Best posts on Online Tech Tips from March 2008

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 5:24 am

So here’s the most popular posts on Online Tech Tips for the last month, March 2008 split by category in case you’re only interested in a specific one! Please remember to post comments on which articles you liked best and which you didn’t like! Thanks!

Computer Tips

How to add website shortcuts to the Windows Start Menu
Looking for a way to add program shortcuts to the Start Menu? Ever thought about adding website (URL) shortcuts to your Start Menu? It’s actually quite useful! I personally use Firefox for my browsing needs, but I still hate having to browse through my ridiculously long list of bookmarks just to open my email (yes I could just type in gmail, but I’m too lazy to type it)!
How to remove your name from search engines
Looking for a way to remove your name from Google? Have you tried to Google your own name lately? Anything “interesting” come up that you would rather not appear in the first page for everyone to see!? I had written a post several months back on the results of Googling my own name, which turned out to be quite an eye opener as I ended up being in 71 of the top 100 results in Google!
How to record cassette tapes to PC/Computer
So you have a bunch of old audio cassettes that you want to copy or transfer to your computer? There are many programs out there that you can buy which will help to try and make the process as simple as possible! However, since I’m a techie and my blog is all about easy to understand computer tips, I’m going to try and teach you how you can transfer audio cassettes to your computer for free
Search and find keys in the Windows registry faster using RegScanner
Have you ever had to search through the Windows registry to find some esoteric key? If you’re a tech person like myself, you’ve probably modified a bunch of keys in your time, but don’t you hate how hard it is to search the registry?
How to remove red-eye from digital pictures using Picasa-Gimp-Photoshop
Ahh! You took a beautiful picture of someone, the perfect angle and the perfect lighting, but it’s been ruined because of red-eye, which makes everyone look like some kind robotic monster! However, it’s super easy to remove red-eye from your digital pictures using a couple of free photo editing tools.
Speed up boot times using Bootvis
Wish you could speed up the boot time in Windows? One of the most tedious aspects of computing is undoubtedly the infamous boot. The tiring, long and boring process that no one likes. Why not speed it up a bit? Apart from saving you from wanting to tear your hair out, a faster boot up can be really useful when you need some information quickly.
How to read and open .DAT files in Windows
So you just received an email with an attachment that someone sent you, but the extension on the file is .DAT. What exactly is a .DAT file and how to you open .DAT files? Those are two questions I’m going to try to answer as this is an issue that I’ve seen many times in my IT career!

Cool Web Sites

FeedJournal- Convert RSS feeds into printable PDF files
I love my RSS feeds, but sometimes I want to be able to physically hold a paper in my hand and read it. Now RSS users can enjoy the best of both worlds. Printing your favorite RSS feeds in a newspaper like template can be easily done with FeedJournal. It is a great little service that will allow users to convert their favorite feeds into a printable PDF file. Now your favorite feeds will look like a traditional newspaper.
Hulu.com - Watch TV shows online for free
Online video sites are some of the best ways to catch up on your favorite missed television shows on a busy schedule. Instead of having to wait for them to air on television again, you can just log into your favorite video site at anytime. The only issue with enjoying these favorite episodes is to find the best online video site to fulfill your entertainment need.
DoMyStuff.com - Outsource Daily Chores
Doing daily chores can become a hassle. With our busy schedules, it is so hard to get everything done in a timely manner. Just when you think all of your tasks have been taken care of, you soon remember that you’ve forgotten something. Organizing your schedule with “to do” lists, email reminders, and PDA’s are smart ideas, but sometimes it’s not enough.
Browse the Internet safely using MyWOT
Recently, I had written about a new software from McAfee called SiteAdvisor, which helps to protect your computer from malware, spyware, viruses, and spam sites while browsing the Internet for free! Having this type of preventive software is great because there are many times when you may not be sure whether a site that shows up in the search results in actually legitimate or simply spam.
SugarSync - An All in One Syncing Tool
Wish you could sync your Mac, PC, and phone easily? Working on multiple devices in today’s society is not an uncommon task. Most of us are very knowledgeable when it comes to the latest technology or gadgets. However, using this knowledge to become a productive person in our personal and professional lives can sometimes be a battle.

Free Software Downloads

PicLens - Free online picture slideshow creator add-on
Lately, I have been searching for the perfect screensaver for my computer. I finally got tired of looking at the same pictures over and over again. However, scouring the Internet for images that would make me happy was not an easy task. Just when I had decided to give up hope, I came across a useful web browser addon.
Yakkle- Free online collaboration tool
Looking for a free online collaboration tool? Communication is essential for all of us to keep updated on the events of the world. Whether it is finding out about the latest exploits of your friend or what your old college buddy is up to, emails aren’t always the best means of communicating with them.
Turn web applications into desktop applications with Bubbles
The extra advantage of a desktop application over a web application is that it will always be available at any time from the desktop via the system tray or the Windows taskbar. Unlike web applications that require a browser before you can start using it, desktop applications can proudly stand on their own.
PrinterAnywhere - Network Printing the Easy Way
Setting up a network printer any time soon? Installing printers on a network can be a painfully long process. It definitely requires focused attention, time, and patience. However, most of us can’t spend numerous hours trying to get multiple printers to communicate.
Find and remove duplicate files with Duplicate Cleaner
Remember the days when hard disk sizes were tiny? It is mind boggling to think that with the huge amount of disk space we have today, it still seems like it’s not enough. The amount of media files that can be downloaded from the World Wide Web make this matter much worse.
Free Windows backup software - Hinx Backup Easy
Do you backup the files on your computer? What happens to your important documents if your computer crashes and Windows will not boot up? More home computer users, than in years past, are savvy to the idea of backing up their computer on a schedule of some sort or another.

Miscellaneous

Gizmoz - Create your own animated avatar
Would you like to create or make your own avatar? One of the easiest ways to express your online personality is to have an avatar. Sometimes creating the perfect avatar can be filled with fun and other times it can quickly become a pain. There are many online services that help users create and customize avatars.
How to setup multiple home pages in Firefox and IE
I love browsing the Internet! In fact, I love it so much that when I start my browser, I need multiple pages to load up instead of just one! Of course, I could use a start page like Only2Clicks or Speed Dial, which allows me to access my favorites sites by simply clicking on them, but it’s not the same as having multiple home pages.
Download and convert Internet videos easily using Mux
Web videos are extremely addictive. Viewing some of the funniest moments captured on camera can last for hours of fun. Whether you are cruising through YouTube or Google videos, there are times you wish you could download them for later viewing.
How to get Vista breadcrumbs navigation on Windows XP
Other than the usual bugs found in Microsoft Vista, there are a few things that I like about it: one being the Aero “glass” interface and other visual effects. I personally am waiting till Service Pack 1 comes out before installing it on my main laptop as I’ve heard too many “I hate Vista” stories already!

That’s about it for the month of March! Hope that you found them interesting and enjoyable! Post a comment on what articles were your favorite and which you didn’t really like! Thanks!

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