Archive for July, 2008

Split Browser for Firefox

Here’s a handy-dandy little addon I found for the Firefox browser. It’s called Split Browser. It will enable you to divide your browser’s tabs into small chunk, so you can see them. It’s GREAT if you copy & paste a lot between tabs (like I do), or are copying information. It’s so helpful to have all these little moving boxes in one window.

Remember, too many addons (also called extensions) for your Forefox browser will clog the browser, and reduce speed. Also, some addons are incompatible with each other. Try to keep your addons to the bare minimum.

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Looking for a LAN Chat

I use MSN Instant Messenger for our network IM chat. My daughter works on her computer upstairs, and rather than yelling for her to come down, I often IM her. It works wonderfully. :D However, I am tired of MSN’s IM program. I’d really rather not use a third-party IM at all. But I have had a terrible time finding a quality LAN chat. I’ve tried Tonic, and few other free kinds, but there’s always something missing or something wrong with them. I don’t want all the bells and whistles that comes with the third-party software, like Yahoo, AIM, Trillium, and ICQ. I JUST want a simple LAN chat. Why are they so hard to find? If you know of one, please leave a comment. Thanks!

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Online Boating Safety Lessons

It’s summertime, so everyone is out in the warm sunshine again! Boating is a very popular sport, and the Internet offers ways to make your boating experience an enjoyable and safe one. Here are some excellent promotional videos about boating safety, including the number one safety rule: Don’t Drink Alcohol while boating!!! So many accidents occur because a person’s judgment is impaired while drinking. Here are some great videos showing that boating operating under the influence of alcohol do NOT mix.


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Mozilla FireFox Tweaks

Here’s a webpage I found, linking to some very helpful and easy tweaks for your Firefox browser. I haven’t tried them myself yet, but I looked a few over and they don’t look too bad at all! There are things with Firefox I have been wanting to tweak, so I bookmarked this for future reference.

The page is here. Includes some tweaks on how to get that Windows Media Player working in Firefox (something that took me weeks to figure out on my own!), etc.

Some folks offer their plugins as a way to fix a problem or tweak the browser. One word of warning– I recommend that you never download any plugin from any source unless it is directly through the Mozilla site itself. In other words, it’s risky to download plugins that are offered by individuals outside of the Mozilla team. If you see a plugin at someone’s website and want to see if Mozilla has it, go to the Mozilla Add-Ons page and do a search for the name of the plugin.

And don’t have too many plugins for your browser– keep your Firefox clean and sparse. Plugins, while very convenient, tend to slow the browser, cause crashes, and can sometimes be a security risk.

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Thoughts About Retirement

Frugal people are some of the most financially secure people. Unfortunately, I started my frugality a little late. :S I wish I had gotten an earlier start. While I am not absolutely determined to retire at age 65, I do wish my husband and I had started saving money much, much earlier. Even if it was just to get that “dream house” or be able to afford a few weeks off together– it would have been lovely. Of course, it’s not too late! But I regret missing all that opportunity to do so. Oh well, it’s like I tell people who ask about my Social Security funds– my four children are my security in my old age.

How about you? I know I have a lot of frugal-minded and investment-minded readers. If you could do things differently, what would it be? Would you ever seek the advice of a financial consultant? My husband worked for several years as an insurance salesman, and got some training in financial consulting. It was not an easy job! It required lots of constant training, and keeping up-to-date with the latest financial tool, and the ups and downs of the stock market. I couldn’t imagine building a serious portfolio without the aid of a consultant or reputable company, like Northern Trust. The Northern Trust website is loaded with information, tips, market information from Reuters, and an assortment of personal and institutional service to build that financial security we desire. Believe me– trusting in the government for Social Security is NOT going to cut it in today’s world! I believe that Social Security will not even be available for my generation. Things like building one’s own private banking accounts for savings, and investments is the only way retirement will be tangible. Check out Northern Trust for more information about how to secure your financial future.

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