Windows 8 is fast approaching, expected to arrive sometime in 2012. Not everyone is going to want to download the developer preview version of Windows 8 currently being hawked by Microsoft. Or the Windows 8 beta due to be made available shortly. Thankfully you don’t have to do so in order to get a basic feel for how the latest – and if you believe the hype, greatest – OS from Microsoft will shape up.

Windows 8 Beta Simulator is a fun program available for Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7 that is designed to give those who are interested a feel for the new Metro UI. True geeks definitely won’t be impressed, but mainstream Windows users will be. The rest of us can laugh at the humor included in Windows 8 Beta Simulator.

Start Menu

Open the Windows 8 Beta Simulator program and you will get a very typical Windows startup animation. You’re then invited to ‘Drag Up To Unlock‘. This simulates the touch capabilities Windows 8 will possess, but isn’t very realistic. The real Windows 8 will use an (optional) picture password system whereby you draw a pre-determined pattern on the screen.

On the next page, bypass the startup screen by clicking ‘Submit‘. There is no need to enter a password and I wouldn’t recommend it just in case there is nefarious reasoning behind the request. To be frank I wouldn’t enter any passwords or sensitive information into Windows 8 Beta Simulator, but then I could just be an over-cynical, untrusting type.

Apps

You’re then taken to the faux Metro UI page where you can explore in a not-very-realistic Windows 8 style.

It’s from here you can access apps in a similar way as you will with the real Windows 8. There is Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and The Weather Channel, essentially just mobile versions of the sites which open up in Google Chrome within the Windows 8 Beta Simulator.

There is also a Piano app (pictured above), a calculator, and other elements which are present in every version of Windows. To be honest none of them are particularly well implemented here, but that’s excusable as they are, after all, only for preview purposes.

Humor

One thing Windows 8 Beta Simulator has in spades is humor. And some of it is actually quite funny. Click on the wrong icon and you’ll get an error message full of typos.

Click through to the next screen and it’s suggested you download Linux, with Bill Gates happily recommending Ubuntu. Many people wouldn’t do so after the latest versions of the Linux distro failed to impress.

Click on ‘Pictures‘ and you’ll find that the images are all plays on Microsoft vs. Apple, with Linux clearly being touted as the best OS. What is an attempt at mimicking the Windows 8 Metro UI was clearly built by Linux advocates.

Lame?

Is Windows 8 Beta Simulator a little lame? In a word, yes. But it’s a small (9MB) unobtrusive download which can easily be uninstalled. It will offer five minutes of fun for anyone keen to get more of a feel for Windows 8 ahead of its release than they can by merely looking at pictures or watching videos.

Windows 8 Beta Simulator isn’t all that useful. It won’t give you a true sense of how it will be to use Windows 8. Anyone wanting to do that will have to download the real beta once Microsoft deems fit to release it. Only people confident and experienced need apply. Which leaves Windows 8 Beta Simulator as a viable though not-very-thrilling alternative for those who don’t fit into that category.

Conclusion

Windows 8 Beta Simulator is for those who don’t want to mess around installing a pre-beta or beta version of an operating system. And for Linux fans looking for a few easy laughs at the saps (of which I am one) who persevere with Windows.

If you have tried Windows 8 Beta Simulator, what did you think of it? Are you looking forward to the real Windows 8 beta and are willing to wait until Microsoft deems its new operating system as being ready for public scrutiny? Does anyone even care about Microsoft any more?

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class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ChangeDefaultPassword01.png" alt="how to password protect computer" border="0" />Protecting your computer with a password should be common practice, especially if many people potentially have physical access to it. Windows provides several levels on which you can set passwords to lock your user account. This article will introduce you to all common options and hopefully one will work for you.

Before we even start with password protecting your computer, please make sure you understand how to create a strong password. Here are a few articles to help you out:

• title="5 Free Password Generators For Nearly Unhackable Passwords" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-websites-to-generate-a-safe-and-strong-password/">5 Free Password Generators For Nearly Unhackable Passwords
• title="How To Create A Good Password That You Will Not Forget" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-strong-password-forget/">How To Create A Good Password That You Will Not Forget
• title="How To Create Strong Passwords That You Can Remember Easily" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-create-strong-password-that-you-can-remember-easily/">How To Create Strong Passwords That You Can Remember Easily

If you believe you have a reasonably good password, you may want to title="Put Your Passwords Through The Crack Test With These Five Password Strength Tools" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/put-passwords-crack-test-password-strength-tools/">put it through the crack test.

Set Windows User Account / Logon Password

Now I admit setting a Windows password is not very creative, but this is a method worth mentioning nevertheless. Why? Not only will this password be required when the computer is booted, you can also protect an active session in many different ways.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ChangeDefaultPassword02.png" alt="how to password protect computer" border="0" />

To set an account password in Windows 7, go to your User Accounts via the Control Panel and ‘change’ your password. Moreover, you should make sure a password is set to title="3 Default Passwords You Must Change & Why" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-default-passwords-change/">protect your Administrator account.

Note that a Windows logon password is a very weak defense since it is rather easy to crack, as outlined in these articles:

• title="3 Ways to Reset Forgotten Windows Administrator Password" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-ways-to-reset-the-forgotten-windows-administrator-password/">3 Ways to Reset Forgotten Windows Administrator Password
• title="5 Tips To Reset The Administrator Password in Windows XP" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tips-to-help-you-reset-a-forgotten-windows-xp-password/">5 Tips To Reset The Administrator Password in Windows XP

Lock Active Session

Clicking the [Windows]+[L] keyboard shortcut will lock your active Windows session. To get back to your desktop requires the Windows password.

For a more ‘transparent’ desktop lock, check out title="ClearLock" href="http://www.swanrivercomputers.com/programs/clearlock">ClearLock, which was reviewed in title="ClearLock – A Cool Transparent Desktop Lock For Windows" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/clearlock-cool-transparent-desktop-lock-windows/">this article.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/02a-The-computer-is-locked.jpg" alt="how to password protect your computer" border="0" />

Enable Wakeup Password

Do you use Hibernate or Sleep? Enable a password on wakeup in your title="Windows 7 Power Options And Sleep Modes Explained" href="Windows 7 Power Options And Sleep Modes Explained">Power Plan’s advanced power settings.

Search and open > Power Plan from the Windows 7 start menu, then click > Change plan settings on your present Power Plan, click > Change advanced power settings in the bottom left. Expand the first item within the Power Options advanced settings and select > Yes. Click > OK and > Save changes.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/CreativePassword02.png" alt="how to password protect computer" border="0" />

Enable Screen Saver Password

To set a password when returning to the desktop from the screensaver, right-click your desktop and select > Personalize. Click on > Screen Saver in the bottom right. In the Screen Saver Settings check the box next to > On resume, display login screen. Click > Apply or > OK to save changes.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/CreativePassword03.png" alt="screen saver password" border="0" />

Password-Free Lock Options

If you’re not keen on using passwords, but do want to lock your computer, have a look at these alternative methods:

• title="Two Unique Ways To Log Into Your Windows Computer Without Typing A Password" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/unique-ways-log-windows-computer-typing-password/">Two Unique Ways To Log Into Your Windows Computer Without Typing A Password
• title="Lock Your Computer with Bluetooth Proximity Lock Utility" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/lock-windows-computer-bluetooth-proximity-lock-utility/">Lock Your Computer with Bluetooth Proximity Lock Utility
• title="3 Ways To Lock Your Keyboard & Mouse And Keep Your Computer Safe From Unwanted Guests [Windows]" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-ways-lock-keyboard-mouse-computer-safe-unwanted-guests-windows/">3 Ways To Lock Your Keyboard & Mouse And Keep Your Computer Safe From Unwanted Guests

Conclusion

There are many ways and places to set passwords. They will certainly keep the average user from accessing your computer and getting hold of your data. However, as mentioned above, it’s possible to hack, crack, or circumvent passwords and often this is an easy task for an experienced user. The following articles highlight this dilemma:

• title="Ophcrack – A Password Hack Tool to Crack Almost Any Windows Password" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/hack-windows-passwords-with-ophcrack/">Ophcrack – A Password Hack Tool to Crack Almost Any Windows Password
• title="How To View Passwords Hidden Behind Asterisk Characters" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-recover-passwords-from-asterisk-characters/">How To View Passwords Hidden Behind Asterisk Characters
• title="6 Free Password Recovery Tools for Windows" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-free-password-recovery-tools-for-windows/">6 Free Password Recovery Tools for Windows

Rather than depending on a single password, be sure to secure your data in many different ways and consider to title="TrueCrypt" href="http://www.truecrypt.org/">encrypt your confidential and sensitive data.

Do you even bother settings standard Windows passwords? Do you use any alternative or creative methods of securing your computer?

Image credits: title="Password Lock" href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=44569345">myVector

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class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/screenshot1428.jpg" alt="multiple user accounts on ipad" />I share my precious iPad with three other members of my family, and with occasional guests who drop by from time to time. Each user has his or her own e-mail and Facebook accounts, which typically means they have to log out of my accounts to access theirs. This is not a huge problem, but since Apple has already established a multiple sign-in accounts feature for Macs, it only makes sense to have something similar for iOS devices.

Perhaps Apple hasn’t added this feature because secretly it would like to have each member of the family own their own iPad. Well, until that happens, the developers at Ghori Networks have created a workable solution, called href="http://www.ourpadapp.com/">Our Pad. The name might not be exciting, but the features this application offers may very be useful to those of us who share their iPad with other people.

How It Works

With Our Pad, you and other members of your family or group can set up separate accounts for signing into e-mail and social networking sites, including Facebook, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, and Twitter.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/screenshot1430.jpg" alt="multiple user accounts on ipad" width="363" height="481" border="0" />

As Ghori Networks states :

Passwords for your accounts are not transferred anywhere and are strictly managed within the device using the Apple Keychain lockbox.

This setup simply saves users the trouble of having to sign out of and into similar accounts.

You sign out of a user account by pressing the Home button or by tapping your name. If you forget to sign out, Our Pad will automatically sign you out when your iPad is idle or when it goes to sleep.

Adding Accounts

Adding accounts in Our Pad is pretty easy. When you launch the application, it asks you for the name of a user. You could also simply add an alternate account for say work related sites.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IMG_1014.jpg" alt="multiple ipad accounts" width="432" height="360" border="0" />

In the next screen you draw what is called a long pattern to unlock the account. You should make that pattern as easy or as difficult as it needs to be depending upon the user and the level of security needed. This lock pattern feature is what many iPad users would probably like to see used for logging into the iPad itself.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IMG_1012.jpg" alt="multiple ipad accounts" width="435" height="580" border="0" />

If you forget your lock pattern, you will need to delete the user account in question and set it up again.

After clicking the next button, you simply add the accounts that you want to log into. The username and password for each account will be saved so that you do not have to type them in again.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IMG_1008.jpg" alt="multiple ipad accounts" width="435" height="580" border="0" />

Once you’re set up, you can easily switch between your established email and social networking accounts. In my test of the application, I find Our Pad to be amazingly fast and intuitive.

Fortunately, you can also change the name of and/or reset the log-in pattern for existing accounts, as well delete them altogether.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IMG_1009.jpg" alt="multiple user accounts on ipad" width="435" height="399" border="0" />

I’m not a big fan of the app’s design, but I’m very hopeful about the future potential of this iPad-only application.

Wish List

Ghori Networks has already said that future updates of this application will include other sites. The developers invite you to let them know about different web-based services you would like to see added.

It would be great if Apple added the ability to access multiple user accounts on iPad so that each user has their own set of applications and user settings. No doubt this will occur in future versions of the iPad, but for now Ghori Networks provides a practical solution that many of us iPad owners will want to use.

Let us know what you think of Our Pad, which is free for a limited time.

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class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/YouTubeSquareLogo.png" alt="" />The worlds most popular way to share and watch videos has received a small update that brings a few improvements. href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube has quietly rolled out these new features, and while they won’t necessarily revolutionize the way you watch and create videos on href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube, they are some very nice changes that keep them ahead of the pack in terms of creating and watching videos on the web.

The first change this new update brings is with the screen that comes up when you finish watching a video. The new end of video screen is more like a mosaic, making it easier to find exactly what you want to watch next. It’s a small change, but it is one that makes finding more content similar to what you just watched a little easier, plus it looks a lot nicer than the old one.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/end_of_video-e1319226004459.png" alt="" width="580" height="352" />

The next change comes in the playlist bar. The video images are larger now, making it easier to see what the video looks like, and decide if it is something that is worth your time. They also improve the placement of the next and previous buttons for easier navigation between videos.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/playlist.png" alt="" width="455" height="44" />

href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube also improved their charts feature. Charts is the feature that allows you to see what videos are the most popular, and they streamlined it to make it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/charts1-e1319226088870.png" alt="" width="580" height="539" />

They also added localization for more countries such as Kenya, Singapore and the Philippines, bringing their total to 35 countries.

The last change is a partnership with cloud-based video editing service WeVideo for creators.

Source: href="http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2011/10/youtube-release-notes-updated-video-end.html" rel="nofollow">YouTube Official Blog

href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/youtube-improve-user-experience-news/">YouTube Makes Some Changes To Improve User Experience [News] is a post from: href="http://www.makeuseof.com">MakeUseOf

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class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/google-plus-search.jpg" alt="google plus users" />It’s weird that Google (a search engine in the first place) has created its own social network without giving users the ability to search for other users’ real-time updates. There’s an option to search for users – which works much like Facebook’s people search – start typing and people will be suggested instantly. It works primarily by matching words you are typing with users’ names and emails. But how about searching for what people are talking about on Google Plus?

Would you like to know what random users are saying about the movie you are considering? Or a book you are looking for? Would you like to find friends based on what they are saying on Google Plus?  Here’s how to do it.

Use Google Advanced Operator

While there’s no better and straightforward way to restrict Google search results to only updates posted on Google Plus, there is a combination of advanced operators to make it work:

• site:plus.google.com – to limit search results to the Google Plus subdomain
• inurl:posts/* – to limit search results to users’ updates (and to prevent it from searching for user bios, usernames, etc).

Now just add your search term:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/google-plus-search-01.jpg" alt="google plus users" width="526" height="374" />

You can now play with the handy Google Sidebar options to filter results by date. For example, you can search only for Google Plus updates posted in the past 24 hours:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/google-plus-search-02.jpg" alt="google plus status update" width="550" height="365" />

Obviously, this search supports all useful advanced Google operators. Please read about using Google operators you can play with in our previously published posts:

• class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/master-the-google-search-like-a-god-save-time/">Master the Google Operands – Search Like a God & Save Time
• class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-ways-reduce-irrelevant-results-google-search/">6 Ways To Reduce Irrelevant Results On Google Search
• class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-google-tricks-search/">3 Google Tricks When You Don’t Know What to Search For
• class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-ways-to-search-by-date-on-google/">6 Ways To Search ‘By Date’ On Google

Add Google Plus Update Search To Your Browser

If you plan to use Google Plus update search regularly, consider adding it to your browser.

Google Chrome

There are a number of new extensions that add Google Plus search to the Chrome browser. Here are two possible options to try:

• class="vt-p" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hehfpbphnjppmganambkgdnkfliaipgd">Helper for Google+ (we have mentioned this extension in our post on class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-tools-cross-promote-google-shares-twitter-facebook-chrome/">cross-promoting Google Plus shares on Twitter and Facebook) – this installs Google+ custom search in the Chrome address bar.

To use the search, type “Plus” in the address bar, then click the “Tab” key and finally type the search term:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/google-plus-search-03.jpg" alt="google plus status update" width="342" height="104" />

• class="vt-p" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ebbcodgnlfnckpobkamalpagoknhpbna">Search Extension for Google Plus: This extension works from the toolbar icon. Click the icon and start typing in the search box.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/google-plus-search-04.jpg" alt="google plus status update" width="380" height="172" />

You can then filter the search results to show:

• All results.
• Only users’ posts.
• Only profiles.
• Only posts from Buzz.
• Only posts from Google Reader.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/google-plus-search-05.jpg" alt="status updates on google" width="474" height="356" />

I wish there was a way to configure the interface of search results as I found browsing through one-color list of links somewhat difficult. There’s also no way to sort the results by date.

Firefox

class="vt-p" href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/google-plus-search/">Google Plus Search is a search plugin (which means it gets installed into your browser class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/2-great-addons-improve-firefoxs-search-bar/">search box) that connects you to Google custom search. It is configured to search through Google+ users’ updates:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/google-plus-search-06.jpg" alt="google plus users" width="550" height="327" />

Here’s also a detailed instruction on class="vt-p" href="http://www.iliadraznin.com/2011/07/google-plus-search-shortcuts-firefox/">setting up Google+ search shortcuts in Firefox.

Have you tried playing with Google+ update search? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-google-user-updates/">How To Search For Google Plus User Updates is a post from: href="http://www.makeuseof.com">MakeUseOf

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class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/intro4.jpg" alt="amazon reviews" />Niche products on the Internet are often the subject of ridicule, especially on big retail websites like class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-amazon-price-watch-trackers-bargain-hunter/">Amazon where user feedback is encouraged. Often these “reviews” make for a hilarious read, as communities around the net pick up on and continue to class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/overview-internet-memes-quickly-create/">share the joke.

Over the years Amazon has taken down a considerable number of these parody reviews, though many still remain. These products have some of the funniest and cleverest reviews on the Internet, with some racking up hundreds of sarcastic submissions from would-be class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/watch-your-favorite-stand-up-comedians-online-on-youtube/">comedians.

Each item has at least a page or two of content, so there should be enough here to stop you doing any real shopping today!

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B000JU8FXK/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1">Katie Price & Peter Andre – A Whole New World

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/newworld.png" alt="amazon reviews" width="566" height="382" />

For those of you not familiar with Katie Price (or “Jordan” as she is known) and Peter Andre then I refer you to around 15 seconds (or however much you can stand) of class="vt-p" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLS29AE6rqw&feature=related">this video. Acquainted? Good, because the reviews on Amazon probably (don’t) sum up exactly how you’re feeling.

“If you can imagine a soothing blend of jojoba oils, vanilla, and WD40 being poured into both ear holes simultaneously, then you will have only been able to scratch the surface of the feast of pleasure that is Katie And Pete’s “A Whole New World” Album” class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R10GZDETFKC9IT/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R10GZDETFKC9IT">wrote one fan, and there are many more who were equally as moved.

“We still use it in the Accident and Emergency ward at work as an alternative anaesthetic; it’s cheap, and it renders the unsuspecting patient motionless and numbed,” claimed class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2CM18RUG8OLCV/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000JU8FXK&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">a punter.

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/JL421-Badonkadonk-Land-Cruiser-Tank/dp/B00067F1CE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top">JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser/Tank

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/tank.png" alt="amazon reader reviews" width="519" height="463" />

Whoever thought that putting a tank up for sale on Amazon was a good idea probably didn’t think it through. The item has actually been out of stock for years, though the 250+ customer reviews remain strong.

However, this battle-ready behemoth has clearly touched a few hearts: “For urban driving, the Badonkadonk is terrific; equipped with an upgraded 400 terawatt subwoofer, it strikes terror wherever it goes. When we get stalled on the George Washington Bridge, we pull out the lounge chairs and watch reruns of “Knight Rider” on the DVD player,” admitted class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R1RWBK8NMEC2EJ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00067F1CE&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">a fan.

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R1F6J3UPWQAQMT/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00067F1CE&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">According to Ron, the Badonkadonk has even settled neighbourhood disputes: “My neighbors used to get mad when the dog “Wally” would use their yard as a bathroom — not any more. In fact, they don’t get mad when I do it either.”

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B000JTOYLS/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1">Bic Crystal Ballpoint Pen

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/bic.png" alt="amazon reader reviews" width="521" height="421" />

This little collection goes to show that even the cheapest and most basic items aren’t safe from the Internet’s sense of humour – pens that cost a mere 25 pence (41 cents). “Worked fine with my right hand, but when I came to use my left hand my writing came out looking like the work of a complete imbecile,” warns class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RIYOZKLCG4DEZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000JTOYLS&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">one shopper.

Importers beware, class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R297JZRNT3T1N3/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000JTOYLS&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">apparently this one’s region locked: “Because of the region differences, my imported pen will not work with region 1 8 1/2 x 11 inch letter-size paper – it only works on European (A4 and such) paper … I have looked up some so called “gray paper” import companies but I don’t know if I altogether trust them.”

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/Tuscan-Whole-Milk-Gallon-128/dp/B00032G1S0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1307346522&sr=8-3">Tuscan Whole Milk (1 Gallon)

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/milk.png" alt="amazon reader reviews" width="571" height="506" />

Personally I’d recommend not buying foodstuffs from Amazon, and a few reviewers clearly feel the same way. In fact there are over 1,000 reviews for this gallon jug of milk, with the finest arguably being class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RXXPVOUH9NLL3/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RXXPVOUH9NLL3">this lengthy poem and a class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RKT07YYORZMZE/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00032G1S0&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">tale of milk and love.

Greg, however, found class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RLB3INH8S1ILL/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00032G1S0&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">a few problems “Initial set up of the Tuscan Whole Milk, 1 Gallon, 128 fl oz is easy, just unscrew the cap and remove the liner. It has a surprisingly rich set of standalone and integrated food possibilities and the addition of vitamin D was a bonus … however, I find that this product quickly becomes unstable (even without overclocking) to the point that it is no longer usable.”

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/Male-Testicular-Exam-Model-Anatomy/product-reviews/B0006TYJV6/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending">Male Testicular Exam Model Anatomy

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/anatomy.png" alt="reviews and reader reviews on amazon" width="521" height="394" />

No giggling at the back, this is a valid medical training tool! Then again, you can’t list it on Amazon and not expect the following reviews. Especially when you’re charging close to $150…

Stuck for gift ideas? So was class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3Q4GB0A92WN1G/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0006TYJV6&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">one reviewer: “I was going to give my wife a pair of diamond stud earrings, and my kids were going to get an Xbox w/Kinect, but now, nuh-uh. It’s male testicular exam models for everyone!”

“WOW!” class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R23QZ1Z5GHCHVJ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0006TYJV6&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">writes LeeAnne, “what a difference they have made in my life. No longer do I quake with fear at the slightest stressor. I am able to stride forward in my life with confidence…the kind of confidence that only a set of hairless, tumor-riddled testicles can give you.”

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B002DGFYFA/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1">Original Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/threewolf.jpg" alt="amazon reviews" width="580" height="261" />

Probably the most famous Amazon product for all the wrong reasons, this class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/bought-makeuseof-tshirt/">t-shirt featuring not one, not two but three wolves all howling at the moon in unison has been celebrated with some of the funniest and most far-fetched reviews on the site.

class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R6O9KCYIO3634/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B002DGFYFA&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">Some elude to its incredible power: “I can honestly say I’ve never looked back. I don’t wear anything else. Literally. Sure, I’ve been arrested in every major supermarket for being naked from the waist down and limited washing has meant that I smell faintly of mushroom, but the wolves are a greater power and I no longer recognise Earth’s laws.”

Whereas class="vt-p" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R14GAT1RRSXEV1/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B002DGFYFA&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">others warn against it: “I cannot recommend purchase of this shirt. Though its attractions are obvious and keenly felt by me I believe that it puts its wearer on a different plane to the other humans which – while flattering – will ultimately lead to isolation and loneliness.”

Check them all out, they’re great.

Conclusion

You can pretty much class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tips-on-how-to-buy-and-sell-better-on-ebay/">sell anything on the Internet these days but you’re always at risk of attracting this kind of attention (sometimes with even the most mundane products). I dare say some of the products featured here have enjoyed boosted sales, better exposure and ultimately stick in the mind of those who have read the reviews.

Have you got any favourite funny Amazon reviews? Any ridiculous products you’ve found lately? Let us know in the comments!

 

Read comments: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/funny-amazon-reviews-6-items-feature-hilarious-user-feedback/#disqus_thread">Loved it? Hated it? Join discussion here …

 

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class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/betttertrackpad.png" border="0" alt="trackpad software" />For several years now the powerful Preferences program, href="http://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/">SteerMouse has been one of my favorite and most used tools on my Mac. SteerMouse allows you to customize the buttons on your USB or Bluetooth to activate keystroke menu items and other mouse button actions. For me, using this program is ten times faster than memorizing and typing keyboard shortcuts.

It’s especially useful for Mac users who do lots of work in applications like iPhoto or Aperture, or who surf the web. It enables you, with the click of a button, to close tabs in Safari, delete email messages, save a document, and much, much more without lifting your hand off the mouse.

id="more-67024"> /> Now that same powerful technology can be used with Apple’s MagicMouse, Magic Trackpad and the trackpad on Mac laptops. The application is aptly called href="http://blog.boastr.net/">BetterTouchTool, and in my view it should get the title of Application Of The Year. Let me explain why.

What It Does

width="580" height="430"> name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aFmB3XCva_Y?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aFmB3XCva_Y?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="430">

If you‘re a Trackpad or Magic Trackpad user, you’ll know that you can configure two, three, and four-finger gestures to perform certain actions on your Mac.  This includes activating Exposé, swiping Left/Right to switch applications, or using two fingers to rotate an image in Preview. Well, BetterTouchTool is finger gesturing on steroids. Yes, it’s a cliché but it’s the best way to describe it.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/muoscreenshot297.jpg" border="0" alt="trackpad software" width="580" height="446" />

BetterTouchTool includes a list of over 100 gestures and actions that you can customize for your trackpad or Magic Mouse. I was salivating over the number of possibilities this application will provide for navigating my MacBook Air.

With BetterTouchTool you can set gestures to, for example, open a file or URL, sleep your computer, create a new file in a current folder, show the window switcher for an active app, hide or show all windows; and if you have two monitors, you can set a swipe gesture to quickly move your main screen to your secondary one. Now that’s totally sweet!

How To Set It Up

The href="http://blog.boastr.net/?page_id=1619#firsteps">instructions on the website are pretty clear, but in a nutshell when you first launch the application, its Preferences window will appear. You can also access the application from your computer’s menu bar. You can set actions for your Magic Mouse, Trackpad/Magic Trackpad, Keyboard and Normal Mouse.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/gestures.png" border="0" alt="trackpad software mac" width="580" height="400" />

In the Preferences window, you can select which device you want to set gestures for. In this example I have selected the Magic Trackpad. Next you click the “+Add new gesture,“ and then you click on the Touchpad Gesture pop-up menu button to get the long list of gestures, which include “Single Finger Tap Top Middle“, “Three Tap Bottom“, “Triangle Swipe Top Left Corner“, “Single Finger Tap Top Right“….there are over 50 gestures, including “11 Finger Tap/Whole Hand“ for the ultimate power gesture.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/gesturelist.png" border="0" alt="trackpad software mac" width="500" height="485" />

Next, you click the Predefined Action pop-up menu to set the action you want your gesture to perform.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/actionlist2.png" border="0" alt="trackpad software mac" width="246" height="580" />

So for example, I set “Three Finger Tap” to open the MakeUseOf website. I  set a “Single Finger Tap Top Left” to mute the sound on my Mac.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/muoscreenshot298.png" border="0" alt="magic trackpad application" width="540" height="181" />

As you can do with SteerMouse, you can set BetterTouchTool to perform a certain action only in a particular application. So for example, you may use “TipSwipe Left Finger Down” to close out individual tabs in Safari.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/safariapp.jpg" border="0" alt="magic trackpad application" width="580" height="102" />

Advanced Features

There are advanced features that you will need to spend some time figuring out. One feature includes Window Snapping which will maximize or re-size a window when it move to the edge or side of your computer screen.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/muoscreenshot299.png" border="0" alt="magic trackpad application" width="580" height="229" />

The developer warns that there are some Preference settings you probably should not bother with, but as you learn and observe how the program works, how your gestures behave, and what you have for setting various preferences, you might want to delve deeper into BetterTouchTool. For example you might need to change the sensitivity settings for tapping your trackpad, say because you have a pretty heavy or light hand, or you may need to change the Trackpad speed for how the cursor moves.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/liveview.png" border="0" alt="Liveview" width="487" height="563" />

If you need to get a more accurate sense of the various sides and parts of your Trackpad or Magic Mouse, BetterTouchTool includes a Live View to show the most previous action performed. This may help work out problems with complex gestures you’re trying to set.

No doubt after you spend time creating various actions and setups you will probably want to use them on another Mac or MacBook laptop. Well, BetterTouchTool has you covered, because you can both export and import your actions.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/donate.png" border="0" alt="trackpad software" width="384" height="68" />

All this makes for a professional grade application, which on top of all that is free. The developer only asks for a well deserved donation, and he will be getting mine shortly.

I‘m not sure if there’s another application like this for the Mac trackpad, but if there is let us know about it. Plus, let us know what you think of BetterTouchTool, the application of the year, in my view. />
/>Do you like MakeUseOf articles? Don’t forget to target="_blank" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/share-share-share-spread-word/">share our articles with others! It’s really important to us. />
/>

 

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class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/0-fbfd-intro.png" alt="facebook tips" width="233" height="233" />We have written a lot of articles about Facebook in the past. For the hardcore Facebook fanatics out there, we’ve shown you how to class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-4-cool-ways-customise-facebook-profile/">customize your profile, add class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/add-facebook-widgets-buttons-website/">widgets and buttons to your website, save your class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/save-complete-facebook-chat-history/">chat history and customize your class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/customize-facebook-fan-page-welcome-tab/">fan page, as well as adding dozens of other class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/add-dozens-features-facebook-account-ffixer/">cool features to your account. We’ve also taken you behind the scenes to see how class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/facebook-work-nuts-bolts-technology-explained/">Facebook works.

Don’t have a Facebook account? Last time I checked, there were more than 500 million people in the world, so I know there are a few of you. If you are new to Facebook, there are some tips you should definitely do on your newly created account that take priority over everything else. In this article, I’ll show you what those things are.

id="more-57222">

I Created A Facebook Account, Now What?

The first thing Facebook recommends that you do upon creating a new account is locate your friends via your email address. This is funny to me, because it’s actually the last thing I think you should do when you first create an account.

Why would you want to start friending people when you have a blank profile?

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25_1935_001.png" alt="facebook tips" width="448" height="325" />

In the next step, Facebook asks you to fill out your profile information. I suggest skipping this step as well, at least for now. Besides, they only ask you for your high school, college/university, and employer information, most likely because they don’t want to overwhelm you.

Step 3 we can do, so that is where I would like to start.

1. Upload A Profile Picture

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25_1936.png" alt="facebook useful tips" width="565" height="350" />

Facebook is called Facebook for a reason. Before adding friends it’s important that you have a profile picture, preferably of yourself so everybody will recognize you. I don’t have any statistics on this, but I’d say less than 1 percent of legitimate accounts don’t have a profile picture. It’s a rarity.

If you need a more practical reason to upload a profile picture, you’ll be pleased to learn that once you do this step, you will get a new tab on your profile: the Photos tab. This is where you’ll go later on to create photo albums to share your experiences with others.

2. Tweak Your Privacy Settings

You were probably wondering when I would get to the Facebook privacy issue, so lets get it out of the way now. Facebook has a multitude of privacy settings that control everything about your profile, how it’s viewed by others, found in search and accessed by applications.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25_2258.png" alt="facebook useful tips" width="522" height="330" />

To view your settings, just go up to your Account tab and select Privacy Settings. Once there, you can click Customize settings to begin altering them to meet your needs.

If you want to learn more about these settings, check out our latest guide, class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-unofficial-facebook-privacy-guide/">The (Very) Unofficial Facebook Privacy Guide.

3. Fill Out Your Profile Information

Now it’s time to fill out your profile information. If you head over to your Profile page, click on the Info tab and select Edit, you will have all kinds of fields to fill out information about yourself.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-26_1440.png" alt="facebook tips and tricks" width="536" height="372" />

You can choose to fill out as much or as little information as you like here. If you’ve taken your privacy settings into account and feel confident with who will be viewing your profile, you can list more information than you maybe would have otherwise.

4. Join A Network

Once you’ve filled out your basic information, likes and interests, education and work, etc. you should join a network. Once again, head up to your Account tab and go to Account Settings. Then, click on the Networks tab.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-26_1443.png" alt="facebook tips and tricks" width="295" height="273" />

Facebook networks typically consist of colleges, regions and places of work. For instance, the two networks I belong to are Penn State (my college) and VaynerMedia (my employer). One network is enough, but if you want to be able to share and connect with more people, you can join more.

5. Set Up A Username

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-26_1439.png" alt="facebook tips and tricks" width="543" height="148" />

Although you’ve missed the gold-rush on this one, I still think it’s important for you to claim whatever username you can. On the Settings tab in your Account Settings, click on Username to claim your vanity URL (e.g. facebook.com/stevenjcampbell). It will ask you to verify your account via text message before allowing you to pick your name.

As a word of advice, try to use your real name here if you can. Facebook profiles are really close to becoming our online identities if you ask me, and it’s important to claim your name from a personal branding standpoint.

[Bonus] Find Your Friends

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25_1935.png" alt="facebook tips" width="473" height="322" />

Now it’s time to add your friends. Chances are you will find a lot of them in the same network(s) you’ve chosen, but you can search for them using your email contacts and standard Facebook search as well. If you completed the steps above, they will have a nice, professional looking profile to look at when they first accept your friend request, rather than a barren wasteland.

Are you excited about getting a shiny new Facebook account now? If you already have a profile, is there anything you’d like to add? />
/> Hey Facebookers, make sure to check out href="http://www.facebook.com/makeuseof">MakeUseOf page on Facebook. Over 24,000 fans already!

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style="border: 0px none;margin-left:20px;float:right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/systempreferenceicon1.png" alt="mac preferences" />In href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/15-system-preferences-items-mac-user-mac/">part 1 of this article, I covered some basic items in Apple’s Snow Leopard System Preferences. In this second part, we’ll cover a few more basic items—and for some Mac users, perhaps a couple of hidden items which are not regularly used. I’m skipping over the Internet & Wireless items in System Preferences—namely because I assume if you’re reading this that you have your Internet connection set up properly.

MakeUseOf has also published a few other articles on wireless connections that you might find useful. Those include “ href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-share-the-internet-connection-between-your-mac-and-a-pc/">How to Share the Internet Connection Between Mac and PC“ and another article on href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-easily-share-files-across-mac-windows-computers/">sharing file between Mac and Windows computers. There’s also an article on href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/safely-restrict-your-kids-computer-access-with-parental-controls-mac/">setting parental controls on your Mac. Not to be missed, MakeUseOf’s handy PDF guide: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download-free-mac-manual">The Mac Manual.

id="more-50709"> /> Here are the preference items we’ll be looking at.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/systempreferencept2.jpg" alt="mac preferences"/>

Energy Saver

Though computers are nothing more than machines, they still need their rest — not only to maintain performance but also to save energy. In Energy Saver, you can set controls for when to put your computer to sleep, as well set times for it to shut down and start back up (click the Schedule button to set shut-down and restart times). I personally only restart my computer about once a week, but I do make sure it automatically put to sleep when not in use.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/energysaver.png" />

Software Update

One of the best ways to keep your computer in tip-top shape is to keep it backed up and updated with the latest versions of software. When Apple releases the latest version of its operating system or software, it will send a notice to your computer to download and install that update. If you want to find out whether you missed one or more updates, click on the Check Now button and it will verify if you need to update the operating system or other Apple software installed on your Mac. Note, however, that it will not check for third party applications.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/softwareupdate1.png" />

Clicking on the Installed Software button will reveal what versions of Apple software are already installed on your computer. You can also run this check by clicking on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of your Mac‘s menu bar and selecting Software Update.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/softwareupdate2.png" />

Text to Speech

MakeUseOf has already covered the href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/having-a-conversation-with-your-mac-computer/">Speech Recognition feature of System Preferences, but there’s also a feature called Text to Speech which is a handy tool for having your computer read aloud text. I have often use this feature for when I’m too tired to read articles or when I‘m editing my writing. It’s of course also useful for Mac users with impaired eyesight.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/texttospeech.png" />

If you want to use this feature, you can set a keyboard shortcut to activate it. After doing so, select some text in any application, such as Mail, and then hit your assigned keyboard shortcut. The computer will read the text aloud.

Also, if you want or need additional computer voice assistance, click on the Open Universal Access Preferences for several useful features.

Date & Time

No doubt by default, you already have the date and time clock set up on your Mac; it can be done automatically. But if you ever need an audio timer, such as for work purposes, you can set one up in Date & Time, in which your Mac will announce the time on the hour, every thirty or every fifteen minutes. This is not a feature you will run 24/7 but it’s a quasi built-in timer that might come in handy.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/clockannouncement.png" />

Time Machine

I know of no better and easier back up system than Apple‘s Time Machine. If you’re not using it, you should. All that is required is an external hard drive, of say 500 or more gigabytes. Attach it to your computer and open the Time Machine item in System Preferences. From there, click the Select Disk button to do the initial setup. You can click the Options button to selectively exclude data on your computer that you don’t want backed up. Read this href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/online-resources-learn-apples-time-machine/">article for additional information about Time Machine.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/timemachine.png" />

Startup Disk

If you ever need to troubleshoot your Mac or test out some questionable software on another hard drive, use the Startup Disk feature. You will need to have a bootable href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-to-clone-and-copy-your-hard-drive/">backup drive connected to your computer to use this feature.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/startupdisk.png" />

Other

If the last section, Other, of your System Preferences is not very populated, you’re probably missing out on many useful plug-ins and enhancements for your Mac. One particular item that every Mac user will want installed in this area is the href="http://growl.info/">Growl notification program. This free plug-in literally works with hundreds of href="http://growl.info/applications.php">Apple and third-party applications.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/otherpreferences-1.png" />

If you ever need to remove items in this section, it can easily be done by right- or Control-clicking on the plug-in or application and selecting the Remove… button.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/removeplugin.png" alt="mac preferences"/>

You may not open System Preferences on a regular basis, but knowing about its powerful features can enhance what you do on your Mac. Let us know about overlooked features in System Preferences that you think should have been covered in our two-part article.

