Tuesday, December 25, 2007

How to Set Up Your New Computer

Trick out your new rig with our favorite system tweaks and downloads for Windows XP, Vista, Mac, and Linux.

Windows XP and Vista

  • Top 10 Free Windows Downloads
    "Our top picks of free Windows software downloads that will make your PC faster, stronger, more functional and productive."
  • Power Replacements for Built-in Windows Utilities
    "How many times have you wished Notepad had tabs, Paint supported layers or Windows Explorer let you bookmark frequently-used folders? Power users need power utilities, and Windows' default system programs barely get the job done. Over time third-party developers have stepped up and built superior replacements to programs like Notepad, Paint, Windows Explorer and the Command Prompt."
  • Top Windows tweaks
    "Hop in for a quick ride around Windows dialogs, tabs, menus and toolbars to get your XP fitting like a glove."
  • Windows Vista Power Tips
    "After weeks of test-driving Windows Vista full-time, there are several tips and tweaks I wish I'd known before I started."
  • Top 10 Free Windows File Wranglers
    "Windows Explorer and its weak band of file manipulation functions just doesn't cut the mustard for people with lots of data and only a little time, but several free utilities can help out."
  • Automatically Load and Update Your Windows Systems
    "One of the best parts of getting a new computer for the holidays--other than that new computer smell--is setting up a fresh, clean system exactly how you want it." More >>>

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Linux Directory Structure

The directory structure of Linux/other Unix-like systems is very intimidating for the new user, especially if he/she is migrating from Windows. In Windows, almost all programs install their files (all files) in the directory named: `Program Files.’ Such is not the case in Linux. The directory system categorises all installed files. All configuration files are in /etc, all binary files are in /bin or /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin. Here is the entire directory structure along with what they contain:

/ - Root directory that forms the base of the file system. All files and directories are logically contained inside the root directory regardless of their physical locations.

/bin - Contains the executable programs that are part of the Linux operating system. Many Linux commands, such as cat, cp, ls, more, and tar, are locate in /bin

/boot - Contains the Linux kernel and other files needed by LILO and GRUB boot managers.

/dev - Contains all device files. Linux treats each device as a special file. All such files are located in /dev.

/etc - Contains most system configuration files and the initialisation scripts in /etc/rc.d subdirectory.

/home - Home directory is the parent to the home directories of users.

/lib - Contains library files, including loadable driver modules needed to boot the system.

/lost+found - Directory for lost files. Every disk partition has a lost+found directory.

/media - Directory for mounting files systems on removable media like CD-ROM drives, floppy disks, and Zip drives.

/mnt - A directory for temporarily mounted filesystems.

/opt - Optional software packages copy/install files here.

/proc - A special directory in a virtual filesystem. It contains the information about various aspects of a Linux system.

/root - Home directory of the root user.

/sbin - Contains administrative binary files. Commands such as mount, shutdown, umount, reside here.

/srv - Contains data for services (HTTP, FTP, etc.) offered by the system.

/sys - A special directory that contains information about the devices, as seen by the Linux kernel.

/tmp - Temporary directory which can be used as a scratch directory (storage for temporary files). The contents of this directory are cleared each time the system boots.

/usr - Contains subdirectories for many programs such as the X Window System.

/usr/bin - Contains executable files for many Linux commands. It is not part of the core Linux operating system.

/usr/include - Contains header files for C and C++ programming languages

/usr/lib - Contains libraries for C and C++ programming languages.

/usr/local - Contains local files. It has a similar directories as /usr contains.

/usr/sbin - Contains administrative commands.

/usr/share - Contains files that are shared, like, default configuration files, images, documentation, etc.

/usr/src - Contains the source code for the Linux kernel.

/var - Contains various system files such as log, mail directories, print spool, etc. which tend to change in numbers and size over time.

/var/cache - Storage area for cached data for applications.

/var/lib - Contains information relating to the current state of applications. Programs modify this when they run.

/var/lock - Contains lock files which are checked by applications so that a resource can be used by one application only.

/var/log - Contains log files for differenct applications.

/var/mail - Contains users’ emails.

/var/opt - Contains variable data for packages stored in /opt directory.

/var/run - Contains data describing the system since it was booted.

/var/spool - Contains data that is waiting for some kind of processing.

/var/tmp - Contains temporary files preserved between system reboots.


Thursday, December 20, 2007

25 Popular Desktop Apps and Their Free Online Alternatives

Don't have a few hundred bucks to spend on Office 2007? Well, there is increasingly a great alternative out there: web apps. By going online, you can access many of the desktop app functionalities you need without shelling out a cent.

Outfitting your computer with the latest software can be expensive. Time and money aren’t things to be wasted. With sky rocketing prices for desktop applications, you need to arm yourself with the right alternatives.

Fortunately, there is a great alternative out there: the Internet. As hard as it is to believe, just by surfing around online, you can access most of the desktop app functionalities you need without shelling out a cent.

To prove it, here’s a list of 25 online alternatives for the most popular desktop applications that you use, want and simply must have when working online.

ApplicationOnline Alternative Description
Microsoft Office 2007Google DocsGoogle Docs includes the same creation applications for creating word documents, spreadsheets and presentations as MS Office.
Adobe Photoshop CS3SplashupSplashup is an online photo image editing app that contains similar photo editing tools found in Photoshop CS3 and can integrate seamlessly with popular photo sharing services.
Microsoft Visio 2007GliffyGliffy has the basic functionalities to create and share quality flow charts, complex diagrams or technical drawings.
Adobe Acrobat 8.1iConvCreate PDFs from a variety of formats by simply uploading your file. No registration, installation or cost required.
Apple 1 Password Manager and Form Filler 2.5.7clipperzWith clipperz, you create direct log in links for your online accounts. Just log in once to clipperz to access them.
Apple Aperture 1.5FlickrA popular online photo management and sharing site. With a free basic Flickr account, you can upload photos via email or the upload webpage.
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007GmailGmail accounts have tons of space, instant messaging, built in search technology, no banner ads, and available in 40 languages.
Vista YouOSYouOS is a virtual OS that you can customize without the hefty price or desktop trappings. A combination of OS functionality and web access, it still has the same look and feel of a desktop.

Adobe Dreamweaver CS3

Adobe Flash CS3 Professional

app2youThis neat web service allows you to create your own simple web application without any coding or web designing experience whatsoever!
Desktop calculatorsInstaCalcInstaCalc is an advanced web based calculator. Send a link of your calculations to others or embed a calculator into your own website. Other features include unit conversions and programming commands.

MS Outlook

HP fax machine

Printing paper

FaxZEROWith this internet faxing service, you can send digital documents within Canada and US for free. Just upload the document and you’re set.

SharpReader (Windows)

NetNew Wire (Mac OS X)

Straw (Linux)

NetvibesNetvibes is a nifty RSS reader and web home page. Stay connected to everything online at all times--catch up on blogs, facebook, to-do lists, news and weather.
Website Analysis SoftwareGoogle AnalyticsThis online tool allows you to keep track of your website and how it’s being accessed. Track content views or the amount of time spent on the site.

MSN Messenger

Google Talk ICQ

AIM Jabber

Yahoo!

meeboA web portal for instant messaging, meebo lets you have the same online chats, but without the download. Access Google talk, msn, Yahoo!, jabber, ICQ and AIM from any computer.
All desktop toolsSosiusSosius has all the essential desktop tools online: calendar, file management, rss feeds, projects, file management, databases, and collaboration and messaging tools.
Desktop Task ListsTa-da ListThis is an online to-do list that you can easily access and share with others while online. You can even check your lists on an iPhone when you’re on the go.
Desktop Task ListsBackpackLike Ta-da List, Backpack is a to-do list web tool, but more dynamic and complex. Create pages of to-do lists with images, set up text message alerts or even share your pages with others.
Microsoft OneNote 2007StikkitStikkit is a simple online alternative that creates "little yellow notes that think". The notes are sharable and accessible anywhere.
Apple MindManager 7.0 MacBubbl.usThis web application allows you to brainstorm online when you need to map out projects or make long term business plans.
Microsoft Money Plus PremiumWesabePart financial application and part user community, Wesabe combines both to provide you with communal tips and forums so you can keep track of your spending habits.
MS Excel 2007chartAllchartAll.com is a free online web service where you can create, store and publish simple charts from your own data sources. Charts can be customized with colors, themes, and fonts.
MS PowerPointPreezoAs the website says, “Preezo is an Ajax web application that gives you the power to create and share professional quality presentations over the web without software or plugins. Goodbye, PowerPoint. Hello, Preezo!”
Adobe LiveCycle ESWufooFrom job applications to customer surveys, Wufoo lets you create forms quickly and easily with an HTML interface.

Excel spreadsheets

Invoices

Financial software

PayPalPayPal acts as the go-between that connects you and online recipients. An online must-have when making business purchases.

USB storage devices

Hard drive storage space

DivShareSimply upload and share your media and document files online to free up storage space on your computer.


Monday, December 17, 2007

Vista #1 biggest tech disappointment of 2007 -- by PC World

First PC World gets all up on the soapbox that (until a certain date) the MacBook Pro is the fastest PC the mag had tested, but consider the next step taken: PC World has boldly declared Vista #1 with a bullet in in their Biggest Tech Disappointments of 2007. Full Story >>>

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Most Beautiful Supercomputer in the World


The room that its in is amazing, a beautiful combination of old and new. More >>>

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Sorry, your account has been disabled. Gmail

Sorry, your account has been disabled. For more information about Google Accounts, please consult our Help Center. It looks like a Lot of people are having this issue. And any email sent you is getting bounced back. Google, PLEASE fix this! A lot of us Rely on Gmail! More >>>

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