Geek Squeaks’ of the Week (#54)

Each week, What’s On My PC, features recent (within the past 7 days) links to articles that are authored by the blog owners who are associated with the What’s On My PC blogroll community (at the sidebar of the blog).  If you are someone who has that special obsession for computers and information technology, I highly encourage you to bookmark these blogs and make Geek Squeaks’ part of your weekly routine.

Tech-for Everyone
How To Get Free Tax-prep Programs & e-Filing

Free PC Security
Malicious Sites March 30

AskBillFirst
LifeLock Settles FTC Charges For $12 Million

Rarst.net
Are we going to shed most of software?

Lifehacker
Don’t Forget to Sign That Tax Return and 9 Other Common Tax Mistakes to Avoid

Carol’s Vault
ZeuAPP: 82 free and open source applications with one click

411-Spyware.com
How to Remove Control Components

Bill Mullins’ Weblog – Tech Thoughts
Download Free LiberKey – Installs 180+ Portable Applications

Right On Technology
Apple iPhone HD on AT&T and Verizon this summer?

Snakebytez
Disable Startup – Free Startup Manager and Monitoring Software

Carputer’s News and Computer Tips
Free Websites Reloaded

TTC Shelbyville
Cable Messes and Awesome Data Centers

I Love Free Software
ContactOffice – Free Virtual Office To Manage Your Business

Worthy Tips
Some Best Free Video Editing Software

Canadian Tech News
Have you heard of Duck Duck Go (search engine)?

Technogran’s Tittle Tattle
Windows Live, stats and nostalgia

TuneUp Blog About Windows
Can a “Secret” CPU Setting Really Improve Boot-up Time?

Plato Press
10 Things You Should Know About Digicam Memory Cards

What’s On My PC
The easy way to print filenames in folders…

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Quality Sound Recording Software for FREE!

Here is a software application, called Free Sound Recorder, that may be very useful in the event you need (for example) to save a cassette tape to a CD or a LP to a CD (or to your computer).

Here is how it works: Any sound that you can pass through your sound card, Free Sound Recorder can capture it and convert it (to MP3, WMA or WAV format). In my testing I took a voice recorder (with sound already recorded on it); connected a 3.5 mm  male-to-male cable to the earphone jack on the voice recorder and to the line-in jack on the computer and used Free Sound Recorder to capture the audio. The end result was quite impressive. You may need a different type of cable in the event you are capturing audio from a different type of device (e.g. cassette player, LP player, etc…).

Free Sound Recorder is a perfect audio recorder to record your own voice, music or any other sound by working directly with your sound card. It supports the record input/source from a microphone, streaming audio from the Internet, external input devices (e.g. CDs, LP, music cassettes, phone line etc.) as well as other applications like Winamp, Media Player, etc. With built-in advanced audio record engine, the recorder produces high quality recordings.

Main Features of Free Sound Recorder
Allows you to record audio into MP3, WMA or WAV format directly.
Allows you to pre-define audio recording qualities to help quickly set and manage recording parameters.
Built-in advanced audio record engine to produce high quality recording.
Allows you to preset/preview your audio recording device before starting record.
Build-in WMA WAV MP3 decoder.

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A Fantastic FREE 3D Online Chess Game

If you are an avid chess player, then you will appreciate SparkChess (flashChess III).

The “cool factor” here is that you do not need to install any software to play this 3D online chess game. SparkChess (flashChess III) is a cloud application, meaning the game can be played straight from your web browser. This cloud app is Adobe Flash Player based, is very attractive in appearance and really serves one goal; AND, that is to make you a better chess player. Even if you do not play chess, I encourage you to visit SparkChess (flashChess III) to get a good look at how interactive applications, such as SparkChess, will look like as we continue to evolve in the direction of cloud based computing.

To play SparkChess (flashChess III), click [ HERE ] .

To visit the main web site of SparkChess (flashChess III), click [HERE]. Please Note this upcoming change, as reflected on the web site:  Same game, new name – we’re rebranding: with the next release, flashCHESS will be known as SparkChess. You’ll still be able to play from either domain – SparkChess.com and flashCHESS3.com

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First Week of April Brings Increase of Spyware and Malware

I received an email from the Director of Business Development, for SuperAntiSpyware, that was a reminder that the first week of April (coinciding with “April Fool’s Day”) brings an increase in spyware and malware infections.  Also included in this email was 6-(six) tips, that I want to share with you, to remind computer users to be extra vigilant during this period of increased spyware activity.

1. Don’t open emails, files or attachments from people you don’t know.
2. Be extra cautious opening emails, files or attachments from people you do know.
3. Don’t be fooled by “scareware” tactics. Know what software you are using, and familiarize yourself with how it delivers warnings and alerts.
4. If you’re considering giving your social networking activities a break, now might be a good time. No one will miss you if you take a week off.
5. Stay away from websites that you haven’t visited before. Think before you click!
6. Run multiple layers of security software. There are many free and effective solutions that will co-exist well with each other.

If you are looking for another layer of security protection, that will play well (co-exist) with the other security software on your PC, then give SuperAntiSpyware a try!

There are two flavors available: the FREE version [ Get It Here ] and the paid version [ Get It Here ] .  The difference between the two is that the paid version provides “realtime” protection, while the FREE version does not include real-time blocking or scheduled scanning.  Irregardless of what version you go with, this is a GREAT security software option to have installed on your PC that is endorsed by “What’s On My PC…”

SuperAntiSpyware – Advanced Detection and Removal

• Detect and Remove Spyware, Adware and Remove Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, HiJackers, Parasites, Rootkits, Rogue Security Products and many other types of threats.
• Light on System Resources and won’t slow down your computer like many other anti-spyware products. Won’t conflict with your existing anti-spyware or anti-virus solution!
• Repair broken Internet Connections, Desktops, Registry Editing and more with SuperAntiSpyware’s unique Repair System!

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Google Chrome: How to Change the Default Download Location

I am currently using the developers preview channel of Google Chrome, which is a test version (of new features, coding, etc…) of the Chrome web browser. For the everyday computer user, interested in installing Google Chrome, it is your best bet to stick with the final “tested out” version. If interested, you can get it [ HERE ] . To learn more about Google Chrome, I encourage you to visit [ HERE ] .

Today, I want to share, with you, a tip about changing the default download location in Chrome. When you download files from the internet, using the Google Chrome web browser, you will automatically be directed to download the file(s) to a default download folder (or directory). This is OK with most people; however, if you are a customization geek, like myself, then you may want to change the default download settings to something that is more satisfying and manageable.

To change the default download location in Google Chrome:

• Click on the “Wrench” in the top right corner of the browser and a drop down menu will appear.
• On the dropdown menu, click on “ Options” and a “Google Chrome Options” window will appear.
• At the top of the “Google Chrome Options Window”, click on the tab, “Under The Hood”.
• On the right side of that window use the scrollbar to scroll down to the “Downloads” section.

• Under the “Downloads” section, you are provided option to change the “Download Location” by using the “Browse” button.
• I also recommend that you click on the small box (to place a check mark) that will prompt Chrome to “ask where to save each file before downloading”.  This way you can change the download location on the fly, if need be.
• Click on the “Close” button when finished.

At anytime you desire to return to the default settings, simply follow these instruction to get to the “Google Chrome Options” and click on the “Under The Hood” tab and then the “Reset To Defaults” button”.

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Geek Squeaks’ of the Week (#53)

It is that time again…  Geek Squeaks’ is a weekly rundown of links to articles posted from the blogs that are associated with the What’s On My PC blogroll community.  If you have a desire to keep up with information technology and computers, then I suggest you make these sites part of your daily routine.

TTC Shelbyville
2000 mw USB Wireless – 2 Watts of Power

Carputer’s News and Computer Tips
100 Free and Useful Portable Apps

I Love Free Software
Penzu – Free Online Personal Diary and Journal

Worthy Tips
BasicTwitter – A desktop client
to manage multiple twitter accounts

Internet Security Blog
Block, Avoid, Identify Paypal, EBay,
Bank Phishing Emails with Iconix

Canadian Tech Blogger
What free email service should I use?

Computer Maintenance
Uninstall Unwanted Programs

Free PC Security
Malicious Sites March 23

AskBillFirst
Do You Really Know Where That Link Is Taking You?

Tech-for Everyone
URGENTLY!!!

Sugarloaf Tech
Uninstall Trend Micro without a password

Rarst.net
TeamViewer – functional remote access tool

Lifehacker
Which Browser Should I Use: Firefox or Chrome?

Crazy World of G
Export This Part 5

thePC Security
Comodo Dragon Review | The Secured Browser on Chromium

AKS-Feel The Change
Linkbait Generator-Generate Catchy Blog Post ideas

Carol’s Vault
My word!!! Please, don’t be rude!

411-Spyware.com
How to Remove Security Guard

Bill Mullins’ Weblog – Tech Thoughts
Free ThreatFire – Advanced Security Against Malware

Right On Technology
AT&T adding Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus soon

Freeware Pharmacy
Subsonic

Plato Press
Biggest Threat to Endangered Species: the Internet

Technogran’s Tittle Tattle
Windows Live, Stats and Nostalgia

TuneUp Blog About Windows
Building the Perfect Media Center (Part Two)

WP Xpert
Custom Header Workaround For The New WP.com Theme Titan

What’s On My PC
Test Your Internet Connection Speed

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A Simple Easy-To-Use Password Vault

What I have found, as a result of following the software circuit, is that oftentimes software (during its’ lifespan) can end up being over developed and bloated.  As a result, the end user becomes frustrated and drops the software in search for something more understandable and simpler. I have found that to be the case with many of the software applications that serve as password managers.

Recently, I was looking for an easy-to-use application to store my usernames and passwords and came across S10 Password Vault. Initially I was skeptical, due I had never heard of this application; however, after a test run I knew I was onto something good.

S10 Password Vault is FREE for personal use, can be run as a PORTABLE APP or a FULL INSTALL, is small in windows size, is  not cumbersome, will autotype the usernames and passwords for you, and will generate random passwords if need be. The really “cool factor” to this password vault is that it will work with any program (that requires a username and password) and not just web site accounts. Another thing I found, that I was in search for is, I can use it as a bookmark manager and program launcher, as well (even though it is touted as a password vault). This is especially useful on my flash drive. I commend the author, Sten Herlitz, for developing a really nice (easy-to-use) password vault that is feature enriched and developed with the end user in mind.

Master Password Screen

Folder Hierarchy Example

Account Editor

Features of S10 Password Vault:

Customizable folder/account hierarchy

Launching of websites and programs

Autotypes info in websites and programs

Account matching via window titles

Custom account information fields

Drag-and-drop support

System tray icon showing lock state

Quick unlock using partial password

Auto-start when Windows starts

Print capability and “View All” mode

Export URLs to browser Favorites

Compact program (647KB download)

Highly secure 256-bit AES encryption

Single file protected by master password

Optional key file on USB drive

Strong password generation

Foils malicious keyboard loggers

Auto-lock timeout and automatic file backup

Secure synchronization between PCs

Secure folder sharing with other users

A portable version runs on USB drive

Digitally signed – no spyware/adware

No browser plugins or toolbars

Central configuration for businesses

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