove them if you see fit, but you need to get into the habit of posting and sharing all your thoughts. Another great thing to share is pictures. If you have kids, it’s a great way to share those cherished photos with aunts, uncles, and grandparents. If you’re like me, you definitely don’t do it enough, so your loved ones will be ecstatic when you do.

Lastly, be sure that you invite people to view your blog. You can share it on Twitter, Facebook, and you can even just email the link to everyone in your email contact list. It’s really easy and it makes blogging worth it. Besides, why would you want to blog if there’s no one invited to look at it?