How To Block Websites To Save Your Love Ones From Filthy Sites

Not all websites are worthwhile. The truth is, some of these websites are damaging to your kids along with your family members. We are discussing internet websites whose subject is all about sex, violence, and various mature topics.

I'm certain you don't want yourself to be tempted looking around filthy online sites, neither your kids end up a prey of pornography internet websites. Securring yourself and your family against those sites needs some measures from you.

There are four major tactics to filter undesirable internet websites:

Alter your browser's setting. If you're using Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera etc, you can find most likely an element there which enables you to prohibit unclean internet websites. All you have to try and do is to locate it. If you are using Firefox, you can do this together with these intructions:

1. Click Edit tab.
2. Click Preferences
3. New window will appear, click Content tab
4. Tick “Block Pop-up Windows”.
5. Click Security tab and tick the following: Warn me when sites try to install add-ons, Block reported attack site, and Block reported web forgeries.

Using this method would not thoroughly wipe out your hope to obstruct porno websites or other filthy websites. However at least, it is your very first line of security against unnecessary pop-ups along with unwanted adult software installations.


The second thing is, add Ad Blocker. Nonetheless I do not highly recommend this because doing so may also keep you from remaining informed of the wished advertisements, however this really is one of preventive approaches to safeguard the kids through unwelcome internet websites.


Granted that you are utilizing Firefox as your browser, this can be by means of:

1. Click Tools tab of your Firefox browser.
2. Click Add-Ons.
3. A new window will appear, click “Get Add-Ons” tab.
4. Search for “AdBlock Plus”.
5. Then refer to the manual that will appear out of your browser.


I've been using this Firefox Add-ons for a long time and the like is definitely efficient. And just before I overlook, it includes the feature of stopping it inside your favorite online websites. First line of defense with harmful commercials, this is actually the primary benefit that you can get from this add-on.


Make use of Mac or Linux Os. You should consider this, most of the securities in browsing preferred and dangerous internet sites lies in the configurations of your softwares in your computer system. I enjoy Windows, it is still one of the best operating systems you can get. However, one important thing I seriously hate with Windows, it is very prone to all kinds of viral strikes that also includes automatic installation of malwares which often many times carry links to porn  sites.


With the escalating safety measures, I often recommend that you employ either Linux or Mac. I am not saying though that they are 100% secure. These are susceptible to attacks as well but they are far more risk-free than Windows. The most important obstacle is your adjustment when you change to Linux or Mac. It can be like understanding the concepts of another equipment.


But there's an effective way to eliminate the weakness of Windows. You can use an anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-malware, and all other software program securities. That's fine. The best thing about it is that most security softwares available for sale are Microsoft windows based. The drawback is based on the purchase price and decrease of your Computer performance.


Utilize Porn Blocker. Porn blockers are usually software packages specifically designed and program to block adult internet sites from popping up, and showing up. If we are discussing mature websites, these kind of software programs are the most useful to possess.


Currently, it does not simply block porn  websites but also websites that have adult subjects. And this could be the least difficult and most effective way to secure your laptop from unhealthy internet sites.

It's time to block websites now. Block those filthy sites and protect your children!!!

Continue Reading

Totally Free Anti-Virus Programs

Looking for a totally FREE, no-charge at all anti-virus? Well, you've come to the right place for information. I know two best anti-virus programs that is totally free, and no charge at all.

AVAST – I personally use this totally free anti-virus. You can download it at www.avast.com. This anti-virus program is totally for Home Edition. You can also register your home edition for free and it gives free anti-virus support updates.

Here's a brief glance of its features:

• Anti-spyware built-in
• Web Shield
• Anti-rootkit built-in
• Automatic updates
• Strong self-protection
• Virus Chest
• Antivirus kernel
• System integration
• Simple User Interface
• Integrated Virus Cleaner
• Resident protection
• Support for 64-bit Windows
• P2P and IM Shields
• Internationalization
• Network Shield

Please do note that the HOME EDITION is totally FREE as long as it is non-commercial use and for home use only.

AVG Free Edition – I think this anti-virus program was ahead of all other free anti-virus programs. Please do note that there is a paid version and there is TOTALLY Free edition. You can get the totally free edition in this link: www.free.avg.com.

The FREE Edition only contains three basic features:

• Anti-Virus - Makes sure you can’t get or spread a virus, worm, or Trojan horse.
• Anti-Spyware -Prevents unauthorized information access by spyware and adware.
• LinkScanner® - Ensures every web page you visit is safe – even before you go there.

Comparing the two Anti-Viruses, I personally would recommend the AVAST. It has more FREE Features and I personally have tried it and I believe it is a good anti-virus. Maybe not too good as those that are paid, but it is definitely the best FREE anti virus.

Continue Reading

Why Change To UBUNTU?

Why Do We Need To Change To Ubuntu?

A friend of mine has a window 7, and he said window 7 still have lots of bugs and is hard to find suitable drivers for it.

If you are really looking for a fully licensed, fully functional operating system for your office, I strongly suggest that you switch to Linux particularly Ubuntu.

Here's the common reasons why people are hesitant to change to ubuntu:

1. They cannot use their Window based softwares particularly games, and in our case as ministers, Bible softwares. But then again, I already have discovered a solution on this as I have posted in my tech blog.
2. They cannot use the "Web Cam-Audio" feature of their laptop. This is because Ubuntu hass no "Client Messenger" that really supports this. But when it comes to messenger, there is completely no problem. This is also the only negative feedback that I can say against UBUNTU.
3. They are already satisfied with what they have learned at first. Changing to UBUNTU is like changing a cellphone. You will have to get used to the arrangement of buttons, words used inside the system, etc.

But they are almost the same basically. It's just you need to get used to it. Once you get used to it, you will really enjoy it.

Reasons Why Change To UBUNTU

1. Ubuntu is simply more secure than that of Windows. I am not saying that it is a hacker free OS, but simply more secure.
2. Does not require tremendous amount of RAM. If you have a laptop about 2 years old, that has 80G HDD, 512MB RAM, you can still run the latest edition of UBUNTU, but these cannot run ViSTA and windows 7. In short, it has a very low requirement.
3. Ubuntu is 99% Virus Free. It's not 100% because there are some virus that exists in linux world, but it is very rare.
4. More stable. In my personal experience for almost a year of having ubuntu in my laptop, I really didn't have problem of slow down despite of the fact that I am already using 75% of my total hard drive. Try that in windows and it will take eternity for you just to boot up.
5. COMPLETELY FREE. Are you a minister or a pastor? If you are, are you using pirated software of windows? If you do, then here is a replacement, completely free, completely legal. Why don't you change?

It's a step of faith to change in UBUNTU if you are already used with Windows. Hehehe... Hope this can be a blessing!!!

Continue Reading

How To Install E-Sword In Ubuntu: A Better, Easier Way

So far, for about a year now in my use of Ubuntu, I really haven't got a realiable Bible Software for Ubuntu in comparison to the famous E-Sword. I tried searching the net for any Bible Software that I can use. There are two that I have found, the Bible Time and the Gnome Sword.
Bible Time has a real good interface as that of the E-sword. My only problem with this is that the Bibles used here are not reliable. I have found several errors in comparison to the printed version. One of my friend said that developers probably copied it manually from the Bible that is why there are lots of typographical errors in it.
Gnome Sword has a more reliable versions of the Bible. My only problem is that, the interface is difficult to dicipher. I feel like I am totally using a different software with totally different format. Furthermore, I find it hard to understand the “how to's....” of Gnome Sword.

My desire is to install E-Sword. The best FREE Bible Software on the net. But how am I going to install this in my Ubuntu when it only function in Windows.

I scanned the net for answers and I only found ONE answer among the blogs I have read. They say that you can install E-Sword using WINE. However, as I tried reading the instructions, it will be very difficult for the non-geeky people to install it. There are several file extentions that you will have to download in order to allow it to run. Furthermore, the reviews are devasting. Some says it runs, but very slow.

Today, I will be presenting another way in installing E-Sword under UBUNTU.

Before we start, let me tell you this, I would say that WINE sucks. It only gives an immediate solutions to light Windows softwares but cannot run heavier ones, not even Chikka, Publisher, and other Window programs.

Let us begin. The main answer to your agony is the use of VIRTUAL BOX. First and foremost, you must install Virtual Box. Virtual Box is a virtual engine where you can install a totally different operating system that will run under UBUNTU. The main advantage of this is that, you can run more programs, without any problem because when you run it, it will just function “JUST LIKE” you have a Window OS.

Though, it still cannot be the ultimate answer for running programs since it still cannot run heavier programs especially the one that uses enormous RAM like games and graphical softwares, still, this is the best that you can have, FAAAAR.... better than WINE.
Installing virtual box is very easy. Just follow this instructions.

1. Click Application> Add/Remove
2. In the search box, type in “Virtual Box”
3. Click the Virtual Box, be sure that it has check on the box.
4. Click Apply Changes.

Now, that you have Virtual Box you need to install Windows. You need a fully functional Window installer. But before that, be sure that you have the right settings.

In your installation you will be asked with many questions, it is very simple to answer so that it would not be a big problem. Furthermore, you can always make changes later on.

Let's set up everything first before inserting your CD.

1. Click Virtual Box OSE
2. Click Next.
3. Follow instructions. Type in “Windows” for the name, OS Type “Windows XP”, Base memory 500MB (depend on your will), Video Memory 64 MB (again, it's up to you how much will you allocate). Harddisk, 10 G (automatically expands), CD/DVD Drive installed, Audio ALSA driver.

If everything has been set up, you are now ready to install Windows.

1. Insert CD/DVD installer.
2. Click “Windows” (the name of your virtual OS) > Click “Start”
3. In a short while, you will be brought up to the page as if you are installing a Windows. Follow instructions and the way it go.
4. After installation, I strongly advise to also download and install the “Install Guest Addition”. It will enhance your usability for Windows. It's a kind of bug fixer, so don't miss it.

Now that you have installed Windows in your virtual drive. All you have to do is to run it under the Virtual Box OSE. Once the window is running, then you can freely install now your E-Sword exactly as if you are installing it in “Real Window” OS.
Some Few Things To Remember

In running Windows with Virtual Box OSE, put it in mind that you are really running windows in a new computer and you have to shut it down properly.

Secondly, the Virtual Box OSE that I am talking about, which is also downloadable using UBUNTU does not come with the auto-detect program for USB. So if you are thinking that you can install something in it using USB, just an info, you CANNOT do it. BUT, there is a way. I haven't tried it yet so far, but you can. Just Google “How to use USB in Virtual Box OSE”. You need to be a little geeky though to succesfully run it.

Another solution for this is to burn your softwares first in a CD/DVD, then insert it to your ROM for it. Virtual Box OSE detects and read it.

Now, I am enjoying UBUNTU a lot better. Why? Because I can now use Chikka, work with Publisher, use E-Sword, play Window based games (the slower ones), etc. using Virtual Box OSE.

Continue Reading

Basic Software Terminologies

Getting help with your computer software can be easier when you know the correct terms to use. One of the biggest problems that new computer users have with technical support is not knowing how to correctly describe the problem that they're having. And it isn't fair to expect a tech support person to automatically know what a "thing-a-ma-jingy," or "whatcha-ma-call-it" is.

The following describes the correct names for common components of software so that when you experience a problem, you can effectively describe an issue that you're having and a technician can readily resolve it.

User interface - this is the visual design of a program. It may contain squares, boxes, words, icons, and buttons. If you're experiencing insufficient memory for example, you might see black rectangles across the user interface of your software programs.

Title bar - this is the top-most part of a program that displays its own name or it may describe the contents displayed in another part of the interface. If a program is incorrectly coded, you may see a wrong description in this part of its interface.

Menu bar - this part of a program displays menu items and menu options. Some of the most common parts of a menu bar grants access to File commands, Open commands, Save commands, and Print commands. An example of an error in this part of an interface would be if an option was missing or grayed out (lighter in color).

