Useful Links
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[LOCAL INTEREST] [GENERAL] [MACS] [PC’S] This Month’s Featured Website |
Each month we plan to feature a different website link here on our website. If you have an interesting website that you think we should feature here and add to our links, please email us and let us know – at webmaster@vbcg.org.
Consumer Reports Guide to Streaming Videos – the best sources for movies and your favorite TV series
LOCAL INTEREST
BUG Club – Brevard Users Group – Melbourne, FL Computer Club
Florida History and Genealogy Dept. – IRC Main Library
Indian River Amateur Radio Club
Indian River Blood Bank – Please give!
Indian River State College’s Lifelong Learning Institute – Designed to celebrate the wisdom of men and women 50 plus, the Lifelong Learning Institute at IRCC is described as a “Health Club for the Brain.”
Indian River County Main Library
What’s happening in Vero Beach, Sebastian and Indian River County
About-the-Web – An Internet Guide for Newcomers to the World Wide Web
Ad-Aware – Ad-aware is a free multi spyware removal utility that scans your memory, registry and hard drives for known spyware and scumware components and lets you remove them safely.
– Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free. The Reader program is necessary to view the latest versions of the VBCG newsletter.
AnandTech – Your source for hardware analysis and news
AnswersThatWork.com – the ultimate online HelpDesk, the home of computer support.
Ask the Techies – free online tech help video podcasts, produced by the Computer Learning Lab at Ohio University¹s Academic Advancement Center. The goal of the videos is to
empower people with technology in a lighthearted and fun way. The videos typically feature two hosts, D.Lee Beard, computer skills teacher and administrator at Ohio University, and a student or other Ohio University “techie” explaining the latest in cool technology from iPods and Photoshop to MS Office and video editing. The videos are informal yet informative. Over 30 episodes have been published so far with a new episode made available each week. We deal mostly with Macs, but we do answer Windows questions as well.
Cablemodems.com – the best in cable modem products
Computer Furniture Direct – We sell over 50 different real wood computer desks along with matching hutches, bookcases, filing cabinets and chairs.
Computer Hope™ re-invented the term technical support offering free technical support to everyone no matter the computer, the hardware, the software, or the operating system.
desktopPublishing.com – the ultimate electronic publishing resource
Download.com – “CNET Download.com” is a library of over 30,000 free and free-to-try software programs Windows, Macintosh and handheld devices.
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DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING – |
The following are links to “distributed computing” sites. What is Distributed Computing? Click here to read a “Scientific American” article about it. |
The Human Genome Project is nearing completion, and scientists are working hard to develop the understanding needed to use this wealth of genetic information in ways that will be significant to medicine and humankind. By running the Genome@home protein sequence design client, you can lend us your computer while you’re not using it, for as long or as little as you like.
Put your computer to good use…all the time. Download our free Pioneer™ software to empower cancer researchers, and recycle your computer’s idle time.
The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe.
INK REFILLS
Carrot Ink – helping tens of thousands of customers save a BUNCH of money on inkjet cartridges.
Inkproducts.com – provides complete replacement ink cartridges for most printer models. We also supply ink jet refill kits for most printers. The InkDoctor and The Ink Place have merged into Inkproducts.com. They still have a local representative in the Sebastian area, but their products can be ordered from their website and service is very fast!
ONLINE COURSES – The following is a list of online courses of various topics
CyberU gives you access to over 30,000 online classes.
Learnthat.com – free online tutorials and courses
Element K Journals is your one-stop source for comprehensive, easy-to-use how-to information, tips, tricks and techniques about specific computer applications and technology related topics.
Email 911 helps individuals and businesses solve email management problems.
ExtremeTech™ – Deep technology for enthusiasts and professionals
FILExt – the file extension information source
Florida Association of Computer User Groups
HardwareCentral – Your source for in-depth computer hardware info
Hoaxbusters – describes some of the warnings, offers, and pleas for help … describing hoaxes and chain letters found on the Internet … discusses how to recognize hoaxes, what to do about them, and some of the history of hoaxes on the Internet.
ISPcompared.com – provides visitors a way to quickly compare the rates, features and promotions of standard dial-up, high speed dial-up and broadband Internet service. In addition, users have access to FAQ’s, reviews, ratings and free Internet speed testing.
Mozilla – an open-source web browser, designed for standards compliance, performance and portability
NetLingo – The Internet Dictionary :^)
“On Computers” – syndicated column by Bob Schwabach
Opera Internet browser – Our vision is to deliver the best Internet experience on any device on all major platforms
O’Reilly & Asscocites – the premier information source for leading-edge computer technologies; books and online resources
OSNews™ – Exploring the future of computing
osOpinion.com – Tech opinion commentary for the people, by the people
PracticallyNetworked – this site contains the most complete “How-To” information for setting up Internet sharing found anywhere!
