I recently read an article about someone who's email account had been hacked. How does something like that usually happen?
I've heard that this happens most often because many of us use easy to guess passwords. My typical passwords aren't very long and I also tend to use the same password over and over again. I'm sure many of you do the same thing.
Recently I decided to make it much harder for anyone to get into any of my accounts and I have changed quite a few of the passwords for my online accounts. The problem is remembering them once you've made a change. I needed a tool or service to help me remember the passwords.
Here's what I wanted:
1. A tool that accepts a master password to unlock all my passwords
2. Something that I don't have to install
2. It must be portable
3. I must be able to use it offline if needed
I often use AiRoboform to help me remember passwords at home. It's not what I'd call portable though. I don't even want to have to carry a thumbdrive if I don't have to. That leaves out most software and limits me to something I can use in a web browser.
I looked for a good online service to help me keep track of my new passwords. At first, I didn't find anything that I liked. Then I remembered that I had once stumbled upon some simple java-script password generators that I could use. An additional benefit is that this page would belong to me and not some other web service.
Here's what I ended up with:
This tiny java script page will combine your master password and the parameter (website name) to create a new long and almost unbreakable password. As long as you remember the parameter and your master password, it will always produce the same longer password.
You can try it for yourself.
The "parameter" field is typically used for the web site's URL or some other identification. If you need a password for an email service, you might use something like myaddress@mymail.com in the parameter field. If you need a password for Yahoo.com, you might use "Yahoo" as the parameter.
The "master password" field is there for you to enter your favorite and easy to remember personal password. You can use the same master password for every web site as long as you have a different parameter for each site.
Would you like to have little sticky notes you can place on your Windows desktop?
Giorgos and CC both like these little reminders ...
From Giorgos: in 2005
I think its much better than some commercial software such as Microsoft's or 3M's. I use it in Windows XP but it supports earlier versions of Windows as well. I moved to it from 3M's sticky notes (Lite version). It's more effective, lighter, very fancy and of course is a full version.
Finally, Stickies has caused absolutely no conflicts or bugs in my system after many months of use. The only feature I would like to see in the future is a forum for better support.
I created a favorites (bookmarks) file from sticky options you can see the difference left is Microsoft and on the right sticky no fancy icons, you can roll it up... key or mouse option sorry about the clarity I'm using the transparency option.
you can build your own sticky window with the skinner app
download at the site or avail yourself to several hundred skins
The design goal behind Stickies is that the program is small and simple. Stickies will not mess with your system files, or write to the registry. Stickies stores information in a single text-based ini file.
Stickies will never support animated dancing figures, or play "Greensleeves". They are instead yellow rectangular windows onto which you can put some text notes. Once created, they will stay on screen until you take them away. Just like a real sticky piece of paper.
I have tried this Firefox extension before but Tiffany reminded me that it's one of those must-have addons if you enjoy working with words.
Hi Clif,
Every time I look thru a list of extensions for Firefox, I find quite a few that I simply cannot live without, and usually waste no time downloading and installing them on my computer. Far too often, I don't take the time to read everything before acquiring them, so there they sit, unused & taking up space. Most of them I use all the time, and love the way they make using the computer so much easier and more pleasant. Others get uninstalled because they were too complicated to understand or I couldn't make them work the way I thought they would. Today I discovered Hyperwords, and after watching the neat little demo (with relaxing background music!), hope you'll consider sharing it with your readers. I haven't tried Hyperwords out yet, but have put it on my list of things to do soon. Only this time I'll read all the instructions & info first!
Last week I wrote about Google's new web browser called Chrome. I've been using it off and on this week. It's not ready for serious surfing yet in my opinion. It's still in beta and I've had it crash on me several times already.
I will keep using Firefox with all of it's great addons and I'll even occasionally use a theme. The theme I tried most recently was the Chromifox theme. It looks great in my browser.
Here's a closer look at it if you'd like to see it better.
Quote from the website
A coat of Chrome for Firefox. Say hello to Chromifox, a bright and soft blue theme for Firefox 3 on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X, inspired by the appearance of the Google Chrome web browser.
QuickTime Alternative version 2.7 has been released.
Jun 2007
I recently tried to watch a QuickTime movie online and I was prompted to install a newer version of QuickTime ... NO! I won't do it.
Years ago I tried QT and I was not pleased with how it tried to take over all of the video and audio formats. I'm not one to hold a grudge, but I've never tried it since then.
Since many movie trailers and other types of online movies are in MOV or other QT formats, how do I manage to get by without it? I get by very nicely with QuickTime Alternative.
QuickTime Alternative (QTA) is usually found at Free-Codecs.com, but the folks at Apple requested that they stop hosting it.
Quote from Free-Codecs.com
Download links to QuickTime Alternative have been removed at kind request of Apple. Even though this site does not host any downloads, we have have decided to just remove all links, even indirect ones, and get on with life. QT is a slow and sometimes also buggy piece of software anyway.
This has spawned a number of changes at the Free-Codecs website and at one time they weren't even posting links to it. Today when I checked the links were back.
I'm not sure how much longer the good people behind QTA will continue to provide updates, so I recommend that you go out now and get the latest one. (Currently v1.81)
If you somehow find you can't get QTA anymore, the KliteCodecs will work just as well for viewing most QT formats.
Some applications really get on my bad side. Apple's QuickTime does this in several ways. First of all it wants to grab all the file associations for audio and video that it possibly can. Secondly it always wants to connect to the internet. It wants updates or it wants to show you a website or it wants to get more information about media. It wants to drive me nuts. Last of all it tries to put itself in the autorun so it will launch faster. It doesn't take no for an answer. If you try to remove it's entry in the registry, it puts another right back in next time it runs. Shame on you Apple!
I found a way to avoid Apple's headacheware by using QuickTime Alternative. I've gotten no complaints from my OS yet. In fact, I think it breathed a sigh of relief.
May 2006
It's been quite awhile since I've tried QuickTime by itself, and they may have improved some since then, but I was recently reminded of one of the reasons I use QTA when I saw an advisory from Secunia about QuickTime. See QuickTime Multiple Code Execution Vulnerabilities.
taskTome - a competent and intuitive task organizer
I am trying GTD Gmail and GoogleCalendar to keep myself organized. I'll let you know how that's working out in a few weeks.
I spotted a review from freewaregenius that speaks of a pretty good solution for managing your life and times. I've never heard of taskTome, have you?
Quote from Samer, freewaregenius
If you need software to help you organize your appointments, tasks, notes, and/or finances without being overly-laden with features and complications then taskTome is probably what you are looking for. taskTome allows you to use any or all of the four components that it has on offer (Planner/tasks/notes/money), or otherwise to disable any component(s) that you do not care to use.
How many of you have heard of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello? If you have, I'm sure you've heard of their most famous classic skit, "Who's on First?" . If you've never seen or heard them, click here to see the video on YouTube or click here to see a larger version.
Once you've seen it, you'll be able to understand the situation below when Lou calls Abbott on the phone to ask about buying a new computer for his office.
You have to be old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, and too old to REALLY understand computers, to fully appreciate this. For those of us who sometimes get flustered by our computers, please read on...
If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this:
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT : Your computer?
COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO: You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT:! Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Window's.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get whe n you click the blue 'W'.
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT: One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
Gary at Internet Fixes continues to amaze me with hundreds and thousands of tips for your PC. Whatever your operating system, or how you use it, a visit to Gary's site will soon have you saying "So that's how you do this!".
Dropbox is a good free service for storing and sharing files. It's been in beta for a long time and was accessed by invitation only, but now it's open to the public.
They recommend that you install their free upload tool for easy access from your system tray. After you click the systray icon, it opens a window that you can drag and drop your files into for easy uploading.
I have not tried their upload tool. I'm getting to the point where I have way too many things running in the system tray already. Fortunately they do provide an online upload dialog that works just fine.
Quote from the website
Dropbox is the easiest way to share and store your files online.
• Works like you do
No complicated interfaces to learn. Dropbox runs in the background on your desktop.
• Worry-free syncing
Sync your files automatically to your computers and the web.
• It's everywhere you are
Sign in and access your files from any browser or mobile device.
• Easy sharing
Sharing files with your friends and family is just two clicks away.
• Photos
View your photos in a gallery and share them easily with anyone.
Becky (Respect2Glory) showed me several cool videos that make use of Google Earth to show some very strange things that you can see from space. Here is one of those videos.
• Avoid Win XP Re-activation. If you do reinstall Windows XP, then you'll need to re-activate it too, that is, unless you keep this tip handy : http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/1395
COOLSITES is a list of safe, fun, useful, informative and just plain cool websites and programs that are FREE, FREE and FREE. All of the programs and websites I list are free. If I list anything that is so good but isn't free I will list the price with it.
Wow! Over 900 people and still growing! I invite all of you to record your locations on this map. You can include as little or as much information as you wish. I think you'll enjoy seeing yourself there.
Here's a small look at my frapper map.
Get Gmail! and Get Firefox!
You need a free 6 GB Gmail account to access many of the cool features at Google. After more than two years in beta testing Gmail is open to the public. Just go to http://gmail.com and sign up for an account.
I think Gmail works best in the awesome Firefox browser. It's free, easy to use, and it's way more secure than Internet Explorer. My favorite thing to do is to customize Firefox so that it does much more than IE ever could. You can select new button controls for your toolbars, install extensions to add new features, or change the look of your browser with themes - the way Firefox looks and works is under your control.
I get many of the reviews in the newsletter from the readers. You don't have to be a genius or computer guru. Just answer a few questions and send me a review. I'll probably put you in the newsletter.
What do you have to say?
Just tell me what article you are talking about and leave me your comment.
Quote from the website
Quote from the website
I recently tried to watch a QuickTime movie online and I was prompted to install a newer version of QuickTime ... NO! I won't do it.
Lou shops for a computer:
Quote from the website
Source - 
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