Archive for category Software

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?

Tags: , , ,

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?

Web Content Management System: Explained

Sep 15

Posted by tbarbee in Software | No Comments

I decided to go another avenue and speak on behalf of web site design and itself…..

After you have registered your domain name, choose a web hosting provider, and have your website visible on the web, what do you do next? The next thing is website maintenance. But how? One way I like to maintain my website or others I work with is using a web content management system. First let’s take a look at what a content management system is, the benefits of using one, and look at some content management systems that can be used for personal or business.

What is a Content Management System?

A Content Management Systems is a way to create, manage, distribute, publish, and update your website information.

Benefits to a Content Management System

Even though there are other ways of updating your website, you might decide to choose and use a content management system. What are the benefits of using a content management system? Below are the following benefits to using a content management system:

  • Changes can be updated any time when needed (day or night).
  • If you choose to do so and have staff, they can update the section(s) that they are responsible for.
  • Design and content is separate. This means that you can update or make changes to the design without affecting the content.
  • Use Cascading Style Sheets to maintain the appearance. I really like CSS as it allows you to change the design and color of the CMS site.
  • Create RSS Feeds. Every time you create a post or make a comment, it creates a feed for it.
  • Schedule your content updates. You can set a time to schedule when your articles or post actually can be updated.

Content Management Systems to Use

Where can you find a content management system to use? For starters, most web hosting providers will have a content management system for you to use. For example, the web hosting provider I have has Drupal, Mambo, and Joomla as part of my content management systems. Of course, these are some popular ones to use to make updates as I find anyone of these to be a great tool to use.

On another note, if you would like to use a hosted content management system just to simply update content and do the minimum for other things, I find that CushyCMS which can be found at www.cushycms.com (You can watch the demo on the site and Sign up for free), will allow web designers or content editors to edit content as well as not to install software on their machine. With CushyCMS, there is a free version which I have used and there is one where you can pay which provides more services.

Conclusion

A content management system can be a great tool to use for either personal or business use. A content management system allows you to capability to update your site and have multiple authors take authorship of sections of your site as your site continues to grow.

Tags: , ,

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.

Conficker Virus…warning / reminder

Mar 31

Posted by admin in Software | No Comments

We had a customer drop off a computer recently with the Conficker virus and I just saw this news update on Yahoo about it as well. One of the most devious things about these programs is their ability to re-direct the web browser so if you try to repair a computer that has already been infected you can often be tricked into downloading more malicious software.

Tags: , , , ,

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes