Computer Tech Links

Email Back Up and Online Storage

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:22:00 PDT

Emails and online back up storage alternatives, are a daily important feature for millions of internet users to keep in contact with family and friends, receive the latest articles from subscriptions sites, signing up for online services, notifications for online auctions, and many other web based functions. However if your email software suddenly becomes unusable or problematic, then often anxiety, inconvenience, and even out right panic can set in (as I discovered when bidding live online). Therefore it is important to have a remote back up solution or back up email program or alternative strategy at hand to easily implement to keep information a current two way street online.

Email Not Working - Check Account and ISP Provider

If you suspect your email program is non functional, then perhaps check the account settings (e.g. under tools - options), or contact your ISP (i.e. telephone call) or visit online for the help and/or email set up procedures. If there is a known issue, and if immediate online email contact, is important then immediately set up another (or more) email account. This can be easily done with GMail or the temporary 10 minute mail, (for signing up with online forms) to create other email back up accounts. Hence you can at least remain in email contact, whilst your (primary and disabled) email account is being attended to. Image of an Email by hoefi at SXC.

GMail - Avenue to many Applications

In fact I ended up using my secondary GMail account, as the primary account , as I found it more reliable in most instances, with easy to use features (labels, filters, alerts, and labs). Also it can be used for storage, due to it's generous size for storing emails. Perhaps a downside, is that you need to inform many others of your new email address, but another upside, is it opens avenues to the vast empire of Google. That is, you can sign in with your Gmail user name to Google accounts and use their many web applications, such as Google Docs, Sites, Blogger, Web Master Tools, Codes, Apps, Adsense, iGoogle, and much more.

Online Storage for Backing Up and Sharing

Sometimes legitimate emails may get redirected into spam folders, or on the server, or just vanish. Hence when conversing with your ISP, explain specifics, and they may be able to readily fix it, with testing, unless if it's a larger or complicated issue. Hence the more reason for signing up with a back up email program. Perhaps consider a free, secure host site, e.g. Microsoft SkyDrive, or Mozy Online Backup: 2GB Free. Automatic. Secure.- to store documents, images, music, etc, for security. Online storage can be useful for large file size documents, or numerous images (e.g. Flickr); Perhaps your own server (or your ISP), can be used for sharing your larger files. There are also the social sites (Twitter, Facebook) to connect with family and friends, and with suitable plug ins/add on tools to help streamline communication.

Plan Current Online Communication - Not only Email

Hence if email is an important and daily medium for you, then setting up a another web based email, signing up with free host sites, online social connection, instant messaging, ISP server, Skype, etc, would be helpful to not only yourself but others (friends, family, and services) to keep in current contact with. Thus as we should back up our hard drive's important files, software, audio, videos, etc, then adopting a back up communication strategy will help ease the two way flow of relatively instant online communication. Image of www email by jayofboy at SXC.

Top Tips To Avoid DLL Errors

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:11:00 PDT

If you work on a Windows computer, you most likely have come across a DLL error at some point in time. DLL or Dynamic Link Library files were developed by Microsoft to make programs running in the Windows environment more efficient and less of a system hog. The ability of these files being swapped allows your Windows computer to save hard disk space and memory. This is the reason why, the overall performance of your computer is greatly improved due to the utilization of DLL files.

What Causes DLL Errors

Since DLLs are essential for applications to run on Windows, you can expect a few DLL errors to appear once in a while. A malware infection, a corrupt hard drive, an accidental deletion of a vital DLL file or overwriting a newer DLL version with an older one are some of the reasons that cause DLL errors.

DLL errors such as the dimsntfy.dll error or advrcntr2.dll error may sometimes pop up, preventing you from running certain programs or performing a particular task. Dimsntfy.dll belongs to the Windows operating system and it’s stored in the Windows folder under the ‘DLL Cache’ directory. Basically, dimsntfy.dll is the DIMS Notification Handler and is an important component of Windows OS. While advrcntr2.dll is a file related to Ahead software’s Nero CD and DVD Burner. If you have installed Nero to burn and rip files, you need that file and an advrcntr2.dll error would not allow Nero to burn your CD’s and DVD’s.

Tips to Avoid DLL Errors

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy for you to fix DLL errors, if you follow some of these top tips to avoid DLL errors:

Always try to avoid deleting shared DLL files when you’re uninstalling programs from your computer.
Do not install unnecessary programs or programs from unknown developers. Incessant installation of programs may lead to DLL errors as well.
If you have a backup or test PC, install new programs there first and then install it in your main computer. In this way, you’ll be able to protect your valuable data stored in your main computer, if the program turns out to be malicious.
Always keep your computer protected with a reliable antivirus and anti-spyware program. Make sure you regularly scan your computer with them. DLL errors are sometimes caused when a virus has corrupted your DLL file.
Use the System Restore utility of Windows. When your computer is running error free, create a System Restore Point manually. This would allow you to restore your computer to the most recent Restore Point, in case a DLL error crops up.
Try to steer clear of ‘DLL Download’ sites, as some of them might actually offer you viruses which are disguised as DLLs.
Most importantly, buy a good registry cleaning software and run it on a regular basis. Registry cleaners are one of the best ways to fix DLL errors in your computer.

The registry cleaning tools save you from the tedious task of manually searching for DLL errors in the Windows registry to fix DLL errors.

Clean Your Computer

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:55:00 PDT

It's advisable to clean your computer internal hardware of dust, particles, and other materials that may be present inside it's case. I found this out, after my mother's desktop computer (2 years new or old) was running a bit slow, and intermittently switching itself off. We had done all the common computer system cleaning procedures, by applying Anti virus, spyware (e.g. Avast, Malwarebytes, HiJack This, What's Running (background activity) Adware, etc. Also applied diagnostic hard drive clean up targeted methods and trouble shooting windows PC errors - altering and running mscongfig - startup, services, ccleaner, defrag: defraggler, uninstalling unwanted programs, check disc, system restore, and more.

Hardware Problems Exist

But still the computer's issues existed, after running numerous software and comprehensive diagnostics. But I never really though about to clean the computer's interior hardware until a while later. I think many people, understandably think a system process, and spyware, adware, etc, is the cause, and like me jump in an attempt to find and fix it. But if standard trouble shooting, produces no noticeable result or improvement - then the hardware is generally considered suspect. There are also hardware diagnostic/information freeware that can help target specific issues. (e.g. Fresh Diagnose, PC diagnostics Freeware 1.0.0.8, PC Wizard, S/W System Information, etc). Image of pc by marinm at SXC.

Computer Location - Dust Absence
Even though I clean my PC's internals about every 3 to 4 months, hence I suspected a dirty computer - simple. Thus I dismantled the computer case, and man what a dirty dusty mess inside. The PC system must have been struggling (i.e. dust interference with electrical circuitry?), overheating slightly, surely affecting it's performance. But I think it's unsuitable environment must have contributed, because the hard drive lives in a boxed up corner on thick carpet, adjacent to two windows of thick curtains, and next to a bed with a thick bedspread. Also I think trees large outside, may have contributed, with it's pollen grains (evidence on the adjacent outside balcony). Hence an unnoticeable dusty surroundings, without any air circulation. So a simple, but cautious cleaning operation was undertaken, to expel the trappings of dust and other particles, within the computer.

Power Supply and Fan

This was removed and carefully cleaned and dried, with a moist cloth, a fine artist brush, and blowing by mouth. Ideally a can of compressed air would be quicker, and of course after the computer's power is turned off. Pays to separate the screws for the entire case, power fan, and it's shroud, as I got them a bit mixed up. I considered testing the fan's efficiency (flow rate?) or somehow for voltage or current input. But it spun fast enough, so OK by me. Image of PC Power fan By veredgf at SXC.

Motherboard Circuitry

This was carefully cleaned, and in fact layers of clumpy dust/particles were picked and brushed off, and blown out, and also within the hard drive enclosure, memory, modem, and within the front panel. I believe a anti-static strap should be used, but I have never used one, in about 10 years. I also used a mini USB vacuum cleaner, which helped a little. I also carefully slanted and shook the case sideways and foward- backward. Image of pc innards by saejinn at SXC.

PC Case Vent Holes

For my PC I clean the case vent holes externally every few weeks, but this PC had to be washed and dried around the vent holes from the inside. Application of paper tissues/wipes, cotton swabs (for PC's), rubbing alcohol (or similar) could be used on the computer case vents - but make sure they are dry before re-attaching. There was grime and dust cluttering the vent holes. So don't know if the computer was breathing properly, but should breath better after a thorough clean.

CPU Fan and Heat Sink

Carefully cleaned the CPU and it's surroundings, as it's important for it too stay cool to allow the computer system to function properly. Their are utilities to monitor CPU functions, including temperature (e.g. Core Temp: www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/). Your PC system or driver disc may have a such a utility, which you may want to use for monitoring. Image of CPU heat Sink By thefork at SXC.

Increased Computer System Performance

After cleaning we found the computer went noticeably faster, without switching off. But we felt it should be faster still. Extra ram, and a new CPU (my Mother's idea, and I did not know until later) were installed, certainly increased the computer speed, and now all working good - at speed. But I don't know, or can easily figure out, if having a dirty computer over 2 years, may have had a detrimental effect on the hardware components, thus causing for components to be replaced for increased performance. At this stage, some may want to run their anti virus, spyware, defrag, and cleaning programs to round off a computer's hardware cleaning. But to clean your computer, is generally straight foward, and if implemented with care, and on a regular basis, can reduce a loss in performance. Image of Digital Dreams By flaivoloka at SXC.

Related Posts: Hard Drive Clean Up and Computer Hardware and Software Service

Widgets For Your Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:23:00 PDT

Embedding widget, gadgets, and banners to your blog can add a bit of attractiveness and useful information to yourself (and about yourself), including your visitors. There are many widget types (e.g. visitor stats, advertisements, affiliate links, chat, information, bookmarks, etc), that can project a sense of status, authority, relevancy, and of course professionalism to your blog. Displaying such widgets perhaps also indicates that you have a sense of pride, and additional worthiness (in addition to your content of course) in your blog, because you have taken the time (and maybe trouble) to insert the html/javascript codes, sometimes with url links, to adjust to fit, and then to position carefully or strategically within your blog.

