Fresh Tech Reviews

Is Google Chrome Taking Over?

2009-07-31T16:29:00.000-07:00

With so many huge changes taking place right now in the technology world, anything can happen. While Internet Explorer and FireFox have been leading the browser competition for the longest time, is Chrome going to jump ahead?

Chrome is currently the fastest Internet browser available on the market. That's a pretty good first point! However, speed is not everything when it comes to a browser. Of course, Chrome uses Google's search engine to do pretty much any searching, but they take a new approach to the traditional one-box-for-searching and one-box-for-website-addresses idea. Chrome uses one box for everything, whether for searching the Internet, history, bookmarks, or entering an address:

Tabs are much for efficient than in Firefox and Internet Explorer, and the clean, simple interface allows you to get much more done in a shorter amount of time.

So, what's not to like? Chrome's got everything, so we should all ditch IE, Firefox and the rest, right? If only so. Firefox's huge database of add-ons stand as a large barrier from those wanting to use Chrome, and Internet Explorer already has so many users that things are going to be hard for Google's Browser.

However, with Microsoft giving the choice to install rival browsers on Windows PCs, and the much-anticipated Google OS still yet to be released, who knows? Much could still change.

I am using Chrome 3.0.193.2 right now and love it. I still have Firefox for it's addons, but I doubt I will keep it for long. I suggest you try Chrome out, you may just find it to suit you better than your current browser.

Links:

-Get Google Chrome

-Google Chrome Details

-CNET Review for Chrome

Firefox 3.7 Design Mock-ups Released!

2009-07-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

Mozilla recently released several pictures of Firefox 3.7's new theme, and boy, does it look sleek. It takes full advantage of Vista and 7's Aero Glass, giving Firefox a translucent, glossy new look which is pretty awesome.

So, what do you think? Do you love the new GUI? Want the new look NOW? Well, lucky you, you can. Two users on the Neowin Forums have created a theme that looks pretty similar to it. (You can get it here.) While it's not exactly the same, it's very close and if you can't wait, go for it.

Links:
-A Firefox Theme based on the 3.7 Mockup
-Lifehacker Report on the 3.7 Design
-The Original Post From Mozilla

What Operating System is Right For You?

2009-07-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote up a post explaining exactly what a Operating System (shortened to OS from this point on) does, and why it's so important. While that post in itself is very informative, it leads to a larger, more difficult question: Which OS should you use?

I am going to discuss the pros and cons of the three major operating systems currently available:

-Windows Vista, made by Microsoft

-Mac OS X Snow Leopard made by Apple

-Ubuntu 9.04 made by the world-wide comm

unity

First off is Windows Vista. Microsoft Windows is currently the most used OS in the entire world. That's a pretty big strong point. Being such a popular OS, there are programs, both free and commercial, that can let you do nearly anything. Almost any hardware available is compatible with Windows - It is so widely used that the majority of the computer

market comes with a version of Windows already installed on it.

However, Microsoft is notorious for having horrible support, and their newest stable OS, Windows Vista, had major compatibility issues on release (now fixed) and it has unnecessary services and processes that can slow down our computer. Another major issue; being the most

popular OS, it is the most prone to viruses, spyware, and adware that can damage your computer. Windows also requires regular maintenance and clean up to stay away from reduced performance and system errors. The cheapest "Basic" version of Vista costs a hefty $200, while the "Ultimate" edition an almost ridiculous suggested retail price of $320.

While Windows Vista has several strong points, the negative side of this OS is significant, and in most cases I believe you should try to avoid this OS. (Windows 7, Vista's successor, is a completely different story! Check out a post on it here.)

Second is Apple's OS X Snow Leopard. A OS completely different from Windows, Leopard

offers a sleek, simple interface. Leopard comes with a set of well-made applications that let you do anything from buying music to chatting friends to making a movie. There are many advanced

features in OSX that make it appeal to more accomplished users. Leopard is reliable and, in many cases, offers much higher performance than Vista does. It is also very resilient against viruses and is much less prone

to all forms of malware.

Nevertheless, Leopard is not perfect. Leopard only works on Apple-Manufactured hardware, which is often much more expensive than it should be. It has a smaller library of software compared to Windows, and it can be difficult or impossible to get Windows programs to work on a Apple computer.

In any case, OS X Leopard is a strong, well-developed piece of software that is a solid choice as an operating system.

Last but not least is Ubuntu. While not quite as well-known as the other two Operating

Systems, Ubuntu is definitely a choice worth considering. It is created by a community of people around the world all who work for free - if wanted to, you could sign up and help develop it right away. Because it is created by the people who use it, it is very easy to use and is 100% free. Because it is based on Linux, it is next-to-invulnerable to viruses, unlike Windows and Leopard. It has a large amount of free software that can usually do whatever you would have been able to do on a Windows or Mac computer. Also, it is able to run most Windows programs with a compatibility layer such as Wine. Ubuntu is reliable, lightning fast, and has a very good interface.

Even so, advanced use of Ubuntu and more complicated tasks may require more technical skills than a Windows or Mac would. Also, many commercial programs may not work on Ubuntu.

The Bottom Line:

Even though there is no clear-cut best operating system, each has its pros and cons and different people will choose different ones. Microsoft Windows is the most popular and is a good choice for anyone who will need to use Windows programs. Apple's OS X would be most suitable for those who can afford to spend a little more and need a fast computer. Ubuntu would be best for anyone with more technical skills than the average user, and looking for a free and fast operating system. I hope this article helps you choose the right operating system for you.

Links:

-Microsoft Windows Vista

-Apple OS X Leopard

-Ubuntu

Want to Backup your Computer?

2009-07-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

Do you have important information on your computer? Albums of download and bought music? Tons of pictures you took on your camera? I could go on and on, but if you have anything like that, chances are that you probably will want to back up your computer.

The point of backing up a computer is to have your information in two or more secured places; that way, if you lose one of the storage devices, the other has it.

The 500 GB Essential My Book is what I use exactly for this. It is a sleek, cool-looking device with a large storage capacity and reliability. I bought this about a year ago and after using it extensively in just about every way possible I have not encountered any problems whatsoever.

That being said, this drive is rock-solid reliable. Whether you use it for storage, backup, or extra drive space.

The Bottom Line:

This is a great hard drive, and if you ever want a hard drive for general purpose you, I can recommend this one to you.

Links:

-The WD Page for This Hard Drive

-Buy this Hard Drive at Amazon

-Buy this Hard Drive at Walmart

Windows 7: A New Era for Windows

2009-07-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has been widely criticized by many different parties; bloated software and too much focus on money were among the cries of outrage against them.

In January 2008, Microsoft announced its first build of Windows 7 (codenamed Blackcomb). A year later, they released a beta that would be available to 2.5 million people. The download limit was reached in just a few hours, and they extended the limit several times to cope. More and more people wrote what their experience was with Windows 7, and as several large blogs such as Lifehacker and CNET wrote their own articles, media exploded with information about Windows 7.

This isn't unusual. Every time Microsoft creates a new Windows Operating System, it's a big deal. But one important detail was very, very different since the last version, Vista.

The feedback was positive.

The majority of the tech world loved Windows 7! Much of the excess bloated software and services that came with Windows Vista were all gone. The code was streamlined and all unnecessary features were removed. The taskbar, the central point for starting applications, was completely remodeled and provided a much cleaner, simpler experience.

I am currently using the Windows 7 Release Candidate on my laptop. (You can download it here, but I wouldn't advise you you to do so unless you have the skills to install it and the time to download it) It is much, much faster than any previous version of Windows. I personally can and will recommend Windows 7 to anybody, something I would definitely not have done with Vista.

The Bottom Line:

Windows 7 is not perfect, granted. However, I believe Microsoft is taking a huge step forward with this new operating system. If they keep up with this, I think they will have a much better future to look forward to.

Links:

-The Official Windows 7 Homepage

-The Official Windows 7 Release Candidate Homepage

-The Windows 7 Wikipedia Page

-New Windows 7 Features

Need to Earn Extra $$$?

2009-07-11T18:28:00.001-07:00

Did you know that there is a way to earn money online by writing reviews? Shared Reviews is a completely legit online website that pays you to write reviews. As their website says,

"Each month, we allocate a certain amount of real cash for our community in order to reward their contributions. This can vary from one or two thousand to much, much more depending on the programs, incentives, and sponsors we have in a given month. We always announce at the beginning of a given month how much will be given to the community and what the incetives are so you know what you're working towards before you even start."

I am currently ranked 65th place out of the several thousand users after only writing 10 solid reviews, and expect to be payed soon. I have asked several users on Shared Reviews if they were actually paid and they all replied positively. If you are going to sign up, please put Robomaster in the referral section. Thank you very much, and happy earning!

Links:

-The Official SharedReviews Website

-My SharedReview Profile (Any votes would be greatly appreciated!)

What's the big deal with operating systems?

2009-07-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to answer one simple question that has a rather complicated answer:

"What is the big deal with these 'Operating Systems' that all these big companies are making?"

As defined by Wikipedia, an operating system is "an interface between hardware and user; an OS is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer."

Put simply, the operating system is the piece of software that lets you, the user, access the abilities of the hardware on your computer.

1. You tell a application what you want (Eg Click a website in Firefox)

2. Your application tells the operating system

3. The operating system transfers the command to the hardware

4. The hardware completes the command (uses its internet connection to get the site)

5. The information is trasferred back to the operating system.

6. The operating system give the info to the application

7. The application shows you what you wanted. (You see the webpage in Firefox)

-----------------------------------------------

So, if all operating systems do more or less the same thing, why are there so many different ones? Let me ask you one question: How many ways can you peel an apple? An infinite number of ways. But some are more practice than others. Some use less tools. Some work faster than others.

In the same way, there are MANY ways for a operating system to get the commands you give it and do them. Some use less hardware. Some work faster. So the whole idea is to have the right balance of what the operating system is capable of doing, how it does it, and how quickly it does it. And since computers are becoming more and more crucile to the world economy, the operating system business can create big money.

That is why operating systems are a big deal.

Links:

-The Wiki on Operating Systems

-Apple's OS, OSX

-Ubuntu, a free OS based on Linux

-Windows 7, Microsoft's Newest OS

A Solid, Reliable Laptop

2009-07-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

I purchases the HP Compaq CQ50 139WM Laptop at Walmart about a year ago not knowing what to expect. I saw an ad on the web stating that the laptop was going to only $300 on sale - but there was only going to be 50 laptops in stock. That's not exactly alot. I got at Walmart early enough to buy one before they ran out. Boy, was it a good buy.

The Specs:

-Intel Celeron 2.0 GHz Processor

-2.0 GB of RAM

-160 GB Hard Drive with 5400 rpm

-802.11g Wifi Adapter Built-In

-15.4 inch widescreen with a resolution of 1280 x 800

-Operating System: Windows Vista Home Basic

Okay, if any techies are reading this, you probably choked when you read the last item on the list. Yep, Vista stinks and Vista Basic stinks worse. However, I am not stupid enough to be content with something that doesn't work. I clean-installed Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.04 onto the laptop for better performance. Both operating systems work blazing fast, whether it's surfing the web or playing Halo Multiplayer.

The Bottom Line:

For the price I got this laptop at, it can't be beat. However, the $300 price tag I got it for was only during a one-time sale; its current price is about $430. This is a good solid laptop if Vista is replaced by a different operating system - If you can do that on your own, go for it; this laptop is for you. On the other hand, if you don't want to bother doing that or don't have the technical skills to, I would not recommend this laptop to you.

Links:

-A Review on This Laptop by CNET

-Compaq CQ50 on sale by Walmart