You are here: Home / Archives for Information Technology

Windows 8 to Windows 7 Conversion – The Classic Shell

05/13/2013 By TLN

If you, like me, hate the default look of Windows 8 and want to use the old Windows 7 style of toolbar.. well you are in luck!

There is a great application that is called the “Classic Shell”.  It basically puts a shell over the Win8 tile interfaces and make it so you have a normal functioning start menu again.

You can still use the tiles features and every other part of windows 8, but by default you will see the shell with the windows 7 style of toolbar once you install it.

The download link is @ http://www.classicshell.net

 

Windows 7, Xp and Classic are the three download options available.  Enjoy!

Filed Under: Downloads, Information Technology, Windows 8 Tagged With: , , , , ,

Host Winds Web Hosting Review : My Experience

01/27/2013 By TLN

I have been using Host Winds since the beginning of this site.  I read a few reviews of them on a few different forums and figured they sounded like a solid choice.  Well I was right and I am very happy with their service so far.  I’ve had a few issues, but they were quickly resolved on their live chat within an hour or so.

When I first started this website, it was a hobby, but within the first few months it blew up and really had me questioning what to do about hosting with it.  After my traffic was too much for standard hosting, I invested in a VPS server.  Usually this transition and upgrade costs 30-50 dollars, but the nice people at host winds upgraded it and did everything for me for free.  One of their people even gave me his Skype name so I can call him directly when I needed something or had a stupid question.  My up time is great, speed is great, and the only issues I’ve had have been because of me and not their service.  I was new to running a VPS, accessing my webmail with certain port numbers, and every time I asked a question, too many to count, they were always nice and helped me get the answer I was looking for.

If you are in the market for web hosting, please give Host Winds a try!  Their prices are amazing, I can’t find cheaper honestly, and their service is top notch.  If you don’t believe me, go check them out at hostwinds.com, or use my Host Winds banner on the right side of the website.

Filed Under: Information Technology, Where Does This Go? Tagged With: , , , ,

Windows 8 Review | Best Parts of Windows 8

01/24/2013 By TLN

Welcome to The Little Nerd’s Official Windows 8 Review

Windows 8 in the latest Windows operating from Microsoft that replaces the older Windows 7 on laptops, as well as PCs. The new operating system is also found on some tablet devices. If you are planning to buy a new PC here are some things you need to know about Windows 8 and if it’s worth it for you to upgrade to this new version or not.
Windows 8 Review
The new version of Windows is perhaps the biggest upgrade since Windows 95 was. You’ll find this new version on new PCs and laptops you buy in the store. Older versions of Windows were essentially the same and easy to use once you got used to the system. Windows 7 for example was about the same as Windows XP it just had some upgrades. In Windows 8 the system is now a more modern interface that you can use with newer touchscreens as well as your keyboard or mouse.
Start Screen
The Start Screen is different in Windows 8 and there’s no traditional desktop as we have been familiar with before. Many people will find this confusing and it takes a lot of time to get used to the new system. The start button itself isn’t even visible; you’ll have to click in the lower left corner to access it. The start screen has a lot of extra information such as the weather, news, and your email box so it is helpful, it just looks a lot different than before.
Apps
With Windows 8 the programs are now called “apps” much like they are on smartphones. An app such as the maps feature for example will open full screen and there’s not the traditional buttons to close the app down. This is done in the middle of the screen and then dropping the app back down to the bottom of the screen to close it completely. This is different from previous Windows versions and takes time to get used to. You can also open two apps at the same time and have them appear on the screen. Windows 8 makes more use out of shortcuts and you’ll be using these a lot when working with this new operating system.
Charms Bar
Another new feature of Windows 8 is the Charms bar. You can access this in the right hand edge of your screen. You can access search, share, start, devices, and settings. The search feature is a better search function and with sharer you can share your content on the Internet depending upon the app you’re using. Stat takes you to the start screen. Devices show you information about your installed devices such as a printer. The setting shows you your volume, screen brightness and so on.

Getting Used to Windows 8
The way you do things in Windows 8 is so vastly different that many people will be turned off of the system initially. Things do get better the more that you use it but for many are going to want to stay with Windows 7. This system tries too hard to be like a mobile operating system and doesn’t really act like the regular Windows operating system. Some people will like this new version while others are not going to like it at all.

Filed Under: Information Technology, Windows 8 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

New Security Options in Window 8 Review

11/16/2012 By TLN

The security in Windows 8 has old functions, and new functions.  Some are awesome and intuitive, and some are a little lack luster.  You can now use a picture password with gestures, a 4 digit pin number, and your standard password options and also you can use your finger print if your laptop or tablet has the fingerprint reader included in the hardware.

