Surf faster with Firefox Custom Keywords – V...

You already know that I highly recommend the Mozilla Firefox web browser for fast and safe Internet surfing. This week, I discovered a couple of new techniques to use with Firefox that allow you to visit your most used sites by typing just a letter or two. And if that isn’t cool enough already, you can also use this technique to customize your searches and make them faster than ever as well. Firefox call these...

How to add the print and other buttons to Firefox ...

We love the Mozilla Firefox browser, but out-of-the-box it doesn’t show the print button. Also, some people like to have the Bookmark and History buttons available as well. This tip shows you how to add any or all of these buttons as well as others you might want. In Firefox, RIGHT click on a blank part of the toolbar (or Click View –> Toolbars –> Customize from the menus) Click and drag the buttons...

Start programs automatically in Ubuntu – Vid...

Windows user can use this tip to start programs automatically when they boot up their computers. This week I learned how to do the same thing with Ubuntu Linux (and its derivatives). Since my goal for this site is to impart all the knowledge I have in my brain to you, here is how to start programs on boot up in Ubuntu Linux: 1. Click System –> Preferences –> Sessions from the menus 2. Click the Add button in the...

Zonbu Computers – $99 desktop and $279 lapto...

Today, I stumbled on a web site selling inexpensive Linux computers that I think we will see as a trend over the next few years. Zonbu sells only two computers; one laptop and one mini-desktop. They can be purchased with or without a comprehensive monthly service agreement that actually might be a good deal because of the extensive support they offer. The system’s run a customized version of Linux and advertised as...

Print Envelopes with One Click – Video Tip

Using Microsoft Word and a little customizing of the Word toolbar, this tip will get you printing envelopes easily. If you write business letters with the recipient’s address in the body of the message, Word will pick up the address and insert it into your envelope when you use the envelope tool. Click on the Tools menu and then Envelopes and Labels. From there, you can print your envelope and set your default return...

Splashtop Instant On – Instant Off

On last week’s web show, I talked about how excited I was with a new technology called Splashtop. Adam sent me the site earlier last week, and since then my mind and ideas have been flying. Splashtop was developed by a private company called Device VM. They work with hardware and software developers to bring their ideas to the market. Splashtop is being billed as a computer’s alter ego to the operating system (aka...

Now I remember what I don’t like about Apple...

Apple products are beautiful and functional. Many people brag about their iPod or Mac’s stability, but there is a good reason that Macs are so stable. Apple is very restrictive as to what others are allowed to do with their systems. For example, if you have a iPod, you can only use iTunes if you want to sync music to it. If you have another brand of media player, it will not work with iTunes. Most standard hardware such...

Windows Vista SP1 – WOW!

When Microsoft released Vista, their slogan for the new program was, "The Wow is Now," or something like that. Their ad campaign was not incorrect, over and over we have heard people say, "Wow!" As in, "Wow! This is slower than my Windows 98 system." Most major software titles come in several generations. There is the initial program then, over time, major updates called service packs are...

Busy weekend

My work week isn’t over. I have five computers/hard drives that I’m working on this weekend. My most exciting task is to setup an older XP HP machine with Ubuntu Linux. My customer had a huge XP problem and couldn’t use her restore CD’s to get it going. After some discussion of her options, costs, and time involved, she decided to give Ubuntu a try. This customer is retired, but is writing a book, uses...

Ubuntu – Day 14 – Final Report

  I can’t believe it has been two weeks already that I’ve used Ubuntu Linux exclusively. If I had to sum up the experience in one word, that word would be “satisfying.” And my regular readers/listeners know that I can’t sum anything up in one word, so I will use this format to provide a complete synopsis of my Ubuntu thoughts. Minimum Requirements Ubuntu and its derivatives can run...

Ubuntu – Day 5

I haven’t ported much of my data to this computer from my Windows’ computer, but haven’t missed any of it yet either. I do have this system hooked into my home network so I can access shared folders on the Windows’ machine if I need those files. I mentioned on the show today that one of the huge reasons I like Mozilla Firefox is the availability of “extensions”. Extensions are little...

Mozilla Firefox Revisited

By Rick Castellini 2002. Revised by Adam Cochran 2007 Earlier this summer, my co-host, Adam, decided to do an 'on air' review of a product. The product he chose is Mozilla Firefox, an alternative web browser. Being on the radio and downloading, installing and reviewing software was a new experience for us, but the impression was instant and impressive for both of us. Mozilla loads most web pages much faster...

Getting the Mail Button back in IE7 – Revise...

When you upgrade to IE7 you will notice a total change in the interface. One of the big changes is a lack of menu bar and many of the old buttons. If you are in the habit of clicking on the little envelope in Internet Explorer to get into your email, you will quickly see that the little envelope is gone. Here's how to get it back: 1. Right-click on the bar where the buttons should be 2. Choose Customize Command Bar 3....

Email Preview Button in Outlook Express – Vi...

This tip evaded me for many years, but now you can benefit from its use. The tip works in any versions of Windows including Windows Vista's Windows Mail. When asked how to delete a message without opening it in Microsoft Outlook Express, I traditionally answered by directing the computer user to the View menu (See Tip #156). This works, but if you want to turn the Preview back on you have to go through the same number of...

Options and Preferences

I had a brief epiphany today as I helped two of my customers. When I'm setting up a computer or troubleshooting one, I am constantly in an out of the Options or Preferences of many programs. Almost all programs, from Quicken to Word to image editing software and of course Internet and email software, contain a section that allows you to customize the experience. For example, in Internet Explorer, I always click Tools...