milos topic

Digsby stuck at “loading skin” screen

Milos Topic — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:02:28 +0000

My morning started with this issue for which there is a simple solution.

Go to

C:\Users\(your windows user name)\AppData\Local\Digsby\cache\(your digsby user name)_cache\digsbyblobs

and delete all files in that directory.

Restart Digsby and it should work like a charm (it will recreate deleted files btw at start-up).

NOTE
This worked on Windows 7 Enterprise and Digsby – Build 27225.
Also, if you can’t see any of the directories in the above path you might need to show hidden files & folders by going to Tools -> Folder Options -> View and select “Show hidden files, folders and drives.“

Post from: Milos Topic

Digsby stuck at “loading skin” screen

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Know what your project needs

Milos Topic — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:53:22 +0000

Recently I came across several project proposals where I was asked to evaluate technical components (hardware, software and staffing needs) and found a few items worth sharing. Several items in these proposals weren’t adequately priced (difference from list and actual price on select items was as high as 60%). Furthermore, some hardware models have been discontinued years ago.

While certain people are not technical by trade it is still very important to make sure those components are accurately priced and still available. If you are specifically requesting a particular computer, printer, server model please make sure that we can still purchase it at the time of your submission. While this might add a bit more work, done mainly by “Googling” or “Binging” (?) these models, it will go a long way in supporting your need and presenting you as someone who does their research and is well prepared.

The success of most today’s projects depends on the right blend of people, processes and technology, but it all starts with a clear definition of needs and goals, including all technology components.

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Know what your project needs

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Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

Milos Topic — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:37:27 +0000

I have recently moved my primary work laptop to 64-bit Windows 7 Enterprise and while I am overall pleased with the operating system (OS) I found that some apps which didn’t run on Vista don’t work on 7 either.

Some of those which I use frequently are Timbuktu Pro and a custom built application to manage user access permissions on our NetDrive storage solution (dependent on Novell Client). Since having access to both of these is important to me, on Vista I ran them inside a Virtual PC instance running Windows XP SP3. Now that I’m using Windows 7 the idea is basically the same but it has been implemented a bit differently.

Windows XP Mode is the tool of choice in 7, it runs an instance of XP (as the name indicates), but it is much better integrated with the OS itself. Boot up, usage, resource allocation, exchange of files between your primary OS and the virtual one is much smoother and more efficient this time around. Furthermore, unlike Virtual PC on Vista it doesn’t require a separate Windows XP license or media to install it. Simply, go and download Windows XP Mode, install it, then download Windows Virtual PC (both available from the same page), install it and you are in business.

Nicely done Microsoft.

Post from: Milos Topic

Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

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Export and import saved passwords from Firefox

Milos Topic — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:56:13 +0000

While certainly not one of better security practices we are all guilty of saving passwords in Firefox (and other browsers of choice) for frequently visited websites. If you visit a particular site daily it is much more convenient to allow your web browser to save your user name and password for later use. This is fine as long as you use a master password and understand potential issues should you lose your computer or should its security be compromised in any way.

However, let me get back to the topic of this post, exporting and importing saved passwords from Firefox. This is a task you might want to do for several reasons such as moving your files to a new computer or reinstalling the operating system on your existing machine. Whatever the reason might be one of the easiest ways to export/import your passwords from/to Firefox is an add-on appropriately named, Password Exporter.

Password Exporter add-on for Firefox will export all saved passwords into an XML file and allow you to import the same at a later time. Once you have installed this add-on and restarted Firefox you will then be able to export/import your passwords by going to Tools –> Options… –> Security –> Import/Export Passwords.

IMPORTANT
If you allow a web browser to save passwords make sure you use a master password. Also, even more important, don’t save login credentials for financial institutions. Most banks don’t allow for this anyway since they don’t provide a login cookie, but if your bank does, opt against saving it.

Post from: Milos Topic

Export and import saved passwords from Firefox

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Nikola Tesla died 67 years ago

Milos Topic — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:00:10 +0000

I try not to repeat posts but this is one of those which will always resurface on January 7th as I do my part to commemorate the birth, life and death of this great scientist, or inventor as he liked to call himself.

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Nikola Tesla died 67 years ago

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Hristos se rodi!

Milos Topic — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:00:55 +0000

Today is Christmas for those in the Eastern Orthodox faith and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, happy and joyful day with their families and friends.

Serbian Christmas traditions, for those who would like to read more.

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Hristos se rodi!

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Facebook’s new privacy settings

Milos Topic — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:56:25 +0000

Facebook is finally catching up to some of their perpetual security concerns and is strengthening their privacy policy and therefor the settings as well. It took a while but as of this morning (when I noticed the change) privacy settings have been tightened a bit and are finally working as expected. It will take some time for majority of folks to review their current settings and tweak their profiles as desired, but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Considering the size of their social network (350 million) and ever growing popularity worldwide it is important to seriously evaluate all aspects of security from profiles to servers, routers, including physical access at their company.
In today’s world you can never spend too much attention on security.

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Designing a client friendly website

Milos Topic — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:30:17 +0000

We have all came across websites with a mass of links and never ending scroll bars of text which have frequently left us frustrated and annoyed. Being able to quickly find what you are looking for is important and websites with a clear structure who have also been properly indexed (site specific search) are a joy to visit. Unorganized sites with hidden information often cause us to give up and move on to another site, often that of a competitor.

While it is important to provide relevant and valuable information it is important not to overdo it and overwhelm your potential clients. Besides pages explaining your business and your competencies, product or service you provide you obviously need a contact page, a pricing model; maybe an option for customers to purchase your product directly on your site and that should be all for most businesses. Others could benefit from a blog or links to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Generally that should suffice for an overwhelming majority of business. There is no need to overload your site with pages about things your bill paying customers won’t care about. Remember, time is money and both your and your clients’ time is very valuable.

Items of importance:

get to the point
- limit scrolling
- curb your link count
explain
- who you are
- what you do
provide
- contact info
- pricing and order info
expand
- blog
- social networking sites
design, easy on the eyes
Post from: Milos Topic

Designing a client friendly website
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Keep your websites secure

Milos Topic — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:31:57 +0000

I‘m on a search for a few replacement windows and have been looking all over north New Jersey for a place that can provide them in less than the standard 2-6 weeks time frame. One of the places recommended to me was “Air-Chek Window Depot” in Clifton, NJ.

First thing I did is went online to see if they had a website and to get their address and contact info. They were the first hit on Google and while they had the info I was looking for I remember thinking that they should probably have a better, more modern website with less clutter and pages of plain text. I went there and they said that they would take two weeks as well so I kept looking. Now, two days later and unsuccessful in locating a place that has the sizes I need in less than two weeks I decided to go back to them and place the order but I forgot their hours so I went back online only to see that they were hacked.

They seemed like nice people and I feel bad for them, but hopefully they have someone who will be able to recover their online presence soon. Unfortunately, this is another example of why it is important to keep your website secure, up to date, backed up and monitored regularly. This can happen to anyone so don’t take your online security for granted.

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Keep your websites secure

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Extending the life of your computer 101

Milos Topic — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:53:36 +0000

Over the years I have seen numerous examples of poor computer use and maintenance ranging from simply outdated applications to damaged hardware by water, coffee, soda, fire…you name it.

In hopes that at least a few people will read this and by doing so improve their own computing experience I have put together a little guide on basic, somewhat fundamental things every computer owner should know and do. I guarantee that by following these basic steps you will eliminate majority of your daily frustrations and make the graphic above a thing of the past.

Hardware care basics

1. Computer is a delicate piece of electronic equipment with some moving parts and as such it is important NOT to drop it, kick it, shake it, get it in contact with dust, magnets, excessive heat or any liquids.

2. It is NOT meant to be used as a plate (or a drink coaster) so don’t eat above it or use your greasy fingers to type and touch the screen, that’s not only bad for the computer but it is simply disgusting (especially for us IT folks who have to fix it).

3. It is NOT a litter box or a pillow for your cat or small dog. Hairs and other particles entering your computer can cause damage.

4. It is NOT a toy for your toddler.

5. Do NOT use it in areas surrounded with water: pool, hot tub, jacuzzi; bathroom (for other reasons as well); on the beach (sand is also a no no).

6. For laptop owners: let the battery do its job every once in a while and actually power your computer. Don’t have it plugged in 24/7 or your battery will stop working. Also, on the other hand, do not let your battery die with machine turned on – this could corrupt your data and software.

7. If not using your computer for several hours or longer (over night, away on weekend) turn it off.

Software care basics

1. Operating System (OS) is your friend so don’t abandon it. If you are running Windows, make sure you get Microsoft Updates* (automate them); running OS X, get Apple’s Software Updates* (automate them).

2. Update applications. On Windows side you can use tools such as FileHippo (other tools are available as well). For Macs since most apps come from Apple they would be covered under the above mentioned Software Updates.

3. Install and update an anti-virus solution. This is just common sense.

4. Run anti-malware software regularly (CCleaner, Malwarebytes, Ad-Aware to name a few)

5. Make sure you have a firewall running.

6. Don’t download the internet. Pick and choose applications you will install on your machine. Get stuff you know is safe, secure, stable and does what you need it to do.

An absolute must for all

Another very important point to make (less related to owning a computer, but more to intelligent computing):

Backup your files!

This includes documents, photos, videos, music and any other file you find valuable. You can always replace a computer or have it repaired, but losing a document that you worked on for weeks or months could be very frustrating.

* These are general suggestions, if you need help configuring your operating system to auto update leave a comment and I will gladly help you.

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Extending the life of your computer 101

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