Rusty,

What do these third party defraggers do that the MS defrag doesn't? Just curious as it always seemed a pretty simple utility.

Corey

The MS defrag utility is pretty much unchanged since Win95. The reason 3rd parties take the time to do it is because the MS version is slow (for what it does), not very thorough, and doesn't have any extra features that the numerous 3rd party defraggers do.

Defraggler, for example, has a feature that puts long files at the end of the drive, speeding access to other files because the heads don't have to jump over the tracks and because they appear at the end of the file allocation table.

Looking for a new laptop? This may help.

I have been evaluating Acronis True Image Home 2010 now for several weeks.

It does several things well - backups and true disk cloning (meaning one can make an EXACT duplicate onto another HDD - great for upgrading). Also has Try and Decide, a sandbox for installing apps on a trial basis.

At Amazon for ~$32.

Don't Press that F1 Key!

When prompted by a website: here.

Blu-Ray Player at Sam's Club!

Sam's has the Sony BDP-S360 on sale for $119. This is the de facto winner for entry- level Blu-Ray. The HDMI cable is extra, so check out the Samsung model next to it ($149) which includes the $20 cable.

Update Firefox

Get updated immediately if you're using Firefox. There's a serious vulnerability in earlier versions.

How do I figure out if I have Firefox? I know this may sound stupid, but hey, it's me

If you don't know what Firefox is, you probably don't have a problem. Firefox is an after-market web browser. If you have a PC, you're probably using Microsoft internet Explorer. If it's a Mac, you're probably using Safari, programs that come installed as default web browsers on the respective machines. You have to download Firefox & install it yourself.

I use Firefox, & it regularly updates itself. Once in awhile when I open it, it tells me to wait a minute while it finishes updating.

Here endeth my technical knowledge of the cyber world. I bow to the superior expertise of such as Rusty.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff & Joy:
How do I figure out if I have Firefox?

If you have Firefox, it is likely you will get periodic notices of upgrade availability. If you use Windows and have Firefox, "Mozilla Firefox" is likely to be on your desktop.

If you use Windows, and have Firefox, it is probably Here:

1. Click on Start,

2. All Programs.

3. A table will magically appear.

4. Look on that table for Mozilla Firefox.

5. If it's there, you have it. If not, Not.

Interesting that early versions of Firefox had a vulnerability, but later versions have a flaw that due to the higher security can s l o w it w a y d o w n. I just upgraded (free of course) to the very latest 3.6.x.x.x.x and they must have fixed that as it flys again.

v3.6.2 had some bugswats and enhancements as well as fixing the vulnerability.

Thats why Helen & I switched to Verizon years ago, we just didn't trust their decision to go GSM only. What good is having a 3G device, if the service is not available in MOST places?? My Blackberry Storm, albeit a "clunky" device, enjoys 3G service just about anywhere we go. Don't get me wrong, there are holes and weak spots. The Wilson system takes care of the weak signals, leaving only a few holes in the areas we have traveled. The upcoming 4G from AT&T & Verizon will be based on the LTE (Long term Evolution) system which will eventually morph into true 4G in a couple of years. So if we (Verizon Customers) can't get an iphone on the verizon system, we should be able to jailbreak an AT&T version to work. That would complete our complete transition to Apple technology.
Billy T

quote:

Originally posted by billyt53:
Thats why Helen & I switched to Verizon years ago, ...... there are holes and weak spots. The Wilson system takes care of the weak signals, leaving only a few holes in the areas we have traveled.

We have had several cell providers going back to bagphones, and Verizon has been best for us Out West.

We, too, use Wilson products. Both the Trucker and their Yagi on a pole when we are really far from civ. So far, Susan's Tracfone has worked most reasonable places, including a few where Verizon didn't. (although those places are becoming fewer as Verizon improves.

My Verizon Dare phone also serves as a modem when I want it to. Unlike an Aircard, I only pay for the days I use it as a modem. $40 per month, pro-rated.

It also gets Sigalert traffic maps, so we can navigate El Lay traffic a little more intelligently.