Author Archives: Jamie

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About Jamie

I am a recent graduate of Bridgewater State University, in Bridgewater, MA, where I studyied Management with a concentration in Information Systems Management. Previously, I was a Computer Science major at the University of Massachusetts - Boston. Some of my interests include computers, technology, programming, education, business, biology, as well as learning Spanish.

Windows Live Writer

If you’re a blogger and would like to be able to write, edit, and post to your blog without having to do so online, you may want to try using Windows Live Writer.

Windows Live Writer is a free program from Microsoft that enables you to write, edit, and post to your blog, without having to go online to do so. Windows Live Writer also enables you to preview your blog post, using your blog’s theme, as well as view the source of the post.

When you first download and install Windows Live Writer, you will have to choose what type of blog you’re using and then enter some information about your blog, such as the URL to you blog, as well as your credentials.

From there, you should be able to write posts and post them to your blog, either as a post or as a draft, which you can edit online.

Windows Live Writer also allows you to create and edit pages for your blog, which you can do by going to “New” and then selecting the “New page” option.

When you’re writing a post and would like to see what it looks like on your blog, you can click on the “Preview” tab and Windows Live Writer will display the post, using your blog’s theme and page content.

If you would like to edit the HTML of your blog, you can click on the “Source” tab, which will allow you to view your blog post in HTML format.

If you would like to try using Windows Live Writer, you can download it for free from the Windows Live Writer website.

Fitbit

If you’re someone who is interested in how active you have been, as well as other things, perhaps you should try using Fitbit.

Fitbit is a device that you can wear, similar to a pedometer, that will tell you how many steps you have taken, how far you have gone, and more. Also, when you’re sleeping, you can wear your Fitbit on a wrist strap, which will allow you to see what time you fell asleep, how many times you woke up during the night, as well as other information. A great feature about Fitbit is that you can sync the information that is on the device with the Fitbit website when your Fitbit is in range of the base station. After installing the Fitbit software on your computer, your device will sync with the website when you bring it in the range of the base station.

If you don’t happen to bring your Fitbit in range of the base station, it will store the detailed daily data that it has collected for up to seven days and the daily summarized data that it has collected for up to thirty days.

On the Fitbit website, you can view your data, as well as enter in data, such as what foods you’ve eaten from a database of  50,000 foods, so that you can keep track of how many calories you have eaten.

The Fitbit comes with a base station, which can be used to sync your data with the Fitbit website, as well as charge your Fitbit. The Fitbit also comes wish a wrist strap and a belt holster.

If you would like to learn more about the Fitbit or if you would like to purchase the Fitbit for, you can do so at the Fitbit website.

Pogoplug

Pogoplug is a device that enables you to access your data on a USB drive from any computer that has Internet access.

Once you’ve set up and installed Pogoplug by plugging it in and then visiting the Pogoplug website, all you need to do is attach a USB storage device, such as an external hard drive or a flash drive, and then you can access your files using a browser on any computer that has Internet access.

You can also use Pogoplug to share files with friends, family, or coworkers, as well as for backing up files.

Pogoplug can be used like a regular hard drive, so you can access your files using Windows Explorer or the Mac Finder, as well.

As for security, none of your data or files are stored on Pogoplug servers, except for your e-mail address. Also, all of your files and data that are attached to your Pogoplug, stay on your device. Though, when the device is being accessed, data is sent through the servers, but no copies of your files or data are retained. Pogoplug also uses HTTPS encryption when you’re accessing your files.

If you would like to remove your content from being accessed, all you need to do is unplug the storage device from your Pogoplug, delete the files, or unplug your Pogoplug altogether.

If you would like to find more information about Pogoplug or if you would like to purchase Pogoplug, you can do so at the Pogoplug website.

The Sims 3

If you’re a fan of The Sims and would like to be able to play it on the go, then perhaps you should try playing The Sims 3 for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Once you’ve launched The Sims 3, you should see the EA logo and then the game’s homescreen, after the game loads. When the game loads, you will be taken to the homescreen, where you have the option to view the Goals Checklist, more games, the Music Library, options, and the help & about section.

When you select Start Game, you will be taken to a screen where you will be able to design your Sim character, where you can edit your Sim’s appearance, as well as character traits. There aren’t as many choices, as far as clothing and such go, compared to other versions of The Sims, but there are different clothing options that you can choose from.

After editing your Sim’s appearance, you will be able to choose your Sim’s Persona from options, such as “Jack of All Trades”, “Nice Guy”, “Jerk”, “Sleaze”, “Power Seeker”, and “Maniac”.

After you have chosen your Sim’s Persona, you will be able to choose five Character Traits for your Sim character from a list of traits that includes: Shy, Conversationalist, Good Sense of Humor, No Sense of Humor, Easily Impressed, Easily Bored, as well as other options.

After choosing your Character Traits, you will be able to name your Sim before starting the game.

When you start the game, you will have the option of playing the tutorial, which teaches you how to control the camera, interact and move, fulfill needs, what wishes and goals are, and more.

In the game, there are different areas that you can visit, such as your house, the town, as well as various areas within the town, such as other Sim’s houses, the lake, stores, as well as other places.

There are also some minigames that you can play, such as going fishing, which allows you to catch fish, which you can sell or eat. Fishing will also increase your fishing skill level. When you go fishing, you will have to tilt your iPhone or iPod Touch to angle for the fish and jerk the phone upwards in order to reel the fish in.

The cooking mini-game allows you to cook food for your Sim character and also uses the iPhone or iPod Touch’s accelerometer. When you’re cooking, you have to choose different pots and then shake your device to cook the pots down. Playing this mini-game increases your Sim’s cooking level.

The repairing mini-game is how your Sim character fixes something that is broken, such as a computer, TV, refrigerator, or other item. When you choose to repair something, you will see a circuit board, which has broken pieces on it. In order to repair the item, you have to drag the broken pieces on the circuit board to a trash can and replace them with new ones. Playing this mini-game will increase your Sim’s repairing level.

Your Sim can also grow food in their garden, which is located next to their house to increase their gardening level. In order to grow food, you Sim will have to purchase and plant seeds and then tend to them, which will require the purchase of a watering can, as well as fertilizer. However, this feature does not use the devices accelerometer.

Your Sim can also get jobs in the game, which include working at the Town Hall, the Quickmart, the Laboratory, and the Corsican Bistro.

If you would like to try playing The Sims 3, you can download it for $6.99 from the iTunes store.

Staying Safe Online

If you’re using a computer that is connected to the Internet, there are a few steps that you can take to try and stay safe.

One way that you can stay safe online is to not open any attachments that were sent to you from a person who you don’t know. If you receive an e-mail or IM from someone you don’t know, you should be cautious if there is an attachment or link to a website that you are not familiar with, as they may contain viruses or spyware.

Another way to stay safe would be to run frequent antivirus and antispyware scans, just to be sure that you don’t have any malicious files or programs on your computer.

If you need a free antivirus program, you may want to try using Microsoft Security Essentials, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website.

If you need a free antispyware program, MalwareBytes may be a program that is worth trying and can be downloaded from the MalwareBytes website.

Hopefully these tips will help you to keep your computer free of any viruses or other malicious files or programs.

If you have any tips that you would like to share, please feel free to send me an e-mail using the Contact form or by leaving a comment.

Tweetie 2

If you’re looking for a good iPhone application to manage your Twitter account, perhaps you should try using Tweetie 2.

Tweetie 2 is an iPhone application that allows you to do things, such as read, post, and manage tweets, view your @replys, Direct Messages, as well as search for users and tweets, view trending topics, and more.

Once you’ve logged into your Twitter account using Tweetie 2, you should see a timeline with the tweets of the people you’re following. When you want to refresh the timeline, all you need to do is scroll up in the timeline and release it and you will be able to view any new tweets.

Tweetie 2 also allows users to upload pictures to websites, such as TwitPic, yFrog, Posterous, and more.

Also, when people post a retweet, you will be able to see that tweet in your timeline, along with the original poster’s avatar and a retweet symbol in the top right hand corner of the tweet.

Tweetie 2 also allows you to view your @replies, as well as your Direct Messages. Also, if you tap a tweet, it will become larger and will tell you the time it was posted, as well as with which application it was posted with.

After you’ve tapped on a tweet, you will also be able to visit any links that the tweet may contain in Tweetie 2’s built in browser.

Tweetie 2 also enables you to manage multiple Twitter accounts, so you don’t have to log out to check another account.

If you would like to try using Tweetie 2, you can download it for $2.99 from the iTunes Store.

Qik.com

If you’re someone who likes to share what you’re doing with friends, family, and whoever else you want to share it with, you may want to try using Qik.com.

Qik.com enables you to stream live video from your mobile phone to the Qik.com website, where the videos can also be archived.

Qik.com supports a variety of different mobile phones, such as the iPhone, Blackberry, as well as mobile phones from manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Palm, HTC, Sony Ericsson, as well as other manufacturers, which can be seen on Qik’s Supported Phones page.

Once you’ve downloaded the Qik application on your mobile phone, you can stream live to the Qik website, using a 3G or Wi-Fi connection, where people can view your live stream, as well as watch the archived version on your Qik profile, which you can edit. The Qik application also allows you to chat with your viewers.

If you’d like to try using Qik, you can sign up for the service at Qik.com.

Microsoft Security Essentials

If you need a free antivirus program, perhaps you should try using Microsoft Security Essentials, which is available for Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

When you go to download Microsoft Security Essentials, you have the option to download a 32 or 64 bit version. If you are unsure of the version of Windows you’re running, there is a Microsoft Support article that you can view.

After you’ve downloaded and installed Microsoft Security Essentials, you should make sure that you have the latest antivirus definitions.

When you launch the program, you should see four tabs: Home, Update, History, and Settings.

Home

On the Home tab, you have the option to run a Quick, Full, or custom scan of your computer. You can also see if you have the latest virus and spyware definitions, as well as if you have real time protection enabled. Also, you can see when your next scan will be and you can also change your scan schedule.

Updates

On the Updates page, you can see see whether your antivirus and antispyware definitions are up to date, as well as update your definitions. You can also see when your definitions were created, your virus definition version, and your system definition version.

History

The History tab allows you to see detected items, what alert level they have, the date they were detected, and what action you took against the item. You can also view quarantined items, as well as allowed items.

Settings

The Settings tab enables you to view and change your scan schedule, check your default settings, view and change your real time protection settings, add and remove excluded files and locations, as well as file types and processes. You can also view and change advanced settings, such as scanning archive files, in addition to removable drives. You can also choose to create a System Restore point before your computer is scanned, and whether or not all users are allowed to view the history of detected files.

If you would like to try using Microsoft Security Essentials, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Security Essentials website.

Apple iPad

The heavily anticipated Apple tablet computer, called the iPad was announced yesterday by Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the Apple Keynote.

The Apple iPad includes many features that are available on an iPod Touch or an iPhone, such as Safari, a mail application, a photo application, the ability to watch videos, a YouTube application, an iPod application, as well as access to the iTunes Store, the App Store, maps, notes, a calendar, and more.

However, some of these features may look different than on the iPod Touch or iPhone.

The Apple iPad has a new feature, however, called iBooks, which enables people to purchase books that can be read on the device. When you purchase a book, it will be displayed on a virtual bookshelf and when you would like to read it, you simply tap on the book that you wish to read.

The iPad has gets up to ten hours of battery life on a single charge and has an Apple A4 chip. The iPad also has a 9.7 inch screen, weighs 1.5 pounds, and is half an inch thin. Also, the iPad has a slight curve to the back, which makes it easy to pick up and hold.

The Apple iPad has built in 802.11 N Wi-Fi and will also be available in a 3G model so that you can access the Internet while you are away from a Wi-Fi access point. The iPad also comes with Bluetooth 2.1.

If you would like to learn more about the Apple iPad, can should visit the Apple website.

FireFox 3.6

If you’re someone who uses Mozilla FireFox, you may want to check for updates, as Mozilla FireFox 3.6 was released today.

Mozilla FireFox 3.6, which was code named Namoroka, is the newest version of the browser, which has some new features, including being faster than FireFox 3.5.

Some other features that are included in this release are the ability to use Personas, which previously required an add on to use, support for over seventy different languages, protection from plug ins that are out of date, improved JavaScript performance, and more, which you can read about in the release notes.

If you would like to download Mozilla FireFox, you can do so by going to Mozilla.com.