Speed up Firefox

If you have a broadband connection (and most of us do), you can use pipelining to speed up your page loads. This allows Firefox to load multiple things on a page at once, instead of one at a time (by default, it’s optimized for dialup connections). Here’s how:

* Type “about:config” into the address bar and hit return. Type “network.http” in the filter field, and change the following settings (double-click on them to change them):
* Set “network.http.pipelining” to “true”
* Set “network.http.proxy.pipelining” to “true”
* Set “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests” to a number like 30. This will allow it to make 30 requests at once.
* Also, right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” and set its value to “0″. This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.

Stop Websites From Resizing Firefox When you Visit Them.

Today’s Tip and Trick might seem what unusual for someone who writes about Microsoft Software. The readers that are a bit longer around have read in the articles about creating a transparent text field for your desktop icons and in the article with the quick trick for when you need a math calculator that I don’t use Internet Explorer but that I use Firefox. What can I say: Firefox rules!

There is one thing though about Firefox that I didn’t like and that was that some websites resized my browser when I visited them. I presume that IE had the same problem, I didn’t check this.

But this weekend I found a solution for this.

If you want to stop websites from resizing your Firefox browser you’ll need to take the following steps.

* Go to Tools
* Select Options
* Go to the Content tab
* And click on the Advanced button



* Now uncheck the “Move or Resize existing Windows”.



* And click OK and you’re done.

The site where I found this solution is Soft District and it is a really cool site too, go check it out. They also provided a Tip for Mac user which is to go to Preferences instead of Tools and then options.

Create a Transparent Text Field for your Desktop Icons.

Okay it’s time for the next XP Tip and Trick. In the article on how to Change the Windows Explorer start directory I’ve told you that The World of Office Tips and Tricks is here for two reasons. Which are we want you to work faster with our Office Tips and Tricks and we want you to get the most out of your Microsoft Operating System. Well I have to come back to that because there are actually 3 reasons why you want to subscribe to The World of Office Tips and Tricks. The third reason is that we want you to personalize your XP or Vista Operating system.

This next XP Tip and Trick isn’t really for “pimping” your XP operating system but for cleaning it up.

XP-Tip-Trick-pic1The default settings for Windows XP are that XP is showing the text under a desktop icon in a small text field/label. This was for me personally really irritating since I love nice looking wallpapers.

To create a transparent text field for your desktop icons you need to follow the next steps.

*
Go to start.
*
Open your control panel.
*
Double click on your System Icon.
*
Open the advanced tab.
*
Click on the Settings button in the Performance area.
*
Scroll down and select “Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop”.
*
Click on apply and OK and your done.


BTW. It might have used the wrong icons on a site for Office, XP and Vista Tips and Tricks but what can I say; I love Firefox;).

I hope you all enjoyed this XP Tutorial, talk to you tomorrow.

Boot into Safe Mode

It is often recommended to boot into Safe Mode in order to run anti-spyware/virus/etc scans. You can do so by repeatedly hitting the F8 key while the computer is starting up.

However, since hitting the F8 key constantly to boot into safe mode is annoying (to me), and sometimes despite doing that I still sometimes miss my window of opportunity to get into safe mode & have to let the PC boot into standard mode & restart. On my computers I always set it to pause & show me the option of booting into safe mode or the regular mode (which would be the default) every time the computer starts. This is how you can do the same:

Right-Click "My Computer" -> Properties -> Advanced -> Startup and Recovery -> Settings

On the new window, there is a bunch of settings at the top under "System Startup". For the Default Operating System, it will probably show something like "Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect OR Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect" ... leave that alone.

Please notice that for this example I'll use "Windows XP Professional" for my computer Operating System...Substitute "Windows XP Home" if that is the Operating System you use.

Make sure the option for "Time to display list of operating systems" is checked. The default time is 30 seconds, I usually set the time to 10 seconds (sometimes even just 5).

Check the "Time do display recovery options" too (it should already be checked), and I leave it at the default 30 seconds.

Click the "Edit" button, and the boot.ini file will open in Notepad. It'll look something like this:

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

The last line is the OS boot option.