Tool bar - this part of a program displays small icons across the top which represent tools. Clicking an icon will open a tool or process a command that might also exist on a program's menu bar. Problems in this part of an interface are uncommon, however if you find yourself repeatedly clicking an icon with no results, you can correctly describe the problem by referring to the toolbar.

Minimize, Restore, and Exit buttons - these three buttons are usually located on the right-most upper part of a program's interface and each allow you to minimize a program's screen, restore it to its original size, or shut down the program completely.

Scroll bar - this convenient tool allows users to move data up and down the computer screen.

Status bar - this part of a program is located at the bottom-most part of its interface, and it usually displays small messages that indicate the progress of a command or task. If programmed incorrectly, an application might display the wrong information in this area.

Context menu - like the menu bar, a context menu displays when a user right-clicks on something. It displays commands just like what you see on a File menu or a Help menu.

Input box - input boxes are usually small rectangles that allow you to type data into a simple interfaces like a webpage or browser window. If you find that you can't type information into one of these, you can effectively resolve the issue with a technician by calling it an input box, rather than a "white rectangle," or "place to put in text."

Button - buttons perform a command after a user clicks them with a mouse. Problems occur when the text of a button is grayed out or if it doesn't appear to sink into the screen when clicked.

Check box - a check box is a small box that allows a user to indicate several choices among many. When clicked, a small "x" displays inside a box. Similar to the check box, a radio button allows a user to indicate a single choice among many. Problems with radio buttons and check boxes occur when a user makes one choice, but the interface reacts as if the user made many choices (or none at all). When describing a problem to a technician, be sure to indicate whether the problem occurs with a check box or a radio box. Computer novices mistakenly interchange the names of both of these controls.

I just hope that these short list of Software Terminologies will be a good help in understanding your software.

Continue Reading

Ultimate Plugin Smart Update Pinger Review

I've been using wordpress in one of my blogs. I came to know the UPSUP from one of the blog gurus that highly recommends it for it does the pinging automatically and solving one of the pinging bugs in the default wordpress. And this plugin is really cool and it does a lot of help.

However, after a good deal of time observing this plugin, I found out that it has some detrimental effects especially if your wordpress blog is being hosted in a shared server. Ultimate Plugin Smart Update Pinger really slows down the posting time and consume a large amount of CPU effort which sometime causes server to crash.

In my personal experience, I had my site suspended for having a CPU spike of 140++ while posting. The tech support guy told me that it was really necessary for my site to be suspended for it may cause damage to other sites in the same server. Shew.... and that caused me a two-day downtime. They made investigation if my site has been hacked, or was caused by some scripts, or if I made some deceiving modifications.

So I told them that they have to reactivate my site so that I can deactivate some plugins including the UPSUP. It is because in my observation, if UPSUP is active, my posting time takes me up to 20-30 seconds before it makes a post. After deactivating it, I only now have about 5-8 seconds of posting time.

Well, here's the thing. I admit that UPSUP is such a great plugin. But definitely it slows down your site which may also cause you being banned from your hosts. My advice, if you are using it on a dedicated server, go on then. But if you are only paying a small amount of money in exchange for a shared hosting, then better to look for another plugin.

Continue Reading

How To Resize Photos Using GIMP

I must admit that I am still learning GIMP. So it is safe to say that I am not that expert in using GIMP in comparison to Photoshop. But if you are a minister, or someone that sends out e-newsletters, I think this post is best for you.

Have you ever sent a newsletter with your pictures? Do you ever wonder why sometimes your newsletter is hard to upload in your email and in return the recipients of your e-newsletters find it very hard to download your PDF e-newsletter?

The reason: The file pictures embedded are too large.

Solution: Resize your pictures first before pasting it to your Open Office Writer or Microsoft Word.

There are several ways in resizing photos, but in this post we will be using GIMP. What is GIMP by the way? GIMP is GNU Image Manipulation Program, a very good alternative of Photoshop. Photoshop will cost you something, but GIMP will cost you nothing, it is totally FREE. All you have to do is to download it through www.gimp.org.

Let us say that you already have downloaded the GIMP and already have installed it. Here's the intruction on how are you going to resize your pictures:

First, open the picture that you want to resize using GIMP.

Go to “Image” > Scale Image.

A new window will appear. If you are not sure on what pixel should you resize your picture, simply click the botton of the “Pixel” and change it to inches or millimeters, or whatever you prefer.

A good picture size for your newsletter should not be more than 100x100 pixel.

Click “Scale”.

Now you can cut and paste your pictures in your Open Office Writer or Microsoft Word without eating too much of space. That should do the trick concerning your pictures in your newsletter.

If you have anymore questions, please post it as a comment. Thanks!!!

Continue Reading

Google Chrome Preview

Before I forget, here's the picture of what Google Chrome looks like. It is sleek yet very simple browser that will rock your web surfing experience.

For Mac and Linux users, wait for a while. It will not take long for Google to release their issue for you. They are working hard in integrating Firefox coding with Google Chrome. I myself is already excited to use this new simple, but powerful browser.

Continue Reading

What is Google Chrome?

I guess some of you have already heard and perhaps some are already using Google Chrome. Google Chrome is:

“a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.”

This is one of the most emphasized new product of Google has to offer with their subscribers and fans. As a testimony of my friend, Google Chrome is more secure than Internet Explorer. It also makes your web browsing experience faster.

It came into being when Google staffs thought about the evolution of websites from simple text pages to rich, interactive applications. Literally speaking, if you are using the old browsers like Internet Explorer, many websites now will be hard to read by those browsers. This is what Google wants to solve.

Outside, it is a picture of simplicity. Underneath,

“by keeping each tab in an isolated "sandbox", we were able to prevent one tab from crashing another and provide improved protection from rogue sites. We improved speed and responsiveness across the board. We also built V8, a more powerful JavaScript engine, to power the next generation of web applications that aren't even possible in today's browsers.”

What more? Google continously develop this new browser, integrating it to open source softwares. Soon, Google Chrome will be available not only on Windows but also for Mac and Linux. Their release for Windows is just the beginning.

Continue Reading

A FileZilla Problem With Ubuntu

For all the FTP software that I was able to use, I would say that Filezilla is one of the best.

However, if you are using Filezilla in Ubuntu, there might be a little problem. Until now I haven’t solve this problem. If for example you are going to edit a php file, in windows, you can simply right click it and click edit.

However in ubuntu, when you right click it and click edit, you will be asked to set the editor, in which case, gedit is Ubuntu’s default text editor. And then you will be asked to browse the “exe” file command…. and my biggest problem is, where in the world will I look for that “exe” file command? I don’t know. Perhaps, you can try searching it and let me know about it.

Please do note that I don’t have any problem in using Filezilla in my windows because it sets the default file editor automatically, the Notepad.

Before I end, Filezilla by the way is TOTALLY FREE and FULLY FUNCTIONAL, NOT TRIAL, FTP Software.

If you have any answer, please let me know, post it below. Thanks!!!

Continue Reading

UBUNTU Desktop Effects

I have been a fan of UBUNTU when I have seen that it can do things as what windows can do. But when it comes to desktop, I assure you that UBUNTU is still far better than what windows has to offer.

One of the best thing that you have to know about UBUNTU desktop is the Compiz or also known as the "compositing manager". It gives your desktop animation effects, and the "cube" thing that you haven't seen in your windows.

If you are familiar with the cube (Beryl) in Ubuntu and is looking for it, it is combined now with the compiz.

If you are interested to try ubuntu, why not download it from www.ubuntu.org. If you are using windows and you feel that you are not yet ready to abandon windows, you can install ubuntu just like the ordinary softwares embedded in your windows. If you won't like it, you can simply uninstall it. But I do encourage you to try.

If you have installed it, click here for more information about ubuntu desktop effects.

Continue Reading

Solving Update Error of Ubuntu in Acer 4330

Well, I think this command is not only true in Acer 4330 but to all laptops and other desktops as well.

If you are using Ubuntu, there will be times that you will receive errors like this while you are updating:

GPG error: http://archive.ubuntu.com hardy-updates Release: The following signatures were invalid: BADSIG 40976EAF437D05B5 Ubuntu Archive Automatic Signing Key Failed to fetch http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dis...6/Packages.bz2 Hash Sum mismatch
Some index files failed to download, they have been ignored, or old ones used instead

This is sometimes caused by your last update where the cache of your computer has not been cleared. In order to still get the updates, here is a possible solution that might solve this error:

sudo apt-get update -o Acquire::http::No-Cache=True

Then you can type in more update commands such as these:

sudo apt-get clean && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

By the way, just want to remind you that these codes are entered using the terminal, "the command prompt" of Ubuntu.

The terminal is located in Applications>Accessories>Terminal

There you have it!!! Hopefully it will solve the errors you are getting.

Continue Reading

SBI Hosting Bargain

Great News!!! This is for Website Makers, web masters, someone who is looking for a TOTALLY BARGAIN web hosting in it's highest quality. The Site Build It is selling its hosting services right now for BUY ONE GET 1 FREE....

This means when you pay hosting services from them, you'll get another one FREE.

If you are really into business and wants to dominate through out the web, then I strongly suggest that you get SITE BUILD IT. Site Sell is the leading website hosting company that provides quality services for the success of their clients. almost 60% of their clients made it through the net because of their ingenious way of assisting and helping their clients for a REAL LOW LOW PRICE
CLICK HERE FOR COMPARISON OF PRICES AND SERVICES

After you see this great features and have seen the benefits of having your own personal business online, don't just let it pass. Life is rough this time of world wide crisis. Everybody is looking forward to have their own business. Don't make them ahead of you, but BE AHEAD OF THEM.

It's time to build your website that SELLS. Hurry and Grab this opportunity of owning two earning websites. This may also be the best Gift that you can give to your love ones, giving them their own BUSINESS.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO ORDER NOW.

If you are then not sure and think that this is a bluff... try Site Build It FREE for 30 Days. They will refund you your money if you then decide that Site Build It is not for you.

CLICK HERE TO TRY SITE BUILD IT FOR 30 DAYS

Note: Simply order Site Build It, and you'll have 30 days of trial guaranteed.

Continue Reading

Wordpress Released 2.7

To all wordpress lovers, version 2.7 is already out and ready to be downloaded. You will be surprised with this latest version. It will completely change your admin area. You will have to get to use with the new set up.

By the way, be sure to check first the compatibilities of your plug ins before you upgrade. Some of you plugins may not function well in this latest version. But this is version is very exciting and I really love it.

I would also advise you to download WP Auto-Upgrade plugin and install it before you upgrade your website so that you will save yourself from lots of troubles in upgrading your site.

For WP Auto-Upgrade CLICK HERE

For Wordpress 2.7, Click HERE

Continue Reading

Upgrade to Ubuntu 8.10, Solution to Video Freezing of Acer 4330

Just a very quick update. I just discovered this in my laptop. If you are using Acer 4330 with Ubuntu, and you are having some problems when playing videos like freezing and crashing of your software, upgrading it to 8.10 might be the best solution for now.

I installed 8.04 Hardy Heron on my laptop, but i get this Freezing problem every time I play video files. But now after upgrading, everything now is going smoothly. I can now have a complete use of my laptop.

Get UBUNTU 8.10 Intrepid now and update it.


http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Continue Reading

Review For Dell Inspiron 8200 Laptop For Ubuntu

Motherboard: Dell Inspiron 8200 Laptop
CPU: P4m 2Ghz (stock)
RAM: 512Mb (generic)
Video Card: nVidia GeForce4 440 m
Sound Card: Onboard
HD: 27Gb Western Digital
OS: Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon

Performance
Generaly Good. Issues with faulty Heatsink on Graphics overheating the unit (Not an OS Issue).

Source: Ubuntu Forums: www.ubuntuforums.org

Continue Reading

Review For Dell Dimension 4600 For Ubuntu

Dell Dimension 4600
CPU: Intell P4 2.4ghz
Mobo: standard mobo for a dimension 4600
RAM: 1GB PC2700 DDR333
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 6200
Hard drives: 2x 320 GB (Haven't setup LVM yet but plan to thanks to the recent sticky)
Optical: DVD-RW DL Memorex and DVD+RW NEC
Tuner: pcHDTV HD-5500
Remote: Snapstream Firefly

All hardware installed without any problems. I had to use the lircrc and lircd.conf files from mythtv.org for the firefly. After that the remote worked fine.

I also had to setup ndiswrapper for my netgear wireless card. That was no problem either.

Mythbuntu is awesome.

From: Jonathan Brown
Source: Ubuntu Forums: www.ubuntuforums.org

Continue Reading

Review For Dell Poweredge 2450 server 2U With Ubuntu

Dell Poweredge 2450 server 2U(no I'm not kidding)

CPU: 2 - PIII, 1 Mhz, 256K cache
MB: Dell 35XYT, Dell PERC 3/Di: SCSI-3 Raid controller, 3-64/32bit PCI riser, onbaord VGA 8MB/2x USB/LAN/2x PS2/2x serial/1 par.
Memory: 1GB, ECC (2 x 512MB), 133 Mhz
HD: 4 x 9.1GB SCSI-UW2 in raid0=36GB(sys), 1 x 250GB IDE (seagate), 1 x 320GB ext USB (seagate)
Tuner Card: 1 x Happauge PVR 150 PCI, 1 x Kworld HD Plus 120 PCI(doesn't work, yet)

Performance: All hardware functioning except the Kworld card.
Once I got Ubuntu/Myth installed and setup backend(a couple of hurdles, although nothing linux/ubuntu related.)everything works great on OTA NTSC programming using the PVR 150. However, I'm still working on getting the HD plus 120 working - would like go "HD" w/ myth. Obviously, I'll have to upgrade my frontends to support "HD", but was hoping my current backend could handle it. I'm confident that I could run 2 more NTSC encoding tuners without problems. I did try an external USB drive set up as my default recording folder and the recordings turned out choppy w/ dropped frames - now its backups only.

Frontend: Salvaged Sony VAIO

CPU: PIII, 933 Mhz, 256k L2.
MB: ASUS(sony branded) CUSL-LV w/ snd, lan,2x USB
Memory: 512MB (2x 256B)
HD: 40 GB IDE, 80 GB IDE (windows XP)
Video: nVidia MX400, 64MB
Tuner Card: none

Performance: All hardware works except an ATI TV wonder USB wireless remote.
Playback/liveTV is fine till I open another window like firefox browser, then it will drop a few frames here and there. I use this interface more for managing recordings than viewing, so its really not an issue. The ATI remote wasn't a priority - I just had it lying around and thought why not. I think it'll work eventually.

Frontend 2: Softmodded Xbox

Info: Other than dashboard/software, everthing else is original Xbox

Performance: XBMC works great, but...........
Softmodded and installed XBMC no problems. Unable to install myth or get the mythtv python script to work on XBMC (tried many methods many times). However, Video playback is exceptional - Hardware MPEG2 decoder?
One other small glitch I've noticed is when exiting a video, sometimes it takes about 30-45 sec to return to the folder and it appears empty. I then have to go back one folder and return to see my recordings - not sure if this is backend storage issue or xbox config.

__________________
Pri. Backend: Poweredge 2450 2U server, dual PIII, 1G ram, SCSI raid, 250G IDE HD, PVR150, Kworld 120 (ATSC) Frontend1: Intel PIII 900MHZ, Sony MB, 512 Mb pc133 ram, Nvidia mx400 64mb AGP,

Source: Ubuntu Forums: www.ubuntuforums.org

Continue Reading

Review for Pidgin

Pidgin is a messenger client that is readily installed if you are using Ubuntu 8.04. It is a great tool for chatting. The interface is very simple and easy to use. You can use it for your AIM, YM, Google Messenger, MSN, etc. All you have to do is integrate your account with this very simple software.

However, Pidgin is not in its outstanding form. I think if you are an internet marketer, you should think twice if you are going to use pidgin or some other applications that are alike.

There is no webcam video system. To Pidgin developers, we are no longer living in a world of analog computers. Our cellphones even have cams. Using 3G in cellphones was adopted around 4 years ago, and now you developed a very potential tool for Linux OS without developing the webcam and audio system. This makes the potential users to turn their backs on this “supposed to be” wonderful software.

In my personal point of view, webcams and audio phones are badly needed by internet users and how much more by an internet marketer. One of the reasons why Linux was a little behind for internet marketers is that most of the tools that they need cannot be found in Linux, like ebook cover maker, video and audio conferencing tools. I think Linux developers need to develop these things to make Linux a little more attractive.

I would say that Ubuntu is really a great operating system. But due to the lack of interactive softwares or unfinished software projects makes it a little hard to be adopted by many internet users.

If you are a Linux software developer, please, make something that is more useful and more interactive that can be used easily by internet users. If you can do this, then I would say, Linux is on its way to overtake Microsoft in its window based systems.

Continue Reading

Best Software Programs In Ubuntu For Internet Marketers

As I said in my previous article, if you are an internet marketer, I strongly suggest that you try UBUNTU Linux. But what are the programs that you can use as an internet marketer in Ubuntu? Can it really substitute Windows for its programs?

Here are the list of programs that you can best use in internet marketing using UBUNTU.

Open Office – I think this is a must for any office based jobs. Of course you want to create documents, files etc. In here, I will make this very important statement, Open Office is not a substitute for MS Office, it is a complete REPLACEMENT for MS Office. This set comes with Open Office Writer (Word equivalence), Spreadsheet (Excel equivalence), Presentation (Power Point Equivalence), Drawing.

Kompozer – This is a totally FREE Page Maker. This is what you might have heard from other internet marketers. If you have been with Affiliorama, this is what Mark Ling is suggesting to have. This is what they call before as NVU. NVU stopped its development now, but Kompozer continued the project. This is a very good substitute for Dreamweaver.

GIMP – The equivalence of this software in windows is the Adobe Photoshop. It is a little weird to use if it is your first time. But if you have been using it for a week, you will find out that GIMP can equal the ability of Adobe Photoshop (depending to your expertise in GIMP). One comment though, I haven't seen yet a developer who develops an action scripts for GIMP to create ebook covers. For sure it is possible to develop but as of the moment, this is really a big set back for GIMP if you are an internet marketer who wants to create an ebook cover. But if you know GIMP and you are reading this, perhaps you might want to share your talent for everybody that you will try to work on developing action scripts for ebook cover making using GIMP. Other than this, I would say, GIMP is really a potential substitute to the expensive Adobe Photoshop.

WINE – This another unique software of UBUNTU. This software will allow you to install and work on windows based programs. Though, I am afraid that it is not yet in its best right now, believe me, this will continue to become better and better. Time will come that even those softwares in windows that you really cannot get rid of will not be a problem in installing it and working in it using UBUNTU.

FileZilla – This is a FREE FTP Client. In the net you will find lots of FTP softwares sold between $20-30. I have tried one of them. Just within three days, the software begin to crash and bug down. Then in my personal research, I have found this Linux based FTP Client. I would say this is the best FTP. Until now, I haven't experienced crashing and errors using this excellent File Transfer Protocol.

Firefox – Of course you know this outstanding internet browser even if you are using windows. This is the default internet browser of UBUNTU.

There you have it, the five essential tools for internet marketing. Take note, all of them are free. If you are using windows, there should be no problem either. You can still have them because all of these softwares where also made available for windows. The only difference is that, if your operating system is windows, then I am afraid that it will be infected with virus (which is most likely to happen), you will have to reinstall them all over again. Unlike if you use a Linux based OS, then it is at least more safe from these nasty computer viruses.

What are you going to do now? Try UBUNTU. www.ubuntu.org.

Continue Reading