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Widgets?

June 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment
linux on laptop 

Image by kenwood via Flickr

So, what exactly is a widget?

One hears the word everyday, especially with savvy computer geek friends that understand the computer world and all that goes with it. But if you are not on top of the latest in computer technology, and happen to also be a bit technically de-clined, then figuring out what a widget is takes a bit of research.

A widget is an application, for the computer, that is made of bits of code. This allows users to access simple functions that have can give information, such as a calendar, the weather or news, or allow the benefits of immediate access to games, social networks, or even YouTube.

The good news is that this widget, or “badge” as it is sometimes called, can easily be placed on your computer or website to allow easy use of information; it’s also free. Users can copy a widget to their blog or websites to use as they wish. Widgets also work on mobile phones allowing you access while on-the-go.

These tiny mini-apps are a great way to have easy and immediate information at your fingertips and to interface and connect with other sites and people on your own blog or website. Widget use on social networks, as well as blogs, personal websites, etc. can help drive others to your site and increase your readership.

Realize that each widget belongs to its maker; you cannot change the code for any widget. The good news is that if it is not what you want, you can simply get rid of it.

And that is what is known as “user friendly”.

Filed Under: Software, Updates Tagged With: , ,

How Linux Came To Be

May 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Tux, the Linux penguin 

Image via Wikipedia

Linux is a very popular operating system. Many computer users take advantage of it because it is very user friendly and cost effective. It is most popular with programmers and its development is ongoing and interactive.

The Linux operating system initially began development in 1991 when Linus Torvalds wanted to create a new computer system. He devised it as a way for himself to use it with UNIX, the servers used at the University of Helsinki where he was studying computer science. Linux is what is known as a kernel, which is a central component of an operating system. The name Linus is a combination of Linus and UNIX. The program originally had the name Freax, which was a combination of free and UNIX.

After its creation, Linus made the program available for free download via the newsgroup Usenet. Linus has been quoted as saying that if other free programs were available at the time then he probably would not have created his own. He is referring to the GNU project in particular which was another free software system in development and was not released until 1992. Ironically, in order to be completed in 1992, the GNU system required a kernel which was subsequently supplied by Linux.

These days Linux is maintained by a community of freeware users, namely programmers, who help the continued development of Linux by providing feedback and suggestions. Linus Torvalds currently resides in the United States with his wife and three daughters. He is currently involved in the Linux Foundation, which is a merger of Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Applications, Operating Systems, Software Tagged With: , ,

Tips to Get Rid of Inbox Spam

April 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Spam is a really annoying aspect of the Internet, and the sheer volume of it keeps growing. There are certain things that you can do to make your online browsing experience more pleasant, such as reporting any spam that comes into your inbox. Here are a few of the most effective tips for reducing the amount of spam that plagues your computer.

  1. Only visit secure websites. When you’re browsing online, you should make sure that you only visit trusted websites, like BetUS Casino Games. As long as you enter your information into secure websites, you shouldn’t have any spam to worry about.
  1. Filter your email. Most email providers make it easy to filter incoming mail. All you have to do is add trusted addresses to your “do-allow” list and blacklist the ones that you don’t want to receive any further messages from. While this does require receiving the spam at least once to know who it’s coming from, it’s still a very effective way to help filter out unwanted advertisements and messages.
  1. Create an alternate email address. If you like to sign up for offers or participate in online surveys, then you should create an alternate email address to use. In fact, you may even want to have a few. This makes it easy to keep the bulk of unwanted spam from your inbox because you only use your primary address for anything that is important or personal.

Unfortunately, spam is a fact of life when it comes to the Internet. However, by taking the above precautions, you should see a significant decrease in the amount that you receive.

Filed Under: Software, Updates Tagged With: , ,

Technology and Photography Software

April 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Digital photography has exploded with all the new technology available to all levels of photographer, from amateur to professional. The wide availability of digital SLR cameras is spreading the art of photography, but to truly take your skills to a new level it’s best to get acquainted with top of the line editing software.

Gaining popularity among photographers is the Lightroom 3 software. With the capability to handle large caches of photos and simple toggle controls, the user interface is second to none. There are a variety of tools to edit all aspects of your photos from simple exposure to more complicated procedures like teeth whitening and skin softening. Batch editing and preset plugins make editing large amounts of photos at once easier than ever.

A perennial favorite among photographers is the slightly more complicated Adobe Photoshop. While the possibilities of photo editing are endless, Photoshop requires a bit more study before jumping into complex editing procedures. That being said, Photoshop is an editing favorite for a reason. This software provides a variety of tools to help change any aspect of the photo you should wish to change. Once you get the hang of Photoshop you can use keyboard shortcuts can help to speed up the process.

Whether you choose these software programs to edit photos or find another, the effect of technology on digital photography is stunning. More and more amateur photographers are creating professional quality photographs thanks to developments in software and technology. Never was there a better time to enter the exciting world of digital photography.

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: , ,

Downsides of Using Linux

February 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Linux is an operating system that comes with different variations and this fact makes it almost impossible for the average layman to learn how to operate it. Note that it is ranked among the open source operating systems. While there are certain benefits associated with it, the cons far outweigh these and it is largely due to this fact that Linux OS is not highly recommended. This is largely attributed to the fact that it does not have the features and capabilities of functioning well with some of the latest open source software currently available in the market.

FileZilla is ranked among the latest open source operating systems and Linux does not have the capabilities of operating ideally with it. Yet it is packed with several features that make it an ideal tool for anyone who wants to experience a different approach in the manner they use their system. File Zilla is known to provide a consistent feel that makes it easy to operate it on multiple systems. It works well with wxWidgets and while there are instances when it FileZilla comes with these features, there are other instances when they have to be bought separately.

It can be downloaded with ease from the internet and what is more, it is among the easiest open source systems to install. It is for all these reasons that it is considered important to evaluate these factors before deciding to use Linux with File Zilla. It is also important to state that Linux does not operate well with OpenOffice.org and for these reasons, it is deemed ideal to consider an alternative.

Filed Under: Applications, Software

Get Plugged into Plug-Ins

January 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

You know you hate that stupid little window that shows up just under the toolbar of your browser saying that you have to download [insert name] plug-in. And then you go, “what’s a plug-in?” No one knows what a plug-in is, right? And then you get frustrated because you have to wait however many minutes for the download; after that, you’re not sure what it was you needed or why. But whatever.

Be nice to the plug-ins, though. There’s a reason for them. They’re added necessities to web browsing. Think of them as pieces of jewelry you give to your girlfriend–or new ties for your boyfriend. You add them onto the wardrobe regimen. Plug-ins are like that. They make your browser more efficient–and quite frankly better looking. (not visually, just on the inside. You end up loving your browser more.)

For posterity, here are the plug-ins you need 99 percent of the time when browsing on the internet. Take notes.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

A healthy percentage of pages on the net are done in PDF format. Adobe reads it!

Java Virtual Machine

If you want the ability to run chat software or even certain online games, this plug-in is an absolute must.

Macromedia Flash Player

These days everyone loves to watch TV online. Don’t miss it without the M.F.P.

Macromedia Shockwave Player

The same goes for those who love to watch the heftier-memory intensive movies online.

Real Audio Player

Essential for listening to music online.

Apple Quicktime

This is the honest truth: you want primo viewing capacity and highest quality of video? You’ll need Quicktime.

Windows Media Player

And good ol’ Microsoft isn’t too shabby either on the video front.

Windows WinAmp

Downloaded music belongs to you; make sure you’re able to listen to it!

Pop-Up Killer

Annoying ads, be gone!

Anti Virus software

Ditto to annoying viruses.

Toolbar Extensions

They’re a guilty pleasure, but make life relatively easier online!

Winzip

Helps with downloading software.

Filed Under: Applications, Software Tagged With: , ,

Customizing Your Desktop in Windows 7

January 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Windows and Mac OSX both offer the option of downloading and installing widgets (Windows calls them gadgets), which are like smart phone apps for your computer’s desktop. Windows XP and Vista kept them sectioned off in the Sidebar, but in Windows 7, gadgets are free to wander about your desktop.

Turn It On, Baby

Installing gadgets onto your desktop is simple. All you need to do is find an open spot on your desktop, then right click with your mouse. Select Gadgets from the menu. A little window with nine default gadgets will open up. If you want to activate it, drag and drop it onto your desktop. Simply double click on it to turn it on. To deactivate it, click on the little X in the upper right hand corner of the application window.

Oh Yeah, That’s the Widget

There are more gadgets available online. Go back to the window that has the default gadgets. On the lower right is a button you can click to Get More Gadgets Online. It takes you to the Microsoft website. From this page you can browse all the different categories, including the lists of the top downloaded and top rated gadgets.

Gadget categories include:

  • Fun and Games
  • Mail and IM
  • Multimedia
  • Music, Movies, TV
  • News and Feeds
  • Safety and Security
  • Search tools
  • Techy, Geeky, Cool
  • Tools and Utilities
  • Miscellaneous

Let Me Show You How I Like It

When Windows took their gadgets out of the Sidebar (and actually eliminated the sidebar completely), they opened up a lot of options for customizing your desktop. You are no longer limited to keeping them on the right side of your screen. You can arrange your gadgets in any order you want. The gadgets themselves are customizable, and you can drag the corners out to increase or decrease their size.

Filed Under: Operating Systems, Software Tagged With: , ,

Widgets for Your Linux System

January 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Widgets make it easier for computer users to get the information that they need without spending a lot of time or CPU power opening independent internet browsers. Finding a widget engine that works well for you, therefore, can help you save time and energy, allowing you to work more efficiently. Plus, some widgets are just plain cool.

Widgets for Opera

There are several useful widgets for Opera. Internet security freaks will like the Stay Secure widget. It allows you to learn about the security strength of popular internet browsers such as IE and Firefox. If you are more interested in entertainment than security, then consider installing the Seesu widget. This small program allows you to search for music and listen directly from your desktop. You can also download small games to keep you occupied when you aren’t busy working on a project.

Google Widgets

Google has developed a plethora of widgets for Linux operating systems. You can download them in bundles or one at a time. Some popular Google widgets include the weather toolbar, calendar and clock. Of course, Google also includes widgets for its own web-based software. You can use them to keep an eye on your Gmail and Google Docs without opening a browser.

Jackfield Widgets

Some times you just can’t find the widget that you want for Linux, but you can find it for other operating systems. That’s where Jackfield comes in. Jackfield emulates other systems so that you can run widgets on your computer. Instead of feeling left out, you get to use all of the latest widgets designed for commercial use. Just download the Jackfield software and you can start running thousands of widgets that were designed for Windows and Apple operating systems. That way you get to use the best widgets designed for every operating system.

Filed Under: Applications, Operating Systems Tagged With: , ,

Replacing Time Management Software with Desktop Widgets

January 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Using desktop widgets is certainly not for everyone. However, it can be a nice and refreshing change for the right user. Is replacing time management software with desktop widgets for you? Let’s find out.

If you currently have time management software and are perfectly happy with it, change may not be good. This is especially true if you need the complexities within the software; for instance, if you need complex reminder alarms and reoccurring tasks (although there are some widgets that can handle this). If you have a long list of tasks and a calendar stuffed with meetings and appointments, stick with what you have.

There is also the type of user who needs the basics of time management software. Some events and a few tasks here and there characterize this type of user, where accessibility overrides complex functionality. Simply put, if you use time management applications no more than you check your e-mail, you should think about switching.

This type of switch utilizes desktop widgets, which can cover a wide variety of types. For instance, you could easily dock your calendar, tasks, and notes right on your desktop. Lacking a great deal of complexity, these widgets have an impressive range of functionality. They certainly live up to the expectations of what they do best, which is simplifying things.

If you think these types of widgets could eliminate the need for different programs, give them a try. Some users find the minimalist setup of widgets much more productive than having to open separate programs. It can be a change towards an easier to use setup on your computer, yet it is unquestionably not for every type of user. Do some research to see what widgets would be good for you on your computer; you may find the next best thing to improve your productivity and organization.

Filed Under: Operating Systems, Software Tagged With: , ,

Internet Radio

December 26, 2010 by

Introduction

Internet Radio stations broadcast in three main formats – Microsoft’s ASF, Real’s RM and the less proprietory (but still patented) MP3.
ASF

Ares Galaxy is an open source application that includes support for playing streamed ASF files under Linux. The tricky part is finding the URL to pass to the player on the command-line – lots of sites attempt to hide the URL from their users through extensive use of JavaScript.

If you want to configure your browser to use aviplay to play ASF files, then go to the screen where you configure helper applications, and enter the following information (this is for Netscape 6, but other browsers will be similar):
Extension: asx asf
MIME type: video/x-ms-asf
Application: /usr/local/bin/aviplay

aviplay will accept both http: references to ASX files, or mms: references to the actual ASF stream.

An ASX file is simply a redirection to a stream. An example for the London radio station XFM 104.9 is as follows:

You can also select the file xfm_high.asx from this server. This has the MIME type “video/x-ms-asf”. If you are using Apache, add the following line to the .htaccess file in the directory containing the asx file:

# .htaccess

addtype video/x-ms-asf asx

If you have correctly installed and configured aviplay, then when you click on the above link to xfm_high.asx, you should start to hear XFM.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , ,
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