Archive for category Computers

Do You Use Firefox Extensions?

Oct 27

Posted by tbarbee in Computers, Software | No Comments

If you use Mozilla Firefox as an alternative web browser to Internet Explorer, Safari, and Opera; Mozilla Firefox provides the flexibility and extensibility to both non-developers and developers allowing its users to add little applications (An example of this is FireFTP that is used to upload an updated web page to the web server/web hosting using FireFTP) to enhance the functionality of the Mozilla Firefox experience which are called extensions.

In this article, the following objectives will be discussed:

  • Benefits of using Firefox Extensions
  • Types of Firefox Extensions
  • How to Install and Uninstall Firefox Extensions

Benefits of Firefox Extensions

Internet Explorer, Safari, and Opera provides the opportunity to communicate, to purchase items, to save your bookmarks for that favorite page you like and even surf the web. Firefox provides pretty much the same benefits as the other web browsers do but offer the benefit of using Firefox Extensions with Mozilla.  Below are noted some benefits to using Firefox Extensions which are:

  • Easy to install and uninstall Firefox Extensions.
  • View related news, weather, and other information when Firefox Extensions are installed.
  • Firefox browser compatibility is checked before installing Firefox Extensions.

Types of Firefox Extensions

Mozilla Firefox offers thousands of different types of extension, also known as Add-ons (this can be found at http://addons.mozilla.org) for non-developers and developers for the purpose of day to day business or general use. Mozilla Firefox Add-ons section provides various categories from web development, bookmarks, photos, music, blogging, and much more. Once you start browsing the different categories, you noticed that the page to the right will show you the type of extensions and also provide you the top downloads, top rated, and recently added within that category that you selected. From downloads, top rated, and recently added, can be one out of the many factors of choosing an extension with Firefox.

How to Install and Uninstall Firefox Extensions

After examining the various categories of extensions to use with Firefox, now it is time to install some or even uninstall the ones that you do not want anymore. If you want to install Firefox Extensions, the following can be done:

  1. Select a Firefox Extension category.
  2. A list of Firefox Extensions will appear. Select the green button which is to the right that says “Add to Firefox”
  3. Click on it to install.
  4. Before installing “A dialog box will appear indicating to install from authors whom you trust. If you feel comfortable with this then click on the “Install Now” button and it will install that add on for you to use with Firefox.
  5. Select the Restart Firefox button so that the Add-On can be included on the Standard Toolbar under “Tools” menu command.
  6. Go to the Tools menu command after Mozilla Firefox has reopened and look for Add-ons you have installed.

You have installed an extension to use with Firefox.

Now that you have installed several extensions and find no need to use these anymore, how do you uninstall them? Below are the following instructions on how to uninstall a Firefox Extension:

  1. Go to the Tools menu command and select Add-ons.
  2. Select the Extensions button at the top. It will list all of the extensions that have been installed.
  3. Select the extension in the list area that you do not want and select the “Uninstall button”. An alert box will appear and ask “Do you want to uninstall? Select the uninstall button.
  4. Select the “Restart button” to allow the uninstall changes to take effect.
  5. Go to the Tools menu command.
  6. Select Add-ons to see if the extension is uninstalled.

There you have it! The extension that was once installed is uninstalled.

In conclusion, using Mozilla Firefox as an alternative to Internet Explorer, Safari, and Opera, provides an opportunity to include functionality and features to Firefox. However, it is a good idea to spend time looking at the various categories of extensions that you might need on a day to day basis for business or general use.

If you use Firefox Extensions, which ones do you use and why?

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Free Domain Name Parking

Oct 13

Posted by tbarbee in Computers | No Comments

A domain name is a unique website address that businesses have for their clients to view the latest articles, products, services, or other information on their website. According to Verisign, there are over 183 million domain names registered globally. If you are interested in registering your own domain name whether you are beginning your business or working on an additional business website, you might want to purchase that domain name before someone else decides to register it. If you have registered your domain name, what do you do with that domain name if you are not ready to launch the website? Why not park it!

Domain name parking is just what it is, parking a page that is not being used at the present time. Domain name parking can display some pay per click ads on the domain name parking page. As for me, I decided to look into parking my domain name to generate a little revenue when it was time to renew my domain name that I am not using as part of my business at the moment.

Some websites will charge you to park your domain name but there are some that will allow you to park your domain name for free. I found two free domain parking websites that I use which are Traffic Parking and Sedo. By parking your domain at these sites, revenue can be generated when traffic is being directed to a search page or when a visitors clicks on a pay per click ad link that calculates a percentage and generate revenue.

Even though I listed two free domain names parking sites to check out, there are many more free ones to research. Domain name parking is a process to register, park, and leave your domain name at the parking site until you are ready to use it.

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My Top Five Favorite Facebook Applications

Oct 6

Posted by tbarbee in Computers, Software | No Comments

If you use Facebook like I do to connect with your friends, family, or for business opportunities, there are a lot of applications that FaceBook offers that are broken down into categories. When I use Facebook, here are my top five favorite Facebook Applications that I like to use.