Many blog content widgets can also aid in search engine optimization (i.e. a possible SEO tool), depending on the site you signed up, and it's procedures, for utilizing the widget. I have observed some of my blog's content widget appearing higher ranked in Google search engine results pages, than the actual blog themselves for certain search terms. Also, I think if a search term includes text (i.e. keyword) in your content, and of the widget name, then your blog can be displayed on search results pages. The BlogCatalog directory site, is an example of this nature (based on current google indexing methods).

Below are some free widgets, which I think are present in many blogs, and include some which I have applied (and later selectively removed), that can at least initially, add an enhanced look and feel within your blog - and hopefully to your visitors. Bearing in mind though, a blog is about quality relevant content (mostly), and widgets perhaps should be used as an extension tool to help visitors mainly to connect, engage, and perhaps strongly associate (e.g.as in popular freeware sites and blogs, social media, news sites, blog directories) with your content. Many popular blogs, news sites, download sites, etc, provide widgets which include the popular rss feeds widgets.

RSS Feed Widget (e,g, feedburnergoogle.com): Used by thousands of blogs and websites to attract visitors to sign up to the latest articles or posts. In fact the generated code, is often used in many other widgets or purposes, such as site maps (based on XML code), or content based widgets for your posts. Often a associated e-mail widget is includes as well, and for Google's Feedburner there are many options to help optimize, monetize, and promote your blog. I embedded their feed map, and rotating post banner on my profile in a few social media sites.

Widgetbox (widgetbox.com): You can create attractive colourful widgets, that display your content post's, optionally with images. There are several options, for sizes, colors, styles, and you can add a widget to their site as well. Also includes social media widgets for Facebook, Blogger, MySpace, and other platforms. Produces a streamlined informative article/post box to embed in your blog.

Comment Box (From madtomatoe.com): This simple, but very useful widget text box, once embedded, display visitors comments for you to easily view from your home page. This instantly lets you know, so that you can reply in a timely manner to your viewers.

Shoutmix (shoutmix.com): Basically a live chat box, to allow interaction with others, and I have seen in some tutorial based blogs.

Google Friend Connect: Engages and attracts visitors to your blog, and you can invite from contacts, and social media sites.

Twitter: Where you can submit your blog, and of course promote on your blog with twitter embedded buttons and widgets. I have seen many twitter widgets emerging to help simplify your twitter posts and connections. Many new twitter widgets I have come across from SEO sites, such as search engine journal, and search engine land in their e-mail feeds. Too many, with advanced functions - but quite useful (if you tweet that is).

BlogCatalog: The popular recent visitors with their profile image (and other people based widgets), evident on thousands of blogs. I know many promote themselves to varying degrees, to join in messages, forums, and groups.

MyBlogLog: Similar themed people based widgets as BlogCatalog. But their are many other blog directories that provide banner or widgets (Blogged, BlogTopList, Blog Engage, Entrecard, etc -See blog buttons below on the L/H side), not only to their sites, but for other factors, such as widgets for rating, voting, most visited content, and more.

Feedjit: The free version widget displays recent visitors (see R/H side), you do have a few options from their site. But I only embedded it, once I got sufficient visitors, with their popular stats widget.

Google Gadgets: Hundreds of easy to embed and customizable gadgets. I use the news gadget (based on RSS feeds), the translate widget, calendar, and maybe others, as displayed in my Auckland Hotels Blog. There are many other gadgets - currency converters, world time, audio output, weather reports, quotes, and more. Though the code can be a bit long, so be careful when copying and pasting.

Google Maps: Sign in to Google Maps, and create a map to embed/link to your blog. Maps are popular with commercial/corporate businesses, e.g. Hotels, Pizza Outlets, Tourism, etc. Note though, Google has implemented a "10 pack map display" for business and their maps in Google search results. Sometimes a "3 pack map" is displayed. I read about it in a SEO article, and can be a targeted approach to display prominently a business in search engine results.

Weatherbonk (weatherbonk.com): Mash up of a real time weather forecast on a Google map, with alerts, satellite, radar and other information.

Share (from add this.com): Popular social bookmark widget that allows visitors to bookmark your blog to social/bookmark/forum sites (example below - hover your mouse over the share widget) such as Facebook, del.icio.us, twitter, etc.

Technorati favorites: Widget to add your blog to the blog indexing and search site Technorati. here a popular blog can get rated by Authority.

Digg: The widget when clicked, places your blog post on Digg, a social news site, and if popular, then perhaps get listed on the first page. This has potential to increase visitors to your blog.

Ad Affiliates: These widgets display ads, as a monetary source for your blog, and widgets can come in a range of sizes, styles, display modes, with visibility options (e.g. only display via a search engine results, e.g. Chitika ads). Notable ad affiliates are Amazon, Click Bank, Chitika, AdToll, Stock photo sites, and others.

Widget Advantages: Adds attractiveness, visitor user interaction, monetization (ads), authority or status (voting widgets), popularity (stats widgets), with probably more advantages.

Widget Disadvantages: Can be slow to load your blog, visitors may leave your blog quicker by clicking away on widgets, may involve constant customization and searching to change/replace with better widgets, and may become too standard and hence visitor inactivity on certain widgets.

Thus there are several widgets that can be embedded and customized to suit certain needs for your blog. Perhaps to enhance a blog's overall layout, highlight/show case visitors numbers, allow sign ups (rss feed widgets), engage readers (content widgets), and increase search optimization. But widgets should be used carefully, so as to merge in with the general layout and theme or relevance of your blog, without creating too much clutter or irrelevance.

MP3 Duplicate Finder and Remover

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:52:00 PDT

If your computer has numerous similar or duplicate MP3 or other format audio files, then the freeware "Similarity" a MP3 duplicate finder and remover will be useful for audio and hard drive organization. Excess duplicate audio files are unneccessary, become unused, and can take up space on your hard drive. Perhaps you may want to remove duplicate audio before systematically organizing your audio files, with a freeware software such as MediaMonkey or to rename audio tracks based on their tag information. Similarity, a freeware utility, supports various audio formats such as MP3, WAV, OGG, WMA and others, and can easily scan your computer for duplicate audio files. It performs comparison sound analysis of audio files based on sound characteristics, and finds any embedded tag information, e.g. album, artist, and track entries.

Ease of Use and Audio Results Verification:

The attractive interface, similar to windows explorer for navigation, is easy to use, scans MP3 duplicates relative quickly, provides optional sensitivity and scan content/tag settings for finding audio files. To help ease of audio file removal, a list of duplicate and similar MP3's, with a percentage bar for content and/tag information is displayed in the Results tab. Depending on your settings, the percentage can range from 0.5 % to 100%. The higher the percentage (I found above about 75 %), then the most likely the MP3's are exact duplicates, i.e the audible audio output are a exact match when listened to.

Similarity - Easily Search Audio Duplicates, Verify, then Remove

You can verify the MP3 duplicate results, by viewing tag/file information and directly playing the side by side audio results at the bottom, after clicking one of the listed audio file results. The audio file should play in your default player, if the format is supported. Any or all of the duplicate MP3's can be sorted, deleted, played, and exported to a play list.

Testing and MP3 Duplicate Results:

I tested by comparing two folders, and created duplicates in one folder, and altering the file name and tags for a few tracks. Similarity was able to quickly determine the audio files as duplicates, with 97% similar content comparison (and 27 % similar tag information), from about 350 files total in about 2 minutes. Another set of duplicates had about 73 % audio content comparison, but with 80% tag similarity. Thus tag information can be useful - i.e. to complement or prove that the audio files are duplicate if tag results are a high percentage.

Sensitivity and Customization:

But in my view the real strength is in the sound analysis comparison, as many of the files were not tagged (or incorrectly/incomplete). Interesting to note, that for the some of the same artists, but with different MP3 audio songs, there were around 40% to 55% content comparison analysis at the default settings. This indicates the level of sensitivity for finding, and perhaps reliability/accuracy of this software. So to target similar audio for finding exact duplicates, the option scan settings are customizable and can be easily adjusted. Overall a good useful freeware MP3 duplicate finder and remover, to help streamline and organize you audio collection, and to regain hard drive capacity for you computer. Similarity can be found at www. music-similarity.com or download directories.

Related articles from MP3 Free Software Downloads:
Free MP3 Utility Tools and Free MP3 Audio Organizers

SEO Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:37:00 PDT

Applying basic search engine optimization (SEO) tips is a procedure (of sorts) to optimize your blog to rank highly on their search engine results pages (called "serps"). Perhaps having your blog title displayed within the first three results pages would be ideal. This is important if you want to gain targeted visitors, and perhaps subscribers to your blog. There are many blogs, web sites, articles, manuals, etc that offer quality SEO tips to achieve this, and which I have adopted, in an attempt to quickly gain visitors. For this blog, I only explain the basics that I have applied for on site optimization.

Applying SEO techniques is not really new, but worth applying properly if you want to attract visitors, that you feel should engage with your blog's content. In many blog forums, I have seen numerous questions relating to SEO. Conversely, I seen many forums posts replying with quality SEO tips, and including links to SEO PDF files, SEO blogs, sites and PDF's. SEO blog optimization, I believe is becoming increasingly important for blogs, as there are so many blogs for a wide range of topics, which are becoming increasingly competitive for those topics (or keywords).
SEO Image By svilen001 at SXC.

You can of course research to find a less competitive blog topic that you might want to relate to a competitive topic - often called a niche blog. But for now, for on site (i.e. within your blog's content and template layout) SEO procedures, I have adopted basic content SEO procedures and some blogger based template/script changes, that do help increase visits. Specifically visits from search engines, for visitors that want relevant/targeted information by searching - before they even know your blog exists. Hopefully your blog title displays prominently (i.e. with relevant post title introduction) on the first few pages of the serps for a targeted search. Then hopefully visitors click on the displayed link, then read with enthusiasm your blog's content. Then ideally visitors return, along with daily new visitors.

SEO Keywords for Blogger Layout:

You need to apply keywords with your blog url if possible (I have for new blogs I have created),and the same or very similar keywords for your blog description, blog post title, and blog body content. I research popular keywords and keyword phrases (by Google search visitors) by using Google's keyword tool. I use keywords in the introduction, sparingly throughout the body post, and at the end to summarize. I also apply associated keywords (called secondary or long tail keywords) that closely relate to the primary keyword (e.g primary might be Blog and secondary might be Blogger, or say Hotel then Accommodation). I think Google with it's massive database would know that those primary/secondary keywords are highly associated. Of course you need to write unique quality content as well.

But you need to write naturally and intuitively try to configure your keywords within the content to create a natural blog post. Not only natural but to keep within focus to engage your readers, with what you want to essentially convey. You need to balance your content, by not using too many keywords, as this might be unfavorable to Google. There are also html tags to consider, and perhaps highlighting (e.g. bold) some of your keywords and their associated secondary keywords. For html tags, their are the header type tags. Though I have not really used html tags for SEO, but they are known to help.

If adding images, use keywords and a short relevant sentence that describes the image in the alt attribute html of the image; alt ="" might be alt = "Increase visits by keyword search tips using SEO tips at My Blog (Title)". Remember people do image searches, and hopefully they may find your blog from your alt attribute. I think it helps to have a convincing title to target visitors, particularly if there are numerous other similar blog title or post content. I use "How to repair" (then keyword phrase) which has attracted visitors, or apply popular keyword phrases that specifically relates to the post body.

Blogger script modification/hacks for SEO:

I also applied a few html/JavaScript changes in my blogger html template from a SEO perspective. Many others have as well, and such script changes increase the chances of visitors clicking on your blog from Google search results. The main script changes for me are:

1. Adding meta tags 2. Displaying the post (1st)- blog title (2nd) in search results and 3. Adding scripts/links/widgets for popular or relevant posts.

Meta Tags For SEO

Adding meta tags, particularly a relevant blog or post description, will prominently display what you post is about and more targeted in terms of SEO. Having a relevant description (and using keyword or related terms from Google's keyword tool) will increase visits - important if there are hundreds of similar posts, forum posts, blog directories, news sites, etc (and that don't have a relevant description). Best to visit online for specifics and how to add meta tags, e.g. bloggertricks com.

Image of Google search results for Computer Tech Links
a. Meta description tag: How to increase Visitor Traffic to Your Blog: 36 Tips from personal experience. b. Post Title displays before Blog Title and C. Key worded image description added to alt attribute (view source code)

Post and Title Display SEO Optimization Tip For a Blogger Blog

Typically Google search results for Blogger blogs are in the form Blog Title then Blog Post Title. You can reverse that order to Blog Post Title then Blog Title. This is a important SEO script tip as the end of the overall text (the Post title) will be trimmed off, if either the blog title and/or the post title is a bit long. Hence reverse it to help prominently display the Post Title (remember appropriately key worded) first - to increase the chances of targeted visitors to click to your site. Visit and search bloggerplugins.org for a simple explanation and the script code.

Add Links to Popular Post Tip

To help keep visitors on your site, and to possibly return, I add links in the sidebars to popular/relevant posts as determined by Google Analytics. Or you can automate by applying labels or widgets box type scripts. Some scripts require the rss feed address for your blog to be added to the actual script. Some blog directories provide such scripts, also feedburner (a script called feedmap I think), and blog tutorial sites (The blog doctor, bloggertipandtrick, blogger know how, and others).

These are basic on page SEO tips that I use, and actually can be applied more in depth to achieve advanced SEO techniques (e.g. optimum keyword density,"semantics" keywords association, optimum keyword phrases for titles, specific html tags in sub category titles in the posts, Blog template and script optimization, and more). More advanced SEO optimization tips can be found at SEOZombie, Search Engine Land, Make Money for Beginners (Grizz blog), and Blogger based tutorials. But best to start with basic SEO blog tips, and then more advanced with further SEO research and monitoring. It helps to learn SEO if you want to increase targeted visitors to your blog on a daily basis.

Related SEO/Blog Promotion Posts -

How to Increase Visitors Traffic to Your Blog. Tech Blogs (Links to Blogger Tutorials)

How To Keep Your Computer Safe From Harmful Viruses and Trojans

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:03:00 PDT

Most of us are blissfully unaware of the extent of damage that malware can cause until we actually face its wrath, and many times it is too late by then to do anything. A malware assault may result in data loss, identity theft, and system crashes causing substantial loss of money as well as time. Sometimes the damage caused by malicious software can be irreparable.

The epidemic is growing so fast that every year users are facing losses amounting to billions of dollars. The fight against this malware menace is to be fought at two ends. On one end, software manufacturers are working around the clock to make their applications more robust and plugging the possible security loopholes. On the other end, users are on their own in this fight and have to take the responsibility of dealing with malware and related errors.

The goal of this article is to help you understand the causes and identify the solutions to malware errors. It is important to take note that user vigilance is going to be critical while combating this problem. Please follow the list of Do’s and Don’ts below, which will help keep computer virus and Trojans away:

You must have a reliable anti-virus utility installed on your computer and use it to perform a complete scan of your system on a regular basis. You must also keep your anti-virus updated so that it is able to fight new viruses that are released almost daily. This is a very important task that users tend to shrug off once they have installed anti-virus software. Also, if you find suspicious files, such as d.exe running on your computer, you must immediately perform a full system scan. You must also scan your PC if you feel that something is wrong with legitimate Windows files, such as wscntfy.exe that belongs to the Windows Security Center.
Do not browse or download anything from sites that look dubious. You should also be careful of sites that offer freeware and shareware software. You should absolutely avoid the sites that offer keys and cracks and claim to enable you to install pirated software. Anything that is free from an unknown source should raise eyebrows and should be kept at arms length.
You should always perform a thorough scan of any CD or disk before copying any files or information from it. Often, we assume that CDs from known sources are free from any malicious software but you never know.
Do not open email attachments from sources that you do not know. Even if you know the sender, avoid opening files with dubious names and extensions as they may contain viruses and other malware. It could be a possibility that an email from a known source has been generated by a virus.
You must ensure that all software on your computer is updated frequently. This will make sure that your software such as operating system and applications are updated with the latest patches and security holes that are frequently misused by the viruses to enter your system.
In addition to anti-virus software, you must make use of a good registry cleaner to scan and repair entries that are corrupted by malware. Cleaning the registry with a good registry tool helps you ensure complete malware removal from your computer.

Defrag: Defraggler

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:51:00 PDT

Basic review of Defraggler, a good free defrag software utility from Piroform for your computer hard drive, who created the very popular CCleaner and Recuva. Defraggler installs easily and quickly, and appears to runs faster than the standard Windows defrag software. It allows selection of individual files to defrag. Defraggler operates on all windows systems, and the settings menu has options to select or exclude file types and their folders.

Defragging is required for your computer's hard drive, to restructure the file fragments, particularly after extensive use, such as audio from video extraction, or other process intensive operations. So if your computer is slowing down, particularly during hard drive access, then running Defraggler may help. The standard windows defrag utility can be slow and even hang, as I found out when, I think it could not easily access some large ISO files. Other defrag utilities may also be slow, or required to be purchased. Defraggler being totally free from the reputable Piroform, you can be assured of a customizable, easy, and quick defrag scan to help optimize, and increase the speed of your computer.

Defraggler works quick and remains stable, even when using the computer. Often with windows defrag utility, restarting would occur during computer use. Of interest I like when after a analysis, you can click on any of the colored squares, of which file information is revealed. This can give you an idea of what file types are being fragmented frequently. For my computer, my kid's ISO back up games were often in a need of a defrag. It's possible to perform a deeper analysis to evaluate what files and their sizes are fragmented by using the search function.

The simple schedule option allows a defrag for your computer if you are going to be away, and to perform such an important optimization task, one cannot really do without Defraggler. Go try Defraggler from Piroform, it's a must have. Do add comments if you can about Defraggler, or other defrag and computer hard drive optimization utilities.

Related Posts:
Computer Hardware and Software Service (Basic Overview of PC system)
CCleaner, FCleaner and Disk Cleaner for Computer Cleaning (Basic reviews)
Hard Drive Cleanup

Free Video Movie Editing Software

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:34:00 PDT

Basic reviews of free video movie editing software that perform a range of editing tasks, including splitting, joining, frame extraction, noise reduction, colour depth/restore, format changes, frame rate edits, an more. Perhaps you want to perform similar tasks for video editing, then below are some free movie editors to easily help achieve such editing functions.

Windows Movie Maker 2: Simple to use drag and drop movie editor, with various transitions, 2D effects, and title options. Perhaps mainly for introducing basic movie editing for beginners.

Virtual Dub: Well known powerful editing software, with plenty of compression codecs, can convert, edit, render, capture and filter video files and more, with batch conversion. Can also apply third party video filters for enhancement.

Avedit: Integrated some advanced functions for AVI movie editing, e.g. colour restore, video warping, change frame rate, duration and size, with noise reduction. Imports MP3 files to add as music or sound tracks. Also import popular image formats to convert to AVI movie, and can post to your web site or blog.

Virtual Edit: Provides a slick interface for those aspiring to be "content" creators, by capturing video in to a project. Then add effects, music, and titles for enhancement. Has two modes: the basic DV Edit 123 and Multi Edit Mode from mixed formats and sources.

Wax: General purpose high performance and compositional special effects movie editing software. You can create 2D/3D effects, and work in two modes - stand alone and as a plug in to video editors for more professional editing.

Chopper XP 2.7: Video editing software to extract a segment of a dvd Vob file for removal, which includes video display and a good interface.

Zwei-Stein Video Editor (ZS4): Powerful video editing software, which can edit up to 256 video, image and audio segments including up to 64 effects chained in series. Custom effects are easily applied though automatic key frames.

Avidemux (2.4.4): Performs cutting, encoding, and filtering editing supporting various video movie formats (AVI, MPEG, VOB, MP4, ASF, MKV, FLV, etc) and codecs. Automation of tasks integrating projects, job queuing, and advanced scripting and runs on various platforms. The interface is similar to the VirtualDub editing software and includes many of it's features.

Related posts: Free Online Computer Video Editing Software, Which Video Format Converter Software, and How to Extract and Rip MP3 Audio From DVD VOB Movie

Related post from MP3 Software Downloads: Free DVD Movie MP3 Converter Software Downloads (Create MP3 Audio from free DVD converter downloads)

Top Tips For PC Shutdown Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:47:00 PDT

Murphy’s Law states that, “If anything can go wrong, it will”.

While we may call Murphy a pessimist, our interaction with computers, at times, frequently reminds us of this notorious law. Most of the time, we have no clue as to what caused our computer to display error messages on the screen. There are various things that may happen when you encounter a computer error. Sometimes it may refuse to start, refuse to run an application, slow down, shut down without warning and at times, even refuse to shutdown at all.

A majority of PC shutdown issues are caused by EXE file errors, which may occur due to various reasons. To make things simple for us, we need to understand that since each computer has a huge number of exe files, these errors are sometimes unavoidable. The good news is that there are tips which can help us reduce the frequency of these errors and also steps we can take to resolve these problems.

This article will discuss three exe processes, nvsvc32.exe, hpcmpmgr.exe, ccsvchst.exe that may adversely affect the PC shutdown process by slowing it down and in turn, causing frustration for computer users. We will begin by understanding what these different processes are and ways to fix the errors generated from these processes.

1. Nvsvc32.exe: This process is associated with NVIDIA video cards. Although it is an important process, nvsvc32.exe has one reported drawback - on certain machines, it has been known to consume huge amounts of computer resources causing delays in the system shutdown process. If you are one of those unlucky users, then it is recommended that you remove the nvsvc32.exe process from your startup sequence. In case you are not using a NVIDIA video card then you can also opt to disable nvsvc32.exe process.

2. Hpcmpmgr.exe: The Hpcmpmgr.exe process is associated with various HP printers like the Photosmart, Deskjet and All-in-One, and comes preinstalled on most HP computers. Many computer users who use HP printers and scanners complain of frequently experiencing hpcmpmgr.exe shutdown error messages. The error message pops-up during system shutdown, warning users that it is closing all open programs, even when there are no programs open. HP has acknowledged this problem and has prepared a guide to fix this error. You can easily resolve this issue by installing updates for the HP software that you are currently using.

3. Ccsvchst.exe: This process belongs to Norton Internet Security 2007. Many Norton users complain about high CPU usage resulting from the ccvchst.exe process. Other issues reported are slow system startups, as well as the error listed below at system shutdown:

“The instruction at "0x059a2df" referenced memory at 0x059a2df" the memory could not be written. Click OK to terminate the Program.”

You can resolve this issue by running live update. Symantec, the makers of Norton, also provide a fix for this error in the Support section of their website.

Although a computer without any errors is unheard of, with a little knowledge you can enhance your computing experience and say goodbye to PC shutdown related errors. It is also recommended that you use a good registry cleaner tool to maintain a healthy registry and prevent any system shutdown problems due to incorrect registry entries.

Related Posts:

Trouble Shooting Windows PC Errors How to Avoid Malware and Keep your PC Error Free

How to Increase Visitors to Your Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:35:00 PDT

Since creating this blog I have used various methods to increase visitors, in an attempt to establish a useful avenue for people to hopefully learn something useful. Generally I started promotion in about 30 forums, blog directories, social sites, commenting on similar blogs/sites, article writing, search engine submissions, sub blog/site creation. All these method involved engaging heavily with other sites and blogs, their visitors, and other bloggers. But this takes a lot of time and passion, which I now only partially participate, because of limited time.
Image of World Visitors By ilco at SXC.

But now changing course a little for my blogger based blog by applying search engine techniques (SEO), i.e. keywords in content, relevant link gathering (internal and external), SEO research for keywords, relevant site map submission, url - title - post title- optimization, template - page element visual based customization, html editing, researching/testing other bloggers and blog layout ideas, to name a few. It seems to be working in terms of increased targeted visitors for a lot less work. Getting visitors is one thing, but getting then to return, and to get targeted visitors is another thing. Image of SEO By svilen001 at SXC.

Listed below are avenues to increase visitors to a blog, most of which I have done and seen varying results. Often I found you have to keep reworking (i.e. maintain a a presence) in forums and social sites to increase or even maintain visitors, which are not always targeted visitors - important if you want to make money in a niche blog. Each of these avenues are only the first basic level, as there could be extensive testing (e.g. for template modification, html editing), reworking (e.g. article writing-rewriting, forums answering, careful commenting, etc), optimization/socialization with each avenue (e.g. blog directories also have forums for participation/promotion) and so on.

Anyway hopefully this list is useful for bloggers to start to get traffic. But you should expand within each avenue, and find what suits you without causing stress, excessive time, and loss of interest in blogging. For me it's now the less demanding (well so far) SEO approach, which I found gives me more time to create other blogs of interest, rather than forever navigating, following, and even promoting others on social networks. This list is in no particular priority/logical order, but of what I know from 2 years of my blogging experience...

Methods and Avenues to Increase Blog Traffic:

1. Good content - Well researched, written, unique content that you believe will attract and maintain readers. "How to" based content, with external tutorial links/references seems to attract visitors for this blog.
2. Submit your blog/post/article (don't duplicate) to popular blog/article directories. Popular are MyBlogLog, BlogCatalog, Top of Blogs, Blog Engage, GoArticles, Ezine articles, Article dashboard, etc. Visit Blog Know How for reviews. Perhaps get a little involved in their forums. Visit complete list of Blog Directories.
3. Leave meaningful comments in related blogs/sites that have page rank 2 or higher, or seem to have the potential to go higher. If you can, anchor you link with your blog/post name. But make sure if they are do follow links if you want to get ranked
4. Also leave a link in forum posts, if highly relevant to the question. I have done so sparingly, knowing that it will intuitively help. Again make sure if do follow links (Don't bother me anymore, because I like to share, and help others). Be a genuine active poster - i.e. a helpful contributor.
5. Also leave a link to your blog, in the signature, sometimes with a useful text title reference.
6. Allow visitors to subscribe both by rss feeds and email, and display the graphics/widget box prominently. Visit Google feedburner for optimization ideas.
7. Always reply if you do give a comment with something helpful, with a reminder to come back or bookmark your blog. I have missed opportunities by not replying in a timely manner.
8. Do join myspace, facebook, twitter, mylot, Bebo, etc to help promote your blog, though carefully, but consider how much time and work you intend to do. Not too much - you will get tired. Though twitter might differ, I don't know - but read this from Dosh Dosh (about mass following others)
9. Perhaps join blog carnivals - communities to share topics of interest.
10. Create key worded content that relates to your post title, and your url. For Tech/PC tutorial blogs the "How to" is a good starting point for post titles. People often search starting with "How to"
11. Write with good grammar, medium fonts, maybe a white background, and with paragraphs. Readers want to read clear posts, if that, as many would skim through a post.
12. Include images were suitable (free at sxc) and use the alt tags to describe/reference your blog's post.
13. Use a language translator - visit Google gadgets.
14. Add your blog link to your emails if suitable. It's about spreading your blog.
15. Include a easy to remember name in your url, hopefully for visitors to remember.
16. Perhaps use your url name (or similar) as your user name in forums, directories, etc. These can show up in search engine results. It's a form of branding.
17. Create hub pages/squidoo lens, simple blog to relate/promote your blog.Many interlink them strategically in due course. Perhaps don't make them too popular relative to your main blog, as they might rank ahead in the serps (search engine results pages)
18. Similarly create a simple promotion site to refer to your other blogs/sites. Perhaps a free host/web creation site might help, like Weebly, Yola (Synthasite), Google Sites, Jimdo, Snap Pages, Edicy Pages, etc.
18. Get fresh ideas/news from rss feeds. I have embedded a rss Google gadget for popular tech blogs and freeware. Example here at pcsourcepoint.
19. Similarly sign up for Google alerts or similar if you do product reviews. Get the latest to help generate fresh ideas.
20. Give a link if relevant, - helps to be more community based. Google tracks sites based on links. See this interesting article from seozombie about outbound links leaking link juice.
21. Apply SEO techniques. I am learning here (should have done so earlier). Learn and sign up with experts like seozombie. SEO can be a research intensive process.
22. Do link exchange, but better to get a one way internal link if you can. Avoid links farms, as Google frowns on them, and you could get banned from their search engine database. Tread carefully.
23. Following SEO techniques, use and understand Google's tools for analysis and customization - they are very helpful: Google's Webmaster Tools, Keyword Tool, Google Trends, Google Insight, Ad Planner, Google Analytics, Google Alerts, Website Optimizer, Google Friend Connect, and Google Gadgets. There are many SEO tools like at thoushallblog (15 SEO tools), Quirk's Search Status, SEO Status (both Firefox ad ons), and I have seen/applied many more. SEO Elite software and SEO Book (my affiliate link) are others.
24. Ask visitors to bookmark/email a friend, etc, and link back. There are widgets for these.
25. Cross promote your blogs that are similar. Use Widget box or at least a link.
26. Add recent comments box. Lets you know to comment back as soon as.
27. Perhaps create regular polls - helps to engage your readers.
28. Customize/modify or import/upload a template if suitable, including editing html. This is to allow easy navigation, add more useful page elements/widgets, and perhaps to have a attractive template. This can be a big field to tackle, but their are excellent blogger blogs to help: blogger tips and tricks (step by step help for hacks), Blogger tipandtrick (plenty of mods/hacks), Blogger Know How (easy layout of tips/hacks), Blogger Buster (plenty of concise tips, hacks, and templates), Tips for New Bloggers (mods, hacks for overall template) and the full on blog doctor (massive topics on javascript/html to change about anything in blogger- might suit advanced users). In my experience they are your best blogger tutorial sites. Note: Over a long time, I have noticed (or perhaps I have concentrated) that the most content rich blogs have the least widgets/add ons, etc. In other words don't over do your blog with fancy gadgets/ads/images - you could deter visitors from your content or blog.
29. Use video if practical and try promote on YouTube using your url.
30. Have an affinity with your visitors, i.e. be helpful in comments. I also include links to the above tutorial sites to help visitors that comment. Mention to come back/subscribe and to book mark.
31. Try the new Entrecard and Blog Engage to help promote your blog. I notice both are becoming quite active, and will increase visitors to your blog, but not sure if targeted/relevant visitors.
32. Perhaps set up other writers/bloggers to create a community/group blog. You get more ideas, and of course content to generate. Lifehacker I think is a example of this.
33. Include a popular post/link page to your popular posts. Because blog posts create separate url's that display in search results, you increase chances of visitors navigating from one of your post's (url) to another post (url).
34. Get forum members to review your blog. I think Digital point and Bloggeries have a section, because you might get new ideas.
35. Use a favicon ( explanation and tutorial) to help brand your blog, and easy to find in someone's browser book mark list. You need a graphics program, some coding and maybe a FTP program like CoreFTP lite. There are also online generators to help out.
34. Similar to Popular posts, create a categories page/links to showcase. You can edit/customize the coding in categories and other blogger elements for visitor ease of use. Refer the above blogger tutorial links.
35. Use research/Google's keyword tool to help find popular keywords/topics relevant for your blog and if you inherently want to keep blogging. It might show for visitors and your regular readers, and they might go elsewhere. You need to focus on why you are blogging. Perhaps to share, educate, monetize, advertise, display writing skills, or whatever. Just think how to approach your blog in a holistic manner, but trying to employ at least some of the above methods and avenues.
36. To help your blogging in terms of content writing, marketing, monetization, SEO, etc then search and try to find tutorial blogs, and specific blogs in your niche/topics. Currently I subscribe to about 20 optimization and 15 specific/niche blogs. Visit Dosh Dosh, Skelliewag, Problogger, Blogger Tips and Tricks, Blog Doctor, SEOZombie, and Grizz's Make Money for Beginners. They all have quality content for general blogging.

Hope the above helps for those getting in to blogging to increase visitors, and remember many say it takes time, effort, and passion to sustain a quality blog. This will be evident once visitors become regulars, accompanied by quality inbound links and hopefully your blog evolves into a authority or well regarded blog for all visitors. This will be reflected in the page rank/comment numbers/subscriber numbers/other criteria for a blog. But for now, any additional avenues/methods to add to the above? Please add to the comments below...

Consider SEO SpyGlass software for ranking on search results pages and to beat your Competition!

To achieve high rankings for your blog or web site, perhaps consider trying or purchasing SEO SpyGlass Professional. (product description page with screen shots). This software analyzes your competition sites that rank higher than yours in search results, and tells you why and how. It can display the total number of back links, Google page rank, the total number of pages with page rank, Alexa rank, the excat anchor text, and url's used, ip addresses, and much more. Thus you can easily aim to achieve high rankings in search results. Best to read the product info page for SEO Spyglass (and read user's comments) or download a trial of SEO Spyglass (zip file), or perhaps order the SEO SpyGlass software - and read it's great features.

Optimize your Blog or Site with Total SEO Techniques!

If you want more comprehensive SEO optimization then perhaps consider SEO PowerSuite, a package of four software SEO tools: Rank tracker (keyword module research), Website Auditor (content optimization), SEO SpyGlass (Competition research - as noted above), and Link Assistant (Link management - Building directories and link partnership). All software have reporting features. Perhaps visit the product info page, download a trial version, or visit the order buy now page (but first read features to assess).

Build a free website, anyone can do it!

Related Post -

SEO Tips (Keyword and Meta Description Optimization for Blog Post)

Troubleshooting Windows PC Errors

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:57:00 PDT

A large number of computer owners are amateur users who are not so technically inclined and have little idea of how to solve computer errors on their own. In offices, you may have an IT person who takes care of such problems or the job may be outsourced to an external IT company. However, a home or a small business Windows PC user does not have such a luxury and is mostly dependent on a knowledgeable friend whenever computer errors occur. Sometimes, after a few futile attempts to troubleshoot the error, a home PC user is forced to make the decision to seek help from a computer technician. Image of Virus Detection by woodsy at SXC.

However, with the amount of information that can be found on the internet today, such as discussion forums and online help sites, computer users have somewhere else to turn to solve their PC issues. With a little research, the common computer user may be able to resolve PC errors themselves.

So, as soon as you receive an error message, such as aacenter.exe has stopped working or you find that processes, such as consent.exe and tscd_win32.exe are slowing down your PC, try to search for a solution over the Internet. Most of the time, you are not the first one to receive that particular error message. So, it is quite likely that if you perform a search by using the error message displayed or with the name of the file or process that is generating the error, you will find a solution to it online. Once you find a solution, you must implement it to resolve your error.

You may also perform the steps below to ensure that no other issue is behind the error:

Update your antivirus and antispyware tools and perform a full system scan to detect and remove any malware infections. For better protection, you must use the latest versions of these tools, and try to opt for tools with real-time protection to ensure security for your PC at all times.
Next, use a good registry tool to scan and clean your registry.
Update your software and drivers, especially the software that generated the error.
If you recently installed a new software, uninstall it to see if the error goes away.
Use a reliable PC diagnostics utility to run a check on your hardware—if you find a faulty hardware, you may need to get this component replaced or repaired.
If you frequently download and install programs from the Internet then you must be sure of the following:

Download only from reliable sources, especially if you are downloading freeware and shareware programs—many of these programs are known to be bundled with spyware and adware.
Download over a fast Internet connection because a slow connection may interfere with the download and generate errors when you attempt to use the downloaded files.

Be very careful while opening email attachments. Open only those attachments about which you are sure- even if they come from known sources.

PC errors may occur due to a number of reasons. To prevent them, you as a user are required to be vigilant and perform regular maintenance.

How To Avoid Malware And Keep Your PC Error Free

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:20:00 PDT

Malware is the term used to describe all unwanted malicious software and files, such as aspimgr.exe, ipssvc.exe, and d.exe that may infiltrate your computer and cause various problems. The two main categories of malware are virus and spyware. Trojan horses, worms and back doors are variants of viruses. Spyware and adware programs belong to the second category. Viruses usually spread through open network shares, infected external media, infected emails attachments, and dubious web sites. While spyware and adware usually come packaged with other programs and stealthily install on your PC without your knowledge or consent. Image of virus/malware entry from ines at SXC.

There are some great antivirus and antispyware tools available today that you can use to remove malware programs from your computer. However, the real trick is to prevent these infections from occurring in the first place.

The following are a few simple tips that will help you achieve this goal to a large extent.

Tip # 1: Your first step to prevent unauthorized access to your PC is to implement a firewall. A good firewall helps you combat both viruses and hackers. Most home computer users get enough security by enabling the Windows Firewall. However, if you have more sensitive data stored on your PC, it is recommended that you use a more robust third-party firewall to provide you with better protection.

Tip # 2: You must not use file sharing applications such as Limewire. If you have any file sharing program on your PC, then there is a 99.9% chance that your PC will get infected with a malware. This is because there is no way in which you can determine the integrity and health of the content from the source you are downloading.

Tip # 3: Stop before opening any email attachments, unless you are sure about what it contains—even if it is from a known email address. Many virus programs, send infected attachments to email IDs in the Address Book of the infected computer. This is the reason why, even if your email is from a known source, it might contain infected email attachments. You may use a good anti spam software to scan both outgoing and incoming emails to your computer.

Tip # 4: Many times when you access a Web page, a pop-up display may appear carrying some type of advertisement. You must never click inside this pop-up box to close—not even the ‘close’ and ‘cancel’ buttons if they are within the box. Doing this may have adverse affects on your PC. To close this pop-up box safely, you must click the ‘X’ button given in the top-right corner of the dialog box.

Tip # 5: While working on your PC, you may receive a message informing you that your PC is infected with a malware, and that you must download a particular software and run a scan to remove the virus. You must never download this recommended software because they are most commonly rogue software that may cause further harm to your PC.

Tip # 6: You must avoid downloading free media and software because they are usually bundled with unwanted malware programs. Also, if you have to download something, then do so from a trusted website.

Tip # 7: Lastly, make sure to use a good registry cleaner tool to scan and clean your registry on a regular basis. This will help you remove any malware entries hiding deep within the registry tree and ensure complete virus removal from your system.

Privacy Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:30:00 PDT

Update April 2009 - Privacy Policy

This blog uses third-party advertising companies to serve advertisements (ads) when visiting this site. These third parties may collect and use information (but not your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, please visit Google's Advertising and Privacy page.

If you wish to opt out of Advertising companies tracking and tailoring advertisements to your surfing patterns you may do so at Network Advertising Initiative.

Google uses the Doubleclick DART cookie to serve ads across it's Adsense network and you can get further information regarding the DART cookie at Doubleclick as well as opt out options at Google's Privacy Center.

Privacy

I respect your privacy and I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while online at this site Computer Tech Links (pcsourcepoint.blogspot.com). The following discloses how I gather and disseminate information for this Blog.

RSS Feeds and Email Updates

If a user wishes to subscribe to my RSS Feeds or Email Updates (powered by Google - Feedburner), I only ask for contact information such as name and email address. Users may opt-out of these communications at any time. Your personal information will never be sold or given to a third party. (You will never be spammed by me - ever)

Log Files and Stats

Like most blogging platforms I use a statistical package, in this case Google Analytics. This stores information such as visitor location, internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring, exit and visited pages, platform used, date/time stamp, track user’s movement in the whole, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses etc. are not linked to personally identifiable information.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. This blog doesn't use cookies. However, some of my business partners use cookies on this site (for example - advertisers). I can't access or control these cookies once the advertisers have set them.

Links

This Blog contains links to other sites. Please be aware that I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these other sites. I suggest my users to be aware of this when they leave this blog and to read the privacy statements of each and every site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Blog.

Advertisers

I use outside ad companies to display ads on this blog. These ads may contain cookies and are collected by the advertising companies and I do not have access to this information. I work with the following advertising companies: Google Adsense, Chitika, Fishpond NZ, Amazon, and Commission Junction. Please check the advertisers websites for their respective privacy policies.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at maw456@gmail.com. This privacy policy was updated April 2009.

CCleaner, F Cleaner and Disk Cleaner for Computer Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:20:00 PDT

Image by pansao - Internal view from MAC Museum, Rio de Janiero

Clean open pathway for your computer

CCleaner is an essential and popular utility for your computer's maintenance and perhaps should be run frequently on your computer. CCleaner is an optimization, cleaning and privacy utility. It removes unused files, removes your internet activity, and unused registry fragments - with it's separate registry cleaner. This will result in a faster Windows system, and often significantly increasing the computer's hard drive capacity. Included is the useful option to add (or exclude) folders and files for cleaning.

FCleaner is another, perhaps lessor known, computer cleaner, and performs similar functions to CCleaner to achieve the same goal of optimization. It includes a task scheduler, and a command line option. which I found to run a bit faster, but am unsure how effective it is against CCleaner.

Disk Cleaner a small and fast utility which optimizes your computer's system and hard drive storage space. You can create cleaning profiles, and can run quickly on start up. Unsure if it optimizes the registry (at this time).

I generally run them all, but it seems CCleaner for cleaning your computer is pretty hard to beat for freeware. In addition it might pay to also run a few registry cleaners for added security, including the popular Eusings registry cleaner. Remember to check for updates and to run computer cleaners on a regular basis.

Free Online Computer Video Editing Software

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:01:00 PDT

Video Editing - Easy video editing today than cutting in the past...

Image by The Peach: Filmstrip

If you are new to video editing, then perhaps experiment with some free video editing software for your computer. You may not get fully enhanced features, quality support, and a level of professionalism as fully paid versions, but consider a starting point to assess if you do need a more enhanced video editing program. Microsoft's Microsoft Movie Maker, is considered a good video editing program, which is mainly based on drag and drop, but has many add on features and upgrades from their website. Wax is a flexible program, allowing special effects for composing a video sequence, and can integrate with other video editing software. Virtual Dub can process, and edit, split, and add audio tracks and is a good general editing program.

For advanced video editing, consider Zwei-Stein (ZS4 Video Editor), which has 150 built in video effects, hence a comprehensive program. HyperEngine-AV for Macs with editing, capturing, processing, export feature to create DVD movies. Of note is the trackless workspace to manoeuvre a unlimited number of video, audio, and text tracks. The multi platform Avidemux, supports many file types, and designed for easy editing, filtering and encoding. Tasks can be automated. VideoThang allows you to mix video clips, images and mp3 music to create a mpeg file, with cutting, transitions, and apply several image and video effects on your computer.

There are also online video editing software such as VideoSpin where you drag and drop your video, add music and 2D transitions in a timeline to create your video. You can upload to YouTube, and output in flash video format (flv files). The popular JumpCut supports several video and image formats for a drag and drop editing process. You can import images from Flickr and Facebook, and apply several video effects and transitions. Motionbox, where you can only upload video's and do basic rearrangements and add your completed video to groups. However, there seemed to be no video effects and transitions. For editing online video's by inserting the url, (i.e. not your own from a camcorder or PC) you can do overlay edits with Cuts. Pre-recorded sounds and captions can be added, and your video can be uploaded/added to YouTube, social sites, your email client, and html code for your blog or website.

In summary, probably Microsoft's Movie Maker, is easy to use, and generally available on new computers. Though the online Video Spin, with the similar concept drag and drop seems to offer a more enhanced user experience. The online JumpCut appears to be a cut above other online video editing services, with multiple effects with its clean streamlined interface. Depending on what extent you want to produce a video, and what editing features to learn and apply, and for free, then there should be a suitable software program to suit as an initial introduction to video editing...

Related MP3 Software related articles -

Free Video to MP3 and other Audio format converters (e.g convert from DVD, AVI, VOB, FLV, MPEG, 3GP, MP4, M4a, VCD, SVCD - Over 30 MP3 Software Converters)

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links
Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

Computer Hardware and Software Service

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:37:00 PDT

Computer Service Streamlined Highway

Image by arisadman: St Petersberg Pier 2005, Florida, United States

There are generally three sectors within a computer that require service: hardware, the operating system, and it's associated software applications. Because all three are relatively interdependent, it is essential that computer service be performed to allow effective system operating stability to improve an overall trouble free computing experience. Therefore to get optimum use of your computer requires a regular maintenance or service plan to eliminate or reduce potential errors that may occur. Hardware requires regular cleaning, such as the motherboard, and power supply from dust and foreign particles. Updating of the latest software drivers and associated relevant updates and upgrades would be beneficial.

Perhaps upgrade computer hardware for performance and usability improvement, such as the video card, ram, modem, speakers, etc. This is important for effective and extensive multi-tasking of programs. Particularly for process intensive operations, such as 3D gaming, extensive graphics editing, DVD authoring, and batch audio editing. The operating system should be regularly updated with the latest security patches, and critical updates. It also needs to be regularly checked and optimized for performance, often with system or diagnostic software. These actions should be a effective computer software service plan.

Important computer software service for optimizing and effectively maintaining the operating system include anti virus, spyware, registry cleaners, firewall, and general cleanup programs. Avast anti virus, CCleaner, and Spybot search and destroy are popular. Software applications and system utilities need to be updated and upgraded regularly to improve system stability and enhance your user experience. Also organize software programs and their files effectively by creating specific folders or placement on tool bars and the desktop for quick and easy access.

Maybe frequently review your programs and files to determine if they are required or hardly used, and if not, then uninstall them or back them up on removable media (e.g. flash drive) or a external drive. Visit my web site pcsourcepoint for links to computer hardware and software tutorials (e.g. Tom's Hardware, PC Hardware Experts, ExtremeTech, etc) , and latest freeware, computer hardware and software service industry news feeds (e.g. from TechCrunch, Engadget, Slashdot, PCWorld, Digital Inspiration, Snapfiles freeware, etc)

It's important to back up your computer's programs and files on a regular basis. Perhaps back up important individual files and programs (including the uninstalled downloaded programs) to removable media, such as a flash drive. Ideally back up the entire computer contents as an image with a back up program. Utilizing a consistent and focused computer hardware and software service plan with a back up backup strategy (with the free Syncback and Drive Image XML) will increase the likelihood of a relatively problem free computer experience long term...

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

How to Extract and Rip MP3 Audio From DVD VOB Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:06:00 PDT

Different array of programs and processes to extract DVD to CD…

Image by thadz - Fountain at Chicago Botanical Gardens

Occasionally you may want to extract, and perhaps burn the music or soundtrack from a personal DVD on to a blank CD-R disc. Doing so allows you to play the MP3 audio on your home or vehicle stereo for your pleasure. Extracting audio from DVD VOB files to create such playable audio CD’s can be easily achieved, though differently, with a range of DVD based programs. Extracting audio from VOB files has been around a few years, commonly using a DVD ripper to extract the VOB files and/or specific audio streams (DVD Shrink , DVD Decrypter, or Smart Ripper). Further processing of the VOB files, often with DVD2AVI was then performed to create a WAV file.

Then optionally, recording, editing, track splitting, and conversion functions were performed, e.g. with the basic Amber Audio Converter or the more advanced Audacity. Finally the resultant audio track(s), in MP3, WAV or AC3 format (Need to convert from AC3 to WAV format with PX3 AC3 ) can be burned with your favorite burning program or a free one such as Burnaware Free and others (Snapfiles Burn Freeware).

The basic free conversion procedure for the above processes might be like this:

DVD VOB Files -- WAV/MP3 Files -- Editing (Optional) -- CD/R -- Stereo -- MP3 Audio to Play…
or DVD VOB Files -- AC3 Files -- WAV Files -- Editing (Optional) -CD/R -- Stereo -- MP3 Audio to Play…

(Though I think direct audio DVD (i.e. from the disc) to WAV or MP3 files exist, I have not come freeware programs similar to numerous direct CD disc to audio MP3 ripping/extraction freeware that exist).

The above earlier extraction methods can be accessed at these sites: Tutorial using DVD2AVI - (From Internet Archives. Note: Google Search “The way back machine”, then search for “Convert a DVD soundtrack to an audio CD”, if the DVD2AVI link changes or moves, etc). Tutorial using DVD Decrypter - (Using IFO Mode and might require a AC3 to WAV converter - e.g. AC3 Filter or PX3C3).

So there are various programs and processes to extract audio from DVD VOB files to create audio MP3's for a CD. Though recently some free simple user friendly programs have emerged to extract directly to MP3 from VOB and other video formats from your hard drive. Two such stand-alone programs are AoA Audio extractor and the free DVD Mp3 Ripper. Over 30 free video to MP3 extraction program are reviewed at MP3 Free Software Downloads. You just enter the VOB file (or other formats, e.g. AVI, MPEG, FLV, 3GP, etc) then that’s it - an MP3 file is produced. However you might need to extract to one complete VOB file, as many DVD rippers default split them into 4 or 5 portions. You need to check then perhaps change the DVD settings for file output - either in portions or a complete VOB file.

Then you might have to convert to another file format (e.g. to MPEG), using a free program like the Internet Video Converter . I found that AoA extractor could only extract the first portion, i.e. - VOB 1 file from the entire VOB file; this is in contrast using DVD2AVI or DVD Decrypter, where for example, all four or five VOB or audio files are automatically added and extracted for conversion.

Personally I found the old “established” DVD2AVI and DVD Decrypter process quicker and perhaps more intuitive, and also conversion is generally not required from VOB to MPEG, but this might differ for any different audio streams that might exist in the DVD disc. So it’s a matter of trying which extraction/ripping programs and processes are suitable and easy for MP3 audio extraction, optional editing, to burn to CD-R to play in your audio stereo to enjoy...

PowerCinema 6 (includes USB ATSC TV tuner card) - for US/Canada territories

Related MP3 Software related articles -

Free Video to MP3 and other Audio format converters (e.g convert from DVD, AVI, VOB, FLV, MPEG, 3GP, MP4, M4a, VCD, SVCD - Over 30 MP3 Software Converters)

Visit MP3 Free Software Downloads (Reviews of Free MP3 Editors/Cutters, Rippers, Editors/Cutters, Recorders, Burners, Players, Organizers/Taggers, Encoders, MP3 Tools, MP3 Utilities, Website Players to Embed in a Blog/Website)

Similarity MP3 Duplicate Finder and Remover review

MediaMonkey MP3 Organizer review

CD to MP3 Audio Grabber Review

How to Increase RSS Subscriber Visitors Traffic For Your Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:33:00 PDT

Need for a Feed: Feedburner - More Blog Reader Subscriptions

Image by Scouter: Nice day to Canoe In Canada

Many blog and web site visitors may have noticed the RSS symbol and it's associated "subscribe in a reader" or by e-mail, to easily allow visitors to sign up and therefore easily receive updates of articles or posts. In an earlier post (Blog Promotion For Bloggers - Many Avenues), I touched a little on burning a feed with Feedburner, where a blog/site's feeds are syndicated to a online or stand alone alone feed reader (e.g. My Yahoo, Google Reader, and many others).

I'm sure many bloggers, would like to increase their subscriptions to their blog, to gain a bit of satisfaction and perhaps a authority on their topics within their blog. But to increase visitors to subscribe, a couple of techniques need to be actively employed. It's not only getting visitors interested about your blog's topics, but to get them to comeback or at least remain attached through subscriptions. I think serious bloggers blog perhaps with passion, therefore to share that passion, hopefully forever, by trying to increase subscribers to your blog or web site.

First, and as noted by many bloggers, is to write good content, ideally well researched, with originality, and try to connect to your readers. Establish a communication platform where you are conversing directly with your readers. This might require a good command of vocabulary that is easy, but helpful for readers to comprehend. Highlight in bold important (to you) terms, and add some relevant links. Maybe ask the readers for their thoughts or ideas (for the comments section). It's about yourself trying to project a bit of personality that hopefully appeals to your visitors.

It's a good idea to offer free items that are related to your blog, like e-books on tutorials, articles, information, etc, and in my case, links to freeware, listed below. Some blogs offer guest writing contests for prize money, or a link to your blog. One such blog is Joe Tech. Here, he offers prizes, from a pool to guest write on his blog. Visitors are likely to appreciate you, if you offer something relevant and helpful, hence increasing their likelihood to subscribe. Maybe ask your visitor to specifically subscribe with a soft note e.g "Do subscribe if you enjoyed this post". You need to leave a visible link to make it effortless to actually subscribe, perhaps at the bottom of each post and along the top, as in this blog.

Display your popular or top posts, (visit RSS aide for html top posts code), categories (with links), and perhaps image map information widgets (showing visitor location - see sidebar map, numbers of visits, etc). Anything to make visitors easily navigate to other posts that may interest them, and that real visitors have visited your blog. Maybe include the number of subscribers, once you believe you have enough visitors that you feel comfortable with. Having such items and widgets is to truthfully convey a sense of meaningful posts, that have interested past visitors - hopefully enough to interest current visitors and to increase subscribers for your blog. Any suggestions to increase subscribers? If so, then do post a comment...

Related Links -

Read How to Increase Visitors to Your Blog (My 36 Methods)
What is RSS and why care?
How Feedburner adds up subscriber numbers (Interesting theory on calculating real subscriptions)
Find subscriber count on a given day (by typing code in your browser address bar)

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

Userinit Windows Logon XP Error - How to Fix

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:29:00 PDT

Internet Browsing - Take Extra Care or Beware

Laptop Image by serkaner at stock.xchng

Recently a friend of mine, who loaned his laptop out, had discovered later that he could not easily logon due to a userinit.exe error (similar XP error at this forum). He had to use the task manager and create a new task to enter his programs, some which would not open due to the constant application errors. We cleaned out a stack of malware and spyware with the pre-installed Ad-Aware (which was not updated) and cleaned the registry (or supposedly) with various registry cleaners. However errors still remained, such as absent desktop icons, and systems applications not opening.

We believe (and from others on online forums) that the damage had been done. Basically a corrupt registry from spyware intrusion, in particular relating to the user log on registry parameters:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

We edited these values in the right pane:
Shell and Userinit to Shell=explorer.exe and Userinit = x:\windows\system32\userinit.exe

We applied the above changes, which removed the login/logon error but resulted in a instant log off - i.e. another error. This suggested either corrupted files (e.g. userinit file) in the windows/system32 folder and their associated or other registry data. We could not find the hidden recovery partition on the drive, and could not restore (i.e. system roll back), even from safe mode. We tried a XP disc for a recovery (i.e. install windows over itself, as we did not want a format and new install because his personal files were not backed up). The recovery restored most applications back - except the sound and video drivers.

However he found the user manual which described how to start up the hidden recovery program, - it was a simple press the F11 key a few times after start up. I think you can also create a recovery disc. We opted for the partial recovery, so as to retain his personal files, and everything was back in order, with a few personal folders created and shifted within windows explorer. If only we had known to do this earlier. But good experience and reminded me of a few things to help prevent the userinit logon error (for XP).

- Back up (visit my post on back up with syncback and drive image xml) personal files, photos, etc perhaps on a USB drive or CD/DVD discs.
- Update spyware, anti-virus, firewall programs and manually run them occasionally.
- Regularly clean out your computer’s excess files, surplus registry entries with something like the free ccleaner and a standalone registry cleaner like Eusings cleaner. Create a restore point before cleaning the registry, or when you are about to install software programs.
- Perhaps inform and educate safe computer internet browsing to other users of your computer.
- Maybe bookmark and print off tutorial trouble shooting sites such as techrepublic (when windows won't boot) or icrontic (repairing windows in eight commands)
- Visit and ask at computer forums for help, and the Microsoft help and support site.
- Importantly get to understand how your hidden recovery program works and how to start it. Also learn how to use your XP disc for booting from for windows trouble shooting (e.g. boot issues, recovery, full install, etc).

Perhaps it's a good idea to learn how to trouble shoot problems that occur with a computer (visit my post on hard drive clean up) and windows systems beforehand, rather than possibly spending a lot of time finding and applying various solutions in frustration. Also perform regular computer system maintenance with well known trustworthy programs (visit snapfiles freeware for the popular downloads) so as to keep or your computer running efficiently while reducing the risk of issues occurring. If you have any ideas or programs that can help running a computer system efficiently, particularly for a userinit windows logon XP error,then perhaps let me know in the comments section...

Links to userinit.exe issues
kellys - korner XP (Registry fixes - Line 263 R/H side)
Microsoft Support (Log on/off issues)

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Internet Online Cash - Blog ideas and online income revenue

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

Computer Background Processes - What’s on Your Computer?

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:50:00 PDT

PC Background - Look further and deeper...

Image by drouu: skyway corridor in downtown Minneapolis, United States

If you are curious what computer background processes and sub systems that are currently running on your computer then try the free “What’s Running”, a detailed program which displays categories such as processes, services, modules, live internet connections, drivers, start up, and system information. For each category, there is a comprehensive hierarchal process, which displays even more information such as sub systems, process descriptions, version number, and more.

Windows has many services running in your computer background, which may not be required, of which some and other programs or files can be disabled and shut down. You can click on the “get online info” on line link in the left column or right click the process. Care though - Do research processes, and perhaps create a restore point before hand if you consider stopping/disabling changes. Another useful feature is that you can open folders and set priorities for some of the processes or services.

I found the information for drivers interesting. What's Running lists all drivers, including drivers that are not in use, and associated information, including file, product and version information. The snapshot feature is also useful, which you can load later for comparison against current background processes. Perhaps the program can be used even more effectively with the advanced process explorer and other system utilities.

So, if you want even a easy to navigate cursory look at your computer background processes, and perhaps tinker a bit with some of the processes then try out What’s Running. For other related diagnostic programs visit sysinternals - created by Mark Russinovich, renown software architect/co-author for many popular windows utilities...

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Internet Online Cash - Blog ideas and online income revenue

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

How to create a Download Link

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:15:00 PDT

Image by Happidog: Fannette Island in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe,California" Download File Creation - For Long Term Relevant Information

Image by Happidog: Fannette Island in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe,California

Here’s a tutorial which demonstrates how to create a download link to download (or cancel) a file, such as a word or adobe document (pdf) to open and then save. You might want visitors to download such a file in your web site/blog, or a forum, profile in a social site, etc, to present information. Also it’s useful, if it’s a relatively large file, for future reference to share with family and friends, rather than e-mailing (or re-e-mailing later on) a large file.

You can upload and keep it on a free server or site such as Google Pages and e-mail the link to your recipients to download, open, and then save on their computer if they want to. Once the file is uploaded to a online server or a personal web server (e.g. within your own site), simply copy the url (web address in the browser bar), then insert it as a link to your text (anchor text) or insert in web based codes as described below:

Example to create a download link - Using the free Google Pages:

This is using the code scripts in a particular computer forum (vb script)

1. Download My Freeware Links in [url=http://internetonlinecash.googlepages.com/FreewareLinks.doc]Word (39 kb)[/url].

But generally you would use html code:

2. Download My Freeware Links in<a href="http://internetonlinecash.googlepages.com/FreewareLinks.doc">Word (39 kb)</a>

Which for both codes above would in reality, display this: Download My Freeware Links in Word (39 kb)

The visitor clicks on the active link - Word (39 kb) - to download or cancel the document...

You can also upload photo’s, maybe wav and mp3 files (server and policy dependent), using this method, for your recipients or visitors to download. Most people should have the required programs to open the files when downloaded or perhaps mention the format in the link description. Also note the file size - 50 kb or 20 MB? Could make a difference for those on dial up or entry level broadband to download.

Some bloggers, marketing sites, education facilities, and government agency sites, offer an e-book or electronic book (often in pdf) using this method. Often the e-book might be a tutorial, database, manual, research/marketing results, product descriptions, and so on. Document files in pdf is preferable, because in part due to its easy integration with the Internet, and the many options once it’s downloaded, such as searching (I once easily searched up to 10, 000 of names in a database e-book), text selection, book marking pages, multiple page display, and other useful options.

Remember to update your file if required, then re - upload to the server, and perhaps add a update date to file documents. You might also need to check the server's url periodically, to see if it has not moved or even removed, which might happen for small free servers. There also might be file size limits, a certain time period, activity limits, etc, for your file to remain on your selected server. But once files are housed, hopefully it should be useful not only to you, but others that you want to share with by simply clicking...

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Internet Online Cash - Blog ideas and online income revenue

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

Freeware Programs - Snapfiles Review

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:27:00 PDT

Snapfiles - Freeware Programs for Quality Productivity...

Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, California, United States, by gecco

Of the many Internet freeware programs sites that I have browsed, then perhaps visit snapfies freeware for a comprehensive list of relevant and popular freeware programs. The site has a comprehensive category listing, with several subcategories, listing just about every possible software program for your computer and internet requirements. The vast list of categories include Browser Tools, Graphics and Photo, System Utilities, Multimedia, E-Mail Tools, Web Authoring, and various others. The site has a stream lined interface and is easy to navigate.

Most of the freeware programs have a user review and rating system, of which you yourself can participate by signing up. Ratings indicate which programs are popular, therefore giving you are more focused evaluation whether to download the freeware program. The freeware section also has a popular download category, and you can subscribe to receive the latest downloads, almost on a daily basis.

There of course are many other freeware programs sites (Download my freeware programs link list in Word Format), all listing similar categories, and their associated software. Though I like the idea of the ratings and reviews that snapfiles provide, including reviews by the web owners.

I have used snapfiles for several years and have always found freeware programs that are relevant, popular, and easy to implement. It's a good idea to subscribe via RSS to their site to get the latest daily freeware software for downloading. Please do add freeware program sites that you visit frequently for downloads. I will visit, and perhaps add them to my down loadable freeware programs link list below. Thanks! So if you are looking for a good quality current freeware program, perhaps visit snapfiles...

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Internet Online Cash - Blog ideas and online income revenue

Download My Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

How to Use Adsense - Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:28:00 PDT

Adsense - Aim High for the Sky...

Image: The u.s. federal courthouse building in downtown Minneapolis by drouu

Many web master and blog publishers attempt to make an income with the Internet’s most popular advertising program - Google’s Adsense. In theory it’s easy to implement - just sign up with Adsense, select the advertisement type (search, link, content, etc) and it’s html/javascript code and then paste it in your web site or blog. Then wait and perhaps hope, that visitors click and buy so that you receive an income. Though many are probably struggling to hope to make a reasonable income, not least due to the huge number of sites/blogs now actively participating.

Also, the Adsense and Webmaster polices required by Google need to be adhered to and maintained. Unfortunately web/blog owners have violated polices (or seemingly), e.g. too many ads, altering code, and clicking on their own ads for example. Often they might find out when their minimum payment ($100 USD) is due, perhaps after several months of their ads being displayed. Hence caution is required to remain within the boundaries of those polices.

However, much has to be implemented to optimize a site to entice visitors to click on the ads. The site has to have a bit of popularity (or ideally authority) so that there are a reasonable number of consistent visitors. Techniques such as search engine optimization, web/blog promotion (e.g. in forums, blog directories, comments in other sites, etc), and perhaps article submissions, generally need to be actively employed. The site’s content itself needs to be suitable (popular or relevant) to attract high paying relevant ads that are likely to appeal to visitors, and hence generate income.

Ideally the ads should be blended in and placed suitably within the site, without diverging too much from the site’s content and theme. I have found this can take a bit of trial and error, particularly with selecting the ad colors and size, without the risk of the all too common ad blindness. Moreover, the use of the Adsense channel reports (url and custom), in addition to aggregate reports, particularly for larger or multiple sites should be employed. Here you can analyze for suitable ad sizes and positioning (e.g. banner ads, box, ads, vertical placement, etc, - i.e. you use custom channel analysis) and analyze the site’s specific entry points (url, or page, domains, etc - i.e. you use url channel analysis). These reports can be further customized within Adsense, e.g. by ad, ad unit, or page, and more, and you can set up the reports to be emailed to an email address.

Also for blogs, additional html/javascript modifications may need to be added to the template to enable ads to be placed at positions not already situated within the template (called elements in the blogger platform). Currently there is no easy template method to place ads within the title header, footer, and within individual posts. However excellent tutorials (e.g. Blogger Buster and Blogger New Tips) exist to demonstrate how to place such ads. Also, site owners need to consider their competitor ads appearing (or not appearing), by perhaps carefully selecting the url’s to not display if they want. Currently you can select to prevent 200 url’s to not display.

There are a couple of Google advertisement types:

Google Adsense Search - The user enters a search term in the search bar, and the results are displayed with pay per click ads on Google's server. There is also the more advanced Custom Search at Google Co-Op (which connects to your adsense account). Custom Search is where you can define url’s to search, host results within your site if you want, define specific search terms, and utilize xml formats to refine your search terms. Visit this excellent tutorial by Dosh Dosh on how to set up the basic Custom search function. You can also use Google Analytics to track search activity.

Google Adsense Content - Comes in different sizes (e.g. 125 x 125 or 768 x 250) and orientations with descriptions (boxes, leader board, banner, etc) either with an image or text or both. These are commonly referred to as ad units which can typically display 1 to 4 ads depend on the overall size you choose. There are also the basic link text link units - i.e. a line of 4 to 5 ad links.

Google Referrals - These are typically text or small box ads, which when clicked refer the visitor to a site, and if they sign up, you get a portion of income, sometimes once the visitor reaches a certain income level. Google products (e.g. Google Software, AdWords) are referred to, but you can also select other products, services, and web sites as referrals.

So to have reasonable success for generating revenue from Adsense, it requires quite a bit of work and analysis. Web Site/Blog policy compliance, promotion and search optimization, to attract and maintain visitors. Then the testing and analysis of optimum ad types, sizes, and site placement including possible html/javascript template editing, followed by tracking visitors, through customizing and analyzing ad channels through the reporting features. So to really earn, you need to learn how to use adsense from a basic overview...

Below are adsense related sites which I have found to be helpful -

Adsense Forum at Digital Point (Ask for Adsense help- Visited by thousands of helpful members)
Inside Adsense (Popular Adsense Blog relating to diagnostics, applying income formulas, policies, optimization, and more...)
Adsense Tips (Links to Tips, Tools, Widgets, Demo's, Plugins, Charts, and more...)
Adsense A/B Split Testing and at Digital Inspiration (Learn how to toggle between two ad sizes/text-image/colors at the one position)
Boost Adsense Income (By Allan Gardyne - Founder and CEO of Associated Programs; More optimization tips and general review)

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Internet Online Cash - Blog ideas and online income revenue

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader

MP3 MediaMonkey Music Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (Profile - pcsourcepoint) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:21:00 PDT

MediaMonkey - Lining up MP3's for easy reference

Image by tangerinie, stock.xchng - Mackinac Bridge - Mackinaw City/St Ignace, Michigan, USA

If you are looking for a comprehensive, but reasonably easy to navigate and use music organizer, then perhaps MediaMonkey free version, might suit your mp3 (which yo might convert from CD or DVD extraction software) music file organizational and management requirements. This is a versatile program, that I have used a few years back when it was named Songs-DB; However it's use as a music management system has certainly improved. It can quickly scan thousands of music media on your hard drive, ready to sort them in folders, associate itself with a file type as the default player, and input information (ratings) about other players on your computer.

Scanned music media can be arranged logically in folders created, by sorting by artist name, genre, year, album, etc. You can also tag your files, and the program also auto tags if connected to the internet, where you can also download album information from the freedb service. In addition to playing and burning, and changing formats, the program can also synchronize with portable music players, and import play lists. Perhaps you may want to extract audio from DVD VOB files to create music CD’s as mp3's. If you convert to a lot of mp3's, then MediaMonkey would be useful for managing them all.

To summarize, MediaMonkey free operates as a reasonably efficient stream lined music manager, scanner, player, encoder, decoder, converter, auto file tagger and renamer, play list generator, and portable music synchronizer, and more. Though the Gold edition offers a bit more with unlimited encoding, advanced search options and synchronization. So MediaMonkey free is relatively comprehensive, but yet reasonably light weight and functional to suit most music collector's media organizational requirements...

Relevant Links:
Behind the Mask - Interesting theory to how Mp3 works and some tips to optimize your mp3's...
Forum reviews on MediaMonkey - Mixed reviews, but generally favoring the use of MediaMonkey...
MediaMonkey - Visit to read reviews, specifications, and to download...
Other Music Managers (Freeware at Snapfiles)

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Internet Online Cash - Blog ideas and online income revenue

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

Subscribe in a reader