Category Ask The Answer Guy
 
Brent - I use Firefox, IE and Safari about equally and hate having to open a second browser if I need to get onto a website that is not bookmarked in the browser I am already in. Is there any way to get around the inconvenience?
 
 
I have three PCs with Internet Explorer and Firefox on each and it really is a frustrating experience not being able to get anywhere I want on any machine I happen to be at. I have tried quite a few solutions, but eventually found a free service that completely ended my predicament. It is called Xmarks and it is an enhanced searching / bookmarking service that can synchronize your bookmarks on Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and even Chrome. All it takes is a 30-second free sign-up on the website and then a quick download for each of the browsers you use. Because Xmarks stores and backs up all of your bookmarks, you can see them from any of your computers that have the program installed. There's never a reason to go without all of your bookmark information again.

Aside from syncing and backing up bookmarks, Xmarks (formerly "foxmarks") can save web passwords for you; think about never having to worry about login credentials no matter where you are or whose computer you are using! Other built-in conveniences include site previews that drop down when you type in the address bar and a smart search assistant that highlights the top three websites in your search results based on actual traffic. Mouse-over details on these top websites lay out rankings, reviews and other site info. There are quite a few more features than I can talk about here, so check it out for yourself.

Posted by Keith Lancaster At 3:20 PM Location Reseda, CA | Permalink | Comments (2)

Category Cool Stuff
 

LogMeIn Ignition provides one-touch access to any computer - PC or Mac, desktop or server - you have running the free LogMeIn client. Good for most tasks such as starting downloads, referencing or making changes to files on the go and managing services, it's amazing how easily the iPhone can become an extension of your remote machine!    Some of the selling features include password memorization for all machines, easy computer searching and the ability to control your PC or MAC with all of the native gestures you use with your iPhone. Pinch to zoom in on fields you need to read and type in, touch icons to click on them and tilt for full wide-screen viewing. The iTunes app store is selling the application for $29.99, but the client for all of the machines you wish to remote into is free. Visit iTunes to read more reviews and view ratings and screen shots.

Posted by Keith Lancaster At 10:59 AM Location Reseda, CA | Permalink | Comments (0)

Category Cool Stuff
 
Because the holiday season is upon us, we felt it would be a good idea to profile a hot gift item that appeals to the broadest of audiences; something that teenagers, baby boomers, men and women alike can both appreciate and enjoy. When I think about something that fits the criteria, I think about none other than The Beatles: Rock Band for XBox 360, PS3 and Wii.
 
Combining the short attention span of today's youth with the musical culture of their parents and grandparents, this version of Rock Band has become a staple in many homes in the mere three months it has been on shelves. The track list includes 45 songs chosen from 12 of the albums that the Beatles recorded between 1962 and 1969 under contract with EMI. If you become tired of those, the remaining songs on Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road and Rubber Soul are available for digital download at $2 a piece.

The instruments that come in the $199 - $250 Limited Edition are replicas of the bass, guitars and drums that the Beatles helped make famous. If you already bought Rock Band 1 or 2, you can use your existing hardware and get away with just purchasing the game for $50. The official website has all of the extra details and links to retailers to make your purchase. I recommend Frys, who is selling the full kit for $199 ($50 cheaper than anyone else).

Posted by Keith Lancaster At 10:24 AM Location Reseda, CA | Permalink | Comments (0)

Category It's Free!
 
A new service called Dropbox.com has taken online file storage another step further, allowing users to easily synchronize files between PCs, MACs and even iPhones. Download Dropbox to each one of your computers and give them your account information. Anything you add or modify will be accessible immediately to any other machine you have set up with your account, so you can have your important files with you no matter where you are!


The service comes with a fully-functional web interface which allows you to access your files from any computer on the net with a simple login. Through this, you can send out share links of your individual folders to your friends, families and coworkers while keeping other folders private. Most importantly, a copy of all of your data is left in the cloud; if your hard drive ever fails or your laptop is stolen, your Dropbox is still safe and accessible. 2 GB of storage comes free when you sign up, but you can pay $9.99 or $19.99 for 50 and 100 GB, respectively; with that kind of storage, there is no reason you should ever lose important data in a hardware malfunction. Head to Dropbox.com, watch the intro video and get started with this simple, free file-syncing solution!

Posted by Keith Lancaster At 10:24 AM Location Reseda, CA | Permalink | Comments (1)