Social RSS. This will allow you to promote your blog or business within Facebook. I like the fact that with the Social RSS you can add your blog or any RSS feeds to your wall tab or even create a new RSS/blog tab that is only for your feeds. In addition, I like that the fact that I can post latest articles automatically to my wall once and I can share it with my friends, family, or as it relates to business. To include a tab of RSS/blog, go to “Profile “ to add.

Slide Share. I just recently went to a meetup and the person that was presenting was talking about Social Media. He informed us that he would put it under “Slide Share”. This is one I also found to be great for business. If you are presenting somewhere, you might want to use “Slide Share” which is located under the category of Business. This allows you to share your presentation online whether it is in Powerpoint, OpenOffice, a .pdf file, and many more formats as well as share your ideas with others. I like the fact that if you do not go through Facebook and you created an account with them which is through www.slideshare.net, it appears as though you can sync your account.

MarketPlace. From time to time, I do take a look here. Marketplace is a great way for a person to buy, sell, give things away, or even ask for things that you might want or need from people especially if it is to support a cause or charity.

weRead. With so much do on a day to day basis, where is the time to read? With using weRead, you can list, rate, and write reviews for the books you have read as well as even start a book club. I must say that my interest really is really reading computer books but I would like to start reading other books that are purely for no benefit.

Growing Gifts. This is one where you can give your friends a gift that grows. You can send a Growing Gift to someone or even help some of your friend’s with growing their garden therefore giving and helping one another.

There are so many different applications that can a person might want to use as their favorites as they are connecting with their friends, family, or even business associates.

So it goes without question, which Facebook applications do you find worth adding?

What is a Netbook? Can it be useful for your business?

Aug 13

Posted by tbarbee in Computers | No Comments

Even though we might use a desktop or a laptop for our business, we have another computer as an alternate that might be useful for our business; which is the Netbook. The Netbook itself is a small, lightweight, reasonable priced (cost under $500 most of the time) that has the operating system of either Windows XP or Linux. With all that said, how can a Netbook be used as part of your business? What are some of the disadvantages to using a Netbook?

A Netbook can be useful for your business for the sole purpose for web browsing, checking email, and do a little word processing (Netbooks can hold some applications) while on the go or traveling. They are portable, easy to carry in a backpack or a bag as I have experienced. 

Netbooks also has its disadvantages. The disadvantage of owning and using a Netbook is the Netbook has a small keyboard which makes it difficult to type at times, difficulty in installing programs such as games that require lots of space, and of course the small screen making it difficult to see a few view of your applications or sometimes the Internet.

 The Netbook may not be for every business but it can have its practical use for your business. How so? There are questions that you can consider when purchasing a Netbook. These questions are:

  • Does your business require you to store a large amount of data onto your computer?
  • Does your business run software applications such as games, databases (SQL Server or Oracle) that might require a large amount of space?
  • Will this be the primary use for your business staff? Will using the Internet and checking their email be enough for your business staff to use?
  • Will the small screen be efficient enough for you to use or do you need a larger screen to view, like that of a laptop?
  • Will owning a Netbook for as part of your business help your bottom line in the long run?

These are some questions that one can consider when assessing the needs of your business before purchasing a Netbook. You might also want to consider giving a few of the Netbooks a test run to see which Netbook will be useful for your business. This might be identifying areas of how much space you need for your Netbook or software applications to use on the Netbook.

In the next article, I will talk about if the decision has been made to purchase a Netbook for your business, which Netbooks can be useful for your business?

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Maximizing the Use of Your Computer

Aug 3

Posted by admin in Computers, Linux, Recycling, Software | 1 Comment

Human beings survive best with two lungs, two kidneys and two computers (minimum.) You can get buy with one lung, one kidney or one computer — but it can be uncomfortable if that single lung, kidney or computer fails.

That’s why I was so happy to see the $50 Compaq desktop computer being sold by PCRetro. This computer is very functional and affordable enough that a person (or family) could buy one of these and leave it in a closet as a spare. Then again, you might want to spend the same amount of money on an Apple Keyboard, because having a spare fancy keyboard can be useful, you know.

This is what I would do with that lovely Compaq desktop. I would install Ubuntu Linux on it so that I could have the best of both worlds — Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux on the same computer. This can be quite easily done using some free software called WuBi. You will need a high speed Internet connection to do this (DSL, cable modem, or Verizon FIOS.) On my newer Dell desktop computer I was able to install Ubuntu Linux in about an hour using WuBi. On this earlier, slower computer it would probably take about 1.5 hours.

After Ubuntu Linux is installed, you will then have a choice of using Windows XP or Ubuntu every time you boot your computer. The great advantage of this is that if Windows slows down too much — or if you get a virus on Windows, Ubuntu is still fully functional. And Linux almost never gets viruses.

You can get free help with Ubuntu from the local Ubuntu group here in the Washington DC-area. Join their low-volume
email list and send your friendly worded Ubuntu questions to the Ubuntu experts on this list. Many people on this list love answering Ubuntu questions and quite a number of people on this list are computer professionals or are majoring in computer science in college.

