Internet Browsers

A different choice

I do not know if you enjoy surfing using microsoft's Internet Explorer.
There are choices out there, I am sure that every one knows about that
Firefox, Opera, Safari, Konqueror, Flock

I will suggest 3 browsers that I personally prefer. Firefox ,Safari, Flock
If you frequent hack sites , I would suggest Firefox.
If you want a pleasent surfing experience, use Safari
If you use facebook , Fickr or frequent youtube, You will love Flock

I am unable to access the downloads of certain websites using Safari. However Firefox is able to download.

Both have features like dictionary, and tabbed browsing etc. They both have some similar aspects that users can make use

Press "CTRl + click" to open up a link new tab

Press CTRL+T to open a new tab
Press "CTRL + Tab" to go to the next tab
Press "CTRL + SHIFT+Tab "to go to the previous tab

Press 'CTRL + a number". It opens up your favorite bookmark [Safari only]

Double click on a word to select it, Click and hold and drag to select more words

Press the spacebar to scroll down a page

Type the name of a website and press

"CTRL + Enter"

The browser will type the www and .com for you.
"SHIFT + Enter"

The browser will type the www and .net for you.
"CTRL + Shift + Enter"

The browser will type the www and .org for you.

Press "CTRL+ scroll" the mouse to increase/decrease font size

Press "CTRL+0 "to reset the fonts
Press "Shift + R" over a image. Reload the image, Use if the image is pixelated



1 Firefox.

This flexible browser has got advantage over microsoft in terms of Plug-in's. It has a lot of different add ons that increase the functions of the browser. I am not referring to google bar or yahoo search bar..

One of the good plug in' s personally like is the Magic's video Downloader
This Plug in allow's users to download Videos from websites like Youtube
However, it is not 100 percent fool proof, there were times the video could not be downloaded.

For serious hardcore users who really want to download, they can use a separate program.

Moyea FLV Downloader
The amazing thing about this program is that, you can close the video yet the program finishes the entire download for you.
The program keeps on capturing till the video is done

Firetune

Firefox browser can be tweaked to surf faster with the help of a software. Just install this baby and it will fire up your firefox for a even faster surfing experience.

2 Safari

This browser has got great layout with minimum clutter of toolbars and icons. It also has it's own font settings that make the words turn out pleasing to the eye.
Before you even finish typing the address in the address bar, choices would show up for you to choose, predictive intelligence. This browser has got all its own plug-ins built in, flash, java. It never crashes unlike windows explorer. I would recommend this browser for users who do not have a lot of computer knowledge and do not want to go through the hassle of updating updates.

3 Flock

This browser is basically firefox with enhance features like a new thing that is called "my world". Clicking on to this tab will open up some of the most frequent sites or updates that you look at everyday, For example, if you login to facebook, it will load all the status updates of your friends and you don't have to navigate painfully in facebook to find them. It loads photos from your Fickr account, and all these can be hidden or looked at instantly like a bookmark toolbar.

Add ons and for browsers.

There are 2 important add ons that is a must for all browsers,

Flash player

This update/add on will enable the browser to watch flash content like youtube videos and play online games. A lot of fancy animation and banners on various websites require this to work.

Java

This add on is required for web sites that require java runtime, or banking services.

Java technology allows you to work and play in a secure computing environment.

Speed up start up and shut down process

MSCONFIG

We all know, that after using our computer for some time, it slows down to a drag.. There are ways to fine tune a bit without the use of expensive software. If you see more then 15 icons on the lower right portion of your task bar, It means to say that you have too many programs running.. And that does not include the spyware that has affected your computer. Plus a messy Registry record.

So here's how to do it.

1) click on the start menu. Choose run.

2) type msconfig, click on the startup tab.

3) There's a lot of unwanted startups in here, remove those that are not important.  Example , Nero Check, audio deck, adobe gamma. and so on.

A clue to what is important and not, is to extend the centre column named 'command'

This will show you what the program is -- 

some with c:\windows [this are mostly important]

Those starting with c:\program files [ are mostly not important]

unchecking those and exiting the system configuration utility will save changes.

There is also the startup programs that you can clear out from the start menu

Look for a folder called "start up"  

You can clear off those short cuts there.  

Removal of spyware, malware

When we surf the web we will get infected in one way or another. Spyware is often installed without the user's consent, as a drive-by download, or as the result of clicking some option in a deceptive pop-up window. It is highly recommended to download and install the Spybot search and destroy program. This program not only detects and kills spyware, it also immunize your computer against cookies and popups. Just remember to update regularly.

* note for people who use P2P software like Bitcomet ,

Spybot will identify an entry known as "Comet Cursor ' , This is part of the P2P software, and should not be removed. A list of identified problems will show comet cursor as one of the errors, but you can uncheck the box to prevent spybot from removing it.

Clearing the registry

There's free and useful ones availble for download such as the
Wise Registry cleaner 3
Run a scan and clear all error entries. Do a scan once a while , there will always be errors.

CCleaner

This program is cleans more then just the registry, It evens has a uninstall option to look at your installed applications to run a proper uninstall from there.  Clears temp files, cookies and more.

Defrag

All of us have been told that in order for windows to work faster, running defrag once a months will improve performance by bringing the files that are fragmented as one.  But the windows defrag application is awfully slow, not to mention it will slow down the computer rendering the user not able to do anything at all, Not even browsing the net.  Best of it all, if any one touches the system, this defrag application restarts all over.  

The good news is there's this stand alone program called the power defragmenter.  It allows defraging of single files , individual folders instead of doing the entire drive at one go.  It starts in a dos interface, and even though the system has a slight slow down, I can carry on surfing and use my computer, I can break the process when ever I want by pressing "CTRL" + "Break" at any time.,  Whatever defraging is done will be done, and there is no need to repeat the entire process the next time on..

Performance or beauty

If you are the type who wants speed and don't mind a plain jane interface, you can change the overall user interface to display less effects such as animating the siding effect when minimizing the windows 

Right click on "My computer"

Click "properties"

Click on "advance" tab

Click on "settings" on the performance category

Choose between appearance or performance.

If you want a interface that works faster but does not look too awful. Choose Custom 

Check on the last entry" Use visual styles on windows and buttons"

Additional boost in startup

For a quicker startup, users can disable the rest of the boot device from the CMOS settings. Allow boot record from HDD only, some motherboards have the option to search boot record from other device. Set that to 'NO'  Your computer will not waste time scanning the network or External HDD for a boot record

Tweak XP

For users who want to squeeze every ounce of juice out of their OS can use Tweak XP
 

This program has got custom made graphics user interface, even casual users can choose to activate hardcore tweaks.  Good for those who don't have a fast processor or tons of ram.

Stuck at the shut down screen 

Some of us may experience this problem, despite after all this tweaks, the system halts at the Windows is shutting down screen for a long long time.

After a long wait of at least 2 mins, it finally shuts down.

Users can try to load the 'Optimized defaults' at the CMOS screen

That step solved my problem