If there is only one option, then you will not see a menu on start up & your computer will just boot straight into Windows. Let's add a second option at the end of this file, like so:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Safe Mode with Network" /safeboot:network /sos /bootlog /noguiboot

(You can just Copy & Paste that line right into the boot.ini file.)

This will give you the option of starting in Safe Mode with Network Support (so you can still access the internet or local network if needed).

To add an option of having Safe Mode with No Networking, use this line:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Safe Mode" /safeboot:minimal /sos /bootlog /noguiboot

(Again, you can just Copy & Paste that line right into the boot.ini file.)

By the way, if the lines already in your boot.ini look different from the "multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)" shown here, make sure that any new lines you add match what you've already got (ie. because you have Windows installed on a different drive/partition).

If you added both of these Safe Mode options, your file will now look something like this:

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Safe Mode with Network" /safeboot:network /sos /bootlog /noguiboot
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Safe Mode" /safeboot:minimal /sos /bootlog /noguiboot

Save the file & close it & click Ok on any open dialogs. Next time you start the computer, you will see a little menu asking which boot option you want to use, with the default pre-selected (the default is the first one in the boot.ini file). If you don't make a choice (using cursor keys & Enter) before the timer counts down to zero, it'll use the default option.

As always, if you're nervous about manually changing settings for fear of messing things up, then leave things well enough alone and don't bother with this tweak. You can still get into Safe Mode by using the F8 key while starting the PC

Search the Web effectively with Google

When searching for information on the Web, you
can obtain comprehensive results by using Google to
perform your search. Google is the most popular search
Web site. You can visit Google at www.google.com.

Performing a Search
To perform a search, click the search area and then
type the word(s) that best describes the information
you want to find. Then press the Enter key or click
the Google Search button. Google will find only
Web pages that contain all the words you type. You
can use more words to narrow your search.
✓ Make sure the words you type are as specific as
possible. For example, type “Picasso” rather than
“painter.”
✓ To search for a phrase, type quotation marks (“ “)
around the phrase. For example, type “The Wizard
of Oz.”
✓ You do not need to capitalize words. For example,
typing “abraham lincoln” will return the same
results as “Abraham Lincoln.”

Google Main Page


I’m Feeling Lucky
Click this button to bypass the search results
and go directly to the first Web page that
matches the information you enter.

Web
Searches for Web pages that match the
information you enter.

Images
Searches for images that match the
information you enter.

Groups
Allows you to browse through discussion
groups and search for messages sent to
discussion groups. Discussion groups allow
people with similar interests to communicate.

News
Displays the top news headlines and allows
you to search for a news item of interest.

Froogle
Allows you to search for products you can purchase.

Local
Allows you to search the Web for stores and
businesses in your area


Google Features


Display a Definition
To display a definition for a word or phrase, type
“define:” followed by the word or phrase you want
defined. For example, type “define: Internet.”

Directory
You can browse through categories offered by Google
to find information of interest. You can visit Google’s
directory at directory.google.com.

Track a Parcel
To track a parcel, type the UPS, FedEx or USPS tracking
number for the parcel. For example, to track a FedEx
package, type “555555555555.”

Phonebook
To find the address and phone number for a business
in the United States, type the business name along
with the city and state or type the business name and
ZIP code. For example, type “Ford Detroit Michigan.”
To find the address and phone number of a person in
the United States, type the person’s first name, last
name and city.

Get Stock Quotes



To get stock or mutual fund information, type one
or more NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX or mutual fund
ticker symbols or the name of a corporation traded
on one of the stock indices. For example, to get
stock information about Microsoft, type “MSFT.”

Street Map Search
To find a street map of an address in the United States,
you can type the street address, including the city and
state or the ZIP code.

Get Airline Flight Information
To check the status of a United States flight, type the
name of the airline followed by the flight number. For
example, to check the status of United Airlines flight
number 162, type “United 162.”

Web Site Search
You can search for information within a specific Web
site. Type the word(s) you want to find and then type
“site:” followed by the address of the Web site. For
example, type “admissions site:www.harvard.edu.”

Who Links to You?
To display a list of Web pages that contain a link to your
Web page, type “link:” followed by your Web page
address. For example, type “link:www.maran.com.”

Perform a Calculation



Google can solve math problems, including basic
arithmetic and unit conversions. For example, you can
type “5+3*4,” “26 miles in kilometers” or “half a cup
Google Search: 1600... 12:00 PM in teaspoons.”

Advanced Search
Displays additional options you can use
to help narrow your search.

Preferences
Allows you to specify how you want Google to
work, such as specifying the number of results
displayed on each results page.

Statistics Bar
Displays the number of results and a description
of your search.

Web Page Title
Displays the title of a Web page Google found.
Web Page Description
An excerpt of text from a Web page Google
found appears below a Web page title. Your
search words appear in bold to show the context
in which the words were used on a Web page.

Cached
Displays the Web page as the page appeared
when it was indexed by Google. Viewing a
cached Web page is useful if a Web page is
no longer available.

Translate this page
If the search results contain a Web page
published in a language other than English, you
can view an English translation of the page.

Results Pages
Google displays ten Web pages on each results
page. To display additional results pages, click a
specific number or click Next to display the next
results page.

Stop Windows from reporting errors

If you encounter a problem in Windows, such as when
a program malfunctions, a message will usually appear
that asks if you want Windows to send an error report
to Microsoft. If you never want to send error reports,
you can prevent Windows from displaying this message.
An error report provides Microsoft with information
about the problem that occurred on your computer,
which can help them make improvements to Windows.
However, you may not want to send a report if you are
concerned about security or if it is inconvenient for you.
For example, if you do not have a constant connection
to the Internet, you may not want to connect each time
you need to send an error report. Instead of having to
choose not to send the error report each time
you are asked, it is more efficient to prevent
Windows from asking you at all.

After you stop Windows from sending error
reports to Microsoft, you can choose whether
you want Windows to notify you when a
critical error occurs on your computer.

You must be using a computer administrator
account to change the error reporting settings.

all you have to do is follow this instruction below :

- Click start.
- Click Control Panel.
- Click Performance and Maintenance
- Click System to view the settings for
your computer system.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Click Error Reporting
- Click Disable error reporting to no longer
report any errors to Microsoft
- Click OK to save your changes.

Quickly shut down Windows with a double-click [WinXP]

You can create a shortcut on your desktop that allows
you to quickly shut down Windows with a double-click
instead of having to use the Start menu.
When you create a shortcut to shut down Windows,
you can have Windows count down a specific number
of seconds before shutting down or you can have
Windows shut down immediately. If you set Windows
to count down before.... shutting down, a warning dialog
box appears when you double-click the shortcut.
The warning dialog box counts down the number of
seconds left before the computer will shut down

If you set Windows to shut down immediately
instead of counting down, the warning dialog
box does not appear when you double-click the
shortcut and Windows shuts down immediately.
The shortcut you create for shutting down
Windows works just like any other shortcut.
You can rename or delete the shortcut the same
way you would rename or delete any file.
You must be logged on to Windows as a computer
administrator to use a shortcut to shut down
Windows.

follow this step by step:

- Right-click a blank area on your desktop
- Click New.
- Click Shortcut to create a shortcut on your desktop.
- The Create Shortcut dialog
- To have Windows shut down immediately when
you double-click the shortcut, and type shutdown -s -t 00

NOTE: To have Windows count down for a specific number of
seconds before shutting down, type the number of seconds
instead of 00 in step 4.

- Click Next to continue
- Type the name you want the shortcut to display on your desktop.
- Click Finish to create the shortcut

TRY THIS..!! You can create shortcuts on your desktop
that allow you to log off Windows or restart
your computer. Perform the steps below,
except in step 4, type “shutdown -l -t 00”
to have the shortcut log you off Windows
or type “shutdown -r -t 00” to have the
shortcut restart your computer.

A Faster Way to Encrypt Your Files

If your drives are formatted with NTFS, you have the option of using encryption. Windows XP uses the Encrypting File System (EFS) which lets you encrypt your folders and files for increased security. Normally to encrypt a folder or file, you would have to do so from the folder or file's properties window and access the advanced attributes. Wouldn't it be great though if you could just encrypt or decrypt a file or folder using the shortcut menu?

Well here's a nifty little tip that does just that... it adds the encrypt and decrypt options to the shortcut menu for a folder or file. Of course, a word of caution: the following steps do require you to modify the registry, so proceed carefully:

1. Click Start, point to run, and type regedit.
2. Within the Registry Editor, navigate to the following subkey:
3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
4. Click the Edit menu, point to New, and select Dword value.
5. Type in EncryptionContextMenu. Configure the value as 1.

You should now be able to encrypt or decrypt any of your folders and files using the shortcut menu

Rooney ready to lift Reds

Wayne Rooney will be back for the Reds this weekend against Arsenal in the FA Cup, and John O’Shea says the Reds forward is capable of giving United an injection of confidence.

The effect that Rooney’s suspension-enforced absence had on the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City was palpable. However, O’Shea refuses to use the lack of Rooney’s presence as an excuse for failing to make more of a fight of Sunday’s derby.

“Wayne can lift players around him,” he told MUTV. “He is infectious with his work rate. He gets the crowd buzzing.

“But we were missing other players as well. The team we had out was good enough to win that game. You can always say we’re missing this player, or that player. But we had the squad to cope. We’ve got so many talented players that you hoped one player would conjure something. It just didn’t happen at all for us.”

Whilst not wanting to gloss of one of the most disappointing results of the 2007/08 calendar, O’Shea insists the squad cannot afford to wallow in pity.

“We’re all just waiting for the next game to come around,” he added. “We’re still in a great position in three competitions. We can’t just forget a disappointing result, especially against our city rivals, but we do have a lot to be positive about. We’ve got to make sure we bounce back straight away and go on a long winning run.”

With Rooney back in the team, that seems a more achievable goal. But Sir Alex Ferguson would be keen to point out that United didn’t get to this position operating as a one-player team. And against an in-form Arsenal team at the weekend, the responsibility cannot fall solely on Rooney's shoulders.

Technical upsate on F1 vehicle

Renault R28 - sidepods
When compared with last year's car, the R28's new sidepods have been transformed. The vertical fins (larger red arrow) no longer support the rear-view mirrors, making for a cleaner design and better airflow management towards the rear of the car. In addition the bottom edge of the sidepod's air inlets are much higher than before (smaller red arrow) to provide the radiators with cleaner airflow and reduce the effect of turbulence generated by the front axle and suspension.

Renault R28 - front bridge wing

In comparison to its predecessor, the new Renault's nosecone has been dramatically lowered and now features an additional bridge profile (top arrow). While the front of the chassis has been minimised, the surface area of the wing's main profile has been increased. In addition the pillars (bottom arrow), which connect the nose to this profile, have been dramatically inclined to an almost horizontal position to reduce drag and improve the quality of airflow passing over and underneath the front of the car.

Papers: Reds eye Lyon duo?

Fergie eyes Lyon duo

Sir Alex Ferguson has targeted Lyon duo Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa in a sensational £40million swoop. Boss Fergie made his move just a week before Manchester United face the French side in a Champions League last-16 clash. He spoke to Lyon week. Aulas said: “I spoke to Sir Alex. I told him that Benzema and Ben Arfa will not leave in the next two years. We want to build our future on them. If he wants to exchange Cristiano Ronaldo.. for Ben Arfa we could talk about it but they would have to also give us a bit of money.” But Aulas’ remarks will not put off Fergie, who spoke to the Lyon president before Saturday’s game with Sochaux. French ace Benzema, 20, is one of the hottest strikers in Europe with 16 goals in 24 league games this season, while Fergie sees jet-heeled Ben Arfa, 20, as a long-term replacement for Ryan Giggs, 34. The pair are also summer targets for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun

In other news, Ryan Giggs says one more poor display and the title will slip from United's grasp. But Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the derby defeat has already wrecked United's title dream.

Arsenal took full advantage of the Reds' defeat with a 2-0 win over Blackburn. Emmanuel Adebayor scored for the ninth successive game as the Gunners roared five points ahead of United.
Round up by Gemma Thompson