Keep in mind, too, that this local email list is completely separate from PCRetro.com. This email list is a free community resource that might provide you the help you need.

Next week I’ll be blogging about some free logic puzzles that run on Ubuntu Linux. These can provide hours of enjoyment for people from 5 to 105. These same logic puzzles also run on Windows and Macintosh computer, so everyone in town can enjoy them.

Phil Shapiro (The author works as the public geek at the Takoma Park Maryland Library and is an adjunct professor of education at American University. He has bought many computers for himself and friends at PCRetro and almost always has had a very positive experience. In his free time, he volunteers delivering donated computers to needy families in Takoma Park. His volunteer work was written up in this Washington Post article from several years ago. You can reach him at
pshapiro@his.com)

new beginnings

Jul 7

Posted by admin in Computers, Linux, Software | 4 Comments

In the past I had toyed around with the idea of using Linux on my main computer but never really dedicated the time to learning how to use it and just reverted back to what was familiar. Having just recently had my Windows pc infested with all sorts of rootkits and what not and not being able to eradicate them completely I’ve decided that instead of doing a fresh install of Windows I’m just going to give Linux a serious try. I’ve decided to go with OpenSUSE Linux ver. 11.1. My laptop, a Thinkpad T60, is on the list of compatible units so I’m hoping the install will go smoothly. I’ll post some updates once I get it installed.

To Save or Not To Save…..

May 11

Posted by blogger in Computers, Environment | 2 Comments

I came across this article at www.energysavers.gov website as I was researching the importance of powering down computers when not in use…..

 

 

When to Turn Off Personal Computers

If you’re wondering when you should turn off your personal computer for energy savings, here are some general guidelines to help you make that decision.

Though there is a small surge in energy when a computer starts up, this small amount of energy is still less than the energy used when a computer is running for long periods of time. For energy savings and convenience, consider turning off

  • the monitor if you aren’t going to use your PC for more than 20 minutes
  • both the CPU and monitor if you’re not going to use your PC for more than 2 hours.

Make sure your monitors, printers, and other accessories are on a power strip/surge protector. When this equipment is not in use for extended periods, turn off the switch on the power strip to prevent them from drawing power even when shut off. If you don’t use a power strip, unplug extra equipment when it’s not in use.

Most PCs reach the end of their “useful” life due to advances in technology long before the effects of being switched on and off multiple times have a negative impact on their service life. The less time a PC is on, the longer it will “last.” PCs also produce heat, so turning them off reduces building cooling loads.

For cost effectiveness, you also need to consider how much your time is worth. If it takes a long time to shut down the computer and then restart it later, the value of your time will probably be much greater than the value of the amount of electricity you will save by turning off the computer.

Power-Down or Sleep Mode Features

Many PCs available today come with a power-down or sleep mode feature for the CPU and monitor. ENERGY STAR® computers power down to a sleep mode that consume 15 Watts or less power, which is around 70% less electricity than a computer without power management features. ENERGY STAR monitors have the capability to power down into two successive “sleep” modes. In the first, the monitor energy consumption is less than or equal to 15 Watts, and in the second, power consumption reduces to 8 Watts, which is less than 10% of its operating power consumption.

Make sure you have the power-down feature set up on your PC through your operating system software. This has to be done by you, otherwise the PC will not power down. If your PC and monitor do not have power-down features, and even if they do, follow the guidelines above about when to turn the CPU and monitor off.

Note: Screen savers are not energy savers. Using a screen saver may in fact use more energy than not using one, and the power-down feature may not work if you have a screen saver activated. In fact, modern LCD color monitors do not need screen savers at all.

E-Waste – Everyone’s problem.

Apr 29

Posted by admin in Computers, E-Waste, Environment, Recycling | 1 Comment

Here’s a great article on the massive problem that e-waste presents the world and the article specifically discusses the United States involvement.

edit…here’s the link

Flying by the seat of my pants

Mar 30

Posted by admin in Computers, Recycling | 3 Comments

So I thought one thing I could do with this blog is talk about employees that work for us or have worked for us and I thought what better place to start than with the founder of PC Retro who passed away just over 2 years ago, Robert Sargent.


Despite Rob’s vast knowledge of computer equipment you could ask anyone who knew him that he wasn’t the most savvy person when it came to basic computer operations like sending/receiving email, etc.. I can’t imagine explaining this blog to him but I think he would be proud knowing my first post was a sales pitch. ;-)

New inventory..IBM ThinkCentre S50 slim desktop

Mar 30

Posted by admin in Computers | 1 Comment

First post here and what a better way than to start off with than mentioning a new computer added to our website inventory.

The big selling point of this machine is its slim size (about the size of a yellowpages book) and the tool-free chassis. It has a standard size optical drive, 2 full size PCI slots and you can barely see it in the dark photograph but it has front mounted USB ports as well.

its tiny!

it's tiny!

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