Author Archives: tcolvinMI

PortableApps.com

Posted by on February 20, 2012 3 comments
Forum Discussion - PortableApps.com - 4 post(s)

For me, being portable is something that is very important, so that I have everything I need anywhere I go, no matter what.  Mobile devices handle a lot of this, but there’s always the case of having specific applications that you may need (along with the configurations that go along with them), no matter what computer you happen to be using.  Insert PortableApps.com.  PortableApps is a solution that will allow you to run certain applications (there’s quite a few) from a USB stick, saving all of the configuration to said USB stick and that will operate on any Windows computer with the ability to read a USB device.

Some of the applications include the following:

  • Firefox, Chrome, and Opera – Browsing (obviously)
  • Pidgin, Skype – Instant Messaging
  • Filezilla – FTP
  • XAMPP – WAMP stack  (this idea really appeals to me!)
  • Audacity – Audio editing
  • GIMP – Image editing
  • Notepad++ – Text Editing
  • OpenOffice.org – Office Applications
  • FoxitReader – PDF Reader
  • ClamWin Antivirus
  • 7zip – File Extraction
  • And many many more.

To use PortableApps, you will need to dedicate a USB stick.  You can still store data onto the stick, but the stick should be clean prior to installing PortableApps.  Once you install PortableApps, an icon will appear in the system tray.  You can close it at any time.  Reopening the application can be done from the USB stick by browsing to it and clicking on Start.exe.  The menu looks very similar to a Windows Vista/7 type start menu.  There is an eject button that will allow you to disconnect the device once you are finished (which is always a good idea).  Included is the ability to download and install additional apps, as well as backup and restore files.

PortableApps is open source and they have a pretty broad support forum, with separate forums for each application they support.

Forum – Not Only For Serious Issues

Posted by on February 13, 2012 No comments

Many of the posts in our forum are either related to the site posts we generate on a daily basis or somehow in relation to tech.  However, today, I started this post in the Lounge, just to bring to light a very interesting (and hilarious) spam comment that I found earlier today.  This post also features a message from John Madden.  While we love to dive into the technology, sometimes it’s good to kick back and enjoy a laugh.  Stop by and visit the forum and check us out.  We’re anxious to hear from you.

http://www.mightorindustries.net/forum/lounge/best-spam-comment/

Google Cloud Print – Printing On The Cloud

Posted by on February 3, 2012 2 comments
Forum Discussion - Google Cloud Print - Printing On The Cloud - 3 post(s)

As we move more and more toward the cloud, one thing that is going to become an issue is the ability to print.  You can virtually do just about everything else in the cloud.  HP has a halfway decent solution to this by adding a feature to newer printers that allow you to print by sending an email to your printer.  However, there is limited support for the types of documents you can do this with.

Leave it to Google to come up with a solution to this problem.  Using the Google Chrome browser, you can add printers (old and new, with some caveats) to the cloud and print to them from pretty much anywhere.  Lifehacker actually wrote a pretty decent article laying out what is required to use Google Cloud Print.  The showcase features in my opinion are the ability to use just about any printer and the ability to print from your smart phone.

You can read the article from Lifehacker here.  I’ve tried using this and have had success from my PC, but have yet to get it working from my phone.  I’ve still got some tweaking to do, but a service like this has serious potential.

Sound Off: Instant Messengers

Posted by on February 2, 2012 No comments
Forum Discussion - Sound Off: Instant Messengers - 1 post(s)

In a given day, I tend to use a lot of software.  By the end of the work day, my task bar is usually full of at least 5 Explorer windows, my browser (with at least 10 tabs open), my work specific tools, and many others.  However, one tool that I use both at home and at work is an instant messenger (IM) client.  I’m sure many of you use IM clients as well.  Switching between programs was frustrating and I figured there had to be a better way.  Ads were also starting to creep into these IM clients.  While I understand their need to make money, seeing their ads wasn’t a high priority for me.  About 8 years ago, I made a conscious effort to find one piece of software to let me use all of my instant messengers at one time.  A program that would let you use multiple chat networks was pretty scarce back then.  Nowadays, there are plenty of them available, especially via the web.

Before I go any further, we’d love to hear what you have to say on the issue of IM clients.  Which ones do you use and why?  Are there any that you’ve tried and are just plain awful?  Let us know what you think in the comments or on the forum.

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Tech Tip: Automatically Log In To Your PC On Startup

Posted by on February 1, 2012 No comments
Forum Discussion - Tech Tip: Automatically Log In To Your PC On Startup - 1 post(s)

Are you getting tired of logging into your PC every time your computer starts up?  Windows 7 requires that you create a password for your computer when you set it up.  However, if you want your computer to automatically log you in, follow the steps below.

There are some caveats.  This only works upon startup of your computer.  If you lock the computer, you will be required to enter your password.  Also, if you log off, rather than shutting down or rebooting, you will be required to enter your password.

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