Xmarks (formerly FoxMarks)

Maybe you’re only of the few folks remaining that only using 1 computer in your entire day. But for everyone else, Xmarks is a lifesaver. After you’ve installed it (you have to create an account for it), Xmarks will sync your bookmarks (favorites for you IE people) on-line. Install it on a second computer, and it’ll sync there too. Now, here’s where the magic happens. Save a site on computer A, and viiola! it saves on computer B. It also has the ability to sync passwords if you so choose. You’re also able to view them online, if you happen to be away from any of your computers and just need to find that link. (Download here)

Adblock Plus

Do you want the option to refinance your mortgage every 30 seconds? How about the secrets of the credit card companies? No? How about just, you know, the information on the page you’re actually going to then, perhaps? As the name implies, Adblock Plus filters out ads, leaving just empty space in it’s place. So refreshing. (Download here)

Google Redesigned

This extension doesn’t really ‘do’ anything, but it makes the world a better place. This add-on changes the general appearance of GMail, Google Contact, Google Reader, and Google Calendar and gives them a much, MUCH, cleaner UI. Makes the buttons easier to access, and gives the whole thing a general makeover. (Download here)

Greasemonkey + Greasefire

This is a 2 for 1. Greasemonkey is an add-on that allows for simple and site-specific scripts to run. Don’t like the new “People Liked” link on Google Reader? There’s a script for that. What Greasefire does is let you know WHAT scripts are available for any given site, with descriptions and user ratings to go along with it. (Download here and here)

Zotero

For folks in school, or otherwise have to research things that, you know, require actual facts, this add-on can be a lifesaver. Zotero collects, stores, and organizes various sources on-line as you research, and gives you the ability to cite them as needed. Esp. great for when you’ve gone 15 links away from where you started, and need to remember what link #7 was (Download here)

So how about you? What other add-ons have become a must-have in your web-based world?

Google XML Sitemaps

Google, Yahoo! Ask.com, and Bing all like to see a sitemap when they crawl your site. It’s all SEO’y and whatnot. Now, you could go through the effort of making your own XML file. Or, this plug-in can do it for you. Automatically. As you update. So what’s not to like? (Download here)

Exclude Pages From Navigation

Many themes now automatically include static pages in a navigation bar somewhere. That’s all well and good, but what if you have pages you don’t WANT to be in there? You could hand-code your theme to exclude them (look it up in the codex if you’re so inclined), or you can use this. This plug-in adds a checkbox to the page that’ll allow you to either include it or exclude it. (Download here)

WordPress Mobile Pack

Do you have a swanky internet-capable phone? So do I. (and no, it isn’t a damn iPhone). Now have you tried to look at some sites on the mobile browser? Let’s just say they weren’t meant for 4 inch screens. This plug will automatically detect the incoming browser and converts the layout on the fly, without having to change anything about your “main” theme. (Download here)

Contact Form 7

A contact form. I believe you all are familiar with them. If not, then…well…I can’t help you. This plugin allows for multiple forms to be embedded using shortcode, without the need for any third-party mailing systems. Simple and straight forward. (Download here)

WP No Category Base

Do you want the ability for people to focus on one portion of your blog? Do you use the posts section as a “news and events” location? Well, as I am sure you’ve notices, WordPress adds in the /category/ to each one. It’s ugly. This fixes that. One bit of advice, though, you don’t want to have a category and a page named the same thing. Confusion will occur. (Download here)

Gigs Calendar

While this is intended for musicians, I’ve found that it has a lot of uses outside of that. Great for a business that has numerous events during the week, or someone that does a lot of appearances. Links to the specific venues, complete with maps. Even gives you the option to sort by “tour”, for all you rockin types. (Download here)

NextGEN Gallery

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve found the built-in image / video gallery in WordPress to be a bit…lacking. NextGEN does everything…and lets you use shortcode to embed images, slideshows, and much more. There are add-ons for it that include video players, sidebar galleries, and I think there is even one for that pony you always wanted. (Download here)

• Decide What You Need Before You Go

Where are you going? What are your plans? Is it for fun, business, maybe both? The purpose and length of your trip can often dictate what you bring. At a minimum, your mobile phone and probably your laptop are coming with you. You may also want to bring a digital camera.

• Decide On How To Connect

If you plan on checking your on-line life occasionally, then either your host’s computer or the hotel business center should suffice. But for those working, knowing the internet connection situation is critical. Many hotels and airports don’t offer free WiFi anymore, so you could be stuck with paying $10 – $15 dollars a day (or worse, for a few hours) if you’re not prepared. It’s a good idea to contact the hotel and determine what their policies are. If you travel a lot, you may want to invest in a mobile data card. I personally use a Sierra Wirelsss Card from Sprint, due to the fact that it works with Windows, Mac, and Linux. As always, check with your provider to see what’s available.

• Batteries, Cords, And Plugs

Much like death and taxes, it’s a given that batteries will, at some point, die. And it’s a good chance that most electronics won’t last the length of your trip. Always make sure that you have the appropriate chargers for whatever you’re bringing. If you assume that it will last, rest assured that it won’t. It’s a good idea to get a charge wherever (and whenever) you can. I find that it’s good to get a seat in the airport close to a plug, so you don’t have to worry about losing juice before you get on the plane. Why planes don’t have plugs….I can’t say.

• Upgrade the RAM

As a rule, I try to put the maximum amount of RAM that a computer can take. RAM is the memory chips that clip onto the motherboard (not to be confused with hard drive space). Most machines made in the last 3-4 years can take between 2 – 4 gigs of RAM, total. Depending on the amount of slots available (usually 2), replacing the existing chips with 2 new chips can increase the speed of the computer, especially when running multiple programs. Here’s a link to determine what type of RAM your computer takes, and how much of it.

• Reinstall the operating system

Over time, a Windows-based computer can get what is referred to as “registry rot”, where bits and pieces of old programs are still on the computer, even after they’ve been upgraded or uninstalled. After a while, some of these leftovers can interfere with current versions of applications you use, or worse yet cause the entire system to crash. Now, there are many programs out there that will claim to clean out your registry. Other than CCleaner, they usually do more harm than good. Even CCleaner (which is a great bit of software) can cause damage if you’re not used to doing it. If you have the original disks that came with the computer, then wiping out the current installation and starting over fresh (after you’ve backed everything up, of course) will often times get rid of just about all the conflict issues you may have. And a tip: don’t bother with all the “extras” that came with the computer the first time. By now, they’re outdated and are usually crap anyway.

• Buy a new computer

Well, you’ve decided to take the plunge and get a new machine. Well, we’ll go over a few tips in an upcoming post that’ll help you look for the machine that’s right for you. But what about the old box you have now? The best thing to do is either find someone who needs it, donate it to a charity, or repurpose it for something else in the house. You can do a lot of things with an old computer, including shared file storage on a network, a computer for the kids, or something else. However, if you’re going to get rid of it, remember to wipe the hard drive clean. It’s estimated that over 40% of people dispose of hard drives with some personal information, from photos and videos to bank account numbers and social security info. Just deleting the files aren’t enough, since there are many programs that can restore the files. However, Lifehacker has a great write-up on programs that will wipe the drive completely blank, and then do all the other things necessary to make any files irretrievable.

So what to make of it all? As always, do your research and make sure that you’re doing the right thing for your situation. Your existing computer (and wallet) will thank  you.

I’ve been working on other people’s computers for a long time. Often times, the problem is either the infamous “Blue Screen of Death”, loud fan or other sounds, or just overall sluggish movement. And today wasn’t any different. Below is an example of what a dirty computer can look like.

Pretty nasty, isn’t it. I’ve seen worse. Just today, I worked on a machine and took out two dust balls the size of my fist. But cleaning your computer is simple, so add it to your spring cleaning list. Here’s how:

• Get a can of compressed air

You can get this almost anywhere. Most likely a store like Target or Wal-Mart will be a bit cheaper than an electronics store. But either way, it’s about 10 dollars or less for a can.

• Unplug everything and take the case outdoors

Trust me on this. You’re gonna be amazed (disgusted) with how much stuff you might find. You don’t want to start blowing this stuff around in your office.

• Open your computer case (desktops only)

Don’t be afraid. Opening a computer case is easy. Most desktop cases have a side cover that comes off easy, usually with 1 or 2 screws. Check your manual if you’re unsure about how to take it off.

• Get cleaning!

Once you have the case off (on the desktop), just pull the trigger. You want to start blowing the air with smaller blasts. You’ll notice the can gets cold. That’s ok, just don’t stand there and keep blowing and blowing. The important areas are the fan(s), and any opening on the case that either pulls in or pushes out air. If you see moisture begin to form, stop. Wait until it has evaporated until starting again. Get all the dust out, then put the cover back on the case. You’re done!

If you’re cleaning a laptop, it’s easier, but more important do clean it more often. Laptops, by their design, run hotter since the parts are in a smaller, more compressed area. What you want to do is look for the exhaust area. On most laptops, it’ll look like this:

What you want to do is take your can and spray with short bursts every 5 to 10 seconds. After a few bursts, let the machine sit before going again. Again, if you see moisture begin to form, stop. Wait until it has evaporated until starting again.

Don’t wait too long before you check out cleaning your computer. You could end up having to pay someone to “fix” it, only for them to do the same thing!

We all know what a laptop is. But what, exactly, is a Netbook? Think of a netbook as a “mini” laptop. A netbook is a streamlined mobile device designed for the Internet, so you can stay connected on the go. Netbooks walk and talk like laptops, but they don’t have the full capabilities of a computer. They usually have a smaller processor, screen, and hard drive. They’re great for a lot of things, but not as a main machine. Here’s a quick chart showing some basics on each.

Simple breakdown of choices

Now, the first thing you’re probably going to notice is the cost. $250 or $2,800? That’s a no-brainer, right? Not so fast. When choosing product, you first need to decide what you need and how you’re going to use it. So let’s break down some typical uses:

• Student / School use

If you’re a student in college, then you’d probably want a regular laptop. Take a serious look at how much you’ll be walking, and analyze the weight accordingly. As far as a Macbook goes, check with your school first, as some have specific exam software that isn’t Mac compatible. Also, if you’re on a tight budget, two grand can be a hard pill to swallow.

• Home Use

This is by far the most wide-open area. It really depends on (a) what you already own. Do you have a desktop, and this is secondary? Is it going to be your main computer? Do you plan on working, watching movies, email and internet, or all of the above?

If this is going to be a primary computer, then the netbook may not fit all the needs. A decent laptop can easily replace a home desktop computer for most people. And even if not, it can very well be the most used machine, with the desktop being a secondary computer (or the kid’s computer, one for the bills, etc).  Also, many laptops now have the outputs to plug into an HDTV for movie watching, etc.

However, if this is going to be a secondary computer that you’ll mainly be using for web browsing and emails, then a netbook might be what you’re looking for. Yes, they are smaller screens and keyboards, but as long as they aren’t too small for your hands, then it shouldn’t be a problem.

• Mobile Use

This is where a netbook really shines. With their light weight and smaller size, they can be easily kept in a small bag, larger purse, or regular backpack. With the average battery life matching a standard laptop (with 12 hour batteries available for sale on places like eBay) and available car chargers, there is rarely an issue with “needing a plug”. And with built in WiFi and some having cellular data cards built in, you’re always connected.

So what’s the best machine for you? I can’t answer that for you here. Feel free to email me and I’d be happy to help you out, though. At the end of the day, you need to find out what works best for you, before you try to decide about brand, price, etc. Because getting a machine that doesn’t work for you is worse than spending too much on one that does.