For tips on buying a laptop computer, check out Laptop Computer Buying Guide.

I’ve been planning to buy my very own laptop computer. But the lack of funding and some other expenses to consider have forced me to put this plan aside for the meantime. Sigh…

 
So… When do you really think is the best time to buy a laptop computer?

1. When You Have The Money

Oh! Yes of course! Buying a laptop computer is never a problem when you have the right amount to spend for it. But you should also be careful when buying what your money’s worth. Don’t be an impulse buyer… take some advise from friends or those who are expert in the field. Or you could visit some online computer stores to make comparisons.

2. When You’re Always On The Go

I remember a friend of mine bought a laptop computer instead of a desktop computer simply because of the reason that she has no permanent residence and only rent from place to place. That’s very smart of her. Since laptop computers are very light and easy to carry, she wouldn’t have any problem carrying it the next time she move to a new apartment.

For those who travels a lot, a laptop comes in handy so you won’t get left behind from your online activities even if you are away from home. Laptop computers also has built-in Wi-Fi connection so you won’t have problem connecting to the internet.

3. When Your Profession Ask For It

Most professionals in any field now includes a laptop in their list to carry. For example people like writers, bloggers, etc., a laptop is most suitable since you can carry it to places that can inspire you to write.

For business owners, a laptop allows you to do business even if you are in a coffee shop since you can use Microsoft Office, Email, or do a conference call via the internet.

4. When You Have Limited Space

Desktop computers requires bigger spaces compared to a laptop computer which only need a little space where you can store it. You can put it on top of a small table or you could just sit on the ground and place it on your lap for convenience.

These are the only main reasons I could think of. If you have other reasons in mind why you want to buy a laptop computer and you know that its a good thing to do then go for it.

Just don’t forget to get professional help so you can get the best deal for your money.

1. Client side PC gets infected with the virus from the search results.
2. Virus gets FTP username/password from the FTP clients.
3. Using the username/password, the virus then downloads the index files, adds the iframe code in it and re-uploads it to the web server.

Which made me think… The attack may have happened when I turned off my antivirus software for two days due to some technical issue. I know… I know… It’s my fault. Hehehe…

Anyway, the virus is gone now. I’ve already reformatted my hard drive, run a full system scan, and reinstalled this website to get rid of the virus.

Also, I scoured the internet to find new ways or tips to protect a self-hosted Wordpress blog. Some tips are very similar but I found other which are new to me.

Tip #1: Empty index.html file

Create an empty or blank index.html file and upload this file to your wp-content/plugins and wp-content/themes. This will prevent anyone from looking over at what plugins and themes you have.

Tip #2: Secret Key

To do this, edit your wp-config.php and change or create the SECRET_KEY definition. It should look something like this (you may change the key value to your likening):

define(’SECRET_KEY’, ‘1234567890′);

Tip #3: Active Plugins

This is done by accessing your database and check the table wp_options and look for the record ‘active_plugins’. It will list all really active plugins on your blog. Hacker may upload a file to your upload folder and activate it as a plugin so you want to make sure there are no alien plugins listed there.

Tip #4: File change notifications

You can install file change notifications for your blog, sending you an email whenever one of your WordPress files on the server changes.

Tip #5: Exploit scanner plugin

Install WordPress Exploit Scanner plugin. It scans through all files in your WordPress installation and searches for malicious looking code. This plugin also check if any of the warnings contain links to sites you are not familiar with.

download: Exploit Scanner 0.3 (21.31KB) added: 31/10/2009 clicks: 12 description: This plugin scans through all files in your WordPress installation and searches for malicious looking code.

See also Top 5 Plugins to Protect Your Wordpress Blog

Tip #6: User registration

Not allowing anyone to register on your WordPress blog as new user is a nice precaution. To do this, you need to visit your General Settings page and turn off “Anyone can register” option.

Lastly, never forget to make a backup of your WordPress database at least once a week so that you can still revive your blog and it’s articles even if the worst of the worst comes your way.

Blogging should be fun… Don’t let hackers ruin it without a good fight!

Whether you wish to sell or buy used or brand new items on the internet, these applications can do the work for you easily without leaving your profile page on Facebook. Ideal for already entrepreneur minded social networking fanatics.

1. Garage Sale - Garage Sale allows you to post personal items for sale directly on your Facebook profile page and buy items from your friends as well. Much like your own Facebook auction site.

Partnered with Buy.com, using Garage Sale is safe, secure and easy to use. You don’t need a complex credit card system - they will handle everything for you. Payments are sent to your Paypal account or you can request payment by check.

Using the application is free but there is a 5% commission that goes to Garage Sale for every successful transaction made. That’s it, no other extra fees required. If you don’t sell, you aren’t charged.

2. Shopit - This application allows you to do commerce with your own friends. Its a free Social Commerce Network that gives users the ability to buy, sell or trade products and services.

Shopit members can establish their own ecommerce presence using the customizable storefront, then mass syndicate their catalog to any website, blog and social network including Facebook using the store widget.

This Los Angeles based company was started on October of 2006.

3. My Merch Store - Powered by Zazzle.com, My Merch Store allows Facebook users to post products for sale on their profile page.

They also allow artists and designers to create products such as T-shirts, posters, cards, stamps, mugs, hats, and more on Zazzle and post them on sale across the web. Full ownership and copyright of the created product is awarded to the artist or designer.

To add the application on your Facebook profile page, just simply create your products on Zazzle.com and enter your Zazzle username on the “Settings” page within the application to be automatically displayed on your profile.

4. e3buy Auction - This application allows you to auction your used stuffs such as electronic gadgets and personal items on your Facebook profile.

Using the application is free and you don’t pay commission for every sale you make.

5. eBay Auctions - Ah yes! Who is not familiar with good old eBay? eBay Auctions allows you to add eBay Auction Listings to your Facebook profile.

Sell things to your Facebook friends, crafts, jewelry, diary pages, undies, dinner dates or just whatever you’re selling on eBay! Support a charity Auction by adding it to your Profile, or create a wishlist of Auctions you’d like to win! Plus, you can also view your friend’s auctions as well as comment on them.

With this application, you can also do the following:

a. Keep track of eBay auctions
b. Browse your friends’ auctions
c. Add auctions to your profile
d. Comment on auctions
e. Notify friends when you add/remove auctions
f. Share auctions with your friends
g. Search eBay

Note: Don’t forget to increase your network of friends to increase your market.

It was very frightening that day. I was alone in the house early morning when the heavy rain started to pour in.

Between 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. when I begun to notice the flood outside our house was getting higher. Then when I got to my room, I saw water has started to build up on the floor. At that moment, I swiftly begun running around the house to ensure any important things including electronic appliances and small furnitures are placed higher from the floor.

I also had to rush to our backyard to save our dogs and their puppies because the water could helplessly drown them.

Typhoon Ondoy kept its rage until I think 7:00 in the evening when it finally stopped. By that time, the water has already flooded the entire house almost half knee high. Flood water on the street on the other hand is almost waist high.

The next morning, Typhoon Ondoy has already left the Philippines. Also, the flood inside the house had already receded. I woke up with no electricity, no water supply, and even our phone lines are down. Worst… My cellphone only had one bar of battery power left. Sigh! I had to turn it off if not in use to make sure the remaining battery charge last the following days of no re-charging.

While busy cleaning the house, I begun hearing over the radio that areas like Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and most part of Metro Manila were heavily flooded. Most concerns where in Marikina City because the Marikina river have overflowed tremendously which flooded the entire city with garbage and mud.

Then I am also hearing news about people who are on the roof of their houses, people who were drowned, people who are looking for their love ones, people who are asking for help, people who are stranded and cannot go home, people who lost their homes, and people who were killed in the landslides that occur.

All these in one day…

Typhoon Ondoy has truly brought disaster of enormous proportion. Leaving thousands of homeless victims, hundreds of casualties, and millions worth of damage to properties.

Now… life is beginning to heal itself… life is trying to make things go back to normal but the scar Typhoon Ondoy has left to the heart of all its victims may take time before it gets healed.

I feel lucky that we only suffered less but my sympathy and prayers are to those who suffered more.

Experts say that a typhoon like Ondoy is a result of global warming. If this is true, then maybe its time that we wake up ourselves and start looking around and see what we have done wrong to make mother nature release its anger.