Let’s start the detailed windows 8 security features review with the picture password.  Basically you can choose a picture, and then make different swipes or functions with your mouse, which acts as the password.  This features works good when you mouse movements and clicks aren’t too complicated, but when going from corner to corner diagonally, I was unable to repeat the password twice.  When I created a new one, and clicked each corner once, I was able to duplicate the password and it seemed to work great.  Cool feature and defiantly new, but could use some tweaking.

The other features like the 4 digit pin number is pretty straight forward and simple.  You choose 4 numbers, enter it and waa-laa, you are in. This is the same as using your debit card or the last 4 of your social security number! EZ PZ.

The finger printer reader in windows 8 is also much of the same.  You can swipe multiple fingers,  so depending on what finger is most convenient at the time, is which finger you can use.  The reader is however you set it and I personally like it a lot.

That is about it for the Security and login functions inside of Windows 8, but stay tuned for more articles about Windows 8 and it’s other awesome features.  Keep on nerd’n on! <3

Filed Under: Information Technology, Windows 8 Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Pros and Cons of Windows 8

10/30/2012 By TLN

Wondering What The Pros and Cons of Windows 8 Are?

The Windows 8 release slated for 26th October, 2012 is one of the most anticipated releases of the year. It’s been three years since the last Windows iteration (Windows 7) hit the market, and Windows aficionados are eagerly waiting for the upcoming new release. Microsoft has offered a couple of sneak-peak previews of its much talked-about operating system through a Consumer Preview and official release preview. A few notable pros and cons of the Windows 8 system can be pieced together from the sneak-peak previews.

Pros of the Windows 8 System

From what can be gathered so far, Windows 8 is presumably going to be the first desktop operating system to support mobile computing. The question of how desktop can be integrated with mobile has been buzzing in the technology world since the emergence of mobile computing. With Windows 8, Microsoft seems to have provided a fitting answer, and whereas it remains to be seen whether it will really succeed, there’s no denying that it is a bold step forward and a very welcome move at that.

For developers, Windows 8 is going to make it easier to build Metro apps for the system. In essence, a developer will only have to know web scripting and formatting languages, such as CSS, JavaScript, and HTML5. It will make for a quick, simple, and more efficient development process.

Microsoft will also be releasing its own App Store with Windows 8, which will basically provide developers a central hub where to distribute their apps from. Again, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft’s effort will be a success this time around as it has attempted a similar thing in the past and it failed dismally.

Another major advantage is that the Task Manager has been revamped to best cater to the needs of the regular user while still providing enough sophistication for the power user. When launched, the window will only display a list of running applications and those that are unresponsive. There is a ‘More Details’ option for power users that displays the Services, Processes, Performance, and Networking tabs.

Cons of the Windows 8 System

While there are a number of new features that are undeniably intuitive in Windows 8, there are some downsides too. Notable among them is the new user interface that is not only hard to navigate to the desktop, but also very confusing to find a way back to the Start menu. While it’s quite intuitive and ambitious, average users will likely find it hard navigating.

In the same regard, the new interface design feels like it was created for tablet computing rather than for the desktop. It is primarily a touch-based interface and although it supports keyboard and mouse use, people that are so used to the keyboard style will find that it doesn’t flow well on Windows 8.

In all, Windows 8 promises to be an ambitious step into the future, but it will take some time for average users to get used to the confusing interface design. It makes it easier that Windows 7 apps will be supported.

 

Filed Under: Information Technology, Windows 8 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Get Started In Internet Marketing

10/20/2012 By TLN

While getting started in Internet marketing is relatively easy, it is not as straightforward as it used to be back then during the Internet’s heyday.  There were a handful of people in the business and, naturally, this meant there was less competition. Nowadays, it appears like everyone is on the Internet and trying to make a killing the easiest way possible.

That said, Internet marketing still offers many great opportunities to make money online and work from home, mainly because you don’t need to have your own product. It’s more or less about promoting products or services of another seller who pays you a commission on every successful lead. So if you’re thinking about getting started, here are a few tips.

To start with, you need some kind of presence on the Internet, either a blog, website, forum, or any other place online where users can be directed to. However, if you really want to get off big, consider acquiring a website as it gives you more control and credibility, not to mention the long-term advantages of owning a website.

After you’ve acquired a place online, you should assess potential products and services that you can market. This is a very crucial step and will go a long way in determining how successful your venture turns out. Products or services that add value to people’s lives are easier to market and sell.

In order to successfully market your product, you need to come up with sound online marketing strategy that must be documented and then deployed later on. Essentially, you can choose between push or pull marketing strategies. Pull strategies aim at drawing potential customers to your website, such as Google Adsense CPA campaigns, search engine optimization, article submission to directories, reseller programs, and more.  On the other hand, push marketing strategies aim at pushing your content and brand to capture a wider market outside your typical market. Examples include opt-in emails, freebies, mini-sites, ezines, and more.

When you’re almost ready to go, first seek coaching from an expert to guide you, and this would typically be someone who has already successfully done what you’re venturing out to do. No matter what you think, getting started online without any coaching is pretty hard. But it can become much easier if you learn from someone who has been there.

This is basically how you get started in Internet Marketing but as you will soon realize, the direction your venture takes squarely rests on you.

Filed Under: Information Technology, Internet Marketing, Where Does This Go? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Best New Features of Windows 8 for Tablets and PCs

10/20/2012 By TLN

Ever since Microsoft made the Windows 8 Release Preview of its new system, many people have commented on the new features that you can look forward to as the official release date draws near. Here are some of the best new features of what is largely thought of as Microsoft’s most significant version of its Windows operating system.

The most striking and easily recognizable new feature of the Win 8 system is the touch user interface. The classic layout of the older versions has been completely altered to include a new animated interface but on a Windows 7 based theme (Windows 7 apps will be accessible on the new system). Screen navigation can be completed by swiping and a user can use customizable Live Tiles to view information about a program without launching it. And while the ‘Metro’ interface was designed for swipe and sweep gestures, they can still work with a mouse if that’s what a user wants, according to Microsoft.

Another cool new feature of Windows 8 is that it will support ARM tablets as well as x86 machines, the very first version of Windows to do so. This means that users will be able to work with their tablets, ultra books, and all-in-one screens on their Windows 8 system. And with the ARM version, a tablet will be able to remain connected to the Internet while in standby.

For those that like multitasking, brace for the snap multitasking feature that will allow two apps to run simultaneously. This feature will allow users to switch between apps, resize them, and snap them into position on the desktop. You will be able to resize an app (for instance enlarging it) by simply dragging its bar, while switching between apps is as simple as swiping for the left side of the screen.

Windows 8 will also have a feature that allows for a multitude of ways to customize their desktop to their personal tastes. With previous versions, users can personalize their desktops using screensavers and wallpapers. The ‘tatoos’ feature in Windows 8 goes beyond that.

Another new feature that you can’t miss is ‘Charms’, which is essentially the new Start bar for Windows. It can be accessed from the left bottom corner of the desktop, the same place that the Start button is located on older Windows version. This feature allows for fast configuration of app settings. There are five sets of options for both system settings and app settings, including Settings, Devices, Share, Search, and Start.

There are many more features to look out for when Microsoft finally releases Windows 8 on the proposed date of 25th October, 2012. Note that the aforementioned features are primarily based on the Consumer Preview and Release Preview of the system.

Filed Under: Information Technology, Where Does This Go?, Windows 8 Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

How to Make 10 Dollars a Day with Google Adsense

10/20/2012 By TLN

If you want to work from home, making money with Google Adsense is one of the best options to earn a daily income. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, things can be awfully tough with Google Adsense. A lot of people looking for how to make money from home start out on the wrong footing and sadly end up without a cent from their efforts.

As a cost per action program, Google Adsense will make you money if you generate lots of traffic. That’s basically all you have to do to earn reasonable income from Google Adsense. So here’s how to capitalize on free traffic to increase your Adsense revenues.

The one sure way to get you raw traffic is by creating great content for your website or blog. While the Web has evolved from a mere information repository to a convenient communications and multimedia platform, a great majority of Internet users go online to search for information. So make the most of this need to pull users to your blog or site. The more quality content you post, the more search engines will locate and index your pages. Additionally, find ways to get visitors to subscribe to your blog as this ensures recurring traffic. Ads should be strategically positioned on your blog so as to get more visitors clicking on them, thus earning you Google Adsense revenue.

The classic blog and ping technique still does wonders if done correctly. Depending on the blog you’re using, you will have several options for search engine services where you can ping your account. Blogs such as WordPress already have this option list for you to select from, and the best thing is that you can add or remove services as you deem fit. However, things are a bit different if you blog with Blogger.com, for instance. Here, you use the ‘pingomatic’ website to ping your account for you, and every time your blog gets pinged, search engine crawlers will peruse your blog for new content to index. That said, ensure that you don’t overdo this as it could get you a penalty from most search engines. Pinging once a day should be enough, regardless of the number of new posts you have on your blog.

And basically that is it. These two tips are sure to attract raw traffic to your blog or website and boost Adsense revenue. They can also work for any Internet marketing campaign that needs raw traffic.

Filed Under: Information Technology, Internet Marketing, Where Does This Go? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts