Ubuntu 10.10 vs Windows 7 review

I am currently evaluating the latest Ubuntu 10.10 on my Asus K42J notebook by taking advantage of the Live-USB feature. No installation needed so nothing to fuss about if this version of Linux OS doesn't work for me.


Here are some comparo between Ubuntu and Windows 7:

<< Price >>

Even if Windows 7 is sold by half of the original amount, nothing can beat the price of Ubuntu which literally costs you nothing. With just a click of a mouse, you can order a free cd via mail or download an .iso format on their website.


<< Security >>

Every time I do a fresh install of Win7, next on my to-do-list is installing a firewall and antivirus. With Ubuntu, I can relax and do away with those apps. No worries about internet  threats and flash drives infused with viruses. 


<< Internet >>


Unlike previous versions of Ubuntu, I have to play with terminal commands and scripts so that my modem can be recognized. With the latest version, my 3G ext. modem was identified instantly. You only need to edit the connections menu and select your country. All major telecoms - Globe, Sun and Smart - are supported with this version. My only caveat is the modem signal maxes out about 48%. In windows mode, the signal reaches to around 93%-99%  and stays on 3G HSDPA most of the time. But even with this condition, browsing in Ubuntu is a lot quicker than in  Win7 mode. I've been using Chrome for quite some time now, and with adblock installed, it behaves quite differently in Linux. What frustrates me is Chrome's inability to access the Gmail and Blogger website. Is this some kind of goof up? Maybe it's just my system's setup but still I can only access those websites thru Safari browser on a lucky day. Back to linux, I upgraded Firefox to version 4 as it is faster then the 3.5 browser. But still my choice for surfing is Chromium. Viewing text and images are sharper and causes less strain on the eyes.


<< Applications >>


Ubuntu's Software Center is a gold mine. Applications are a click away and free. That's right, it's free. Again. And I believe compatibility is a not a major issue. Unlike in Windows 7,  even if it says it will work with your current OS, it might not work with the rest of your installed softwares. Not all applications are free in Windows 7 which is a kinda of a letdown.


As a final note, there's still some issues with hardware compatibility.  My laptop's Fn keys are inoperable in Linux. I don't have any idea how to turn my web camera on without the keyboard keys. Open Office's compatibility with MS Office still has a few bugs. And of course, I won't be able to run the latest games available in the market.


Maybe I won't be able to switch to a full Ubuntu system just yet. I still favor Windows  as it   
evolved into a more stable OS. But I liked how Linux interact with the internet. It's fast and secure. Thank god for a dual-boot setup.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.50.1

Publisher's description


Easy-to-use, simple, and effective anti-malware application.

Whether you know it or not your computer is always at risk of becoming infected with viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and malware that are constantly evolving and becoming harder to detect and remove. Only the most sophisticated anti-malware techniques can detect and remove these malicious programs from your computer. 

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is considered to be the next step in the detection and removal of malware. In our product we have compiled a number of new technologies that are designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect. Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start. The real-time protection module uses our advanced heuristic scanning technology which monitors your system to keep it safe and secure. In addition, we have implemented a threats center which will allow you to keep up to date with the latest malware threats. 

How do I restore the Safely Remove Hardware icon?

This icon is hidden in Windows 7 but you can make it show in the notification area. This is very easy to do, but before you start, you need to insert a flash drive to trigger the icon's presence in order to modify it.

To launch the Notifications Area Icons dialogue box, click on your taskbar and choose "Customize" from the popup menu.

Top Ten Games To Watchout For 2011

There are a lot of cool game titles coming this year. So gamers, prepare to part ways with your hard-earned moolah or ready your harddrive  space for major torrent downloads (if you like the game buy it).

Here are the Top 10 games to be excited about: not in any particular order

1o.   Star Wars: The Old Republic

          Release date: Q2 2011

          Publisher: Lucas Arts

          Genre:  Sci-Fi Online Role Playing

Publish Post

9.    Crysis 2

          Release date: Mar 22, 2011

          Publisher: EA Games

          Genre:  Sci-Fi 1st -Person Shooter

8.    Rage

          Release date: Sept 13, 2011

          Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

          Genre: Modern Shooter

7.    Portal 2

         Release date: Apr 19, 2011

         Publisher: Valve

         Genre:  Sci-Fi 1st -Person Shooter

6.    Gears of War 3

         Release date: Apr 5, 2011

         Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

         Genre:  Shooter

5.    Mortal Kombat 9

         Release date: Apr 19, 2011

         Publisher: Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment

         Genre:  2D Fighting

4.    Driver: San Francisco

         Release date: Apr 30, 2011

         Publisher: Ubisoft

         Genre:  Mission-based Driving

3.     Dead Space 2

          Release date: January 25, 2011

          Publisher: Electronic Arts

          Genre:  Sci-Fi Shooter

2.    Killzone 3

          Release date: January 27, 2011

          Publisher: ASCII Media Works

          Genre:  Sci-Fi 1st-person Shooter

1.    Deus Ex: Human Revolution  

         Release date: March 2011

         Publisher: Square Enix

         Genre:  Sci-Fi Action Adventure

Hope It's Not Too Late...

Happy  2011, Guys!  I know it's a bit late but better it than never. Hopefully, I will find the time to update my blog on a regular basis besides being a full-time dad and all.  Just Tech It Easy, friends!

Easy Troubleshooting with LookInMyPC

Troubleshooting your PC is not a very easy job unless you are a geek, but with LookInMyPC, a freeware tool, you can easily generate a report of your PC in current state. The report includes in all hardware and also all installed software on your PC. This free application generates a complete system report with more than 40 areas of diagnostics. You can select the options for checking before actually running the test. The test takes only few minutes and you will be provided with a detailed report.

LookInMyPC utilizes a simple, easy to use user interface that allows you to select the items you are most interested in. One of the most useful features is the ability to email reports to a tech savvy friend or even a tech support professional. When you select this option, LookInMyPC will generate the report and display it in your browser the same way as it would if you selected "Generate Report". At the same time, it will also create a ZIP file of the report and open up your default email program and create a new message with the zipped LookInMyPC profile already attached to the message.

Download freeware

Keyboard Not Working

When you suddenly found your keyboard behaving badly, say, the keys sometimes types well and sometimes it misses out on many letters. When this situation arises, the question is what are you to do?

This is the perfect time to use a built in feature already included with Windows 7. Aptly called "On-Screen Keyboard", it can be operated by a click of a mouse.

To get started, click on windows key and type "osk" without quotes on the search bar and you will get the screen shown below.

 Even though it may lack some features compared to a normal keyboard, it is an important alternative to your problematic hardware.

Track Your Stolen Laptop Via Internet

Your laptop? Expensive. Your data? Priceless. Even the most casual users have important data stored in their computer to some degree, say, all the passwords saved on your browser without a master key.

Just imagine someone with your laptop and perusing all you sensitive data without sagacity. Nightmarish, isn't it?

  

Thanks to PREY application, that fear can be eliminated.

Prey is a small utility with minimal footprints that sits on your computer silently. You won’t be able to find any icons or launchers of Prey after installing, as to make sure the hooligan is unaware that he’s being watched.

All options are controlled via the web based panel. You can select some or all of these information to be gathered in your missing device’s report.

    * Location (via GPS or WiFi triangulation)
    * Hardware and network status
    * Webcam image of the thieve
    * Screenshot
    * Running programs and modified files
    * Lock down your PC
    * etc…

Prey works on Windows, Mac OS, Ubuntu, Linux and Android. You can track up to 3 devices and store up to 10 reports on a free account, which suffice for personal use.

Prey can be installed on a cellphone, too. Check their website at http://preyproject.com/

Tips To Save Money On Printer Ink

Whether you are buying a regular inkjet, a laser, an all-in-one, or a photo printer, one thing is for certain -- you'll need a good amount of dough for ink and toner cartridges.

Here are a quick few tips:

• Changing fonts can yield more printed pages per cartridge. 

• The GreenPrint software can print Web pages you want saving you on ink and paper. 

•  Go for individual CMYK cartridges so you don't throw our the whole canister when one ink runs out. 

• Your printer's "low ink" warning doesn't necessarily mean you need to immediately replace its cartridge

Boost My Wifi Signal Part II

This is a follow up on my post: Boost My Wifi Signal

Here are the results at around 8:40 in the morning:

Boost My WiFi Signal

I was watching youtube videos about increasing your wifi signal. It was weird watching people trying desperate things to get a good quality connection. It involved some work but it showed that it indeed amplify their signal. Well I guess I'll have to try them myself someday.

It was 3am and my connection is kinda iffy. I chanced upon my wifey's mixing bowl. It shaped like a satellite dish, so why the hell not, I might as well use it as a sat-dish. So I dumped my modem inside the bowl and it took a couple of minutes before I could see some results. Look at the snapshots.

Easy Ways To Download Youtube Videos

YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips but there's one missing link -- a download button. So if you want to save your favorite videos from youtube to your hard disk but didn't have an idea on how it is done. Then I hope these tools can help you do just that.

Why Is Uploading Normally Slow

Most traffic flows from the Internet to you, broadband connections often have download speeds much faster than their upload capability. A typical "8 Meg" broadband connection would have an upload capability 20 times less than the advertised download speed, so more often than not - you are at the limit of your connection.

Remember that broadband speeds are measured in Megabits per second, and files are normally measured in Megabytes. There are 8 bits in a byte so you must divide your upload speed in Megabits by eight to derive the number of Megabytes you can upload each second.

Crucial Hard Drive Problems

The hard disk drive (HDD) is one of the most important and yet mysterious parts of a computer system. HDDs are sealed units used for nonvolatile data storage. Nonvolatile, or semi-permanent, storage means that the storage device retains the data even when no power is supplied to the computer. Because HDDs store crucial programming and data, the consequences of any failures are usually very serious. To maintain, service, and upgrade a PC system properly, it is important to know how hard disks function.

Hard disk drives contain rigid, disk-shaped platters, usually constructed of aluminum or glass. Unlike floppy disks, the platters can’t bend or flex—hence the term hard disk. In most drives you can’t remove the platters, which is why they are sometimes called fixed disk drives. Removable hard disk drives are also available.

Problems that plague well-known hard drive brands:

Preventing Eye Strain Caused By Digital Devices

We depend on electronic devices for almost everything. But staring into them for hours every day can cause short-term eye damage.

It would be safe to say that most of us spend hours glued to our computers. We hover over our cell phones, Blackberrys, iPhones and iPods, squinting at tiny screens. And for some, it's taking a toll on their eyes.

Some quick tips to keep eye strain at bay:

Protect Your PC In A Virtual Environment

If your computer gets infected by virus, malware or spyware while installing software or browsing the net, just restart your system and it will be back in shape as it was before. You can investigate drivers to check for compatibility. If your system is stable  after the update, you can do a restart and install it in real time. All this is possible with Returnil System Safe 2011 and its free.

"Returnil System Safe 2011 is uses a combination of antivirus, antimalware, system restore and a virtual system to protect your computer from all types of viruses and other malicious threats.

Choosing A Netbook

 

 Netbooks or Mini-notebook are rapidly becoming a global sensation because of its low-cost and lightweight capability.
  

Having your own personal computer (PC) is considered a luxury of the past. And PC makers are on its toes to create something that would cater to the growing needs of their consumer.

Get paid iPad apps for free

"The best things in life are free. "


Yes, you can now spice up your iPad experience with a host of different applications. Majority of these apps are pay-to-use before you can download and enjoy them. Free App Alert website allows you to get alerts when a paid iPad app becomes free.

   

Go to their website to sign up for alerts via Twitter, email subscription, Facebook fan or RSS feed to get notification when a paid iPad app is available for free download and use. The listings shows apps' description, screenshots and download link. You can also sign up for alerts when iPhone apps become free, too. Cool...

A re-post from my other website...

Laptop Buying Tips

Image by Int'l. Travel Safety

With laptops becoming a part of daily life – be it for working people, students or others, buying a laptop should be based on sound decisions that will make it comfortable to use over a longer period without requiring any significant change.





Keep this tips in mind when shopping for a laptop:


1. Size and Ergonomics:
Netbooks are becoming popular today with its compact size and portability. However, though a small and light laptop is great for when it needs to be carried around more often, you have to consider ease of use – if the keyboard is too small for comfortable use, then smaller is not better here. Strike a balance between compact portability and comfort and ease of use. Prolonged use with discomfort might result to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-CTS.

 2. Get enough memory and space:
It may seem like a lot to you now, but as the data starts to collect on your laptop you may soon find yourself falling short of storage space. You will find the music, the interesting videos, and the movies you cannot bear to erase all piling up. So get enough space and memory for all of your applications and future storage expansions, lest you find your computer not being able to work at optimum speed.


3. Room for upgrade:
Remember technology is constantly advancing, improving and changing. When you buy a laptop, let it have the latest features and also have the capability of being able to be upgraded when required. Look for door panels underneath the laptop for future DIY memory extension and harddrive replacement. By using foresight now, you will avoid a lot of headache and costs later on.

4. Examine the casing:
A Laptop will typically be carted from home to work to school and back – it has to be able to take the rigors of daily transport, a short fall or two, etc. So do take a look at sturdiness and durability of the casing. This will stand you in good stead and keep your data safe as well.


5. Don’t compromise on the screen:
A bad screen is not only bad for your eyes; it can tire you out more and rob you of the joy of watching videos and reading in comfort. It isn’t just the size of the screen, but the resolution that you should check. Bring with you a favorite video to check for scren clarity.The resolution should be adequate enough to offer ease of work and viewing pleasure


6. Check the warranty:
Check now for something that will come in really handy when something goes wrong – how good is the warranty offered? Investigate all aspects of the contract. The terms should comfort you and not the dealer.