Computers are fun

This is just a quick apology to those who read this Blog via email. In yesterday's post I embedded the YouTube video about Cross Loop but, of course that doesn't work if you only get the email version. So for you folks here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8xZ4nDmTTA Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

Most of us have times when we need some help with our computer. I am sure that, if you are computer literate, your friends will often ask for help. Most of us would then have to make a journey to our friend's house to sort out the problem. It would be lovely to take control of their computer remotely, but that is very tricky indeed. At least, that was the case. Now we have a fantastic tool called "Cross Loop". If you go to www.crossloop.com you can download the free Cross Loop Application. With the software downloaded to both computers, it is a really simple matter to connect across the internet. The helper can then see a "window" which is the other computer's desktop. The helper can control that computer as if it was their own. I would strongly suggest that you, and the computer users you care about, download Cross Loop now. You never know when you may need it. Here is the link again www.crossloop.com It is certainly one of my "Top Ten" programs.

With so many video sharing sites available, it was only a matter of time before we needed special software to search them properly. Below is a link to some really professional software from Ashampoo which does just that. You can search all the popular sites, watch the video from within the program, bookmark it or even download it for later. The program is free but you have to get a registration key which is a bit fiddly but worth it. Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/326ep4 Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

It is a holiday weekend here in the UK. So I have a fantastic website for you, which can change your life. It is staggering that these videos are available online for free. (You just have to log in to see them all). These are probably the greatest modern day communicators you will ever see. Enjoy! www.masterytv.com Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

Once again the Internet serves up something which stops me in my tracks. This is just a short clip on Youtube of one of the acts on America's Got Talent. Can I suggest that you watch it at least twice - and then tell me how it works.... Please? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uZLbL0jBwA Thanks Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

All right, I know that this isn't strictly computer related but ....it is on the Internet, so I think that counts! My father used to be a salesman for a firm which sold unusual delicacies. Thankfully, he rarely brought any samples home. It is good to know that they are still available. This site serves several purposes. A talking point for any conversational gathering. A gift list for the proverbial "man who has everything". A Christmas shopping list for people you don't like. A source for an unusual "door prize" or raffle "booby prize". And I'm sure that you can think of a few more! Enjoy http://www.lazyboneuk.com/store/pro501.html Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

It is raining, so you want to watch TV but there is nothing interesting to watch. Why not turn to your computer? There are so many videos from all over the world which might interest you, how on earth do you find something you would like? One site which helps to solve this problem is "We Show". You can watch a comedy channel or reality TV, Sport or "do it yourself" - pretty much anything you like. The videos are sorted and rated and there are daily roundups which point you in the direction of new and interesting content. Here is the link www.weshow.co.uk Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

For those of us who have children who use a computer (or in my case grandchildren!), are we sure that they are safe? The statistics are quite frightening. In a recent survey, thirty-seven percent of children ages 11 to 17 reported they had received a sexually explicit email or pop-up advertisement within the past year. Forty-three percent of teens who use social networking sites reported having been contacted online by complete strangers. Instant messaging uses a special language which most adults don't understand. If you saw these messages on your child's computer screen would you know what they meant? 143 A/S/L? LMIRL (answers below) Luckily there is a FREE book which you can download from the Webroot website which will give you fantastic advice on keeping children safe. Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/yw5u2g Eddie 143 = "I love you" A/S/L? = "Age, sex, location?" LMIRL = "Lets meet in real life" Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

If you are out and about but want Internet access, it can be a very frustrating experience. Phones and PDAs are slow, laptops are heavy, connections can be difficult to find (and often expensive). Now there is an alternative. The PocketSurfer2 costs just under £180 to buy, but after that you can surf the web for up to 20 hours a month - Free. Unlimited access is available for about £6.00 a month. All the reports say that it is fast (because it uses a proxy server with some smart software.) It offers up true web pages not the cut down versions that most phones use. [ Real HTML pages, graphics, java scripts & apps, e-mail & IM including attachments] Of course there are drawbacks. There is a full qwerty keyboard but no audio connection (so no Skype). No memory, so all email and word processing must be handled and stored on-line. And, of course, you have to be able to access a mobile phone signal. Having said all that, it looks like a remarkable piece of kit. You can find

Oh Boy, have I got a great site for you. Selfcast is a new service which allows anyone to broadcast their own internet TV channel. I'm sure that you can imagine the dross that now becomes available! But... this fantastic site (like all good sites of this type) allows the cream to rise to the top. You will need to download and install the software PLUS you need a good internet connection and up to date computer. Once you have things set up, take a look at the "Speakers Corner" channel. This is sometimes live and sometimes recorded material from Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, London. If you have ever been there, you will know that it is one of the greatest FREE shows that the Capital has to offer. The quality of the program is definitely low but this is more than made up for by the entertainment value. [Some is definitely not safe for work or your blood pressure]. I do urge you to take a look and don't forget that YOU can broadcast yourself too. Here is the link. Let me

Here is the link to a really great personal information program. Diary, "To Do" etc, all in a well designed and easy to use interface. You can import your address book from Outlook and Outlook Express, why not give it a try? You can't argue with the price! www.computeractive.co.uk/2129067 Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

This weekend the sun is shining, so I just have a short video for you (4 mins) but I think you will like it. There is also a link to the newspaper report which explains it. Could catch on over here don't you think? "Prison Idol" maybe or perhaps "Come Dancing - The Inside Story" - see what you think. The Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o News report: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/52746/Cebu-inmates-take-to-dancing-as-exercise Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

When companies get very large and start to dominate a market there is often a consumer backlash. Just look at Microsoft and the move away from the Internet Explorer browser to Firefox. Or, in the retail trade, Tesco's dominance has aroused a sizeable group of consumers who are vociferously opposed to its further expansion. With all the talk about Google looking to provide its "own brand" mobile phones or becoming a "free" internet service provider (supported by advertising of course); I get the feeling that a backlash is beginning to grow. It is starting in Google's heartland - Searching the web. Up until now people have been happy to let Google run the show. But web searches have to be relevant to what you are looking for and presented in a useful way. Most people would expect to get the best answer for their search on the first page of Google. But, does that really happen? Here is a simple experiment that you can try. Take a search topic and look at the re

I am finding it harder and harder these days to justify using a desktop computer. A few years ago laptops couldn't compete. They were low spec and high priced. But times have changed. If you are thinking about buying a laptop or replacing your desktop, have a look at this spec for a LAPTOP made by Medion which is going to be available in local ALDI stores on 9th August. [If you want one, I would get there early. These sort of offers sell out very quickly] Intel pentium dual core processor. (Means you can get your computer to multi-task more easily) 15.4" TFT Widescreen Display. This is a cinema style format which gives you more desktop space and is optimised for DVD playback. 2,048MB DDR 11 Ram. Plenty memory to run Vista Vista Home Premium - The new operating system takes over from XP Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 - better entertainment. Re-writable multi function DVD - plays and burns DVDs Wireless lan, Ethernet and V.90 modem. Every way possible to connect to Broadba

If you have missed your favourite soap on ITV don't despair. The good old internet comes to the rescue. At this site you can watch highlights of past episodes or the entire recent episode. You can also see the current output of ITV 1, ITV 2, ITV 3 and ITV 4 To get it to work, you will need to use Internet Explorer and have an up to date version of windows media player installed. www.itv.com/soaps Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email