Internet Explorer: Headache #2

On the top of my list was to get Firefox installed and up and running on my new PC ASAP.  But before I did this I needed to set up a few programs that required an Internet connection.  So, by default I used my preloaded browser, IE.  Yuck!  After about only 20 minutes, my appreciation for Firefox was reaffirmed.  Why do I love Firefox so? 

First, I find the platform more intuitive and user friendly than IE.  It also has lots of security features that have been raved about by serious tech writers.  And then the whole concept is different.  It is an open source software program.  Basically, the code is not secret, so there is a huge community of really smart, creative people that have input into making Firefox better (not just a few suits in a corporate office).  From this openness comes thousands of small 'add-on' programs to choose from that allow you to customize your browser for about anything you do on the web.  When I first started reading about Firefox I wondered how big a deal 'customizing' my browser could really be...Well, after 20 minutes on the vanilla version of IE, I couldn't wait to get back to my familiar, efficient browser. 

Oh, and one of my favorite add-ons made it a snap to get Firefox up and running on my new computer:  Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer.  This add-on keeps my bookmarks synched on all of my computers.  So, after installing Firefox and Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer on my new machine, all I had to do was log into my Foxmarks account, and sync.  Voila'...all of my bookmarks, including toolbar, folders, and tags appeared without a hitch!

Here is a list of other add-ons I love:

• Better Gmail2
• Customize Google: makes your Google searches better by removing adds and spam and  it has lots of additional security options for Google applications.
• Cooliris: transform screen into 3-D viewing (awesome when looking at pictures on line)
• PDF download: allows you to save and email web pages as PDF (very handy)
• Read It Later:  Instead of book marking sites that you want to read later and hope you can find them again, create an easy to find list.  If you find it useful and want to refer to it later, then bookmark it.
• Yahoo Toolbar: All your Yahoo features (including email) on your toolbar
• Zotero: if you do research on the web, this is a must for keeping tracking of your notes and references.

Here are some add-ons that I am trying out:

• KidZui: a browser for kids
• Twitbin:  I Twitter (kind of) but haven't quite figured it out.  Maybe this will help.

Now, my headache is gone and I am happy, surfing with my tricked out browser.

Google Is More Than A Verb

Oh how quickly 'Google' became such a common household word. Like many parents I tend to benchmark events on the basis of when my children entered my life. So, Google has been a part of my life a bit longer than has my 8 year old son. It amazes me how many times a week I hear someone say, "Just Google it." Although Yahoo happens to have a perfectly fine search engine, no one ever says they are going to 'Yahoo' a topic or a person.

Now in the past few years Google has become more to me than the 'go to' search engine. In fact, Google's wide array of services have become an integral part of my daily routine. Here is a brief run down of the applications that I use everyday.

Gmail:

• Best way to keep all those email messages organized.
• Archive instead of delete. Searching easy and keeps all email only a keyword away.
• Very little spam compared to the email account provided by my cable company.

Google Reader:

• Aggregates and keeps my website and blog subscriptions organized and out of my email inbox. Go here for more information on web subscriptions.

Google Notebook:

• A 'must have' for web searching and information gathering.
• Add web pages or just snippets (great for comparison shopping).
• Add your own comments.
• Collaborate or share your notebook with friends.

Google Calendar:

• Great way me to keep all the practices, games, classes, appointments, and meetings organized.
• Syncs with my smartphone so I am up-to-date (but not necessarily on time).
• Keeps my husband plugged in while at work.

Picasa

• Desktop photo organization and editing tool.
• Hands down, the best way to organize your photos on your hard drive.
• Reviewers comment that editing tools are basic. Personally, there is more than enough for me.
• Easily integrates with online photo printing sites.
• Has an online photo hosting service, Picasa Web Albums.

Google Toolbar (for Firefox)

• Add functions like sharing, book marking, highlighting, and better searching right to your toolbar.

Google Docs

• Did you know that the end of desktop software maybe near? Or, at least, becoming less important.
• Online word processing, spreadsheets, presentations.
• Great for collaborating with one or more individuals. Stop the editing, emailing, downloading, editing, emailing cycle!

And as I have mentioned before (here), I think all these Google apps work great on the Firefox web browser. (Google does have there own browser called Chrome. I love Firefox, so haven't tried it).  Here is a page that provides you with what they call the essential Google Pack.  Just check off the software you want to try.  Here is a link to an even more comprehensive list of Google Products.

Now, I am not saying that I solely depend on Google for all of these services. Depending on my need, I may also use other online services (email accounts, notebooks, word processing) for other features not available in the Google apps.  Also, I am cautious and understand that to have everything 'online' is risky.  I back up my email, calendar, documents, and pictures to my hard drive.

Watch for more in-depth information on each of these services and tweaks that I find helpful. For now, if you are new to Google-land this should give you a good place to start poking around.

Update on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 2:55PM by MidLifeMom

Talk about things changing fast.  Google recently announced that it will stop development of Google Notebook.  For those of us who already use Notebook, our service will continue as usual.  However, there will be no new features added.  If you were thinking about trying it out, you are out of luck because it will be closed to any new users.  So if you missed the boat, don't fret.  I actually use multiple notebooks (haven't found one with the perfect set of features) and I have been trying out a few new ones as research for a new post.  More to come soon.

Do You Know Firefox? If Not, It May be Time to be Introduced

To start off 2009, I was planning to write a series on how a few great 'finds' have improved my web experience tremendously.  I was going to start with a post on why I love Firefox, an alternative web-browser to Internet Explorer (IE); a far superior alternative in my opinion.  But, I just came across this article and I felt I should share ASAP.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7784908.stm

Basically, serious security issues in Internet Explore (IE) were discovered a few days ago. The most recent update is that these security breaches have been fixed.  But, this still may be the time to either start looking for a new browser or stop procrastinating and make the switch. If you are not familiar with Firefox, it is probably because it doesn't come pre-loaded on PCs.  But, it can be easily downloaded for FREE.  After reading a lot about it in some tech magazines, I made the switch a few years ago and never looked back.

I still plan on writing about all the ways Firefox has enhanced my productivity on the web as well as lots of tips on maximizing its usefulness.  But in light of recent events, you might want to check into it sooner than later.

If you plan to keep IE for the time being, make sure you have installed the latest updates!