Archive for tools
Comparing The Best Web Browsers
Posted by: | CommentsA web browser is what you use on a daily basis to surf the Internet. Web browsers have come a long way and run a lot faster than they did just a few years ago. Aside from running faster and loading web pages quicker, these browsers often offer plenty of different features that can be used to the users advantage. If you enjoy surfing the net on a daily basis, you would benefit greatly in knowing which web browsers are the absolute best.
Source: http://statcounter.com/
Firefox
Firefox is one of the best web browsers on the Internet, hands down. Downloading Firefox is absolutely free which means there is no cost to you to use this excellent web browsing program. Aside from being free, the web browser runs fast and loads web pages at a rapid speed. This is important for most website users. When the pages of a website take such a long time to load, users will become annoyed and frustrated. Firefox removes the possibility of frustration by providing fast and easy web browsing for all of its users. Firefox comes equipped with a search box that is simple to use, just about anyone can do it. You can also add on a bunch of different features and change the color skin of your web browser. These are just some of the really cool features that come along with Firefox.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is another one of the best web browsers available. It can be used on computer with Windows 7, Windows XP and Vista. Google Chrome makes Internet browsing simple and fast. The browsing is so quick and pages load at an extremely fast pace. This is the perfect web browser for people who hate waiting for pages to load. Google Chrome also provides its users with an added sense of security that prevents fishing from taking place. If you have had already experienced some security problems in the past while browsing the Internet, you could benefit greatly from switching over to Google Chrome for the added security that you desire.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is one of the oldest web browsers on the Internet, having been around for more than fifteen years now. Within the past fifteen years, many changes have been made to Internet Explore to keep up with the demands of users everywhere. From added features and faster loading time, Internet Explorer 9 is an updated version of the traditional Internet Explorer and it runs faster than it once did several years ago. Internet Explorer 9 comes equipped with an updated search box, add-ons, plenty of extra features, and tabs for browsing. If you were tired of using your outdated older version of Internet Explorer, it may be time for an upgrade to Internet Explorer 9. Right now, it is currently in its Beta phase which means it is fairly new but it seems to work very well. Users are already raving over the fast loading time for web pages and the extra features that have been added on. Internet Explorer fans seem to love this updated version of the traditional web browser.
Safari
Safari, much like Internet Explorer, has been around for quite some time. While Safari has been around for a while, it is typically less popular than Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome. However, Safari recently released a new upgraded edition, Safari 5 which is jam packed with tons of cool features that users will love. HTML support is provided on Safari and web browsing is fast and easy to do. Extensions can be added onto Safari 5 at your convenience. While it may not be the first choice or the most popular choice, Safari 5 is bringing a lot to the table and is definitely one of the best web browsers on the Internet at this point.
Opera
Opera is one of the pioneers among web browsers. Started out in 1994 as a research project within Telenor, Norway’s leading telecom. Within a year, Opera Software ASA was launched as an independent development company. Today, Opera is headquartered in Norway, with over 700 employees in offices around the world. Opera is adapted to a wide range of platforms, operating systems and embedded Internet products — including Mac, PC and Linux computers, tablets, mobile phones and PDAs. As a result, the Opera browser is the choice of some of the world’s most demanding and knowledgeable users.
A shiny, new browser Rockmelt
You may not have heard of Rockmelt because it is not as popular or as well-known as the other web browsers. However, Rockmelt is perfect for the social networking user who loves logging on to Twitter, Facebook, and tons of other social networking websites. How so? Rockmelt allows you to add a bunch of social networking sites to the toolbar on the web browser which enables you to check out all of your favorite social networking platforms without having to leave the page, exit a page, or type in a new web address. As of right now, Rockmelt is being passed around on an invitation only basis but if the opportunity comes to you, you may want to look into it. It is definitely the ideal browser for people who just cannot get enough of their social networking websites and pages.
