In today's world, we see a lot of companies that start in a garage or the dorms. A company that comes to mind is Facebook. Facebook was started at Harvard by a student named Mark Zuckerberg. He received financial help from his friend Eduardo Saverin and Facebook took off! Point being, Mark had a brilliant idea, but not all ideas can start without some financial help. If you have an idea, I strongly recommended you go for it. Below are three great sites that can financially help you launch your idea forward. Remember, Facebook is worth 3.7 billion dollars! You never know how much yours can be worth!
That time of the year has arrived once again. The time in which the majority of the population begin spending great amounts of money and causing businesses to make more money. Before going out on Black Friday in hopes of getting a good deal, there are actually several deals on a daily basis going on for different items. Instead of you searching for the best deals, why not let some other people do the searching for you? Below are some of the sites I frequently search for with good deals in technology, promotion and FREEBIES!!!!!
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Image via CrunchBase"]
[/caption]
[/caption]
About a month ago, Google shut down Goog-411, a free 411 service that gave you directions and numbers to business. Bing, Google's competitor came out with a similar service. Bing addrd extra handy features.
You can dial 1-800-BING-411 or 1-800-225-5411.
It works very similar to Google's former service. You call the number and pick from various options. Some are:
- Numbers to business
- Driving directions
- Move information
- Traffic reports
- Weather information
It automatically detects your zip-code or you may change it.
I believe the most handy feature is Cheap gas info and Traffic reports. Give it a try. Just save it on your phone and you will see it comes handy. See more info at BING Mobile.
In my opinion, Windows 7 is one of the best operating systems to date, but it lacks some features I find handy when I use Linux. One of those features is the ability to have multiple desktops! VirtuaWin is the solution! You might wonder why is it useful? Having multiple desktops, in a way, compensates for the lack of a high resolution monitor and reduces clutter especially if you enjoy having multiple programs running with multiple windows. VirtuaWin is a light-weight application; it will run in the background without slowing down your system. To use, simply configure VirtuaWin to how many desktops you want, set a keyboard short-cut, set it to start-up automatically and you gain your way to perhaps a more productive working environment. Did I mention it’s free?
As for recommended settings, I would stick to only two to three desktops. Too many desktops, and it will defeat the purpose of reducing the number of items a person has to manage! Also, enable the mouse to drag any window to a different desktop. Be warned, the Window 7 Snapping Window feature interferes with switching desktops via the mouse drag and will snap the window if it's Microsoft software; not a huge problem, but rather annoying. If you feel it's a problem, you can as well disable that feature within Windows 7. Enabling the mouse dragging emulates having multiple monitors. Finally, as for the desktop switching keyboard short-cut, I use alt + left/right arrow combination. Give it a try, especially if you do not have the cash to burn for a nice shiny 1080p monitor!
Many of us do not want to say "I got scammed" but it happens all the time. I want to make our readers aware that hackers use social engineering the majority of the time to gain access to accounts. What is social engineering? Social engineering is " the act of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information, rather than by breaking in or using technical cracking techniques; essentially a fancier, more technical way of lying." Just today, I received an email from my boss that her brother needed money; it was a scam.
Hi Juan, please I need help from you, my Mother brother is in needs of $300 he travel out to Asia wants to come back weekends I want you to do me a favor since am not around to send him money or check this week, please help me to send him $300 on western union. I will send you back the check as soon as I return home, payment information to send him the money on western union Receivers Name : Paul Adam Receivers Address: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia amount :$300. that is all the details you need to send him the money, after making the payment send me the full senders name and MTCN number God will bless you as your going to help me and I will surely reward and appreciate you when am back home. Thank You Juan!!!
I actually received this email. At first glance I almost felt heart-broken. My senses kicked in and I was being scammed. They were using social engineering. I contacted my boss and told her what I had received. I recommended her watch her account for a few weeks and to change the password. Readers please stay safe!
Social engineering Wikipedia
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image by Ian Muttoo via Flickr"]
[/caption]
[/caption]
Black Friday is around the corner and it's that time of year when people go crazy over low prices. I have some friends who are doing a tailgate to gather some cheap electronics: flat screen TV's, hard drives and much more. I smell some very good deals. How would I know where to go? Some individuals leaked some ads to some major stores. Below are some:
Today's tip focuses on giving your computer more than one identity. Ever felt like being more than just Windows? You could be Penguin (Linux) and/or a Mac. How, you may ask? Partitioning. When your hard drive is divided into many different pieces or slices it is called partitions. These partitions are what one may call sub-hard drives in your main hard drive. In order to partition a hard drive you will need software to carry out the partitioning. Windows has a built-in program but I'm not a fan of it, so I will use the third-party software called EASEUS Partition Magic.
NOTE: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BACK UP ALL YOUR FILES BEFORE PROCEEDING.
First, we shall resize the primary space where the OS is located (as highlighted above).
Next, we determine the size of the partition you want to create which will use some of the space already set aside for the Windows OS for a new purpose.
Once you have decided on the partition's size, click OK. A word of advice, the partition you are creating should at most be about the current free space available. If you go beyond, you may damage your system.
You should see an additional unused partition which you may use to install another OS when prompted by the new OS.
Are you an average computer user that is only aware of Windows and Mac OS's? If so, I have a revelation for you; these OS's are not the only operating systems available for your computer. For example, there is Linux. Yet with Linux, there are many different versions also know as distros. The most popular of the these distros, in my opinion, are Fedora and Ubunntu. Ubuntu is perhaps the most user friendly.
On a quick note, I would like to mention that you can run Windows on a Mac and Mac OSX on a typically Window Machine with a bit of work.
Subsequently, the main focus of today's tip is to allow the average user (or power user) to try out Linux. The objective is to run an entire OS from a flash drive (or a CD, if you still use those :) ).
First, one must download a distribution of Linux. Below are a few of them
Next, install
Once you have downloaded and have the program running,
install on a 2gb flash drive and
follow the on-screen instructions.
This Software automates the entire process for you.
Once it is completed, you may now boot Linux from your Flash Drive.
In order to do so, SHUTDOWN your computer and power it on BUT press f2 or which ever message that prompts you to the boot menu, similar to the image below
Change the boot order to "first be removable drive" or you may also see your flash drive listed there.
Then once you exit, make sure the flash drive is plugged in. It should boot from your flash drive instead of your hardrive and voila! Linux has appeared.
Once prompted, select Run and try it out!
Now you may see what all the fuss is about.
Tomorrow, I will show you how to use a software program to partition your drive so you may do a full installation without deleting your Windows.
Mac's popularity is rising because numerous number of people are leaving Windows to the simplistic way, Apple. Many are used to the add/remove program's feature in Windows but in Mac, to uninstall, you simply drag it to the trash. In some ways, I find that it is not enough. Especially on Ant-Viruses and other deep level apps. Lucky,there is an awesome application remover called appcleaner. This application removes all scattered files pertaining to that specific application. Good luck and enjoy it; the Apple way.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]
[/caption]
[/caption]
Apple has grown a lot over the years. Their major success that started their popularity was the ipod. Today's post, is just that, we will focus on how to fix your ipod. We will provide a list of things you may try. If nothing works, Apple will be the solution.
Before going down the check list make sure that your device still has battery and if it is in any physical damage and want to fix it yourself. There is a great resource at ifixit.com
- If there is a glitch in the system first try restarting it.
- If the restart does not work, try doing a hard boot by holding down a combination of buttons. Here is a link on how to do a hard boot on your type of ipod.
- If a hard boot does not work, try plugging into itunes.
- If that fails, to try restoring you ipod to back up. (Hopefully you have a back up right?)
- If all of the above fails, you have no choice really but to take into Apple.
Here is another link from apple that might help resolve your problem.
Window's users, know that you must have an Anti-Virus installed to protect you from Malware. But have you ever seen your Anti-Virus pop-up and warn you that you are infected? If not, why not test it? No, I do not mean you should go out there and find Malware to purposely infect your computer. Test it with a fake Virus. NOTE* This is for fun purposes only and no, it is not a real virus. This is used to actually test Anti-Virus Software.
Create an empty ".txt" file.
- Right click on your desktop >New> Text document
or
Start > Accessories > Notepad
2. Paste this code in the text file
X5O!P%@AP[4PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*
3. Save it and you should get a pop up from your ant-Virus to do a clean up.
That's it. I tried this using Microsoft Security Essentials. It worked! Below are some screenshots.
Again this will not harm your computer. Test at your own risk.
Thanks to EICAR.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQyS24OY6PM&feature=player_embedded] Have you wanted to carry around a program with you on a flash drive? Cameyo is the solution. This program captures the installer and converts it into a Exe file. The above video shows how simple it is to use. I have used this to carry around my Chrome browser, with its add-ons, everywhere I go. Click here to download it.
Has a friend every asked you for assistance in a math problem when they are several miles away and you want to help them out over the web instead of texting, taking cellphones pics, or calling them over the phone because they need a visual? Well, this has occured to me a couple times and I have utilized Scriblink.
Scriblink is an online white board that enables you to draw figures as well as an online chat area on the page. Users on the same page view whatever the other user do on the board. A personal link is provided in order to have a private lesson if needed.
http://www.scriblink.com/
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]
[/caption]
[/caption]
I believe everyone at one point in time has been in computer lab and has heard their instructor say, "Save your work every five minutes because if something happens your file will be saved and not lost". I have a habit to just press Ctrl + S. Many do not have that habit. Lucky there is program that can solve that. If you are using Windows there something called AutoSaver. You may set it to save your work at 5, 10 or 15 minutes. Its easy and it might save you from losing that important essay.
If you are a student and have not heard of Khan Academy you are definitely missing out. Khan Academy's purpose is to teach students with a short ten minute video on any subject including Physics, Math, Biology, Statistics, Chemistry, Khan Academy in Spanish, and many other courses. Here is a small biography from Wikipedia on the founder:
"Salman Khan is a Bangladeshi American born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father hails from Barisal, Bangladesh.[2][3] Khan holds three degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: a BS in mathematics, a BS in electrical engineering and computer science, and an MS in electrical engineering and computer science. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. In late 2004, Khan began tutoring his cousin in mathematics using Yahoo!'s Doodle notepad. When other relatives and friends sought his tutor age, he decided it would be more practical to distribute the tutorials on YouTube. Their popularity there and the testimonials of appreciative students prompted Khan to quit his job in finance in 2009 and focus on the Academy full-time."
Khan Academy has definitely helped me out in many of my courses and I know they will help you out too.
Many people who have had Gmail for a long time, don't really care about their emails anymore. Their in-box just gets bigger and bigger with all the emails they receive. Well now a PHD Canditate has come up with a feature that can be downloaded only exclusive for Google Chrome. Easily with Graghyourinbox, you can graph your emails according to your contacts or graph them according to anything you want. For example, you can check your Facebook activities and it will show you how many messages or notifications you get every hour, day or month. So download it now.
BREAKING NEWS!!! Limwire no longer works!! And honestly I have not used it in almost 5 years!! So, many people on the internets are at a lost due to limewire's shutdown. But there is something better for those of you that would like to acquire songs that you like or even videos as well. Be warn may get addicting, I showed some friends how to do this and they got addicted. First you will need Firefox because this is actually an extension and not a full blown program. Next you need to add the extension Download Helper.
Once installed you may download most music and videos from site like rhapsody or youtube and more. See the video below as an example: (Note: I am using FireFox 4 Beta 6 so your interface will look different)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hv2BlNP_u0&hl=en&fs=1]
Once installed go for a test run for example rhapsody.com as shown above
play a song and then right click in the browser outside the player
go to downloadhelper option and then go to media and there you should see a name of an mp3 file
click it and save it and it should be the last song you played.
Try the extension out at the following sites:
http://mp3.rhapsody.com/home.html (let's you preview entire songs ;) )
facebook.com (videos)
In addition, Downloadhelper provides a list of supported site when your right click and go to the downloadhelper option.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3006/
DISCLAIMER: Please support the artist and their music by purchasing their merchandise and albums.
Is your computer running slow? Are programs like Photoshop, Matlab, and more!!! Slow down your computer. BUY A NEW COMPUTER ASAP!!! NO!! Do not do that. If your computer is running many programs or intensive programs that slow down your computer or crash then simply upgrading your Ram could resolve your inadequacies.
Crucial's website enables you to not only purchase RAM modules but also check what RAM is compatible with your computer and how much it will support.
Upon completion the the scan results will yield several system properties related to your cpu. Then below we will show what RAM
is compatible with your computer.
In addition they will show the prices that they sell the RAM for.
Why Upgrade your RAM?
- Improved performance
- Less Latency when opening programs
- Better Multitasking
- 1gb is the recommended for running Windows 7
In conclusion, if your thinking of getting a new computer because the growing latency issues due to your heavy usage consider upgrading your RAM a cheaper and sometimes better alternatives solution.
http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx
Election day is coming up and have you decided who to vote for? Many people know the candidates that are running but do not know where they stand on some issues. This is where VoteEasy comes in. This site is non biased and does not receive money from PAC. How does this help you vote? 1.) Click on your site 2.) Enter your Zip code. 3.) Click on an issue and you will see the candidates that favor your issue closer to you. Give it a try.
Do you use multiple computers and want to keep your files Synced? Maybe use a flash Drive to carry them around? Use DropBox. You don't need to carry those files around. DropBox is a web based syncing service. It syncs to one DropBox folder on each computer. You have 2GB free and if you need more you may pay to get more storage. Usually 2GB is enough. Have any questions let me know. Click here to install.
