Run Skype from Your Flash Drive

Using Skype could keep your phone bill down, but it isn’t portable—or is it? Mark O’Neill from Makeuseof.com explains how to run Skype from a USB flash drive so you can connect with your contacts anywhere. He outlines 7 steps. Here are the first 3:

1. The first step is to make the folder on your USB stick where it will all stay. So call it whatever you want. Let’s call it “Portable Skype” for example. But you can give it whatever name you want.

2. Now go to the installed Skype app on your computer (normally located at C:\Program Files\Skype) and look for a file called Skype.exe. Right-click and copy that file. Do not move it anywhere. Just right-click and copy.

3. Now go to the “Portable Skype” folder and insert that copied “Skype.exe” file into the “Portable Skype” folder.

Read the remaining 4 steps to run Skype from a flash drive here.

Optimize Your Hard Drive in 3 Easy Steps

Hard drives have a way of filling up (completely independent of your own compulsive need to download, of course). CNET offers three strong tips to keep your machine running at top speed. Here’s the first:

“Step 1: Analyze your drive

First, identify how much disk space you're using with WinDirStat. This free software, based on the Linux application KDirStat, offers you an informative visual display of your hard-drive usage. It can also analyze your local devices, but let's for now stay focused on just your local drive. Depending on the size of your disk, the initial WinDirStat scan may take quite a while. Grab a cup of coffee and come back.

When you return, you'll see all of your files (for the drive or directory you decided to scan) displayed in a rainbow of colors. WinDirStat assigns colors to each file type, such as MP3, ZIP, EXE, JPG, and so on. By default, the files that take up the most space are colored blue, the second heftiest are red, and the third largest green. After the first 10 color-labeled file types, the rest appear in gray--but you can change these settings and colors through the Options menu.

Once you've identified where your disk space has gone, you can then more easily decide where you can save space. WinDirStat is loaded with features for managing your files, such as the ability to automatically delete files without even bothering with the Recycle Bin.”

How to Fix Common Problems with Your Laptop

Posted at 21:38, 06/05/2008 by LauraWilliams
Your laptop was made for durability, but it has its limits. You’ll likely end up paying for that—unless you know what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Thanks to laptopmag.com, it’s simple to identify and address notebook issues.

The site lists 11 common laptop complaints (and fixes!) like:

My computer crashed. Help!

What’s the deal with my slow hard drive?
I sure do wish my keyboard wasn’t missing keys.
Check it out and save yourself some money.
See more like this: Laptops, Computers

Reduce Computer Monitor Eye Strain in Two Easy Steps

Ever notice how words on your computer monitor start to look like the last line of a medical eye exam by the end of the day? Even if you wear prescription eye glasses—or the cheapo ones they sell at the pharmacy—you still may find yourself a victim of computer vision syndrome. QuickOnlineTips has the remedy:
Turn on ClearType in Microsoft Windows XP This will improve the font display quality and readability on color LCD displays with a digital interface, such as those in laptops and high-quality flat panel displays. Readability on CRT monitors can also be improved.
Increase your Monitor Refresh Rate See what is the optimal refresh rate for your monitor and reduce flicker induced eyestrain and headache.

Protect Your Laptop from Data Loss Disasters

Way back, like ten years ago, when I went to school, we still used a pen and paper to write notes. Nowadays, laptops are the norm.

And while they are super convenient and efficient in many ways, they are not perfect. As with all computers, the biggest risk is the potential loss of data. And there is nothing as frustrating, and true, as the excuse “the computer ate my homework”.

So whether you’re a student, or someone who simply prefers to work on a laptop, it’s good to keep the following in mind:
Be gentle. Laptops are reasonably robust, but they do not always survive rough handling.
Backup. At least once a week if not more on a CD, DVD, USB flash drive or online.
Keep your anti-virus up –to-date and run it regularly.
Use the auto save function. Losing a document you have spent hours slaving over is devastating.
Pay attention to your battery. If your computer suddenly shuts off, you may lose your work.

Relieve the Pain of Mouse Clicking

A couple of years ago I became ambidextrous, at least when it comes to using my mouse. That’s right. After what had become almost unbearable pain in my fingers, wrist and eventually elbow, I was able to successfully switch from being a righty to using my mouse with my left hand.

Apparently, hand pain from holding and clicking a mouse is a widespread phenomenon.

The old switcheroo, my personal route, probably offers the most immediate success. It takes a little getting used to, but not as long as you’d expect. A couple of weeks max should do the trick.

Other suggestions include the three fingered click, which relieves pressure from the tendon. Simply put your three middle fingers together and click.

You can also try draping the palm of your hand on top of the mouse and using the side of your hand to click.
If you have any other ideas, please feel free to share!

Photo, jmschemel

Saving Images When Right-Clicked is Disabled

Have you ever tried to save a picture from a web site only to find you can’t? That’s because sites sometimes disable the right-click option, but that doesn’t mean you're out of luck.

Tipstrs explains:

“If you are on a web page where you want to download one of their images and they have disabled the right-click on the mouse, do this instead: left click on the image and hold the mouse button down. While still holding the left mouse button down, drag the mouse to your desktop and let the button up. Ta-da! The image will have been dragged to your desktop and you have downloaded this image even though right-click was disabled.”

How to Update Your iPod

Apple periodically releases new software for the iPod that improves your listening experience. The updating process is different for Mac and PC users, but luckily, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for both on Apple’s website.

How to update iPod for Windows using Windows Vista, Windows XP or Windows 2000

• Download and install the latest version of iTunes. When you have the latest version, use the iTunes menus to check for updates. On Windows choose Help > Check for Updates.
• Connect your iPod to your computer using the USB or FireWire cable that came with your iPod and open iTunes if it is not already open.
• In order to be updated on a PC, your iPod must be formatted for a PC. If it is not, you will receive a message stating that your iPod needs to be reformatted. If you receive this message, please read this article before proceeding. If you are unsure of your iPod's format, read this article.
• If iTunes detects that a newer version of iPod software is available for your model, you will be prompted to download and install the new version. If the newest software has already been downloaded you may be prompted to install it.
• Depending on the model iPod you have and whether you are using a USB or FireWire connection to connect your iPod, you may be asked to leave your iPod attached to the computer for the update to complete or you may be asked to connect the iPod to the iPod Power Adapter that came with your iPod (Note: not all iPod models ship with a power adapter). Be sure to follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update.
• During the update process, you will notice an Apple logo and progress bar appear on the iPod display (Note: this may be difficult to see since the iPod's backlight will be turned off). Once this is completed, you can resume normal use of your iPod. If you notice a different icon on the iPod screen read this article and the follow the related instructions.

Avoid Screensaver Interruptions While Watching DVDs on a Computer

That tropical screensaver doesn’t look quite so cool when it pops up midway through Season 3 of Lost. According to CNET editor Rick Broida, this usually happens when there’s more than one user account set up in Windows, and when Fast User Switching is enabled. Here’s how to prevent this:

Turn off Fast User Switching

This makes it possible to switch between users without first shutting down all your programs. If you’re the system’s only user—or if you don’t have multiple accounts set up—turn this option off to instantly eliminate the problem. Open the Windows Control Panel, and then access the User Accounts applet. Click “Change the way users log on or off,” then clear the “Use Fast User Switching” check box.

Tweak the power settings

If you need to keep Fast User Switching enabled, or you’re still having the problem, open the Windows Control Panel, and then access Power Options. Click the Advanced tab, then clear the check box for “Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby.” Go to the next step.

Strong-arm the screensaver

Right-click anywhere on your Windows Desktop, then click Properties in the menu that appears. (You can also click Start > Run, then type desk.cpl.) In the Display Properties window, click the Screen Saver tab, then clear the check box marked “On resume, password protect.”

Extend Laptop Battery Life by Keeping the Contacts Clean

We’ve posted a few tips to extend your laptop battery life in the past, but this list from FriedBeef is even more comprehensive. The following tips were new to me:

Keep the battery contacts clean: Clean your battery’s metal contacts every couple of months with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. This keeps the transfer of power from your battery more efficient.

Cut down external devices: USB devices (including your mouse) & WiFi drain down your laptop battery. Remove or shut them down when not in use. It goes without saying that charging other devices (like your iPod) with your laptop when on battery is a surefire way of quickly wiping out the charge on your laptop battery.

Run off a hard drive rather than CD/DVD: As power consuming as hard drives are, CD and DVD drives are worse. Even having one in the drive can be power consuming. They spin, taking power, even when they’re not actively being used.

Tips for Pain-Free Typing

Shockingly, I spend a lot of hours of any given day at my computer. Even on days off, I just can’t seem to stay away.

But did you know that all of that typing can be detrimental to your health? Typing is one of those repetitive actions that can lead to chronic hand pain, and worse carpal tunnel syndrome.

The three basic tips, from About.com for better typing health are:

1) Don’t contort your hands. When reaching for shortcuts, use two hands if you cannot comfortably make the reach with one.

2) Keep wrists neutral.

3) Don’t rest your wrists on any surface (they should stay floating the entire time).

Another key is stretching. Stretch your hands, fingers and wrists several times a day to give them a little relief.

Use a Video as Your Screensaver or Wallpaper

Want to see your mom doing karaoke every time you turn on your computer? You can! Varun Kashyup explains: “Well there is a tool from Microsoft that allows you to do just that. Its called Microsoft Video Screensaver. The download requires you to verify the genuineness of your copy of Windows. Once that is done, the installation is simple and a breeze. You can then access ‘Video Screensaver’ from the ‘Display Properties’ box and then hopping over to the ‘Screen Saver’ tab.” Click here to read the full article.

See more like this: Computer & Laptop Accessories, Computers, Desktops & Servers, Computer Parts & Components, Laptops

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/use-videos-as-screensaver-or-wallpaper-windows/

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7 Steps to Avoid a Computer Virus

Follow these seven steps to keep your computer virus-free.

See more like this: Desktops & Servers, Computers

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiIToBYDtqA