BlogBarley

Libre Office

2012-01-09T09:11:00.002-05:00

LibreOffice is the power-packed free, libre and open source personal productivity suite for Windows, Macintosh and GNU/Linux, that gives you six feature-rich applications for all your document production and data processing needs: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math and Base. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers. You, too, can get involved!

-http://www.libreoffice.org/

Excellent Open Source Office program available for Linux, Apple Mac and Windows

Microsoft Password Tips and Password Strength tester

2011-08-06T10:59:00.002-04:00

Microsoft password strength tips:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/passwords-create.aspx

Microsoft password strength tester:
https://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/password-checker.aspx

Password strength according to Google

2011-08-06T10:22:00.002-04:00

How safe is your password?

The first step in protecting your online privacy is creating a safe password - i.e. one that a computer program or persistent individual won't easily be able to guess in a short period of time. To help you choose a secure password, we've created a feature that lets you know visually how safe your password is as soon as you create it.

Tips for creating a secure password:

Include punctuation marks and/or numbers.

Mix capital and lowercase letters.

Include similar looking substitutions, such as the number zero for the letter 'O' or '$' for the letter 'S'.

Create a unique acronym.

Include phonetic replacements, such as 'Luv 2 Laf' for 'Love to Laugh'.

Things to avoid:

Don't reuse passwords for multiple important accounts, such as Gmail and online banking.
Don't use a password that is listed as an example of how to pick a good password.
Don't use a password that contains personal information (name, birth date, etc.)
Don't use words or acronyms that can be found in a dictionary.
Don't use keyboard patterns (asdf) or sequential numbers (1234).
Don't make your password all numbers, uppercase letters or lowercase letters.
Don't use repeating characters (aa11).

Tips for keeping your password secure:

Never tell your password to anyone (this includes significant others, roommates, parrots, etc.).
Never write your password down.
Never send your password by email.
Periodically test your current password and change it to a new one.

taken directly from: https://www.google.com/accounts/PasswordHelp

Microsoft Password strength tester: https://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/password-checker.aspx

Web Browser Wars

2011-06-02T10:28:00.003-04:00

Internet Explorer
Exclusively for Microsoft Windows

Safari
Available for Apple Mac and Microsoft Windows

Firefox
Available for Apple Mac, Microsoft Windows and Linux Distros like Ubuntu (pre-installed)

Chrome
Available for Apple Mac, Microsoft Windows and Linux

Opera
Available for Apple Mac, Microsoft Windows and Linux

Ubuntu 11.04 coming soon

2011-03-27T15:27:00.001-04:00

Sick and tired of virus infections
and you don't have the money for a
non-windows machine, try Ubuntu

Ubuntu Home page

Windows 7 Service Pack 1

2011-03-10T15:26:00.001-05:00

Make sure to update your
Windows 7 machines to SP1 (service pack 1)

Microsoft link

Google Art Project

2011-02-01T11:09:00.009-05:00

Google Art Project

What is the ‘Art Project’?

A unique collaboration with some of the world’s most acclaimed art museums to enable people to discover and view more than a thousand artworks online in extraordinary detail.

Explore museums with Street View technology:virtually move around the museum’s galleries, selecting works of art that interest you, navigate though interactive floor plans and learn more about the museum and you explore.
Artwork View: discover featured artworks at high resolution and use the custom viewer to zoom into paintings. Expanding the info panel allows you to read more about an artwork, find more works by that artist and watch related YouTube videos.
Create your own collection: the ‘Create an Artwork Collection’ feature allows you to save specific views of any of the 1000+ artworks and build your own personalised collection. Comments can be added to each painting and the whole collection can then be shared with friends and family.

-google

Microfinance

2010-12-29T12:42:00.003-05:00

A great place to send charitable donations Kiva.org

200 years in 4 minutes

2010-12-02T12:28:00.003-05:00

This is what happens when your computer crashes

2010-10-14T11:29:00.001-04:00

Found on gizmodo.com

NVIDIA Driver Widget

2010-08-16T11:07:00.001-04:00

Keyboard Shrtcuts

2010-07-17T15:37:00.002-04:00

Keyboard shortcuts are exceptionally use full to speed things up
or if your wireless mouse runs out of batteries.

Apple OS X keyboard shortcuts

Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts

Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader Downloads

2010-05-12T22:45:00.001-04:00

Adobe Reader:
Adobe Reader software is the global standard for electronic document sharing. It is the only PDF file viewer that can open and interact with all PDF documents. Use Adobe Reader to view, search, digitally sign, verify, print, and collaborate on Adobe PDF files. -Adobe.com

Adobe Flash:
Adobe® Flash® Player software is a cross-platform browser plug-in that delivers breakthrough web experiences and is installed on more than 98% of Internet-connected desktops. -Adobe.com

Two very important and possibly essential pieces of software that every computer needs.

Three Great Programs for Cleaning your PC

2010-03-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

Malwarebytes
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.

Spybot
Application to scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software.

CCleaner
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.

Bucks County Pennsylvania Prints

2010-01-24T16:30:00.004-05:00

Chapman Gallery Bucks County Pennsylvania Prints

Check your Firefox Plugins

2009-12-22T10:59:00.002-05:00

Why should I update my Plugins?

Old Plugins can interrupt browsing and waste your time.
Old Plugins increase your risk for attack by malware, viruses, and other security threats.
Updated Plugins have improvements that make the web better and safer for you.

-Mozilla

scorecard.org

2009-11-02T10:58:00.003-05:00

Sad information on Polluting in your area:
http://americatheoncebeautiful.blogspot.com/2009/11/scary-but-revealing-site.html

Ubuntu 9.1

2009-11-01T12:13:00.000-05:00

In my opinion still the best free operating system around
and it is only getting better!

Take the Tour

What is Ubuntu?

Download Ubuntu

Microsoft Security

2009-10-09T08:32:00.002-04:00

Security Essentials

Windows Defender

Free High Quality Microsoft Anti-Virus Software, Need I say more?

Malware Protection Center Definitions

Cakes By Valerie

2009-07-14T23:44:00.004-04:00

http://vwcakes.blogspot.com/
Best Cakes in Bucks County!

Ubuntu 9.04

2009-05-23T23:36:00.001-04:00

Ubuntu 9.04 the free alternative to Windows and OS X.

"Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing."

What is Ubuntu?
Get Ubuntu
Support Ubuntu Software

"You Suck At Photoshop"

2009-05-05T02:16:00.000-04:00

Conficker Eye Chart - Baylor Mirror

2009-04-16T21:18:00.006-04:00

http://www.baylor.edu/its/security/conficker/

Check if your computer has an STD (PC Only)

Common Craft - Software in Plain English

2009-03-26T11:03:00.001-04:00

Mozilla Thunderbird

2009-03-15T12:38:00.009-04:00

"Get the acclaimed email client from Mozilla. Import your existing mail and enjoy powerful spam protection." -thunderbird website

A wonderful email application that I have been using for several years to take the place of Outlook Express. Available for Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux.

Thank you Paolo "Kaosmos" for a very useful Thunderbird extension:
ImportExportTools (MboxImport enhanced)

Video: Computer Hardware in Plain English by Common Craft

2009-02-25T18:08:00.000-05:00

GNU Image Manipulation Program or Gimp

2008-12-20T22:30:00.000-05:00

The greatest free photo and image editor available.

http://www.gimp.org/
I have been using using this very powerful editing software since 2005 with great success. Tough to learn at first but well worth the effort. Gimp is open source so feel free to download and install without limitations or fees. Available for Linux, Apple Mac, Windows, etc...

Vista POS error: STOP 0x0000C1F5

2008-11-06T11:07:00.004-05:00

http://stop0x0000c1f5vistahelp.blogspot.com/

Great work VIJAY GUPTA
Your post fixed an error I have found on Vista again and again. This problem has shown up on high end and low end systems and needs to be corrected. Microsoft tells you to format and reinstall http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946084

Vijay Gupta +1 Bill Gates +0

Computer Monster

2008-10-09T21:17:00.000-04:00

Can't wait for Ubuntu 8.10

2008-10-06T21:00:00.005-04:00

Verified and runs great in 32-bit and 64-bit on dual boot Apple OS 10.5 13" Macbook with 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo and 64-bit with dual boot Vista on MSI P6N Diamond Mobo with Nvidia 8800 GTX, X-fi Audio, qx6850, 4GB RAM, 200 GB HD.

DD-WRT: best software for your router

2008-06-03T22:42:00.004-04:00

I've been using this impressive software on my old Linksys router for three years now and it is much better than the stock software.
DD-WRT homepage
make sure your router is compatible:
Supported routers

Ubuntu 8.04 on Macbook 13"

2008-05-08T10:13:00.005-04:00

Ubuntu on Macbook

The above link covers all the steps necessary to install Ubuntu on a Macbook 13" except:
upon a boot into rEFIT I had to enter its partitioning tool and synchronize the boot table otherwise I got the sad "No Bootable Device found. Insert Disk and press any key" when I would attempt to boot my Ubuntu partition. All you have to do is press the down arrow in the rEFIT boot menu to the Partitioning Tool then just synchronize the MBR.

Ubuntu Documentation

Vampire Weekend

2008-03-14T19:59:00.001-04:00

How to access NAS with Vista

2008-01-25T10:59:00.000-05:00

Network Attached Storage from Vista:
In Vista, don't access the NAS from your Network because authentication may fail as it has for me. Instead, in a window and not from Internet Explorer, put the IP address of your NAS (for me: \\182.165.1.3) to display the authentication window of your NAS, at that point insert you username and password for the NAS and you will be connected.

Leopard 10.5 on Macbook with cracked screen

2007-11-25T10:03:00.000-05:00

How to install Leopard on a Apple laptop with a broken LCD:

I used an external monitor which required me to purchase a mini DVI to VGA adapter ($19 at Best Buy) in order to connect to my old CRT. Once I booted the computer to the Leopard DVD the Apple display drivers would load and default to the primary and broken LCD therefore I could not read any of the installation instructions. The trick is to close the top of the computer as soon as you power on the laptop in order to cause the Apple drivers to default to the external monitor. This method works every time but only after too much time spent with trial and error figuring it out.

Computer History Museum

2007-11-10T14:14:00.001-05:00

The Computer History Museum

Tons of information on the rapidly changing industry

The mission of the Computer History Museum is to preserve and present for posterity the artifacts and stories of the information age. As such, the Museum plays a unique role in the history of the computing revolution and its worldwide impact on the human experience.

Open Office

2007-09-13T08:24:00.000-04:00

I have been using this software from Sun for a few years now. Open Office is the best FREE office suite around. In my opinion it competes well with Microsoft Office, it can even save and open Microsoft Office documents.

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is hard for me to spend money on an office suite when this great package is available. Thank you Open Source and Sun Microsystems

Cell Phone Hacks Galore

2007-08-13T22:04:00.000-04:00

Tons of great cell phone mods and hacks as well as software links can be found:

HowardForums Link

Use At Your Own Risk

Ubuntu Graphic Card Install Help Using Envy

2007-08-09T23:30:00.000-04:00

Great program if you aren't comfortable with a manual driver install and xorg.conf setup using the terminal.

This worked well for me in order to install legacy Nvidia drivers on an older Ubuntu Personal Computer that had incorrect screen resolution.

Envy Link

Nice work and Thanks to Alberto Milone

KRAZR K1m Hacks

2007-06-23T23:26:00.001-04:00

Some great hacks for your cell phone. These tricks worked for me and now I'm using my own mp3, jpeg, and gif files uploaded with only a usb cable.

Mark Venture's site

So many good files!

Use at your own risk, voids your warranty.

Nvidia PCI install over Integrated Intel graphics with Ubuntu 7.04

2007-04-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

I had a very difficult time finding a way around an Nvidia PCI card crashing my Ubuntu 7.04 install. My motherboard has integrated Intel graphics but I wanted to use an inexpensive Nvidia card. Nothing worked until I found a couple of very helpful How To pages:

sorry dead links (10-20-07):

Link 1

Link 2

Once I followed the directions my problem was completely solved.

HP Pavilion 7940: Integrated Graphics replaced with Nvidia 5200 128MB PCI

Xubuntu Linux

2007-02-11T19:07:00.000-05:00

A light weight Ubuntu that works well on older machines.

I was recently given an old Gateway 9100 laptop and I figured that I'd experiment with a new operating system. Pentium II 266Mhz, 192MB Ram, CD, floppy, 6GB HD.

Completely wipe your old drive with (OS X from Apple zeros data too): killdisk
Running killdisk will delete all data on your drive once you run it so make sure you have important info saved before using it.

Download Xubuntu .iso CD (available for your Apple PPC architecture too): Xubuntu home page

Burn .iso (disk image) to a CD with disk burning software like Nero for Windows.

Boot your computer to CD and wait a long time then install to your drive.

This is an OS that I'm very happy with so far and it comes with a ton of software. I would say that it runs pretty even in speed to Windows 98SE but it actually found and installed all of my hardware! Once you are online try the Synaptics package manager for a huge amount of applications for download. If you are on a tight budget and have some free time this is the way to go.

Ubuntu Linux

2006-11-15T05:12:00.000-05:00

http://www.ubuntu.com/

I have tested this OS extensively and it appears to work well and cover all of the bases. If you are looking for a free Operating System for your Microsoft or Macintosh this is the best one I have found.

Additional Installation Wiki:

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Main_Page

Just remember not to be afraid of the Terminal!

Random Computer Links:

2006-06-15T16:32:00.000-04:00

http://www.theoldcomputer.com/MainMenu.htm

The Above Link sends you to a great site that contains ROMs for NES, Coleco Vision, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Commodore 64, and more. The site has a few Emulators too.

http://www.bootdisk.com/

The Above Link takes you to a place that can really help if you are in a bind and have a floppy drive to rescue you from a crash or assist in an OS install. Contains boot disks for Windows 98 to XP and a bit of Linux and others.

http://www.linuxiso.org/ Dead Link
http://www.linux.org/

Linux distributions Above. This download site is top notch with tons of content. Yellow Dog on my old Mac Wallstreet (now DEAD due to a design flaw in the power cable) and Debian on my Dell. Tons of .iso image file downloads to create install discs. Linux is some great stuff and I never got a virus!

Michelyn Galleries

2006-04-02T18:16:00.001-04:00

Great Art Gallery If you Are In The Neighborhood.

NASA Stuff

2006-03-28T10:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks NASA

saturn's moon dione

saturn's moon titan

mars