Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Some Cool Hidden Firefox Tricks


There are hundreds of tricks for Firefox that you can apply to tweak, optimize, change UI and mostly to increase browsing speed. But while browsing I landed on a webpage where I found these cool and probably unknown tricks that are somehow useful as well.
To apply and check these tricks you have to open a new window and copy-paste the code in address bar of your Firefox browser
 

1. Make Firefox Dance.
chrome://global/content/alerts/alert.xul
It makes the Firefox window auto collapse and expand in the corner of your monitor screen.

2. Open Firefox inside Firefox.
chrome://browser/content/browser.xul
This opens another Firefox inside a tab in the the existing Firefox window.

3. Options inside a Tab
chrome://browser/content/preferences/preferences.xul
This opens the Options dialog box inside the Firefox tab. See the screenshot above.

4. Bookmarks Manager inside tab.
chrome://browser/content/bookmarks/bookmarksPanel.xul
Opens the “BookMarks Manager” inside a tab in the Firefox window.

5. History inside
chrome://browser/content/history/history-panel.xul
Opens the History Panel inside the Firefox tab.

6. See the Extensions in a tab.
chrome://mozapps/content/extensions/extensions.xul?type=extensions
Opens the Extensions window in the current tab.

7. Manage installed cookies in a tab window.
chrome://browser/content/preferences/cookies.xul
This opens the “cookies window” inside a tab.

8. Clear Private Data and History
chrome://browser/content/preferences/sanitize.xul
Opens the “Clear Private Data” window inside the current tab.

9. Sliding Developers’ Credits
chrome://browser/content/credits.xhtml
A scrolling list of names of those who created the Best Web Browser for us :)


10. About Firefox in a tab.
chrome://browser/content/aboutDialog.xul
Opens the “About Firefox” Dialog box inside the tab.

You can even install these addresses as bookmarklets in your browser so you can access them with a single click from bookmarks toolbar.
Add the tricks like these that you know in the comments.
 

15 Open-Source Applications You Need To Know

Open source programs are not only free to use, but most of the times are more efficient in terms of resources they require. They are much lighter than proprietary software that use high resources. Source code are available with open source software so that you can customize them according to your own needs and requirements if you know how to program. Almost every software has it’s open source alternative present. But due to unawareness most of us just don’t know those alternatives that are not only free but also much better in performance, like Open source Mozilla Firefox over Microsoft Internet Explorer.
So here are 15 FREE open-source alternatives of most common applications we use in daily PC usage, you might didn’t know.
1. Mozilla Thunderbird
Powerful Email client with spam filtering, solid interface, built in RSS Reader, all-in-one inbox for all of your email addresses.Sets up email addresses automatically without any manual settings.
Download Page
2. K-Meleon
K-Meleon is an extremely fast, customizable, lightweight web browser based on the Gecko layout engine developed by Mozilla which is also used by Firefox. K-Meleon is free, open source software released under the GNU General Public License and is designed specifically for Microsoft Windows (Win32) operating systems.
Download Page
3. Pidgin
Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log in to accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on MSN, talking to a friend on Google Talk, and sitting in a Yahoo chat room all at the same time.
Download Page
4. Blender
Powerful 3D Modeling software. Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems.
Download Page
5. Miro
It can play almost any video file and offers over 6,000 free internet TV shows and video podcasts. Plays any video type (much more than windows media player). Subscribe to video RSS, download, and watch all in one. Torrent support. Search and download from YouTube and others.
Download Page
6. VLC
Plays more video files than most players: Quicktime, AVI, DIVX, OGG, and more. Pretty good interface.
Download Page
7. Eraser
Eraser is an advanced security tool for Windows which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.
Download Page
8. MP3 Book Helper
This program provides rapid Mp3 (ID3v1, ID3v2) and Ogg/Speex/Flac Vorbis tags editing and file renaming functions. Mass Tag editing is done using special variables and Regular Expressions.
Download Page
9. 7-Zip
Powerful File compressor and archiver. You can use 7-Zip on any computer, including a computer in a commercial organization. You don’t need to register or pay for 7-Zip.
Download Page
10. KompoZer
KompoZer is a complete web authoring system that combines web file management and easy-to-use WYSIWYG web page editing.
KompoZer is designed to be extremely easy to use, making it ideal for non-technical computer users who want to create an attractive, professional-looking web site without needing to know HTML or web coding.
Download Page
11. Handbrake
DVD to MPEG-4 ripper/converter. HandBrake is an open-source, GPL-licensed, multiplatform, multithreaded video transcoder, available for MacOS X, Linux and Windows.
Download Page
12. Notepad ++
Open Source programmers notepad for Windows. Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.
Download Page
13. Paint.NET
Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools.
Download Page
14. Audacity
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems
Download Page
15. Filezilla
Excellent and complete FTP program. FileZilla is open source software distributed free of charge.
Download Page

10 Best Anti-Virus for Windows 7

Windows 7 has completely released but still many of us are confused for best security utility for windows 7, as technology world is going ahead towards the peak and in this situation everyone wants to have the best , including security utilities.. there are many security utilities but I found some of them best for windows 7.
As an antivirus software is must for protection.I picked the best antivirus software based on its virus detection abilities, features, protection. Each each of the following products provides great virus protection for Windows 7.


1. BitDefender

BitDefender Antivirus 2010 offers the most trustable security and protection among all antivirus software out there and that is why it is rated # 1 antivirus by most of the sites.
BitDefender Antivirus 2010 offers rock-solid security, simple usability, effective use of resources, and a valuable price tag, BitDefender Antivirus 2010 adds some additional features that continue to improve overall PC performance and protection and peace of mind, without upsetting your PC performance or paycheck.

2. Norton Antivirus

Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus 2010 and Norton 360 Version 3.0 are two security solutions. It is scheduled on Microsoft’s list of most compatible software solutions for Windows 7.
Norton Internet Security 2010 and Norton AntiVirus 2010 have been specifically designed to support Windows 7. Those with Norton AntiVirus 2009 would receive automatic upgrade to Norton Antivirus 2010.

3. Kaspersky Antivirus

This anti-virus isn’t freeware, its about 60 dollars, but there is a 30 day free trial after downloading the client.
Kaspersky AV is a mixed box:
1. Even after all the updates Kaspersky AntiVirus still lacks some valuable features compared to the other anti-viruses.
2. The new version has removed it best feature, the Safe Run program sandbox, where you can use the anti-virus even in Safe Mode.
3. On the other hand it has added a better anti-virus engine, which runs at blazing speed compared to the free edition anti-viruses.
4. A new feature allow customers to send their PC’s scans for analysis for better protection. However, this costs an extra $20.
Would recommend using the trial and seeing whether you like it before committing to this anti-virus.But you can also activate it using KEYS.

4. McAfee

McAfee Total Protection provides full Suite of products for Windows 7. For those already using Windows 7 Beta with McAfee will receive an upgrade to MTP 3.11 for Security Center, Virus Scan and Personal Firewall.
One of the oldest security software providers, McAfee combines the best of anti-virus, firewall, and intrusion prevention technology.

5. AVG

AVG is one of the most widely used anti-virus solution that works perfectly under Windows 7. AVG offers comprehensive protection against malicious threats.
AVG is a light-weight but effective antivirus offers protection against viruses, worms and trojans, spyware, adware and identity-theft.

6. Avira

Avira is one of the most powerful freeware antivirus solution compatible for Windows 7. It’s carries out quick and effective scans, and doesn’t consume much system resources.
Avira offers real time protection with AntiVir Guard. The personal version is completely free from private use. The personal version works without any issues. It also offers the ability to pause, stop, and resume a scan from this panel.

7. Avast

Avast is a longtime favorite of free antivirus users. It doesn’t hog your processor or memory, scan times are fairly speedy, and it includes a DOS-based boot time scan — something you don’t find in a lot of free products — or paid ones for that matter. Avast runs on both 32 and 64-bit Windows 7.
If you’re comfortable running software that is still in development, the Avast 5 beta is looking good. That said, it’s antivirus software – is using an unfinished antivirus something you really want to do? That’s your call, of course.

8. Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
It’s a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology.
It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple. Runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.

9. Comodo Firewall + Antivirus

Comodo’s firewall software has been popular for ages and they recently released an antivirus program to expand their security offerings. I tested the suite, and it performs well. You’re not locked in to the whole package either. You can install the antivirus or firewall on their own if you want.
As you can tell from the download links, Comodo offers different downloads for 32 and 64-bit systems. Make sure you grab the right one!

10. Panda Cloud Antivirus

Cloud Antivirus by Panda Security is one of the fastest adoptive antivirus and complete security solution among web users. Cloud AV is not ready for general use (like Avast 5), but it too has gotten good reviews so far.
The one knock on Panda’s offering is its slow manual scans. Then again, you probably won’t need to run those all that often, so it might not be an issue.

5 Tips to Improve Your Windows 7 System’s Speed

The introduction of Microsoft’s Windows 7 was met with great reception and reviews from critics, especially those who didn’t think much of the previous OS of Windows Vista. Windows 7 has been mentioned to have the stability and security of popular Windows XP, with the visual look of Vista; 7 is what Vista should have been.
But with all of the features and new bells and whistles, Windows 7 can slow down some systems. Here are five ways in which you can speed up your system to get work done.

1. Upgrade Your System

While Windows 7 can run on systems that meet the minimum specifications, it’s always a better practice to meet or exceed that of the recommended specs. This allows for the system to work programs in the background without taxing your system or slowing down your movies, music, or work.

2. Disable Aero Feature

One of the features that carried over from Vista was that of the Aero technology. Basically eye candy, the technology allows for transparent taskbars and windows, as well as some quick shortcuts and features. For systems who only meet the minimum requirements, this only slows down the computer. This may be disabled automatically if the hardware doesn’t meet the requirements, but if not -
  1. Right click on the desktop and choose “Personalize”
  2. Within the box, click the option of “Window Color”
  3. Uncheck “enable transparency”, then choose to open the classic appearance
  4. Choose the standard Windows 7 Appearance.

3. Disable Desktop Gadgets

Gadgets are another feature that was carried over from Vista, giving users a way to view different items from their desktop. Windows 7 comes with a clock gadget, a weather gadget, and a CPU monitor just to name a few, with more to download from both Microsoft and third party companies. The more gadgets you have on your desktop, the more the system is working to keep them up to date. To disable gadgets:
  1. Go to the START menu and select ‘control panel’
  2. Within the Control Panel, find ‘Programs & Features’. Under this is a link to turn off Windows features.
  3. Within in Windows features, uncheck the Windows Gadget Platform.

4. Turn Off Unused Windows Features

There are some standard features of Windows – like games, Messenger – that be turned off as well, especially if you never use them. As above to disable the gadgets, you can disable these features. Try not to disable features you aren’t familiar with, as you could be turning off something important.

5. Prevent Unwanted Programs from Running at Startup

When you turn on your computer, several programs will turn on. Like the operating system, any office programs, gadgets, and others. To speed up your computer, have some of these programs not start when the computer does.
  1. Go to the START menu and choose ‘run’.
  2. In the textbox, type in ‘msconfig’. This brings up a console in which you can configure parts of Microsoft Windows, such as what programs should start.
  3. Select the ‘start up’ tab.
  4. Go through the list and uncheck programs that you don’t want to start up, like a cell phone manager program, an office program (like MS Office). Make sure you don’t uncheck the operating system!

How Long Will Microsoft Support Windows 7?

The question is of great interest after the news that Microsoft will discontinue to provide support for Windows XP after April 2014 and Windows Vista after April 2017.




 
So what will be the end date for windows 7?
Microsoft’s own website is unanswerable regarding the question as the below mentioned details from the Microsoft’s website reflects:
Desktop operating systems Latest service pack End of Mainstream Support End of Extended Support
Windows XP Service Pack 3 April 14, 2009 April 8, 2014
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 April 10, 2012 April 11, 2017
Windows 7 To be determined To be determined Not applicable
But as per our sources the support for Windows 7 will be provided till the end of 2020, which is obviously ecstatic news for the corporate and business sector as they wont have to migrate to another operating system for a long time once they join Windows 7 community.