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Google Chrome Overview – Video Tip

Last week, Google released their own web browser, Chrome, to compete with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Many of you have asked my opinion and wondered what it all means. In a nutshell, I think that any competition is good competition. And with a name like Google behind the project, that adds even more fuel to the fire.

Google Chrome is fast, easy on the eyes, but offers few features that aren’t already available in Firefox, Opera, and other browsers. However, I think that more people are likely to use it because of the Google name, and they won’t be disappointed. Watch my video below for a quick introduction to Google Chrome and more commentary.

I would love to hear your comments about Google Chrome as well.

AVG stumbles again

Admittedly, Grisoft has not had a great summer with the roll out of their newest product, AVG 8. They tried to force the upgrade on users a little too quickly with quick deadlines. However, almost five months after the release of the new version, I still find users who haven’t upgraded yet, but Grisoft is still updating the older version.

The installation of the new version included some new features that are designed to scan links for bad web sites in your searches. This feature caused some problems for Windows Vista users and even caused some problems for email users.

Earlier this summer, AVG’s upgrade servers downloaded a bad update to many computers that caused an error that confused and dazed many users.

Rick answers his email – Videocast 010

In this edition of my videocast, I answer questions about wireless problems with Ubuntu, sending faxes via the Internet, WinAntivirus 2009, and many others. Take a look and listen…I’m starting to integrate more video with the answers so the answers have even more meaning.

When is high speed cellular Internet access a good deal?

 

 Sprint Logo  ATT Logo  Verizon Logo

 

Not everyone can get a cable or DSL Internet connection in their home…especially in rural areas. Cellular service, though, reaches pretty far these days. And in the past few years all three major cellular providers in the United States have rolled out broadband Internet via cellular signals. New technology developments allow users to easily use USB mobile broadband adapters (the little gadgets that pick up the wireless signals) with a desktop just as easily as a laptop.All three big providers offer plans starting at $60 per month for 5GB of data transfer.

5 GB of Internet data translates into about double or triple what the average daily emailer and web surfer would need in a typical month.

Speeds for mobile (cellular) broadband compare favorably with

Create a Permanent Email Address for Yourself

Are you tired of having to change your email address when your Internet provider goes out of business or gets gobbled up by another provider, or you move, or you just want to change Internet providers?

Informing everyone in your address book that you have changed email addresses doesn’t take a great deal of time, but it is annoying nonetheless. In today’s Shotgun article, I explain how you can create an address that is permanently yours regardless of who you use for an Internet provider.

Dell goes deeper into Linux

Dell announced that they will release a line of laptop computers this fall with an instant on technology called Latitude On. Early indications are that it will closely mimic the Splashtop technology I wrote about last year and during CES 2008. And like Splashtop, the Dell technology involves using a light version of Linux to produce an extremely fast boot up (30 seconds or less) time and can access the Internet through Firefox and a wireless signal.

Beijing Olympic Coverage on the web

My name is Rick, and I am addicted to watching the Olympics. Since 1976 with Bruce Jenner, I look forward to the Olympic games. My favorite events to watch include weightlifting, swimming, gymnastics (although I abhor the subjective judging), rowing, and bicycling (track and road).

However, being a working stiff and having family obligations means and with the Olympics being held half a world away, I need to find a way to catch some coverage in other ways beside my DVR.

The web is starting to feel that gap, but only if you have a super fast Internet connection. NBC is offering nearly 2000 hours of coverage on their web site, but most of it is raw video and little audio with no commentary. I have the medium speed DSL (1.5mbs) at my home and it can barely keep up with the video stream…especially if my kids are watching YouTube or streaming Pandora at the same time.

If you have a cable or fiber Internet connection, you should have no problems watching the Olympics online via NBC’s site. You can also try watching some video at the official Beijing Olympic web site or the China Central Television web site. Interestingly, because of contractual and legal problems, YouTube cannot show their Olympic coverage in the United States. Hve you found any other reliable sites for streaming video from Beijing?

More Firefox 3.0 Features – Video Tip

I’ve posted some tips already demonstrating some of the power of Firefox 3.0. In today’s tip, I demonstrate how Mozilla has improved Firefox’s tabbed browsing, improved the ability to find and manage 3rd party add-ons, customize your address and search bar box lengths and more.

Take a look at the video and learn why Firefox 3.0 remains at the top of the Internet browsing mountain.

Telecommunications Bundling

Almost two years ago, I wrote an article (click here) about knowing how much you pay for your telecommunications every month. Telecommunications costs include cell phone, long distance, land line phone, cable or satellite TV, and Internet costs. I use the method I described in that article to help people get more of a handle on their tech costs and features  and often save them money while getting better services.

Printer Troubleshooting 101

Lately, I’ve run across many printer problems so I’m going to share with you my formula for approaching a printer problem.

  1. Shut off computer
  2. Shut off printer
  3. Check cable from printer to computer and make sure it is securely plugged in on both sides
  4. Check cable from printer to power source and make they plugged in well.
  5. Turn the printer on and wait for it to go through all of its startup activities (wait until it is quiet)
    • If the printer happens to be a HP printer, I will sometimes unplug the power cable from the back of the printer, then