Seesmic Desktop is based on Adobe AIR technology. Adobe AIR allows for standalone Web applications that run outside of a Web browser. This gives the user greater control and convenience. When you download and install Seesmic Desktop, you are also downloading and installing Adobe AIR. The installation takes just a few minutes. Once installed, all you need to do is enter your Twitter log on credentials for each Twitter account and begin.

Seesmic Desktop uses a series of columns to display the various Twitter streams related to your accounts. A Home column displays all tweets coming in for all accounts. You can also view tweets for each individual account, create groups of Twitter users, and conduct searches.

While it’s nice to be able to view tweets in separate columns, where Seesmic Desktop really shines is when you want to send out tweets of your own. Simply choose the Twitter profile that you want to use and tweet away. Like similar desktop applications for Twitter, Seesmic Desktop has a built in link for shortening URLs with popular URL shortening services such as is.gd and bit.ly.

The Userlist feature is terrific for creating groups of similar friends. For example, you can create groups such as business associates, celebrities, family members, and friends. This allows you to follow specific groups and find relevant tweets without having to wade through a massive Twitter stream of unrelated tweets.

The Search feature offers an excellent way to stay on top of your favorite topics. Simply enter the search topic and receive instant notifications any time a related tweet matches. For example, if you’re searching for freelance writing jobs, enter a search for “freelance writing jobs.” Anytime someone tweets those words, you’ll be notified by the Seesmic Desktop.

While several Twitter applications have been introduced, few allow users to manage multiple Twitter accounts. If you use Twitter and have two or more Twitter profiles, Seesmic Desktop is the application for you.

Article by Andrea Kalli

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The link to Advanced Search is to the right of the search bar. Simply click this link and enter your search parameters. The Advanced Search screen allows for specifying results based on: all words, exact words, additional words, unwanted words, file type, Web site or domain type, age of page, keyword location, usage rights, region, numeric range, and similarity to a specified page.

For example, if you are researching a topic and want to limit your search to non-commercial Web sites, use Google Advanced Search to limit your search results to pages ending in .org or .gov. The results page will list Web pages from non-profit and government Web sites. Researching William Shakespeare? A standard search turns up 148 million results while restricting results to pages ending in .edu turns up just 143,000 results – all from academic institutions.

Now suppose that you want to find recent information for your topic, not twenty-year-old studies or obsolete information. Use the Google Advanced Search’s Date field to restrict results to recent pages such as the past 24 hours, past week, past month, or past year.

Looking for a specific file type such as PDF or PowerPoint presentations? Use the File Type field to specify the type of format you want Google to find. Too many forum posts or blog entries related to your search? Use the Unwanted Words field to restrict results containing words such as “forum,” “forums,” and “blogs.” For example, a standard Google search for the words “blue screen errors” turned up over 44 million results. Restricting forum and blog results cut this number in half. Selecting the PDF file format whittles the results down to under 300,000.

In addition to the numerous restrictions that you can make in this screen, Google’s Advanced Search also lists several topic-specific search engines including: Google Book Search, Google Code Search, Google Scholar, Google News Archive Search, Microsoft, Apple-Macintosh, Linux, BSD Unix, U.S. Government, and Universities. Many of these specialized Google search engines have Advanced Search options of their own, allowing you to further fine-tune your search criteria.

If you haven’t been using the Advanced Search feature of Google, you’re probably wasting a lot of time landing on irrelevant Web pages. Take a few moments upfront to enter your search criteria and immediately land on pages that have the information that you are searching for.

Other Google search tips include the use of operators, specific strings, etc.  Here are some resources I found that offer insight into how you can fine-tune your search results:

Lifehacker – Top 10 Obscure Google Search Tricks

10 Most Amazing Google Search Tricks

15 Awesome Google Search Tips and Tricks

Google Search Tips

Article by Andrea Kalli

Take a stroll over to my Facebook Page and become part of my community. I invite you to become a fan and participate in the conversation.
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant

Google Chrome is the latest browser to hit the market.  As users let go of their habitual use of old browsers like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, they find a fresh new answer to easy search browsing and a friendly user interface in Google’s browser.  Google Chrome is a strong contender for top browser, a title that Microsoft and Mozilla Firefox have comfortably enjoyed for years.

Installation

Google Chrome has some of the same features of typical browsers.  When installing the software, it offers to import favorites, bookmarks, and saved passwords.  This part of Google Chrome is the same as other browsers, which makes it simple to convert to a new platform for new users.  The installation is autonomous, making it simple to go from download and installation to browsing the web within minutes.

Streamlined and Clutter-Free

For users who just want the basics, Google Chrome has the answer for streamlined web browsing.  The interface only gives the basics without all the extra add-ons that come installed with Firefox and Internet Explorer.  Google Chrome is what most users want – a simple interface with a taskbar at the top, and address bar to navigate, tabs, and the active window.  When opening the platform, recent searches and condensed windows from recent browsing history appear.

Condensed Desktop and Web Functions

Google Chrome takes Internet Explorer a step further by blurring the lines between your computer desktop and the web.  You can create shortcuts and icons through Google Chrome and browsed regardless of location.  If a file is located on the local computer, Google Chrome adjusts to a local interface.  If shortcuts are web-based, Google Chrome shows the browser for quick searching.

Browse History with Omnibar

Google Chrome presents users with tiny, thumbnail images of recent browse history.  This helps users quickly find previous entries.  Ever tried to remember what you used to find a previous web page that wasn’t bookmarked? This is the perfect solutions to that problem.  Google Chrome gives users a quick button to find entries and websites without losing the reference.

Included in this function is a way to search new and old pages.  For instance, if you search for a phrase that was previously searched, Google Chrome shows results of new and old pages.

The Downside of Google Chrome

Google Chrome is new in the browser world, and it’s taking on some big competitors.  As with any new software applications, it has its bugs.  Google Chrome does not save sessions like Firefox.  Firefox restores lost tabs, but once Google Chrome crashes, that’s the end of your saved tabs.

Javascript and Ajax are supported on the new web browser, but Microsoft’s Silverlight is still incompatible.  This leaves troubles for users who browse Microsoft’s web pages.  The bookmark organization function is separate and not as easily managed as Internet Explorer and Firefox.

If you want to test out the newest application in web browsers, Google Chrome is a great start for a look into the future of web browsing.  Its features are great for new and old users who just want a streamlined way to search without all the cumbersome extras of other browsers.  Google Chrome may have its bugs, but they will soon be fixed.  Not only that, this web browser is backed by one of the best companies on the Internet.

Article by Andrea Kalli

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Perhaps the most widely understood and utilized definition of computer ergonomics runs something like: The science with a primary purpose of designing computer equipment, workstations and related products in order to allow people the ability to undertake their jobs or tasks in a safe and healthy manner. The actual, scientific definition of ergonomics is:

“Ergonomics and human factors use knowledge of human abilities and limitations to design systems, organizations, jobs, machines, tools and consumer products for safe, efficient and comfortable human use.”

Computer ergonomics is now understood to be very important. By appropriately applying ergonomic principles to the design and utilization of computers and related equipment, people are able to avoid serious injuries and conditions that might otherwise occur or develop as a result of using computers and related items.

Interestingly, when it comes to ergonomics, people who study this field have adapted Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous drawing of a man to be utilized as their symbol of their practice. This is the drawing featuring a man manipulating his limbs, a man drawn surrounded by a circle, a very famous and widely circulated drawing indeed.

Ergonomists understand the keen interrelationship between designing safe equipment and practices and increasing efficiency. The simple theory is that the more comfortable a person is in the use of equipment such as a computer, the less of a negative impact the use of such equipment will have on his or her body, the more effective and efficient he or she will be over both the short and the long term.

In summary, if you are like most people in the workaday world who must use a computer and related equipment with regularity, you will want to make certain that you are considering ergonomics in both the design and utilization of the workstation, equipment and related items. Your present productivity and your future health will depend on properly implementing concepts associated with computer ergonomics. You will be well served both in the short term and well into the future.

Andrea

Andrea Kalli Virtual Trainer and Assistant, LLC

Article by Andrea Kalli

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Backups are essentially copies of important information. There are a few ways that you can back up your data as well as a few things to consider when doing a pc backup of your information. The ways you can backup data are: hard disc, server for LAN (Local Area Network), a partition and a database. There are a few products on the market that can help you with your backup plan.

Three of the best crucial memory backups are actually generic memory backups that you can find at many discount computer hardware stores and websites. One website in particular rates the top ten backup systems available on the market. This website is http://data-backup-software-reviewtopten reviews.com. Three of their top rated back up plans for generic memory backups are: the Genie Background Manager (ranked the best overall), the Aconis True Image and the NTI Backup Tool. The Genie is sold for around $49.95 but does not have the backup capabilities that the NTI does. The NTI is $74.99 so you will pay less for the Genie.

Other options would include online backup services, such as Carbonite and Mozy. Similar in price and features, these run in the backgound while you’re working on your computer. I spent under $50 for 1 year with Carbonite. The initial backup usually takes a few days to a week, depending on the amount of data you have. Mine took nearly a week using Carbonite. The one thing that disappoints me is that Carbonite does not automatically backup video files, which is something I have a LOT of, due to the fact that I’m always creating video tutorials for my E-Learning Center. I have to remember to tag each new folder I have that has video in them. I decided it was easier to have an local external backup drive that I use just for my videos.

You need to know the difference between a backup and an archive. The archive is the primary copy and backups are the secondary copy of your vital information. Before you make that purchase you will need to address: the RPO (Recovery Point Objective), the RTO (Recovery Time Objective) and the generic memory data security. You will also need to consider the system impacts, the bandwidth speed and the cost for initial installation and maintenance.

Once you have an understanding about how a pc backup works, you will be able to perform crucial memory backups that are absolutely essential if you do not want a system crash to leave you stranded. If you are unclear as to what is vital and what is not, then you can always ask someone that is computer savvy to help you out. Just make sure you do a backup as soon as possible.

Andrea

Andrea Kalli Virtual Trainer and Assistant, LLC

Your certified internet marketing VA!

www.virtualassist.net

Article by Andrea Kalli

Take a stroll over to my Facebook Page and become part of my community. I invite you to become a fan and participate in the conversation.
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant