Don't Delete Your Apps, Unistall Them.

Soon after I switched from a PC to a Mac, I was taught that the way to uninstall an application was to simply delete it and empty the Trash. It wasn't after finding some leftover folders and files leftover on my harddrive that I decided to find a better way to uninstall the app. There are some well known version like AppDelete and AppZapper, I have been using the free alternative AppCleaner. While the names aren't that creative, they make up for it by the usefulness of the application. What it does is search your harddrive for similar files to the app you want to delete and then you get to choose which ones go away. Great way to make sure the app didn't leave any unnecessary files or I can be able to do a clean install again. You can get AppCleaner here.

Difficulty Level: Easy

MacJuan ZepedaAppCleaner, Mac, uninstall mac applications, unistallComment
Need to Convert a Power Point File to a Flash File?

Well, iSpring is the right software for you. Ispring is a free software available to the public, it converts PowerPoints to flash video. There are more programs out there that do this same task but this is the fastest and most accurate. If you are not satisfied with this program, or/and want more out of it, there exists around 4 other programs that start from 40 dollars.  So come by now and check this software out.

UncategorizedJuan ZepedaComment
Firefox 4 Beta Released

The first beta build for Mozilla's browser, Firefox 4, was just released today with a variety of changes. First and foremost, check to make sure your crucial add-ons are currently compatible with the latest build. In this case, that would be beta1. If all is still well, then install and prepare for the changes (only two of them). The first difference is that tabs are now on top of the window, similar to the layout the beta release for Safari 4 used. If you weren't a fan of them, there is an option for you to return them to their familiar home.

The second is the introduction to the "Firefox button". Instead of a menu bar, you get a button. If you've ever used an app from Microsoft Office, then you know what I'm talking about. Just like the tab change, there's an option for the menu bar to return (which I will be doing).

For now, these changes will only be available for those that use it on Windows but will later be available for Mac and Linux users. You can get the beta here.

WebJuan Zepedabeta, Firefox, Linux, Mac, Mozilla, windowsComment
A movie maker that everyone needs

Who saw Eclipse or what ever it is called. I ask this because movies are very complicated productions but you can do the same or close to that. If you are using Windows you can use Windows Movie Maker but that has limited features. There is a piece a free software called VideoSpin. The company that make it, is called Pinnacle. They offer this free because they sell a full video program for professionals. This version is perfect for the home user. Try it today and see what you like.

Picturefrom[ForestForTrees]

WindowsJuan Zepedaeditting, video, videospinComment
Cell Phone bars don't mean anything?

Who wants the new iphone? I don't, not with the iphone dropping calls like crazy.  There has been many complaints on how it is built. It looks like Mr. Jobs, Apple's CEO,  decided to put the antenna on the outside where OUR hands go. It covers the antenna. Today's tech tip is not to put a plastic band around your iphone but just to clear up that the bars on your cell phone do not matter! Many people have a  notion that more bars the stronger the signal. That is false! You either have a signal or you don't. Why do we have bars?  The companies have used that  as advertising like the picture above. Our phones receive digital signals not analog like in the old days.  So next time, it doesn't matter if you have bars. It matters that you get a signal. Can you hear me know?

Photoby[Elliott P.]

Apple, Cell PhonesJuan ZepedaApple, at&t, drop calls, Iphone, singalComment
Found a picture online and want it bigger or better quality?

I have been doing a website for SBCC  TAP and have run into problems were I find an awesome picture BUT....  the picture is to0 small and if a make it bigger, it gets pixelated. I found a website that solves my problem. This website is called TinEye.  The website finds pictures relating to the ones you need. In order for it to work you must paste the picture URL or upload it to TinEye. Then, TinEye searches the internet to find related pictures. Walla! Problem solved.

WebJuan Zepedaimages, pictures, resize, tineye Comments
Want an Easy Online Photo Editor?

Well Picnik, is a simple and free tool that is online and also available to anyone. You can edit and fix up any photo you want with just clicks. There are tons of special effects that you can choose from to make your pictures look the best. If you would like to upgrade to premium and get all the effects from Picnik, the price is only $24.95 a year. So come and check this photo editor out.

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Linux, Mac, Web, WindowsJuan ZepedaComment
What can an update really do?

Well, in the first place what is an update? Well, an update  means to brings something up to date. Updates are really useful because it brings software and other programs to a newer version.  In addition to updating programs, it fixes and corrects problems within a certain piece of software. For Microsoft Windows OS, they release their update on the second Tuesday of every month. If you don't update your computer regularly, as in the summer of 2003, the Blaster worm harmed computers all over the world causing them to reboot themselves freely. If you don't want the job of having to check if updates are available for your computer, follow these steps. 1. Click start.

2. Scroll over to All Programs.

3. Click Windows Update.

4. Change the setting on the left pane.

Computer, Security, WindowsJuan ZepedaUpdateComment
Which cell phone should i get?

I was browsing the internet and bumped into this amazing chart of smart phones. Thanks to Apollo Clark. Many people always ask "which phone should i get?" I believe this breaks it down detail by detail.  I personally own the HTC Incredible. I must say it is incredible.  If you can not decide which phone to get leave a comment. Here at OneTechTip we are here to help.

(Click on the pic below to make bigger)

Cell PhonesJuan Zepedacell, smartphoneComment
Brizzly

If you ever find yourself getting tired from switching back and forth between Twitter and Facebook, then Brizzly is for you. Brizzly is a great web app that helps you with stream of information coming in from Twitter and Facebook. Brizzly has great support Twitter like embedding pictures automatically but the best feature Brizzly has for Twitter its' support for Trends. Whenever something starts getting a lot of buzz on Twitter, it begins to Trend and shows up on the right hand column of your Twitter page. Well Brizzly does the same but what makes it so great is Brizzly users can submit what they think the trending topic means. It's great whenever you find yourself wondering what some of the topics mean. You can check Brizzly out at their website, here.

WebJuan ZepedaBrizzly, facebook, TwitterComment
Hold Your iPhone the Right Way

If you were one of the many who bought a brand new iPhone, you might want to pay attention as you might save yourself from a lot of frustration and missed calls. Just this past week Apple started selling their latest version of the iPhone, iPhone 4, to the public. As soon as people walked out the doors to the Apple Store, un-boxing videos started showing up on YouTube. Unlike any other gadget, follow videos were being uploaded. These videos showed how placing your hand on the wrong corner can make you lose all service. Just like that. No questions asked. It even happened to Steve Jobs when he first announced it at WWDC. He blamed it on the quantity of Wi-Fi signals but it was most likely the way he was holding it. What was Apple's response to this? Just hold it a different way or buy their bumper case. For some reason if your hand/palm touches the corner that has the antenna, it somehow shorts it and loses all signal in the phone. The reason why the case method works is your hand doesn't touch the antenna therefore no signal lost.

Apparently, it doesn't happen to all iPhones so if you're one of the lucky, then high-five to you. But if not, then make sure you pay attention to the way you hold your iPhone.

You can read more about it over at Engadget.

Cell PhonesJuan ZepedaAntenna, Apple, Iphone Comment
Write emails with your handwriting

PilotHandwriting.com is amazing. It lets you write emails with your handwriting. It very easy and elegant. Simply, print out their template and fill boxes with your handwriting. Second, put the template up to your web cam and PilotHandwriting will detect and memorize your handwriting. If you do not like it you can edit the letters online.  Again, it is easy and fun to do.  Below you can see the video, so you may get a better understanding. Have fun. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHl8UEewbN8&feature=player_embedded]

WebJuan Zepedaletter, pilothandwriting, writingComment
What in the World is Google Voice?

Well, Google Voice is a program provided by Google that lets you call and text for free in the USA and Canada. With this, you can customize your voice mail greetings and choose who and what greeting they get when they call. It also has this ability called Voice Mail Transcription. This transcribes the voice mail that was left into a text and sent to you to via email/SMS. You can either use a Google number or a non-Google number for this. So check it out now.

Difficulty Level: Easy

technology, WebJuan ZepedaComment
Don't get targeted ads in iOS4

Apple recently released iOS4 and  a brand new updated  TOS (Terms of service). I believe it was like 46 pages long! Apple decided to give your Geo data to Apples advertisers.  What does this mean? Well, It means that based on your activity on the iOS4 you will get targeted ads. Luckily, apple lets you opt out. If you are on iOS4 and go to http://oo.apple.com. Here you will be able to opt out.

AppleJuan Zepedaios4Comment
Not a tech savvy but you want to have a easy home network!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH05NBDFFsg&feature=player_embedded] This new Cisco Router called, Valet, is the latest technology that Cisco has come out with. Not only is it easy to set up, it allows someone to be in charge, like a boss. With this new router, you can link computers, video systems, printers, mobile devices, and TV's that are capable for internet. With this new router, you can quickly add someone to your network from the main computer, by adding them as your guest. You would just give them a temporary password. To setup up this router is as easy as plug and play. Because the setup software is in the cisco usb device.  The Valet starts with the price of $99.99. However, for a better range, and better utilities, there is a better one, known as the Valet Plus, which costs $149.99.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Pic from this link

Computer, technology, WindowsJuan ZepedaComment
Speed up windows 7 and Vista with Windows ReadyBoost

I certainly have a lot of flash drives laying around with no use at all. They are just collecting dust. I recently remembered that, when Windows Vista was released, a feature called Windows ReadyBoost was released. ReadyBoost makes your computers performance better.  You can read more about this here. To take advantages of this feature, in windows 7 and Vista, you must have a flash drive that is bigger than 2gb and is fast. When you find it, plug it in into your computer and you will get a window similar to the one below. Click "Speed up my system" and follow the steps.

WindowsJuan Zepedareadyboost, speed Comments
IMAX Theaters

Just recently, I came back from my first experience at an IMAX theatre after attending the Lakers' championship parade (It was awesome). Now, what I went to is what's considered to be a true IMAX theater. These past couple of years, old theaters have been converted into "IMAX" theaters with larger screens and better sound system. I use quotation marks around IMAX because the projector they use is not the same and the screen is much smaller compared to a true IMAX theater. For some, people may not care or notice what projector is used but others do. The theater that I went to was the one in Universal City. You can find all the info you need at the end of the post. The LFexaminer link also has Google Maps of all the IMAX theaters and labels them according to the projector and if it's a true or MPX IMAX theater. BigScreen and LFexaminer.

technologyJuan ZepedaIMAXComment
Expand Quicktime's Playback Capabilities

Apple's Quicktime application has gone through many changes the past year. For those that upgraded from OS X v10.5 and below to v10.6, you can see how much more Quicktime can do. It can now record video (if there's a camera), record audio (if there's a mic), and screen capturing. Now some of these capabilities have been available for previous versions, they were only available if you bought Quicktime Pro, and have now become free. But what Quicktime still does not have is support for certain codec and container support. This is where Perian comes in. Perian is a Quicktime plug-in by The Perian Team that lets Quicktime play file formats that do not instinctively work on it. There are alternatives to playing video files like VLC but it's always nice dealing with just one program. You can get Perian here.

MacJuan ZepedaPerian, Quicktime, VLCComment
Charge your device connected to your TV or game Console

Have you been lazy and did not want to turn on your computer to charge an ipod, cell phone, Gps, camera, controllers, etc.? Did you know you can charge your gadgets right in your living room? Yes, many people have big screens and game consoles with USB ports. Plug in those devices and keep them charged while you watch TV. Many USB ports should have power running to them. If not,m try another or maybe it is not supported. Take advantage. Happy charging.

Picture by [rockinfree]

Cell Phones, technologyJuan Zepedabattery, camera, charge, ipod, UsbComment