PRICE WATCH ® is the fastest way to find a great street price on a computer product
Proxim – Experience the freedom of wireless networking
Refdesk – The single best source for facts on the Net
Secure Florida – This website from the State of Florida aims to protect business and citizens with lots of educational resources. Topics on their site include email safety and scams, firewalls, identity theft, surfing the Internet, passwords, shopping online and lots more! They even have a section on “Protecting Children Online” and a kids online safety quiz.
Snopes – Urban Legends Reference Pages – computer hoaxes and much more!
Spoofing – Spoofing is a “phishing” email that is designed to look like it comes from a well-known company or sender and tries to get you to click on a link or button within the email. This link will take you to a “spoof” or fake website and attempt to get you to provide personal information. The link above takes you to a website produced by PayPal with information about spoof or phishing emails, specific to their service, but it is good information and much of it is generic and things you should watch out for with in any suspicious email!
StorageReview.com attempts to supplement the excellent hardware coverage already out there with news and reviews of storage-related products.
The Chip Merchant, Inc. – Looking to build your own computer?
The List – The definitive Internet service buyer’s guide
U.S. Robotics – The best analog modems, broadband modems and wireless home networking equipment
VoIP – INTERNET TELEPHONY
The following are two “PCWorld” magazine articles with more information on VoIP phone service.
ElectronicHouse.com has done a recent report on VoIP.
Click here to read their report.
Vmyths.com – Truth about computer security hysteria
Vonage – The Broadband Phone Company™ – changing the way people think about communications by offering consumers and businesses high-quality phone service as an alternative to traditional phone service.
WantDBest.com – over 7,000 free resources
Webopedia™ – Online dictionary for computer and Internet terms
Whatis.com – Home of “‘Look it up’ – Definitions for thousands of the most current IT-related words”, “Every File Format in the World”, “The RAM Guide”, “Chat abbreviations”, “Tech Happenings” and more.
WordPerfect® Universe – First stop for WordPerfect Office users
About.com – Focus on Mac Support
Adobe.com – Adobe software and Mac OS X
Appleinsider – discussion forums for Apple issues
Ars Technica – Mac OS X 10.2 review
Bleu Rose Ltd. – Macintosh software
FasterMacs.com – Because there is no such thing as too fast!
Info-Mac – one of the largest and oldest Macintosh software collections in existence
InformINIT – If you’ve ever wondered what all of those control panels, extensions and other files in your System Folder are/do, InformINIT is for you!
LowEndMac – helping users get the most value from their Macs and Mac clones.
MacAcademy – training CD ROM’s, & videos, live seminars and customized on-site training programs.
MacAddict – magazine, archives, resources, FAQ’s
Mac Answers – Macintosh training, troubleshooting, and support on all levels
MacCentral – Macworld’s News Service
MacConnection – online computers, peripherals and software
MacFixIt – Troubleshooting for MacOS X and OS 9
Mac Freak – Mac info, tips and links
MacGPS Pro – The ultimate GPS software for linking a Garmin GPS receiver to a Mac
MACGurus – The Original Mac Upgraders Geek Boutique!
macHOME – the Mac community’s trusted resource for useful Mac information
MacInstruct – free Mac tutorials, training, and education
Macintosh Shareware by Rustle Laidman
MacInTouch – Mac news, information and analysis
MicroMac Technology – the most diverse line of Macintosh hardware enhancements in the industry
MacNN – The Macintosh New Network
MacSurfer’s – Headline News
MacTECHnicalServices.com – Home of MacaRa Modem Magic for Apple Macintosh
Mactopia – Microsoft resources for the Mac
MCE Technologies – storage and PowerBook products
MicroMac Technology – the most diverse line of Macintosh hardware enhancements in the industry
O’Grady’s PowerPage – Your PowerBook Destination
PowerBook Central – Your PowerBook Resource
PowerBook Guy – PowerBooks, parts, accessories, upgrades and repairs
Sonnet Technologies, Inc. – More ways than ever to upgrade your Macintosh!
The Mac Resource Page – a leader in Mac news
The Macintosh “Stuff Page” – says it all!
The ULTIMATE Macintosh – “Still the BIGGEST, UGLIEST, and MOST USEFUL Macintosh Page on the Web…”
Unidata – Mac-related stuff – tips and tricks
VersionTracker – Mac OS and OS X updates
WINDOWS PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PCs)
Ars Technica – the Art of Technology – the PC enthusiast’s resource
AXCEL216’s MAX Speed WinDOwS – Tricks, Secrets, Bugs, Fixes – transform your PC into the ultimate, extremely tweaked, mean machine you have always dreamed of, even if you don’t have the fastest hardware available under the sun.
Belarc Advisor – builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware.
Bob Cerelli’s Windows Page – The main goal of this site is to provide clear, accurate and easy to understand information regarding Windows95/98/2000/XP.
DUX Computer Digest – Guides, “How to”, reviews, online store, forums, links, news, newsletter, potpourri – what more could you ask for?
Doug’s Windows 95/98/ME/XP Tweaks and Tips
Inachis – MS Outlook Express resources
InfiniSource is one of the Web’s top locations for essential Internet Resources…. Windows information, updates, technical how-to files, and a vast array of tips and tricks.
Inside Outlook Express is a source of technical information, help and tips for users of Microsoft Outlook Express® for Windows, versions 5, 5.01, 5.5 and 6.
Karbosguide.com – A complete illustrated guide to PC Hardware
KarenWare – Karen is the author of the popular “Power Tools”, free programs that make life with Windows a lot easier.
LangaList – Make the most of your hardware, software, and time online — a free and lively, award winning, twice-a-week e-newsletter from noted computer author and editor Fred Langa.
Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer – download the free Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer. If you don’t have the MS PowerPoint program, you can download this free viewer that will allow you to open and view PowerPoint slide shows.
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare – This PC care service is always on, running quietly in the background. It helps give you round-the-clock protection and maintenance—virus scanning, firewalls, tune ups, file backups, the whole nine yards. Delivered to you in a smooth, hassle-free package.
Microsoft Word Viewer – download the Word “Viewer” free from Microsoft. If you don’t have the MS Word program on your computer, this will allow you to view documents created with MS Word.
The MalekTips website…to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles
NerdyBooks.com – Obsessed with helping you get faster on your computer – tips and tricks for Microsoft Office.
Outlook Express online tutorial – Rutgers University Computing Services
PC911 – Friendly computer help in plain English
PCMechanic – Your PC How-to Information Resource
PC PitstopSM – we can help you get your PC in top form
– covers Windows, broadband, do-it-yourself networking, Microsoft, and the Internet. You’ll get insights, analysis, hardware and software reviews, explanations, tips, and straight-shooting advice about desktop computing issues today, and tomorrow.
ShieldsUp! – The Internet’s quickest, most popular, reliable and trusted, free Internet security checkup and information service. And now in its Port Authority Edition, it’s also the most powerful and complete. Check your system here, and begin learning about using the Internet safely.
The Office Letter – Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Office
The PC Technology Guide… covers the PC’s major internal components and peripheral devices.
“The Secret Guide to Computers” – This book is recommended by Sean McCarthy, who writes the “Compute This” column in the “Hometown News”, as the best all-around book to learn Windows. Click here to read his article in the Hometown News.
Tom’s Hardware Guide, the Internet’s premier resource for PC hardware reviews and news
TUX – The first and only magazine for the new Linux user – free online magazine subscription available!
WebBuild Express is a powerful, easy-to-use program for designing and building Web sites. It provides unlimited freedom to manage the content and appearance of your pages. Using simple formatting tools, you can create efficient and powerful Web pages with dramatic visual impact. You do not need to know how to program or write HTML code to create sophisticated Web sites with WebBuild Express. This is the software that was demonstrated to us at our general meeting on May 3, 2005.
Mrs. Wizard – tips, tutorials and information
Windows 2000 Power Users – A once-a-week newsletter devoted to hints, tips, tricks, news and goodies for Windows NT, Windows 2000 and (future) Windows XP users.
Windows Guide Network – provides technical resources and support for tweaking, managing and securing the Windows operating system using the registry, scripting and security.
Windows NT/2000 FAQ – Answers to frequently asked questions about Windows NT, Windows 2000, SQL Server, Exchange Server and Outlook, IIS and more!
Windows Support Center – Supporting Microsoft desktop systems
WinPlanet – A World of Premium Windows Information and Tutorials
Woody’s Office Portal – where you can get the truth about Microsoft Office
WUGNET – Windows Users Group Network provides technical support in the areas of Windows operating systems, Internet, email, shareware, hardware, games, software development, help authoring, multimedia, many Microsoft products, and much, much more.
XPTuneup – THE WINDOWS XP PRO TIPS, TRICKS, SECRETS & TUNEUP SITE
Symantec Online Virus Detection Scan – This is a free service from Symantec, the parent company of Norton Antivirus. This scan will check your whole computer for viruses, but will not remove them, if one is found. You would need to download or purchase an antivirus program in order to remove a virus.
** Be advised, this online scan can take a long time, even if you have a high-speed broadband connection.