Play 12 Holes of AdverPutt

If you like to play putt putt golf (or mini golf) then you will love the online 12 hole version of AdverPutt. Simply visit the AdverPutt web site [ HERE ] AND use your mouse to aim and adjust the power of each putt.  Sound effects included…

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Help Develop a Web of Trust

The biggest downfall of the internet is that it has provided a haven for the criminal element (organized crime) that will literally do a virtual “drive-by” of your PC  (if you let it) and rob you of your money and your pride. As with any crime, the criminal looks for opportunity; and in the case of computers and the internet the opportunity to commit crime is blatantly available.  It is sad when I hear people express fear of their computers and the internet due to the criminal element side; or I have heard where they have been victimized and have no idea of how it happened. In essence a web of distrust is being created…

Folks, please do not let this get you down. The fight is on and there are things you can do to protect yourself on the internet.  One of the options to help protect you when browsing the internet is an online FREE service called the Web of Trust (WOT) .

WOT is a very simple browser add-on (that you install) that warns you of risky web sites before you click. For example, if you perform a Google to search, WOT will rate each search result for trustworthiness.

I install WOT on every PC that I get my hands on. It will not slow down your PC. When installed, it trains you to visually inspect every click you make in your web browser. Almost all internet crimes start as a result of a mouse click. In addition to WOT, you should always maintain your Windows’ updates, use  antivirus and antispyware software and keep your Windows firewall turned “on”.

The cool factor with WOT is that the you can register and become part of the WOT community and help develop a Web of Trust by rating the sites you visit.

WOT ratings are based on shared knowledge

Each community member can contribute to WOT. Share your knowledge to help other users surf more safely by providing ratings for sites that you have used. On the Security scorecard you can tell your story and reasons for the rating you have given, helping others to make an educated decision before interacting with the site. The system processes ratings and calculates the reputation for each website. Attempts to manipulate the reputation data are effectively countered through the use of sophisticated algorithms.

I could go on and on about WOT!  To learn more about this FREE browser add-on, please visit the Web of Trust website.

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A Great PORTABLE Calculator for FREE

Need a calculator for your flash drive (or computer) that is FREE, looks nice, continues to improve and is powerful?  Then look no further…  My “go to” calculator on my PC (and flash drive) is the free version of ESBCalc.

ESBCalc is a Freeware Scientific Calculator for Windows with Infix Notation, Brackets, Scientific Functions (Trigonometric, Hyperbolic, Logarithmic – including Base 10, Base 2 & Natural – plus more), Memory, Paper Trail, Result History List and more. v5 Includes support for Prefix functions so to evaluate log (10) you can enter log 10 rather than 10 log (which is the default behaviour)

Also includes customizing of the Colors’ & Fonts used, as well as customizing how the Hints (ToolTips) appear.

What I like about ESBCalc is that the developers continue to make improvements to this little gem and (as mentioned) there is a downloadable portable app version, as well.  ESBCalc will run on any Windows version from Windows 98 to Windows 7.

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Make a Custom Themed Google Home Page

I am sure all of you have used the Google search engine. As a matter of fact, when I setup a PC, It is not uncommon for me to set the browser homepage to Google. This makes for an excellent and an easy launching point for the user.  The only problem with doing this is that the Google search engine page is not the most attractive page out there.

A solution to making the Google search engine page an attractive interface is to use Favoorit.  With Favoorit you can:

- Find or create your theme
- Add your favorite Websites
- Set it as your homepage
- Enjoy your cutom homepage
- Share it with your friends
- Move the Google search box with your mouse

Here’s how it works:

Visit the Favoorit website.

Select (click on) a background image (or theme). You can even use your own images.

Once the theme loads in your browser,  click on “set as homepage”.

You can change the theme as many times as you want by visiting Favoorit and following the steps outlined above. At the top left corner of the Favoorit page you can also add some of your favorites (most used) sites.

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Welcome Paul’s Home Computing Blog

To my readers and fellow bloggers… Bill Mullins’ at Tech Thoughts put me onto a new blog called Paul’s Home Computing Blog. Now, when Bill alerts you to something, I have learned as a fellow blogger, to take notice. My ears become alert and what’s left of my tail, starts wagging…

Paul’s Home Computing Blog, recently added to my blogroll, is geared toward sharing information about how to use the computer at home. This guy has over 40 years of IT experience in several venues. After perusing many of the articles, I have found that Paul’s writings is a nice blend and compliment to the other blogs on my blogroll. To give you a sampling, reflected below is a clipping from one of Paul’s most recent articles. I encourage you visit Paul’s Home Computing Blog; AND if you are a blogger associated with What’s On My PC, drop by his blog and welcome him to the pack.

A “What’s On My PC…” Web Clip!

Laptop Computers: The Pros and Cons

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Paul Lubic, Jr.

Laptop computers have been around a long time and many of us use them. However, for those of you who are wondering what they’re all about and are deciding if you should get one, here’s some information that should help.

The advantage of using a laptop vs. a desktop computer is mobility, mobility, mobility. Its light weight, size and portability allow us to use it in almost any location we wish.

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Universal Extractor Updated After 2 Year Hiatus

If you are into testing software or need a good application that has the ability to extract files from almost “any type of archive” (including install files, windows installer files, etc.) then Universal Extractor is a must have application.

Often during my testing of the smaller software apps, that are packaged installers, I will run Universal Extractor against the installer or setup file to see if I can extract the main binary files that makes the application launch (and run). This often saves me from having to install the application; and on occasions I am able to then use the app (I am testing) as a portable app. Sound like a lot of techie stuff? Well it is. This app, which is available as a portable app, should be a mainstay in any tech’s toolbox.

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Can Now Drag Images Into Gmail

You can now drag an image from your computer into Gmail…  More details [ HERE ] . The new feature does not require any additional plugins.

Currently, the feature only works in Google Chrome, but will be coming soon to other browsers.  So keep your eye on this.

Another example of Google moving us toward online apps.

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