Again, if you’re a new Mac user, check out MakeUseOf’s handy PDF guide on how to overcome the fear of switching and a couple of Mac apps you have to try – href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download-free-mac-manual">The Mac Manual. />
/> Hey Facebookers, make sure to check out href="http://www.facebook.com/makeuseof">MakeUseOf page on Facebook. Over 24,000 fans already!

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/>

 

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style="border: 0px none;margin-left:20px;float:right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/systempreferenceicon1.png" alt="mac preferences" />In href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/15-system-preferences-items-mac-user-mac/">part 1 of this article, I covered some basic items in Apple’s Snow Leopard System Preferences. In this second part, we’ll cover a few more basic items—and for some Mac users, perhaps a couple of hidden items which are not regularly used. I’m skipping over the Internet & Wireless items in System Preferences—namely because I assume if you’re reading this that you have your Internet connection set up properly.

MakeUseOf has also published a few other articles on wireless connections that you might find useful. Those include “ href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-share-the-internet-connection-between-your-mac-and-a-pc/">How to Share the Internet Connection Between Mac and PC“ and another article on href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-easily-share-files-across-mac-windows-computers/">sharing file between Mac and Windows computers. There’s also an article on href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/safely-restrict-your-kids-computer-access-with-parental-controls-mac/">setting parental controls on your Mac. Not to be missed, MakeUseOf’s handy PDF guide: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download-free-mac-manual">The Mac Manual.

id="more-50709"> /> Here are the preference items we’ll be looking at.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/systempreferencept2.jpg" alt="mac preferences"/>

Energy Saver

Though computers are nothing more than machines, they still need their rest — not only to maintain performance but also to save energy. In Energy Saver, you can set controls for when to put your computer to sleep, as well set times for it to shut down and start back up (click the Schedule button to set shut-down and restart times). I personally only restart my computer about once a week, but I do make sure it automatically put to sleep when not in use.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/energysaver.png" />

Software Update

One of the best ways to keep your computer in tip-top shape is to keep it backed up and updated with the latest versions of software. When Apple releases the latest version of its operating system or software, it will send a notice to your computer to download and install that update. If you want to find out whether you missed one or more updates, click on the Check Now button and it will verify if you need to update the operating system or other Apple software installed on your Mac. Note, however, that it will not check for third party applications.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/softwareupdate1.png" />

Clicking on the Installed Software button will reveal what versions of Apple software are already installed on your computer. You can also run this check by clicking on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of your Mac‘s menu bar and selecting Software Update.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/softwareupdate2.png" />

Text to Speech

MakeUseOf has already covered the href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/having-a-conversation-with-your-mac-computer/">Speech Recognition feature of System Preferences, but there’s also a feature called Text to Speech which is a handy tool for having your computer read aloud text. I have often use this feature for when I’m too tired to read articles or when I‘m editing my writing. It’s of course also useful for Mac users with impaired eyesight.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/texttospeech.png" />

If you want to use this feature, you can set a keyboard shortcut to activate it. After doing so, select some text in any application, such as Mail, and then hit your assigned keyboard shortcut. The computer will read the text aloud.

Also, if you want or need additional computer voice assistance, click on the Open Universal Access Preferences for several useful features.

Date & Time

No doubt by default, you already have the date and time clock set up on your Mac; it can be done automatically. But if you ever need an audio timer, such as for work purposes, you can set one up in Date & Time, in which your Mac will announce the time on the hour, every thirty or every fifteen minutes. This is not a feature you will run 24/7 but it’s a quasi built-in timer that might come in handy.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/clockannouncement.png" />

Time Machine

I know of no better and easier back up system than Apple‘s Time Machine. If you’re not using it, you should. All that is required is an external hard drive, of say 500 or more gigabytes. Attach it to your computer and open the Time Machine item in System Preferences. From there, click the Select Disk button to do the initial setup. You can click the Options button to selectively exclude data on your computer that you don’t want backed up. Read this href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/online-resources-learn-apples-time-machine/">article for additional information about Time Machine.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/timemachine.png" />

Startup Disk

If you ever need to troubleshoot your Mac or test out some questionable software on another hard drive, use the Startup Disk feature. You will need to have a bootable href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-to-clone-and-copy-your-hard-drive/">backup drive connected to your computer to use this feature.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/startupdisk.png" />

Other

If the last section, Other, of your System Preferences is not very populated, you’re probably missing out on many useful plug-ins and enhancements for your Mac. One particular item that every Mac user will want installed in this area is the href="http://growl.info/">Growl notification program. This free plug-in literally works with hundreds of href="http://growl.info/applications.php">Apple and third-party applications.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/otherpreferences-1.png" />

If you ever need to remove items in this section, it can easily be done by right- or Control-clicking on the plug-in or application and selecting the Remove… button.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/removeplugin.png" alt="mac preferences"/>

You may not open System Preferences on a regular basis, but knowing about its powerful features can enhance what you do on your Mac. Let us know about overlooked features in System Preferences that you think should have been covered in our two-part article.

Again, if you’re a new Mac user, check out MakeUseOf’s handy PDF guide on how to overcome the fear of switching and a couple of Mac apps you have to try – href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download-free-mac-manual">The Mac Manual. />
/> Hey Facebookers, make sure to check out href="http://www.facebook.com/makeuseof">MakeUseOf page on Facebook. Over 24,000 fans already!

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Note: This information applies only to the password for logging in to the Windows XP operating system. If you have forgotten your password for logging in to a computer running the Windows XP operating system, there are a few different options: If you created a password reset disk for windows XP, you can use that disk to reset the password on your acount. For more information on how to create and use password reset disks go to the the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

If you want to know another utility way to reset the password of any user that has a valid local account on your XP system, by modifying the crypted password in the registrys SAM file. You do not need to know the old password to set a new one.

Windows password key 8.0.

http://www.lostwindowspassword.com

It works excellent, that is, easy to solved your problem just take you 5 minutes. It also creates a password recovery CD/DVD,USB Flash Drive for home, business and enterprise.

Download here:

http://www.lostwindowspassword.com/downloads/Windows_Password_Key_Demo.exe

Today I also want to talk “Administrator Account Not Used for Logon“

The administrator account and password created during setup are used to log on in safe mode only. To create a password for user accounts, double-click manage users in control panel.

 Therefore, if you are propted for the user name and password (or if you are prompted only for the password) when you use the net use command(but not because you used an asterisk[*] in the net use command for password prompting) and the /savecred switch, the credentials are saved.

 (1) When you type the net use * \\ computer_name \ share_name /savecred command, the user is prompted for a user name, and then the user is prompted for a password.

 (2) When you type the net use * \\ computer_name \ share_name /u: domain_name \ user_name /savecred command, the user is prompted for a password.

(3) However, when you type one of the following commands, a key is not created:

net use * \\ computer_name \ share_name * /user: domain_name \ user_name /savecred

-or-

net use * \\ computer_name \ share_name * /savecred /user: domain_name \ user_name

 If you type net help use at a command prompt, more information is displayed about the net use command.

Hope these can help you.

New one from Paladin.

Technology is booming with every passing second, every passing moment. Microsoft Windows was what the revolutionary computers began with. And since then, there has been absolutely no looking back. Microsoft have been trekking the path of glory ever since beginning and have offered the world the best face of technology in the form of Windows. Their novel introduction windows vista is undoubtedly yet another step of Microsoft to keep up the pace with the ever changing techno trends. A line of operating systems, Microsoft vista comes power-packed with numerous cutting edge features and changes which have already taken the computer world by storm. Designed for home computers, business desktops, tablet PCs, laptops, and media center PCs, windows vista was launched to computer hardware and software manufacturers on January 30, 2007. This newer version of windows has lent the computers an altogether different look ostensibly and has added to its functions immensely. Windows Vista has been devised in order to heighten the security level in the windows operating systems as the most common criticism that Windows XP was confronted with was its security vulnerabilities and susceptibility to viruses and similar buffer overflows. The new windows vista is outfitted with inimitable features which are unmatched in quality, reliability and technology. The new and updated graphical user interface complimented with visual style dubbed Windows aero adorn the new stylish look of Microsoft windows. Not only this, a host of other tech-rich functions like innovative search functionality and an assortment of multimedia tools like Windows DVD Maker, and redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems are devised in Windows Vista to boost the overall functionality of the operating system.  

With a passionate aim to heighten the level of communication between the operating systems, Vista uses peer-to-peer technology which simplifies the ritual of online sharing of files and other digital media. The way Windows Vista represents itself is stunning in itself, as compared to the previous two versions. The windows sidebar and the screen switching button add to its glamorous appeal and have added to the distinct and attractive look of the newer operating system. The screen switching button is an enhancement one can enjoy while working on a number of screens, as Vista cascades the screens in a 3D mode in the middle of the screen enabling faster work. And the sidebar too is a heap of small info gadgets fixed onto the side of the screen where one can customize the info gadgets as per usage and needs and then more can be downloaded and added consequently. A sleeker start menu is yet another feature loved by many users. Exploring Windows is easier and faster as everything is made into a breeze with windows vista. Now for all those gadget freaks, who have not yet experienced its power and charisma, you can buy windows vista online and that too within a matter of few minutes or so. It comes in varied versions like windows vista service pack 1 and so on. It is truly worth the investment.

HP Mini 110 XP 1366×768 LED 720P HD series (NW110AV) Cost before shipping and tax $466.98 (bought online at HP) *Color – Black Swirl *Operating system – Genuine Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 *Processor – Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N280 (1.66GHz, 512KB L2, 667Mhz FSB) *Memory – 1GB DDR2 System Memory (1 Dimm) UPGRADED to CRUCIAL 2GB, 200-pin SODIMM, DDR2, PC2-6400, Memory Module CT1001186 *Hard drive -FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 16GB (Solid State Drive Flash Module) *Graphics card – Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with a 5-in-1 Digital Media slot *Display – 10.1″ diagonal HD LED Anti-glare Widescreen Display (1366 x 768) *Personalization – HP Mini Webcam with HP Imprint Finish (Swirl) *Networking – Wireless-G Card *Video Accelerator – Broadcom(R) Crystal HD Enhanced Video accelerator with ArcSoft TotalMedia(TM) Theatre *Keyboard – HP Color Matching Keyboard *Primary battery -6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery *Accessories – HP Bluetooth Nano Dongle *Productivity software – Microsoft(R) Works 9.0 *Carrying cases – HP 10.2″ Mini Sleeve

Spyware is a diverse group of software programs that are undesirable for the computer user, since they transmit information to the Spyware owner without the computer user’s knowledge or consent. The easiest way of keeping your personal computer free from spyware, is to visit one of the many websites that offers free spyware removal for home use. Since the programs are available for free, you can feel free to try out several free spyware removal for home use before you make up your mind.

Since all users have their own personal needs and requirements, you might have to try more than one free spyware removal for home use before you find the one that is perfect for you. You can also browse through some of the many online guides where consumers have rated different free spyware removal for home use. Do not choose a free spyware removal for home use if it is complicated to download or install. There are several free spyware removal for home use available that are very easy to obtain and manage, so you don’t have to tolerate a lot of hassle just because the program is free.

A free spyware removal for home use should not only be able to scan your computer and remove any detected Spyware, it should also alert you every time an attempt to install a spyware program on you computer is made. You should also be able to set the program to automatically block such attempts without bothering you.

As of 2005, a vast majority of the persons who use a computer at home are running one of the Microsoft Windows operating systems. Home users are therefore typically more vulnerable to Spyware infections, since almost all Spyware programs have been developed to target computers using Microsoft Windows operating systems.

If you are currently using any of the Microsoft Windows operating systems on your home computer, you will benefit a lot by downloading and using free spyware removal for home use. Attacks on Linux or other UNIX platforms are much more uncommon. There is however a few Spyware programs designed to infect UNIX platforms, so even a UNIX user can benefit from free spyware removal for home use.

Programs that offered free spyware removal for home use began to appear in 2000. Steve Gibson of Gibson Research was the pioneer that created the first free spyware removal for home use – OptOut. He was soon to be followed by Lavasoft and a programmer named Patrick Kolla that created their own free spyware removal for home use.

The public began to notice the problem with spyware and the need for free spyware removal for home use in 1999, when a very popular game, Elf Bowling, turned out to be a form a spyware. Elf Bowling had spread rapidly among Internet users who appreciated the humorous game, and now they abruptly found out that Elf Bowling had actually been sending private information about them back to the creator of Elf Bowling, Nsoft.

The interest in free spyware removal for home use grew, and eventually several other companies, such as Webroot and Sunbelt Software, launched their own free spyware removal for home use. Today, there are numerous variants of free spyware removal for home use available online from the pioneer companies as well as from newer companies and private programmers. Many of the old Anti-Virus producers, like McAfee, Symantec and Sophos, are today offering free spyware removal for home use as a part of their Anti-Virus solutions.

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