Computers are fun

I have been self-employed for more years than I care to remember. An accountant who knows what they are doing is essential to my business and at long last, I have found one. If you want a personal recommendation please get in touch. Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email WinPatrol is a great FREE security program which works alongside your anti-virus. The PLUS version normally costs $29.99 but for TODAY ONLY (30th Jan 2010) they are giving the complete upgrade for only 99 cents! Details are here http://www.winpatrol.com/

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Nothing on TV this weekend? One of the iconic series from the 90s is now available online. Definitely X-rated, Robbie Coltrane stars in the award winning show "Cracker". Here is the URL http://www.itv.com/BestofITV/crime/Cracker.html A great series but not for the squeamish! Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

Small things can often have a big impact and our lives are never the same again. There is a short video on the Mastery TV Homepage which, if you care to ponder its message, can hardly fail to have a profound affect on you. Why not take a few undisturbed minutes and have a look at the remarkable story of "Team Hoyt"? Here is the link..... www.masterytv.com Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

Widgets are great little programs which can make your computer much more fun to use. When I help people who are moving from dial-up to Broadband, I love to show them the new world of streaming audio and video which has opened up for them. In the UK some of the best content comes from the BBC and we can listen to BBC radio while we work. Accessing the stations can be a bit of a pain though......unless you have a widget! For this to work you will need real player and windows media player already installed because the widget uses both of those programs. Unless you have already done so, you also need to install the Yahoo widget engine which you can download here http://widgets.yahoo.com Then you can get BBC Radio Player Plus here http://tinyurl.com/2vlrez Now you have easy access to a whole new audio world. If you are new to widgets it is well worth taking time to explore what else is available. [NB The BBC widget only works in the UK but there are many others suitable for readers in othe...

It was only a short time ago that you couldn't sign up to Joost without an invitation. In case you don't know, Joost is at the leading edge of providing Internet TV. How would you like films on demand with no monthly subscription? Paramount films is just one of the channels available. You will need a decent Broadband connection and the interface needs a bit of getting used to, but it is an excellent service. (Still in Beta though, so expect a few glitches). Well worth having on your computer when there is nothing much on regular TV, this is definitely a "five star" download. www.joost.com Eddie PS You will have to register but it is relatively painless. Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

This is a genuinely useful site which will appeal to those who need to make any kind of list and take it with them. Shopping, to do, appointments - that sort of thing. It also will appeal to origami enthusiasts! Go on, I bet you print out at least one just to try it. http://www.pocketmod.com Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

If you use those nasty headphones which come with an MP3 player, you will know how easily they get tangled up. Here is a very creative way to get them untangled. Some people really do have weird minds and way too much time on their hands but, hey, its funny! http://tinyurl.com/2pdfnw Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

This is the classic Ali G interview with Posh Spice and David Beckham on Comic Relief. Please do not watch if you are easily offended! You have been warned. http://tinyurl.com/3d3dm8 Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

One of the best collections of viral videos comes with the on-line version of The Guardian newspaper. Scroll down the page to get to the list. You will see why "It is dangerous to be a student asking questions" and "How to get your wife back" (amongst other things). I should warn you that there are quite a number of videos and you can become "hooked". So perhaps better leave this to a time when you are not too busy:) http://tinyurl.com/2qqhh6 Enjoy Eddie PS I think my favourite is the Wilkinson Sword Advert Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

This month, Computer Active magazine is giving away "Ashampoo WinOptimizer 2008". The offer expires on October 11th so you will need to download and get the activation key before that date. (The offer could be withdrawn earlier too). WinOptimizer is a "tweaker", so the usual warnings apply. Used with care, it should keep your computer running more smoothly. This program is valued at £25, plus you get the option to upgrade to WinOptimizer 4 for only £7.49 instead of the normal retail price of £30. All together quite a bargain. You will need to go to the Computer Active website and follow the download instructions. www.computeractive.co.uk/winopt/index Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

With all the nasty people out there on the Net, you can't be too careful. However, don't let that put you off downloading and trying out new software. After all, that's part of the Fun of having a computer in the first place. Sadly, its all too easy to get spyware, adware or worse, along with your download. Number one recommendation is to be careful where you get your downloads. Even if you know the name of the program that you are looking for, don't just go into Google and click on the first search link that pops up. Go to a reputable site instead. One that has a good reputation is "Download.com". Now go there and download "Spyware Terminator". This free program has just been awarded Web User Magazine's Gold Award. This is the link: http://tinyurl.com/2ox8n5 You will want to scan your computer straight away. Don't be surprised if it turns up some nasties that you didn't know were in your system. Just to be on the safe side, don't de...

I am indebted to Blogger Simon Hodgkinson for being pointed to this remarkable video. We are all taught that, in business, teamwork can produce spectacular results. Here, teamwork means the difference between life and death. It is well worth watching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

It is the weekend again, so here is a short compilation on YouTube which should make you smile. Much of what happens appears painful, so I hope that no people or animals were seriously hurt during filming. (Some egos certainly were). Enjoy. http://tinyurl.com/36zxxr PS The backing music is great too. Eddie Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

If there were a "Top 10 Uses of the Internet", I am confident that the Number 1 use would be "Searching for information". Sadly, many of us limit those searches to one search engine. The reason is because, using several search engines is time consuming and awkward. Sites which aggregate searches are one option but not ideal. Now there is a better way. How about having the results of your search all on one tabbed page? You only have to enter your search term once and you can refine it by searching "the Web", "blogs", "Images" etc "Zuula" is a really great tool and can help to make you a web search expert. This is the link... www.zuula.com Enjoy! Subscribe to Computers are fun by Email

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