Conclusion
Overall, it can be a tough decision figuring out which web browser is best to use. All of these web browsers have positive features that just about any user would appreciate. Best of all, the creators of these browsers continue to work hard to ensure that the browsers advance along with technology.
In our opinion, Firefox is the best web browser to choose. Firefox has been around for quite some time now and has never failed to offer some of the fastest web page loading speeds as well as privacy and extra features. Firefox started off simple and has continued to grow while adding extra features that the users cannot seem to get enough of. In fact, Firefox has been rated the most popular web browser on the Internet.
However, while Firefox is the type of browser we would suggest, you can still benefit from trying the other web browsers too. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera and Safari are all fairly good for loading pages fast and offering a sense of added security for the users’ convenience. And it does not hurt to give Rockmelt a try either. For example, if you are the type of person who spends most of their Internet time on social networking platforms, you would probably prefer to use Rockmelt because it is mostly convenient for social networking website users.
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Kindle Fire Vs. Nook Reader
Posted by: | CommentsThe Kindle Fire and Nook Reader do much of the same things. They can be used for browsing the Internet, watching movies and other types of videos, and of course, reading books. However, there are quite a few differences between these two products as well. The Nook Reader has been out longer but most people believe that the Kindle Fire is taking the lead as the better product out of the two because of its amazing features. You can review the information to gather an opinion on which of these products you think will be better than the other.
The Kindle Fire
The Kindle Fire is a tablet version of the traditional kindle. It was recently released towards the end of September in 2011. Not only is it the perfect product for reading all types of books, you can also watch streaming videos and television shows. You can choose between millions of different shows and movies that are compatible with the Kindle Fire. In reality, this product is great for just about anything. You can do much of what you would do on an average day all within one product which is what consumers really like. Below is a list of just some of the many features of this product.
Kindle Fire Features
- Movies, Shows, Books, and Magazines are all available
- Apps and Games are also available
- Fast Speed Web for Browsing The Net
- Easy To Use Touchscreen
- Amazing Color Brings Picture To Life
- 8 GB Internal Memory
Aside from these features, there are plenty others that the consumers seem to be raving over. The price for the Kindle Fire is $199.99 which is considerably cheaper than most of its competitors. With the Kindle Fire, you will have access to millions of books. These books will vary in genre and will be for children, teens, and adults. You get to choose what you want to read on your Kindle Fire.
You can also have your pick from tons of different games and shows. Some games and shows are specifically designed for adults while others are for children. If you have children who will also be using your Kindle Fire here and there, this will be perfect for you. Popular games include Angry Birds and Words With Friends while popular music videos and songs include music from the talented Lady Gaga and Adele. You will be able to find everything you need with the Kindle Fire.
The Nook Color
The Nook Color was created before the Kindle Fire but some changes will need to be made if Barnes and Noble wants to beat out Amazon for the top selling e-reader. When the Nook Color was first released, the price for the product was $200+. Because the Kindle Fire came out and costs approximately $199.99, Barnes and Noble was forced to lower the price of the Nook Color to $199.99 as well. This is good for you, the consumer, because now you have your choice of both great products at the same price. The company, however, may not be so happy at having to lower the price of their product. The Nook Color offers more than two million different kinds of books. Books vary in genre and adult and kids books are both available for purchase. Apps, games, and music are all available on the Nook Color too. Like the Kindle Fire, Nook Color comes equipped with many cool features that consumers love and rave over.
Nook Color Features
- 2 million+ books
- Kids books are interactive and animated
- Access to some of the most popular games
- E-mail and Web Browsing available
- Free Support
These are just a few of the different features that come along with the Nook Color. And while there are already many different features, there are plans to add some new and exciting features as the creators continue to ensure that their product is satisfying for the customers. What types of features will be added? Well, NOOK comics will soon be available which will feature tons of different Marvel comics which is perfect for comic book lovers. Another new feature expected to be added soon is available television shows and movies from NetFlix and Hulu. These are two websites that offer videos to some of the best television shows that are or were on television at some point in time. If you enjoy reading books, browsing the web, and playing some games, this may be the type of product you are looking for.
When it comes to these two products, it is somewhat difficult to decide which one is the better one. Both of these products have so much to offer the consumers. In a world of technology, where people want to be able to go on the Internet, listen to music, and read books, these products are definitely continuing to advance along with the consumers.
As of right now, it seems as though the Kindle Fire has a bit more to offer the consumer because they have way more than two million books, movies, and videos available along with quite a few extra features. The Kindle Fire also comes equipped with much more memory than the Nook Color which is important for people who use up a lot of memory with their videos, games, books, and music. However, it is obvious that Nook Color is making changes and adding new features so that it can keep up with and possibly surpass the Kindle Fire in the future. If you were to buy either of these products today, your best bet would be to go with the Kindle Fire.
Both of these products cost about the same amount, so you will be spending the same amount of money for either one. If you prefer something that is simpler with less features, the Nook Color may be your best choice. But, if you love watching streaming videos, listening to tons of music, and playing some of the funniest games around, you would greatly benefit from buying the Kindle Fire.
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4 Steps to Automate Twitter Relationship Building in 15 Minutes
Posted by: | CommentsThis is a guest post by Jon Cooper from Point Blank SEO.
Building relationships is at the heart of link building, because people are the ones giving links, not websites. The newest and hottest way to build relationships in your niche is to engage with them on social media, but we all know how time consuming this can be. Take, for example, twitter. Although an awesome tool to use to talk to influential people in your niche, the hours you spend each day pile up over time.
I recently just started doing SEO for a client who didn’t have a company twitter account, so I had to start from scratch. I didn’t want to spend much time on twitter, but at the same time I wanted to yield it for all it’s worth. Here’s a simple 4-step guide to automating your twitter account to tweet about the things you want, and the best part about it is that it won’t take you more than 15 minutes! Over time, the people/companies in your niche will take notice of your tweets, and this can be the first step to connecting personally with each of them.
1. Identify influential bloggers
They don’t necessarily have to be the cream of the crop in your niche, but rather just the ones you want to start building relationships with. Once you identify them, make a list of all of their RSS feeds in a simple text document.
2. Use Google Alerts
If you’ve never used Google Alerts before, it’s a tool to help you monitor the Web for any keyword or phrase of your choosing. For example, if I wanted to know whenever the phrase “link building contest” was mentioned, I could sign up for a daily Google Alert & get it sent to my email or by RSS feed. In this case, set up a couple alerts and have them be created as RSS feeds. Make sure you add these RSS feeds to your text document list.
3. Combine the feeds
By using RSS Mix, you’re able to combine any number of RSS feeds into just one. This will bypass some of the fees you would have had to pay in the next step.
4. Use Hootsuite to tweet the RSS
Hootsuite is an awesome tool to stay on top of twitter, and luckily for us it’s free to use. Sign up for an account, sync your twitter account, and then add an RSS feed to your account. The RSS feed you’re adding is the combined one we created in step 3. Set it up so each new item is tweeted via your twitter account.
The reason we combined the feeds in step 3 is because Hootsuite’s free plan allows only 2 RSS feeds, so if you wanted to use all of the ones individually through it, you would have to pay $6/month.
I don’t recommend this as a full time option for your twitter account, but rather as a great way to get started. By tweeting about the most relevant content in your niche, you have a great chance as being one of the twitter authorities. Also, make sure you’re tweeting about your own content too, whether it’s adding your feed to the mega feed we created in Step 3 or if you’re doing it manually.
If you’d like to keep up to date with the latest news & content on link building and relationship building, add Point Blank SEO to your circles, or follow Jon Cooper on Twitter.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to leave any feedback below; I’m dying to hear what you have to say!
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Corel Motion Studio 3D Review
Posted by: | CommentsIt seems that more and more often, we hear of someone wanting to get into the graphics field and they are “self-learners” or “self-starters” and they ask us, “What software is good enough for someone to learn and become pro with, but is simple enough for a total novice?” Many times, we would be stumped to hear it; all the software out there had a large learning curve.
Until now.
With the advent of Corel Motion Studio 3D, a new artist can learn 3D modeling as well as animation in a software suite that is competitively priced as well as being well suited to those who are just beginning to learn as well as those who have been at this for quite some time. We hope that the following review of this software will assist you in making a decision about your software.
Software even the novice will enjoy
The newest addition to the world of 3D editing software is indeed making waves all across the world! Corel’s inaugural 3D product, Motion Studio 3D is a program that will suit beginners and old hands alike. With a wide selection of tools made available that commonly found in more expensive programs, as well as real time preview of your work with next to no rendering time necessary, this program soars about its competitors in the novice market. A list of some of its best features would be:
- Seamless handling of particle effects
- Import and Export capabilities
- One Click options for the newcomers
- A very affordable price ($99)
Motion Studio’s interface is simple to use as well as being very intuitive, allowing newcomers to 3D rendering feel much more at ease. It also offers real time previews so that as you work you can tweak and edit as you go without waiting for lengthy rendering times to complete. The time-line of your project goes across the bottom of the interface, making a nice home for key frames of your animation giving you a visual cue to where things are and where they will be going along with offering an easy menu to make changes and enhancements to your work.
What is now called the “Easy palette” offers a wide array of preset options and effects that can be supplemented by add-on options from their gallery (which is online and entirely free), giving you far more functionality than is available in other programs of a similar caliber. This is where you will find your 3D models, text objects, lathe objects and more, with fully customizable menus for each option. The program also includes many one click effects that will help those just getting started to add that extra bit of “wow” to their presentation or project.
Professional Quality Project Handling
We know that those who have a much higher caliber of talent and experience are saying to us now, “What about us? Is this program going to be useful for professionals as well?” The answer is: Absolutely! From particle effects and vector graphics to smoke screens and 3D titles, you will be able to make productions that make your audience be amazed by your talent and expertise.
This software also allows for import and export from other programs, so that using this in conjunction with paint-shop, dream-weaver or any other product that you may have an interest in graphics-wise, you will have no problems transferring your work. This benefit perhaps more than any other will prove priceless in your journey to the top of the 3D animation world.
For those “prosumers” out there, there are also useful import and export features allowing you to either view your 3D work with glasses or to export them to a format that will allow for viewing on a 3D television. Options like these are few and far between even in the more expensive “professional” software suites. On top of the options and benefits listed before, you also have a wide array of still motion options such as workability with .Gif files as well as flash so that you can make animations specifically for websites that you may own or be consulting on as well.
When it comes down to pounds and pence, Corel Motion Studio 3D offers you the most bang for your buck when it comes to software suites for the beginner that will grow with them as well as continue to challenge them. With a very competitive price tag, this program will not only fit the budget of the student, it is powerful enough to be considered for any small (or may be not so small) studio as a new tool. Corel Motion Studio 3D will have things for all levels of user, and makes entry into the world of 3D animation less intimidating for the hobbyist.
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How to Boost Your Wireless Router Signal for Free
Posted by: | CommentsThere are few things more frustrating than installing a wireless network in your home and finding out that, no matter what you seem to do, you get a spotty or dropped connection, unreliable bandwidth, or—worse—no connection at all. Nothing is wrong with your internet service itself, so what do you do? Before you dash out to buy new equipment and end up wasting your money, try these simple fixes that are fast and free. The best part is that you don’t need to be an IT specialist to pull them off!
1. Move the Router
This can often be an immediate fix especially if your house or apartment is older, full of other electronics, or both. Older buildings very often still have lead paint in the walls, the metallic traces blocking signal. Other electronics, such as cordless telephones, can generate signals of their own that interfere with wireless internet—even if on separate frequencies. For both situations, the solution is the same: Make sure to find a place to house your wireless router that is more open, has fewer walls between the device and your computer, and a distance of six feet or more from any other signal-generating electronics. This is also a good fix if your wireless signal simply isn’t strong enough, even if you don’t have to worry about conflicting electronics or lead paint. Metal objects can also easily interfere, so make sure the router is away from such objects as filing cabinets or shelving as well. If this doesn’t solve your problem, try solution #2:
2. Update the Router’s Firmware
Wireless routers need software to run just like other electronics. And just like a computer or smart phone, the router needs to have its software updated periodically, too. To do this, all you have to do is log into your router per its instructions which is usually no more difficult than clicking on the icon in your computer’s taskbar. Then, select the option for a firmware upgrade. If there is one, the router will be able to download and install what it needs. Older routers don’t automatically check for updates like some newer ones, so it is generally a good idea to check now and again. Updates are typically accompanied by release notes that tell you exactly what was updated, which will let you know one way or another what all changed that contributed to fixing the connection issue. This is a good thing to keep in mind just in case the problem occurs again.
3. Update Wireless Drivers
Another factor that can affect how your computer sees the wireless router is whether or not the network adapter software of the computer itself is up to date. This is handled the same way you would update any other drivers and is generally self-governed by whatever operating system you use so it doesn’t matter whether the OS is Microsoft, Mac, or Linux
4. Change the Channel
Just like a television or a radio, wireless routers operate on different channel frequencies to function. By default, they are supposed to select the channel with the lowest amount of traffic, but, in reality, this isn’t always the case. At the same time, multiple routers from the same company (especially if your internet provider sells or rents their own wireless routers) are predisposed to select the exact same frequency. If most of the people nearby or even in your same apartment building all use the same routers, you will need to select your own frequency, if for nothing else than to avoid this issue to begin with! A free downloadable software that is excellent to help with this is inSSIDer. The only column that you really need to pay attention to is the one labeled “Channel”. This column will show you whatever channels are handling the most traffic and the least. Go ahead and select a low-traffic channel to see if that fixes the connectivity issues. Hopefully, it will!
5. DD-WRT
This is an open-source software program that can be installed to the router much like any other driver. This is really only a recommendation for the adventurous or those with a stronger level of technical experience. The program does not work with all routers, though the list of compatible hardware is growing, and you always run the risk of negatively affecting the router. Installation also very possibly violates most warranties, so it is not recommended if your router is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or you’re part of a business network. If the software does work for you, however, it improves router performance overall and adds a feature set beyond the router’s default software. That’s quite neat, isn’t it?
6. Aluminum Foil (no, really!)
This fix isn’t a guarantee, but it definitely sounds like something MacGyver would do. (You bet!) A number of people have had success with it to varying degrees. The website lifehacker features a video showing how to increase wireless router signal simply by covering the antenna or antennas in parabolas of aluminum foil that probably already exists in your kitchen. It has worked in the past for antenna-televisions and older mobile phones…why not routers, right? Right!
7. Make Sure the Hardware is Compatible
This is the only option on the entire list that costs money, but it is something to definitely consider before you get a router in the first place so that any fixes in the future (if any) will be as free as possible. Making sure that everything is compatible ensures smoother operation overall. Know what type of wireless card your computer operates with first and choose the router accordingly. If your computer is wireless-G, make sure the router you choose is designed to work with wireless-G. At the same time, try to keep the router the same brand as the network adapter, guaranteeing compatibility.
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Usenet: The Outsiders Guide to the Internet’s Oldest Community
Posted by: | CommentsAnyone who has used the internet for more than five years has heard at least once of this thing spoken of in reverent tones called “UseNet.” The problem is, once you find someone who has used this “UseNet” or read a few articles about it, you come to realize that everyone has a different description of the service. Or is it a website? Or is it the internet itself? Let’s take a walk and see if we cannot untangle this mess that is the myth and reality of UseNet.
Usenet is a service, not a website.
First of all, Usenet is a service that is hosted by many computers worldwide. There are several companies and organizations that will archive the messages (such as Google) and other companies that will provide access to Usenet and all it holds. At the very base of it all, Usenet is an internet community held between hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of different people through e-mail like messages being shared within newsgroups. Newsgroup is the proper word for each subset of Usenet. They are not lists nor are the SIGs or just “groups”.
Finding Information within Usenet
When a person takes their first steps into Usenet, it can be extremely overwhelming to find information at first. It takes understanding the hierarchy that the entire system is set up on. First of all, you have your prefixes; for example, Comp.Language.Java is the newsgroup about the computer programming language, Java. There is what has been commonly called “the big eight” hierarchy breakdowns. They are:
- comp.* — Discussion of computer-related topics
- humanities.* — discussion of the humanities (e.g. literature, philosophy)
- news.* — Discussion of Usenet itself
- sci.* — Discussion of scientific subjects
- rec.* — Discussion of recreational activities (e.g. games and hobbies)
- soc.* — Socializing and discussion of social issues.
- talk.* — Discussion of contentious issues such as religion and politics.
- misc.* — Miscellaneous discussion—anything which does not fit in the other hierarchies.
Once you know what main heading your topic comes under, then you can easily find a group covering the issue you have interest in.
Accessing Usenet
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as just loading up a webpage and reading the information that is there. Some of it may be accessible this way through Google groups and other archive systems; however, the best and most reliable way to access the service is through one of the many high speed connection companies out there. They often come with a newsreader which is a program that will assist you in connecting to the service and searching for the particular information that you were looking for. Speaking of information that you might have been looking for, what brings people to Usenet and what do they share in these newsgroups?
Usenet and Copyright
As we advance into the digital age, we hear more and more often about how copyright laws are being broken and information is being sent to the internet to be downloaded by any who happen across it. This includes everything from music and movies to important government documents that were not well maintained (Wiki leaks, anyone?). For the longest time, the first rule of Usenet was that you did not speak about Usenet. However, now it is well-known that this service is still the wild west of the internet. Anything can be had here if you know how to find it. News, information, how-to files, movies, music, programs etc. can all be found on Usenet and downloaded to your own machine. Because of how decentralized the entire system is, depending on a network of personal computers and several thousands of archive sites and computer banks that provide the processing power, it is also the single more private place to share files of any type.
Now, of course, I am not suggesting that you should go out and break copyright law. I am making certain that you, the reader, are aware of the types of information to be found so that you can keep yourself away from files that may contain problems for you. There is also the fact that the majority of Usenet groups are not moderated and files that can be shared may contain viruses and other things that are dangerous to your computer. When you go to download anything from there read around the file you have your eyes on, particularly notes from those who have downloaded it before you. If there was a problem with the download, most people are nice enough to actually say something about it. This is not an excuse however to be sloppy about your own vigilance.
Wait, what do you mean Usenet is not moderated?!
Exactly what I said, Usenet is quite literally its own beast at this point. There was at one point a group called “the Backbone Cabal” which was a group of moderators who kept things running smoothly, but never ever did they make an attempt to staunch the flow of information or to protect anyone’s tender sensibilities. In the early 1990’s, they stepped away and stopped being active in the community, seeing that Usenet now has its own life and way of being.
What is its use for the average user?
There are a lot of perfectly legal reasons to be on Usenet. It is an excellent place to learn about topics that you have an interest in, like computer programming languages, or even Pinball (yes, there is a rec.games.pinball newsgroup). It is also a good place to discuss current events and to stay on top of the news of the world. It even has been and will be again (I’m sure) used as a way to organize conventions and gatherings of people who share like interests. So, although there are plenty of iffy reasons to be on Usenet, do not let that frighten you away. Come to Usenet to learn and to grow, share your knowledge with others. That is the reason it was created in the first place!