These are caused by different font/character encoding standards used by different computers. In most cases it should be similar but if you are using different language packs and so on the encoding might have changed.

Ask-leo.com has this covered in a easy to understand manner and a solution also provided. Go on and read it.

image from http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com

Yes, it is my favourite browser followed by Firefox. I use both Firefox and Google Chrome interchangeably. Don’t ask me why. Here are some of my favourite extensions.

IE Tab

There are still a number of sites that work well on Internet Explorer. It is sad but that is the fact. Like in firefox now there is IE Tab to view a page in IE but with in Google Chrome.

Visit a page, if it does not appear good on Chrome jut click the IE Tab icon and the page loads in a new tab using the Internet Explorer engine.

Google Mail Checker

Get notified when you have an email pending to be read. Click on the icon and be taken to your gmail account.

Session Manager

Session Manager allows you to save the session. Meaning, all your tabs that are currently open. Save and name it. Next time you want to access, just click on the icon and click open on the session you want.

Xmarks Bookmarks Sync

I have been the beta user for Xmarks and am still using it. Prior to Chrome I have been using it on Firefox. Xmarks Sync synchronises your bookmarks accross browsers and PC. I use this to sync with my Macbook Pro and Windows 7 machine.

If you use your pc often to download and edit loads of stuff, fragmentation could occur. Basically, the hard drive, when written on to, writes data all over the hard disk to make write speed fast. This could cause fragmentation of files. When reading the files later, your hard disk read/write head needs to seek all over the disk to pick up the data.

My Defrag

Defragmenting software’s basically moves data of the same file together making reading of data faster. All Windows version comes with defrag utility. In most cases that would do but MyDefrag, based on the Windows API, does much more.

MyDefrag works based on scripts which you can modify as you wish. It does not have too many options like other defragmenter utilities you find but the scripting makes it powerful.

The basic scripts available are:

• Defragment Only
• Optimize Daily
• Optimize Monthly
• Optimize Weekly

I use only the Optimize Monthly script and schedule it using the Windows Task Scheduler and occasionally use Optimize. If you are more adventurous and would like to tweak the performance go ahead and write your own script. Help is available on their site and their forum is active.

If you are running MyDefrag on Windows 7 don’t forget to disable the Windows Defrag in the Task Scheduler. By default Windows own Defrag utility is scheduled to run Monthly.

Here are 7 tips that could make using Windows 7 much easier than it already is.

1. Burn ISO

Windows 7 now allows you to burn ISO images to a CD or DVD. No more hunting for a DVD burning software like Nero. Double click on the ISO image file and just follow the dialog box instruction.

2. Desktop Wallpaper change

Do you change you desktop wallpaper often? Now let Windows do that automatically.

Right Click on the Desktop and Click Personalize. Click Desktop Background. Select the images you want to show. Click Browse and add more images.

3. Snipping Tools

Ever wanted to capture the desktop screen or part of the screen? I guess you would have is print screen button on the keyboard and then edit it in paint or other programs. Now there is a snipping tool to assist you.

Click the Start button and key in ‘Snipping’. Click on Snipping Tool and play around with it

4. Minimise Messenger to System Tray

Previous version of Windows allowed you to minimise Windows Live messenger to the System Tray. Now, in Windows 7 when you minimise Windows Live messenger it stays on the Task Bar.

Right Click Windows Live Messeger (preferrably from the start menu) and click properties.
Click Compatability tab. Select Windows Vista.

Now you should see the Live Messenger in the System Tray

5. Show or Hide Icons in Notification area

It might be useful to show some regularly used icon in the notification area(system tray). By default often used or critical icons appear. You can change this by customizing.

Click on the small arrow beside the notification area and click customize.

Choose the available notification icons and choose show or hide from the drop down list.

6. Aero Snap

One neat feature that has been mention is the Aero Snap. Dragging a Window to the left or right hand corner will snap the window to the right or left half of the screen. This is useful if you are researching or comparing some notes. Sadly it wont be great on small screens.

7. Quick Launch

Windows 7 did away with Quick launch as you can use the task bar as the quick launch for any applications you want.

Right Click on an empty area of the task bar
Click Toolbars and click Quick Launch.

You will see Quick Launch appear. Add the apps you want.

Computers and Accessories

I scout places online to check prices of items. Sometimes I ask my friends around to check if they know of any sales. Remember that electronics items depreciates quickly and would not be of great resale value. Make a wise decision and only get the configuration you deem necessary.

If you are a DIY person, you might want to look at the following places for prices to compare and make some decisions(these places are for rough guidance, not necessary for actual purchases):

• Hardware Zone
• – Find price lists that are available for some of the outlets in Sim Lim Square
• VR-Zone
• Potter House
• Video Pro

I usually build my own PC and make my purchases at Sim Lim Square. I would usually make purchases after checking the prices from the above links.

Camera

I am a photography hobbyist and enthusiast. I am particular about getting my cameras and I always get them new. For lenses and such, I don’t mind getting them second hand as they rarely depreciate too much. I normally make enquiries first before making my purchases. Of course you will need to know what kind of camera you need and what purpose will it serve you.

For example, are you a serious hobbyist? If yes, you most likely will be looking for good DSLR. For a casual shooter most likely your budget determines what kind of camera you need to get.

These are shops that I call or email to get their quotations. Mind that some of them would got you without gst.

• MS Color
• SLR Revo – Facebook page
• Cathay Photo
• John 3:16
• Bargain City
• Shashinki

IT Shows and Fairs

In Singapore, every quarter we have this huge IT fair all vendors and manufacturers gather in one place to sell off their items a steal. I feel in most cases are to clear their old stock before new models are released. Of course you are getting great value with extra freebies thrown in.

If you can wait to make a purchase then you should go to these mass sales to get your moneys worth. Again I would like to reiterate to do some research and checking on what you want and need before the purchase. You might end up bursting your budget thinking that you are getting something at a great deal.

Some dates:

IT Show – Usually in March

PC Show – Usually in June

Comex Show – usually in Sept

SITEX – in November

Final Words

I very much prefer looking at a gadget and testing before purchasing it. I don’t mind purchasing online but nothing feels better than holding it in your hands and testing.

I have made a few purchases online like buying computer parts and camera lens(just once) and they were delivered in one piece and worked great. But if anything happens the trouble of packaging it and returning it via mail is just too cumbersome.

What do you have to say? Are there any other methods or online stores that you look at before purchasing. Leave a comment.

Bread crumbs you say! Why such a topic? Why bread crumbs?

Food particles and PC don’t get along well. Especially small little particles such as crumbs and other such small stuff. Neither does liquid. I am sure you know that.

If your keyboard is spill proof or chicklet type then I wont be frustrated. But if it is the normal kind with grooves then there are issues.

Spill Proof Keyboards 

Chicklet type keyboards has less grooves 

Recently I have been to check on few users complaining that their PC is acting up. Visiting them and seeing their tables in a glance tells me or gives me a hint of what is the problem from the symptom and environment the PC is in.

One of the user mentioned when she clicks an item or icon, multiple icons get selected as if the shift button is held. Looking at the place I know breakfast, lunch and probably even dinner is eaten by the keyboard. Resolution: Just knocked the keyboard a few times and flipped the keyboard to clear the crumbs. Problem solved.

I know you guys love to multi task. Eat and work or eat and surf the net at the same time. Multi-tasking is good but please don’t eat in front of your PC. Why dont you spend the time eating peacefully away from the PC. There is such thing as dining table or pantry to finish your meal. Come on, give yourself a break away from the computer.

Moreover it is not hygienic as you will be attracting lots more germs and parasites. I have seen silver bugs running around keyboards before. Even dead ones.

Note: If you have Spill proof and Chicklet type keyboard doesn’t mean you can eat right by your pc. These  can get dirty too.

The steps that is stated here are from my experience and what I normally do for clients PC migration or even reinstalling the OS.

1. Check the list of software needed

Go through and write down all application the client is using. You may discuss with him which are the necessary software. This way you can avoid all unnecessary software that the user might have installed.

2. Prepare software and driver CD in advance

If the software is licensed, get the CD and CD Key from the client. If the software can be downloaded, download them now. You don’t want to take an entire day installing software for your client.

3. Check network configuration

Your client might have some special setting that requires static IP Address. Take it down.
Ensure any specific configuration for Workgroup or Domain is taken care of.

4. Check printer configuration

Prepare the drivers for this in advance. If it is a networked printer check if any special configuration has been made. Once you have the OS installed and all other drivers installed get the printer configured and tested. You don’t want to be returning again just to install their printer.

5. Backup user data

As much as it is the users responsibility you ought to backup all their data. For this purpose bring along an external portable hard drive. Sit with the user and ask him to point to wherever and whichever files and folders he has and back them up. In most cases all files are saved under My Documents and Desktop.

Don’t forget to backup the Outlook Archive(.pst) file and OneNote files, if any.  Next is to backup the .NK2 file. This file does the auto fill for Outlook addresses. If the client is not using these just ignore them.

6. Install OS and drivers

I will leave the process up to you. For my practise, after the OS install the chipset or motherboard drivers will be installed first followed by the graphics drivers and any other hardware.

7. Configure Network

Set all IP Address settings noted from Step 3. Set Workgroup or Domain accordingly.

8. Reinstall all software

The most annoying part of the job. Reinstall all software the user needs as per Step 1. Configure Outlook email client and any other software that needs configuration.

Any Anti-virus or anti-malware software should be installed.

Also do a Windows Update to update any security patches. Critical updates are enough in this case.

9. Restore user data

Restore all user data to its original places. This would include any Outlook Archive files and other software specific configuration files.

Final Note

This procedure would take hours if the client has an exhaustive list of software and and lot of data. I know it is a headache. Maybe you could chit chat with your client and get some networking going!

Enterprises and companies with enough resources are deploying imaging technology where by one system is configured with standard software and settings. You take an image of that drive and deploy it to all other machines. Of course all the machine should be of the same make or model. Norton Ghost? It is once of the most popular solution.

Google has made life a little easy by providing Google Pack. What it really does is bring all the 3rd party essential applications under one roof. It is not an exhaustive list but still most of us will find this useful.

Below are the available programs.

Select the programs you want or unselect those you dont want and thats it you are set to download and install in one go.

Get the Google Pack!

For some reason, you might need Windows to be running on your shiny Mac. It might be some Windows specific application or for our development project or whatever. Here I am not talking about dual booting using Boot Camp but running Windows within Mac.

If you had been looking for a Virtual Machine you might have come across Parallels which you have to pay. I recommend a free application which does the same thing. It is Virtualbox.

From Wikipedia:

A virtual machine (VM) is a software implementation of a machine (i.e. a computer) that executes programs like a physical machine.

Let me list down here 10 reasons why I love Windows 7:

1. Improved Performance

Boot up time might be debatable as from what I notice it could be same or slower than Windows Vista or Windows XP. On my machine Boot up and Shutdown is fast. Definitely better than Windows XP.

2. Uses less Memory

3. Installation and Drivers

4. Task bar and Task bar preview

I like this feature where by similar open windows docks onto itself. Moving the mouse over the docked application will pop-up a small preview of the app.

Another feature is the Contexual Task Window – Right-Click on an application icon on the taskbar and you will get relevant histories or short-cuts. As far as I know this feature only works with Microsofts own applications and Google Chrome. There might be other new apps available but I have not tried them.

5. Libraries

6. Device Management

Now you have a centralised place for device management. All your connected devices like printers and thumbdrives and others are shown neatly with icon representing them.

7. Side-by-side window auto-resize

A very good feature when typing or comparing documents. I can drag a window to the edge and it will auto snap and adjust to half a screen. Do the same to another window and you have two windows adjusted nicely side by side. Even better, if you drag the window back away from the edge, it goes back to the size it was before.

8. Resource Monitor

9. Fine tune notifications

10. Unified Window Size