Subscribe to Google Calendars

Many of you have a Gmail account but do you use Google Calendar? If you do not, it is a very good way to organize everything, especially if you have  smart phone. I have been using Google Calendar for about a year now and  wherever I go I can plan trips, reschedule meetings and get reminders that I need like change my tires on my car. Today, I saw these reminders and thought to my self. I bet there are more calendars out there that can become useful to me, like when does my favorite team play. Indeed, I found many. If you sign in to your Google Calendar and look at your left column, you will see a section that says "Other Calendars". Under that section there is a  link that says "add" . Click on it.

After you click on it you will get a small pop-up and select "Browse Interesting Calendars"

You will be taken to a screen like this:

Here you can subscribe to any Calendar. Google has subscriptions to ...

  • Country Holidays
  • Sport times
  • Phases of the moon
  • and much more.
WebJuan ZepedaGmail, google, Google Apps, Google Calendar, Google Calender, Google Docs, Search Engines, SearchingComment
Let's Do Something, Let's MeetUp!

Have you ever found yourself bored and/or have friends whom are disinterested in doing something you would like to do for a change? Meetup enables users to interact with like minded individuals and groups in the same area. All one requires to do is create a group/event on Meetup and people will join or attend that are interested. For example, you could set up a hiking event and invite all those in area whom are interested to meet you there. Now, you do not need to know the people intially, therefore it is a great way to meet new people. Subsquently, if you are new to a community it is a great way to meet people whom live in your area with the same interest.

Some groups such as 'Masterminds of Los Angeles' meetup to push a specific cause for a month. Therefore whatever you interests maybe, you could meet up with individuals with Meetup.com.

Meetup.com

technology, WebJuan Zepedagroups, interests, meet, social, social networking, socializeComment
Look at the Alternatives

OneTech Tip has addressed alternatives to Windows and Mac OSX but what about the software. There are hundreds if not thousands of software that is free to use without a cost to the user. In some cases the open sourced software is sometime better, more efficient or meets your specific needs in comparison to larger, bloated commercial software.

Open Source Alternative is a great place to start if your looking for some free and open sourced software ranging from office software to games as well. Now, the site I noticed does not have an exhaustive list but it does provide some good suggestions for alternative software. For example, you may search for an alternative to Photoshop and it will yield Gimp.

If you are looking into becoming a more part of the open sourced movement consider this site to help you meet all your needs. Here's a challenge, try only using open source software for a week or a month.

Open Source as Alternative: http://www.osalt.com/

Apple, Computer, Customization, deals, Graphical Interfaces, Linux, Mac, technology, Web, WindowsJuan Zepedaalternative, free, freeware, Linux, mac osx, Open source, windows Comment
What's my IP Address?

For X reason you need to know your IP address. How do you find it?  Under Windows, go to Run->type 'cmd' without the quotes. Once you get to the command prompt ( black window), type in 'ipconfig' without the quotes again. Hit enter! You should see something like this :

In my case, 192.168.1.106 is my laptop's IP address. If I ever need to configure my router, I just type 192.168.1.1 on any browser and it will take me to a menu to configure my router.

Computer, System MaintenanceJuan ZepedaIP addressComment
How to for parents
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]My parents.[/caption]

Sometimes our parents need some basic help using the computer. Maybe like

 

  • COPY & PASTE
  • ADJUST THE TIME ON YOUR CLOCK
  • CHANGE YOUR DESKTOP BACKGROUND (MAC)
  • CHANGE YOUR WALLPAPER (PC)
  • MAKE TEXT BIGGER (OR SMALLER)
  • TAKE A SCREENSHOT
  • CHANGE YOUR SCREENSAVER (MAC)
  • CHANGE YOUR SCREENSAVER (PC)

    •  

    or other things but do you have the patience to show them how? Usually not. We usually just tell them "here it's done".  If you are that person send them to www.teachparentstech.org. This site has basic free tutorials that you can send to your parents or just anybody who needs help. Even has an email template you just fill in.  There are no excuses.

    ComputerJuan ZepedaComputer wallpaper, Cut copy and paste, Desktop Customization, google, Parent, Personal computer, Technical support, World Wide WebComment
    Top 15 Passwords Not To Use
    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]Category:WikiProject Cryptography participants[/caption]

    Recently, I was setting up router. I was going to put a password on it using encryption but I realized that it really does not matter on the encryption if you do not have a strong password. I have heard of people use simple words as their password which is not secure. I will list some passwords NOT to use. Remember this applies to any site and any account. Keep your information safe.  Also, if you would like to test  your password go to our post: How secure is your password?

    • 123456
    • 12345
    • 123456789
    • Password
    • iloveyou
    • princess
    • rockyou
    • abc123
    • qwerty
    • letmein
    • monkey
    • myspace1
    • password1
    • facebook1
    • (your first name)

     

    WebJuan ZepedaComment
    Control Your Computer from a Land Far, Far Away

    Ever needed toaccess your computer to do some work from afar? LogMeIn enables the user to access their computer from another computer with the remote access software LogMeIn. Why would you want to do this? Perhaps your on vacation and you need to access your computer for a business related emergency or you do not want to be carrying your notebook computer everywhere you go.

    LogMeIn Free includes:

    • Access from any Internet-connected web browser
    • Access to a Windows PC or Mac
    • Remote control and desktop viewing
    • Copy and paste between computers
    • Wake on LAN
    • Reboot/reconnect (including safe mode)
    • Basic reports (remote access sessions and user access)
    • Chat
    • AES 256-bit encryption
    • SSL/TLS intrusion detection
    • IP address lockout
    • No need for firewall, router or proxy configuration
    • No requirement for remote PC admin rights

    Subsequently, there is a premium version that enables you to do more while accessing remotely.

    Apple, Cell Phones, Computer, Graphical Interfaces, Linux, Mac, System Maintenance, technology, Web, WindowsJuan ZepedaComment
    Fix your Boot loader
    [caption id=""align="alignright" width="125" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]EasyBCD[/caption]

    In the recent year I encountered a problem with my Ubuntu and Windows Machine. It was set to dual-boot but there was a corruption on my Ubuntu OS. I could not boot into Ubuntu but I could boot into Windows. I used a free tool called EasyBCD. This tool

    extends and revamps Windows Vista/Windows 7 BCD bootloader, and with EasyBCD, almost anything is possible. Setting up and configuring a dual-boot between Windows 7, Windows Vista, and older versions of Windows such as XP & 2003, Linux, Ubuntu, BSD, and Mac OS X are a breeze. You just point & click and EasyBCD does the rest.

    It is a GUI based program that can fix your Boot loader. It does not just fix your Boot Loader but it also:

    • Repairs the Windows boot loader, change your boot drive, create a bootable USB, and more!
    • Rename entries, set default boot target, change BCD timeout, hide the boot menu, and more!
    • Create your own custom boot sequence, hide drives on boot, backup and restore configurations, and more!

    Click Here to:

    Linux, MacJuan Zepedaboot, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Operating system, Ubuntu, Universal Serial Bus, Windows Preinstallation Environment, WinPEComment
    Give Me Cold, Hard Cash!!

    As we leave the season of gift giving. Some of us may have received a few gifts in the form of cards, gift cards that is. The question is what do you do with the gift card? One thing you may do is go use it at the store it is for.Subsequently, what if your not a fan of the store or you rather have the gift card money to be use for something not available at the store. Plastic Jungle is a website that enables the users to:

    • Swap gift cards for CASH - via check or PayPal.
    • Turn gift cards into Amazon.com Gift Cards*.
    • Exchange gift cards for Facebook Credits.
    • Trade gift cards for Gamepoints - a virtual currency you can use on hundreds of social games.
    • Even donate gift cards to your favorite charity!

    Consider checking it out especially if you have had that gift card burning a whole in your wallet.

    http://www.plasticjungle.com/

    WebJuan ZepedaComment
    Did you forget about Myspace already?
    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image via CrunchBase"]Image representing MySpace as depicted in Crun...[/caption]

    This new year is nice and fresh but if you look over the past years to all the accounts you have created, there are probably many. Whats the risk with all these unused accounts? Your personal information is exposed to the company that has it. An example is Myspace. It was popular years ago and we all uploaded photos, maybe gave our phone numbers or other really sensitive information. As this year gets older I say to look over all your old accounts. Myspace is a huge one. Most of us just moved over to Facebook and left Myspace as is. I would go over to those old accounts and shut them down. Delete all the information that you would not want the company to sell or take advantage of.  Delete all personal information from old accounts!

    Related Articles
    WebJuan ZepedaAll Things Digital, facebook, Holidays, MySpace, New Year, News Corporation, Social Media, TwitterComment
    NTLDR is NOT Missing

    Whether it be a power failure or if you angrily unplugged your Windows XP computer on the loading splash screen (below), you might find an unpleasant "NTLDR is missing" error the next time you try booting the computer. [caption id="attachment_2526" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="by Mark Turner"][/caption]

    Alas, don't worry or  pull your hair out! Find a second computer and burn yourself a copy of Hiren's Boot CD. I am not sure if the the utility is fully legal as it contains commercial tools, but I don't see why one should be forbidden from using the freeware! If you can't get a copy, try a simple search for the standalone freeware tool. Happy fixing!

    System Maintenance, WindowsJuan Zepedafix ntldr is missing Comments
    WOW!!!! Your Audience with Prezi

    Are you a fan of power point presentations? If yes, then you haven't seen anything yet. If no, here's a tip on a utility that will help impress your audience when giving a presentation beyond the standard power point slide show. Prezi enables the presenter to create a far more detailed and creative presentation by ditching the slides. Prezi enables you to create a slide show of sorts that flows from one idea to another, smoothly, through convert a white board presentation into a slide show presentation that focus on specific parts as you present similar to a slide show. Best of all if your are a student you get the ability to create far beyond a regular free user. Try it out for your next presentation!! Prezi:

    http://prezi.com/index/

    WebJuan ZepedaComment
    Remove Programs along with any of their residue

    Every windows computer has an add/remove programs application under Control Panel but it's not as efficient as Revo Uninstaller. Revo enables you to remove or uninstall program in addition to removing all any trace you may have. Therefore going above and beyond the standard uninstaller process. Subsequently, I came upon this specific uninstaller program when trying to uninstall a program that did failed to uninstall with its own uninstaller. In addition, Revo enables one to clear cache, kill process and edit process that maybe effecting your system performance.

    Revo Uninstaller: http://www.revouninstaller.com/

    WebJuan ZepedaComment
    Don't Pay for Anti-Virus Software

    It has come to my attention people are tricked into buying anti-virus software especially when  buying  from a walk-in retail store.  It's bad because they overcharge for the software's true value, overcharge for the installation and the paid service often expires usually after a year. This can become problematic as sometimes the user is not aware they are no longer being protected and soon the computer becomes infected! It turns out there is good anti-virus software that is completely free!  On my list for computer protection, I use: Avast Anti-Virus

    Windows Defender

    Malware Bytes

    Ad-Aware Pro ( got it for free from slickdeals.net)

    All of these programs work together in harmony. Of course, I encourage safety Internet surfing! Don't be fooled anymore but if you feel you need a paid version, try and find a discounted price on it! Some paid software is sometimes free (like Ad-aware) or really cheap after some discount such as a mail-in rebate.

    System Maintenance, WindowsJuan Zepedadon't pay for antivirus, free antivirus, keep computer safe for freeComment
    Defragment Windows Efficiently

    Windows 7 and most modern versions of Windows have a built-in defragmenter tool to remove fragments from the hard drive. A good rule of thumb is that if you have many fragmented files, your computer will slow down because your hard drive is not seeking data efficiently. It turns out the hard drive is the slowest component in a computer, and the slowest sub-activity of any hard drive is seeking. It is the reason why SSD drives are "better"; they do not do any mechanical seeking. When a computer's hard drive is heavily fragmented, it will spend a long time "running around" like if it were a mailman going to random houses in given area instead of going door-to-door.

    Now that you are convinced why you should defragment your computer once in a while, you may notice the built-in Windows tool does not have many options. Introduce Defraggler. Why do I prefer Defraggler?  Defraggler gives the option to defragment individual files, shows the size of the largest fragmented files and has an interface that shows the progress.

    If you do not want a full system defragmentation, you get to pick which files can be defragmented or which ones are not worth defragmenting. Leading to my next point, if you have a large fragmented file, you might just want to delete it if it has little to no use for you. Finally, being able to see the work in progress reassures you the work is getting done.

    System Maintenance, Web, WindowsJuan Zepedadefraggler, defragment windows efficiently, degramenting alternative Comment
    New Computer? New Crap!?

    This past Christmas, you may have received a new computer along with a bunch of pre-installed software. Unfortunately, the majority of the pre-installed software are simply trials and bloatware that slowdown your computer. The first thing I tell people to do usually when they get a new computer is uninstall all the trials and software they are not going to use. Lucky, for new computer users PC Decrapifier is a program that will search your new computer for common applications that are known to be bloatware as well as limiting your computer's performance.  Some users have even noted that the program help speed up some of their old computers. Results may vary. http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/download

    WebJuan ZepedaComment
    How Fast ARE Macs?

    I ran into a nifty little tool called Xbench which measures the performance of your Mac OS X computer. Notice I  did not say Macbook, iMac or Mac Pro and that is because such statement would exclude Hackintosh computers! In the benchmark charts you might notice the Hackintosh computers have better scores; it is know fact a user will get less performance per dollar when they buy an Apple computer. Then again, not everyone is confident in investing in a Hackintosh.

    Moving on, if you feel like your Macbook Pro is running slow, check it out to compare your computer to other Macbook Pro's, etc. It might help you decipher hardware problems too. For example, if your hard drive is underperforming, there is a chance it might fail soon.  I find it powerful, you might too!

    Apple, System Maintenance, WebJuan Zepedahackintosh vs mac, how fast are macsComment
    IM From Your Browser Not Your Desktop

    Most users nowadays have two or more e-mails, how do they managed more than two. Typically by forwarding on e-mail to another e-mail address as a central hub of e-mails or using a e-mail client similar to Thunderbird or Microsoft Outlook. Subsequently, some users may have more than one screen name across different messenger programs. One way to manage being logged in to multiple screen names in different programs is to utilize a program that lets you chat on Facebook, AIM, Messenger, etc from one window instead of one for each.

    Meebo enables the user to login to multiple accounts at once. Although there is an option to download a Meebo application for your desktop. I highly recommend using their web services  Meebo Messenger to chat from your browser. The reason being that you will be saving space on your hard drive as well as reducing your computer security risk. Each program your install could have an unknown security hole as well as over time an accumulation of programs may make your computer sluggish. In addition, you will reduce the number or likelihood of installing toolbars which is another security risk.

    Meebo is not the only  program that allows you to chat from multiple accounts but the ability to use its services on web will add to convenience.

    Meebo Messenger: http://www.meebo.com/messenger

    Computer, Linux, Mac, technology, Web, WindowsJuan Zepedaaim, facebook chat, google talk, meebo, messenger, windows liveComment
    Hackintosh Enabled

    If you been following my posts on subjects  related to Apple, you would probably pick up the fact I like Mac OS X and its features but I loathe how expensive the hardware has been these last few years if not always! Well introduce Hackintosh! A Hackintosh computer is basically a "PC" running the Mac OS X operating system, that's it. The difficult part is getting the "PC" hardware to work with the Mac OS X software. Over the years, it has become easier to achieve such goal, as Apple has made decisions to use Intel processors, both NVIDIA and ATI graphics cards if not mistaken and is even rumored to soon switch to AMD processors.  Then again, building a Hakintosh is NOT completely legal, but there are plenty of guides out there to different ways to carry out the experiment. Because it is an experiment, there is no guarantee it will be  100% functional, but I think the benefits out-weight the negatives. Why would anyone build such a monstrosity?

    Well, it is cheaper. A build costing about $800 will outperform the best iMac and it's the same for the Mac Pro. Also, the build will perhaps have better quality parts than what Apple uses as the user gets to choose all the hardware. Finally, it will teach a person about computers! Do at your own risk and happy building!

    Apple, Customization, Mac, WindowsJuan ZepedahakintoshComment