Pairing Your Mac With Your Phone

Most mobile phones are equipped with Bluetooth technology. Did you know that a Mac also has Bluetooth? This article will show you how easy it is to pair your phone with your Mac.

On the Mac at the top of your screen you will see a Bluetooth icon. Click the icon and select "Turn Bluetooth On". Then make sure the "Discoverable" is checked.

On your phone make sure it's bluetooth is on and also in "Discoverable" mode. On the phone select the option to set up a new bluetooth device. It should find your Mac and give you a code to pair the two. A pop up window on your Mac will ask you to enter the pass-code you set up on the phone.

Once the Mac and phone are paired click the bluetooth icon at the top of the Mac's screen. Now select "Browse Device". It will pull up a screen where you can select the phone. Once that is selected you can browse the phone's photos and other files depending on what your phone allows.

I use it mainly to transfer photos from my phone to the Mac. This can be achieved by dragging them to the desktop. You can also on some phones send and receive contacts to and from Apple's address book.

After you have finished turn the bluetooth off on the Mac and Phone. The next time you wish to pair your Mac should already be saved in the phone.

Bluetooth technology on the Mac also makes it possible to use Apple's wireless keyboard and mouse. It is a great feature to have and is another feature found on most Mac computers. Some PC computers are starting to utilize this as well.

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Windows Vista Repair

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Use at your own risk.

Windows Vista Repair
By Jacob Erdei

Now that just about everyone knows how to use the XP Recovery Console Microsoft's newest OS does not contain one. Not to worry we have a detailed article that will walk you through how to use these great new features in Vista.

The Purpose of this article is to teach you how to make vista repairs if you are having startup issues or you can't seem to use the vista system restore option. There are two ways to use these options and they depend on if you have a Windows Vista install disk or if Vista was pre-installed on your OS you will have a ghost image on your hard drive.

If you have the windows vista repair disk: (This should be your backup copy of Vista if you made one)

PLEASE NOTE: This Vista install CD can be run from within Vista. Just insert the CD once Vista has loaded up and go to install, go > Install Now > Upgrade.

1. Boot up with the Vista install disc
2. You should see a screen that says "Windows is loading files"
3. After a few minutes you will get a language option. Select your language and hit next.
4. On the install screen select "Repair your computer"
5. Windows will find your copy of Vista on the machine
6. Select your copy of Vista and click next
7. You will now see the following options.

* Startup repair - This automatically fixes problems that are preventing Windows from starting

* System Restore - This will Restore Windows to an earlier point in time

* Windows Complete PC Restore - This will completely restore your entire PC - programs, system settings and files - from a back up that you have previously created (Available in Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions only)

* Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool - This checks your computer's memory hardware for errors

* Command Prompt

8. Assuming you are using this option because you were unable to boot to Windows Vista select the system Restore option and then select the date you would like to go back to. If your OS is fine you can always use the startup repair option.

Pre-Installed and OEM versions: (please check with your manufacturer fist. They may have replaced these tools with their own.

1. Turn your computer on and start pressing the F8 key. If you see the Windows Vista Logo you have gone too far and need to reboot and try again

2. You will get an advanced options screen. Select the "Repair your computer option" and hit enter.

3. Select your language and hit next.

4. Enter your user name and password and then next.

5. The recovery options should now appear.

6. In most cases just using the system restore to set your computer back will solve your issue. If this is not the case try the Startup repair option.

For all your computer repair needs please go to windows Vista repair. If you would like to just have your computer fixed for you right now online and at a great price then you should consider online computer repair

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Review of NewsFire (RSS Reader)

When the recent security warning came about about using Apple Safari to read RSS feeds, I decided to use the free NewsFire program. I do miss Safari because it was so easy just to read the RSS feeds in the browser.

I have been getting use to NewsFire and I have to say it's a great little program. You can organize your feeds into categories. This makes it easy for me seeing how I follow a lot of RSS feeds.

The program is simple enough. If you currently have your feeds coming to Safari all you have to do is change this to NewsFire in the Safari preferences.

When you are visiting a website and see the RSS icon click it and it will automatically open NewsFire where you can decide on where to put it.

It is also nice to have NewsFire as a separate program. If all I want to do is read my feeds I just open the program.

I'm not sure when Apple will release a security update for Safari, but I believe even when that happens I may still use NewsFire. You can find it at VersionTracker.com.

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Get To Know Your Mac

I own and use the MacBook similar to the one in the banner below. I have had it for about one and a half years.




It was one of the first MacBooks to have Intel in it. That makes a big difference to many user seeing how you can use Windows if you wish. I'm not a big fan of Windows so I have just used the Mac OS X operating system. It is nice however, to know that if I needed Windows I have the ability to put it on this system.

Let's take a look under the hood per say, at this MacBook's specs.

You can access this information on any Mac by clicking on the Apple logo at the top left of your screen. Then click "About this Mac".

The first thing you notice is the version of software my computer has. It is OS 10.4.11 or better known as OS X Tiger. I have not yet upgraded to the new Mac OS X Leopard. I hope to be able to do that soon.

Next up is my Processor info. I have a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. This is an important spec to look for when purchasing a Mac. The more GHz the better. Also it is very important to have 2 cores. It makes your processor act like two in one. Some of the Macs on sale now have even more cores.

One other note on this particular screen is the software update button. This is on every Mac and once clicked it will search for any new software updates you may need to run on your Mac. It is very important to keep up with current security and software updates.

Now if you want to get very detailed information on a Mac click the "More Info..." button. Here is what it brings up.



This screen give you in-depth information about your Mac. Here you can find out the type of hardware and software on your computer.

If you do not own a Mac have you ever thought about buying one. For people who have only used PCs and I was like that not too long ago, it may be a little overwhelming to think of moving to the Mac. Let me tell you, though, I have never regretted making the switch. Macs are both functional and durable. In one short statement "They just work"! Visit the link below to shop for great deals on Macs.

Apple MacBook MB403LL/A 13.3" Laptop (2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive) White

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Top 5 TV Geeks

1. Betty Suarez of Ugly Betty
played by America Ferrera








2.Lost's
Hugo "Hurley" Reyes
played by Jorge Garcia








3. Sheldon Cooper, Ph.D.on
The Big Bang Theory
played by Jim Parsons










4. Ned from the canceled show
Pushing Daisies
Played by Lee Pace.








5. Lily Aldrin on
How I Met Your Mother
Played by Alyson Lee Hannigan







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10 Useful Programs For Your PC 2008

Most of my computer post have been for the Mac. I don't want to leave my PC readers in the dark. Enjoy this article about useful programs for your PC.



10 Useful Programs For Your PC 2008

By Zhigen Lin

Welcome to my 10 Useful Programs for Your PC 2008 article! Here I discuss 10 programs which are useful for your Windows computer. This article applies to both Windows XP and Windows Vista. These programs clean up your computer, make your downloads go faster, help you save disk space, allow you to experience faster web-surfing, allow you to download YouTube videos as well as many other features. These programs are either free or I suggest using the "free version" of a program which also has a paid option (however, this year, there is one exception to "my rule"). The reason for this is because I dislike paying for programs and I prefer to encourage free distribution of products.

This year, I'm writing my 2008 selection of programs. You will see many changes in my program suggestions. I keep some products essential in my everyday "arsenal" from last year's article.

To find software, simply type these terms into Google, for example, search "Smart Defrag" or "Google Chrome".

Smart Defrag

One of the remedies often recommended for a sluggish system is to defragment the hard drive. Defragmentation involves reorganising file clusters on your computer so that your computer can find them faster. It is well known that Windows' own defragmentation tools are quite slow. Smart Defrag stands out from the crowd because it has a special "niche". It "boasts an automated defragger that continually defrags the files that you use the most" (Download.com). It also does not use a lot of RAM, so even older computers can handle it. All in all, Smart Defrag is one of the excellent freeware performance-enhancing programs on the web.

Category System Utilities
Available for Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista/2008 Server

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is a new web browser released by Google in September of 2008. Google Chrome "combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the Web faster, safer, and easier" (Google). It has an interesting feature of running separate processes for each browser tab, so that if one browser tab crashes, the whole browser does not crash. This feature, although taking up more memory, is one difference Google Chrome has over other browsers. Google Chrome is also "is blazingly fast and is easily the quickest browser available" (Download.com). All in all, despite the lack of plug-ins, if you're looking for the latest in technology, you should try this browser.

Category Browser
Available for Windows XP/Vista

YouTube Downloader

YouTube Downloader allows users to download YouTube videos directly off YouTube and convert them into video files (.wmv), mp3 files or several other formats. The process is very simple, just go to the video you want to download, copy the web address from the address bar and paste it into the downloader. YouTube Downloader will then download the video for you in .flv format. Then you can use YouTube Downloader to convert the video to your desired format. I suggest "high quality" .wmv for videos or if you do not want images, "high quality" mp3 files for music. Please note that this tool will not work for all YouTube videos as some of them have special copyrights. According to Download.com, YouTube Downloader "is one of the lightest editors around, but the simplistic interface belies its functionality and it performs exactly as advertised".

Category Download Managers
Available for Windows 2000/XP/Vista

TuneUp Utilities 2009 (trial program)I was recommended this program by a helpful computer expert on a computer help forum. This program seems to work wonderfully in optimising your PC, you can see how much work the computer programmers put into this nifty program. TuneUp Utilities has a range of useful programs like a registry cleaner, a defragmenter, a speed optimiser, a file shredder, deleted file recovery and lots more. The program is "a powerful, well-designed utility that accesses the entire Windows maintenance tool set and more in a fast, organized, and easy-to-use series of connected modules" (Download.com). The program even includes a "1-Click Maintenance" function, which does all the necessary work (e.g. defragmenting) essential for good computer health. There is also a system-analysing utility which "is worth the program price alone" (Download.com).

Category System Utilities
Available for Windows 2000/XP/Vista

TweakNow RegCleaner Standard

The heart and soul of any operating system is its registry. Sometimes this registry can become overcrowded with useless or obsolete files. This can slow down your computer considerably. But thankfully, TweakNow RegCleaner Standard is here to help! The interface is very simple to navigate and for beginners, you are told which files are safe to remove. In any case, if something goes wrong after deletion you can always rewind back. This program allows you to clean your system's registry regularly and keep your computer running soundly.

Category Privacy Software
Available for Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista

Mozilla FirefoxIt is well known that most online browser exploits target Internet Explorer, so why not use another browser? This program is the main internet browser I use. Mozilla Firefox is a fast, full-featured Web browser that makes browsing more efficient than ever before. As more users continue to abandon Internet Explorer, Mozilla's popular Firefox gains a large chunk of the browsing community. It is already on its 3rd version, which improves dramatically on sleekness, among other things. The built-in pop-up blocker is still extremely effective, and Firefox's reputation for tight security is still well deserved. Brian Bergstein recommends users to get the performance enhancement called "Flashblock", which "blocks Flash video from running on Web sites you have open but are not currently viewing". Anyone who's tired of IE will find more than one reason to like this free alternative. Another reason to have this browser: Internet Explorer recently had a massive security flaw, allowing hackers to take control of your computer (it was on the news if you saw it).

Category Browser
Available for Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista

FileZilla

FileZilla is an excellent freeware FTP program which I use to upload pages and other files onto this website and well as my other sites. It is one of the most bug-free programs I have ever seen. Simply put your website's FTP details into it, including a username and password, and it will log you into your FTP server. Then you can drag and drop your new or edited files and it will appear instantly on the web. It also allows users to transfer multiple files simultaneously. FileZilla has a "site manager" which saves multiple FTP servers, usernames and passwords for quick access. FileZilla is clearly "one of the best FTP tools around" (Download.com).

Category FTP Software
Available for Windows 2000/XP/Vista

PrimoPDF

PrimoPDF is a free Word-to-PDF converter. Unlike many another Word-to-PDF converters, it does not leave a watermark. A watermark is a small company logo which is put, for example, on the bottom right of a page (sometimes every single page you convert from Word). If a person wants to sell a text ebook, simply right your ebook on Microsoft Word and then use PrimoPDF to convert it into PDF format, which is readable with the freeware Adobe Reader (formerly Acrobat Reader). The advantage of having something in PDF format is that a consumer cannot edit the text, and cannot simply delete your name and put their own. You will notice that many ebooks nowadays are sold in PDF format - it is a simple way to keep your ebook secure.

Category Document Management Software
Available for Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista

Download Accelerator Plus

Download Accelerator Plus is a program which speeds up your downloads. When you download a file, it will increase your download speed and will automatically try to find faster mirrors. The Free version has very few limitations and is quite useful. According to the description, this program can accelerate downloads up to 300%. I have experienced my fastest download speed ever using this program to download some chess videos. This program is one of the most popular on Download.com.

Category Download Managers
Available for Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista

CCleaner

CCleaner is a useful privacy tool. The program does a range of things to make your computer work smoother and faster. According to Wikipedia, CCleaner is a freeware system optimiser and registry cleaner. CCleaner scrapes your computer quite comprehensively, cleaning up temporary files, download history, cookies, auto-complete form history, index.dat, URL history, temporary files, recent documents, Recycle Bin, log files and more. A warning that users should be careful what they remove, in case they don't get it back! Nevertheless, CCleaner comes with a "comprehensive backup feature". I'm impressed with this privacy program, it removed about 100 MB of junk from my computer.

Category Privacy Software
Available for Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista

You may have noticed that I didn't discuss programs like Adobe Acrobat Reader or the Java Runtime Environment. This is because you will normally be encouraged automatically by your computer to download these programs.

If you want to check up on the latest programs being downloaded, you can visit Download.com's Top 50 List http://www.download.com/windows/most-popular/3101-20_4-0-1.html. This is a comprehensive list and gives statistics from millions of downloads.

Zhigen Lin is a chess player and computer enthusiast. You can check out his website at http://pc.geniusprophecy.com/

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Disclaimer:

Please note that GeekForFree brings you this article for informational purposes. If you decide to download the programs in this article do so safely. There are a lot of sites out there that may not be safe to download from. Use caution and make sure you are on a site that can be trusted.

QuickTime Update (Mac)

I noticed this morning via the Software Update on my Mac that a QuickTime update had been released. If you are new to a Mac I wanted to show you how easy it is to get Software Updates. At the very top of your screen all the way to the left is an Apple icon (see photo below). Click on the apple and select Software Updates (Internet connection required). Your computer will then search for any update to the software you have on the Mac. If it finds any all you have to do is install it and follow any other steps required. That's it! Much easier than Windows Update. If you are in the market for a new computer why not consider a Mac. We have great deals below.



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Part Two: How to Watch Internet Videos on your TV (Mac only)

One thing I forgot to mention in the first post of "How to Watch Internet Videos on your TV (Mac only)" it that you will want to mirrow your display. To do this you press the F7 button on your Mac (may a different button on some Macs. You can also acheive this by going to system prefrences and clickin on "display".

Now let's get on to how to program you apple remote to start and stop an online video.


Most Mac laptops (Intel) come with a remote like the one above. This allows you to control your music, videos, photos, etc. To use this remote for online videos like the ones availble on Netflix you need to download a free product called iRed Lite.

Once you open the program it will place a icon near your airport icon on the top of the computer screen. Click on that icon and chose OSD Panel. Here is what it looks like. Click the photo to make it larger.



You will see a picture of your remote on the left side of this screen. Click on the middle button. This is the play/pause button on the remote. On the right click on "Current App", under Groups select "Standard Keys" Then you need to click "Edit Action". See photo below, click it to make larger.



In the "Special Key" box press your space bar. The words SPACE should now appear in the box. Now when you go back to the main OSD pannel the middle button on the remote should say "SPACE".

Finally, go to your favoite web video site and you should be able to start and stop the videos using the middle button on your apple remote. It sounds like a lot of work to get one function to work. But when you are laying in bed and wish to pause witout getting up it is all worth it!

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