MakeUseOf.com: “Cool Websites And Tools [May 15th]” plus 6 more |  |
- Cool Websites And Tools [May 15th]
- 4 Netbook Operating Systems Worth Checking Out
- How To Remove Antivirus System Pro Completely From Your PC
- Latest Hilarious Picks [MakeUseOf Geeky Fun]
- Hot Tech Deals [May 15th]
- Textie – The Ultimate iPhone Messaging App
- ioSafe Solo Giveaway Winner
| Cool Websites And Tools [May 15th] Posted: 15 May 2010 08:31 PM PDT
These are just half of the websites that we discovered in the last couple of days. If you want us to send you daily round-ups of all cool websites we come across, leave your email here. Or follow us via RSS feed. NEW: Download MakeUseOf iPhone App. FREE! Similar MakeUseOf Articles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 Netbook Operating Systems Worth Checking Out Posted: 15 May 2010 06:30 PM PDT
A netbook OS is, simply put, an operating system designed with netbook users in mind. These will leave out features netbook users never need, such as CD burning. They also typically feature a user interface that keeps in mind the limited real estate netbooks feature.
Ubuntu Netbook EditionMost Linux netbook systems seem to be based off of this one in some way or another, so it’s really worth starting with Ubuntu Netbook Edition (previously named Ubuntu Netbook Remix.) In March of 2008, the folks at Canonical launched this operating system, attempting to establish the Ubuntu brand on the rapidly expanding netbook market. It worked: Dell sells Ubuntu netbooks and Canonical is reportedly working out a bunch of other deals.
This operating system wasn’t exactly designed from the ground up. It’s a Gnome-based system including most of the standard Ubuntu apps (Firefox, Open Office, F-Spot, etc.) What makes this setup different is compatibility with netbook hardware, and a GUI tailor-made to take advantage of the limited real estate netbook screens feature. You don’t need to buy a Ubuntu netbook to make use of Ubuntu; you can install it on your netbook right now. Find instructions for doing so and a download over at Ubuntu.com. JolicloudI’m not going to lie: this is the OS on my netbook right now. In fact, I’m writing this post from Jolicloud. I explained my love for this system in a recent post.
I won’t rehash too much here, so read the above article to find out more, but know that this system takes all that is good about Ubuntu Netbook Edition and builds from there. You’ll find an incredibly easy to use app installation process, apps customized to work well with your netbook and much more. It’s also worth pointing out that this system is compatible with most netbooks on the market; check out a list of working computers here. Find Jolicloud over at Jolicloud.com; you’ll even find instructions for a simple installation. Crunchbang/CruncheeeThis one’s not exactly a netbook operating system per se, but it can make a pretty good one. Crunchbang is based on Ubuntu but focuses on “speed, style and substance” to quote their website. Based on the lightweight Openbox window manager, Crunchbang certainly is fast and could run really well on your netbook. I highly suggest trying this out if traditional netbook operating systems don’t work out for you.
Find a download over at crunchbanglinux.org. It’s worth noting that in 2008, a group of EEE enthusiasts made a custom Crunchbang for EEE users: CrunchEEE. Check out Cruncheee here, but know that it’s over a year out of date. EasyPeasyUbuntu Netbook Edition is great, but a lot of things don’t work out of the box. MP3s, for example, can’t be played until you install the codecs. EasyPeasy aims to be simple by offering propietary applications and codecs out of the box. You’ll be pleased to find MakeUseOf favourites including Skype and Picasa included by default.
Installing EasyPeasy is pretty easy. Check out downloads and installation instructions over at easypeasy.com Honorable Mention: Moblin/MeegoBack in December, I raved about the Moblin project in an article entitled “The Moblin Netbook OS – Giving Chrome OS a Run For Its Money.” Well, since I wrote that article, Moblin merged with Nokia’s Maemo project to become Meego. There’s no downloadable version of this system yet, but based on how excellent Moblin was, I’m expecting big things. Keep an eye on this project, and know that I’ll write a review here at MakeUseOf as soon as something solid comes out.
For now you can still download the old Moblin at moblin.org and keep up with the Meego project at meego.com. ConclusionThere are a number of great netbooks on the market, and a bunch more great netbook operating systems worth trying out. I’ve only highlighted a few of the pack leaders worth checking out, but there’s a lot more beneath the surface if you’re willing to dig. Do you know of any more netbook operating systems worth checking out? If you do, please share in the comments below. Sharing is caring. Do you like MakeUseOf articles? Do share our articles with others! It’s really important to us. Similar MakeUseOf Articles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How To Remove Antivirus System Pro Completely From Your PC Posted: 15 May 2010 05:31 PM PDT
What’s worse is the fact that you cannot just uninstall Antivirus System Pro. It difficult to know at first how you should go about performing an Antivirus System Pro removal, however there are a few things you can do to make your job easier to remove Antivirus System Pro completely from your computer.
