Stories by Rick Broida

Firefox 4 tips: Bend the new browser to your will

Mozilla released Firefox 4 last week. I'm trying hard to like the new browser, but it keeps finding ways to annoy me. First, it moved the Reload button for no good reason (same for the Home button, but that's just as easily fixed). Second, it put the tabs at the top of the screen (again, easily fixed). Third, and most important, a bunch of my favorite add-ons stopped working. Luckily, I've come up with a few ways to fix the interface quirks that are driving me nuts and solve the extension compatibility problem.

Written by Rick Broida30 March 11 03:28

Firefox tips, plus a warning: Protect those passwords

It's been a while since I've covered tips for my favorite browser, Mozilla Firefox tips (read "Quick Tips for Speeding Up Mozilla Firefox" for my last installment). So this week I thought I'd toss you a couple tips for scrolling through long Web pages in Firefox. But first -- a public service announcement.

Written by Rick Broida09 March 11 05:03

Must-have tools and tricks

It's time for another grab bag of hassle killers. This week I tell you how to get a disposable e-mail address to use as a spam magnet, how to turn off Windows 7's automatic window resizing, and how to recover data from a crashed drive.

Written by Rick Broida24 Feb. 11 01:53

Get a quick and easy disposable e-mail address

Here's a common hassle: You sign up for some freebie, promotion, or service that requires your e-mail address--and suddenly your inbox is deluged with ads, notifications, and other spam.

Written by Rick Broida19 Feb. 11 06:59

Customize who can see your Facebook status updates

Facebook status updates don't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. You can decide who gets to see a particular update -- or, if you prefer, who doesn't.

Written by Rick Broida09 Feb. 11 02:53

Prepare your PC for future data disasters

Reformatting and restoring a PC is not fun--in the way spending 2 hours in the dentist's chair is not fun. You have to back up all your data (and pray that you haven't forgotten anything), reformat the hard drive, install Windows, track down missing drivers, find and reload all your software, restore your data, and pull out clumps of hair over the things you inevitably neglected to save. (Firefox plug-ins, anyone?)

Written by Rick Broida05 Feb. 11 01:51

Manage all your social networks under one roof

As you learned in last week's write-up of Meebo, the browser-based instant messaging service, I love apps that can live on the Web instead of having to clutter up my PC.

Written by Rick Broida01 Feb. 11 05:55

Connect a third monitor to your PC

As I wrote the other day, it's a pretty simple matter to add a second monitor to your PC. But what about a third? That might require a little more doing.

Written by Rick Broida14 Jan. 11 03:25

Five reasons to move to Windows 7, plus XP advice

Can we talk? Based on the e-mail I get every day, I know a lot of you are still using Windows XP. I can understand why; it's like a comfortable old shoe. Plus, it's bought and paid for. Windows 7 probably seems stiff and scary, and it's not like Microsoft is handing out free upgrades.

Written by Rick Broida22 Dec. 10 04:21

My five reasons to upgrade to Windows 7 in 2011

Can we talk? Based on the e-mails I get every day, I know a lot of you are still using Windows XP. I can understand why; it's like a comfortable old shoe. Plus, it's bought and paid for. Windows 7 probably seems stiff and scary, and it's not like Microsoft is handing out free upgrades.

Written by Rick Broida20 Dec. 10 12:25

Remove old versions of Java Console from Firefox

While we're on the subject of improving Firefox performance (see yesterday's post on clearing the Downloads list), let's talk about old, outdated Java Consoles.

Written by Rick Broida10 Dec. 10 06:44

Delete iPad documents in iTunes

If you're an iPad user, you may have discovered a rather strange quirk in iTunes. Although the program makes it blissfully easy to add documents to certain apps by way of its File Sharing feature, there appears to be no way to delete those documents.

Written by Rick Broida22 Sept. 10 01:58

Windows Explorer explained: Easier file selection

People who don't work with files on a regular basis have a devil of a time remembering the keyboard shortcut for selecting multiple files. (You hold down the Ctrl key while clicking each individual file.)

Written by Rick Broida04 Dec. 10 02:29

Windows Explorer explained: Choosing a replacement

For the past week-plus I've taught you a few basic things about Windows Explorer. It's a pretty important tool, and I hope you've found the lessons helpful.

Written by Rick Broida04 Dec. 10 01:56
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