CDBurnerXP: Free, Powerful & Easy-To-Use Disc Burning Software
Although the increasing size of USB flash drives has decreased the need to use CDs and DVDs for data transfer, they are still very useful for backing up important files. In the event you need to burn a disc, CDBurnerXP is free, powerful, and easy to use. Despite it's name, CDBurnerXP supports Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Download and Install Start by downloading CDBurnerXP from the software's website. You will also need to have at least Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 installed for CDBurnerXP. .NET Framework 2.0 can be downloaded from Microsoft. Using CDBurnerXP When you first start the program, you are presented with the ...
Google or Bing? Qrobe.it Combines Both in a Single Search Engine
One question I frequently hear is, "Which is better: Google or Bing?". I wrote an article awhile back about using blind search tests to compare results from Google and Bing, but most of the time I find that both sets of results are pretty useful. If both search engines get you the information you were looking for, why stick to one exclusively? Qrobe.it is a new search engine from Minnesota-based startup Striquent that combines both Google and Bing (and optionally Ask.com, but that's not as exciting). When you visit the site, you'll see a design very similar to the minimalist look ...
SUPERAntiSpyware Releases Portable Scanner
Removing spyware from your computer can often prove to be a difficult task. Many programs are available to remove viruses and other malware in the case that your computer does become infected. The developers of SUPERAntiSpyware have recently released a portable version of their popular spyware removal application called SUPERAntiSpyware Portable. SUPERAntiSpyware Portable is a spyware removal utility that can be used in the event that you become infected. Downloading and Running You will first need to download SUPERAntiSpyware Portable from the software's website. Since it is a portable version, installation is not required. The file you download will be saved as ...
Jolicloud: A Fresh Netbook OS
With the increased popularity of netbooks in the last year, most PC manufacturers started producing their own line of netbooks, trying to condense high resource systems into small form factors. Many users began looking for a way to get the most out of the sometimes limited system resources with netbooks. The first instinct many netbook owners have is to upgrade system resources with a larger hard drive and more memory. Although this is probably the best option for most users, there is an alternative - changing your netbook's operating system. Jolicloud is a recent contender in the netbook operating system market. Still ...
Google Earth Secret: Flight Simulator Mode
Google Earth is a revolutionary application that allows you to explore the entire planet in 3D using Google's satellite imagery data. Users are not just limited to terrestrial earth anymore either - you can journey under the oceans, gaze at the night sky, travel to the moon, and visit Mars. Sure, there are plenty of practical uses for Google Earth, but a fantastic hidden feature allows you to turn Google Earth into a global (and interplanetary) flight simulator. Activating Flight Simulator To activate Flight Simulator mode, press CTRL + ALT + A in Google Earth. You will be able to select either an ...
Why the Kindle Sucks (and What Can Be Done About It)
Over the holiday season, Amazon’s Kindle became the most gifted item in Amazon’s history. On Christmas day, Amazon sold more Kindle copies of books than actual physical books. Without a doubt, E-readers are the future of the book industry, and the Kindle is leading the way. Or is it? Unfortunately, it isn't. The Kindle sucks. The Kindle, which was one of the first mainstream E Ink readers and easily the most popular E-book reader out there, allows you to download digital copies of books, newspapers, and other publications for reading on an E-ink display. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, archaic DRM restrictions and ...
Create Goo.gl Shortened URLs in your Browser – Now without Google Toolbar
Full-length URLs have nearly become an internet faux pas since the advent of sites like Twitter where character restrictions reign supreme. Sending a normal URL in a tweet is the digital equivalent of tripping over your own shoelaces, and most people have adopted a "favorite" URL shortening service like bit.ly, tinyurl, or is.gd. Google recently entered the URL shortening business offering the Goo.gl domain - but why would you want to switch from your current shortener of choice? Google's biggest advantage over their competitors is their sheer size - they can guarantee the shortened URLs will always work and be as fast ...
Block Distracting Sites with LeechBlock
Firefox only: Having a hard time focusing at work? Do you compulsively check websites while your to-do list is growing? We can be our own worst enemies when work needs to be done and things like Facebook and RSS feeds are at our fingertips. LeechBlock is an add-on for Firefox that allows you to block time-wasting sites so you can actually get some work done. LeechBlock is highly customizable and even lets you configure specific times to block individual sites. To use LeechBlock, install it from Mozilla's add-on site and restart your browser. When you get back into Firefox, go to Tools ...
CDBurnerXP: Free, Powerful & Easy-To-Use Disc Burning Software
by Dustin Patterson on February 8, 2010
Although the increasing size of USB flash drives has decreased the need to use CDs and DVDs for data transfer, they are still very useful for backing up important files. In the event you need to burn a disc, CDBurnerXP is free, powerful, and easy to use. Despite it’s name, CDBurnerXP supports Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Download and Install Start by downloading CDBurnerXP from the software’s... [Read More]
Time to Upgrade: Google Ending Support for Internet Explorer 6 Soon
by Evan Wondrasek on February 5, 2010
Google recently announced that as of March 1st, 2010, they will no longer be supporting Internet Explorer 6 in their web applications, starting with Google Docs and Google Sites. It’s safe to assume that many of their other web applications will soon follow, as they promise that this year will be a “great year for Google Apps”. If you’re currently using Internet Explorer... [Read More]
Google Chrome: How to Sync Browser Sessions Between Multiple Computers
by Evan Wondrasek on February 4, 2010
Here’s a scenario: you’re about to leave work for the day and you have 9 important tabs open in Google Chrome. You’d like to continue with that same session when you get home – but what can you do? FreshStart is a great extension for Google Chrome that allows you to save your browser sessions and reload them on multiple computers. You can simply save all your open tabs to... [Read More]
Google or Bing? Qrobe.it Combines Both in a Single Search Engine
by Evan Wondrasek on February 3, 2010
One question I frequently hear is, “Which is better: Google or Bing?”. I wrote an article awhile back about using blind search tests to compare results from Google and Bing, but most of the time I find that both sets of results are pretty useful. If both search engines get you the information you were looking for, why stick to one exclusively? Qrobe.it is a new search engine from Minnesota-based... [Read More]
Facebook Tip: Display Missing Status Updates in Facebook’s Live Feed
by Evan Wondrasek on February 2, 2010
Facebook’s Live Feed shows a stream of your friends’ activity on Facebook in real-time. This feature was added after the updated News Feed was released, which only shows popular posts (tailored just for you) that occurred throughout the entire day. One thing I noticed when I compared my Facebook Live Feed to the feed displayed in 3rd party applications like TweetDeck was that several... [Read More]
First 48 Hours with the Motorla Droid
by Patrick Vinge on January 29, 2010
I was recently forced to switch to Verizon after 4 years of service from T-Mobile due to lack of coverage in Grand Forks, ND. Let me tell you, I don’t think I could have been forced to do anything better. My first 48 hours with the Droid have been a complete eye opener from its predecessor the G1, with a few hiccups along the way. Two things initially impressed me after receiving this phone.... [Read More]
Optimize Your iGoogle Personalized Homepage with Super iGoogle
by Evan Wondrasek on January 26, 2010
I use iGoogle as my browser start page which allows me to quickly view things like the news, weather, movie showtimes, my to do list, and email when I open my browser. iGoogle is completely customizable and supports a great variety of themes. I only have one problem: the search header and sidebar take up a lot of valuable space that could be used for content. A simple way to condense the extra... [Read More]
BioShock 2: Purchasing Looks Less and Less Appealing Thanks to DRM
by Kevin Schulte on January 25, 2010
BioShock 2 releases in a couple of weeks, and from the way things are going it appears publisher 2K Games is doing everything in their power to keep people from buying it. Previous details about the game’s Digital Rights Management indicated a tight lockdown, but recent statements from 2K Games claim a so-called ‘scaling back’ of DRM measures. Here’s the full release from them: Over the past... [Read More]
SUPERAntiSpyware Releases Portable Scanner
by Dustin Patterson on January 25, 2010
Removing spyware from your computer can often prove to be a difficult task. Many programs are available to remove viruses and other malware in the case that your computer does become infected. The developers of SUPERAntiSpyware have recently released a portable version of their popular spyware removal application called SUPERAntiSpyware Portable. SUPERAntiSpyware Portable is a spyware removal utility... [Read More]
Encrypt Your Important Data with TrueCrypt
by Patrick Vinge on January 22, 2010
With privacy becoming a bigger and bigger issue in the digital world, it is becoming more important to protect your personal data. The easiest way to keep your personal information secure is to encrypt it. This can be done seamlessly and for free through a cool program called TrueCrypt. To start down the road of data encryption you will first have to download the newest version of TrueCrypt for... [Read More]
What’s New in Firefox 3.6
by Dustin Patterson on January 21, 2010
Today marks the release of the latest version of the Firefox web browser – Firefox 3.6 Some changes to the popular web browser have come about in the latest release, and are outlined below. Lightweight themes Included in Firefox 3.6 are lightweight themes, also known as Personas. When using Personas, users will have the ability to quickly change themes without having to restart the browser. ... [Read More]
Jolicloud: A Fresh Netbook OS
by Dustin Patterson on January 20, 2010
With the increased popularity of netbooks in the last year, most PC manufacturers started producing their own line of netbooks, trying to condense high resource systems into small form factors. Many users began looking for a way to get the most out of the sometimes limited system resources with netbooks. The first instinct many netbook owners have is to upgrade system resources with a larger hard... [Read More]
Google Earth Secret: Flight Simulator Mode
by Evan Wondrasek on January 19, 2010
Google Earth is a revolutionary application that allows you to explore the entire planet in 3D using Google’s satellite imagery data. Users are not just limited to terrestrial earth anymore either – you can journey under the oceans, gaze at the night sky, travel to the moon, and visit Mars. Sure, there are plenty of practical uses for Google Earth, but a fantastic hidden feature allows... [Read More]
Why the Kindle Sucks (and What Can Be Done About It)
by Kevin Schulte on January 15, 2010
Over the holiday season, Amazon’s Kindle became the most gifted item in Amazon’s history. On Christmas day, Amazon sold more Kindle copies of books than actual physical books. Without a doubt, E-readers are the future of the book industry, and the Kindle is leading the way. Or is it? Unfortunately, it isn’t. The Kindle sucks. The Kindle, which was one of the first mainstream E Ink readers... [Read More]
Using Speedfan To Check Your Computer’s Hardware Status
by Dustin Patterson on January 14, 2010
I previously wrote how to use Speedfan to check your hard drive’s S.M.A.R.T information, but checking the health of your hard drive is actually a secondary feature of the Speedfan software. Its main purpose is to provide you the real-time statuses of your hardware. Speedfan is free software for Windows that allows users to access real-time hardware information that would otherwise be unavailable. ... [Read More]