If on the other hand you don’t have these installed or cannot download them for some reason, then you can still perform an Antivirus System Pro removal manually. In fact most of the time you can remove the virus infections manually as well. Most viruses and rogue software like these target a particular area of the registry, create processes that run in the background and don’t allow you to install other antivirus software or remove any components of the rogue software. So one of the first steps in removing Antivirus System Pro from your computer is to stop the processes it creates. It is best if you perform the following steps when your computer is operating in safe mode. You can select safe mode by pressing the F8 or F10 key just before the operating system is about to start. Once in safe mode open up the Task Manager, head over to the processes tab and end any of the following processes if you see them listed:
You can also use rkill, which is a fantastic little utility that can detect and terminate a number of malware processes automatically. Next up its time to delete files that Antivirus System Pro created when it made a home on your computer. Keep in mind that some of these files may be locked by the application and may not be possible to simply delete them. You can use Unlocker to remove such files or folders. Also you might need to run the command “regsvr32 /u iehelper.dll” before you can delete that file.
Finally, you need to dive in deep and delete some values from the registry. To do so, open up the run dialog box by pressing the key combination Win + R and then type in regedit. This will open the registry editor. You will see HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_USERS listed in the left side pane. These are the trees which contain values created by various software and the operating system to run properly. Antivirus System Pro also makes certain entries to the registry, which should be deleted for complete removal. The entries are listed below:
This should remove all traces of Antivirus System Pro from your computer and normal working of the computer should resume. You should restart your computer before using it for work again. Keep in mind that these are dangerous waters we have just been through. Always exercise caution and have your installation or recovery disc handy, in case things go bad. Have you ever fallen victim to such rogue software? If so, how did you get rid of it? Follow MakeUseOf on Twitter. Includes cool extras. Similar MakeUseOf Articles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Latest Hilarious Picks [MakeUseOf Geeky Fun] Posted: 15 May 2010 03:00 PM PDT
If you would like to keep up with all latest Geeky Fun additions, please subscribe to the Geeky Fun feed here. You can also subscribe and get the latest additions via email.
Got Questions? Ask Them Now FREE on MakeUseOf Answers! Similar MakeUseOf Articles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 15 May 2010 02:07 PM PDT
For more fresh hot deals, visit our Hot Tech Deals page, which is constantly updated.
Image credit: Modified from Svengraph’s icon set We NEED Your Comments!!! Please do share your thoughts in article comments. Similar MakeUseOf Articles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Textie – The Ultimate iPhone Messaging App Posted: 15 May 2010 10:31 AM PDT
Using the Textie [iTunes link] iPhone messaging app, you can send free unlimited messages to other Textie users, as well as to US numbers, and contact just about anyone provided you have their email address. Textie makes it possible for you to keep in touch with your friends in a variety of ways for free, using an app that is similar in appearance to the iPhone’s native SMS app.
Thanks to the the iPhone’s push notification feature, Textie is the ideal alternative to your native SMS app.
When you receive a new message, regardless of how it’s sent through Textie, you will receive a notification on your phone.
Texting actual phone numbers is currently limited to the US. The carriers that Textie supports are AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, US Cellular, Metro PCS, Qwest and Virgin Mobile. They used to support T-Mobile although the service is now hit and miss. Free messaging to US numbers is possible using Textie because the application sends its messages through email gateways, which might not make most carriers very happy. For US residents, in the account settings, add your US phone number to be sure to receive Textie messages sent to your phone number. You can send messages to any email addresses, and the recipient’s responses will appear on your phone the same way an SMS would appear, making it extremely handy for non-iPhone users to instantly reach you using nothing more than email. Each message sent from Textie uses a unique email address to which users reply to – making it impossible for you receive spam through this iPhone messaging app.
For those of you with multiple email addresses, you can add as many addresses to the app as you like, and choose which one will be used when you send a message using Textie via email. One of Textie’s useful features is the ability to block users you don’t want to receive messages from using the free app. All you have to do is reply to a message from them with the word ‘block’ and they can no longer contact you via Textie. Unlike other similar apps available in the app store, you can also send pictures from your phone for free, by either taking a new photo or choosing an image from your camera roll. Textie works over WiFi, 3G and Edge.
What app do you use on your iPhone to keep in touch with your friends? Let us know in the comments. Hey Facebookers, make sure to check out MakeUseOf fan page on Facebook. Over 17,000 fans already!
Similar MakeUseOf Articles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 15 May 2010 10:00 AM PDT
More information on how to claim your prize will be sent via email so please watch your inbox. ioSafe has generously provide MakeUseOf readers with a $30 rebate on any ioSafe Solo 500GB, 1TB, 1.5TB or 2TB hard drive. Limited to US/Canada residents only. Valid for purchase made between May 15th and 21st 2010. MakeUseOf would like to thank Brett Callow from ioSafe for his generosity while participating in this giveaway. Interesting in sponsoring? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via email. Similar MakeUseOf Articles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Check out some of the latest MakeUseOf discoveries. All listed websites are FREE (or come with a decent free account option). No trials or buy-to-use craplets. For more cool websites and web app reviews subscribe to 
You might wonder why we have an entire article on how to remove an antivirus software app. First off, be warned that 
Check out the top picks from MakeUseOf 
If you’re in the market for a new computer, laptop, mobile phone, games and other accessories; don’t waste your time searching online. We’ve taken the liberty of locating the best deals tech deals and unifying them into a single post for your convenience.
There are a few free iPhone apps that allow iPhone users to connect with each other for free, using a functionality very similar to the much coveted Blackberry Messenger, like 
A couple of days ago, we ran our very first hardware giveaway and the prize was an awesome, “almost indestructible”, fireproof, waterproof, shockproof and crushproof | You are subscribed to email updates from MakeUseOf.com To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment