Archive for category desktop utilities

I Liked GoToMyPC

Jul 1

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in Internet, computers, desktop utilities, networking | 3 Comments

I tried GoToMyPC this week, while I was away on a trip. I liked it! I took part in the free trial for 30 days… after that, it’s $15 a month. Gulp. I rarely travel for long periods of time, so I don’t think I’ll be needing it anymore. But if I do start to travel extensively, I’ll probably use it.

I first heard about it from Kim Komando (GoToMyPC sponsors her). It was better than I thought it was– very easy to download, to run. The connection between the two computers seemed a little sluggish, but not too bad. GoToMyPC is not paying me at all, I’m merely mentioning then in case you need something like it.

Basically, GoToMyPC is a remote-controller. You install the program on your host PC. You must create an account and also a username and password to access the host computer. You can log in to your host computer while away, to access your email, bookmarks, passwords, etc. I found it very useful, and much more secure than entering in my personal data on a public machine or on a public WiFi connection that can be read by scammers.

You must leave your host computer ON while you are away, however. If you have power settings that shut off your hard drive while idle, you must turn this off.

So I give it a thumbs up. It was very easy and straighforward to use. However, $15 a month is really steep, especially when there’s LogMeIn which is absolutely free.

Tags: business services

The Motherlode of Keyboard Shortcuts

Jun 4

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in Windows, desktop utilities | 1 Comment

While researching a few geeky computer websites, I came across this really great website: Windows Vista Keyboard Shortcut Commands. Or, as I now call it, The Motherlode of Keyboard Shortcuts. It’s really cool! Definitely one to bookmark. I type ALLLL day, and all use the keyboard commends I know. This list has a ton of them!

Tags: commands, keyboard, shortcuts

A Great Resource for New Computers

Apr 21

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in computers, desktop utilities, free programs | Comments off

Getting a new computer is so much fun! And I do reformats regularly here. Unfortunately, I am the IT person in the family…. as we have a whopping total of EIGHT computers to manage. And that doesn’t count the ones in temporary storage. I do a lot of tech help stuff, and so I have a lot of computers, new and old, with various operating systems on them. The kids use them for their schoolwork and etc, so they serve a dual purpose. But WOW it’s tough to reformat them all, it takes up a lot of time- time I;d rather spend snapping pics with a shiny new Nikon or time out in the garden.

The biggest time sucker is Windows Updates. Zzzzzzz those take about 24 hours to complete. YUK. And after that, it’s locating, downloading, and installing all the various programs I use.

Oooo but I have found a gem, ladies and gentlemen, a real gem! It’s Ninite! Yay! It’s free to use. They have a listing of the most common software applications–such as Firefox, Skype, Opera, Digsby, Irfanview, Flash, Silverlight, Google Earth, 7-zip, Filezila, and more– to download quickly and easily. I love the site. Whew, it’s easy, and the list is pretty good. These are the basic, most popular software programs, mind you. There are no drivers, no special firmware or software to run your Nikon camera software application… it’s just the basic stuff. However, if you think something should be included that isn’t listed, you can suggest an app from the home page (just scroll down to submit an app).

By the way, Ninite will NOT nag you to download a toolbar (as so many software programs do), and the applications come in 32-bit and 64-bit.

Nice one, guys!!! Maybe now I can finally have enough time to peel myself away from all this IT work, and go outside, snap photos of hummingbirds on my Nikon, and have a life again!

Tags: computers, reformat, software

Keep Track of Your Internet Bandwidth Usage

Mar 10

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in Internet, desktop utilities, free programs, surveillance | 1 Comment

I found out about this handy little program from Kim Komando. By the way, if you don’t listen to her radio show or get her emails, I suggest you do! When i was a new computer user, some ten years ago now, her show was immensely helpful. Today, she discusses less about computers and more about computer gadgets (such as iPhones, iPods, etc, which are useless to me), but I still glean a lot of good stuff from the broadcasts.

Anyway, this latest download is called AnalogX NetStat Live. It will monitor and measure your bandwidth– incoming and outgoing– as well as CPU usage. This is a great way to keep tabs on your bandwidth usage, especially if you have an ISP that charges by bandwidth or gives you a monthly cap, this is what you need to measure your usage. You’d have to install the NetStat Live on all computers on the network, and total up the Incoming Totals and Outgoing Totals across all computers. That will tell you the bandwidth you’ve used. The software is free.

Tags: bandwidth usage, ISP

File Taxes Online for Free

Feb 15

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in Internet, desktop utilities, free stuff | 1 Comment

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of eSmart Tax. All opinions are 100% mine.

Every year, more and more people take advantage of the convenience, speed, and ease of online filing for taxes. Fling the taxes is painful and stressful. Doing ALL that paperwork makes the task absolutely onerous. I know, I am self-employed and am slammed with tons of paperwork (not to mention, tons of taxes)! There’s a website that will make filing your taxes a little easier– it’s eSmartTax.com, and you can file for free at their website! Moreover, they have a very neat deluxe version geared specifically for people who have the surname Johnson: Johnsons file free! Actually, the new spokesman for eSmartTax.com, Daryl Johnson, may find it helpful! Did you know that there are over 2 million people in the United States named Johnson?! That Johnson is the second-most common name in this country?! (I assume the most common is Smith). eSmartTax.com wants to make filing taxes as painless and quick as possible, for people named Johnson and those with other names. eSmartTax.com also offers a more extensive deluxe version that you can purchase, as well. It’s very affordable– under $10! See the website for more information on filing taxes with eSmartTax.com.